Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1836-06-10

10 dash me down this precipice."
mot alive" growled one ofthe banditti,
4" you will fall down when the captain has
nicked you, and spare Us the trouble"
The few moments that ensued was sol
emn. stood upon the brink Of eternity
the savage Herculean brigand was prepar-
ing his rifle for the death shot, and the bri-
gands were gathering around him anxious
for the horrid sight that was to ensue. AT
length, every thing was ready Michael
Barossini took up his position and ordered
his men to stand away from him /; the rifle
was u%plifted, and the savage eyes Of the
brigand were taking aim at my heart ; at
the moment, the brigand's child, who had
no knowledge Of the dreadful proceedings
that were going on, came dancing towards
me. A thought struck the that this child
might be made the instrument Of my pres.
ervation. I started forward, snatched the
boy in my rms, and then cried out to the
brigand to fire
The rifle fell from Barossini's hand, and
he was coming towards me as if for the
purpose Of tearing the child from my breast.
But | drew towards the precipice, and
holding the boy stretched over it, [ demand
ed nv life as the condition of the safety of
the boy.
Barossini, stung to the quick seized upon
his rife, and was presenting it again. when
his wife rushed upon him, held his arm and
besOught him to save her child.
The scene vas solemn and striking. The
natural feelings Of the man were combat
ting with the savage ferocity ofthe Brigand.
Barossini remained with his eyes fixed up
on me, and his child, who still remained
suspended over the precipice, and crying
aloud for his father to save him. The
mother hung upon the 5rigand's arm, and
endeavored to move him from his purpose.
Nature triumphed, and he cried, Give me
my child, and CO.
And what security shall ! have for my
safety enquired.
The brigand's honor was Barossini's
reply. Seeing that | hesitated, he %contin-
ed, You do not know me. You have not
heard of Michael Barossini. or you would
have known, that brigand though he is, his
word has never yet been broken. But here
stranger continued he, throwing a dagger
towards me, take that and the boy with
you, till my men shall have placed you in
safety
The nobienesS Of this action was in strik-
ing contrast with his previous conduct. |
took the dagger aud promised that the boy
should return in safety. II expect" Baros.
SIM replied, 80 long as the boy is safe, you
are safe also" He looked at the boy os if
wishing to embrace him, but evidently
thinking that the action might make me
suspicious, he ma stored his feelings. But
the mother could not assume such heroism,
She saw the boy in my one hand, while the
other held the bfigand's dagger, and she
came to me beseeching me that | would
permit her to kiss her child.
The look, the tone, the action OF the
woman, were all so touching, that whatever
little heroism I may have possessed forsook
me, and placing the trembling boy in hi,
mothers arms, | cried "Barossini, | vii
not take away your child" The brigand'.
features relaxed not and after regarding
me for q few seconds, he remarked, You
shall not loose any thing, Englishman, fol
your humanity and respect for the feeling:
of the mother of my child : and then turn
ing to his men he gave them some direc
tions. and as he departed, he entreated me
TO remain with him a few moments. IL al
glad to see you have go much confidence il
an enemy," he said. "You have won my
admiration. For your sake | make peact
with all your c%ountrymen.
The brigands now returned, and Barossin
informed that they were ready to conducr
me to the road, and that thuy should attend
me 80 far as there might be the least dan
ger Of falling in with the brigands of hi:
party. l thanked him, and asked one favor
that he would return some miniatures which
were among the property the brigands hat
captured. They will return them to you
was the Barossini's reply. "Farewell."
kissed the little urchin that had been tn,
instrument Of my preservation, and depart
: ed. On my arrival in the road, | foun'
the chaise exactly on the spot where it ha,
been stopped, with the guide and postillion
ia waiting. But what surprised me mos
Of all, was to find that not an article Of m,
property was missing-the brigand had re
: stored the whole.