Pagina 594 di 788

"Cursed firearms! He who slays with the sword must take his stand

and press on; he parries and flourishes; he may disarm his enemy

and check his sword halfway. But with these firearms it is enough

to hold the gun; an instant, a single spark--

* * * * * * * *

"Did I flee when you aimed at me from above? I levelled my eyes

at the two barrels of your gun. What despair! A strange grief

pinned me to the earth! Why, Gerwazy, ah why did you miss at that

time? You would have done me a kindness!-evidently as a penance

for my sin I must needs--"

Here his breath failed him once more.