the floor, and felt about the corners, while the
boys wriggled away from his touch like eels
from a landing-net. Gigi held his breath. But
Mother Margherita would not tamely endure
all this.

"Get along, you vermin!" she cried, striking
at his hands as he approached the forward
end of the cart. "Can't you see that the
boy is not here? What would he be doing in
my cart, anyway? I'll trouble you to let us go
on our way in peace. My man in the house
down yonder will be out to help us with his
crossbow and his dogs, if we scream a bit
louder. Be off with you, and look for your
boy in the village. Is it likely he would have
come so far as this, the poor tired little lad?"

"The others are searching the village,"
growled the Hunchback tipsily. "They'll
find him if he's there. 'Tis likely you are
right. And then! I must be there to help at
the punishing. Oh! that will be sport!--Have
any other teams passed you on the road?" he
asked suddenly. "Have you overtaken no one
on foot?"

"We have passed no one," said Mother
Margherita truthfully, starting up the oxen.
"Hiew! Hiew! Go on! go on," she clucked.