The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-05-18
THE BRIGAND CHIEF.
CHAPTER [.
BY FRANKLIN s. BENEDICT.
Hast done the decd!-sHAksPEAaE.

AA"
7T was midnight in Genoa-onc of
those summer nights which are only to be
found in that soft summer country. 1.-The
moon poured her full radiance down. up
On the city. The streets were deserted,
save by the hordes Of robbers which night
" infested it, and when some lonely pas
senger went hurrying through, fearing to
linger, yet afraid TO proceed, lest the next
moment he might be caught in the net of
the bandits. Suddenly a shrill shrek
pierced the Stiffness of the night, from a
youth pursued by the robbers. A pistol
shot was heard, one convulsive leap, and
a fall. The hot blood spirited full in the
faces of the 5rigands, but they minded it
not, and eagerly began TO strip him of his
ornaments, to tear of his cloak of Grim
son velvet, to snatch from him his purse,
through which the yellow gold was gilt
tering, and the broad badge Of honor on
which the name Of Buvendano shone like
a star fallen from the clear, blue heavens.
Giving him another stab. they left him,
(as they supposed, dead, TO seek a place
of concealment. An hour passed by; the
young man awoke from the death-like
swoon into which he had fallen, and stag
gered to his home.
Beautiful as an houri, the wonder oil
Genoa, was the Lady Inez de Castro
She was an orphan; but her beauty and
wealth procured her the respect of al
the world. Many suitors had the proud
beauty, but she turned coldly from them
all, though report said she smiled upon
the Count Buveadano. To-day she sat
pensively by her d~ressing-table, her head
resting upon her hand, while with the
other she carelessly twisted the jetty ring
lets of her hair. Her eyes were filled
with tears, which ever and NOR rolled
down her pearly cheek ard dropped into
her lap. What. was the proud beauty
weeping?-she whose smile could bring
Joy to so many noble hearts, and whose
naughty words and %scornful looks coulC
wiring the same hearts with agony! Blu
1t was so. News had reached her thai
the Count Buvendano had been wounded
in an encounter with the brigands, and
her young heart was filled with agony al
the thought that he might die-he the
chosen of her young heart. At this mo-
ment a note was handed to her, which re.
moved all her fears. But let us leave her
10 read it, and return to the robbers.
Alter leaving the Count stretched upon
the ground, they had returned to their
cave, a few miles from the city. II was
followed out of a rock partly by nature
and partly by art, and was fitted up hy
these cut-throats in a style Of barbaric
magniicence. At the farther end was :
seat, raised higher than the floor: it was
the couch of the Chief. He now oceu.
pied ii; but, rising as they entered, h.
exclaimed-"What success!'' They re
piled not, but by laying the spoils befor,
him. He gazed with delight upon tn,
gold spread before him and the diamonc
crest on which glitiered the name Of Blu
vendano. A fierce CLEAN of exultatior
shot from his eyes as he said
"Pedro, did you kill the young dog!''
ave did,"
cay" added another, "there was not
breath in his worthless carcass when W,
left him."
"'Tis we'll" he muttered-"REvExGI
is SWEET" -