His mind
was occupied with that sound of marching, which came steadily nearer. At
length he could endure it no longer, and the apathy of his companions
fired him openly to rebel.
"My lord," he cried, turning to the Count, and again leaving his story
interrupted, "they are all but upon us."
"True!" agreed Francesco indifferently. "The next turn yonder should
bring us into them."
"Then I beg you, Lord Count, to step aside. Let us pause here, under the
trees, until they have passed. I am full of fears. Perhaps I am a
coward, but I mislike these roving night-hands. It may be a company of
masnadieri."
"What then?" returned the Count, without slackening speed. "What cause
have we to fear a party of robbers?"
But Fanfulla and the servants joined their advice to Peppe's, and
prevailed at last upon Francesco to take cover until this company should
have passed. He consented, to pacify them, and wheeling to the right
they entered the border of the forest, drawing rein well in the shadow,
whence they could survey the road and see who passed across the patch of
moonlight that illumined it. And presently the company came along and
swung into that revealing flood of light. To the astonishment of the
watchers they beheld no marauding party such as they had been led to
expect, but a very orderly company of some twenty men, soberly arrayed in
leather hacketons and salades of bright steel, marching sword on thigh
and pike on shoulder. At the head of this company rode a powerfully-
built man on a great sorrel horse, at sight of whom the fool swore softly
in astonishment.
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