in another moment in bounded the count, his eyes sparkling like coals,
and, as I have already said, with a rapier in his hand. "Tenez, gueux
enrage," he screamed, making a desperate lunge at me; but ere the words
were out of his mouth, his foot slipping on the pease, he fell forward
with great violence at his full length, and his weapon flew out of his
hand, comme une fleche. You should have heard the outcry which
ensued--there was a terrible confusion; the count lay upon the floor to
all appearance stunned. I took no notice, however, continuing busily
employed. They at last raised him up, and assisted him till he came to
himself, though very pale and much shaken. He asked for his sword: all
eyes were now turned upon me, and I saw that a general attack was
meditated. Suddenly I took a large casserole from the fire in which
various eggs were frying; this I held out at arm's length, peering at it
along my arm as if I were curiously inspecting it, my right foot advanced
and the other thrown back as far as possible. All stood still,
imagining, doubtless, that I was about to perform some grand operation,
and so I was: for suddenly the sinister leg advancing, with one rapid
coup de pied, I sent the casserole and its contents flying over my head,
so that they struck the wall far behind me. This was to let them know
that I had broken my staff and had shaken the dust off my feet; so
casting upon the count the peculiar glance of the Sceirote cooks when
they feel themselves insulted, and extending my mouth on either side
nearly as far as the ears, I took down my haversack and departed, singing
as I went the song of the ancient Demos, who, when dying, asked for his
supper, and water wherewith to lave his hands--

[Greek verse]

And in this manner, mon maitre, I left the house of the Count of ---'