Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/432

When we arrived on the bridge of St. Siovanni, which was very near our house, we heard a loud whistling before and behind us. There was no moonshine, but it was till light enough to enable us to perceive three muffled men advance against us, from the farther end of the bridge. Not a soul else was to be seen either in the streets or on the canals. We perceived the danger in good time, and drew our swords to defend ourselves. The three men crept on slowly, and at the distance of three or four yards from us, began to utter their death-howl, "Morte! morte!" and darted upon us with their long battle swords. We put ourselves in position against the rails of the bridge; I threw my cloak at the first ruffian that assailed us, and had the good fortune to run him through, while he was endeavoring to disentangle himself, The second bravo, as soon as he saw the danger of his comrade attacked me with incredible fury, his sword wounded me in the shoulder, but I caught it that same instant with my hands, when he wrested it from me with such force as to cut my palm and fingers in several places.