“‘Yes, but I came to ask something more than to be your companion.’
“‘And what may that be?’ inquired the bandits with astonishment.
“‘I come to ask to be your captain,’ said the young man.
“The bandits shouted with laughter.
“‘And what have you done to aspire to this honor?’ demanded the lieutenant.
“‘I have killed your chief, Cucumetto, whose dress I now wear; and I set fire to the villa San-Felice to procure a wedding-dress for my betrothed.’
“An hour afterwards Luigi Vampa was chosen captain, vice Cucumetto, deceased.”
“Well, my dear Albert,” said Franz, turning towards his friend; “what think you of citizen Luigi Vampa?”
“I say he is a myth,” replied Albert, “and never had an existence.”