Bastianello, momentarily separated from Teresina, came and stood beside him.
"A couple of fenders would save the new paint on her, if we are going for crabs," he observed, thoughtfully.
Ruggiero made that peculiar side motion of the head which means assent and approval in the south.
"And we will bring our own kettle for the crabs, and get the milk from the hotel," continued the younger brother, who anticipated an extremely pleasant evening in the society of Teresina.

"And I have told Saint Peter to bring the torches, because he knows where to get them good," added Bastianello who did not expect Ruggiero to say anything.

"What time do we go ?" "Towards an hour and a half of the night," said Ruggiero, meaning two hours after sunset.

"Then the padroni will have eaten and the rocks will be covered with crabs, and the moon will not be yet risen.

It will be dark under Scutari till past midnight, and the crabs will sit still under the torch, and we can take them with our hands as we always do." "Of course," answered Bastianello, who was familiar with the sport, "one knows that." "And I will tell you another thing," continued Ruggiero, who seemed to warm with the subject.