Sicily: Messina, Taormina, the noble robber Cornilo and climbing Mount Etna

It was given to him because his arrival had the appearance of a braid. The pagans said that Saturn dropped his scythe and formed a pier with it. Orzon, a zookeeper, one of the Zelikans, dedicated to Neptune the land of Pelor, now Bharos, where Herakles' herds grazed. Here the daughters of the Sun tended their father’s flocks; but the temples and their gods disappeared, and the earthquake swallowed up40 and completely buried their remains. I had nothing left to see in Messines. I wanted to see the theater upon my return from Etna, which I impatiently wanted to go to, and so the next day, early in the morning, I went to Taormina, where I also wanted to inspect the curious remains of antiquity. I rode on a donkey, taking guides and a few supplies. I was told in Messines that I could easily take offense at my escorts, because all three of them belonged to some well-known gang of robbers, and could therefore answer for me. The owner of the inn where I lived knew them, and more than once entrusted travelers with them, who were all very pleased with them. The wonderful thing is that you have to surrender to the mercy of the robbers in order to save yourself from them, and the government is clearly terrified of them, or is unable to tame them! Be so! I will make friends with them; At least I’ll show them that I’m not afraid of them, or I won’t give myself up to them cheaply. The owner introduced me to Signor Cornille and his two comrades. Kornimo was of average height, lean, broad-shouldered and powerfully built. The sick man, sworn, wide black eyebrows, knitted together, and quick black eyes, gave his physical appearance a very stern look; but he was of a cheerful nature and willingly accepted that he did not like the myth. I took out my wallet, which contained about two rubles in silver and two Napoleons in gold. Giving him this money, I said that I would like him to be my treasurer, and I entrusted him with all the travel expenses, because I don’t know anything, and I would certainly be much calmer if he took charge of it. He counted the money, put the wallet in his pocket, and told me: “You will be pleased. “I agreed to pay him and his comrades for their efforts on our return to Messina, leaving the money and all my property with the Russian consul. Vene, bene, EsseTsepza! And we set off... I forgot to say that I armed myself with a pair of pistols and a dagger; my valet too.