328 THE STORY-BOOK OF SCIENCE 



mous. The Calabrian peasants ran to the towns, not 

 to give help, but to pillage. Without any concern 

 about the danger, they traversed the streets in the 

 midst of burning walls and clouds of dust, kicking 

 and robbing the victims even before the breath had 

 left their bodies." 



"Miserable creatures !" cried Jules. "Horrid 

 rascals ! Ah, if I had only been there ! ' ' 



"If you had been there, what would you have done, 

 my poor child? There were plenty there with as 

 good hearts and better fists than yours, but they 

 could do nothing." 



"Are those Calabrians very wicked?" asked 

 Emile. 



"Wherever education has not been introduced 

 there are brutal natures that, in time of trouble, 

 spring up, no one knows whence, and frighten the 

 world with their atrocities. Another story will 

 teach you more of the Calabrian peasants." 



