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

prisoners.
One day, being at Salerno, he entered the
shop of hair dresser, at the moment when
the latter was going TO prepare the toilet OF
the prmate of the cathedral. The hair
dresser excused himself, on account OF the
necessity of going out, and begged him TO
await his return, which would be speedy
AT the end of few minutes, the captain OF
rifle corps came in, and installing him for
the proprietor Of the shop, ordered him in a
rude manner to dress his beard. AT the same
time, he assumed the position of man who
was expecting TO be shaved Fra Diavola
fearing he should be discovered if he hesitat-
ed, rolled up his sleeves, arraigned the bar
ber's utensils, and prepared himself to per-
form the operation. Already had the razor
began to scrapc his chin, when the hair
dresser, entered, all out of breath, and cried
out: "Capiain. captain, the brigand of whom
you are in search, is in the city, and has been
recognised" AT this unexpected relation,
the captain seemed delighted, and said -
"We have got him at length! ~ "Not exact
w." cried Fra Diavolo, for as it happens
Just at this moment, he has go, you, The
unhappy captain seemed more dead than
alive; he dared not utter word, and looked
on with bewildcred air, like a man who
feared what would become of him. Fra Di-
avolo, prolonging his agony, laughed at his
fear; each movement which he made, re-
doubled the anxiety of the captain. At
length, he granted his life but to put i. out
OF his power to pursue him, he bound him
hand and foot. AS soon as he had done this,
he did the same also with the barber who
trembed and offered no resistance. After
this, he dressed himselfin the uniform of the
captain, mounted himself on his horse, which
was standing at the door, and rode out of
the city on a gallop, proud of the exploit
which he had achieved.
These exploits, and number of the same
kind, augmented every day the frame of Fra
Davolo. His name alone spread terror ev.
cry where. When the report of his coming
reached any place, the inhabitants fled and
abandoned their houses and their property.
Since 1895 the government of Naples, a
prey to graver troubles, had manifested great
Indifference with regard to these brigands,
and but for the war which the other chiefs
whged with him, he would have become alb
salute master Of the whole of that part of It,
ally.
Al length political charges brought 10 the
throne of Italy, in place of King Ferdinand,
who bad sought refuge in Palermo, the Prince
Joseph Bonaparte, who was soon succeeded
by Murat these circumstances gave new inn
por,ance to Fra Diavo'o. The government
which had teen overturned took every means
of throwing difficulties in the way of the new
King, secretly encouraged and sustained the
chiefs of the bandiui, and they recommended
their plunderng with more eagerness than
ever. II is well known that the Calabrians,
naturally bold and fond of war, are constantly
in arms and are ever ready to take their mus
kei in their hand. They set great value
upon money, but still greater upon courage,
even rashness. 1t was in consequence OF
this, tina, in 1898 they favored the expedition
of cardinal Ruflo, who brought about the res
toralion Of the royal family. Loyal in their
character, they are faithful to those to whom,
they have promised and who have accepted
their services. The government OF Murat
resolved to use the most energetic measure
to rid themselves of their scourge, and de-
stroy the brigands. General Partouneaux,
who was in command Of the province, organ
lied his light troops; who setting out from
the centre, secured the country in all direc.
tons, pursued the bandits even to the most
inaccessible mountains.
Fra Diavolo, who was the object OF their
particular search, was pursued from one re.
treat TO another, from cavern to cavern, and
hunted like avid beast. Each day he was
obliged to fight and TO witness the death of
some Of the most faithful of his companions
In October, 1906, Lieutenant Hugo, in a
murderous conflict, killed "a men OF hls troop,
and took 45 prisoners /; he himself only es.
capped with difficulty. From that moment
his power was gone, and with his power per.
ished also the influence Of his name.
A monlh after, seeing it was impossible to
escape the pursuit Of the Frencbmen, he re.
solved to embark for Sicily. lie descended
the mountains, accompanied with few Of
his chosen companions, and repaired to Tor
re del Annunziala, a maritime place, where
he hoped To find the means of embarkation
not finding any, he advanced towards Saler.
no, and proceeded along the shore, in the
hope of finding boat TO convey him or
board an English vessel, but the boat wa.
gone. He returned sadly, and was at Length
convinced that they who had compromised
him had abandoned him to his unhappy fate
lie returned then to the interior, and was
soon after attacked by the provincial guarC
of Monte Corvino. After desperate strug.
gle, his little troop was dispersed his lieu
tenant, Veto Adelilzi, was killed; he himself
pursued night and day, was only able to sue.
coed, by the endurance of The greatest ia
iigue, in finding a refuge in the mountains o
Olevano, and Of Campagna. On the ,hirt
day he quilted the last retreat, accompanied
only by one man, the last who had remained
faithful to him, but soon he too abandoned
him. lie continued his route by Eboli, and
passed through the midst Of detachment o.
French soldiers, without being recognized
lie was wounded, and proceeded with grea
difficulty; his feet were bare, and he wa
clothed with the most miserable tatlers.
Leaving Eboli, he repaired TO the village
of Edo Nice, near Sanseverino, to buy some
shoes. The apolhecary of the place VIII,
was a corporal in the town guards, seeing
stranger in such dilapidaed condition con
ceived some suspicious, and demanded wht
he was. Fra Diavolo replied that he was
Calabrian, and that he was expecting som,
companions, with whom he was going to Ma
pies on business. The answer not being sat
isfac,ory. the apothecary invited him into hi
, house, where soon after he had him arrested
. and conducted 10 Salerno; there a sergean
Concluded on fourth pags.)