Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-06-21
six days with Brigands.

"a
paper says the reappearance OF brigand-
age in the distant nelghborhood oil
Palermo so soon after the recent reJol-
cings has painfully impressed the inhab .
itants. The particulars Of the treat
ment oflbe ex-Syndlc, Signor Notsrbar-
tolo. by the brigands have become
known since his return As soon as his
companions had been disarmed by the
pretended patrol The ex-Syndic perceived
his mistake. His captors were dressed
in new Bersaglierl uniforms, spoke the
iargon of soldiers, a1d had tho oughly
military appearance, rendering ii likely
that they had all once served in the
army. When Signor Notarbartolo saw
the state of affairs he at once told bis
captors in a decided manner that all
threats or bad language toward him
would be of no avail, and such was the
effect OF his superiority Of character
that during the whole term Of his deten
ton the brigands treated him with de-
ference and respect. His companions
had been sent away with letter to his
family, apprising them of what had
occurred and that ransom offs, 900, Was
demanded. The brigands first took
Signor Notarbartolo into the woods,
and then to a grotto, or rather deep ra-
vine, III the mountains, where he was
detained for SIX days. The cavern was
constantly guarded by two OF the brig
ands, who had changed their uniforms
for the loru dress Of peasants. The
light penetrated this rayine for ouly q
few hours of the day, and during that
time the prisoner could read number
of the Rerue dee Dsur Uondes, which be
happened to baye with him. This was
his only amusement. He was not al
lowed 10 smoke during the day, lest in
90 dong he should betray the place ol
concealment. The brigands called the
rayine their best palace, saying they had
others in places more difficult OF access,
but they had chosen this as it vas more
comfortable for his ExcellencY. Dur
the lirst evening they conversed frankly
about their affairs, recounting their ex
plots, and then begged their prisoner
10 excuse them if it annoyed Ein, but
they did not know how to talk about
anything but their own affairs. At the
end Of the six days during which, IN
accordance with the petitions oil the
family and high functionary, the bril-
gands had, by order OF the Minister De-
pretis. been left nnmo!ested) the sun
of SO. 900 francs was conveyed to them.
with which they expressed themselves
content, telling their prisoner that h'
would be Immediately released. Th
Ia tier then asked FOR lis watch, sayinl
that 1t was keepsake very dear TO him
With characteristic courtesy it vas lm
mediately restored 10 lts proper ownel
not. however, before one OF the ori'
pands had eyed the chain with grea
envy; exclaiming that it was very taste
ful aud beautiful. The ex-Syndlc I'm
mediateiy declared with vivacity tina
all efforts to deprive him OF it would b
useless; on which the brigand who ha'
taken a fancy to i. declared that hl
wish TO have it was quite disintereste
and that be would gladly pay Tor 1t
At this time the band had assumed YER.
good clothes, had rings on their fingers
aud gold chaius TO their watches. Slg
nor Notarbartolo was received IN Paler
mo with great demonstrations oil Joy
the street in which he lives being illum
mated by The Inhabitants. Measures
for arresting the malefactors were thel
Immediately taken, the district aroun
Termini, where they are supposed to b
still hiding, being surrounded by mill
tary. No news Of their capture has yet
arrived.