Chapter 8 Chapter 8: Fisherman Fiharto's Family

André Feijato is a Corsican born in Porto de Santa Moza, Saltán.The port is located at the southern tip of Corsica. It is a small port. Together with the Port of Bastia and the Port of Vecchio, it constitutes the only three ports on the east coast.The east coast used to be twists and turns. After thousands of years of surfing, capes and bays, large and small, were flattened and filled, and now it has become a straight coastline. Fihalto's boat sailed from the port of Moza, and often sailed on the narrow sea between Corsica and Italy, and sometimes sailed as far as the Bonifacio Strait and the reefs of Sardinia for fishing operations.

Twenty years ago he had married a girl from the district of Saltan, and two years later had a daughter whom he named Maria.Fishing life is quite difficult, especially when fishing and salvaging corals, you must go to the depths of the narrow channel with extremely dangerous conditions in the strait to find fish.Feihato is brave, strong, and tireless. He is proficient in casting and dragging nets, and often returns with a full load.Feihato's wife is smart and capable, and the business of the mozzar fish shop is booming.The couple can read, write, and count. Compared with the 150,000 illiterates among the 260,000 residents on the island, they are considered literate.Perhaps it was for this reason that although Fejato was an Italian like most of the people on the island, he thought and felt quite like a French, so he was hated by the surrounding villagers at that time.

This township is located at the southern tip of Corsica, far from Bastia, from Ajaccio and from all the main administrative and judicial centers of the island.Villagers are xenophobic about anything other than Italy and Sardinia, and it will probably take several generations of education to change that. As mentioned above, the villagers thus harbored a more or less obstinate hatred for the Feiharto family.In Corsica, envy and hatred of strangers often arouse hatred, and this hatred is more likely to intensify into violence when the opportunity arises.One day, Fehto was threatened by a bad guy, couldn't bear it anymore, and killed him in a fit of rage.Committed a murder, so Feihato had to flee to another country.

However, Feihato didn't want to escape into the jungle. He dealt with the police and the relatives and friends of the deceased every day, making the revenge protracted and finally implicating his relatives.Determined to emigrate, he secretly left Corsica and fled to the coast of Sardinia.After saving some money, his wife sold all Moza's real estate, furniture, boats, and fishing nets, and brought her daughter to Sardinia to live with her husband.Ferharto was determined never to return to his hometown. Although the murder was justified in self-defense, his conscience was always condemned.Coupled with the influence of family superstition, I always feel that the crime of homicide can only be forgiven when another person's life is rescued one day.So he made up his mind that once the time came, he would save people and make atonement.

Ferjato did not leave Corsica long enough to settle in Sardinia, where he was easily recognized or found.Although he himself is brave and resolute, he shudders when he thinks of his relatives; because revenge between families often implicates relatives.He bided his time away from this country, and without arousing any suspicion, he arrived in Italy.Then, in the port of Ancona, Italy, he met a good opportunity, crossed the Adriatic Sea, and settled on the coast of Istria. Such was the situation before the Corsican came to settle in the port of Rovigno.Seventeen years have passed in the blink of an eye.For seventeen years, he still made a living by fishing and lived a prosperous life as before.In the ninth year of coming here, I had another son named Lu Ji.Unfortunately, the son fell to the ground, but the mother passed away.

After his wife died, his daughter and son became his only relatives.The daughter is eighteen years old, and she takes care of her almost eight-year-old brother like a mother.How happy would the fisherman of Rovigno, who had worked well and lived happily, have Ferjato not have been overwhelmed by the loss of his able wife!He is diligent, helpful, and loved by everyone.He was recognized by all as an able fisherman.Fishing among the long strings of rocks that dotted the coast of Istria made him forget his old life of fishing in Port Mozza and the Bonifacio Channel.He is an expert sailor in this sea area, and he is still in charge of the Corsican work in the past.He sailed on the coastline from the port of Pula to Trieste, carried passengers and fished, and earned a lot of money.Therefore, his family always entertains poor guests.His daughter Maria fully supported her father in his charity work and helping the poor.

But the fisherman in Port Moza did not forget his promise, and he risked his life for his life. He killed one life, and he must save another. As soon as the door was shut, the count and Bathory inspected the room in which the fisherman received them.This is the main room of the house. Several pieces of furniture are clean and tidy, which shows that the housewife is a hardworking, beauty-loving and careful person. "Should have something to eat first, right?" Ferharto asked. "Yes, we are starving! We haven't eaten anything for twelve hours!" Sandov replied. "Do you hear, Maria?" cried the fisherman.

After a while, Maria lit a three-core oil lamp, which illuminated the room brightly, and then spread a white tablecloth, put some salt pork, grilled fish, bread, a bottle of local specialty wine, raisins, two glasses and Two plates. The count and Bathory were seated immediately, devouring the food on the table.Although the meal is very simple, it contains a piece of sincerity. They ate and looked at the fisherman and his children sitting in the corner, and the fisherman's family also looked at them without saying a word. Ferharto is about forty-two years old, with a serious face and a trace of sadness between his brows; his complexion is dark due to the wind and sun, showing a kind of healthy beauty.Dressed as an Adriatic fisherman, showing strong shoulders.

Maria's figure and face were like her dead mother's: tall and slender, with brown hair, red cheeks, plump and moving; eyes black and shining, very lively.She is intelligent and has a characteristic Corsican character.Losing her mother at a young age and taking on housework made her think twice and behave prudently, and developed a character of fortitude and unyielding no matter where fate threw her.Local young fishermen chased her more than once, but she ignored everything she said.Doesn't her life belong to her father and baby brother? Luigi is a hard-working, brave and decisive child who is used to life at sea.He was fishing with his father in a boat, with his head bald, despite the wind and rain.In the future, he will undoubtedly be a man of energy, strength, and courage.

After the meal, Fercharto stood up and walked up to the count: "Gentlemen, please go to bed! No one knows you are here, we will talk about it tomorrow." "No, Ferrarto, you cannot stay!" answered the count. "Now we're full! We've got energy! Let's get out of here at once. It's too dangerous for you and your family to stay here!" "Yes, let's go! Thank you for your courage and generosity. May God reward you for your kindness!" Bathory continued. "You must go to sleep! Tonight, the coast is completely blocked, and tonight; no attempt will succeed."

"Well, since you insist on staying!" said the count. "You stay here." "One more question, when did the news of our jailbreak spread?" "This morning," Ferharto replied. "But there were four of you in the cell in Piscino's main tower, and now there are only two of you. It is rumored that the third will be released..." "Sakani!" cried the count.He was filled with righteous indignation at the mention of the name. "Where's the fourth person?" Bathory asked, not daring to finish his sentence. "The fourth person is still alive, and the execution is suspended." "Alive!" Bathory exclaimed. "Alive!" Count Sandov replied in a mocking tone. "They are waiting to take us back, so that we can taste the joy of death together!" "Maria, take your guests into the back room facing the wall, but don't light the lamp. Tonight, don't let anyone see the light in the window. Then you go to bed. Luigi will keep watch with me." "Yes, Daddy!" the little boy responded. "Come, gentlemen," said the girl. Sandov and Bathory shook hands with the fisherman and said good night, and went into the room.The bed was covered with two soft corn silk mattresses, which were enough to recover them from exhaustion. At this time, Feihato and Luigi had already left the house, patrolling and guarding.They were relieved when they saw that there was no one around the house, on the beach or by the stream.The two jailbreakers can safely sleep until dawn. The next day, June 28, while the guests were still soundly asleep, Fercharto went to the city center and the port to get news.In many places, curious people gathered to chat.From the bulletin posted the night before, people learned about the escape of the prisoner, the sentencing situation and the amount of reward offered;It turned out to be a piece of news, but it was passed around, and the more it spread, the more mysterious it became, so there was nothing new about it.In short, there was nothing to suggest that Sandov and his companions had been found in the vicinity, and no one would suspect that they were still in the province.However, at ten o'clock in the morning, when the gendarmerie captain and his men returned to the city of Rovigno after a night of patrolling, it was rumored that two strangers had been seen by the Lyme River.However, they searched from the river to the sea, but there was no one there.Did they really get into a boat by the sea and escape to another point in Istria, or even across the Austrian frontier?It's also hard to say. "Good! Another five thousand guilders will be saved in the treasury." "Money spent anywhere is better than a reward for a shameful whistleblower!" "I hope they escape!" "Must have escaped, and it is probable that they have escaped safely to the other side of the Adriatic!" It appears that public opinion is on the side of the jailbreakers. Just before eleven o'clock, Ferharto brought the news home.At this time, Sandov and Bathory had just had lunch in the room where they spent the night under Maria's care.Hours of sleep, a good meal, and warm care kept them free from fatigue and refreshed. "What's the matter, my friend?" asked the Count as soon as Ferharto closed the door. "Sir, I don't think you need worry at this moment." "What's the news from the city?" Bathory asked. "The story goes that two strangers were found yesterday morning on the beach at the Lyme. If it means the two of you..." "It means both of us," Bathory said. "Someone, a nearby saltworker, saw us and reported us." Then they told what happened while hiding in the ruined farmhouse. "So you don't know who the informer is?" the fisherman insisted. "We saw no man, but heard his voice!" replied Count Sandov. "Bad," Ferharto said. "But it doesn't matter. First, they haven't found your whereabouts. Second, even if someone suspects that you are hiding in my house, there is no need to worry about being informed. In Rovigno, people want you to escape!" "Yes," said the count, "I am not surprised at this. The people of the provinces are good people. But the Austrian authorities must be taken into account. They will stop at nothing to arrest us." "You may rest assured, sir, that you are almost universally believed to have reached the other side of the Adriatic," the fisherman continued. "God bless, I hope so!" said Maria, putting her hands together, praying. "My dear child, it requires the help of heaven!" said the count in a tone full of confidence. "And mine, Monsieur the Count!" retorted Ferharto. "Now we have to go to work as usual. Luigi and I go to the beach to weave fishing nets or wash the boats. Everyone is used to it. We can't change these habits at all. Besides, I need to see the weather before making a decision. You must stay in the house, and you must not leave with any excuse." With that, Ferharto led his son out, leaving Maria sitting at the door, doing her usual work. A few fishermen were walking up and down the beach.Ferharto deliberately struck up a few words with them, and then went to spread the fishing net on the sand. "It must be Dongfeng." One of them said. "Yes," Feiharto replied, "the torrential rain the day before yesterday was so strong that it wiped out the sky." "Hmph! When it gets dark, the wind becomes cold, and when the north wind blows, it becomes gusts of wind." "Anyway, it's a continental wind, and besides, the sea between the rocks never gets rough." "Then we have to see it!" "Andre, are you going fishing tonight?" "As long as the weather is nice, go." "Didn't you say you were going to arrest the ship?" "Only arrest the big boats, not those small boats that do not leave the coast." "That's great. We've spotted a school of bonito from the south, and we'll have to set up our nets quickly." "Okay, don't waste time, do it!" Feihato said. "Ah! Maybe we can catch bonito?" "No, I'll tell you, if I go out tonight, I'll go tuna-fishing at Osla and Palonzo." "Whatever you want! Anyway, we're going to cast nets at the foot of the rock." "You can do whatever you want!" So Fihalto and Luigi went to the hut to fetch the nets and spread them out on the sand to dry.Two hours later, Ferjato told his son to get the hooks ready for the tuna.Then, go home. Ferharto first sat on the threshold to smoke, and ten minutes later he came to the guest's bedroom.Maria still sat at the door and worked. "Mr. Earl," said the fisherman, "the wind is blowing from the mainland. I don't think the sea will be very rough tonight. You can escape without leaving a trace. If you have made up your mind, come aboard with me, preferably today." Set off around ten o'clock in the evening. At that time, you will slide down between the rocks without anyone seeing you. When you reach the beach, I will take you to the fishing boat in a small boat, and then go to sea immediately. Since everyone knows that I will go to sea tonight, I will It will not be noticeable. If the sea wind is strong, I will sail along the coast and ferry you beyond the Austrian border, that is, outside the mouth of the Kotor River." "What are you going to do if there is no sea breeze?" asked the count. "We will cross the Adriatic Sea and let you land at Rimini or at the mouth of the Po River," replied the fisherman. "Will your boat survive the toss?" Bathory asked. "Hey! It's a good boat, half decked; my son and I have tried it in the worst weather. Besides, there's some risk to be had." "Take risks! We risk our lives as a matter of course, but you, my friend, you risk your lives too..." "This has something to do with me, Mr. Earl. To save you is just to do my duty." "Your obligation?" "yes." And Ferjato told the story of that part of his life for which he had left the port of Santa Moza and Corsica.So he wants to do a good deed to make up for his mistakes with virtue. "What a good man!" said the count, moved by his story.said loudly.He went on to say: "Whether we go to the mouth of the Kotor River or to the other side of Italy, it will take a few days. Your absence for a few days will definitely arouse the suspicion of the people of Rovigno! If we are saved, you will be arrested and imprisoned instead." , that's too inappropriate!" "Don't worry, Monsieur Earl. I often spend five or six days at sea during the busy fishing season. And, I repeat to you, I must. Let's do it!" There is no doubt about the fisherman's determination, and his plan is indeed the best strategy and easy to implement.Since his fishing boat wasn't afraid of the waves - at least he wished so, he just had to be careful when he got aboard.It was dark at night.There was no moonlight; it was probable that with nightfall a thick fog would rise and freeze the shore; and on the silent beach there was no one to be seen except one or two customs officers with nets to catch birds.As for the other fishermen, Ferjato's neighbors were, as they said, setting up stakes and nets for bonito beyond the rocky rocks two or three miles below Rovigno.In case they found the fishing boat, the fishing boat with the two escapees hidden below deck might have been far away from the coast. "What is the shortest straight-line distance from the port of Rovigno to the coast of Italy?" Batory asked. "About fifty miles." "how much time is required?" "With a fair wind, we'll only need twelve hours. But you want money, you need money, and there's three hundred florins in this belt, so put it around your loins." "My friend..." said Count Sandov. "When you are safe in the future, it will not be too late to pay me back." The fisherman argued, "Now, you just wait for me!" When the matter was settled, the fisherman went out and went back to his daily work.He went to the beach for a while, and came home for a while, and he was busy.As for Luigi, he was wrapping the dry food enough for several days into the spare sail and quietly transporting it to the fishing boat.It seemed that Fihalto's plan would be carried out without arousing any suspicion.He was careful not to even meet the escapee before boarding the ship at night.Count Sandov and Bathory hid in the innermost part of the room, with the windows kept open.When the time comes, the fisherman will call them. Throughout the afternoon, several of the neighbors came to chat with him about fishing and the sighting of bonito in Easterly waters.Fercharto received them in the reception room and invited them to tea as usual. In this way, people came and went, talking for most of the day, they sometimes talked about fugitives, and at one time it was rumored that they had just been arrested near the estuary on the Quarnero Bay side of the peninsula—and after a while Dispelled the rumors. However, Feihato never expected that after six o'clock in the evening, he received an unexpected guest.At first, the arrival of this unexpected guest didn't disturb Feiharto, it just surprised him, but after the person left, Feiharto felt that the visitor was not kind. Just as eight o'clock struck on the bell tower, Maria was busy making dinner, and the cutlery had been placed on the table in the reception room, when suddenly there were two knocks on the door. Ferjato immediately went to open the door, and was very surprised to see that the visitor was the Spaniard Carpena. Carpena was originally from Almayate, a small city in the province of Malaga. Because of his dishonorable deeds, he left Spain just like Ferjato left Corsica, and came to Istria Peninsula to work as a salt worker. workers, transporting salt from the western coast to the inland for sale.The income of this occupation is meager, and the money earned is just enough to support him. Carpena was a stocky, young man of only twenty-five, of short stature, with broad shoulders and a fat head and ears.A head of unkempt and curly black hair, with a fleshy face, like a fierce bulldog.He was socially unsocial, bitter, vengeful, and vile, and the locals didn't like him very much.No one knows why he moved here.He quarreled with the guys in the saltworks many times, threatening one for a while, threatening another for a while, and then there were fights.As a result, he became notorious and no one approached him. However, he didn't realize that his character was not good, his reputation was bad, and he wanted to contact Ferhato with a shameless face.But at the beginning, he was treated coldly by the fishermen. As soon as Carpena stepped on the threshold, Ferjato stopped him: "What's your business?" "I passed by the door and saw a light on, so I came in." "Why is that?" "Visiting you, my neighbour." "I don't like you coming, you know that?" "That is usual," said the Spaniard, "but today is unusual!" Feiharto didn't understand what he meant, and couldn't figure out what kind of medicine he was selling in his gourd.However, Feihato couldn't help trembling all over his body, which was noticed by Carpena.Carpena closed the door: "I have something to tell you." "There is nothing to say!" "Yes, I have to talk to you...especially..." he said in a low voice. "Then you come!" said the fisherman.On this day, he could not refuse any visitor.He made a sign, and Carpena followed him through the hall to his own room.This house faced the street and was only separated by a wall from Sandov's house facing the wall.There were only the two of them now, and the fisherman asked him at once: "What do you want from me?" "My neighbour, I have come to beg you to lend a hand of friendship." "What's up?" "About your daughter's marriage." "Okay, stop talking." "Listen to me...you know I love Maria, and it is my deepest desire to marry her." This is Carpena's luxury. For several months, Carpena was very courteous to the girl.Everyone can clearly see that material interests are more important than love in his eyes.Among ordinary fishermen, Feijato is considered a wealthy family, and compared with this poor Spaniard, he is even richer.So at the very beginning of contact, Carpena intended to be Ferjato's son-in-law, but was repeatedly rejected by the fisherman, because Carpena didn't suit him in any way.The situation is all too clear. "Carpena," Ferjato said to him coldly, "you asked my daughter, and she said no. You asked me, too, and I said no. Today you are nagging again, and I say to you for the last time. :no!" At this moment, Carpena showed his fierce face, grinning his teeth and shining a fierce light in his eyes.But the lights in the room were dim, so Feiharto didn't see his ferocious face. "Is that your final answer?" Carpena asked. "If this is the last time you ask, this is my last answer," replied the fisherman. "If you mention it again, it will still be the same answer." "I'll bring it up again! As long as Maria asks me to bring it up again, I'll have to!" "She," cried Ferharto, "my daughter has no affection for you, and you know that." "As long as I talk to her once, her feelings will change." "conversation?" "Yes, Ferharto, I'd love to talk to her." "when?" "Right away...do you hear...I want to talk to her...have to talk...tonight!" "I refused for her!" "Be careful what you do!" Carpena shouted loudly. "Be careful!" "Be careful?" "I want revenge!" "Revenge, as long as you dare, as long as you can!" Feihato said angrily, "You know, I am not afraid of your threats. Now I ask you to go out, or I will throw you out !" Carpena's eyes were red with anger, maybe he was really going to use force.But he still restrained himself, pushed open the door suddenly, rushed into the hall, and left the fisherman's house without saying a word. He had just gone out when the door of the next room opened.Sandov heard the conversation just now clearly.He stepped over the threshold, approached Ferharto, and whispered to him: "This is the guy who found us in front of the captain of the gendarmerie. He knew us. He saw us when we landed on the Lyme and followed us as far as Rovigno. Apparently he knew you had us hiding in your house. .Let's run away right away, or we're screwed, and you are screwed!"