The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-02-27

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: hi impgIsonmsnt and escape from then
: 80 situated under the palace roof, and opp
4 site 70 the trial chamber, with which the
z connect BY means Of the Bridge Of Sighs"-
. naErew and closed passage-way, or ale,
o over the canal which separates the two built
ings
! then been in Venice, visited these prison
! now no longer in use and had made myse
familiar with the history Of many Who ha
D been confined in them. 1t was place asst
! ciated in my mind with al that was fearft
I and inhuman in the history of Venice, an
( when heard that command: away, to tn
| Piombii," my heart sank within me.
What was next to follow; what was to b
the end Of this adventure?
dared not hope now to prevent the carry
ing out Of any designs which these men nigh
have, for was alone, unarmed, and with tire
against me should I show any signs of resist
ing their commands. Alas ! could only con
tinue to act the part Of Pietro, and hold n,
peace.
did not then dream that I should eve,
cease to regret having been obliged to do so
After what seemed to me very short time
from our leaving the place, the gondolie,
moved his craft, and springing ashore, an.
nounced that the Piombii had been reached
Satan followed, bidding me bear the still
senseless girl-for sleeping q natural sleep
| knew she was not-after him. The Monk
followed after me, to act perhaps as q rear,
guard.
The gondolier seemed to know his duty, ~
for as soon as all had landed he whispered to
Satan. yet overheard him.
"By four, signor?"
"By four-upon the stroke And mark. if
my man here and Satan pointed to me-
"should bring her-alone-you understand
see them safely back"
The boatman bowed, entered his craft, and
in moment more was out of sight.
"Pietro," said Satan, then, turning to me,
Zone thing more before We proceed. Some
accident may happen to me, but nothing
must befall her. Remember-the gondolier
knows tho palace remember, if need be, see
her safely home; you heard the signal, the
same will admit you"
Pietro swore that he would do all desired.
That we were in the rear of the ducal palace
knew, for recognized the place. A min
utes walk and Satan stopped before small
door, which was 80 well concealed BY the
artidce OF the mason, that it might have passed
only for whimsical Establishment to the other
wise plain walls. This he unlocked, with q
key which he drew from his bosom, and open
ing it he bade me enter. obeyed, followed
by the Monk. He then entered, closed the
door after him and locked it, leaving the key,
however, in the lock. Then producing wax
taper he lighted it and showed us q narrow
stair, very steep. This he babe me ascend,
after him, at the same time charging me, on
my life, to be careful and stumble not. The
Monk, as before, followed in my rear.
Up, up we went, q thousand steps, if my
aching bones might have been credited AZ
tellers. until we reached small landing, and |
stood before another door. Satan un ocked |
this, as he had done the first, and entering |
We stood in one of the cells of the Piombii.
The room was low and small-so small that |
he taper which Satan carried was sufficient
% light it. It contained no furniture but
wooden stool, and, on the other side, what
eemed to be low couch over which was
brown black cloth.
Satan sitting the taper in a niche within the
vail, took off his cloak, and spreading it upon
he floor babe me place my burden upon it.
did, and for some moments both he and the
1onk stood gazing upon her in silence. At
epgth the Monk spoke, addressing Satan:
u there no other way?'
"None. have tried all others-all others
ave failed"
"But think Of the madness of your scheme;
g uncertainty"
II think Of nothing but the end" |,
"Yet pause awhile. Reason" IL
Reason? l will not reason! There is no
,ason for this; there is no reason for anything
do. admit that my plan is foolish; that it !
full of danger to myself-to you. But as :
ou, my friend, have risked your life in this
Y friendships sake alone, think you that | d
r love will not ventureas much-nay, more ?"
4" But, suppose we-fail ?" :,
Then charge you, by your friendship, to = =
% her safely homo. She will never divulge
lght she shall witness here; trust me for
at" Then turning to me Satan continued:
And for thee Pietro, take what is left of me
the Lagoon, and throw me ia for the Fl shes. !.
nrice the sum already given thee will then be
ine."
I most heartily wished he had given me 9
ave to have carried him TO the "fishes" at !:
zee, and SO have ended the matter, for had - -
heart in his doings-whatever they we're =
d wished myself we'll out of the business a.
felt that was engaged in the preparation :; =.
some crime-I knew not what-which -
ight result in the death of one, perhaps all :.
us, and for once in my life l felt myself y
equal to the situation, and my heart to -
rink from what was yet to follow. What?
looked toward the door as the thought of HI
,spe entered my mind. It stood open, and
smed to invite an attempt; but the remem- ar
ance of the steep stair would alone have 81
nlsned tnat nope could have consented to
We my late burden alone in the power Of a.
sse two. an
cast my eyes towards her, and marked, ti r
eady. signs Of her reviving. Already q
ut blush began to show itself upon her nj
herto blanched cheeks, and her breathing,
lore hardly perceptible. now became dis tic
ct and measured. IN
PRESENTLY she moved, and as she did 50, n
an turned to me and babe me remove the II,
'ering from off that piece Of furniture, of tn
ich l have spoken Of as resembling q
lch. obeyed, and discovered a-rack; q :
k, old and rusty from long disuse, but -.
ich was now to be put to what use ~,
reader, you can no more surmise than I oe'
I'D at that moment. ~
Pietro," asked Satan, els the thing ~
dy ?" ~.
had never before seen q rack, save in mu- On
ms. and was as ignorant of the question W.
ed as an American might proudly be- IN.
wered, however, in my character Of Pietro. or,
it was, and Satan, attor taking one long an,
( at the girl, advanced towards me- He !
stood beside the instrument of torture. %,
in he bent his eve mon the GIRL who waa o '.