The company was so filled with surprise and fright that no one made any movement to interfere.
"Keep off!" cried the youth in a terrible voice, as he caught up a sharp knife and placed his foot on the neck of the friar, who was recovering from the shock of his fall.

"Let him who values his life keep away!" The youth was beside himself.

His whole body trembled and his eyes rolled threateningly in their sockets.

Fray Damaso arose with an effort, but the youth caught him by the neck and shook him until he again fell doubled over on his knees.
"Senor Ibarra! Senor Ibarra!" stammered some.

But no one, not even the alferez himself, dared to approach the gleaming knife, when they considered the youth's strength and the condition of his mind.