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


language, and they became more bold in their
speech, ard talked their plan all over; and
from them learned the following highly in
teresting particulars =
ssThe one whom l had seen in Florence had
by some means learned that was to carry quite
a large sum of money with me across the noun
tains, and he had come on to PlstoJa, where
his confederate was, to await my arrival, in
tending to rob me, there, if possible. But
when they found that l was to go alone in the
diligence, they had better plan. They would
rob me on the mountain. The two drivers
were friends of theirs, and were to be paid lib
orally for allowing themselves to be overcome.
The villains talked about cutting my throat,
shooting me through the head, or plunging a
knife to my heart, and then throwing me over
the precipice, coolly as though they had
been planning the death of fowl for dinner
The place where they were to murder me was
about mile distant, where the road would
round a high crag, with an almost perpendic-
ular wall of rock upon one hand, and deep
chasm on the other.
ssThis was an interesting position sure e.
nough 1 was weak-weak at best-but doub-
ly weak now with my illneSs-and the only
weapon | had was single pistol. Either of
the brIgands could have thrown me over his
head with ease, and as for fighting with them,
that was out of the question. What could
do2 Both the drivers were in league with
them. If leaped from the diligence, should
die on the spot where l landed. If shot one
of the bandits, the other would annihilate me
in a moment. had the gold in small trav
cling bag at my feet, and as the heavy car
riage jolted over the stones, the yellow pieces
jingled sharply, and l could the eyes of
the villains sparkle like stars.
ssAt length the high, craggy peak was in
sight, and could where the road wound
abruptly around it. Thus far l had been tor
turing my brains to invent some way of escape
but without effect. l was as thoroughly
hedged in as though bound by iron chains.
And in few minutes MOI all would be over!
Still felt for my pistol, and had it ready.
"Presently the diligence stopped at the
foot of an abrupt rise, and the fellow who
drove the oxen came and told the bandits they
| must get out and walk up. They stepped out
| at once, and in a moment more heard slight
scuffle. looked out just in time to see both
the drivers lashed together by the arms, back
to back. They must have been placed ready
| for the operation, for the thing had been done
with incredible quickness. | drew my pistol
and awaited the result. My heart was in my
mouth, but the intense excitement rendered
| me strong for the while.
| ssIn few seconds one of the villains came
| and poked the muzzle of huge pistol into my
face.
.s.Gold Gold' he said. sGive me gold
or die
sslt was but the work of second to knock
his weapon down with my left hand, while with
| my right brought up my own pistol and fired.
| The ball entered between his eyes, and he
reeled back and fell. Then / leaped after him,
for l saw his companion coming up upon the
other side. l hoped to gain the dead man S
pistol, but ere could do SO, the heavy hand
of the living bandit was upon my shoulder, and
| his pistol aimed at my head. With the energy
which the presence of death can alone beget,
| | knocked his weapon down and grappled with
! him. He hurled me to the ground as though
had been a child but before he could fol-
low up his advantage, the postillion cried out
| Hold, MarcoI A vettura is coming =
ssThe robber turned. and in a moment more
| a heavy vettura, with four horses attached.
came round the corner full upon started
to my feet, and saw my brother looking from
| the open window.
"sHelp Robbersl p 1 shouted, with all my
might.
ssThe bandit had taken aim at the vetturino
of the new team, but he too late. My
brother had comprehendid the whole truth in
| a moment. and with sure aim, and quick
one, too, he shot the villain through the heart.
ssWe secured my two drivers, and then mat
ters were quickly explained. told my BROTH
er all that had happened, and he then told me
that he had heard of my illness, and was CON-
ing back to see me. One of my sisters had
been i'll at Bologna, so that they had not yet
gone to Venice, but were waiting until /
should be able to join them. You can imagine
how deep our gratitude was. ana now lerVently
we blessed God for this fortunate interpostion.
My Joy seemed to lift me up from the pain
had suffered, and felt better than had before
felt for weeks.
ssAnd now what should we do next2 Should
we let the two rascally drivers go, and turn "a
bout for Bologna?
"sNo, said my brother. Sour sisters won't
expect us for three days, so we'll carry these
villains back and give them up, and tomorrow
we'll go over in my vettura.'
eve tumbled the two dead bodies into the
diligence, ,and then bound the two drivers hand
and foot, and tumbled them in after. The
oxen were cast adrift, and my brothers. vet
turino mounted and started the heavy team
back while we assumed the control of the
vettura ourselves.
ssThe drive down the mountain was quickly
performed, and the city of Pistoja was reached
without mshap. The two dead men were re-
cogniZed as old Offenders at once, and my tes-
timony very quickly settled the business for
the drivers. On the next night we were in
Bologna, where my sisters received me with
open arms, and two days afterwards we were
all in Venice.
$50 much for my trip across the Apprentices
And let me say to you'll you have ever an
occasion to hire a special diligence, with
strange drivers, to ride over the mountains Of
Italy, be sure that you are well armed, and
have a trusty friend with you if possible"
!
An old topper in Boston offered to bet flat he
could tell each of several kinds of liquors pre-
sented TO him blindfolded. The bet was &C
cepted, and he suffered his eyes to be bandag
ed so that it was impossible for him to see
A glass of brandy was offered him; immedi
ately upon tasting it he pronounced that i
was brandy. He next tried whiskey, gin, ant
other drinks, and he was equally successful il
deciding each kind At last n GLASS of wate