The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-08-09
SELECTED TALES.
tn Il G. u ERILLA.
BY SHERIDAN KNOWLES.

Author of the Hunchback, VIM. Tell, &c
On came the crowd shouting, "The Guer.
lila The Guerilla !" ferocious exuItatior
In the sound of their voices and in theiI
looks On they came right to the place OF
execution, gathering new aecessions at ev.
cry yard. Arrived at the fatal spot, they
stopped and, drawing back on every side
formed little ring, densely bounded in
the centre OF which stood Guerilla, with a
boy about fifteen or sixteen years old, ap-
parently his son and along with them a
Spanlard OF superior rank, one or two func-
honares of subordinate class, and the exc
cutioner.
Several murders had been recently COM
mitted IN the mountains among the rest
one upon the son of the Spanard who was
extremely popular in Burgos; and agalr st
the Guerllas the retaliation of summary
justice was proclaimed by the edict of the
people; of which act of popular despotsm
the man and the boy, who had been taken
at II few leagues distance from the city,
were now about to become the victims.
Nothing could be more striking than the
contrast between the two. The man, of
swarthy complexion and salworth form, with
iank black hair, and just sufficient of intel
i'Sehce IN ms countenance to give direction
to bold and reckless nature; defiance. not
ueprecation, IN his eye--the boy with a skin
OF bright and transparent olive frame,
slender, though not spare dark-iet dark
halr hanging almost to the waist in clusters
Vi curis; and countenance shining with
sehs'oIlty and intellect; his eye, with an
expression OF intense terror, cast here and
there upon the crowd; with one hand clasp
ed IN that of his robust companion, and
with the other grasping his arm, to which
he shrlnkingly clung. There was something
SO Irreslstibly snbduing in the group--now
that their tormentors had halted, and had
leisure to look on-that clamor subsidized in
to perfect silence, which lasted for several
minutes. AT length the Guerilla with a
smile, stretched forth his hand
Fellow Christlansl" he exclaimed-but
his voice was instantly drowned with cries
of execration.
j." Pinion him strangle him ~ was vol
clterated from thousand mouths.
Finding 1t impossible to obtain hearing,
he now had recourse to gesture, and his
extended hands were gradually lowered in
the direction of the boy; then moving his
eyes from right to left, backwards and for
wards, as far rs he could turn his head
occasionally g!ancing at the boy-whiIe the
smile never once quilted his face, he plain
iy told what he would say. The promiscu-
Gus mass was touched again, and cIamor
was once more superseded by silence.
" PIpInp ~ Al. ~
" Pinlon me, and execute me if you please.
am fair object for your vengeance, and
you shall see that will prove myself wor-
thy of it; but why wreak it upon child
"A boy who has done nothing to you ? He
is not Guerilla, nor the son of Guerilla. |
lie is one of yourselves. Burgos was the
place of his BIRTH"
Hesitation, doubt, pity, dissatisfaction,
revenge, were variously painted in the ia
ces of the crowd. At length one--who SEEM
ed to be sort of leader-by a single word
recalled the passion which had originally
predominated.
Antonio! !" was all he said, but in |
voice IN which there was doom, without ref |
uge or mitigation. He was echoed by
theusand throats. The air resounded with
" Antonio. o."-It was the name Of the Sem
or's son-the young man that had been
Cries of" Pinion them Stran- |
gle them !" succeeded. The execu,ioper
looked towards the Senor. The Senior nod
ded and the former instantly proceeded to
pinlon the boy. The boy, submitting with
out struggle, looked up in the Guerilla's
face. The Guerilla looked dows on the
still with smile
The process was nearly completed. when
the Guerilla in voice of thunder and COM
mand, cried, " Stopr' The executioncr.
dessting, gaped at the Guer-
lila, as did also the Sesor and the crowd
all seemed electrified by the tone in which
the Guerilla uttered that single word.
ais there man in Burgos"-in the same
tone proceeded the Guerilla, "Is there a
man in Burgos who lost about sixteen
years ago, daughter two years old p
The Senor started, and now bent upon
the Guerilla a look Of the most intense In-
terest and eager inquiry.
What mean your" said the Senor.
What say J" replied the Guerilla, and
repeated the question.
Yes am that man J" said the Senior /,
lost daughter sixteen years ago at the
OF Two years old Knowesi thou aught Of
that girl p
You see do :"
"And whatl"
"Unbind the bov - said The c,o,;n.
calmly folding bis arms.
" Does she live ?" In.setuously inquired