The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-03-28

| subtarranean cave, into which we crept
on all tours. and in which We remained,
| without food and almost without hight
| for two days and nights, during which
| time we could frequently hear the steps
and voices of the infatuated brigands "a
they beat and secured the woods and
mountains in pursuit of Us. But the
storm had so completely obliterated all
traces of oar fight-had in fact, so chang
ed the course of streams and metamor-
phosed the whole face of Nature in thi
wild and savage country, that even Rucca
| was probably confused and bewiidered in
his search.
At any rate he appeared to have aban-
doned all hope of finding us in that direc
ton by the end Of the second day, for
when AntoniDa crept cautie usly out IT,
take starlight observation, she reported
that not a trace of the band was to be
seen or heard in any direction.
1T will he better, however. 10 lay con
cealed for twenty-four hours longer, she
said for Rocca is 50 willy that he mas
| have left men hidden among the trees
| and bushes to seize US the moment We
appear. After another day 1t will be al
safe enough, for they cannot remain about
| here long there is nothing to eat.
"She need not mention the fact, said
Archie in woeful tone; ''the aching
void within is sufficient reminder I
say. Frank, I don't think [ shall have
much trouble in deciding what to order
for dinner if ever get the carte of the
Parthenon cnisine into my hands again. "
| Those last twenty-four hours were the
most painful and tedious Of all that we
had yet endured. The pangs of hunger
were almost insupportable, and we suffer-
| ed intensely from pain in our bruised and
bleetling limbs.
Antonana beguiled the time by telling
US, in voice and language that would
have been music to our ears under any
other circumstances, of her own life and
early history; how Rocca had decoyed
| her from her humble home in Naples,
and how she had sacrificed all to follow
him in his wild and wicked life, ''for I
loved him once, s;gnori,' she said,
delicate blush suffusing her face as she
spike, Il loved him dearly till [ saw his
hands dyed scarlet with human blood,
| and came to know more perfectly than |
had done in those first childish days
what brigand really is You have seen
Rocca, signori, but you do not know him
as [ do; the foul fiend himself can scarce
ly be as vile as he is, and burying her
face in her her hands she wept bitterly
for several minutes.
He took my child from me-" she said
at last. In a strange hoarse voice she
took my baby and drowned it in noun
tain stream, and held me there to see it
die. ] swcre then. by the eternal heav-
ems, that [ wouid work his ruin, and now
my time has COME" and springing to her
feet, she paced up and down the narrow
cave with the fire and action Of young
itbi'SNS UCsE'plieu Oh It's SounS lleH aileF
little while, softening down INTO the
low, musical wall in which she general
spoke. she told US how for days and
weeks she had watched our yach. a. it
lay anchored in the bay and lnnged OIL
with such a great and mighty longing, to
reach it, to sail far away. beyond the
reach of outlaws and robbers-beyond
even the memory of her lost and guilty
life.
And you will take me, signori, will
you not?'' she said You will take ne
in your swift, beautiful boat, to your own
northern country. where they tel me he
sun never burns or scorches, and where
poor Antonian' sins can be washed away.
and her soul made white and pure again
Promise me, swear to me, that | shall 60
with you. sienori - she continued throw
ing herself on her knees before us, for
neither Archie nor had dared to trust
to our voices to answer her petition.
OF course you shall go with US. An
tonina; poor, injured. ill-used child -
said Archie, raising her in his arms and
pressing kiss upon her cheek you
shall never know sin or sorrow again. if
Frank or I can prevent it. Be comfort
ed. little one he added. stroking her
hair tenderly as he spoke. "A Scotch
man never forgets kindness; your life,
from this day forward, shall be as fair and
bright as your own Italian sky"
That night We left our hiding place,
and, weak from want of food as we were,
ran rather than walked until the dawn of
day, which found US on the outskirts Of
Salerno, whence, after the necessary rest
and refreshment, We pushed on without
loss of time to Naples, where I gave d.
rections to have the yacht put into sail
ing trim at once.
Archie and then had a parting inter
view with old Sir John, who forgot his
indignation at our being taken by the
brigands in the exuberance of his delight
at our having cheated Rocca out of our
ransom.
by Joye it is the best thing | have
heard since | came to this accursed coun-
tryl" said the old man, rubbing his hands
with glee. Let me see the girl, hoys-let
me see the heroic woman who has not
only saved your lives but your money !"
But Antonina implored so pathetically
that she might see no one, and seemed
possessed with such agonizing fears at
being recognized and carried off by Roeca
or his men. that we Welded IN her en-