Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1836-08-31

up his position, and ordered his men to stand
from him; the rife was uplifted, 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 dread
full proceedings that were going on, came
up towards me. A thought struck me that
this child might be made the instrument of
my preservation. darted forward, snatch
ed the boy in my arms, and then cried out
70 the brigand to fire!
The rifle fell from Barossini's hand, and
he was coming towards me asif for the pur-
pose of tearing the child from my breast.
But | drew towards the precipice, and hold
ing the little boy stretched over it, / demand
ed my life as the condition of the safety of
the boy.
Barossini, stung to the quick, seized upon
his rifle, and was presenting it again, when
his wife rushed upon him, held his arm and
besought him to save her child.
The scene was solemn and striking. The
natural feelings of the man were combating
with the savage ferocity of the brigand.
Barossini remained with his eyes fixed up
on me, and his child, who still remained sus-
pended over the precipice, was crying aloud
for his father to save him. The mother
hung over the brigand's arm, and endeavor-
ed to move him from his purpose. Nature
triumphed, and he cried, Give me my child
and Co.
And what security shall l have for my
safety 2 inquired.
the brigand's honor,' was Barossini's
reply.
Seeing that | hesitated, he continued,
You do not know me. You have not
heard of Michael Barossini, or you would
have known that, brigand though he be, his
word has never yet broken. But here
stranger he continued, take that, and take
the boy with you, until my men have placed
you in safety
The nobleness of this action was in strik-
ing contrast with his previous conduct. l
took the dagger, and gave my honor that the
boy should be returned in safety. Il ex-
pect it, replied Barossini, $50 long as the
boy is safe, you are safe Also He looked
at the boy as if wishing to embrace him, but
evidently thinking thatthe action might make
me suspicious, he mastered his feelings.
But the mother could not assume such
heroism. She saw the boy in one hand,
while the other held the brigand's dagger,
and she came towards me, beseeching that
| would permit her to kiss her child
The look, the tone, the action of the wo-
Ms. ,.aEzara al SO touching. flat whatever 1t.
tie heroism may have possessed, forsook
me, and placing the trembling child in his
mothers arms, cried, 'Barossin, will not
take away your childv The brigand's fea-
lures relaxed not; but after regarding me
for some seconds, he remarked: you shall
not lose any thing, Englishman, by your
humanity, and your respect for the mother
of my child And then turning towards
his men, he gave them some directions, and
as they departed, he entreated me to remain
with him few moments. 81 am glad to
see'you have so much confidence in an
enemy he said. 'You have won my adj
miration. For your sake make peace with
all your countrymen.' The brigands now
returned, and Barossini informed me that
they are ready to conduct me to the road
and that they should attend me so far as
there might be the least danger from the
brigands of his party. thanked him, and
asked one favor, that he would return some
miniatures which the brigands had captured
They will return them to you,' was Baros
sini's reply. Farewell kissed the lit
tie Tchin that had been the instrument o.
my preservation, and departed. On my ar
rival in the road, found the chaise exactly
on the spot where Il had been stopped, witt
the guide and position in waiting. Blu
what surprised me, most of all, was to fine
thatnot an article Of my property was miss
ing. The brigand had restored the whole