THE TRIAL OF STRENGTH.
Scarcely were the bravoes seated, when Cinthia (for that was the young woman's name) was again summoned to the door; and the company was now increased by two new-comers, who examined their unknown guest from head to foot.
"Now, then," cried one of these, who had conducted Abellino to this respectable society, "let us see what you are like."As he said this he raised a burning lamp from the table, and the light of its flame was thrown full upon Abellino's countenance.
"Lord, forgive me my sins!" screamed Cinthia; "out upon him! what an ugly hound it is!"She turned hastily round, and hid her face with her hands. Dreadful was the look with which Abellino repaid her compliment.
"Knave," said one of the banditti, "Nature's own hand has marked you out for an assassin--come, prithee be frank, and tell us how thou hast contrived so long to escape the gibbet? In what gaol didst thou leave thy last fetters? Or from what galley hast thou taken thy departure, without staying to say adieu?"Abellino, folding his arms--"If I be such as you describe," said he, with an air of authority, and in a voice which made his hearers tremble, "'tis for me all the better. Whate'er may be my future mode of life, Heaven can have no right to find fault with it, since it was for that it formed and fitted me."The five bravoes stepped aside, and consulted together. The subject of their conference is easy to be divined. In the meanwhile Abellino remained quiet and indifferent to what was passing.
After a few minutes they again approached him. One, whose countenance was the most ferocious, and whose form exhibited the greatest marks of muscular strength, advanced a few paces before the rest, and addressed Abellino as follows:-"Hear me, comrade. In Venice there exist but five banditti; you see them before you; wilt thou be the sixth? Doubt not thou wilt find sufficient employment. My name is Matteo, and I am the father of the band: that sturdy fellow with the red locks is called Baluzzo;he, whose eyes twinkle like a cat's, is Thomaso, an arch-knave, Ipromise you; 'twas Pietrino whose bones you handled so roughly to-night; and yon thick-lipped Colossus, who stands next to Cinthia, is named Stuzza. Now, then, you know us all--and since you are a penniless devil, we are willing to incorporate you in our society;but we must first be assured that you mean honestly by us."Abellino smiled, or rather grinned, and murmured hoarsely--"I am starving.""Answer, fellow! Dost thou mean honestly by us?""That must the event decide."
"Mark me, knave; the first suspicion of treachery costs you your life. Take shelter in the Doge's palace, and girdle yourself round with all the power of the Republic--though clasped in the Doge's arms, and protected by a hundred cannons, still would we murder you!
Fly to the high altar; press the crucifix to your bosom, and even at mid-day, still would we murder you. Think on this well, fellow, and forget not we are banditti!""You need not tell me that. But give me some food, and then I'll prate with you as long as you please. At present I am starving.
Four-and-twenty hours have elapsed since I last tasted nourishment."Cinthia now covered a small table with her best provisions, and filled several silver goblets with delicious wine.