Irresolute, the crowd stared at the sailor, and he, taking advantage of the momentary quietness, jumped over tables and benches into a corner, where the solitary guest sat, and placed his hand upon his shoulder:
"Up!" he called with penetrating voice, "up in the name of Manuelita!"
As if touched by an electric shock, the man jumped up, and, throwing one single glance at the sailor, he gave a yell and leaped right in the midst of the vagabonds, and with herculean power he knocked down all who were near him, crying with rage:
"Away with you, bandits! Whoever touches a hair on this man's head dies!"
As soon as the men heard the voice, they remained standing as if petrified, and even the most courageous turned pale.
"Jacopo!" went from mouth to mouth. "What the devil brought him here? Let us hasten to depart. See only how his eyes are rolling; he is once more in a passion!"
The other must have been aware of his ruling power over these miserable vagabonds, for he pulled the door open and peremptorily ordered them to leave the room, saying threateningly:
"March off, or I'll get you all on the galleys again, which you ought never to have left!"
"We are going; pardon us!" cringingly replied the men; and like beaten dogs they all left quite hastily.
The Provencal lingered a while at the door.