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Updated: June 16, 2025
A subordinate came down, took the money from the fraudulent trader by force, and restored it to its owner. Again Fabri testifies to the careful way in which the escort protected the company from molestation on its way up to Jerusalem.
"You are early," he said, ignoring the glances, hostile or doubtful, that met his gaze. "The hour has barely struck, I believe?" "We were of opinion," Fabri answered, with a dry cough, "that minutes were of value." "Ah!" "That not even one must be lost, Messer Blondel!" "In doing?" Blondel asked in a negligent tone, well calculated to annoy those who were eager in the matter.
With their feet the poor pilgrims managed to collect some of the impurities together into a heap in the centre; each man clearing enough space to lie down upon. Fabri found solace to his offended senses in thinking of his dear Lord lying in a hard manger, amongst all the defilements of the oxen.
Fabri, a man of sense, might laugh to-day, and to-morrow; but the third day, when the report came to him from a dozen quarters, mainly by women's mouths, he would not laugh. And presently he would shrug his shoulders and stand aside, and leave the matter in more earnest hands. Blondel dropped no more than that hint, therefore, and as he passed homeward applauded his discretion.
"But too often an occasion let slip does not return, as you well know. The least disorder in the box he searched may put Basterga on the alert, and wreck my plans." They did not answer. They felt one and all, Petitot and Baudichon no less than Fabri, that they had done this man an injustice.
In the narrow lane but four or five could fight abreast, and the Grand Duke's men were clad in steel and well armed. Nevertheless Fabri bore back the first line, pressed on them stoutly, and amid a wild mêlée of struggling men and waving weapons, began to drive the troop, in spite of a fierce resistance, into the gate.
Three things were forbidden to the pilgrims: to swim across the stream, because in the excitement of emotion and amongst such crowds individuals had often been drowned; to dive in, because the bottom was muddy; to carry away phials of Jordan water. The first regulation was openly violated. On his first journey Fabri had swum across, but on the return had been seized with panic and nearly drowned.
Fabri gave him time to speak; and then with evident relief, "He has none to make, I am sure," he said. "Let him understand, then," Blondel replied firmly, "let all understand, that while I will do my duty I am no longer in the position to guard against sudden strokes, in which I should have been, had I been allowed to go my own way. If a misfortune happen, it is not on me the blame must rest."
It was at this moment, when the burghers had drawn back a little that they might deliver a decisive attack, that Basterga came up. Fabri the Syndic had taken the command, and had shouted to all who had windows looking on the lane to light them.
"When the information we have points to a night attack?" Fabri nodded. "That is true," he said. "And the walls are well guarded at night." Fabri nodded again. "Yes," he said, "it is true. I think, Messer Petitot," he went on, turning to him, "we are a little over-fearful." The two others were silent, and Blondel eyed them harshly, aware that he had mastered them, yet hating them.
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