, 1874-06-28

that he might look for the worst unlesa he contd
hold ont with bis three men until succor arrived
from Nori.
Meanwhile, the bandits were laundering with.
tho butt ends OF their uuskets against the iron
door. They had easily forced open tho outaide
gate, and they we're HOW, as it we're in tho into
Tior Of the wstl which had been built thore-
Castle Mauza WAS an old, medieval stronghold
Of extraordinary thickness. There was between
the outside gate aud tho inside door = space
about II feet long, feet high, and 7 feet I1lde.
Rocca could not think Of sealing the wall, for
its top VAS fringed with sharp iron spits. As yet
ho had no idea that two Of his disguised pilgrims
wo:e dead and the third helpless prisoner.
Suddenly be ordered his men to stop pounding
against the iron door. and he shouted in Z thun-
de!sg Tgelfo ss,'s; s.ecn Serao-,vha. are you doing
inside2 Answer, I tell you!
This time Count Casavione replied.
Rocc& !" he, cr1ed, IN calm but terrible toneb
two Of your emissa1ies have paid With their
helplessly on the ground Fake warning by their "
fate. you and your companions, zor death awaits
The outlaws 1ers considerably startled by this
announcements But Rocca cried out:
Don't believe him, men ho lies! Cas-
avione," he then &dded, IN : voice Of terrible
rage, you know You cannot escape us. for, ii
you try to jump from tue rear wal, my men thets
will shoot you down."
The Count knew this was false. for tho servant
girls told him that none OF the outlaws ze1a
posted in the rear Of the castle, and that Logsri-
no, his messenger, had safely gotten away.
Rocca continued his threats He told tho
Count he would gouSa bis eyes out and cut on
his nose he wol1d hack him slowly to pieces
ha would any him alive he would use his wife
and children as targats for bis and his men'n
muslets. He offered the Counts servants their
lives and large reward 1t they would open tha
door to him and bis fellow-bandlts-
But all Was in vain. The besieged e4w that
tho iron door would hold ont for hours yet, aud
they hoped that succor would arrive from Nori
in time. Kocca then oraared bus meu TO como
outside SO that tiro might be built between
the gate and the door, when the heated hinGca
would snap. This dangerous scheme had to bd
thwarted at once.
Count Casaviono for this purpose scaled up to
the snall-looking tur7et, which stood on the top
Of the wall, near to tho entrance. It had long
been out Of use, but its small windows allowed u
siugle man with sufficient quantity OF shots to
prevent the bandits from getting out Of tho E1sa
or standing nearit. He TOOK six loaled musketa
with him. As he got up to the turret, he saw
one OF the latter fell. kocca and the other bandit
uttered ferocious oaths, and hsssened back into
the gate. .--.
THE BANDITS WE'RE CAUGHT IN 4 TRAP.
Count Casaviono shouted down to them to
surrender- They answered With fierce oaths.
-Four tried to rush out, but another bullet f1pa
the Count q musxat drove them back
Then the bandits made fresh desperate efforts
to forcs open the iron door; but Al
they had to stand 50 close together, they had to
work at q considerable disadvantage.
Finally, seeing the truitlessness Of their ct
forts, tue bandits became Tery still Every now
aud then one would put their head ont; but
bulle. from the Counts nuskot drove them back
again. Then they hold q long elaboration in
excited tones, ending in low whispers, and finally
in profound silence
The Count OWNED that tho bandits were wait
ing for the setting 10 OF dusk, to anect theic
escape in perfect security. The day wna one of
those delicious. clear July days, ouch ~ Can
only abound in .he Mediterranean.
At o'clock it WAS still as light almost as al
noon. Shortly afterward Count Casavcne
espied at considerable diatance cloud Of dnst,
from which, In about nfteen minutes, . cav2lcads
emerged.
It vas the long expected relief. The Corsnt
was almost overcome with joy. He whispoF red
to h1s servants in shs courtyard that the end of
the struggle was drawing nigh
But now 1t became all~lmportant 9or him sc
give his approaching friends timely warning Of
the position in which he had pent up Rocca aud
his men, 30 that they might not rashly venture
within range OF the bandits guns.
A winding roadway was leading up tho rock,
toward the entrance of the castle-yard- When
the men from Nori wen. halfway up, thsy gave
ringing cheer. As soon as tuelr voices had
died away Count Casavione cried, III thrilling
tone:
FRIENDS. the bandits are trapped in tho wan
not get out, because / and my mon are In thd
tur1et here. So, beware sf rushing directly Al
tnem."
Tbs men from Nori shouted "si! 81! " in or
der to Indicate that they underbtood tho Count.
Meanwhile the bandits we're perfectly beside
themselves with rage and terror. They cufaed
Nocca in tho most horrible manner for enticlng
them into this trap. and finally one Of them
shouted out to the Count:
"We will surrender Il you will ep&ra ou1
Ivee.'
'First puah Rocca, without arms. out Of ths
gate" waa the Counts reply. ....
There was moments pause Then Rocca was
heard to utter fearful oath, brief struggle
ensued aud then tha bandit chief was thrust
out Of the gate. He threw up Ills Arms and
cried for mercy.
Count CasaYione aimed at the bandit chief'a
left lex, and planted bullet in it.
RoccA FELL TO THE GROUND,
utteriug p1teous moan-
Meanwhile The men from Eori had dismount-
ed, and cautiously crept mp to the rock, slightly
10 the right Of the gate. As soon ~ they stood
with their guns ready to fire, Count CasAvions
said to the baudlts:
Throw your muekets out Of the gate.
pledge -ou my word .s nobleman that your
lives shall be spared"
There was q brief pause Then tho bsudisa
flung out their firearms.
The next moment the men from Nor rushed
M to the gate, while Count Casavione descended
from the turret into the Interior Of sLe court
yard. aud ordered his servants to open tho iron-
door. .
The bandits allowed themselves to be bound
AL they uttered Wa appeals for mercy.
Rocca, who was found rrithiug with o1eru-
ciatipg pain-for his left leg had been shat
tered-was carried into the castle, where hin
wound was dressed. Ho WAS stretched Yn q
lounge, and securely fastened to it. as spoke
but once.
s-Edga1do Casavoine," he sad, III you 2re n
true uople1uap, slioot INC doad Eow!"
Lam 40 e1ecutioner," WAS the Counts SOM
bro reply.
The captured bandits and their wounded chief
tain were conveyed next day in Elk wagons to
No1i, where they were received by the lnhabit-
ants with loud threats and execrations, wh'la
Count Casavlone aud bis sergants received
perfect ovation.
Rocca's leg had to bo auputated- When hs
had fully recovered from the e1ec:s Of the op-
GRAFTON, lie and the other banditB were tried Tor
their criuieB- Owing 10 Count Casayionef
promise that their lives should be spared, Roccas
men we're sent to the galleys for thirty years,
while be himself vas sentenced 20 have his right
hand cut OF, aud then to be beheaded-
lie MAS executed on the Jth Of December, 1874,