Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-07-20
NO. l7O.
Gales and Sketehss.
BRiGiND3 OF THE ABRUZZI.
now >ALNAroR ROSA ONCE WON HIS Itrr
AND LIBERTY.

| HOW >ALYAroR ROSA ONCE WON HIS LIFE
AND LIBERTY.
stupendous amphithea re of rocks
rose to the clouds among the most savage
peaks OF the Southern Apprentices. Their
terrible and sublime altitude overlooked
both the Adriatic and the Mediterranean.
single form leaned from one of these
fantastic cl ifs, watching and listening as
II to ascertain the approach OF some one
in the chasm belDw. Presently several
others appeared. forming group strong
ly picturesque. They were all dark. un
couth-looking men, with broad hats
slouched sullenly over their large black
eyes, their temples and necks covered
with heavy matted hair, and their upper
I'p' overgrown with shaggy mustaches
aud boards, IN some descending TO their
breasts, and in in others bltckenipo The
chin and cheeks with close raven curIs.
81 swear" cried the first, II heard him
treadlng IN yonder slope among the loose
stones, some of which rolled of the preci.
pice and went leaping down into the
. ream."
You are fool, Leonardo" cried
another. 81 tell thee no single traveller
would venture up these sleeps; no human
foot. except it be of some Austrian spy, or
some ierocious bandit like us, or some
prowling fool like you. would break the
silence of these wilds."
"It am a fool. Antonio, thou art fool
and a bully to boot" rejoined Leonardo
suIlenly. ''Since you buried your dagger
in the heart of that Austrian stranges last
week and rifled him of his bag of ducats.
. bara 10 M anturinr Won I ,all 49,. I
heard the fall of step yonder and If YOU
think me fool get back to the cave, and
all of YOU 90 with him. and promise
when return | will not be alone.'
A share of the eggs. Leonardo" said
third, when yon have robbed the poor
pheasanl's nest. But take care the angry
bird does not hurt your eyes"
Hush" whispered Leonardo.
The robbers crouched down among the
branches.
A carbine. which had been slung over
the rullian's shoulder. clanked against the
chain by which it had been suspended.
A deep silence ensued.
Then step was destinctly heard among
the stones, and voice OF some richness.
and with a true feeling for music, arose
in sweet air:
on have erred.
laid my hand upon the nest,
tlita, sigh to sing the rest
OF the wrong bird,
A sound like that of cooking a musket
from a rock which overhung the Young
singers head attracted his eyes to that
point. and he could just hear the whis.
pered dialogue.
Fool. let go my hand"
NAY, Leonardo, | tell YOU
LET 90 my hand. say
"BuI it is only a single
"Bv Btcchus. it you hang on my arm
will strike you with my dagger"
"And tell you, ruffiln," said the 9TH
er voice, in more disguised tone, "If you
talk to me Of daggers | will throw YOU
from this rock. Nay, now good Leonar-
do
A short struggle ensued. The report
OF carbine. shout. an oath from the
robbers, and groan from the traveller.
who had fallen full length upon the
ground, were answered by flock of start
led crows, that took flight. screaming at
this ominous though not unfrequent inter-
ruption to their repose, When the bri-
gands had turned the body over there was
a loud, coarse laugh.
''He has swallowed Your bull, I, Leonar-
do" cried one. "for | see no mark of it
about his body"
The target-tiring has put him to Sleep"
said another; "he will wake presentlv.n
Il think you have missed your mark,
Leonardo said Antonio, as the robber in
vain sought plunder from his victim, find
ing little else than a aportfolio of sketches.
The heart OF no true brgand beats in
your bosom, for YOU are as bloodthrstv as
a wild beast but, by St. John, as your
soul is fierce as your eye is false and your
hand unsteady; for, ha, ha, ha your bird
is stunned, and has in him the wherewith-
all to pay you back in your own coin. See
he rises and scowls at you in good empha-
sis a handsome boy to-" Another
hoarse laugh rolled over the cliff as the
waylaid traveller slowly rose, and with
sulen glances at the banditti rested his
piercing black eyes upon those of Leonar-
do. The stranger was a youth of nine
teen or twenty, OF graceful, manly fig
ure, with luXurant curls covering his head
and shoulders and face full of express
sion, though now clouded no fear and an
ger,
''Who are you ?' asked Leonardo.
"A native of these parts. was the reply,
"who thought poverty and hatred Of priests
and tyrans might have saved him from
the bullets OF such as yourselves"
Your proft ssionP"
"My portfolio shows it."
Then let your lips name it," cried an.
other voice abruptly.
"By the mass" cried the stranger. an
swering the frOwn of the last speaker with
a goed-natured and winning smile. .you
set on poor painter as though he were
fat cardinal. pray YOU. gentlemen, use
me kindly; and hope you will. tor you
would get little for the trouble of using
me ILL.,"
"Are You rich or poor ?"
1.-THE lord love YOU, man feed on ber
ries."
And have you no one to pay a ran
somP"
"You are wag." said the stranger.
laughing; and the rough, fierce. looking
men, with their striking attitudes, attire
and faces gathered round, unconsciously
moved to merriment and interest by the
kind of kindred hardhood and fearless
ness, as well as the original mannor and