Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-06-03
CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER VI.
Ida and those vassals whom the hunter
had saved from the wrath of the old chief.
tain, in vain attempted to release the young
hunter. For days he lay in, his dungeon suf-
fering but still brave.
Evening again shone around the Alps
The hustle in the court yard told that some
important event was about to transpire.-
Yet was such an event of no astonishment to
the retainers. They knew the imperious
nature Of their lord and had often seen as
well as felt its effects. In those days the
feudatory cheifiain was judge and jury, and
to those functions he sometimes even united
that Of dccuser.
Although our readers may be shocked
that the Count di MonaldI had doomed Ro-
land to death, yet they must certainly be too
familiar with the aye in which he lived to be
much surprised Italy had been torn by do
nestle disunions for almost century. Hel
fair plains had blushed with gore, and her
eyes had been blinded by the fash of swords
until, as with all other nations who abandon
for any great length of time the laurel for the
spear, she meekly bowed her neck beneath
the iron heel of the mailed chieftan.
Thus that scofold in the courtyard caused
on wonder, if regret.
Yet was the mind of Monaldi i'll at ease
He remembered the hunters youth and
bravery-the night ofthe storm and the bat
tle-held; but thoughts of family pride, and
vassal presumlng TO approach scion OF
his house, came in and swept away all thoughts
ofmcrcy. The order was consequently Civ
en- and Roland stood upon the scalold.-
But even now his high heart failed him not
once, and once only was the slightest emo.
ton ofpain or sorrow perceivable on his face
and that was when his eye fell upon Perez
who leaned gasping for breath on the arm
of retainer.
Roland in vain looked around for Ida ar.
lstocracy had confined her also. In his en-.
deavors to seek her out, the form of Monadi
rose up before his vision, dark, stern, and
unbending. The old lord stood apart, and
his scowling brow said to Roland, '7Here is
no hope =
'My lord cried the doomed man, Il have
saved your life more than once, as those here
assembled can witncss-and this is my re-
ward. Standing here upon my grave,
would not exchange lots with you | would
still rather be the poor, but honest Roland
once the hunter of the A lps-unlil seduced
from his pursut-to be murdered. Once
before, said, my lord, am ready y re.
peat it.
All were moved by these words, save the
count, who seemed to have worked himself
up INTO sternness of purpose which nothing
could soften.
'Executoner, do yourduty,' was Monaldi's
only reply to Roland.
Farewell then, my father!' cried be /.
leave the den of this tyrant as soon as possi.
BILE; farewell We glorious hills where once 7
was as the storms that beat agains, YOUR sides !.
farewell Ida; our fault will be soon atoned y
Roland knet; and the executoner. heads.
man Of twenty years standing, barred his
neck. lie started suddenly back. and suffer-
ed the instrument of death to drop from his
nerveless hand. Pale and trembling he turn
ed to Monadi, and exclaimed in fal,erino
tones,
My lord, tins is your brothers son!'
Liar cried the passionate count, what
ruse is this 2 '''
My lord, l repeat it, this hunter is the
son of the late Marquis Roland d, Monaldi
your own brother!'
: The prof! the proofn cried the count
My lord, it is here = cried the headsman.
pointing to "A natural mark on the neck of
Roland. Il nursed him when bow and
marked it,
All crowded more closely around the scat.
fold save Monaldi, but Roland still retained
his posture like one Supplied with astonlsb-
ment.
MY lord, count continued the heads.
man, you will remember that your brother.
many years ago, was attacked and massacred
by the Southern Cavaliers. The whole
family shared his fate, save this one, whom
| rescued but in my flight being closely
pursued, | hid him near the path along which
my flight was directed. | thought the child
had persisted, but thank God, my exertions.
poor as they were, have been rewarded
And the executioner fell weeping on Ro-
lands neck, who by this time, becoming
aroused to full sense of his situation, leap
ed to his feet
'Ho' cried Monaldi, turning to Perez,
'why does not that old man speak
My lord replied the retainer, he is in
sensible
Bring some wine;' commanded The count,
perhaps it will arouse him.
The cordial had its desired effect.
'Old mani cried Monaldi, is this hun
ter your son Answer truly, as your life
depends on it,
tie is moi = replied Perez.
How then have you claimed him as such3'
My lord, found him when almost an in
FAINT, perishing on the mountain. | bore him
to my cottage, and my wife aud self cherish
cd him as our own. was too much attach