Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/157

 applying his cudgel vigorously to my back, called out: "Don Antonio begs his compliments and fends thee this!"

I made a desperate resistance, but was obliged to yield to superior numbers; my guitar was beat in splinters on my back, at last I repulsed them twice. Poor Fidello was engaged on his part with the hounds, but soon remained dead on the field of combat. I think my fury would have made me triumph over the villains, two of whom I had already completely disabled from continuing the fight, but perceiving the gardner and his laborers come to their assistance, I thought it time to decamp, and jumping over a broad ditch,. found refuge from their attacks and pursuits in a little wood.

Here I fell fore and exhausted to the ground, covered with wounds, blood and contusions, and every bone aching from the treatment I had experienced. "A fine reception," exclaimed I with bitterness, "from my own people." What a wonderful change is there in every thing! Being finally relieved from these painful reflections by the conso-