"I believe myself sufficient to
arrest thee; and, if not, here come assistants that thou wilt scarce deem
it prudent to resist."
The Augustine had stepped on a rock the moment the struggle commenced,
whence he made a signal which brought all the mastiffs from the convent.
These powerful animals now arrived in a group, apprized by their instinct
that strife was afoot. Nettuno immediately released the pilgrim and stood
at bay; too faithful to desert his master in his need, and yet too
conscious of the force opposed to him to court a contest so unequal.
Luckily for the noble dog, the friendship of old Uberto proved his
protection. When the younger animals saw their patriarch disposed to
amity, they forbore their attack, waiting at least for another signal to
be given. In the mean while, Maso had time to look about him, and to form
his decision less under the influence of surprise and feeling than had
been previously the case.
"Signore," he answered, "since it is your pleasure, I will return among
the Augustines. But I ask, as simple justice, that, if I am to be hunted
by dogs as a beast of prey, all who were in the same circumstances as
myself may become subject to the same rule.
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