Of how strong and dominant indeed he was never had Francesco offered a
more signal proof. Those men, bruised and maltreated by him, would
beyond doubt have massed together and made short work of one less
dauntless but when a mighty courage such as his goes hand-in-hand with
the habit of command, such hinds as they can never long withstand it.
They grumbled something among themselves, and one of them at last made
answer:
"Noble sir, it is our captain that we are bidden to arrest."
"True; but your captain, like yourselves, is in this lady's pay; and she,
your true, your paramount commander, bids you arrest him." And now,
whilst yet they hesitated, his quick wits flung them the bait that must
prove most attractive. "He has shown himself to-day unfitted for the
command entrusted him and it may become a question, when he has been
judged, of choosing one of you to fill the place he may leave empty."
Hinds were they in very truth; the scum of the bravi that haunted the
meanest borgo of Urbino. Their hesitation vanished, and such slight
loyalty as they felt towards Ercole was overruled by the prospect of his
position and his pay, should his disgrace become accomplished.
They called upon him to come forth from his refuge, where he still stood,
dumb and stricken at this sudden turn events had taken. He sullenly
refused to obey the call to yield, until Francesco--who now assumed
command with a readiness that galled Gonzaga more and more--bade one of
them go fetch an arquebuse and shoot the dog.
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