Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-04-14

across by ravineS, and in many places obstruc-
ted by rocks, the traveller at length reaches an
extensive copse, known in the island as the Mar
quiS of Porto Necchio. The copSe is 50 dense
III many places, so twined and interlaced togeth-
er by strong Geepers, that even the sheep fail
TO penetrate them
When a Corscan kills another Corsican in
feud or quarrel he takes to the copse and
if he be provided with gun, powder. and ball.
he will be able to live there for sometime in
perfect security. The shepherds all provide
the fugitive with bread, cheese. and cheStnuts.
and he has nothing TO fear from the relatives
OF the deceased, except when he next descends
to the towns to lay in u %resh store of ammu-
milton.
Mateo Falcone lived on the skirts of this
copSe IN the year IS He was a man mo-
derately well to do in the World-a sort of far
mer, though he did not work himself: he lived
on the produce of his fiocks which his shep-
herds, kind of noInadic race, paStured among
the nelghboring hills. Mateo was about fifty
years OF age at the date of our narrative In
agine little thick-set man, with frizzled hair,
black as jet, an acquiline nose, compressed lips
and large black luStrouS eyes His dexteritv
with his gun was cited as extraordinary. even
III country where most of the natives are eX-
pert markSmen. At hundred and twenty pa
ceS he could send bullet through the shoulder
or head OF deer with precision and certainty
His fire was aS deadly AT night as by dav. and
some of his reported feats of dexteritv in this
way would appear incredible To those who have
not travelled in Corsica.
Mateo Falc0ne was warm friend, but a
deadly enemy. Kindly and charitable amongst
his neighbours he lived AT peace with them, and
was much respected in the Poto Vecchio dis
uIct notwithstanding several feats performed
with his deadly rifle which would not have adj
ded 10 his reSpectability among less savage
community. For instance, it was currently re-
lated OF him. that at Corte from which place
ne had married his wife, he had summariy dis
embarrassed himself of a rival, almost aS good
shot as himself and who was formidable.
alike, IN love rs in war al least. MateO rot
ull the credit of certain rife bullet which sur
priSed this rival oi his. as he was one dav shay
ing himself before a little mirror hung in his
window-frame. But the affair having blown
over MateO married rhe object of his rivalry ::
and his wife Guiseppa brought him. first. three
daughters, at which Mateo was much annoy-
ed, and lastly. a son. whom he named Fortu-
nato, He was the hope of the family and the
inheritor of the family name. The daughters
were al well married and Nateo, at need.
could reckon upon the poinariS and carbineS of
his Sons-in-law. The son. Fortunate. was. at
the date OF our story, only ten wears old. and
he already gave indications Of good disposi-
t;on and character
One day in autumn. Mateo set ont early.
with his wife, 10 visit one of his hOckS, which
was grazing in distant part Of the copSe-
Little Fortunate wished 10 accompany him but
the place was toe far off 50 the boy was left
10 take care Of the house Mateo had been
gone some hours, and the little bov was living
ba>hlng IN the sun. gazing az the blue noun
taln> IN the distance, and congratulating him
sell that, on the coming Sunday, he should 90
10 the nclglbor!ng town 10 dine with his uu-
Gle. the corporal. when he was suddenly reused
by the report Of a gun He rose and looked
across the plain. towards the place from whence
the noise proceeded Other shots followed.
fred al Irregular intervals. and always coming
nearer and nearer. At last. along the path
which led fronp,he plain. towards the house of
Mateo. there appeared man wearing point
cd bonnet, such as the CorScan muuntaineers
usually wear: he was bearded. wild-looking
fellow, covered with rags. and he dragged him
self along with difficulty leaning heavily Oh his
carbine, He had Just received musket bullet
in his thigh.
This man was han,iit-a prescribed Corsi-
cau-who, having sci on. by night. 70 buy gun
powder in the ngj-hbOrilg TOWN, had fallen iu-
to an ambUscade q -endarme> After making
I vigorous defence. he began to retreat. firing
upon his pursuers. who followed him from rcck
to rocG, and gained rapidly upon him but his
wound seriously impeded hi> flight. and des-
pairing q reaching the coP>e In his wounded
state, he forthwith made for the dwelling Of
Mareo
You are the sun Of Mateo Falcone = said
be "a Fortunate, as Ii drew ne.-.
Yes
Then I am Gianetto sanpiero. lam pur-
sued Jy yellow-neck> Hide me. for l can pro-
ceed uo further
Aud wha; VII my father say. II conceal
yoa without his permission =
= He al! say thou hast done we'll
How 30 | Know that s.
Come. said the man. eagerly, hide ne
quickly; they viii be here DIRECTLY
Wait till nv father comeS"
Wait. CarSes Hide me at once. U /
Kill yoa~
Fortunate replied with the greatest non
ohslance--' Y our gun i discharged. and you
have no more CHARGES in your cartoache-b0N-"
:. But nave ny dagger
And can yoa run as quick a. | = sSSe'i
the boy, >Yvinging lightly beyoad the bandit :
reach.
- Ha, ycu are nor. then the son If Nsreo
Falcone He would never let NE be arrested
AZ hi Go07"
The boy apps47ea! moved What vii yoa
give ne, Ssaid he. approaching the man. = il /
conceal ron
Tie bandit felt within leather pouch that
he wore round his waist, and drew forth i've
franc y6ece. which ne had 6cabtleSs intended
10 s,send on ammunition Fortunate. smiled
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