This one
being put in position, he carried the remaining figures, one by one,
to the places marked for them, keeping up a running commentary upon the
ci-devant brigands whose representatives they were, and calling them
each repeatedly by name, as if there were a certain sad satisfaction in
addressing them in the old, familiar way.
When this queer task was completed, the bandit and his faithful little
companion, taking advantage of a flood of moonlight as the clouds
drifted away before the wind, went and stood on the road--not very far
from their retreat--by which our travellers were to pass, to judge of
the effect of their group of brigands. It was really very formidable,
and had often been of great service to the bold originator of the plan;
for on seeing so numerous a band apparently advancing upon them, most
travellers took to their heels, leaving the coveted spoils behind them
for Agostino to gather up at his leisure.
As they slowly returned to the pine grove he said to the child, who was
clinging to his arm affectionately as she walked beside him, "The first
stage of their journey to-morrow is a long one, and these people will be
sure to start in good season, so that they will reach this spot just
at the right time for us--in the uncertain light of the dawn.
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