'Are you on duty still?
Where is your companion ?' He smiled, and pointed to the wood.

'We have a hut there.

First Ruggieri sleeps--then I sleep.

We don't often come this way; but when there are _forestieri_, then we must look out.' 'But there are no brigands here ?' He showed his white teeth.

'I shot two once with this gun,' he said, producing it.
'But not here ?' she said, startled.
'No--but beyond the mountains--over there--in Maremma.' He waved his hand vaguely towards the west.