"Now, then, Abellino, which of us will you undertake? Whom among us
dost thou think that thou canst knock down as easily as yon poor
dabbler in the art, Pietrino?"

The banditti burst into a loud fit of laughter.

"Now, then," cried Abellino, fiercely; "now, then, for the trial.
Why come you not on?"

"Fellow," replied Matteo, "take my advice; try first what you can do
with me alone, and learn what sort of men you have to manage. Think
you, we are marrowless boys, or delicate signors?"

Abellino answered him by a scornful laugh. Matteo became furious.
His companions shouted aloud, and clapped their hands.

"To business!" said Abellino; "I'm now in a right humour for sport!
Look to yourselves, my lads." And in the same instant he collected
his forces together, threw the gigantic Matteo over his head as had
he been an infant, knocked Struzza down on the right hand, and
Pietrino on the left, tumbled Thomaso to the end of the room head
over heels, and stretched Baluzzo without animation upon the
neighbouring benches.

Three minutes elapsed ere the subdued bravoes could recover
themselves. Loudly shouted Abellino, while the astonished Cinthia
gazed and trembled at the terrible exhibition.

"By the blood of St. Januarius!" cried Matteo at length, rubbing his