'We shall not go without the children.'
'I imagine that depends on me; and I intend to keep the children.'
'Take care, Checco; remember that you are not our master.'
'And who are you, Antonio, I should like to know?'
'I am a member of the council of Forli, just as you are; no more, no
less.'
'No,' said Checco, furiously; 'I will tell you whom you are. You are the
miserable cur who pandered to the tyrant and helped him to oppress the
people which I liberated; and the people spat upon you! You are the
miserable cur who fawned upon me when I had killed the tyrant, and in
your slavish adulation you proposed to make me ruler in his stead; and I
spat upon you! And now you are afraid again and you are trying to make
peace with the Duke by betraying me, and it is from you that come the
propositions to give me up to Lodovico. That is what you are! Look at
yourself and be proud!'
Antonio was about to give a heated answer, but Niccolo interrupted him.
'Be quiet, Antonio! Now, Checco, let us have the children.'
'I will not, I tell you! I saved their lives, and they are mine by
right. They are mine because I killed the Count; because I took them
prisoners; because I hold them; and because they are necessary for my
safety.'
'They are necessary for our safety, too, and we, the council of Forli,
summon you, Checco d'Orsi, to surrender them.'
'And I, Checco d'Orsi, refuse!'
'Then we shall take them by force.'
Niccolo and Antonio stepped forward. Checco whipped out his sword.
'By God, I swear I will kill the first man who crosses this threshold!'
Gradually the people had collected, till behind the councillors there
was a formidable crowd. They watched with eagerness the dispute, hailing
with joy the opportunity of humiliating their old hero. They had broken
out in mocking laughter while Checco was railing at Antonio, now they
shouted,--
'The children! Surrender the children!'
'I will not, I tell you!'
They began to hoot and hiss, calling Checco foul names, accusing him of
causing all their troubles, naming him tyrant and usurper. Checco stood
looking at them, trembling with rage. Niccolo stepped forward once more.
'Give them up, Checco, or it will be the worse for you.'
'Advance one step further and I will kill you!'
The people grew suddenly exasperated; a shower of stones fell on us, and
one, striking Checco, caused a long streak of blood to flow down his
forehead.
'Give us the children! Give us the children!'
'We will call the guard,' said Antonio.
'The children!' shouted the mob. 'He will kill them. Take them from
him.'
There was a rush from behind; the councillors and their supporters were
driven forward; they were met by our drawn swords; in another moment it
would have been too late, and against two hundred we should have been
helpless. Suddenly Bartolomeo appeared at the head of the great
staircase with the boys.
'Stop!' he cried. 'Here are the children. Stop!'
Checco turned round to him.
'I will not have them given up. Take them away!'
'I have never asked you anything before, Checco,' said Bartolomeo; 'I
have always done as you commanded; but this time I implore you to give
way.'