The Amulet

The other took his hand, and dragging him by force into the house, said:

"I am here alone all day, with no one to whom I can speak one word; it is

enough to paralyze my tongue. You shall listen to my adventures whether

you wish it or not. Judge, Bernardo, by the recital of my great deeds what

an honor it is to you to be the comrade of so intrepid a man. Be not

ill-humored; you know it is useless to resist me. Don't laugh; were I to

try it, I could toss you about like a ball; but you are my friend, and

besides, you are too weak to contend with me. Therefore, fear nothing."

They reached the house and entered a kind of parlor, where Julio threw

upon the table the spring he held in his hand, and seating himself, he

said to his companion: "Take a chair, Bernardo. You are about to hear some strange adventures. Do

you know the ruffian Bufferio? He is a jolly fellow, who cares as little

for the life of a man as for that of a fly. There is not a man in the

parish of Saint Andrew who does not tremble at the sight of him. In a

by-street there is a tavern in a large cellar, where one can hear the

rattling of dice all night long, and they play for piles of gold--where it

comes from, the devil only knows. Late yesterday evening I was passing

through this street, when the noise of the dice fell upon my ear. You must

know, Bernardo, that this sound is as enchanting music attracting me; it

overpowers my will. I descended into the tavern and called for a glass of

beer. I seated myself among the players, and challenged any of them to

play against me. I won and lost; but at last good luck was on my side, and

my pockets were so full that they could hardly bear the weight of the

florins. To console the losers, I ordered the hostess to bring a pint of

wine to each of them; but in spite of my generosity the villains looked at

me angrily, and seemed to excite each other to take revenge upon me. They

strove to pick a quarrel. They were like a band of thieves and assassins;

but the rascals saw with whom they had to deal. My defiant look, my bold

words, my intrepid countenance, kept them at a respectful distance from

me. Suddenly the dreaded Bufferio entered the cellar. He had no sooner

learned from his comrades how fortune had favored me than he challenged me

to play with him. It was just what I wanted. I don't know how it happened,

but I lost every game. Each time we doubled the stakes; a cold sweat

bathed my brow as I saw florin after florin quietly put in the pocket of

my adversary, until I had only one farthing left. This time fortune

favored me; but Bufferio insisted that the dice had not been fairly

thrown, and he swept the table of all the money staked. I sprang to my

feet and called him a cheat. He instantly dealt me a heavy blow. Furious

and thirsting for vengeance, I drew my dagger. Immediately twenty daggers

glittered above my head. Perhaps, Bernardo, you think that I trembled? You

do not know me; when I am thus in the midst of danger, an entire army

could not terrify me; for in whatever other qualities I may be deficient,

I do not lack courage and intrepidity. When I saw the villains about to

rush upon me, I darted forward like a lion, and I cut about on every side

so furiously with my dagger, that all, even to the gigantic Bufferio, fled

from the cellar. I pursued them into the street; there the combat

recommenced; but my adversaries fared badly. In a few moments Bufferio lay

dead upon the ground between two of his comrades; the others, being badly

wounded, had taken flight. I stood alone upon the field of battle, a

triumphant conqueror! I remained in the same spot for a quarter of an

hour, to see if any other enemies would present themselves, but the

wretches had had enough for one night."