Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-11-09
9t1istellaueu1l5 92etaaing.
AN ADVENTURE IN THE APPENNINEs.

I was journeying among some Of the roman.
tic and rugged scenery Of Italy, when my
guide suddenly stopped, and by his amazed
looks, plainly indicated the presence. of dan
ger. It was past midday, and we were impar
tient to reach our destination before nightfall.
had scarcely asked the postillions what had
occasioned the stoppage, when bullet whizzed
past us, and, looking in the direction whence
it came, / saw half dozen or more fierce fel.
lows with presented rifles, taking aim at US.
Perceiving death to be so near, and desirous
of averting the danger, l signi6ed to the bri.
gands my perfect readiness TO give up all l
possessed, and only required the preservation
of our lives. r,,e. s.
My words had the effect of arresting the.
brigands' purpose, and they came down from
their position, informing us, however, that we
must accompany them to the commander, who
solemnly swore to kill every Englishman that
fell into his power, in order to revenge the
death of his brother, who had fallen in an ac-.
ton with party of Englishmen some days
before. This was not pleasant intelllgencei
my IIssF seemed only spared Tor g moment, ior
the brigands assured me that their chief was
implacable, and my guide had previously en-
tertained me with some narratives Of the fe-
rocity of Michael Barossini, the recollection
of which served to corroborate the. testimony
of the robbers. afterwards learned that this
savage chief had ordered his men to bring
every Englishman they found on the road be.
fore him, that be might have the luxury Of
putting them to death himself, and that two
DAYS before he had sacrificed fellow-country.
man of mine to his revenge, r,lg., ,g., -
I was blind.folded and conducted through
glades and ravines for some considerable time,
and then the handkerchief was taken from my
eyes, and found myself in the presence Of
the dreaded brigand, Michael Barossini.
He was man of herculean proportions,
with large, dark eyes and matted locks thickly
falling over bis sunburnt cheeks. He eyed
me with savage ferocity, but there was still
something noble in his appearance which led
me to expect that my appeal to his mercy
would not be Intellectual. But the death Of
his brother was too young in his memory, and
all my words we're Of no avail. .sa at.s.a..
"The Englishman's blood must be she'd.
he cried, ito satisfy my murdered brother"
Entreaties were of no avail; he was firm
and resolute, and having given me few mo-
rnents for preparation, he turned away to fon-
die bis child, boy of about three years old,
wbo came running towards him. l thought
j: strange that after deciding upon such an
atrocious act, and with the expectation Of
slaughtering fellow creature in his mind, he
could caress bis child and display 30 much Of
human emotion. At lentgh, putting the boy
from him, he turned savagely towards me. and
ordered his men to conduct me to the place Of
execution. .4.:.,r. s,g .,..->.. ..a,s.s .Esn
This was the brink of precipice which it
was fearful to look down from. ,..,,: s.
"Gracious Heavens!" I cried "you are not
going to dash me down this precipicep
"Not alive" growled the banditti; ;"you will
fall down when the captain has nicked you,
and spare Us the trouble" s. ~
The few moments that ensued were solemn
and awful. I stood upon the brink of eter-
nity; the savage herculean brigand was pre-
pairing his rifle for the death shot, and the
bripands were gathering around him anxious
for the borrid sight that was to ensue. AT
length everything was ready; Michael Baros-
SIM took his position and ordered the men to
stand away from him the rifle was uplifted,
and the savage eyes were taking aim ct my
heart. 5.t
At that moment the brigands child, who
had no knowledge of the dreadful proceedings
going on, came dancing towards me. A
thought struck me that this child might be
made the instrument of my preservation; 4
darted forward, snatched the boy in my arms,
and then cried to the brigand to fire! ~
The rife fell from Barossini's hand. and he
came running towards me as if for the pur.
pose of tearing the child from my breast.
But I drew towards the precipice, and hold.
ing the child stretched over it, demanded my
life as the condition of the safety OF the boy.
Barossini, stung to the quick, seized upon
his rifle, and was presenting it again, when
his wife rushed upon him, held his arm, and
besought him to save her child. ..ii
The scene was solemn and striking The
natural feelings of the man were combating
with the savage ferocity Of the brigand. Bas
rossini remained with bis eyes fixed upon me
and his child, who remained suspended over
the precipice, crying aloud for his father to
save him; the mother hung upon the brii
galnd's arm and endeagored to move him from
bis purpose Mature 1triunmPh.ed, and asI3la, hs
cried - ,.s.s - s,1..t u %5yt
"Giye me ny. child, and go. ~. & !.
~ "And what security shall i have for my;
safety r. 7 inquired. q .tia ttsi.lg a
"The brigand's honor,n' + the reply.
Seeing that I still hesitated, Barosalns isosf
nsS sYou a. not tsn1oo know s me, Youi have Hot HOT
haard nf Michael Barossini. or YOU would