Our friends had got a boy of about eleven between them, and were dragging him along by the arms by main force.
The boy was resisting with all his power, and was being dragged along almost double, his bare feet scraping the ground in a vain effort not to move, whilst he sobbed and shouted in a passion of rage and terror very unbecoming in one of his heroic race. He was a ragged, dirty, pretty urchin, with large brown eyes, and a wicked face that prophesied for him bigger scrapes some day than stone-throwing.
The two boys who had him in custody brought the unfortunate imp to our astonished feet, and rested there; still gripping him fast, and demanding our good pleasure concerning his chastisement.
"Tenez, mademoiselle," said the third, holding up a big pointed stone, "voilà la pierre qu'il a jetée!" Circumstantial evidence with a vengeance; the culprit confronted with the instrument of his iniquity!
Perhaps we were weak; but we forgave that terror-stricken boy (who, I verily believe, expected some vendetta-like vengeance at our hands), and he was allowed to slink off with an admonition from us to "do so no more."
Coming back, these same big boys again overtook us; and, quietly remarking that they would see us safe home, they escorted us to the door of our hotel with much polite conversation, and then made off, raising their caps.
These boys were in the lower ranks of life, although decently dressed; but it would have been an insult to offer them any recompense. Their action proceeded from chivalry "pur et simple," and they had no notion of any reward.
Weeks afterwards, when two of us returned to Corte, a smiling face suddenly attracted our attention in the streets one day, and we recognized one of our boyish defenders. Of course we greeted him, and he lifted his cap, remarking, "I have seen you for the last half hour."
CHAPTER XI.
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS AT CORTE.
A good deal of historical interest is attached to Corte. From the earliest times it has been the seat of the national government, and the centre of the more important popular demonstrations. The old town and citadel have undergone more sieges and been worn by more numerous assaults than even Calvi or Bonifacio.