But I will not have you supply them with ammunition." "Brother," said Colomba, in a serious voice, "you are master here, and everything in this house belongs to you.

But I warn you that I will give this little girl my _mezzaro_, so that she may sell it; rather than refuse powder to a bandit.

Refuse to give him powder! I might just as well make him over to the gendarmes! What has he to protect him against them, except his cartridges ?" All this while the little girl was ravenously devouring a bit of bread, and carefully watching Colomba and her brother, turn about, trying to read the meaning of what they were saying in their eyes.
"And what has this bandit of yours done?
What crime has driven him into the _maquis_ ?" "Brandolaccio has not committed any crime," exclaimed Colomba.

"He killed Giovan' Oppizo, who murdered his father while he was away serving in the army!" Orso turned away his head, took up the lamp, and, without a word, departed to his bedroom.

Then Colomba gave the child food and gunpowder, and went with her as far as the house-door, saying over and over again: "Mind your uncle takes good care of Orso!".