s of Gerwazy--The Chamberlain as a magnanimous
victor.

And they snored in so sound a sleep that they were not wakened by the
gleam of lanterns and the entry of some dozens of men, who fell upon the
gentry as wall spiders, called _mowers_, upon drowsy flies; scarcely does
one of them have time to buzz before the grim master encircles it around
with long legs and strangles it. The sleep of the gentry was still sounder
than the sleep of flies: not a one buzzed; all lay as if lifeless, though
they were seized by strong arms, and thrown about like straw when it is
bound into sheaves.

Bucket alone, whose head was strongest at a banquet of all those in the
district; Bucket, who could drink two butts of mead before his tongue
faltered and his legs tottered--Bucket, though long had he feasted and
deeply did he slumber, still gave a sign of life; he blinked with one eye,
and saw!--real nightmares! two dreadful faces directly above him, and each
had a pair of mustaches. They breathed upon him, and touched his lips with
their mustaches, and flourished about four hands like wings. He was
terrified, and wanted to cross him self, but he tried in vain to stir his
arm; his right arm seemed pinned to his side. He strove to move his
left--alas! he found that the spirits had wrapt him tight as a babe in
swaddling bands. He was terrified still more frightfully; immediately he
closed his eyes and lay without breathing; he grew cold and was near to
death.

But Sprinkler made an effort to defend himself, too late! For he was
already bound fast in his own belt. However, he twisted himself about and
leapt up with such a spring that he fell back on the breasts of the
sleeping men and rolled over their heads; he tossed like a pike, when it
writhes on the sand, and roared like a bear, for he had strong lungs. He
roared: "Treachery!" At once the whole company awoke and answered in
chorus: "Treachery! Violence! Treachery!"

The cry went echoing to the mirror room, where slept the Count, Gerwazy,
and the jockeys. Gerwazy awoke, and in vain struggled to free himself, for
he was tied fast at full length to his own sword; he looked about, and saw
by the window armed men, in short, black helmets and green uniforms. One
of them, girt with a scarf, held a sword, and with its point directed his
company of men, whispering: "Bind! Bind!" Around him lay the jockeys, tied
up like sheep; the Count was sitting unbound but wi