"Here I am, but whoever dares to lay a hand upon the girl, him will I shoot first and the girl afterwards."
But it was a threat which excited little terror, his hands trembled so and his eyes were scarce able to see what was before them.
Nobody followed him. He passed through the door alone.
The Leather-bell, however, was so terrified lest he should carry out his threat that he threw himself at the old man's feet, and embracing his knees, piteously besought him:
"Master, master, oh, my dear master! don't fire, for God's sake! Lay down your pistols. I assure you that nobody here will hurt you."
"Will ye swear, then, that you will do the child no harm?" gasped old Hétfalusy.
"Put down your weapons!" cried the rioters.
"Swear that you will not harm her in any way, and then I will put them down."
"Very well, we swear!" cried some in the rear of the crowd.
"Let that woman swear too," said Hétfalusy, pointing at Dame Zudár with a shaking hand. None of them did he hold in such horror as her.