Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1865-06-14
The Brisand's Child.

Twas journeying among some of therug
ged and romantic scenery OF Italy, when my
guide suddenly stopped, and his amazec
looks plainly indicated danger. 1t was past
mid day, ard. we were impatient to reach
our destination ere nightfall. l had scarcely
asked the postillions what had occasioned the
stoppape, when bullet whzzed past US, and
looking in the direction whence it came,
saw haifa-dozen or more fierce looking fei'
lows, with presented rifles, taking aim at US
perceiyins death to be so near, and desirous
of apcrtiaq i. l sign6ed to the brigandS my
perfcc, readiness to give upsli that possessed
and only required the preservation of ouT
lives. Iy words had the effect OF arrestine
the bripands' purpose, and they came down
from their position, informing US, however
that we must accompany them to their com
mandey,. who had solemnly sworn. to kill eve
ry Englishman that fell into his power, In
order to revenge the death OF his brother
who lad falon in an action with party OF
Enelishmen some days before.
This was not pleasant intelligence; my life
seemed only spared fora moment, for the
bri9ands assured me that their chief was i'm
plaeable, and my guide had previously en-
tertained me with some narratives of the fc,
rocity of Michael Barossini, the recollection
of which served 10 corroborate the testimony
of the robbers. afterwards learned that
this savage chief had ordered bis men to bring
eyery Englishman they found on the road
before him, that he might have the luxury OF
putting them to death himself, and that two
DAYS before be had sacrificed fellow-coun-
truman Of lone TO his revenge.
I was blfndfolded, and conducted through
rlades AID ravines for. some considerable
fine and when the handkerchief was taken
from nv eyes found myself in presence OF
the dreaded brigand, Michael Barossni. Tie
was man os herculean proportions, with
large dark eyes, and matted lochs, thickly
falling over his suuburnt checks. He eyed
me with savage ferocty, but there was still
sonething noble in his appearance which led
me TO expect that my appeal to his mercy
would not be Intellectual. But the death OF
his brother was too young In ms memory, and
all nv words were of no avail.
"The Englishmau's blood must be she'd. >.
he cried, so satisfy my murdered brother"
Entreaties were of no avail; he was firm
and resolute, and having given me few mo-
ments for preparation, he turned away to
fendle his child, boy of about three years
old. who came running towards him. l
thought it strange that after deciding upon
such an atrocious act, and with the expecta-
tion of slaughtering fellow.creature In his
mind, he could caress his child, and display
so much Of human emotion.
At length, putting the little boy from him,
he turned savagely towards me, and ordered
his men to conduct me to the place OF eXecu'
ton. This was the brink Of g precipice which
it was fearful to loo, down from.
"Gracious heaven" cried, you are not
going to dash me dom this precipice
" Not alive" growled one of the bandltti
nyou will fall down wAen the captain has
nicked YOU, and spare US the trouble"
The few moments that eusued We're solemn
and awful. | stood upon the brink Of eterni-
ty the savage, hercuiean brigand was pre-,
pariug his ride tor the death shot, and the
brigauds were gathering around him anxious
for the horrid sight that was TO ensue. At
lepeti, everything WIS ready. Michael Bar
ossini took up bis position, and ordered his
men to stand away iionl him; the rifle was
upl;fted, and-the savage eyes OF the brisand
were taking aim at my heart. At that mo-
rent the brigaud's child, who had no knowl-
g. C of the dreadful proceedings that were
going, came dancing up towards me. a
thought struck me that this child might be
made the instrument Of my preservation.
darted forward, snatched the boy in my arms.
and then cried out to the brigand to fire!
The rife fell FROM Barossini's hand, end
he was coming towards me as if for the pur-
pose of tearing the child from my breast
But I drew towards the precipice, and hold
ing the boy stretched overit, I demanded my
s;iss as the condition Of the safety of the
boy.
Barossini, stuug to tie quick, seized upor
his rifle. anu vas presenting 1T again, wheI
his wife rushed upon lin, held his arm: aue
besougat him TO save her child.
The scene was solemn and striking. The
natural feelings of the man were combating
with the savage ferocity Of the brisand. Bar
ossini remained with his eyes fixed upon me
and his child, who still remained suspended
over the .precipice, and crying aloud for nj:
father to save him. The mother hung upor
thebrigaud's crm, and endeavored to NOV,
him from his purpose. Nature triumphed
and he cried, "Give re my child, and GO"
sand what security shall | have FOR m.
safety?n I inquired.
"4hc brigand's honor" was Barossini'S re
aYou do not know me. You have no
heard of Michael Barossini, or you woul'
have known that, brigand though he be, hi
word has never yet been broken. But here
stranger" he continued, throwing dagge
towards me, "take that and the boy wit
you till my men shall have placed you i
safety"
The nobleness Of us action was in strikin
contrast with his previous conduct. too
the dagger, aud gave l!y nonor that the bo
should be returned III SAFETY.
81 expectii," Barossini replied, so Ion
as the boy is safe, you are safe also"
lie looked at the boy as If wishing to en-
brace him, bu. evidently thinking that til
action might make me suspicious be master
+. ed bis feelings. But the mother could nc
assume such heroisrn., She saw the boy
my own hand, while the other held the bri;
and's and she came towards ME, beseechin
me that ] would permit her to kiss h.
child.
Tic look, the tone, the action Of the wt
man were all 80 touching, that whatsoeyt
Ettls haroisr / NAV have possessed firsoo