The daily gazette., 1883-07-21

wehs WIN them to save my life am from
Sal SfVero-l am poor peasant-----n
why didn't you put bullet through
the head OF one OF them 2"
4 II dared not-they would have tortured
me. You should see what they did
thought should 90 mad. If you had seen
-put ne tand che pointed to the sufferer)
ne behaved like god-he endured every.
tnlng-he never spoke not one word %
"Drag those dastards to the feet of their
victim ~ cried the captain.
The other troopers thercupdn dragged the
three brieards before the wounded man,
whose head had been bound up with hand
kerchief which covered his face. FF
81 am here - cried the captain, stooping
towards the wretched man, who began 10
show signs of returning consciousness;
''yeu afe safe You are in the midst OF
comrades Courage Look up Your as
sassins are on their knees before you ~
The soldier slowly raised his head, and a
tremor traversed his frame. Then he
stretched forth hand, placed It on the head
OF the robber chief, withdrew it, smiled with
his bloody lips, stretched forward, and spit
I'm his face. .HH sft. -
2 What is thatG" asked the captain, pick
ing up something soft and white which
seemed to have fallen. from the mouth of
the sufferer.
"lhe--anawer---to the colonePs letter.
replied the wounded man In faint voice.
"The colonel. My Answer That which
gave you this morning7" ,
The soldier bowed.
The captain sprang towards him,
threw his arm round his neck
aud kissed him; then, leaping to
his feet, he cried TO his meu; "Bow before
this hero, my boysl He was carrying my
letter to his colonel, announcing our de-
parturc, the hour at which we were 10 start,
and whore we were to go; If the brigands
had read 1t, they would have escaped he
put IL In his mouth and did mot speak, lest
he betray himself, and bore his torments In
silence. He is herol A martyrl He is
noble sOull'
''Yes" cried the soldiers with one accord,
and In voice which seemed TO come from
their inmost souls.
"Kiss his feet, cowardsp' yelled the cap
tain to the robbers.
One after another, crawling on the ground
like serpents, they kissed their victims
feet.
"Captanl" cried the woman, gazing at
him with wild eyes; 81 might have warned
them when ] saw you coming-I did not-I
letthem come. Grant me one prayer in return.
am rnined woman-I can never return TO
my home-let me be shot with themW
"Nol" cried the wounded man, with a
fearful effort.
All turned ..
"YOu"-continued the unfortunate fellow
N hoarse voice, extending a bloody hand
10 the woman-'you must do deed of
mercy -
"What is it1 Speak Oh Godl entreat
tou, lor,heaven's sakel" cried the woman,
.hrowing herself at his feet with clasped
hands
Follow me-" murmurcd the sufferer.
"WherrP asked the woman.
Everywhere ! go!'
All looked on, lost IN amaze
"What do you meant" again asked the
woman.
"You have not seen them all-my
Wounds, replied the soldier; "look" And |
le lifted the handkerchief which covered his
ace. All crowded eagerly about him,
ooked, and uttered a piercing cry of horror |
md Of pity. The unfortunate wretch was |
,lind.
"Ktli them" yelled the troopers, striking |
md kicking the brigands. "Kill them6
The captain could not stem the tqmults the
roopers rushed from tie cave, dragging
he assassins with them In their precipitate
light.
"Will yor do-this deed-o mercy 2" the
ullerer asked the woman, when they were
one.
She raised her eyes to heaven, and said:
My Lille is yours"
Then they casped hands, and loud dis
barge of firearms, which echoed from the
alley below, seemed to salute and seal this
most poble treaty, which for ten years
ound the plying woman to the hero.
THE END.