Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-11-13

over to Penafel in all haste, and, counterfeit.
ing great alarm, to spread the report that the
French had entered Csstrillo, seized the EN-.
pecinado, and carried him off to Amanda. This
was accordingly done; and the Empecinado's
escort being made aware of the vicinity of the
French and the risk they ran, Immediately
mounted their horses and marched to join Ma
rlano Fuentes, accompanied by upwards of
nifty young men, all partizans of the Empe-
cinado, and eager to revenge him. This matter
being arranged, the corregidor had the Jewels
that were buried in the cellar of Manuel Diez
dug up, and having taken possession of them,
and installed Madame Barbot with all due at.
tention in one of the principal houses of the
town, he forwarded a report to General Cuesta
OF all that had occurred. The General imme-
dlately sent an escort to conduct the lady and
the treasure to Ciudad Rodrigo, and ordered
that as soon as the Empecinado was in a state
to be moved, he should also be sent under q
strong guard to that city.
Meanwhile, the Empecipado's yiporous con-
shtutlon triumphed over the injuries be had
received, and hc was getting so rapidly better,
that for his safer custody the corregidor thought
1t necessary to have him heavily ironed. Deem
ing it impossible he should escape, and there
being no troops in the village, no sentry was
placed over him, so that at night his friends
were able to hold discourse with him through
the grating of one Of the windows of the posito.
In this manner he contrived to send a message
70 MS brother Manuel, who, having also got
into trouble on account Of Madame Barbot's
detention, had been compelled to take refuge
In the mountains of Bilbuena, three leagues
from Castrillo. Manuel took advantage of
dark night to steal into the town in disguise.
and to speak with the Empecinado. He in
formed him that the superior of the Bernardine
Monastery, in the Sierra de Balbuena. had
been advised that it was the intention of the
Empecinado's enemies to deliver him over TO
tho French, In order that they might shoot
him The Empecinado replied, that he strong
~ suspected there was some such plot in agita-
ton, and desired his brother to seek out Mari
ano Fuentes, and order him to march his band
into the neighborhood Of Castrillo and that ON
their arrival be would send them word what
to do.
Eight days elapsed and the Empecin ado was
now completely cured of his wounds so that
he was in much apprehe nsion lest he should be
sent off to Ciudad Rodrigo before the arrival
OF Fuentes. On the eighth night, however, his
brother came to the window and informed him
that the partida was in the neighborhood, and
only waited his orders to march upon Castrillo,
rescue him, and revenge the treatment he had
received. This the Empecinado strongly en-
joined them not to do, but desired his brother
to come to bis prison door at two O'Clock the
next morning with lead horse, and that he
had the means to set himself at liberty Manuel
Dtez did as he was ordered, wondering how
ever, In what manner the Empecinado intended
to get out of the posito, which was q solidly
constructed edlhce with massive door and
grated windows. But the next night when
the guerilla heard the horses approaching his
prison, he seized the door by an iron bar that
traYersed it on the inner side and exertiup
his prodlglous strength, tore it off the hinges,
as though 1t had been of pasteboard. His feet
being fastened together by chain, ho Vas
compelled to SIT sideways upon the saddle; but
IN at ha 10 sd
liberty, that he pushed his horse into gallon.
and with his fetters clanking as he went.
dashed through the streets of Castrillo to the
astonlshment and CONSERVATION Of the inhabit-
ants, who know not what devils dance was
going on in their usually quiet town.
AT Oimos, village quarter of a league
from CastrillO, the fugitives halted and rous used
n smith, who knocked off the Enpecinado's
irons. After short rest at the house of an
approved friend, they remounted their horses |
and little after daybreak reached the place |
where Fuentes had taken up his bivouac sThe |
Empeclnado was received with great rejoicing
and Immediately resumed the command. He |
passed review of his band, and found it con- |
sisted Of two hundred and twenty men all we'll |
mounted and armed. |
Great was the alarm Of the inhabitants of |
Castrllo when they found the prison broken |
open and the prisoner gone, and their terror |
was increased q hundred fold, when fe W hours |
later news was brought that the Empecnado |
was marching toward the town at the head Of |
strong body Of cavalry. Some concealed them |
selves in cellars and such like hiding places |
others lett the town and fed to the neighboring
woods; but the majority, deSpsiring of escape |
by human means from the terrible anger of the |
EmpecinadO, shut themselves up in their houses
closed the doors and windows, and prayed to |
the virgin tor deliyerance from the impending
evil. Never had there been seen in Castrillo
such counting of rosaries aud beating of |
breasts, such genuhexions and mumbling of
aves and paters, as upon that morning.
AT noon the Empecinado entered the town at
the head of his baud, trumpets sounding and
the men firing their pistols and carbines into
the air, in sign of joy at having recovered their
leader Forming up the partida in the market
place, the Empecinado sent for the cOrregidos
and other authorities, who present themselves
before him pale and trembling, and fully be-
lievipg thoy had not five minutes TO live
Fear nothing" said the Empecinado, OBJ
serving their terror. "It is certain have met
foul treatment at your hands, and it was the
harder TO bear coming from my own country
men and townsfolk. But you have been mis-
led, and will one day repent your conduct
have forgotten your i'll usage, and only remem-
Der the poverty of my native town, and the
misery in which this war has plunged many of
its inhabitants"
So saying, he delivered to the alcalde and
lne parish priests q hundred ounces OF gold
for the relief of the poor and support of the
hospital, and ten moro to be spent In a no
reitaaO, or bull bait and festival for the
whole town. Cutting short their thanks and
excuses, he left Castrillo and marched t. the
village of Sacramento, where he quartered his
men, and accompanied by Mariana Fuentes,
went to pay a visit to a neighboring monastery.
The monks received him with open arms and
hearty welcome, hailing him as the main prop
OF the cause of independence in Old Castillo
They sat down to dinner in the refectory, and
the conversation turning upon the state of the
country, the Empecinado expressed his un-
Willingness to carry on the war in that pro-
vince on account OF the little confidence he
could place in the inhabitants, so many of them
had become atrGRcSsad0s; and as a proof of
this, he related all that had occurred to him at
C1strillo. Upon hearing this the abbot, who
was a man distinguished for his talents and
patriotism, recommended DieE to lead his band
To New CASTLE, where he would not have to en-
counter the prosecutions of those who, having
known him poor and Insignificant, envied him
his good tortupe and soupht To throw obstacles