seeking to get more； happened to be taken by certaine ships of the
Sarazins； and so were robbed themselves of all that they had gotten；
yet they resisted them stoutly a long while together； though it proved
to the losse of many lives among them。 When the Sarazens had sunke his
ship in the Sea； they tooke him with them to Thunis； where he was
imprisoned； and lived in extreamest misery。
Newes came to Liparis； not onely by one； but many more beside；
that all those which departed thence in the small Barke with
Martuccio； were drowned in the Sea； and not a man escaped。 When
Constance； heard these unwelcome tydings （who was exceeding full of
greefe； for his so desperate departure） she wept and lamented
extraordinarily； desiring now rather to dye； then live any longer。 Yet
she had not the heart； to lay any violent hand on her selfe； but
rather to end her dayes by some new kinde of necessity。 And
departing privately from her Fathers house； she went to the Port or
Haven； where （by chance） she found a small Fisher…boate； lying distant
from the other vessels； the owners whereof being all gone on shore；
and it well furnished with Masts； Sailes； and Oares； she entred into
it； and putting forth the Oares； being somewhat skilfull in sayling；
（as generally all the Women of that Island are） she so well guided the
Sailes； Rudder； and Oares； that she was quickly farre off from the
Land； and soly remained at the mercy of the windes。 For thus she had
resolved with her selfe； that the Boat being uncharged； and without
a guide； would either be overwhelmed by the windes； or split in peeces
against some Rocke； by which meanes she could ＇not＇ escape although
she would； but （as it was her desire） must needs be drowned。
In this determination； wrapping a mantle about her head； and lying
downe weeping in the boats bottome； she hourely expected her finall
expiration： but it fell out otherwise； and contrary to her desperate
intention； because the wind turning to the North； and blowing very
gently； without disturbing the Seas a jot； they conducted the small
Boat in such sort； that after the night of her entering into it； and
the morrowes sailing untill the evening； it came within an hundre
leagues of Thunis and to a strond neere a Towne called Susa。 The young
Damosell knew not whether she were on the sea or land； as one； who not
by any accident hapning； lifted up her head to looke about her；
neither intended ever to doe。 Now it came to passe； that as the
boate was driven to the shore； a poore woman stood at the Sea side；
washing certaine Fishermens Nets； and seeing the boate comming towards
her under saile； without any person appearing in it； she wondred
thereat not a little。 It being close at the shore； and she thinking
the Fishermen to be asleepe therein： stept boldly； and looked into the
boate； where she saw not any body； but onely the poore distressed
Damosell； whose sorrowes having brought her now into a sound sleepe；
the woman gave many cals before she could awake her； which at the
length she did； and looked very strangely about her。
The poore woman perceyving by her habite that she was a Christian；
demanded of her （in speaking Latine） how it was possible for her；
being all alone in the boate； to arrive there in this manner？ When
Constance； heard her speake the Latine tongue； she began to doubt；
least some contrary winde had turned her backe to Liparis againe；
and starting up sodainly； to looke with better advice about her；
shee saw her selfe at Land： and not knowing the Countrey； demanded
of the poore woman where she was？ Daughter （quoth she） you are heere
hard by Susa in Barbarie。 Which Constance hearing； and plainly
perceyving； that death had denied to end her miseries； fearing least
she should receive some dishonour； in such a barbarous unkinde
Country； and not knowing what should now become of her； shee sate
downe by the boates side； wringing her hands； and weeping bitterly。
The good Woman did greatly compassionate her case； and prevailed
so well by gentle speeches； that she conducted her into her owne poore
habitation； where at length she understoode； by what meanes shee
hapned thither so strangely。 And perceyving her to be fasting； she set
such homely bread as she had before her； a few small Fishes； and a
Crewse of Water； praying her for to accept of that poore
entertainment； which meere necessity compelled her to do； and shewed
her selfe very thankefull for it。
Constance hearing that she spake the Latine language so well；
desired to know what she was。 Whereto the old woman thus answered：
Gentlewoman （quoth she） I am of Trapanum； named Carapresa； and am a
servant in this Countrey to certaine Christian Fishermen。 The young
Maiden （albeit she was very full of sorrow） hearing her name to be
Carapresa； conceived it as a good augury to her selfe； and that she
had heard the name before； although she knew not what occasion
should move her thus to do。 Now began her hopes to quicken againe； and
yet she could not relie upon what ground； nor was she so desirous of
death as before； but made more precious estimation of her life； and
without any further declaration of her selfe or Countrey； she
entreated the good woman （even for charities sake） to take pitty on
her youth； and helpe her with such good advice； to prevent all
injuries which might happen to her； in such a solitary wofull
condition。
Carapresa having heard her request； like a good woman as she was；
left Constance in her poore Cottage； and went hastily to leave her
nets in safety： which being done； she returned backe againe； and
covering Constance with her Mantle； led her on to Susa with her； where
being arrived； the good woman began in this manner。 Constance； I
will bring thee to the house of a very worthy Sarazin Lady； to whom
I have done many honest services； according as she pleased to
command me。 She is an ancient woman； full of charity； and to her I
will commend thee as best I may； for I am well assured； that she
will gladly entertaine thee； and use thee as if thou wert her own
daughter。 Now； let it be thy part； during thy time of remaining with
her； to employ thy utmost diligence in pleasing her； by deserving
and gaining her grace； till heaven shall blesse thee with better
fortune： and as she promised； so she performed。
The Sarazine Lady； being well stept into yeares； upon the
commendable speeches delivered by Carapresa； did the more seriously
fasten her eye on Constance； and compassion provoking her to teares；
she tooke her by the hand； and （in loving manner） kissed her
fore…head。 So she led her further into her house； where dwelt divers
other women （but not one man） all exercising themselves in severall
labours； as working in all sorts of silke； with Imbroideries of Gold
and Silver； and sundry other excellent Arts beside； which in short
time were very familiar to Constance； and so pleasing grew her
behaviour to the old Lady； and all the rest beside； that they loved
and delighted in her wonderfully； and （by little and little） she
attained to the speaking of their language； although it were very
harsh and difficult。
Constance continuing thus in the old Ladies service at Susa； and
thought to be dead or lost in her owne Fathers house； it fortuned；
that one reigning then as King of Thunis； who named himselfe
Mariabdela： there was a young Lord of great birth； and very powerfull；
who lived as then in Granada； and pleaded that the Kingdome of
Thunis belonged to him。 In which respect； he mustred together a mighty
Army； and came to assault the King； as hoping to expell him。 These
newes comming to the eare of Martuccio Gomito； who spake the Barbarian
Language perfectly； and hearing it reported； that the King of Thunis
made no meane preparation for his owne defence： he conferred with
one of his keepers； who had the custody of him； and the rest taken
with him； saying： If （quoth he） I could have meanes to speake with the
King； and he were pleased to allow of my counsell； I can enstruct
him in such a course； as shall assure him to win the honor of the
field。 The Guard reported these speeches to his Master； who
presently acquainted the King therewith； and Martuccio being sent for；
he was commanded to speake his minde： Whereupon he began in this
manner。
My gracious Lord； during the time that I have frequented your
countrey； I have heedfully observed； that the Militarie Discipline
used in your fights and battailes； dependeth more upon your Archers；
then any other men imployed in your war And therefore； if it could
be so ordered； that this kinde of Artillery may faile in your
enemies Campe； and yours be sufficiently furnished therewith； you
neede make no doubt of winning the battaile： whereto the King thus
replyed。 Doubtlesse； if such an act were possible to be done； it would
give great hope of successefull prevalling。 Sir； said Martuccio； if
you please it may be done； and I can quickly resolve you how。 Let
the strings of your Archers Bowes be made more soft and gentle； then
those which heretofore they have formerly used； and next； let the
nockes of the Arrowes be so provided； as not to receive any other；
then those pliant gentle strings。 But this must be done so secretly；
that your enemies may have no knowledge thereof； least they should
provide themselves in the same manner。 Now the reason （Gracious
Lord） why thus I counsell you； is to this end。 When the Archers on the
Enemies side have shot their Arrowes at your men； and yours in the
like maner at them： it followeth； that （upon meere constraint） they
must gather up your Arrowes； to shoote them backe againe at you； for
so long while as the battell endureth； as no doubt but your men wil do
the like to them。 But your enemies finde themselves much deceived；
because they can make no use of your peoples Arrowes； in regard that
the nockes are too narrow to receive their boystrous strings。 Which
will fall out contrary with your followers； for the pliant strings
belonging to your Bowes； are as apt for their enemies great nockt
Arrowes； as their owne； and so they shall have free use of both；
reserving them in plentifull store； when your adversaries must stand
unfurnished of any； but them that they cannot any way