"There was a show at Nauplia last year," continued Mitsos, lying lengthily back and looking at the stars, "and a fat woman in it. When she walked she wobbled like a jelly-fish. Just about as fat as a cousin of mine."
"She wasn't married, the man said, and was to be had for the asking. I hate fat women almost as much as I hate fat men."
Nicholas had strolled out of his hut, and was standing behind the boys as they talked.
"Now look at Uncle Nicholas, Yanni," said Mitsos, still unconscious of his presence, "he will be some twelve good inches taller than you, and forty years older; but I doubt if you could tie his trousers-strings."
"I can do it myself, little Mitsos," he said. "Come in, you two; there is work forward."
Yanni sprang up and stepped into his shoe, forgetting the blister.
"A journey," he said, "for Mitsos and me? Oh, Mitsos, it is good."
"Yanni cannot walk," said Mitsos; "he has a blister, and must needs be carried like a scented woman."
"A blister?" asked Nicholas. "Don't think about it."
"So said I," answered Mitsos, "but he has no thought for aught else in God's world."
"Well, come in," answered Nicholas, "and hear what you will hear."
The business was soon explained. The ship which had been seen at Kalamata had gone back to Nauplia, so it was reported, and was to transport thence to Athens several wealthy Turkish families who were fearful for their safety. From Athens it would come back, bringing arms and ammunition, to Nauplia. The time for the fire-ship had come.
"And Nicholas says, little Mitsos," continued Petrobey, "that you know the bay of Nauplia like your own hand, and can take your boat about it as a man carries food to his mouth."
"And in truth I am no stranger to it," he said. "When do I start?"
"To-morrow morning. The ship arrived there three days ago, but will wait another five days. The business is to be done when she is well out to sea, so that there is no time for her to get back. You will want some one with you. Whom would you like?"
"Whom but the fat little cousin?" he said.
"The little cousin doesn't mind," said Yanni, with his eyes dancing, and gave Mitsos a great poke in the ribs.
"Ugh, Turkish pig," quoth Mitsos, "we will settle that account together."