"Has not your own sense pointed that out to you?" answered the Friar. "At the edge of the moor where the pine grove commences, I should advise you to watch, and you can then have a clear view over the common on one side, while you must place a scout to see that no one approaches on the other." "Admirable generalship!" exclaimed he who had before spoken. "Were it not for your shaven crown, you would make us a capital leader, if you had courage enough to face the danger." "Courage!" cried the Friar, casting an angry look at the speaker. "Because I do not bluster and bully, you think I have not courage. I have done, and would do, many a deed you dare not!" "Ah, friar, you boast already, do you? Remember, what are you, but the jackal to our prey? I'll venture you would turn pale at the sight of a few drops of blood." "Fool, 'tis you will turn pale at sight of your own blood!" exclaimed the Friar, springing up, and drawing from a sheath under his gown, a long sharp stiletto, which he plunged with a steady hand into the fleshy part of the shoulder of the man who had spoken. "Now remember not to taunt me again; and recollect your life was in my power; an inch more of the steel would have silenced your tongue for ever." "Peace, Senhores, peace!" exclaimed the Landlord, seizing the arm of the friar, who without effort shook him off. "Remember the credit of my house; and if you wish to shed blood, let it be outside my doors." "Do not fear, my friend," answered the Friar coolly; "'Tis but a slight lesson I gave to Senhor Joze here, to speak more respectfully to one of my cloth in future. Come, man, I can cure as well as kill;" saying which, he bound up the arm of the wounded man, who, like a cowed hound, submitted without another word. "Bravo, Frade, bravo! you are a fine fellow, and shall have all you wish," cried the rest of the respectable assemblage. "Well then, my friends," said the Friar, "to convince you that if I am a jackal, I am a lion also, I will lead you in person to this adventure; but then remember I must have the lion's share also." "Agreed! agreed!" exclaimed the party. "With so holy a guide we must be successful." "The plan is then arranged, senhores," said the Landlord; "and now to bed. Remember you must rise betimes to be in readiness for the work, as it will not do to be observed quitting my respectable house on such an errand after the sun is up." The party now broke up, some stealing off to make their couches in the stable, others in different corners of the room; while the landlord, dismissing his daughter and the rest of his household to their places of repose, drew a seat near the fire, where he and the friar remained for some time in earnest conversation. The latter then rolling himself up in his gown, and pulling his cowl over his head, fell fast asleep on the bench, the host retiring to an upper room which he inhabited.