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TheymockedNunezwhenPedrodidnotarrive,andafterwards,whenheaskedPedroquestionstoclearhischaracter,Pedrodeniedandoutfacedhim,andwasafterwardshostiletohim.
Thenheinducedthemtolethimgoalongwayuptheslopingmeadowstowardsthewallwithonecomplacentindividual,andtohimhepromisedtodescribeallthathappenedamongthehouses. Henotedcertaingoingsandcomings,butthethingsthatreallyseemedtosignifytothesepeoplehappenedinsideoforbehindthewindowlesshouses—theonlythingstheytooknoteoftotesthimby—andofthesehecouldseeortellnothing; anditwasafterthefailureofthisattempt,andtheridiculetheycouldnotrepress,thatheresortedtoforce. Hethoughtofseizingaspadeandsuddenlysmitingoneortwoofthemtoearth,andsoinfaircombatshowingtheadvantageofeyes. Hewentsofarwiththatresolutionastoseizehisspade,andthenhediscoveredanewthingabouthimself,andthatwasthatitwasimpossibleforhimtohitablindmanincoldblood.
Hehesitated,andfoundthemallawarethathehadsnatchedupthespade. Theystoodalert,withtheirheadsononeside,andbentearstowardshimforwhathewoulddonext.
"Putthatspadedown,"saidone, andhefeltasortofhelplesshorror. Hecamenearobedience.
Thenhethrustonebackwardsagainstahousewall,andfledpasthimandoutofthevillage.
Hewentathwartoneoftheirmeadows,leavingatrackoftrampledgrassbehindhisfeet,andpresentlysatdownbythesideofoneoftheirways.
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