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Book, page 420 / 462 * La mala compagnia e quella che mena uomini a la forca. The universal confusion which followed the eruption of Mount Vesuvius was to these villains a time of rejoicing. No sooner did Piedro's companion hear of the rich furniture, plate, etc., which the imprudent orator had described as belonging to the Count de Flora's villa, than he longed to make himself master of the whole. "It is a pity," said Piedro, "that the count has sent Francisco, with his servants down to guard it." "And who is this Francisco of whom you seem to stand in so much awe?" "A boy, a young lad only, of about my own age; but I know him to be sturdily honest. The servants we might corrupt; but even the old proverb of 'Angle with a silver hook,' * won't hold good with him." * Pescar col hamo d'argento. "And if he cannot be won by fair means, he must be conquered by foul," said the desperate villain; "but if we offer him rather more than the count has already promised for his share of the booty, of course he will consult at once his safety and his interest." "No," said Piedro; "that is not his nature. I know him from a child, and we had better think of some other house for to-night's business." "None other; none but this," cried his companion, with an oath. "My mind is determined upon this, and you must obey your leader: recollect the fate of him who failed me yesterday." The person to whom he alluded was one of the gang of robbers who had been assassinated by his companions for hesitating to commit some crime suggested by their leader. No tyranny is so dreadful as that which is exercised by villains over their young accomplices, who become their slaves. Piedro, who was of a cowardly nature, trembled at the threatening countenance of his captain, and promised submission. In the course of the morning, inquiries were made secretly amongst the
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