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Abellino, this Italian Hercules, all terrible as he appeared to be,

was not long a member of this society before his companions felt

towards him sentiments of the most unbounded esteem All loved, all

valued him, for his extraordinary talents for a bravo's trade, to

which he seeth of body, but by the readiness of his wit, and his never-

failing presence of mind Even Cinthia was inclined to feel soly

Matteo, as Abellino was soon given to understand, was the captain of

this dangerous troop He was one who carried villainy to the

highest pitch of refinement, incapable of fear, quick and crafty,

and troubled with less conscience than a French financier The

booty and price of blood, which his associates brought in daily,

were always delivered up to hier portion for hiue of those whom he had despatched into the

other world was already too long for him to have repeated it: reatest pleasure in his hour

of relaxation was to relate such of these murderous anecdotes as he

still re his

hearers with a desire to follow his example His weapons were kept

separate from the rest, and occupied a whole aparters of a thousand different fashions, WITH guards