He who had propounded the question trembled a little, and held his peace.
"But then," continued the other, "they haven't caught him, not a bit of it; he's too cute to let himself get caught."
At this instant Manolo raised two shrieks still more maddening in the opposite arcade, and with the same madness the dogs of the neighborhood, barking, took up the refrain. It is impossible to describe what happened thereupon in the multitude of listeners in both arcades. The tumult which ensued was in reality overpowering. A goodly number of hands flew about in the darkness, flourishing terrible canes and umbrellas, and from both the throngs arose a chorus of imprecations far from flattering to the canine race. The confusion and disorder took possession of all minds. Breasts breathed nothing but vengeance and extermination.
"Kill that beastly cur! cried a voice above the tumult.
"Yes, yes, break his back for him!" replied another, instigating the fittest method of slaughter.
"That dog, that dog!"
"But where is that cursed beast?"
"Find him and break his back!"
"And if you can't find the dog, break his master's back!"
"That's the idea! his master's!"