Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-03-20

| tneSe gOou people, anu VI uediihe WI" uo"'
This operation lasted all day, and the nigh
was often far advanced when the peasant
quilted the convent. By special favor, thu
church was left open until the moment o
their departure. This year the harvest hat
been very good, and the offerings it was ex
pected would be very abundant.
At the break Of day, numerous carts draw
by oxen, brought the annual provisions. II
the evening, Michael Pezza, profting by The
darkness, glided into the chapel, carried OF
the statue and placed it in one of the carts
carefully concealed under the straw. lie
then quilted the convent and went to avail
on their route the passage of the peasants.
AT the end of an hour they arrived Pezza
accosted them, and entered into conversa'
ton with them, in the course of which, he in.
qnred which way they were going. lie
learned that they were from the village o.
lorna, and that they would not arrive there
until daylight Of the next day but one. Pezzi
took leave of them, and went TO rejon his
companions, TO whom he related all that had
happened On the day mentioned, Scarpi,
at tho head of his whole band, presented him
self at the village of Forna, just as the peas
ants were entering. No resistance was made;
but when the brigands carried of the virgin,
they threw themselves on their knees in pray
err. as flo demand pardon of Heaven for a
crime so great. The achievement was noIs-
ed about through the whole province f.; it pro-
duced general mourning, and gave the band
Of Scarpi reputation for inIpiety and wick
edncss, winch no band in Italy possessed, for
they generally had respect for holy things
Pezza, by this commencement, won the
admiration of all his companions, and three
years afterwards, when Scarpi had been kill
ed in an engagement with the royal rilemen,
notwithstanding his extreme youth, he was
unanimously named their chief. From this
time his band obtained terrible reputation.
He filled the whole country with his crimes,
and was soon the terror of tho Inhabitants,
who gave HIM the surname of Fra Diavolo
or brother of the Devil, which he has always
retained.
Ills power became so great that the atten-
ton of the government, of Naples was called
to it. II sent several con,pinIcs of rflenen
after him, and promised a reward Of four
hundred ducats 10 whoever should seize upon
his person. These proceedings, instead of
affecting Fra DiavoIo, seemed only to in.
crease his audacity. No fear or danger de-
TERED him. lie often lravcrsed the city alone,
under simple disguise, and no man had dar.
ed 10 lace his hand upon his person.
One evening he returned from CASTILLO
Mare, and was going to rejoin his compan.
ions. He stopped in an inn of mean appear.
ance. He wore the costume of Calabriar
peasant. A large cloak covered his shOul
ders. Some pistols and "A poinard glis,enet
in his girdle. He called for some supper
and they showed him into small room, light
ed only by a smoking lamp. suspended from
the ceiling. tie was hardly seated in lhi,
place, before four men of mean appearance
and ragged, entered and placed ,i'emseIve.
at table that was near his. At the end Of
a few moments he perceived that these mcr
eyed him with curiosity, and convcrsed, to.
gelIer in low tone. He did not like the
looks Of this, and believing that they were
talking about him, he wrapt himself in hI,
cloak and pretended to be asleep. The
conversation lhereupon became more free.
Fra Diavolo learned by their conversation
that these new comers we're four assassin,
by profession, vino had recognized him, and
who wished to kill him, in order to gain tn.
promised reward.
One of them thought that awaiting them.
selves Of the circumstance they ought to des
patch him at once; but the others more pru.
dent, thought they ought not 10 let so fine ;
prey escape them, and that il would be bet
ter TO wait until he was in bed, unarmed ant
without any means of defence. While thi.
discourse was going on, the inn keeper enter
ed, to bring in supper. Fra DIavOlo profit
ted by the noise which he made to awaken
in a natural manner. He finished his supper
in few moments, and directed the innkeep
er to prepare good bed for him, and soor
retired, as # 10 sleep. At midnight the fou
assassns entered the chamber of Fra Diavo
} 10, with measured steps and nolselesely.-
One OF them carried light, and walked a
their head. Each had poinard in his hand
The one who held the light advanced, locke,
at him hxedly and motioned to the other
that he was in a profound sleep. At ll,i
signal, they all four approached, and bega
to raise their poinards. At the same mo
ment, Fra DiavolO, who was onl Y pretend
ing to be asleep, as at first, sprang from IN
bed fully dressed, and aiming his pistol at tn
p"D WIZ 'l' ilell, uit" MS b'diil
ont, crying out "Wretch, did YOU think tina
Fra Diavolo would permit himself to b
/ slaughtered like sheep!"
AT this vigorous defence, upon which the,
had not calculated, the other assassins tool
to flight, uttering cries of fear, and in mo
ment were outside the door. At the nois,
OF this scene, the innkeeper came rushing in
pale and trembling, with lamp in his hand
, 81 am Fra Diavolo," said the unknown. 80
price is set upon my head. Learn now, an,
f repeat it everywhere, that the fate Of thi
wretch is in reserve for all those who ma,
, dare 10 lay their hand upon men," Havn
thus spoken, he disappeared.
Y At another time he met the executions
of Naples. who was conducting two brigand
: to the little town Of Ami, where they wer
Q to be hung. A strong detachmen, of rifle
i men had preceded them, in order to max
the first preparations. The men alone CON
s prised the escort of the criminals. Fra Dia
o volo attacked them at the head Of five mel
i delivered the two prisoners, and hung til
: executioner, against whom he had a mort;
: hatred, in their place. The authorities {
s tho town, surprised that they whom they es
pected did not arrive, when every thing va
: prepared to receive them, sent back TO sc
d what was the matter. One Of the soldier
of the escort, who had escaped the massac'
i Of his two companions, soon informed ihel
!, oc tha trnth Thov ,uara tharofnro ohlioc