affairs, and determined to save him, even at
the cost of great personal sacrifices, as soon as his marriage would
render him independent.

What would the young cavalier have thought had he known that at a few
steps, distance from him, three assassins, hired by Simon Turchi, were
lying in wait to kill him. But no, his mind was filled with compassion and
affectionate feelings for his cruel enemy.

The little band was not far from Hoboken Street; Julio gazed fixedly into
the darkness to discover if any one was near the well.

Suddenly he perceived a dark shadow advancing. Trembling in an agony of
fear, and in order to make himself known to the ruffians, Julio suddenly
drew his sword and exclaimed:

"_Al assassino! Ajusto! ajusto!_ Murder! help! help!"

But he had spoken too soon for the success of his designs; for, being put
upon his guard by this exclamation, Geronimo drew his sword, and placed
his back against the wall of the house that he might not be assailed from
behind.

The lute-players, screaming from fright, ran away, and Julio stood in the
middle of the street brandishing his sword.

All this had passed almost instantaneously after the first alarm given by
Julio. The man whom he had seen coming from the well, followed by two
companions, rushed to the side of the street where Geronimo had made a
stand to defend himself. The assassin, who was in advance of the two
others, fell upon Geronimo and gave him a sword-thrust which he supposed
pierced his body; but a skilful movement parried the blow, and the
aggressor himself fell with such force upon Geronimo's sword that the
blade passed through his body.

The assassin fell heavily, and in a plaintive voice, as though bidding
adieu to life, exclaimed:

"_O mojo!_ I die! Bufferio is dead!"

Disregarding the villain who had fallen, the gentleman rushed upon the
other two and wounded one in the shoulder. Convinced that they had to deal
with a powerful and skilful adversary, they turned and fled, Geronimo
pursuing them far beyond the well.

Julio followed him, crying, vociferating, and striking with his sword in
the dark, as though he were contending with numerous enemies. When
Geronimo returned with the servant to the spot where he had left the dead
body of the ruffian, he found three or four watchmen calling for help.
Many heads were thrust from the windows, and one citizen even ventured out
of his house with a lamp in his hand.

The watchmen, having inquir