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


in the rear, gallop to Nori for succor
Loparino had reached Non, as we have
seen. in due time, and hall an hour after his
arrival he started on his way back to Castle
Mama, accompanied by fifteen well-mounted
and well.dressed men, who, under the leader
ship of the only royal carabiniere that was
stationed at Nori, were extremely anxious 10
succor the besieged count, and to lnilict ter
rlblc lesson upon the outlaws that had inicSt
ed the country for years past
While they are on their way TO the scene
of the struggle, we will briefly state the cause
Of the mortal fcud between Count Edgardo
Casayione and Rocca, the notorious bandit
chief
In the year 1872 both the count and Kocca
had been officers IN the Sixteenth Italian hegi'
ment, which with Napoleon the first had PAL
|ticipated in the disastrous Russian campaign.
Count Casavione had been Lieutenant Colonel
of the regiment; Rocca only a second !icG-
tenant. During the battle OF Smo!ensk, l'oc'
ca had been caught in the act OF robblng a
wounded Russian general He had Deeh
tried by court-martial, presided over by Count
Casavione, and had been cashiered ana sen
tenced to be sent to the galleys Of Genoa for
six years. When his epaulets were torn from
his shoulders, Rocca had exclaimed:
"Edgardo Casavione, this IS your WORK
you shall suffer for i'll!
Until 1916 he had undergone his terrible pun
ishment; but then the king OF Sardinia hau
pardoned him on condition of leaving his DO
minions. Rocca had then taken up his abode
in Corsica, and had at first led an honest NE
as farmer, but in 1892 he had joined gang
OF outlaws, and had finally been cOmpciiea
to flee to Sardinia, large reward having
been offered for his apprehension, dead or
alive.
On the Island of Sardinia he had learned
for the first time that Count CaSavlone,
against whom he had sworn such terrible re,
venge in the year 1912, was now proprietor Of
1.-The castle and estate of Mama, where he lived
peaceful and happily, with beautiful wife
and family of charming children.
From that moment his principal object was
to murder the count He had twenty five rut
fans about him, than whom no viler cut
throats could be found. They were the dregs
of the robber gang of the Italian Peninsula,
who had found last asylum IN the mountain
Businesses Of the Island of Sardinia
Kocca, handsome, daring, powerful man,
had easily become their chief They readily
followed him whenever he told them to rob a
peaccablc farmer or a travelling reddler. But
when he told them they must help him to
murder Count Casavionc, even If 1t should be-
come necessary to storm his castle, they had
demuried, for Castle Mama, besides being
situated on steep rock, was surrounded by
high walls, and could be entered only by a.
| single gate and door, than which nothing
stronger could be imagined.
! Rocca, however, overcame their repug
nance by telling them that he would secure
them admittance to the courtyard OF the
castle through "A ruse; that they could easily
overcome the resistance Of the count and his
four servants; that the beautiful countess and
her three young daughters should be Surrend-
cred to their lust.
And then he disguised three of his rutlians
rs pilgrims, and sent them to Castle Mama.
Count Casavione knew who Rocca was, he
knew also that he mi ght look for the worst,
unless he could hold out with his three men
until succor arrived from Nori.
Meanwhile, the bandits were laundering
with the butt ends of their muskets against
the iron door. They had easily forced open
the outside gate, and they were now, as II
were, in the interior of the wall which had
been built there--Castle Mama was an old
medieval stronghold-Of extraordinary thick
ness There was between the outside gate
and the inside door a space about II feet
long, 0 feet high, and feet wide
Rocca could not think of scaling the wall,
for its top was frnged with sharp non spits.
AS yet he had no idea that two of his disguis-
ed pilgrims were dead and the third help
less prisoner.
Suddenly he ordered his men 10 stop pound
ing against the iron door, and he shouted in
a numbering voice:
"Mcrlo, Sacchi, Nerdo-what arc you do
ing inside? Answer, | tell you"
This time Count Casavionc replied.
"Rocca," he cried, in IA calm, but terrible
tone, 1.-TWO Of your emlssaries have pad with
their lives for their wickcdncss. The third
lies here helplessly on the ground. Take
warning by their fate, you and you compah-
ions, Tor death awaits every one Of you with
out fail"
The outlaws were considerably startled by |
tins announcement. But Rocca cried out:
Don't believe him, men; he lies! Casavi-
one" hr then added, in voice OF terrible
RAGE, "you know you cannot escape us, for, IL
you try to Jump from the rear wall, my men
there will shoot you down"
The count knew this was false, Tor the ser
want girls told him that none of the outlaws
were posted in the rear of the castle, and that
Logarino, his messenger, had safely gotten
away.
Rocca continued his threats. lie told the
count he would gouge his eyes out and cut
off his nose he would hack him slowly to
pieces; he woad tlay him alive; he would
use his wife and children rs targets for his
| and his mems muskctS. lie offered The counts
servants their lives and n large reward If they
would open he door TO him and his fellow
bandits
But all was in vain. The bcscged saw
that the iron door would hold out for hours
yet, and they hoped that succor would arrive
from Nori in time. RocCl then ordered his
men to come outside, so that fire might be
built between the gate and the door, when
the heated hinges would snap. This danger
Gus scheme had to be ihwartcd at once.
Count Casavionc for this purpose scaled up
to the small looking turret, which stood on
the top of the wall. near the entrance. lthad
long been out of use, but its small windows
allowed a single man, with sufficient guam
tty of shots, to prevent the bandits from get
ting out of the gate or standing near it. He
took six loaded muskets with him. As he
got up TO the turret, he saw Rocca and two
Of his men there. He fired, apd one OF the
latter fell. Rocca and the other bandi, ut,
| tered ferocious oaths and hustencu back into