第4章
"Ifyouhadbeenstayinganywhereelse，monsieur，mybrotherwouldhavegonetopayhisrespectstoyouyesterday。"
Orsomadeendlessapologies，vowinghehadnothingtodowithhissister’sabsurdstratagem，bywhichheappeareddeeplymortified。TheprefectandtheelderBarriciniappearedtobelieveinthesincerityofhisregret，andindeedthisbeliefwasjustifiedbyhisevidentconfusionandthereproachesheaddressedtohissister。Butthemayor’stwosonsdidnotseemsatisfied。
"Wearebeingmadetolooklikefools，"saidOrlanduccioaudibly。
"Ifmysisterweretoplaymesuchtricks，"saidVincentello，"I’dsooncureherfancyforbeginningthemagain。"
Thewords，andthetoneinwhichtheywereuttered，offendedOrso，anddiminishedhisgood-will。Glancesthatwereanythingbutfriendlywereexchangedbetweenhimandthetwoyoungmen。
Meanwhile，everybodybeingseatedsaveColomba，whoremainedstandingclosetothekitchendoor，theprefecttookuphisparable，andafterafewcommon-placesastolocalprejudices，herecalledthefactthatthemostinveterateenmitiesgenerallyhavetheirrootinsomemeremisunderstanding。Next，turningtothemayor，hetoldhimthatSignordellaRebbiahadneverbelievedtheBarricinifamilyhadplayedanypart，directorindirect，inthedeplorableeventwhichhadberefthimofhisfather；thathehad，indeed，nursedsomedoubtsastoonedetailinthelawsuitbetweenthetwofamilies；thatSignorOrso’slongabsence，andthenatureoftheinformationsenthim，excusedthedoubtinquestion；thatinthelightofrecentrevelationshefeltcompletelysatisfied，anddesiredtore-openfriendlyandneighbourlyrelationswithSignorBarriciniandhissons。
Orsobowedstiffly。SignorBarricinistammeredafewwordsthatnobodycouldhear，andhissonsstaredsteadilyattheceilingrafters。Theprefectwasabouttocontinuehisspeech，andaddressthecounterpartoftheremarkshehadmadetoSignorBarricini，toOrso，whenColombasteppedgravelyforwardbetweenthecontractingparties，atthesametimedrawingsomepapersfrombeneathherneckerchief。
"Ishouldbehappyindeed，"shesaid，"toseethequarrelbetweenourtwofamiliesbroughttoanend。Butifthereconciliationistobesincere，theremustbeafullexplanation，andnothingmustbeleftindoubt。SignorPrefetto，TomasoBianchi’sdeclaration，comingfromamanofsuchvilereport，seemedtomejustlyopentodoubt。IsaidyoursonshadpossiblyseenthismanintheprisonatBastia。"
"It’sfalse！"interruptedOrlanduccio；"Ididn’tseehim！"
Colombacastascornfulglanceathim，andproceededwithgreatapparentcomposure。
"YouexplainedTomaso’sprobableinterestinthreateningSignorBarricini，inthenameofadreadedbandit，byhisdesiretokeephisbrotherTeodoroinpossessionofthemillwhichmyfatherallowedhimtohireataverylowrent。"
"That’squiteclear，"assentedtheprefect。
"WherewasTomasoBianchi’sinterest？"exclaimedColombatriumphantly。
"Hisbrother’sleasehadrunout。Myfatherhadgivenhimnoticeonthe1stofJuly。Hereismyfather’saccount-book；hereishisnoteofwarninggiventoTeodoro，andtheletterfromabusinessmanatAjacciosuggestinganewtenant。"
Asshespokeshegavetheprefectthepapersshehadbeenholdinginherhand。
Therewasanastonishedpause。Themayorturnedvisiblypale。Orso，knittinghisbrows，leanedforwardtolookatthepapers，whichtheprefectwasperusingmostattentively。
"Wearebeingmadetolooklikefools！"criedOrlanduccioagain，springingangrilytohisfeet。"Letusbeoff，father！Weoughtnevertohavecomehere！"
Oneinstant’sdelaygaveSignorBarricinitimetorecoverhiscomposure。Heaskedleavetoseethepapers。Withoutawordtheprefecthandedthemovertohim。Pushinghisgreenspectaclesuptohisforehead，helookedthroughthemwithasomewhatindifferentair，whileColombawatchedhimwiththeeyesofatigresswhoseesabuckdrawingneartothelairwhereshehadhiddenhercubs。
"Well，"saidSignorBarricini，ashepulleddownhisspectaclesandreturnedthedocuments，"knowingthelatecolonel’skindheart，Tomasothought——mostlikelyhethought——thatthecolonelwouldchangehismindaboutthenotice。Asamatteroffact，Bianchiisstillatthemill，so——"
"ItwasI，"saidColomba，andtherewasscorninhervoice，"wholefthimthere。Myfatherwasdead，andsituatedasIwas，Iwasobligedtotreatmybrother’sdependentswithconsideration。"
"Yet，"quoththeprefect，"thismanTomasoacknowledgesthathewrotetheletter。Thatmuchisclear。"
"Thethingthatiscleartome，"brokeinOrso，"isthatthereissomevileinfamyunderneaththiswholebusiness。"
"Ihavetocontradictanotherassertionmadebythesegentlemen，"saidColomba。
ShethrewopenthedoorintothekitchenandinstantlyBrandolaccio，thelicentiateintheology，andBrusco，thedog，marchedintotheroom。Thetwobanditswereunarmed——apparently，atallevents；theyworetheircartridgebelts，butthepistols，whicharetheirnecessarycomplement，wereabsent。Astheyenteredtheroomtheydoffedtheircapsrespectfully。
Theeffectproducedbytheirsuddenappearancemaybeconceived。Themayoralmostfellbackward。Hissonsthrewthemselvesboldlyinfrontofhim，eachonefeelingforhisdaggerinhiscoatpocket。Theprefectmadeasteptowardthedoor，andOrso，seizingBrandolacciobythecollar，shouted：
"Whathaveyoucomeherefor，youvillain？"
"Thisisatrap！"criedthemayor，tryingtogetthedooropen。But，bythebandits’orders，aswasafterwarddiscovered，Saveriahadlockeditontheoutside。
"Goodpeople，"saidBrandolaccio，"don’tbeafraidofme。I’mnotsuchadevilasIlook。Wemeannoharmatall。SignorPrefetto，I’myourveryhumbleservant。Gently，lieutenant！You’restranglingme！We’rehereaswitnesses！Nowthen，Padre，speakup！Yourtongue’sglibenough！"
"SignorPrefetto，"quoththelicentiate，"Ihavenotthehonourofbeingknowntoyou。MynameisGiocantoCastriconi，betterknownasthePadre。Aha，it’scomingbacktoyou！Thesignorinahere，whomI
havenotthepleasureofknowingeither，hassenttoaskmetosupplysomeinformationaboutafellowofthenameofTomasoBianchi，withwhomIchancedtobeshutup，aboutthreeweeksago，intheprisonatBastia。ThisiswhatIhavetotellyou。"
"Spareyourselfthetrouble，"saidtheprefect。"Icannotlistentoanythingfromsuchamanasyou。SignordellaRebbia，Iamwillingtobelieveyouhavehadnothingtodowiththisdetestableplot。Butareyoumasterinyourownhouse？Willyouhavethedooropened？Yoursistermayhavetogiveanaccountofthestrangerelationsinwhichsheliveswithasetofbandits。"
"SignorPrefetto！"criedColomba，"Ibeseechyoutolistentowhatthismanhastosay！Youareheretodojusticetoeverybody，anditisyourdutytosearchoutthetruth。Speak，GiocantoCastriconi！"
"Don’tlistentohim，"chorusedthethreeBarricini。
"Ifeverybodytalksatonce，"remarkedthebandit，withasmile，"nobodycancontrivetohearwhatanybodysays。Well，intheprisonatBastiaIhadasmycompanion——notasmyfriend——thisveryman，Tomaso。
HereceivedfrequentvisitsfromSignorOrlanduccio。"
"Youlie！"shoutedthetwobrotherstogether。
"Twonegativesmakeanaffirmative，"pursuedCastriconicoolly。
"Tomasohadmoney，heateanddrankofthebest。Ihavealwaysbeenfondofgoodcheer（that’stheleastofmyfailings），andinspiteofmyrepugnancetorubbingshoulderswithsuchawretch，Iletmyselfbetempted，severaltimesover，intodiningwithhim。Outofgratitude，I
proposedheshouldescapewithme。Ayoungperson——towhomIhadshownsomekindness——hadprovidedmewiththenecessarymeans。Idon’tintendtocompromiseanybody。Tomasorefusedmyoffer，tellingmehewascertaintobeallright，aslawyerBarricinihadspokentoallthejudgesforhim，andhewassuretogetoutofprisonwithacharacteraswhiteassnow，andwithmoneyinhispocket，too。Asforme，I
thoughtitbettertogetintothefreshair。/Dixi/。"
"Everythingthatfellowhassaidisaheapoflies，"reiteratedOrlanducciostoutly。"Ifwewereintheopencountry，andeachofushadhisgun，hewouldn’ttalkinthatway。"
"Here’saprettyfolly！"criedBrandolaccio。"Don’tyouquarrelwiththePadre，Orlanduccio！"
"Willyoubegoodenoughtoallowmetoleavethisroom，SignordellaRebbia，"saidtheprefect，andhestampedhisfootinhisimpatience。
"Saveria！Saveria！"shoutedOrso，"openthedoor，inthedevil’sname！"
"Onemoment，"saidBrandolaccio。"Wehavetoslipawayfirst，onourside。SignorPrefetto，thecustom，whenpeoplemeetinthehouseofamutualfriend，istoalloweachotherhalfanhour’slaw，afterdeparture。"
Theprefectcastascornfulglanceathim。
"Yourservant，signorina，andgentlemenall！"saidBrandolaccio。Thenstretchingouthisarm，"Hi，Brusco，"hecriedtohisdog，"jumpfortheSignorPrefetto！"
Thedogjumped；thebanditsswiftlysnatcheduptheirarmsinthekitchen，fledacrossthegarden，andatashrillwhistlethedooroftheroomflewopenasthoughbymagic。
"SignorBarricini，"saidOrso，andsuppressedfuryvibratedinhisvoice，"Iholdyoutobeaforger！ThisverydayIshallchargeyoubeforethepublicprosecutorwithforgeryandcomplicitywithBianchi。
Imayperhapshaveastillmoreterribleaccusationtobringagainstyou！"
"AndI，SignordellaRebbia，"repliedthemayor，"shalllaymychargeagainstyouforconspiracyandcomplicitywithbandits。Meanwhiletheprefectwilldesirethegendarmestokeepaneyeuponyou。"
"Theprefectwilldohisduty，"saidthatgentlemansternly。"HewillseethepublicorderisnotdisturbedatPietranera；hewilltakecarejusticeisdone。Isaythistoyouall，gentlemen！"
ThemayorandVincentellowereoutsidetheroomalready，andOrlanducciowasfollowingthem，steppingbackward，whenOrsosaidtohiminanundertone：
"Yourfatherisanoldman。Onecufffrommewouldkillhim。ItiswithyouandwithyourbrotherthatIintendtodeal。"
Orlanduccio’sonlyresponsewastodrawhisdaggerandflylikeamadmanatOrso。ButbeforehecouldusehisweaponColombacaughtholdofhisarmandtwisteditviolently，whileOrsogavehimablowinthefacewithhisfist，whichmadehimstaggerseveralpacesback，andcomeintoviolentcollisionwiththedoorframe。Orlanduccio’sdaggerdroppedfromhishand。ButVincentellohadhisready，andwasrushingbackintotheroom，whenColomba，snatchingupagunconvincedhimthatthestrugglemustbeunequal。Atthesametimetheprefectthrewhimselfbetweenthecombatants。
"Weshallsoonmeet，Ors’Anton’！"shoutedOrlanduccio，andslammingthedooroftheroomviolently，heturnedthekeyinthelock，soastoinsurehimselftimetoretreat。
ForafullquarterofanhourOrsoandtheprefectkepttheirplacesindeadsilence，atoppositeendsoftheroom。Colomba，theprideoftriumphshiningonherbrow，gazedfirstatoneandthenattheother，assheleanedonthegunthathadturnedthescaleofvictory。
"Whatacountry！Oh，whatacountry！"criedtheprefectatlast，risinghastilyfromhischair。"SignordellaRebbia，youdidwrong！
Youmustgivemeyourwordofhonourtoabstainfromallviolence，andtowaittillthelawsettlesthiscursedbusiness。"
"Yes，SignorPrefetto，Iwaswrongtostrikethatvillain。ButIdidstrikehim，afterall，andIcan’trefusehimthesatisfactionhehasdemandedofme。"
"Pooh！no！Hedoesn’twanttofightyou！Butsupposinghemurdersyou？
You’vedoneeverythingyoucouldtoinsureit。"
"We’llprotectourselves，"saidColomba。
"Orlanduccio，"saidOrso，"strikesmeasbeingapluckyfellow，andI
thinkbetterofhimthanthat，monsieur。Hewasveryquickaboutdrawinghisdagger。ButperhapsIshouldhavedonethesamethinginhisplace，andI’mgladmysisterhasnotanordinaryfinelady’swrist。"
"Youarenottofight，"exclaimedtheprefect。"Iforbidit！"
"Allowmetosay，monsieur，thatinmattersthataffectmyhonourtheonlyauthorityIacknowledgeisthatofmyownconscience。"
"Yousha’n’tfight，Itellyou！"
"Youcanputmeunderarrest，monsieur——thatis，ifIletyoucatchme。Butifyouweretodothat，youwouldonlydelayathingthathasnowbecomeinevitable。Youareamanofhonouryourself，monsieur；youknowtherecanbenoothercourse。"
"Ifyouweretohavemybrotherarrested，"addedColomba，"halfthevillagewouldtakehispart，andweshouldhaveafinefusillade。"
"Igiveyoufairnotice，monsieur，andIentreatyounottothinkIamtalkingmerebravado。IwarnyouthatifSignorBarriciniabuseshisauthorityasmayor，tohavemearrested，Ishalldefendmyself。"
"Fromthisveryday，"saidtheprefect，"SignorBarriciniissuspended。Itrusthewillexculpatehimself。Listentome，myyounggentleman，Ihavealikingforyou。WhatIaskofyouisnothingtospeakof。JusttostayquietlyathometillIgetbackfromCorte。I
shallonlybethreedaysaway。I’llbringbackthepublicprosecutorwithme，andthenwe’llsiftthiswretchedbusinesstothebottom。
Willyoupromisemeyouwillabstainfromallhostilitiestillthen？"
"Icannotpromisethat，monsieur，if，asIexpect，Orlanduccioasksmetomeethim。"
"What，SignordellaRebbia！Wouldyou——aFrenchofficer——thinkofgoingoutwithamanyoususpectofbeingaforger？"
"Istruckhim，monsieur！"
"Butsupposingyoustruckaconvict，andhedemandedsatisfactionofyou，wouldyoufighthim？Come，come，SignorOrso！ButI’llaskyoutodoevenless，donothingtoseekoutOrlanduccio。I’llconsenttoyourfightinghimifheasksyouforameeting。"
"Hewillaskforit，Ihaven’tadoubtofthat。ButI’llpromiseI
won’tgivehimfreshcuffstoinducehimtodoit。"
"Whatacountry！"criedtheprefectoncemore，ashestrodetoandfro。"ShallInevergetbacktoFrance？"
"SignorPrefetto，"saidColombainhermostdulcettones，"itisgrowingverylate。Wouldyoudousthehonourofbreakfastinghere？"
Theprefectcouldnothelplaughing。
"I’vebeenheretoolongalready——itmaylooklikepartiality。Andthereisthatcursedfoundation-stone。Imustbeoff。SignorinadellaRebbia！whatcalamitiesyoumayhavepreparedthisday！"
"Atallevents，SignorPrefetto，youwilldomysisterthejusticeofbelievingherconvictionsaredeeplyrooted——andIamsure，now，thatyouyourselfbelievethemtobewell-founded。"
"Farewell，sir！"saidtheprefect，wavinghishand。"Iwarnyouthatthesergeantofgendarmeswillhaveorderstowatcheverythingyoudo。"
Whentheprefecthaddeparted——
"Orso，saidColomba，"thisisn’ttheContinent。Orlanduccioknowsnothingaboutyourduels，andbesides，thatwretchmustnotdiethedeathofabraveman。"
"Colomba，mydear，youareacleverwoman。Ioweyouagreatdealfromhavingsavedmefromaheartyknife-thrust。Givemeyourlittlehandtokiss！But，harkye，letmehavemyway。Therearecertainmattersthatyoudon’tunderstand。Givememybreakfast。AndassoonastheprefecthadstartedoffsendforlittleChilina，whoseemstoperformallthecommissionssheisgiveninthemostwonderfulfashion。I
shallwanthertotakealetterforme。"
WhileColombawassuperintendingthepreparationofhisbreakfast，Orsowentuptohisownroomandwrotethefollowingnote：
"Youmustbeinahurrytomeetme，andIamnolesseager。Wecanmeetatsixo’clockto-morrowmorninginthevalleyofAcquaviva。
Iamaskilfulpistol-shot，soIdonotsuggestthatweapontoyou。Ihearyouareagoodshotwithagun。Letuseachtakeadouble-barrelledgun。Ishallbeaccompaniedbyamanfromthisvillage。Ifyourbrotherwishestogowithyou，takeasecondwitness，andletmeknow。Inthatcaseonly，Ishouldbringtwowithme。
"ORSOANTONIODELLAREBBIA。"
Afterspendinganhourwiththedeputy-mayor，andgoingintotheBarricinihouseforafewminutes，theprefect，attendedbyasinglegendarme，startedforCorte。Aquarterofanhourlater，Chilinacarriedoverthelettermyreadershavejustperused，anddelivereditintoOrlanduccio’sownhands。
Theanswerwasnotprompt，anddidnotarrivetillevening。ItborethesignatureoftheelderBarricini，andinformedOrsothathewaslayingthethreateninglettersenttohissonbeforethepublicprosecutor。Hismissiveconcludedthus："Stronginthesenseofaclearconscience，Ipatientlywaittillthelawhaspronouncedonyourcalumnies。"
Meanwhilefiveorsixherdsmen，summonedbyColomba，arrivedtogarrisonthedellaRebbiaTower。InspiteofOrso’sprotests，/archere/werearrangedinthewindowslookingontothesquare，andallthroughtheeveningoffersofservicekeptcominginfromvariouspersonsbelongingtothevillage。Therewasevenaletterfromthebandit-theologian，undertaking，forhimselfandBrandolaccio，thatintheeventofthemayor’scallingonthegendarmes，theythemselveswouldstraightwayintervene。Thefollowingpostscriptclosedtheletter：
"DareIaskyouwhattheSignorPrefettothinksoftheexcellenteducationbestowedbymyfriendonBrusco，thedog？NexttoChilina，heisthemostdocileandpromisingpupilIhaveevercomeacross。"
CHAPTERXVI
Thefollowingdaywentbywithoutanyhostiledemonstration。Bothsideskeptonthedefensive。Orsodidnotleavehishouse，andthedooroftheBarricinidwellingremainedcloselyshut。ThefivegendarmeswhohadbeenlefttogarrisonPietraneraweretobeseenwalkingaboutthesquareandtheoutskirtsofthevillage，incompanywiththevillageconstable，thesolerepresentativeoftheurbanpoliceforce。Thedeputy-mayorneverputoffhissash。Buttherewasnoactualsymptomofwar，excepttheloopholesinthetwoopponents’
houses。NobodybutaCorsicanwouldhavenoticedthatthegrouproundtheevergreenoakinthemiddleofthesquareconsistedsolelyofwomen。
Atsupper-timeColombagleefullyshowedherbrotheralettershehadjustreceivedfromMissNevil。
"MydearSignorinaColomba，"itran，"Ilearnwithgreatpleasure，throughaletterfromyourbrother，thatyourenmitiesareallatanend。Icongratulateyouheartily。MyfathercannotendureAjaccionowyourbrotherisnottheretotalkaboutwarandgooutshootingwithhim。Wearestartingto-day，andshallsleepatthehouseofyourkinswoman，towhomwehavealetter。Thedayafterto-morrow，somewhereabouteleveno’clock，Ishallcomeandaskyoutoletmetastethatmountain/bruccio/ofyours，whichyousayissovastlysuperiortowhatwegetinthetown。
"Farewell，dearSignorinaColomba。
"Youraffectionate"LYDIANEVIL。"
"Thenshehasn’treceivedmysecondletter！"exclaimedOrso。
"YouseebythedateofthisonethatMissLydiamusthavealreadystartedwhenyourletterreachedAjaccio。Butdidyoutellhernottocome？"
"Itoldherwewereinastateofsiege。Thatdoesnotseemtomeaconditionthatpermitsofourreceivingcompany。"
"Bah！TheseEnglishpeoplearesoodd。TheverylastnightIsleptinherroomshetoldmeshewouldbesorrytoleaveCorsicawithouthavingseenagood/vendetta/。Ifyouchoose，Orso，youmightletherseeanassaultonourenemies’house。"
"Doyouknow，Colomba，"saidOrso，"Natureblunderedwhenshemadeyouawoman。You’dhavemadeafirst-ratesoldier。"
"Maybe。Anyhow，I’mgoingtomakemy/bruccio/。"
"Don’twasteyourtime。Wemustsendsomebodydowntowarnthemandstopthembeforetheystart。"
"Doyoumeantosayyouwouldsendamessengeroutinsuchweather，tohavehimandyourletterbothsweptawaybyatorrent？HowIpitythosepoorbanditsinthisstorm！Luckilytheyhavegood/piloni/
（thickclothcloakswithhoods）。Doyouknowwhatyououghttodo，Orso。Ifthestormclearsyoushouldstartoffveryearlyto-morrowmorning，andgettoourkinswoman’shousebeforetheyleaveit。Thatwillbeeasyenough，forMissLydiaalwaysgetsupsolate。Youcantellthemeverythingthathashappenedhere，andiftheystillpersistincoming，why！weshallbeverygladtowelcomethem。"
Orsolostnotimeinassentingtothisplan，andafterafewmoments’
silence，Colombacontinued：
"Perhaps，Orso，youthinkIwasjokingwhenItalkedofanassaultontheBarricini’shouse。Doyouknowweareinforce——twotooneattheveryleast？Nowthattheprefecthassuspendedthemayor，everymanintheplaceisonourside。Wemightcutthemtopieces。Itwouldbequiteeasytobringitabout。Ifyouliked，Icouldgoovertothefountainandbegintojeerattheirwomenfolk。Theywouldcomeout。
Perhaps——theyaresuchcowards！——theywouldfireatmethroughtheirloopholes。Theywouldn’thitme。Thenthethingwouldbedone。Theywouldhavebeguntheattack，andthebeatenpartymusttakeitschance。Howisanybodytoknowwhichperson’saimhasbeentrue，inascuffle？Listentoyourownsister，Orso！Theselawyerswhoarecomingwillblackenlotsofpaper，andtalkagreatdealofuselessstuff。
Nothingwillcomeofitall。Thatoldfoxwillcontrivetomakethemthinktheyseestarsinbroadmidday。Ah！iftheprefecthadn’tthrownhimselfinfrontofVincentello，weshouldhavehadonelesstodealwith。"
Allthiswassaidwiththesamecalmairasthatwithwhichshehadspoken，aninstantpreviously，ofherpreparationsformakingthe/bruccio/。
Orso，quitedumfounded，gazedathissisterwithanadmirationnotunmixedwithalarm。
"MysweetColomba，"hesaid，asherosefromthetable，"Ireallyamafraidyouaretheverydevil。Butmakeyourmindeasy。IfIdon’tsucceedingettingtheBarricinihanged，I’llcontrivetogetthebetteroftheminsomeotherfashion。’Hotbulletorcoldsteel’——youseeIhaven’tforgottenmyCorsican。"
"Thesoonerthebetter，"saidColomba，withasigh。"Whathorsewillyourideto-morrow，Ors’Anton’？"
"Theblack。Whydoyouask？"
"Soastomakesurehehassomebarley。"
WhenOrsowentuptohisroom，ColombasentSaveriaandtheherdsmentotheirbeds，andsatonaloneinthekitchen，wherethe/bruccio/
wassimmering。Nowandthensheseemedtolisten，andwasapparentlywaitingveryanxiouslyforherbrothertogotobed。Atlast，whenshethoughthewasasleep，shetookaknife，madesureitwassharp，slippedherlittlefeetintothickshoes，andpassednoiselesslyoutintothegarden。
Thisgarden，whichwasinclosedbywalls，laynexttoagood-sizedpieceofhedgedground，intowhichthehorseswereturned——forCorsicanhorsesdonotknowwhatastablemeans。Theyaregenerallyturnedlooseintoafield，andlefttothemselves，tofindpastureandshelterfromcoldwinds，asbesttheymay。
Colombaopenedthegardengatewiththesameprecaution，enteredtheinclosure，andwhistlinggently，soonattractedthehorses，towhomshehadoftenbroughtbreadandsalt。Assoonastheblackhorsecamewithinreach，shecaughthimfirmlybythemane，andsplithisearopenwithherknife。Thehorsegaveaviolentleap，andtoreoffwiththatshrillcrywhichsharppainoccasionallyextortsfromhiskind。
Quitesatisfied，Colombawasmakingherwaybackintothegarden，whenOrsothrewopenhiswindowandshouted，"Whogoesthere？"Atthesametimesheheardhimcockhisgun。Luckilyforherthegarden-doorlayintheblackestshadow，andwaspartlyscreenedbyalargefig-tree。
Sheverysoongathered，fromthelightshesawglancingupanddowninherbrother’sroom，thathewastryingtolighthislamp。Shelostnotimeaboutclosingthegarden-door，andslippingalongthewall，sothattheoutlineofherblackgarmentswaslostagainstthedarkfoliageofthefruit-trees，andsucceededingettingbackintothekitchenafewmomentsbeforeOrsoenteredit。
"What’sthematter？"sheinquired。
"IfanciedIheardsomebodyopeningthegarden-door，"saidOrso。
"Impossible！Thedogwouldhavebarked。Butletusgoandsee！"
Orsowentroundthegarden，andhavingmadesurethattheouterdoorwassafelysecured，hewasgoingbacktohisroom，ratherashamedofhisfalsealarm。
"Iamglad，brother，"remarkedColomba，"thatyouarelearningtobeprudent，asamaninyourpositionoughttobe。"
"Youaretrainingmewell，"saidOrso。"Good-night！"
BydawnthenextmorningOrsowasupandreadytostart。Hisstyleofdressbetrayedthedesireforsmartnessfeltbyeverymanboundforthepresenceoftheladyhewouldfainplease，combinedwiththecautionofaCorsican/invendetta/。Overabluecoat，thatsatcloselytohisfigure，heworeasmalltincasefullofcartridges，slungacrosshisshoulderbyagreensilkcord。Hisdaggerlayinhissidepocket，andinhishandhecarriedhishandsomeManton，readyloaded。WhilehewashastilyswallowingthecupofcoffeeColombahadpouredoutforhim，oneoftheherdsmenwentouttoputthebridleandsaddleontheblackhorse。Orsoandhissisterfollowedcloseonhisheelsandenteredthefield。Themanhadcaughtthehorse，buthehaddroppedbothsaddleandbridle，andseemedquiteparalyzedwithhorror，whilethehorse，rememberingthewoundithadreceivedduringthenight，andtremblingforitsotherear，wasrearing，kicking，andneighingliketwentyfiends。
"Nowthen！Makehaste！"shoutedOrso。
"Ho，Ors’Anton’！Ho，Ors’Anton’！"yelledtheherdsman。"HolyMadonna！"andhepouredoutastringofimprecations，numberless，endless，andmostofthemquiteuntranslatable。
"Whatcanbethematter？"inquiredColomba。Theyalldrewneartothehorse，andatthesightofthecreature’sbleedingheadandspliteartherewasageneraloutcryofsurpriseandindignation。MyreadersmustknowthatamongtheCorsicanstomutilateanenemy’shorseisatonceavengeance，achallenge，andamortalthreat。"Nothingbutabullet-woundcanexpiatesuchacrime。"
ThoughOrso，havinglivedsolongonthemainland，wasnotsosensitiveasotherCorsicanstotheenormityoftheinsult，still，ifanysupporteroftheBarricinihadappearedinhissightatthatmoment，hewouldprobablyhavetakenvengeanceonhimfortheoutrageheascribedtohisenemies。
"Thecowardlywretches！"hecried。"Toavengethemselvesonapoorbrute，whentheydarenotmeetmefacetoface！"
"Whatarewewaitingfor？"exclaimedColombavehemently。"Theycomehereandbraveus！Theymutilateourhorses！andwearenottomakeanyresponse？Areyoumen？"
"Vengeance！"shoutedtheherdsmen。"Letusleadthehorsethroughthevillage，andattacktheirhouse！"
"There’sathatchedbarnthattouchestheirTower，"saidoldPoloGriffo；"I’dsetfiretoitinatrice。"
Anothermanwantedtofetchtheladdersoutofthechurchsteeple。A
thirdproposedtheyshouldbreakinthedoorsofthehousewithaheavybeamintendedforsomehouseincourseofbuilding，whichhadbeenleftlyinginthesquare。AmidalltheangryvoicesColombawasheardtellinghersatellitesthatbeforetheywenttoworkshewouldgiveeachmanofthemalargeglassofanisette。
Unluckily，orratherluckily，theimpressionshehadexpectedtoproducebyherowncrueltreatmentofthepoorhorsewaslargelylostonOrso。Hefeltnodoubtthatthesavagemutilationwasduetooneofhisfoes，andhespeciallysuspectedOrlanduccio；buthedidnotbelievethattheyoungman，whomhehimselfhadprovokedandstruck，hadwipedouthisshamebyslittingahorse’sear。Onthecontrary，thismeanandridiculouspieceofvengeancehadincreasedOrso’sscornforhisopponents，andhenowfelt，withtheprefect，thatsuchpeoplewerenotworthytotryconclusionswithhimself。Assoonashewasabletomakehimselfheard，heinformedhisastonishedpartisansthattheywouldhavetorelinquishalltheirbellicoseintentions，andthatthepowerofthelaw，whichwouldshortlybeonthespot，wouldamplysufficetoavengethehurtdonetoahorse’sear。
"I’mmasterhere！"headdedsternly；"andIinsistonbeingobeyed。
Thefirstmanwhodarestosayanythingmoreaboutkillingorburning，willquitepossiblygetascorchingatmyhands！Beoff！Saddlemethegrayhorse！"
"What’sthis，Orso？"saidColomba，drawinghimapart。"Youallowthesepeopletoinsultus？NoBarriciniwouldhavedaredtomutilateanybeastofoursinmyfather’stime。"
"Ipromiseyoutheyshallhavereasontorepentit。Butitisgendarme’sandjailer’sworktopunishwretcheswhoonlyventuretoraisetheirhandsagainstbrutebeasts。I’vetoldyoualready，thelawwillpunishthem；andifnot，youwillnotneedtoremindmewhosesonIam。"
"Patience！"answeredColomba，withasigh。
"Rememberthis，sister，"continuedOrso；"ifIfind，whenIcomeback，thatanydemonstrationwhateverhasbeenmadeagainsttheBarriciniI
shallneverforgiveyou。"Then，inagentlertone，headded，"Verypossibly——veryprobably——Ishallbringthecolonelandhisdaughterbackwithme。Seethattheirroomsarewellprepared，andthatthebreakfastisgood。Infact，letusmakeourguestsascomfortableaswecan。It’saverygoodthingtobebrave，Colomba，butawomanmustknowhowtomanageherhousehold，aswell。Come，kissme，andbegood！
Here’sthegray，readysaddled。"
"Orso，"saidColomba，"youmustn’tgoalone。"
"Idon’tneedanybody，"repliedOrso；"andI’llpromiseyounobodyshallslitmyear。"
"Oh，I’llneverconsenttoyourgoingalone，whilethereisafeud。
Here！PoloGriffo！Gian’Franco！Memmo！Takeyourguns；youmustgowithmybrother。"
Afterasomewhatlivelyargument，Orsohadtogivein，andacceptanescort。Fromthemostexcitedoftheherdsmenhechoseoutthosewhohadbeenloudestintheirdesiretocommencehostilities；then，afterlayingfreshinjunctionsonhissisterandthemenhewasleavingbehind，hestarted，makingadetour，thistime，soastoavoidtheBarricinis’dwelling。
TheywerealongwayfromPietranera，andweretravellingalongatagreatpace，when，astheycrossedastreamletthatranintoamarsh，PoloGriffonoticedseveralporkerswallowingcomfortablyinthemud，infullenjoymentatonceofthewarmthofthesunandthecoolnessofthewater。Instantlyhetookaimatthebiggest，firedatitshead，andshotitdead。Thedeadcreature’scomradesroseandfledwithastonishingswiftness，andthoughanotherherdsmanfiredatthemtheyreachedathicketanddisappearedintoit，safeandsound。
"Idiots！"criedOrso。"You’vebeentakingpigsforwildboars！"
"Notabit，Ors’Anton’，"repliedPoloGriffo。"Butthatherdbelongstothelawyer，andI’vetaughthim，now，tomutilateourhorses。"
"What！yourascal！"shoutedOrso，inaperfectfury。"Youapethevilebehaviourofourenemies！Beoff，villains！Idon’twantyou！You’reonlyfittofightwithpigs。IsweartoGodthatifyoudarefollowmeI’llblowyourbrainsout！"
Theherdsmenstaredateachother，struckquitedumb。Orsospurredhishorse，gallopedoff，andwassoonoutofsight。
"Well，well！"saidPoloGriffo。"Here’saprettything。Youdevoteyourselftopeople，andthenthisishowtheytreatyou。Hisfather，thecolonel，wasangrywithyoulongago，becauseyoulevelledyourgunatthelawyer。Greatidiotyouwere，nottoshoot。Andnowhereishisson。YousawwhatIdidforhim。Andhetalksaboutcrackingmyskull，justashewouldcrackagourdthatletsthewineleakout。
That’swhatpeoplelearnonthemainland，Memmo！"
"Yes，andifanyonefindsoutitwasyouwhokilledthatpigthere’llbeasuitagainstyou，andOrs’Anton’won’tspeaktothejudges，norbuyoffthelawyerforyou。Luckilynobodysaw，andyouhaveSaintNegatohelpyouout。"
Afterahastyconclave，thetwoherdsmenconcludedtheirwisestplanwastothrowthedeadpigintoabog，andthisprojecttheycarefullyexecuted，aftereachhaddulycarvedhimselfseveralslicesoutofthebodyofthisinnocentvictimofthefeudbetweentheBarriciniandthedellaRebbia。
CHAPTERXVII
Onceridofhisunrulyescort，Orsoproceededcalmlyonhisway，farmoreabsorbedbytheprospectivepleasureofseeingMissNevilthanstirredbyanyfearofcomingacrosshisenemies。
"ThelawsuitImustbringagainsttheseBarricinivillains，"hemused，"willnecessitatemygoingdowntoBastia。WhyshouldInotgotherewithMissNevil？AndonceatBastia，whyshouldn’tweallgotogethertothespringsofOrezza？"
Suddenlyhischildishrecollectionsofthatpicturesquespotroseupbeforehim。Hefanciedhimselfontheverdantlawnthatspreadsbeneaththeancientchestnut-trees。Onthelustrousgreensward，studdedwithblueflowerslikeeyesthatsmileduponhim，hesawMissLydiaseatedathisside。Shehadtakenoffherhat，andherfairhair，softerandfinerthananysilk，shonelikegoldinthesunlightthatglintedthroughthefoliage。Herclearblueeyeslookedtohimbluerthantheskyitself。Withhercheekrestingononehand，shewaslisteningthoughtfullytothewordsoflovehepouredtremblinglyintoherear。SheworethemuslingowninwhichshehadbeendressedthatlastdayatAjaccio。Frombeneathitsfoldspeepedoutatinyfoot，shodwithblacksatin。Orsotoldhimselfthathewouldbehappyindeedifhemightdaretokissthatlittlefoot——butoneofMissLydia’shandswasbareandheldadaisy。Hetookthedaisyfromher，andLydia’shandpressedhis，andthenhekissedthedaisy，andthenhekissedherhand，andyetshedidnotchidehim……andallthesethoughtspreventedhimfrompayinganyattentiontotheroadhewastravelling，andmeanwhilehetrottedsteadilyonward。Forthesecondtime，inhisfancy，hewasabouttokissMissNevil’ssnow-whitehand，when，ashishorsestoppedshort，heverynearlykisseditshead，insternreality。LittleChilinahadbarredhisway，andseizedhisbridle。
"Whereareyougoingto，Ors’Anton’？"shesaid。"Don’tyouknowyourenemyiscloseby？"
"Myenemy！"criedOrso，furiousatbeinginterruptedatsuchadelightfulmoment。"Whereishe？"
"Orlanduccioiscloseby，he’swaitingforyou！Goback，goback！"
"Ho！Ho！Sohe’swaitingforme！Didyouseehim？"
"Yes，Ors’Anton’！Iwaslyingdownintheheatherwhenhepassedby。
Hewaslookingroundeverywherethroughhisglass。"
"Andwhichwaydidhego？"
"Hewentdownthere。Justwhereyouweregoing！"
"Thankyou！"
"Ors’Anton’，hadn’tyoubetterwaitformyuncle？Hemustbeheresoon——andwithhimyouwouldbesafe。"
"Don’tbefrightened，Chili。Idon’tneedyouruncle。"
"Ifyouwouldletme，Iwouldgoinfrontofyou。"
"No，thanks！No，thanks！"
AndOrso，spurringhishorse，roderapidlyinthedirectiontowhichthelittlegirlhadpointed。
Hisfirstimpulsehadbeenoneofblindfury，andhehadtoldhimselfthatfortunewasofferinghimanexcellentopportunityofpunishingthecowardwhohadavengedtheblowhehadreceivedbymutilatingahorse。Butashemovedonwardthethoughtofhispromisetotheprefect，and，aboveall，hisfearofmissingMissNevil’svisit，alteredhisfeelings，andmadehimalmostwishhemightnotcomeuponOrlanduccio。Soon，however，thememoryofhisfather，theindignityofferedtohisownhorse，andthethreatsoftheBarricini，stirredhisrageafresh，andincitedhimtoseekhisfoe，andtoprovokeandforcehimtoafight。Thustossedbyconflictingfeelings，hecontinuedhisprogress，thoughnowhecarefullyscrutinizedeverythicketandhedge，andsometimesevenpulleduphishorsetolistentothevaguesoundstobeheardinanyopencountry。TenminutesafterhehadleftlittleChilina（itwasthenaboutnineo’clockinthemorning）hefoundhimselfontheedgeofanexceedinglysteepdeclivity。Theroad，orrathertheveryslightpath，whichhewasfollowing，ranthrougha/maquis/thathadbeenlatelyburned。Thegroundwascoveredwithwhitishashes，andhereandtheresomeshrubs，andafewbigtrees，blackenedbytheflames，andentirelystrippedoftheirleaves，stillstooderect——thoughlifehadlongsincedepartedoutofthem。Thesightofaburned/maquis/isenoughtomakeamanfancyhehasbeentransportedintomidwinterinsomenorthernclime，andthecontrastbetweenthebarrennessofthegroundoverwhichtheflameshavepassed，withtheluxuriantvegetationroundaboutit，heightensthisappearanceofsadnessanddesolation。ButatthatmomenttheonlythingthatstruckOrsointhisparticularlandscapewasonepoint——animportantone，itistrue，inhispresentcircumstances。Thebarenessofthegroundrenderedanykindofambushimpossible，andthemanwhohasreasontofearthatatanymomenthemayseeagun-barrelthrustoutofathicketstraightathisownchest，looksonastretchofsmoothground，withnothingonittointercepthisview，asakindofoasis。Afterthisburned/maquis/
cameanumberofcultivatedfields，inclosed，accordingtothefashionofthatcountry，withbreast-highwalls，builtofdrystones。Thepathranbetweenthesefields，producing，fromadistance，theeffectofathickwood。
ThesteepnessofthedeclivitymadeitnecessaryforOrsotodismount。
Hewaswalkingquicklydownthehill，whichwasslipperywithashes（hehadthrownthebridleonhishorse’sneck），andwashardlyfive-
and-twentypacesfromoneofthesestonefences，when，justinfrontofhim，ontheright-handsideoftheroad，heperceivedfirstofallthebarrelofagun，andthenahead，risingoverthetopofthewall。
Thegunwaslevelled，andherecognisedOrlanduccio，justreadytofire。Orsoswiftlypreparedforself-defence，andthetwomen，takingdeliberateaim，staredateachotherforseveralseconds，withthatthrillofemotionwhichthebravestmustfeelwhenheknowshemusteitherdealdeathorendureit。
"Vilecoward！"shoutedOrso。
ThewordswerehardlyoutofhismouthwhenhesawtheflashofOrlanduccio’sgun，andalmostatthesameinstantasecondshotrangoutonhisleftfromtheothersideofthepath，firedbyamanwhomhehadnotnoticed，andwhowasaimingathimfrombehindanotherwall。Bothbulletsstruckhim。Thefirst，Orlanduccio’s，passedthroughhisleftarm，whichOrsohadturnedtowardhimasheaimed。
Thesecondshotstruckhiminthechest，andtorehiscoat，butcomingincontactwiththebladeofhisdagger，itluckilyflattenedagainstit，andonlyinflictedatriflingbruise。Orso’sleftarmfellhelplessathisside，andthebarrelofhisgundroppedforamoment，butheraiseditatonce，andaiminghisweaponwithhisrighthandonly，hefiredatOrlanduccio。Hisenemy’shead，whichwasonlyexposedtotheleveloftheeyes，disappearedbehindthewall。ThenOrso，swingingroundtotheleft，firedthesecondbarrelatamaninacloudofsmokewhomhecouldhardlysee。Thisfacelikewisedisappeared。Thefourshotshadfollowedeachotherwithincredibleswiftness；notrainedsoldierseverfiredtheirvolleysinquickersuccession。AfterOrso’slastshotagreatsilencefell。Thesmokefromhisweaponroseslowlyupintothesky。Therewasnotamovement，nottheslightestsoundfrombehindthewall。Butforthepaininhisarm，hecouldhavefanciedthemenonwhomhehadjustfiredhadbeenphantomsofhisownimagination。
Fullyexpectingasecondvolley，Orsomovedafewsteps，toplacehimselfbehindoneoftheburnedtreesthatstillstooduprightinthe/maquis/。Thussheltered，heputhisgunbetweenhisknees，andhurriedlyreloadedit。Meanwhilehisleftarmbegantohurthimhorribly，andfeltasifitwerebeingdraggeddownbyahugeweight。
Whathadbecomeofhisadversaries？Hecouldnotunderstand。Iftheyhadtakentoflight，iftheyhadbeenwounded，hewouldcertainlyhaveheardsomenoise，somestiramongtheleaves。Weretheydead，then？
Or，whatwasfarmorelikely，weretheynotwaitingbehindtheirwallforachanceofshootingathimagain。Inhisuncertainty，andfeelinghisstrengthfastfailinghim，hekneltdownonhisrightknee，restedhiswoundedarmupontheother，andtookadvantageofabranchthatprotrudedfromthetrunkoftheburnedtreetosupporthisgun。Withhisfingeronthetrigger，hiseyefixedonthewall，andhisearstrainedtocatchtheslightestsound，hekneltthere，motionless，forseveralminutes，whichseemedtohimacentury。Atlast，behindhim，inthefardistance，heheardafaintshout，andverysoonadogflewlikeanarrowdowntheslope，andstoppedshort，closetohim，waggingitstail。ItwasBrusco，thecomradeandfollowerofthebandits——theherald，doubtless，ofhismaster’sapproach。Neverwasanyhonestmanmoreimpatientlyawaited。Withhismuzzleintheair，andturnedtowardthenearestfence，thedogsniffedanxiously。Suddenlyhegaveventtoalowgrowl，sprangataboundoverthewall，andalmostinstantlyreappeareduponitscrest，whencehegazedsteadilyatOrsowitheyesthatspokesurpriseasclearlyasadog’smaydoit。Thenhesniffedagain，thistimetowardtheotherinclosure，thewallofwhichhealsocrossed。Withinasecondhewasbackonthetopofthat，withthesameairofastonishmentandalarm，andstraightwayheboundedintothethicketwithhistailbetweenhislegs，stillgazingatOrso，andretiringfromhimslowly，andsideways，untilhehadputsomedistancebetweenthem。Thenoffhestartedagain，tearinguptheslopealmostasfastashehadcomedownit，tomeetaman，who，inspiteofitssteepness，wasrapidlydescending。
"Help，Brando！"shoutedOrso，assoonashethoughthewaswithinhearing。
"Hallo！Ors’Anton’！areyouwounded？"inquiredBrandolaccio，asheranuppanting。"Isitinyourbodyoryourlimbs？"
"Inthearm。"
"Thearm——oh，that’snothing！Andtheotherfellow？"
"IthinkIhithim。"
Brandolaccioranafterthedogtothenearestfieldandleanedovertolookattheothersideofthewall，thenpullingoffhiscap——
"SignorOrlanduccio，Isaluteyou！"saidhe，thenturningtowardOrso，hebowedtohim，also，gravely。
"That，"heremarked，"iswhatIcallamanwhohasbeenproperlydonefor。"
"Ishestillalive？"askedOrso，whocouldhardlybreathe。
"Oh！hewouldn’twishit！he’dbetoomuchvexedaboutthebulletyouputintohiseye！HolyMadonna！Whatahole！That’sagoodgun，uponmysoul！whataweight！Thatspattersaman’sbrainsforyou！Harkye，Ors’Anton’！whenIheardthefirst/piff，piff/，saysItomyself：
’Dashit，they’remurderingmylieutenant！’ThenIheard/boum，boum/。
’Ha，ha！’saysI，’that’stheEnglishgunbeginningtotalk——he’sfiringback。’Butwhatonearthdoyouwantwithme，Brusco？"
Thedogguidedhimtotheotherfield。
"Uponmyword，"criedBrandolaccio，utterlyastonished，"arightandleft，that’swhatitis！Deucetakeit！Clearenough，powdermustbedear，foryoudon’twasteit！"
"Whatdoyoumean，forGod’ssake？"askedOrso。
"Come，sir，don’ttrytohumbugme；youbringdownthedame，andthenyouwantsomebodytopickitupforyou。Well！there’sonemanwho’llhaveaqueerdessertto-day，andthat’sLawyerBarricini！——youwantbutcher’smeat，doyou？Well，hereyouhaveit。Now，whothedevilwillbetheheir？"
"What！isVincentellodeadtoo？"
"Deadasmutton。/Saluteanoi！/Thegoodpointaboutyouisthatyoudon’tletthemsuffer。JustcomeoverandlookatVincentello；he’skneelingherewithhisheadagainstthewall，asifhewereasleep。
Youmaysayhesleepslikelead，thistime，poordevil。"
Orsoturnedhisheadinhorror。
"Areyoucertainhe’sdead？"
"You’relikeSampieroCorso，whoneverhadtofiremorethanonce。
Lookatitthere，inhischest，ontheleft——justwhereVincileonewashitatWaterloo。I’llwagerthatbulletisn’tfarfromhisheart——arightandleft！Ah！I’llnevertalkaboutshootingagain。Twowithtwoshots，andbulletsatthat！Thetwobrothers！Ifhe’dhadathirdshothe’dhavekilledtheirpapa。Betterlucknexttime。Whatashot！Ors’
Anton’！Andtothinkthatanhonestpoorchaplikemewillnevergetthechanceofarightandalefttwogendarmes！"
AshetalkedthebanditwasscanningOrso’sarm，andsplittinguphissleevewithhisdagger。
"Thisisnothing，"saidhe。"ButthiscoatofyourswillgiveSignorinaColombaworktodo。Ha！what’sthisIsee？thisgashuponyourchest？Nothingwentinthere，surely？No！youwouldn’tbesobriskasyouare！Come，trytomoveyourfinger。DoyoufeelmyteethwhenIbiteyourlittlefinger？Notverywell？Nevermind！Itwon’tbemuch。Letmetakeyourhandkerchiefandyourneckcloth。Well，yourcoat’sspoilt，anyhow！Whatthedevildidyoumakeyourselfsosmartfor？Wereyougoingtoawedding？There！drinkadropofwine。Whyonearthdon’tyoucarryaflask？DoesanyCorsicanevergooutwithoutaflask？"
Thenagainhebrokeoffthedressingofthewoundtoexclaim：
"Arightandleft！Bothofthemstonedead！HowthePadrewilllaugh！
Arightandleft！Oh，here’sthatlittledawdleChilinaatlast！"
Orsomadenoreply——hewasaspaleasdeathandshakingineverylimb。
"Chili！"shoutedBrandolaccio，"goandlookbehindthatwall！"
Thechild，usingbothhandsandfeet，scrambledontothewall，andthemomentshecaughtsightofOrlanduccio’scorpseshecrossedherself。
"That’snothing，"proceededthebandit；"goandlookfartheron，overthere！"
Thechildcrossedherselfagain。
"Wasityou，uncle？"sheaskedtimidly。
"Me！Don’tyouknowI’veturnedintoauselessoldfellow！This，Chili，isthesignor’swork；offerhimyourcompliments。"
"Thesignorinawillbegreatlyrejoiced，"saidChilina，"andshewillbeverymuchgrievedtoknowyouarewounded，Ors’Anton’。"
"Nowthen，Ors’Anton’，"saidthebandit，whenhehadfinishedbindingupthewound。"Chilina，here，hascaughtyourhorse。Youmustgetonhisback，andcomewithmetotheStazzona/maquis/。Itwouldbeaslyfellowwho’dlayhishandonyouthere。WhenwegettotheCrossofSantaChristina，you’llhavetodismount。You’llgiveoveryourhorsetoChilina，who’llgooffandwarnthesignorina。Youcansayanythingtothechild，Ors’Anton’。Shewouldletherselfbecutinpiecesratherthanbetrayherfriends，"andthen，fondly，heturnedtothelittlegirl，"That’sit，youlittlehussy；abanonyou，acurseonyou——youjade！"ForBrandolaccio，whowassuperstitious，likemostbandits，fearedhemightcastaspellonachildifheblesseditorpraisedit，seeingitisawell-knownfactthatthemysteriouspowersthatrulethe/Annocchiatura/[*]haveavilehabitoffulfillingourwishesintheveryoppositesensetothatwegivethem。
[*]/Annocchiatura/，aninvoluntaryspellcasteitherbytheeyeorbyspokenwords。
"WhereamItogo，Brando？"queriedOrsoinafaintvoice。
"Faith！youmustchoose；eithertojailortothe/maquis/。ButnodellaRebbiaknowsthepaththatleadshimtothejail。Tothe/maquis/，Ors’Anton’。"
"Farewell，then，toallmyhopes！"exclaimedthewoundedman，sadly。
"Yourhopes？Deucetakeit！Didyouhopetodoanybetterwithadouble-barrelledgun？Howonearthdidthefellowscontrivetohityou？Therascalsmusthavebeenashardtokillascats。"
"Theyfiredfirst，"saidOrso。
"True，true；I’dforgottenthat！——/piff，piff——boum，boum/！Arightandleft，andonlyonehand！Ifanymancandobetter，I’llgohangmyself。Come！nowyou’resafelymounted！Beforewestart，justgiveaglanceatyourwork。Itisn’tciviltoleaveone’scompanywithoutsayinggood-bye。"
Orsospurredhishorse。Hewouldnothavelookedatthetwopoorwretcheshehadjustdestroyed，foranythingonearth。
"Harkye，Ors’Anton’，"quoththebandit，ashecaughtholdofthehorse’sbridle，"shallItellyouthetruth？Well，nooffencetoyou！
I’msorryforthosepooryoungfellows！You’llpardonme，Ihope；sogood-looking，sostrong，soyoung。Orlanduccio，I’veshotwithhimsooften！Onlyfourdaysagohegavemeabundleofcigars，andVincentello——hewasalwayssocheery。Ofcourseyou’veonlydonewhatyouhadtodo，andindeedtheshotwassuchasplendidone，nobodycouldregretit。ButI，yousee，hadnothingtodowithyourvengeance。Iknowyou’reperfectlyintheright。Whenonehasanenemyonemustgetridofhim。ButtheBarriciniwereanoldfamily。Here’sanotherofthemwipedout，andbyarightandlefttoo！It’sstriking。"
AshethusspokehisfuneralorationovertheBarricini，BrandolacciohastilyguidedOrso，Chilina，andBrusco，thedog，towardtheStazzona/maquis/。
CHAPTERXVIII
Meanwhile，veryshortlyafterOrso’sdeparture，Colomba’sspieshadwarnedherthattheBarriciniwereoutonthewarpath，andfromthatmomentshewasrackedbythemostintenseanxiety。Shewastobeseenmovinghitherandthitheralloverthehouse，betweenthekitchenandtheroomsthatwerebeingmadereadyforherguests，doingnothing，yetalwaysbusy，andconstantlystoppingtolookoutofawindowforanyunusualstirinthevillage。Towardeleveno’clock，asomewhatnumerouscavalcaderodeintoPietranera。Thiswasthecolonel，withhisdaughter，theirservants，andtheirguide。Colomba’sfirstword，asshewelcomedthem，was"Haveyouseenmybrother？"Thenshequestionedtheguideastotheroadtheyhadtaken，andthehouroftheirdeparture，andhavingheardhisanswers，shecouldnotunderstandwhytheyhadnotmethim。
"Perhaps，"saidtheguide，"yourbrothertookthehigherpath；wecamebythelowerone。"
ButColombaonlyshookherheadandaskedmorequestions。Inspiteofhernaturalfirmnessofcharacter，increasedasitwasbyherprouddesiretoconcealanysignofweaknessbeforestrangers，shecouldnothideheranxiety，andassoonasshehadinformedthemoftheattemptedreconciliation，andofitsunfortunateissue，thiswassharedbythecolonelandMissLydia。MissNevilbecameveryuneasy，andwantedtohavemessengerssentoffineverydirection，andherfatherofferedtoremountatonceandsetoutwiththeguideinsearchofOrso。Herguests’alarmrecalledColombatoasenseofherdutiesasahostess。Shestrovetoforceasmileasshepressedthecoloneltocometotable，andsuggestedtwentyplausiblereasons，whichsheherselfdemolishedwithinaninstant，toaccountforherbrother’sdelay。Thecolonel，feelingittobehisduty，asaman，toreassuretheladies，putforwardhisownexplanation。
"I’llwager，"hesaid，"thatdellaRebbiahascomeacrosssomegameorother。Hehasnotbeenabletostandoutagainstthattemptation，andweshallsoonseehimcomeinwithaheavybag。’Ponmysoul，"hewenton，"wedidhearfourshotsfiredontheroad。Twoofthemwerelouderthantheothers，andIsaidtomygirl，’I’llbetanythingthat’sdellaRebbiaoutshooting！Mygunistheonlyonethatwouldmakethatnoise。’"
Colombaturnedpale，andLydia，whowaswatchingherclosely，hadnodifficultyinguessingthesuspicionswithwhichthecolonel’sconjecturehadinspiredher。Afterafewminutes’silence，Colombaeagerlyinquiredwhetherthetwolouderreportshadbeenheardbeforeoraftertheothers。Butneitherthecolonel，hisdaughter，northeguidehadpaidmuchattentiontothisall-importantdetail。
Towardoneo’clock，asnoneofColomba’smessengershadyetreturned，shegatheredallhercourage，andinsistedthatherguestsshouldsitdowntotablewithher。But，exceptthecolonel，noneofthemcouldeat。Attheslightestsoundinthesquare，Colombarantothewindow。
Thendrearilyshereturnedtoherplace，andstruggledyetmoredrearilytocarryonatrivialconversation，towhichnobodypaidtheslightestattention，andwhichwasbrokenbylongintervalsofsilence。Allatoncetheyheardahorse’sgallop。
"Ah！Thatmustbemybrotheratlast！"saidColomba，risingfromherchair。ButwhenshesawChilinaastrideonOrso’shorse——"Mybrotherisdead！"shecried，inaheart-rendingvoice。
Thecoloneldroppedhisglass。MissLydiascreamed。Theyallrushedtothedoorofthehouse。BeforeChilinacouldjumpoffhersteed，shewassnatcheduplikeafeatherbyColomba，whoheldhersotightthatshealmostchokedher。Thechildunderstoodheragonizedlook，andherfirstwordswerethoseofthechorusinOthello："Helives！"Colomba’sgrasprelaxed，andnimblyasakittenChilinadroppedupontheground。
"Theothers？"queriedColombahoarsely。Chilinacrossedherselfwithherfirstandmiddlefinger。AdeepflushinstantlyreplacedthedeadlypallorofColomba’sface。ShecastonefiercelookattheBarricinidwelling，andthen，withasmile，sheturnedtoherguests。
"Letusgoinanddrinkourcoffee，"shesaid。
Thestorythebandit’sIrishadtotellwasalongone。Hernarrative，translatedliterallyintoItalianbyColomba，andthenintoEnglishbyMissNevil，wrungmorethanoneoathfromthecolonel，morethanonesighfromthefairLydia。ButColombahearditallunmoved。Onlyshetwistedherdamasknapkintillitseemedasifshemusttearitinpieces。Sheinterruptedthechild，fiveorsixtimesover，tomakeherrepeatagainthatBrandolacciohadsaidthewoundwasnotdangerous，andthathehadseenmanyworse。Whenshehadfinishedhertale，ChilinaannouncedthatOrsoearnestlybeggedhemightbesentwritingmaterials，andthathedesiredhissisterwouldbeseechaladywhomightbestayinginhishousenottodepartfromit，untilshehadreceivedaletterfromhim。
"Thatiswhatwasworryinghimmost，"thechildadded；"andevenafterIhadstartedhecalledmeback，tobidmenotforgetthemessage。Itwasthethirdtimehehadgivenittome。"WhenColombaheardofherbrother’sinjunctionshesmiledfaintly，andsqueezedthefairEnglishwoman’shand。Thatyoungladyburstintotears，anddidnotseemtothinkitadvisabletotranslatethatparticularpartofthestorytoherfather。
"Yes，mydear，"criedColomba，kissingMissNevil。"Youshallstaywithme，andyoushallhelpus。"
Then，takingapileofoldlinenoutofacupboard，shebegantocutitup，tomakelintandbandages。Anyonewhosawherflashingeyes，herheightenedcolour，heralternatefitsofanxietyandcomposure，wouldhavefoundithardtosaywhetherdistressatherbrother’swound，ordelightattheextinctionofherfoes，weremostaffectingher。Onemomentshewaspouringoutthecolonel’scoffee，andtellinghimhowwellshemadeit，thenextshewassettingMissLydiaandChilinatowork，exhortingthemtosewbandages，androllthemup。
Then，forthetwentiethtime，shewouldaskwhetherOrso’swoundwasverypainful。Sheconstantlybrokeoffherownworktoexclaimtothecolonel：
"Twosuchcunningmen，suchdangerousfellows！Andhealone，wounded，withonlyonearm！Hekilledthetwoofthem！Whatcourage，colonel！
Isn’theahero？Ah，MissNevil！Howgooditistoliveinapeacefulcountrylikeyours！I’msureyoudidnotreallyknowmybrothertillnow！Isaidit——’Thefalconwillspreadhiswings！’Youweredeceivedbyhisgentlelook！That’sbecausewithyou，MissNevil——Ah！ifhecouldseeyouworkingforhimnow！MypoorOrso！"
MissLydiawasdoinghardlyanywork，andcouldnotfindasinglewordtosay。Herfatherkeptaskingwhynobodywenttolayacomplaintbeforeamagistrate。Hetalkedaboutacoroner’sinquest，andallsortsofotherproceedingsquiteunknowntoCorsicaneconomy。AndthenhebeggedtobetoldwhetherthecountryhouseownedbythatworthySignorBrandolaccio，whohadbroughtsuccourtothewoundedman，wasveryfarawayfromPietranera，andwhetherhecouldnotgotherehimself，toseehisfriend。