"The Carbonari?"
"Yes."
The leader grasped his sword nervously, and made a step forward as though he would have dashed through the ravine and charge the military alone and unaided.
But if such were his intentions, he speedily altered his mind. "Perish them!" he muttered; "and curse their spying!"
"We could pick them all off from here," said one of the men—a huge, burly fellow, who had climbed up to a projecting rock commanding an extensive view. "All down to the last man."
And as he spoke, he brought his gun up to his shoulder with an ominous gesture.
"Hold, Toro!" ejaculated an English voice. "Your hasty imprudence will spoil us."
"Bah!" said Toro, replying in the same tongue. "You are over prudent, Hunston. Why should we not destroy them while they are in our power?"
"What if one escapes?"
"One should not," retorted the Italian savagely; "no, nor half a one."