The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-07-18
A TERRIBLE CONTEST.

How Count Casavione Was Attacked by Ban:
dts in his CnsIle, and how ne Defended
Himself and saved His Family
The Island Of Sardinia, in the Mediterran.
can, for centuries past has been the scene of
many wild and terrible adventures and its
chronicles, as the Italian historian, Schiavone,
said, should be written in blood; but conspic-
uous among all these episodes of a half-bar-
barous island life stands the tragca event
which occurred in 1924, and in which Count
Casavione bore the leading part.
1t was on the 22d of July OF that year, at
a late hour in the afternoon, that the people
of Norl, a small town in The eastern part Of
the island were startled by the arrival of a
young man, mounted on noble stccd cover
ed with foam.
He shouted to them in Il brca.hless, painting
voice:
Gall Of you who wish TO save the lives of
Count CaSavione and his family mount at
once your horses and hasten as fast as they
will carry you TO Castle Mama, where the
count is besieged by Rocca and his gang Of
robbers and murdercrs; and may God give
haste that you do not arrive at the castle too
late"
This stirring appeal was received by those
who heard il with shouts of mingled dismay
and approval For Count Casavione, of Cas-
island, because, he was good man and of the
greatest beDeyOlcncc, who, but Il year before,
when long-cOntinued drought had exposed
the people of Eastern Sardinia to the danger
OF famine had generously relieved the peo-
pie of the needy communities by the prnccly
gift Of 100000 scudi.
ROcca, his assaianl, on the other hand,
was universally dctcstcd, on account Of the
blood.thlrsiy and fcrocious manner in which
he carried on his Infamous business as chief
OF gang OF mountain brigands.
Within a few minutes after the arrival of
the messenger from Castle Mama, who was
the body-servant OF Casavione, the market,
place of Nori was filled with excited people,
to whom the messenger explained more at
length the startling occurrence that had led
him 10 the town.
He said that about noon three men, wear.
ing the garb of pilgrims bound for the Holy
Land had knocked at the gate of the castle
walls and had been unhesltatingly admitted
for the count was apious and hospitablc man
The pilgrims had said they had come from
Corsica, and had conducted themselves witt
strict propnety at the family table, to which
the Count, after the fashion of the country
had invited them After dinner, however, a
they were walking with tho count in III,
walled courtyard one of them had suddenly
Oih"u hum MS u SilFtE NnlStlc dDA
given with il a shrill signal, 10 which anoth
or whistle on the outside Of the walls had i'm
mediately responded.
Before the count had been able TO ask The
pilgrims what this meant, they had thrown
oil their upper garment, drawn long stilettos
and threatened TO take his life in case he die
not at once open the heavy iron door closing
the entrance TO the castle.
Count Oasayione, very powerful man
had at first consented to do So and, as thu
outlaws-for such they were-had turned t.
drag him to the door, he had snatched tn,
stiletto from the hand of one of them and ha(
buried IT in the breast of another and then
after giving the first, the disarmed one, a ter
rible cash in the abdomen, he had pouncet
upon the third of his villainous guests, and
alter brief struggle, had succeeded in dis
arming him. He held the outlaw in terri
Die grip by the throat, and called loudly TO
help. Ills four servants at onse came to hi
assistance They bound the third OUTLAW
hand and foot The other two lay dying OIL
the ground
Meanwhile the cause OF this sudden assault
upon Count Casavione had become apparen,
Loud knocks at the castle door caused il [,
tremble audibly. A horse voice shouts in
mcnacing tone:
"Edgardo Casavione open this door, Rocci
is here with his twenty men. Open inyolun
tarily, and only your life shall be taken. Blu
resist me, and / swear by the Holy Virgin O
Loretto that i will torture your wife and fiy
children TO death before putting an end I
your own lifel You know why am herr
You know, too, that there is no help neal
This door will not resist us very long"
Count CasaviOne made no answer He be-
ged his wife, who, with her children, two II
lie boys and three young girlShad hastenc