er horses than the gentry, and wishing to be the first in the
engagement, had left them behind, and had galloped at least a mile 158 in
advance of the rest of the cavalry, along with his jockeys, who were
obedient and well disciplined, and formed a sort of regular army. For the
rest of the gentry, as is usually the case with insurgents, were
turbulent, and beyond measure quick at hanging. As it was, the Count had
time to recover from his heat and wrath, and to deliberate how to end the
battle without bloodshed; so he gave orders to lock the Soplica family in
the mansion as prisoners of war, and stationed guards at the doors.

Then with a shout of "Down with the Soplicas!" the gentry rushed on in a
body, surrounded the estate and took it by storm, so much the more easily
since the leader had been captured and the garrison had run away; but the
conquerors wanted to fight and looked for an enemy. Not being admitted to
the mansion, they ran to the farmhouse, to the kitchen--when they entered
the kitchen, the sight of the pots, the hardly extinct fire, the fresh
smell of cooked food, the crunching of the dogs, which were gnawing the
remains of the supper, appealed to the hearts of all, and changed the
current of their thoughts; it cooled their wrath, but inflamed their
desire for food. Wearied by the march and by an entire day of debate, they
thrice shouted with one voice, "Eat, eat!" to which there came a reply of
"Drink, drink!" from among the throng of gentry. There arose two choruses,
some crying "Drink!" and others "Eat!"--the watchwords flew and echoed, and
wherever they reached they made mouths water and stomachs feel empty. And
so, at a signal given from the kitchen, the army unexpectedly dispersed
for foraging.

Gerwazy, repulsed from the Judge's rooms, had to retire, out of regard for
the Count's watchmen. So, not being able to take vengeance on his enemy,
he bethought himself of the second great aim of this expedition. As a man
experienced and adept in legal matters, he wished to establish the Count
in his new possessions legally and formally; so he ran for the Apparitor,
and at last, after long search, discovered him behind the stove.
Straight-way he seized him by the collar, dragged him to the yard, and,
pointing his penknife at his breast, spoke thus:--

"Mr. Apparitor, my Lord the Count ventures to ask Your Honour that you
would be so kind as immediately to proclaim before the gentlemen and
brethren the estab