Page:By order of the Czar.djvu/89



BY ORDER OF THE CZAR. 77

" Come and take me, then," said Ferrari, his face as near the hole as he dared to place it, and his voice as calm as if he were speaking to some one in the open street, and without fear. " Make a hole big enough to let in one at a time, and I'll fight you all, you wretched canaille of the earth cowards, thieves, cut-throats, and assassins of women ! "

The challenge seemed to be accepted with a howl of anger and derision, and the blows at the door were renewed. They were now literally battering on the bar, and they made no way. Another pause ; but no arm came through the broken panel.

" I'll open to you if you will thrust in your filthy leader," shouted Ferrari.

"Open then," responded the stranger; and the mob gave a yell that was something in the nature of a cheer.

At that moment some kind of reinforcement arrived, and it was as if a dozen men at one swing flung themselves upon the door armed with blacksmiths' hammers. The iron bar bent before the assault, the door shook upon its hinges.

Ferrari glanced at his base of retreat, and held his breath. The blows were repeated again and again, and presently the timber began to give, and in an incautious moment a hand was thrust through to seize the bar with a view to lift it. In a moment the venturesome hand was almost severed from the wrist, and a cry rang out fierce enough to chill even the hot Italian blood of Ferrari a cry not alone of one man, but of a score, a rasping howl of vengeance, followed the next moment with a renewed attack.

That which struck the only note of fear in Ferrari's breast was the sudden firing of several muskets into the broken door. But he was as cunning as he was brave ; he only had one desire at the moment, and that was to have his hand on the leader of the gang. Silence followed