This was a great deal toward convicting the Signore Smees of imposition, though both the vice-governatore and the podesta were of opinion that Captain Cuffe might yet be mistaken as to the identity of the lugger.
"It is impossible, Signori," answered the lieutenant; "we know every English cruiser in these seas, by name and description at least, and most of them by sight.

This is none; and everything about her, particularly her sailing, betrays her real name.

We hear there is a man in her who once belonged to our own ship, a certain Ithuel Bolt--" "Cospetto!" exclaimed the podesta.

"Then we must set down this Sir Smees, after all, for an arrant rogue; for this is the very man we met at Benedetta's the past night.

An Americano, Signor Tenente, is he not ?" "Why, the fellow _pretends_ to be some such thing," answered the young man, coloring, for he was loath to confess the wrong that had been done the deserter; "but half the British seamen one falls in with nowadays call themselves Americans, in order to escape serving his Majesty.