'Not that way! Here is another door which leads along a passage into a
side street.'
He lifted the tapestry and showed a tiny door, which he opened. I ran to
old Orso and shook him.
'Wake up!' I said; 'wake up and come with me!'
'What is it?' he asked.
'Never mind; come with me!'
I took his arm and tried to lift him out of his chair, but he caught
hold of the handles and would not stir.
'I will not move,' he said. 'What is it?'
'The mob is coming to sack the Palace, and if they find you here they
will kill you.'
'I will not move. I am Orso Orsi. They dare not touch me.'
'Be quick! be quick!' screamed Andrea from the window. 'The first of
them have appeared in the street. In a moment they will be here.'
'Quick! quick!' cried Pietro.
Now the roar had got so loud that it buzzed in one's ears, and every
instant it grew louder.
'Be quick! be quick!'
'You must come,' I said, and Pietro joined his prayers to my commands,
but nothing would move the old man.
'I tell you I will not fly. I am the head of my house. I am Orso Orsi. I
will not fly like a dog before the rabble.'
'For your son's sake--for our sake,' I implored. 'We shall be killed
with you.'
'You may go. The door is open for you. I will stay alone.'
He seemed to have regained his old spirit. It was as if a last flame
were flickering up.
'We will not leave you,' I said. 'I have been put by Checco to protect
you, and if you are killed I must be killed too. Our only chance is to
fly.'
'Quick! quick!' cried Andrea. 'They are nearly here!'
'Oh, master, master,' cried Pietro, 'accept the means he offers you!'
'Be quick! be quick!'
'Would you have me slink down a back passage, like a thief, in my own
house? Never!'
'They have reached the doors,' cried Andrea.
The noise was deafening below. The gates had been closed, and we heard a
thunder of blows; stones were thrown, sticks beaten against the iron;
then they seemed to take some great instrument and pound against the
locks. Again and again the blows were repeated, but at last there was a
crash. A mighty shout broke from the people, and we heard a rush. I
sprang to the door of the Orso's room and locked and bolted it, then,
calling the others to help me, I dragged a heavy chest against it. We
placed another chest on the first, and dragged the bedstead up, pushing
it against the chests.
We were only just in time, for, like water rushing at once through every
crevice, the mob surged up and filled every corner of the house. They
came to our door and pushed it. To their surprise it did not open.
Outside someone cried,--
'It's locked!'
The hindrance excited them, and the crowd gathered greater outside.
'Break it open,' they cried.
Immediately heavy blows thundered down on the lock and handle.
'For God's sake, come,' I said, turning to Orso. He did not answer.
There was no time to lose, and I could not conquer his obstinacy.
'Then I shall force you,' I cried, catching hold of both his arms and
dragging him from the chair. He held on as tight as he could, but his
strength was nothing against mine. I caught hold of him, and was lifting
him in my arms when the door was burst open. The rush of people threw
down the barricade, and the crowd surged into the room. It was too late.
I made a rush for the little door with Orso, but I could not get to it.
They crowded round me with a shout.
'Take him,' I cried to Pietro, 'while I defend you.'
I drew my sword, but immediately a bludgeon fell on it and it smashed in
two. I gave a shout and rushed at my assailants, but it was hopeless. I
felt a crushing blow on my head. I sank down insensible.