Part 15 (2/2)
”Don't joke in this manner,” said he; ”I know you won't kill me, because I tell you of your danger. I myself heard Viola say that he will do for the man who did that job at the parson's.”
”He'll never know it; or do you think that Viola suspects me?”
”No indeed, but----”
”Or do you mean to betray me?” cried the robber, again seizing his knife. ”You are the only man who knows that I was at the parsonage.”
”Tzifra, you are a fool!” cried the Jew. ”What have I to do with Viola or with the parson; didn't I sell the roan horse for you, which you _made_ beyond the Theiss? And didn't you get ten florins and a half for that same hack?”
”Yes, but you did me then; but never mind, you're born to do it--it's your nature. But don't you talk of that business--you know what I mean.
Don't even tell it to your G.o.d; for otherwise Viola cannot possibly know it, and he'll be hanged before he is a month older.”
”Will he, indeed!” said the Jew. ”How will they do it?”
”Why, didn't they catch him the other day?” replied the robber. ”He'd be done for by this time, had it not been for one of his comrades who fired the sheriff's haystacks.”
”Does he owe that good turn to _you_?”
”To _me_! Can there be any one who hates him as I do? Viola was a child playing in the streets; when I came to the village with my men he used to hide behind the stove; and now, curse me! you ought to see him, how he lords it over me. If right and justice were done in this villanous world of ours, who do you think ought to lead the outlaws but I, Tzifra Jantshy, who have been their leader for many years?--I, who know every hole and corner on either side of the Theiss, and who am a greater man with the Ts.h.i.+kosh and Gulyash[12] than even their masters! But the rascals wanted another man, d--n them! I found Viola amongst them!--that fellow who trembles like a woman when he sees a drop of blood! that coward who pities a weeping child! they liked him better than me, and if I had said a word they would have hanged me. He commands and I obey--but, blast me! he'll have the worst of it!”
[Footnote 12: See Note VIII.]
”Bravo!” said the Jew, pus.h.i.+ng the bottle over to his comrade; ”it is quite ridiculous to think that Viola should presume to give his orders to a man like _you_.”
”Of course, so it is!” cried the robber; ”and what stupid orders his are! The other day he finds me driving a peasant's oxen from the field, and kicks up a row, and swears that I must take them back, for he wouldn't allow any of the poor people to be hurt. Last year I shot a Jew, whereupon the fool told me he'd shoot _me_ if that kind of thing were to happen again. But never mind! D--n him, we'll see which of us is to be food for the ravens first! He'll feel my revenge by and by!”
”Ah, I see!” cried the Jew. ”It is you, then, who told his wors.h.i.+p the justice that Viola was coming to Tissaret.”
”Confound you! hold your tongue! And suppose I _did_ tell him; what next?”
”Nothing that I know of; but I know an opportunity of giving Viola a kick, and making good sum of money too.”
”Halljuk!” shouted the robber.
”Silence!” cried the Jew, ”you'll wake every man in the house. What did you get for that little job at the parsonage?”
”Are you at it again, you hound of a Jew?”
”Never mind. What do you say to five-and-twenty florins? I'll put you in a way to get them.”
”Five-and-twenty florins? But how?”
”If you've but pluck----”
”Pluck!” repeated Tzifra, staring at his comrade.
”Well, never mind! Mark me now. The papers which you could not get the other day are at Mr. Tengelyi's.”
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