"Give me up—let them wreak their bloody vengeance on my head!"
"I should only betray myself for having concealed you; and it would not save your father's house."
"And if they murder the innocent and unprotected, on whom will the ignominy of their blood fall?"
"On me; but I will give you the means of preventing this disgrace.
Do you accept it?"
"Speak!"
"I will give you a disguise; hasten to Kolozsvar and assemble your comrades,—then return and protect your house. I will wait you there, and man to man, in open honorable combat, the strife will no longer be ignominious."
"Thanks, thanks!" murmured the youth, pressing the Decurio's hand.
"There is not a moment to lose; here is a peasant's mantle—if you should be interrogated, you have only to show this paszura,* and mention my name. Your not knowing the language is of no consequence; my men are accustomed to see Hungarian gentlemen visit me in disguise, and having only seen you by night, they will not recognize you."
* Everything on which a double-headed eagle—the emblem of the
Austrian Government—was painted, engraved or sculptured, the
Wallachians called paszura.
Imre hastily took the dress, while Decurio spoke to the people, made arrangements for the execution of their plans, and pointed out the way to the castle, promising to follow them immediately.