The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-08-02
with my life I"
"YOur hand I"

fore noon the first salute from the har-
boz reached our cars. The dull report |
went through mo like an electric spark.
Gasparo whispered to me:
"Whcn the first shot is fred from the
barracks, strike with your pickax on
the first ring OF my chain close to the |
ankle"
A sudden suspicion came over me.
"And if / should do it, how can I he
sure that you will then free me? No.
Gasporo; you musJ strike tho first
blow"
"As you say" ho answered, smilingly,
but With muttcred curse.
AT that moment flash came from the
barracks, and then report that revcr-
berated'a hundred times from the rocks
AS the echo rolled over our heads
saw him get ready to strike, and felt NV
chain fall. Hardly had the thunder Of
the first shot died away before the second
came. Now L was to free Gasparo. 7
was less dextrous than he, SO it tool,
several strokes to free his chains. At
the third shot we threw away our cans
CLIMBED up the rock, and struck for q
path that led into the valley. Suddenly
Mt sharp bend in the road. we stood
pSioto htie Bunru-nouse, III IrouJ OF
which were two soldiers. They pointed
their guns at us, and ordered us to sur
render. Gasparo turned toward me-
struck me heavily, and said:
There, stay, and let them capture
path"
AS I fell I saw Gaspro throw down
| one soldier and rush toward tho other
Then q shot, and all was dark and still
around me.
When L opened my eyes found my.
self lying on the floor Of n little mfur-
nished room, but fairly lighted by a
small window. L arose with pain, and,
leaning against the wall, tried to think.
The recollection of my last adventure
soon came to me. Probably 1 was in
one OF the upper rooms of the guard
house. l crcpt to the door and found it
locked. The little window was about
four feet over my head succeeded in
reaching it, and looked out. The rock
rose about forty feet from the house, and
n brook ran between me and the cliff.
TO stay there would he ruin, whereas in
daring further lay possibility of escape.
| forced myself through the small win
dow, dropped down, and crcpt toward
the brook. The water in tho stream
came to my waist; but as both banks
were high I could walk along in it with.
ont my head showing. | soon heard
distant voices, and raising my head care
tully over the bank of the stream, I saw
dark figures moving toward me- Sud
denly dark lantern waH turned on tho
water close by my hiding place. T
Owed under the water and held my
breath until it seemed that the veins in
my head wouId burst. When | could
bear it no longer, rose again. took
breath, and listened. All was still. NV
p'rsu"rS had gone. | then climbed the
bank on to the stony path. Wind and
rain in my face, strobe rapidly on, with
no other leader than the storm.
About five o'clock in the morning, as
day began to dawn, ! heard bells ring
ing, and saw large city in front OF me.
Not daring to go amy farther, | SOUGHT
shelter in some thick shrublcrv nCarihc
road. When night came on continued
my journey; but hunger soon drove me
INTO small village on the road. | crcpt
>oltlY between the cottages, and
shocked on the minister's door. lie
opened it himself, and ] told him NV
story. lie gave me something to cat
ani 10 drink, an old coat in exchange
for mine, and n few francs.
On the fifth day after my flight from
'F"ulon / reached Italian ground.
hrGGcd my way from place to place l,n.
til arrived in Rome, where I hoped to
find occupation if not friends. hired
II small room, rested few davs, and
then eagerly sought work. Evening
after evening [ returned disappointed.
The little money that begged melted
away. At last L could not pay my land
lord, and he turned me out into fine
street. Mechanically | followed the
stream Of passcrs-by, which led me to
st. Peters. | crept in wcarily, and
sank down i'll the shadow of the large
doors. Two men stood, near nc rcnlinr
n poster that was hanging on one of the
columns.
"Merciful Hcnvens!" said one; chow
can a man risk his life for few lre?"
"And with the certain knowledge that
ont of eighty men eight or ten fall and
break their necks?'
| "Horribe work u
They passed on and were lost in tho
crowd.
Isprung up eagerly and read the no.
tice. It was headed ILLUMINATION of
ST. Peters," and made known that
lightly men were wanted to light the
lamps on the dome and three hundred to
light those on the columns. I went to
the manager, had my name put on the
list, received half my money down, and
was to present myself there ut eleven
o'clock the next morning. I was there
promptly, amid n crowd of miserable
looking men. The doors of the bureau
were soon open, and we crowded into
| the hall. My eyes seemed to be drawn
| toward one corner of the room. NV
heart stood still-it was no mistake-I
had recognized Gasparo. / went over
| toward, and touching him, said:
"Gasparo, don't you know mo?"
He raised himself up lazily and said,
"Ah, Francois I thought you were
in Toulon."
81 can't thank you that I'm not thorc.
Listen to me; if we both outlive this
night, you shall give me satisfaction for
your perfdy."
He looked indillercntly ut me, and lay
| down to sleep At seven o'clock wo
were called up, and climbed the stairs
that led to the dome. My place was
about halfway up, and saw Gasparo
go up still higher. When We were all