Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/156

 loss how to escape their cudgels or the pursuit of the hounds. So great was my rage, that had I had fire-arms about me, I believe I could have murdered them all. At last I am hemmed in from all sides, the cudgels are brandished over my head, and pity alone seems to prevent them from letting the hounds loose upon me. Poor Fidello, malled with blows, and lacerated with bites, still continued to exert his voice and teeth to defend me, but it was too unequal a match!

"Rascals," exclaimed I half despairing, "don't you know Don Carlos, your master?" "Curse the fellow, he's mad!" replied one of them, while his witticism was received with a peal of broad horse-laughs.

"Only fetch me Don Antonio," continued I, "and he'll soon make you repent your insolence." Another fellow now had the temerity to spit in my face. "What, don't you see, cries a third, it is a proud, drunken Hidalgo?" "Well," said the fourth, "I'll bring him an answer from master. Let him alone, till I come back." Shamming to go to the villa, he presently returned, and