The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-03-07
THE ROBBERS OF lie MAuVAIs PAS.

L VIC t0uugtu dDuut III uutct VI LHu1-i6 -DOuT4
during the hot hours of summer day, whilst men
and horses were taking their rest; and 30 far as
any movements OF animate nature were concerned,
i might have been midnight. evening, however,
the world seemed to come alive, and preparations
were made for our journey over Mons Gents. With
the additional guides, positions, and cattle, we
formed respectable cavacade The moon shone
brightly upon our path, with a light go clear and
soft, so svery and so chastened thatit contrasted
most pleasantly with the dazzling scorching heat
OF the past day. The atmosphere was as calm as
Natures rest could be; and the purity of the air
gave an elasticity and freshness to our spirits that
we could scarcely have imagined. Fref sport
ed around US like animated diamonds and the side
OF the road was sometimes bespangled with glow.
worms. Under such circumstances, one feels what
10 the pleasure of mere animal life where there is
the height oil corporeal enjoyment without the aid
Oh any stimulate but that which heavens pure
breath affords. Itappeared almoet treason against
the majesty of nature. to disturb the silence which
reigned through her dominions and when we
spoke, it was in subdued tone We walked on
foot the greater part OF the ascent up three long
windings made in the face of the mountain. Then
the extra horses were turned adrift to find their
own way back to the stables, and we entered the
carriage to gallop down the Peidmontese side of
the decivity.
My nearest companion, an elderly Frenchman,
who was usually very garraous and had been on
this occasion much absorbed in thought and had
preserved silence for extraordinary length of
time, though the twitchings of his countenanre and
the shrugs of his shoulders plainly told that he was
holding an interesting conversation with his own
heart and memory. At length asked the cause
OF his musing and frequent CALCULATIONS. 'Ah, sir
said he, how different are the circumstances of
this night from those experienced thirty years
ago, when ltraversed this mountain. 1t was on
Wlntry day, when the ground was covered with
snow, which lay in places to the depth of forty
feet, and filled up many efthe ravines, that we
were in constant danger of going over precipice.
The wind blew the snow-drift fercely to blind
nIIr ap1t sIaz
to discover the right track. Six men were obliged
to hold up the carriage with ropes fixed to the top
to prevent its being blown over: and the patient
horses, poor brutes often turned their faces from
the dreadful storm. We were almost frozen with
cold, although we opened eur portmantsau, and put
On all our wardrobe Heaven defend me from
such another journey, and the horrible night that
followed in that murderous inn = Perceivng him
to be much excited, felt the more anxious to
know the strange events to which he alluded, and
asked him what could have tempted him to travel
in such dismal weather, and what horrible circum.
stances had occurred on the way. He then gave
me the following narrative
was then young an officer in the army, in the
time when Napoleon carried on his last wars and
all this country was in very troubled condition.
At the period referred to, was sent with an older
officer to bear some dispatches of importance to
Italy He was an Italian, who had once been in the
service Of Austria but had been taken prisoner at
Marengo, and had joined the army of the Emperor
He was clever person, in whom much confidence
seemed to be placed, but so very wary and suspi-
cious in his disposition, as sometimes to amuse and
sometimes to frighten He seemed to make
every allowance for my YOUTH and seldom checked
my ardent spirits, for was cay and thoughtless;
but was likewise brave and skilful in the use of
arms, for which reason, suppose, the captain took
me with him on that journey. These mountains
were greatly infested by robbers chiefly disbanded
soldiers of Italy, that few persons could travel in
safety. In short time shall pass by place
called LIE Mauvais Pas, well known for the murders
Job hntn hnnr %hnra tnI L.
marsh lies on the left hand of the road, and the rl-
ins of some buildings destroyed in the war on the
right shall point them out to you-and amongst
these the bandits lurked, and suddenly pounced
upon passer-by, or shot him before he was aware
of his danger A little further on where two roads
meet you will see some large houses which were
once inns, and the landlord was in communication
with the robbers of LIE Mauvais Pas, SO that the
traveller who escaped from Scylla fell into Cha
rybdis Well, sir, have told you about the dread.
full weather in which we were obliged to cross
Mons Gents, the passage OF which occupied the
whole day; and as our orders were peremptory,
we pushed forward at all hazards till nearly mid
night, when we reached the door OF the inn have
mentioned, where we were to pass the night. |
suppose escaped all previous dangers by the
lateness of the hour as no gentlemen were expected
to travel on these roads after dark
Glad we were when we arrived at the hotel; the
very thought of a warm fire and hot soup gave me
life. We knocked long and loud before the gate
opened, and the carriage passed into the court.
The captain told servant, who also soldier,
to bring his little portmanteau and small canteen
of provisions into the room where we were to sit
| the other baggage was left in the caleche. saw
the landlord narrowly eye the portnanteau, but he
said nothing, and hastened to get ready for our en-
tertainment. small stove was lighted at one end
of large room, the other end OF which could
Icarcely see; that it was far from comfortable
but il was not for complain after what we had
suffered in the cold. thin candle was placed on
a table, cloth was spread and some bouillon was
De- tt1 vnfnfn oartid NOT uaNf a
and ordered Giuseppe to bring some compete out
of the canteen, from which he made savoury soup
The host then brought a fricassee; but 1t also
was rejected and a cold fowl substituted tor It
This rather displeased me, and was beginning 10
intimate that should prefer the hot dish when
scowl of the captains made me shrink luto lnsign-
canoe, and let him do as he pleased AS ne
doggedly refused to eat anything furnished Dy the
landlord, on the plea OF weak stomach, Wnlcn
had rever known him to complain of before. for he
was great gourmand, guessed that he was AFRAID
| of poison and secretly execrated his suspicious
temper, rejoicing that was not Jealous Italian
Have you any other guests here tonight asked
the captain appearing to take NO notice OF the pry
ing curiosity OF the landlord, who in vain tried to
ascertain who and what we were.
| sOnlv priest on his way to Turin. Poor man,
| he has been stopped here for two days by the
Storm as he travels on foot.
| And what may be the reverend fatner name
/ asked my companion.
| ERA Carlo Benevoluto, replied the other.
sAh that is a distinguished name. think
| have met with some padres of the name
VERY likely said the innkeeper. There are
oh hers of the family in high orders: he had bro
ther killed at the battle of Marengo, as he went TO
adi,,ister the consultations OF religion to some dy-
inc soldiers They are devout family
THai is Padre Carlo gone to bed Pernaps ne
would do lis the honor to drink wine with u.s. -.
The host replied, that he had retired O. say az
PRAYERS and count bis rosary, which he DID seveIai
times day, holy man but he might NOT ye' oe
gone to sleep. Ia,
Presently the padre made his appearance VIII
an air of meek devotion crossed himself ana olrss
ed us in the name of the holy virgin ana nls
saint Carlo. The captain gave him one sesIias h;,
glance, so piercing almost TO con
bnt if passed over and we entered INTO iIisnuy @
yersstion. couple of bottles with iaceuous TAN
warned ms thoroughly. and we PROPOSED Ieailing
To- s.h;eb he aid not at all fancy. Wehad before
per arsed about the Italian inns, and ne had eau
sd me always to lock and barricade the door st
noIsu hs Now be was himself put into room which
hsh NY three doors besides the one by which we en-
n,d nao fro,,, the stair, and none OF them could be
.Isd = The chamber was perfect thoroughfare.
rge Looked much discomposed, and asked which Of
,.e rooms was 10 occupy. The landlord apoioeised
Sr tsing me little way off, as the neghboring beds