"We want to hurt no one, except in our own defence, and we won't be made vampyres of because you don't like to die."
"No, no; we won't be vampyres," exclaimed the mob, and there arose a great shout from the mob.
"Are you men—fathers?—have you families? if so, I have the same ties as you have; spare me for their sakes,—do not murder me,—you will leave one an orphan if you do; besides, what have I done? I have injured no one."
"I tell you what, friends, if we listen to him we shall all be vampyres, and all our children will all be vampyres and orphans."
"So we shall, so we shall; down with him!"
The man attempted to get up, but, in doing so, he received a heavy blow from a hedge-stake, wielded by the herculean arm of a peasant. The sound of the blow was heard by those immediately around, and the man fell dead. There was a pause, and those nearest, apparently fearful of the consequences, and hardly expecting the catastrophe, began to disperse, and the remainder did so very soon afterwards.