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The confines of the Bergamascan territory were not so distant,

but that he could have walked there in a little while; but a

report had reached the village, that a squadron of cappelletri

had been sent in haste from Bergamo, to guard the frontiers

against the German foot-soldiers. These were not less devils

incarnate than those they were commissioned to oppose. The poor

man was beside himself with terror; he endeavoured to concert

with Perpetua some plan of escape, but Perpetua was quite

occupied in collecting and concealing his valuables; with her

hands full, she replied, "Let me place this in safety; we will

then do as other people do." Don Abbondio desired eagerly to

discuss with her the best means to be pursued, but Perpetua,

between hurry and fright, was less tractable than usual: "Others

will do the best they can," said she, "and so will we. Excuse me,

but you only hinder one. Do you not think they have skins to save

as well as we?"