"If any of you object to me as a leader, let them come forward now and speak up."
There were one or two murmuring voices.
"Look," cried the giant Toro, "men all, if any here still denies my power, let them step forward, and this sword shall prove my right."
This was final.
After the manner in which Toro had just dealt with their friend Tomaso, they were not encouraged to provoke a quarrel. And so, by his daring audacity and brute strength, Toro the Italian raised himself to the leadership of the Greek brigands.
None dared to dispute his sway from that moment.
Some had a difficulty to swallow the bitter pill, but the alternative was so very unpleasant that they got over it.
* * * * *
And Harkaway's enemy Hunston?
Why has he fallen so into the background of late?