The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1851-09-04

bouuteously lavished around. His eyes
flashed, his cheeks kindled and the thrill
of enthusiasm which passed through his
frame caused him to tremble with delight
During one of these delicious reveries,
he was suddenly startled by the sound of
voices and a noise like that made when
swapping pistol. He lifted his eyes and
saw groupe of strange, dark looking men
on the cliff above him. Their flashing
eyes were bent upon him. Motionless
he stood without the power of resistance,
while the robbers, for such they were,
deliberated among themselves whether to
kill him. AT last, one more savage than
the others fired. Stunned by the shock
the youth fell to the ground but soon rose
again. He had sustained no injury, the
ball intended for him, having passed throu'
his portfolio. AS soon as he had so far
recovered as to be able to stand upright,
he cast his eager eye upon the crowd with
a mingled glance Of defiance and scorn.
who art thou, and what dost thou
here = cried the fierce Pietro to the youth.
Why, my friend, 1 am but poor Pain
ter, who, tempted thither by the beauty
of the scenery and the subjects which
might be offered for my pencil, have been
waylaid by set of merciless banditt.
A pretty answer truly, poor painter
indeed! Painters like better to lounge in
the sumptuouS apartments of a Dukes or
a Cardinals palace, than to traverse the
mountains Of the Abruzzi, where no foot
but bandits ever trod, except that Of the
dastardly Austrian spy, who escaped from
us yesterday. Thinkest thou that we be-
lieve thee? A poor painter, ha ha ha
Come comrades, why loiter yc' drag him
to the neighboring cliff, and send him off
upon his long journey
BE not rash nor hasty,' spoke Trugo,
the boy is young and handsome, and looks
not like q spy. Moreover, it behoves us
not to destroy defenceless being without
the commands of our gracious Queen
Good youth, dost thou not speak false art
thou as thou sayest, painter p by the
tlessed Virgin, thou speakest truly, l am
answered the artist.
l say thou art no painter, but a spy,
sent hither by the Austrians to watch our
movements. Thou judgest wrongly if thou
thinkest to see our necks swinging on the
gibbet. Come along and I will soon show
thee the fate of such as thou Thus say
ing the bloody Pietro dragged him up the
precipice. The affrighted painter looked
around for the merciful Trugo, but he had
disappeared, and the savage band, no long
er under restraint, prepared to put him to
death by throwing him from the rocks.
His feet and hands were firmly bound
then two of the robbe:s siezed and lifted
him to the very edge of the precipice.-
Say thy pater-noster, boy, for thou hast
not many moments more to live,' said one.
'Thou art about to commence long
Journey, but it will soon come to an end
said another.
PITY it is that thou canst not be per-
mitted to paint the rocks thou may'st meet
in thy Descent spoke third.
The cruel Pietro looked with satisfaction
and exultation on their proceedings. They
seized him and were about to give the fa-
tai throw, when majestic woman stood
before them. Her dark brilliant eye flash
ed with anger; her finger was raised in a
threatening manner, and her whole atti-
tude was expressive of the utmost dignity.
She looked and felt Queen as she stood
on those towering heights, surrounded by
those fcrocious men, whom she ruled by
her unconquerable will
The robbers dropped their burden on
seeing their Queen, and all, with the ex-
ception of Pietro, gathered around to en-
treat her pardon. A shade Of contempt
crossed her beautiful features, but she
quickly drove it away, and glancing around
smilingly said, How now, my brave fel-
lows, art thou so greedy of thy pleasures
that thou couldst not invite thy Queen to
share them with thee Why so sulky
honest Pietro art little ashamed because
thy practised eye has missed its aim for
once But cheer up, we know thy skill
and courage of yoro, and as thou art 50