whatever unfortunate creature should fall into the clutches of
this so cruel a monster.

Barbarico, at the sight of the friendly Benefico, started with
fear; for although in bulk and stature he was, as we have said,
the superior: yet that cowardice, which ever accompanies
wickedness, now wrought in him in such a manner that he could not
bear to confront him, well knowing the courage and fortitude that
always attend the good and virtuous; and therefore instantly
putting Fidus into the wallet that hung over his shoulder, he
flung the fainting Amata, whom he took to be quite expired, into
the stream that ran hard by, and fled to his cave, not daring once
to cast his eyes behind him.

The good Benefico perceiving the monster's flight, and not
doubting but he had been perpetrating some horrid mischief,
immediately hastened to the brook; where he found the
half-expiring Amata floating down the stream, for her clothes had
yet borne her up on the surface of the water. He speedily stepped
in,and drew her out, and taking her in his arms, pressed her to
his warm bosom; and in a short space perceiving in her face the
visible marks of returning life, his heart swelled with kind
compassion, and he thus bespoke the tender maid: 'Unhappy damsel,
lift up thy gentle eyes, and tell me by what hard fate thou hast
fallen into the power of that barbarous monster, whose savage
nature delights in nothing but ruin and desolation. Tremble not
thus, but without fear or terror behold one who joys in the
thought of having saved thee from destruction, and will bring thee
every comfort his utmost power can procure.'