"Back, sir," cried Bertuccio in a rage, as he swung his pickaxe, "I will crush the viper's skull."
The pick cleaved through the air, but before it descended on Benedetto's head, the count had grasped it, and with a powerful movement hurled it into the sea.
"Bertuccio," he said coldly, "what right have you to play the judge in my presence?"
"Oh, sir, pardon. Anger overcame me. Benedetto burned Assunta, my sister-in-law and his foster mother, so as to get her money; he only lived from robbery and murder."
"He is a man, he must be saved."
Ali came now with the rum. The count poured a few drops into Benedetto's throat, Haydee rubbed his temples, and in a few minutes the wretch uttered a deep sigh and his lips moved, though his eyes still remained closed.
The count examined the wound.
"He will live," he said decisively. "The wound is not dangerous."
"It would be better for society if he died," hissed Bertuccio.