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"Bravo! bravo!" cried the monatti with one shout. Some of them

were following the convoy on foot, others were seated on the

cars, others on the dead bodies, drinking from an enormous

flagon, which they passed around. "Bravo! that was well done!"

"You have placed yourself under the protection of the monatti;

you are as safe as if you were in a church," said one, who was

seated on the car into which Renzo had thrown himself.

The enemy was obliged to retreat, crying, however, "Seize him!

seize him! he is a poisoner!"

"Let me silence them!" said the monatto; and drawing from one of

the dead bodies a dirty rag, he tied it up in a bundle, and made

a gesture as if intending to throw it among them, crying, "Here,

rascals!" At the sight, all fled away in horror!

A howl of triumph arose from the monatti.

"Ah! ah! you see we can protect honest people," said the monatto

to Renzo, "one of us is worth a hundred of those cowards."

"I owe my life to you," said Renzo, "and I thank you sincerely."