_Eh bien_, _mon maître_, in another moment in bounded the count, his eyes sparkling like coals, and, as I have already said, with a rapier in his hand. ‘_Tenez_, _gueux enragé_,’ he screamed, making a desperate lunge at me; but ere the words were out of his mouth, his foot slipping on the pease, he fell forward with great violence at his full length, and his weapon flew out of his hand, _comme une flêche_. You should have heard the outcry which ensued—there was a terrible confusion: the count lay upon the floor to all appearance stunned. I took no notice, however, continuing busily employed. They at last raised him up, and assisted him till he came to himself, though very pale and much shaken. He asked for his sword: all eyes were now turned upon me, and I saw that a general attack was meditated. Suddenly I took a large _casserole_ from the fire in which various eggs were frying; this I held out at arm’s length, peering at it along my arm as if I were curiously inspecting it, my right foot advanced and the other thrown back as far as possible. All stood still, imagining, doubtless, that I was about to perform some grand operation, and so I was: for suddenly the sinister leg advancing, with one rapid _coup de pied_, I sent the _casserole_ and its contents flying over my head, so that they struck the wall far behind me. This was to let them know that I had broken my staff and had shaken the dust off my feet; so casting upon the count the peculiar glance of the Sceirote cooks when they feel themselves insulted, and extending my mouth on either side nearly as far as the ears, I took down my haversack and departed, singing as I went the song of the ancient Demos, who, when dying, asked for his supper, and water wherewith to lave his hands— Ό ἤλιος ἐβασίλευε, κἰ ὁ Δημος διατάζει, Σύρτε, παιδιά μου, ’σ τὸ νερὸν ψωμὶ νὰ φάτ' ὰπόψε. {164} And in this manner, _mon maître_, I left the house of the Count of ---.” _Myself_.—And a fine account you have given of yourself; by your own confession, your behaviour was most atrocious. Were it not for the many marks of courage and fidelity which you have exhibited in my service, I would from this moment hold no further communication with you. _Antonio_.—_Mais qu’est ce que vous voudriez_, _mon maître_? Am I not a Greek, full of honour and sensibility? Would you have the cooks of Sceira and Stambul submit to be insulted here in Spain by the sons of counts rushing into the temple with manchets of bread? _Non_, _non_, _mon maître_, you are too noble to require that, and what is more, _too just_. But we will talk of other things. _Mon maître_, I came not alone, there is one now waiting in the corridor anxious to speak to you. _Myself_.—Who is it? _Antonio_.—One whom you have met, _mon maître_, in various and strange places. _Myself_.—But who is it?