demanded, the ten thousand gold ducats were handed over. And with the same Messer Ansaldo supplied all that was wanting in the ship'scargo.
In sooth, if the other two vessels had been fine and fair, this third was much richer and better furnished. In like manner Giannetto's friends fitted out their vessels, with the intention of giving to him whatever they might gain bytraffic.
When the day of departure had come and they were about to sail, Messer Ansaldo said to Giannetto, “My son, you are going away, and you see with what bond I am bound. One favour I beg of you, which is, that if perchance you should again miscarry, you will return hither, so that I may see you again before I die. Then I shall be content todepart.”
And Giannetto answered that he would do all things which were agreeable to Messer Ansaldo's wishes. Then Ansaldo gave him his blessing, and, having taken leave, they set sail on theirvoyage.
The two friends who sailed with Giannetto kept good watch over his ship, while he thought of nothing else than how he might again drop into the harbor of Belmonte. Indeed, he gained over to his interests one of the steersmen so completely that he caused the vessel to be brought one night into the port of the lady's city.
When in the morning the light grew clear, his two friends in the other two ships conferred and deliberated. And, since they saw nothing of Giannetto's ship, they said one to the other, 'In sooth, this is an evil turn for him.” And then they kept on their course, wondering greatly the while.