Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-09-08
A MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE.

| W Hllc SlOpplIS III lOTtuCt, aI Tue ''OdSa
del Bello, - my companion and guide was James
l.. Grover, an American painter of some note,
| whom had known well in the land OF his ma
| tivlty. 1t was Sunday evening, and on the
| following day l was to start for Bologna
| Grover and myself sat upon one of the balco-
| nies of our chamber. engaged in conversation
| over our cigars, and after We had talked awhile
| of the yarions things we had seen during the
| day, he asked me if he had ever told me of his
adventure upon the Apprentices. / told him
l had never heard it.
ssThen must tell it to you,'' he said, throw
ing away his segar, and taking sip of wine.
lighted fresh cigar, and he related to me
as follows:-
! ssFour years ago this summer my brother
| and two sisters visited me here in Florence.
| They spent two weeks with me ,and then started
| for Venice, by the way of Bologna, where
| they had friends whom they were anxious to
see. | should have gone with them had l not
| been engaged upon work which had prom
| ised to have done within given time; but,
| as it was, we made the thing work very well,
| for my brother expected two thousand dollars
| by the hands of friend who was shortly ex-
| pected from Rome, and it was arranged that
| should take the money when it came, and bring
| it with me to Venice when got ready to meet
| them there. My brother left the necessary
document for the obtaining of the money, and
| in due time set out.
| ssOn the very next day was taken i'll, and
| was confined to my bed week, but L got out
| and finished my work just as the friend arrived
from Rome with the money. He delivered 1t
into my hands upon the production of my
brothers written order, and l set the next
Monday as the day on which would start. L
| was really not fit to undertake such journey,
| but l could not miss seeing my sisters once
more before they returned home. / conld have
| sent the money easy enough, but l promised
myself too much pleasure with my dear rela-
| tiyeS IN Venice to miss it now.
| ssMonday morning came, and could not a
| rise from my bed without assistance. A sort
of neuralgia affection had seized all my nerves,
and was forced to stay in doors, and to resort
10 hot baths and medicine. But on the fol-
lowing morning l felt able to start, and did
50. Upon reaching Pistoja l learned that
there no diligence to leave before the next
day. l could not stand this. L was already
behind my time, and, if the thing could be
accomplished, must go on. There was dill
igence under the shed, but no one to drive it.
'sBut can't we hire some one ~ L asked. ssIf
signor will pay,'' was the laconic reply. OF
| course would pay; and though the sum charged
was pretty round one, yet did not hesitate.
The numbering vehicle was dragged out; four
miserable looking horses were attached, and
then yoke of stout oxen bitched on ahead OF
them. Two rough looking fellows were pro-
vided, one as retfurino (postillion,) and the
other to drive the oxen. Thus provided, l
took my seat, and the diligence started.
ave were to cross the Apprentices by the
Pass of La Coifina, and just begun to ascend
the rugged mountain path when heard loud
hallooing behind, and in a moment the dill
gence stopped.
What's the matter p I asked, poking my
head out through the opening by my side.
"sTwo men want to rde,' returned the vet.
turino.
But have hired the diligence, and am
in a hurry so drive on. If they wish to ride
|
ssBut the drivers were not to be governed
TINS
.sIt won't make a bit of difference they
said. sWe'l go just as fast; and besides
they'll pay us something
ssBy this time the cause of the trouble made
its appearance in the shape of two dark -visaged
black bearded, powerful men: who looked ugly
enough for the incarnation of Murder. l rec
ognized of them a fellow whom had
seen hanging about the hotel at Florence and
the other was confident had caughta glimpse
of just as the diligence left the yard at PlstoJa
81 was upon the point of speaking when the
thought occurred to me that had better keeE
my knowledge of the Italian language to my
I SELF / might find out the character of the
fellows thus. | knew very we'll that further
t remonstrance would be useless, for the drivers
| were stupidity hoggish, and the new applicants
were clearly not men to be argued with. The
door opened, and the fellows entered.
occupied the back seat, and they took the sea
at the other end, fixing themselves so as tt
face me. They looked at me out of wicked
, eyes, and as they threw back their short cloak
7 l saw that they were well armed.
s:sHope we don't trouble you p said one o
them, in coarse Italian, the diligence start
ed on. .
Y ssI gazed inquiringly into his face, but made
4 no reply.
s.He repeated the remark.
!, "sNo comprehend, signor.' said shaking
/ my head.
, .ssAh English he suggested, with shrus
r of his shoulders.
f sNo-Irish,' 1 told him.
. sssUgh, he grunted, with another shrug o
: the broad, massive shoulders, and an awfu
L scowl of the face.
: ssWe had now begun to ascend the mountain
n in good earnest, and our pace was slow ant
G numbering. The fellow who drove the oxel
: made noise enough for an army, while th
G blows upon both oxen and horses fell hard ant
: thick, but without accomplishing anything
d Had l been alone l might have enjoyed th
d magnificent scenery which unfoldcd itself be
= | low US we crept up the Collina but as
r was l could not think Of anything save tn
two men who had forced themselves upon me
| Pretty soon one of them spoke. and though
appeared not to notice them, yet could Sc
= = that they were watching me closely.
4 "sDeatb and destruction! y he uttered, i
his own tongue, swe shall be over the precipic
,s if that drunken driver is not careful!
i ssI read the fellows purpose in moment
i; and not movement betrayed my understand
:, ing of what he had said. My eyes were nal
closed, and to all appearance was unconscl
Gus even of their presence.
10 "sHe's right. He don't understand u.s. sal
l. one of them.
N sssAlI safe,' returned the other.
&c bay