"Pieruccio had done his errand well!" "What men ?" inquired Orso.
"Our herdsmen," she replied.

"I sent Pieruccio off yesterday evening to call the good fellows together, so that they may attend you home.

It would not do for you to enter Pietranera without an escort, and besides, you must know the Barricini are capable of anything!" "Colomba," said Orso, and his tone was severe, "I have asked you, over and over again, not to mention the Barricini and your groundless suspicions to me.

I shall certainly not make myself ridiculous by riding home with all these loafers behind me, and I am very angry with you for having sent for them without telling me." "Brother, you have forgotten the ways of your own country.

It is my business to protect you, when your own imprudence exposes you to danger.
It was my duty to do what I have done." Just at that moment the herdsmen, who had caught sight of them, hastened to their horses, and galloped down the hill to meet them.
"Evvviva Ors' Anton'!" shouted a brawny, white-bearded old fellow, wrapped, despite the heat, in a hooded cloak of Corsican cloth, thicker than the skins of his own goats.