The Amulet

With staggering step and in a blind frenzy, Julio ran down the passage,

caught his dagger between his teeth, put the key in the lock, and turned

the light so that it might fall upon his victim.

He stopped trembling in the middle of the cellar, and pity filled his soul

as his eye rested on Geronimo. He had indeed drawn his dagger to complete

the horrible crime; but now, touched and moved by compassion, he

considered the unfortunate young man, who extended to him his suppliant

hands and begged for help.

Geronimo was kneeling on the side of the grave which had been dug to

receive his corpse. His face was partly covered with clotted blood; the

portion visible was excessively pale, and his cheeks were so sunken that

those few days of suffering had left only the skin to cover his bones. His

eyes, rolling wildly, were sunk in their sockets; his neck, weakened by

the wound, could not support his head, which fell upon his right shoulder.

His clothes were blood-stained and covered with dirt. It was evident that

in his struggle against death he had dragged himself around the tomb to

try, if possible, to escape it.

"Whoever you may be," cried out Geronimo, "for the love of God, one drop

of water!"

His voice was weak, but capable of moving the hardest heart.

Julio shook his head, without speaking.

"Water! water!" repeated the young man. "I am burning up, consumed by

thirst. Water! water! one drop of water! Save me from a frightful death!"

Moved by pity and forgetting, as it were, his own situation, Julio thrust

his hand under his doublet, drew out the bottle, uncorked it, and without

speaking gave it to the wounded gentleman. He uttered a cry of joy, seized

the bottle with feverish energy, and kissed with transport the hand which

presented him the saving beverage.

Julio, with palpitating heart, watched the unfortunate Geronimo, as with

trembling joy he placed the bottle to his lips, as if the contents were

imparting to him a new life.

And indeed, after having quaffed a deep draught, Geronimo appeared to have

new strength; for a sweet smile appeared upon his face, his eyes sparkled

with gratitude, and lifting his hands to Julio, he said: "May God bless you! you have saved me from a frightful death. May Heaven

hear my prayer and reward you on the day of judgment for all the good I

may have done in my life. The light blinded me; I could not see. Are you

not Julio?"