Pagina 136 di 788

The Count, struck with so marvellous a sight, stood still.

Hearing from afar the trampling of his comrades, he motioned to

them with his hand to stop their horses: they halted. He gazed

with outstretched neck, like a long-billed crane that stands

apart from the flock, on one leg, keeping guard with watchful

eyes, and holding a stone in the other foot, in order not to fall

asleep.

The Count was awakened by a pattering on his shoulders and brow;

it was the Bernardine, Father Robak, who held aloft in his hand

the knotted cords of his belt.

"Will you have cucumbers?" he cried; "Here they are!" [So saying

he showed him the knots on his belt, which were shaped like

cucumbers.41] "Look out for danger, in this garden patch there is

no fruit for you; nothing will come of it!"