"Faint enough," he went on.
"A little more and the King might have waited for his minion forever and a day.

It would have been the better for us, who have now, indeed, a strange fish upon our hands, but I am glad I killed him not." I tossed him a flask.

"It's good aqua vitae, and the flask is honest.
Give him to drink of it." He forced the liquor between my lord's teeth, then dashed water in his face.

Another minute and the King's favorite sat up and looked around him.

Dazed as yet, he stared, with no comprehension in his eyes, at the clouds, the sail, the rushing water, the dark figures about him.
"Nicolo!" he cried sharply.
"He's not here, my lord," I said.
At the sound of my voice he sprang to his feet.
"I should advise your lordship to sit still," I said.