"Corporal—let your men get shot—the scoundrels refuse to fight!"
Bartolomeo had placed himself behind the corporal; the muzzle of the gun lay against his knee, and this fact made the Austrian obedient.
"My people are right," he said, gruffly; "I have given the order to hoist the white flag."
"The white flag? What for?"
"Special order from the marshal," replied the corporal.
"Which reached you?" asked the sergeant, distrustfully.
"Yes; do not consider any longer!" thundered Bartolomeo, coming forward: "I have brought the order myself."
The sergeant saw the Austrian uniform; he disappeared hurriedly, and Bartolomeo called after him:
"God help you if the flag is not hoisted before two minutes have passed."
Suddenly the firing ceased, a loud noise was heard. The Italians saluted the white flag—the signal of peace.