The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-01-29
Conquest Of Cyprus.

vi lue letn Oh EoDruarv, l0U9 an excl
ting scene took place Mt Abenari, small
fortified town on tho western coast Of the
island OF Cyprus, over which at that time
the gloomy banner Of the Republic of Ven
Ice was floating.
Abenarl layin small bay, which, owing
70 Its deep anchorage, rendered tho little
town placc of decided Importance.
In consequence. the Venetian Senate had
caused to be constructed there rather
strong citadel, which was armed with one
hundred heavy guns, and garrisoned with
one thousand veterans oldiers.
The comnander-ln-chief Of this strong
hold was comparatively young man. His
name was Diego Razionon, !. native Of the
Balcaric Islands, but since his fourteenth
year In the military service of the Republic
OF Venice, IN which he hAd distinguished
himself so signally that now, in his thirty
fourth year, he was colonel and In charge
Of an Independent command.
Don Diego though q very intrepid man,
possessed all the vices OF the race from
which he had sprung. A very ane-look-
ing man, he was dissolute rake, and the
fair sex had no worse enemy than he. He
never forgave personal insult, and he was
treacherous, vcnal and corrupt.
On the day when our narrative opens
the garrison of Abenari was drawn up In
line in front OF the citadel ut an early hour
IN the morning.
When Don Diego appeared in front OF
his soldiers the drummers beat long
roll.
The commandant did not utter word:
but the sombre fire burning in his black
cyea, his firmly compressed lips, and the
nervous twitching of his fingers, plainly
indicated that something extraordinary was
about 10 happen.
In fact, O few minutes later, nineteen
heavily ironed Turkish soldiers were led
cut from the citadel by squ&d Of soldiers,
headed by broad.shouldered, masked
man, below tho medium height, who was
dressed in d close fitting suit Of crimson
cloth.
This masked man, who was no other
than Venetian executioner, carried on his
shoulder very short but very broad naked
sword.
When the prisoners, all of whom look ed
stolid and almost unconccrncd, arrived
near Don Diego Razionon, he Numbered at
them.
''Down on your knees, Ottoman dogsl"
The prisoners obeycd mechanically.
Don Diego proceeded rs follows:
"You tried to land here in ono OF the
vessels Of your miserable Sultan. For
this your hands, feet and heads will bo
chopped off, and your carcasses will be
thrown into the sea. TO your work ex.
ecutioner.
The masked headsman understood bis
horrible business.
While the soldiers wero looking TN.
moved upon tho dreadful scene that was
now enacted before their eyes, the exccu
toner mutiated acd decapitated his nine
teen victims with startling rapidty.
When the last Turk had been dis
patched, tho soldiers returned to theil
quarters, while Don Diego slowly ant
thoughtfully repaired to the villa, close te
the citadel where he lived with his mis-
,ress, Eugenic Dc La Vertuo, younl
Frenclwoman of very rare beauty, whom
he had bought for largo sum from th'
Greek pirate that had stolen the girl tw'
years before from the house Of her parents
in the cnylrohs of Toulon.
The haplcss pirate however, had not go
his money from Don Diego, who caused
him to DC hanged as soon as he delivered
the French girl to him.
Wo said that Mdllc. De La Vertuo wa
great beanty; but her charms wer
mutorlally enhanced by her vivacity AL
spriyhtlness. She was kind hearted an
aIniable In every respect, and Don Dleg
Razionon was passionately enanored G
her.
On this occasion she awaited him on tn
verandah Ia front OF the villa. lie en-
braced her fervently. But she disengage