Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1844-02-02
DON FRAJrCES CO.
A LEGEND OF SPAIN.

last three centuries been the scene of SO
much political indebtedness and domestic
distraction as unhappy Spain. Her po,i-
ton was once among the haughtiest nations
Of the earth. Now she is disgraced and
pitied. The attempt Of Napoleon to set
his brother on the throne, marks him wah
unusual injustice, and the natives of the
country were incensed in high degree II
their invader. He was sweeping through
The land, while desola,ion followed in his
footsteps; commerce was laid aside, the
vine and the olive were forgotesss---=.sssFss thu
fertile fields were luxuriant only in Their
rank weeds. War and plumber was tie
only occupation. The martial spirit 5f
the people was aroused and the mountains
and wilds were filled with banditti.
The nations surrounding Spain, jeal-
ousies of her power sent many adventu-
rers into armies of the invaders. Great
numbers of young Italians accompanied
the standard of Joseph Bonaparle, the late
King of Naples. who had exchanged his
secure crown in Italy for one in dim per-
spec,ive though more glorious one in
Spain, where his brothers. power and in
fiuence seemed capable of establishing
him. His attempt had plunged the coun-
try in this war, and many were the lives
and great the treasure it cost.
Among those who had followed the ar.
my was francesca di Carlini. He was
descended OF noble and powerful family
of Genoa. On account Of his rank he was
placed as an attendant of the king III high
station; and on his entry into Spain fol-
lowed him thilher. He was of fiery and
courageous temperament, bold and daring
always first in any wild or dangerous un-
der,aking He had not failed to aitrac!
the attention of his genera! by his bravery,
and was often compIimened by him. On
an occasion of the necessity of transmit
ting important secret dispatches TO the
French troops stationed at Madrid, he was
selected as the messenger Elated with
this mark Of confidence he was anxious to
set out forthwith. He took with him an
only attendant, an old Polish trooper, who
had long been attached to his fathers fam
ily. The next morning he Was nn--his
journey. They were entirely ignorant Of
the nature of the country through which
they would be obliged to pass, nor could
they obtain guide whom they could
trust for the treachery of the natives had
already evinced itself several times under
the same circumstances they therefore
were obliged to rely on the casual lnfor,
nation Obtained by the way. The coun-
try was only known to them as one OF dit
fcultv and danger. They travelled on for
many miles without meeting any obstruc-
lions bu, scarcely noticing the wilderness
and deso!a,ion of the country filled with
the hopes of a happy and successful issue
of their journey. Diverted with these an
ticlpa,ions they scarcely noticed the sur
rounding dangers until they came to a
deep ravine, darkened with black forests
! on each side and many an usorfan1siD5
cliff. This was known to them as the
fearful pass of Bonino. Many were the
terrific tales of blood associated with this
dismal place. For many years previous
| it had been the resort of famous horde OF
brigands. On the one hand many huns
dred feet below, lies deep hollow, now
showing nothing but its rocky bed. In
the winter, through this flows rapid
swollen torrent, descending from the
neighboring mountains. Along the other
side are many caves ornameDted with the
rude representations Of highway murders
comniitted in this place. The road soon
becomes SO narrow that but one can pass
at a time, and the underwood touches the
riders as they pass along Here the i'm:
agination perceives an eye flashing thro'
the brushwood gazing upon you-one shot
and all would be over. The dark ravine
yawns upon one side like capacious
grave ready 20 receive its victims, and
seems well fitted for such purpose. II
was spot we'll suited to the bandit, and
it was not without shudder that even
these brave men rode through the thicket.
! All was silent-no sound fell on the calm
| air of the afternoon; not leaf was stir
ring, when they saw coiled up in their
path huge snake just ready to spring up
on them.
| They knew the poisonous nature of the
serpent, but the suddenness of the encoun-
ter utterly surprised them, their silence
and Stiffness saved them, for the snake
kept its eyes fixed upon them ready for
the fatal spring-one moment more they
heard the report of a carbine, and the SER
pent lay moiionless at their feet. They
looked up to thank their preserver. and
saw standing on ledg of rocks high a
bave them beautiful dark haired Spanish
girl, whose face had been bronzed by ma
ny summers sun. They were about to
express their thanks to her as their deliv-
erer from the dread serpent, when she pla-
ced her fingers upon her lips, and turning
round, was soon lost to their sight in the