Had you killed me you would have been no more to blame than I should, did a chance shot of mine slay you when fighting in the ranks of the soldiers of Philip." The count was some time before he could respond to Jack's greeting, so great was his emotion at the thought of the escape he had had from slaying the preserver of his wife and child.

As soon as he recovered himself he hurried out to meet the peasants, whose shouts could be heard as they approached the castle.

He soon returned and bade his servants take a cask of wine into the courtyard behind the house, with what bread and meat there might be in the larder.
"You had no trouble with them, I hope ?" Jack asked.
"None whatever," the count said.

"As soon as I told them the circumstances under which you saved the life of the countess, my boy, and myself, their only wish was to see you and express their gratitude; they are simple fellows, these peasants, and if fairly treated greatly attached to their lords." "It's a pity their treatment of the prisoners is so savage," Jack said dryly.
"They are savage," the count said, "but you must remember that the history of Spain is one long story of war and bloodshed.

They draw knives on each other on the slightest provocation, and in their amusements, as you know, there is nothing that in their eyes can rival a bullfight; it is little wonder, then, that in war they are savage and, as you would say, even bloodthirsty.