The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1830-10-02
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lowed.-At this part Of tho narrative, my
guide, rising abr1ptly, and with his HAL
ian vivacity -" ThereY said che; g on
that very spot whore you areanow seated,
Cecca too was seated with sPietro by her
side The full moon illuminstrd the val
ley and the entrance ofths casern, the in-'
terror of which was wrapped in profound
obscurity. sshefN s.9hs1escy
+ 1t was one Of those lovely summer
nights whose refreshing breeze purifies
the air 30 sweetly after the heaviness Of q
sultry day. No sound was heard save
the distant murmur of the torrent, and the
rustling ofthe wind amongst the foliage Of
Il he pines. Ceccs, exhausted with fatigue,
slept with her head reclined on the should
er of Pietro, who fearful of disturbing the
sIumbcrs Of his beloved, scarcely allowed
himself tn breathe. Presently a slight
noise was heard, which an inhabitant Of
the valley might have mistaken for that
occasioned by the flight Of some night
bird, or by the rapid pace of the chamois,
but the bandits practIsed ear was not to
be deceived. In an instant Pietro was on
his feet, and the suddenness of the move
ment awakened Cecca. {" Hark" said
he.-The noise had ceased. Pietro seix.
ed his carbine, and advanced towards tho
entrance ofthe cavern, the path leading to
which was solitary as before; all was calm.
The pale countenance ofCecca fsposed
ON the shoulder Other lovers" can see
nothing" said She" There they are!"
repeated he. BY Saint Antonio, 'tis
something more substantial than the
breeze that agitates the foliage yonder!"
AT the same instant, fash lighted up the
spot to which he pointed, and Pietro fell
TO the ground. Quickly recovering him
self, but'too feeble to stand up right, he
raised himself on his knees.
Concealed by projecting fragment Of
rock, he gave his well-finished pouch to
Cecca, who, placing herself behind him,
by turns loaded each of his two fusils,
which she Immediately afterwards pre-
sented to him. Needless of danger, ithe
generous girl thought but of her floser.
whoin she bcheld pale and bleeding, lean-
ing against the rock, and at every instant
becoming more faint. The unequal struq
gle rapidly drew near its close A ball
grazed the cheek Of Cecca, and fractured
Pietro's right arm. His eye inlamed
Eab bthA aggression af hetredJ .ea da4-nss
tusiI, charged with his last remaining cart
ridge. " Fire" said he, pointing with
his finger to an advancing enemy .--"fire,
like true Corsican's wi;e; but first tako
good aim" The aim was but too well
leyelled ;--the enemy Of Cecca's lover fell
weltering In his blood. Making last ef.
iort,-"l am revenged!" cried Pietro
with savage yell;-" Cecca, It's your
lather!" The wretched Cecca heard no
more. Heaven, In pity to her suff-ripgs,
deprived her olthe gift Of reason. Since
that fatal moment the maniac has wander-
ed through the forest half naked, and inn
patient OF the slightest constraint. Force
ed occasionally, by the cravings Of hum
ger to make her appearance in the village,
she begs morsel Of bread, which is never
refused; and afterwards guided by sort
of vague instinct, returns to her miserable
cavern where she passes her nights. A
faint hope of finding her Pietro urges her
sometimes to wander on the high roads,
but as my guide observed, "'tis more .
habit than an idea:'
s.lrH .ftIs4.t II a..sts n