Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-11-03

his memory, and al my words were ,
no avail.
The Englishmsn's blood must b
she'd" be cried. TO satisfy my msI
derec brother"
Entreaties were or no avail. he wa
firm and resolutc, and having given m
Few moments for preparations, h
turned away to fondle his child, a DO
about three years old, who came run
n'Dg towards him. Thought il strang
that after deciding upon such an afro
cious act. and with the expectation q
Strengthening 4 fellow creature in hi
mind. be could caress bis child and dis
play so much Of human emotion. A
length. putting the boy from him, b,
turned savagely tow ards me, and order
ed his men to conduct me to the plac,
ofexecution.
This was the brink OF a precipice
which il was fearful TO look down from
Gracious Heaven" I cried. "you are
not going TO dash me down this preci
Pice."
mot alive" growled one or the
banditii, '.you will fall down when the
captain has nicked you, and spare u.
the trouble"
The few moments that ensucd wa,
solemn. | stood upon the brink OF
eternity; the savage Herculean bri-
sand was preparing has rife for the
death shot, and the brigands were gath
erIng around him anxious for the hor-
no sight that was TO ensue. AT length,
every thing was ready; Michael Ba-
rossini took up his position and order
ed bis men 20 stasd away from him.
the nfle was uplifled, and the savage
eyes OF the brigand were taking aim At
my heart: at that moment the brigand's
child, who had no knowledge OF the
dreadful proceedings that were going
on, came dancing towards me. A
thought struck me that this child might
be made the instrument Of my preser-
vation. darted forward, snatched
the boy in my arms. and then cried
out TO the brigaad TO fire.
The rife fell from Barossinis hand.
and ne was coming towards me rs if
for the purpose Of tearing the child
from my breast. But I drew towards
the Precipice, and holding the boy
stretched over il, demanded my life
as the condition Of the safety Of the
boy.
Barossini, stung to the quick, seized
upon his rife, and was presenting il
again. when his wife rushed upon him,
held bis arms, and besought him 10 save
her child.
The scene was solemn and striking.
The natural feelings of the man we're
combating with the ferocity Of the sa-
wage brigand. Barossini remained with
his eyes fixed upon me and his child,
who still remained suspended over the
precipice, and crying aloud for his IA
Their Ia save BAN. The mother hung
upon the brigan6's arm. aud endeavor-
ed to move him from his purpose. Ma
lure triumphed. and he cried, "Give
me my son, aud co.
And what security shall have for
my safety" I enquired.
The Brigand's honorl" was Baros-
sini's reply.
Seeing that hesiiaied. he continued.
- You do not know me. You have moi
heard Of Michael Barossini, or you
would have known that, brigand tho
he be. his word has never yet been
broken. But here, stranger, conIin-
ued he, throwing = dagger towards me,
I" take that and the boy with you, I'LL
my men shall haveplaeed you in safe
~"
The nobleness Of this action was in
striking contrast with his previous con.
duct. took the dagger and gave my
honor that the boy should be returned
ia safety. 81 expect IT," Barossini re.
piled, $50 long Is the boy is safe. you
are safe also" He looked at the boy
- IL wishing TO embrace him; but evil
IDENTIFY thinking that the action might
make me suspicious, be mastered his
feelings. But the mother could not as
sumo such heroism, She saw the boy
in my one hand. while the other held
he bTigsnd's dagger. and she came to-
wards me beseechiag me that I would
permit her 10 kiss her child
The look, the tone, the seton Of che
woman were eli 30 touching, that what
ever little heroism ! may have pos
,essed. fOrsook me. end placing the
trembling boy in his mothers arms, /
cried, A" Bsrossini, ! will not take away
your childP' The brigand's features
not bot alter Fegarding me Tor
some seconds, BE remarked, You
shall MT lose sny thing, Engiisbman,
by your humanity and respect fog the
feelings q the mother ~ ny child"
and thea tuFBing towsFds his msn, be
gave them soHs diFecti0ns--and 81
they departed. BE- rntreated ne % Ne
nain with him = few moments. 81
an glad 70 see you have 90 much con-
6dencc IN IN enemy" " You have
won ny Submission. For your sake !
make pesce With aIi your counirymen."
The bHgaads nos returned, and De.
fossini Informed me that they were rea-
dy 20 conduct me 90 the road. ard thai
they should stiend me 80 far ~ there
might BE fhe least danger ~ falling 10
9Th tbe bTigands a be party. !
thanked him, and asked one favos. ibzi