Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1872-05-23
CAUGHT AT LAST.


been at Rome during the holy 1Teek, and
had taken place in the diligence for
Naples. There were two routes: one by
the way of Terracina and the other by
the Via Latina, more inland. The dill
gence, which made the journey only twice
a week, followed these routes alternately,
so that each road was traversed only once
in seven days. l chose the inland route,
and after long days journey arrived at
Ceprano, where we halted for the night
The next morning we started again very
early, and it was scarcely yet daylight
when we reached the Neapoltain from
tier, short distance from the town
There our passports were examined, and
to my great dismay | was informed that
mine was not en- regLe. 1t was covered,
indeed, with stamps and signatures, not
one of which had been procured without
some cost and trouble; but one "Uiso -
was yet wanting, and that the all-import-
ant one, without which none could enter
the Kingdom of Naples. I was obliged
therefore to alight, and to send my wretch
ed passport back to Rome, my wretched
self being doomed to remain under Police
surveillance at Ceprano, until the diligence
should bring it back to me on that day
week, at soonest.
took up my abode at the hotel where
had passed the previous night, and there
presently received visit from the Capo
di Polizia, who told me that | must pre-
sent myself every morning and evening
at his bureau, but that | might have lib
erty to " circulate" in the neighborhood
during the day. grew so weary of this
dull place, that after had explored the
immediate vicinity of the town | began
to extend my walks to a greater distance,
and as | always reported myself to the
police before night met with no obiec-
tion on their part.
One day, however, when | had been as
far as Alatri and was returning on foot,
night overlook me. had lost my way.
and could not tell how far | might be
from my destination. | was very tired
and had heavy knapsack on my shoul-
ders, packed with stones and relics from
the ruins of the old Pelasgic fortress
which | had been exploring, besides
number of old coins and lamp or two
which had purchased there. | could
discern no signs of any human habitation,
and the hills, covered with wood, seemed
to shut me in on every side. | was be-
ginning to think seriously of looking out
for some sheltered spot under thicket in
which to pass the night, when the vel
come sound of footsteD behind me fell
upon my ears. Presently q man dressed
in the usual long shaggy coat of a shep-
herd overlook me, and hearing my diff
Guilty offered to conduct me to house at
a short distance from the road, where |
might obtain lodging; before we reached
the spot he told ne tnat the house in
question was an inn and that he was the
landlord of it, He had not much custom,
he said, so he employed himself in shep-
herding during the day; but he could
make me comfortable and give me good
supper also, better than should expect,
to look at him; but he had been in good
circumstances once, and had lived in ser
vice in great families, and new how
things ought to be, and what ignore like
myself was used to.
The house to which he took n seemed
like its owner, to have seen bet ar days
1t was large, rambling place and much
dilapidated, but it was tolerably comfort
able within; and my landlord, after he
had thrown off his sheepskin coat, pre-
pared me savory meal, and sat down to
look at and converse with me while ate
it. did not much like the looks of the
fellow but he seemed anxious to be So
ciable, and told me great deal about his
former life when he was in service, ex-
pecting to receive similar condolences
from RE. did not crafty him much,
but one must talk Of something, and he
seemed to think it only proper to express
an interest in his guests, and to learn as
much of their concerns as they would tell
him.
went to bed early, intending to resume
my journey as soon as it should be light.
Ny landlord took up my knapsack and
carried it to my room, observing as he
did so that it was great weight for me
to travel with. answered jOkingly that
it contained great treasure, referring to
my coins and relics; of course he did not
understand me, and, before | could ex-
plain, he wished me q most happy little
night, and left me.
The room in which found myself was
situated at the end of long passage;
there were two rooms on the right side
this passage, and a window on the left,
which looked ont upon a yard or garden.
Having taken a survey of the outside of
the house while I was smoking my cigar
after dinner, when the moon was up, un
derstood exactly the position of my cham
berthe end room of long narrow wing,
projecting at right angles from the main
b2ilding, with which it was connected
only by the passage and the two side rooms
already mentioned. Please to bear this
desert i3tio0 carefully in mind while |
procee6.
Beforo q ting into bed l drove into the
floor close 70 the door small gimlet
which formed part of a complicated pock-
et-knife which always carried with me,
so that it would be impossible for any one
to enter the room without my knowledge;
there was lock kNss. door, but the key