Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-09-26
CHAPTER VI.
THE CATACOMBS.

Two minutes afterwards Masaniello was ill the cell of Dom Francesca.
 My son." exclaimed the monk, pressing the young man to his heart, "how did you learn my return?n
 Prom Corcelli the captain of the bri- gands, who captured you yesterday"
 'Sancta Maria! Have you seen him, then?' II have but just left him."
 "What can you have to hold converse about with him."
 ''Have you not beard what has taken place at Naples!'
 ''No," said the monk. But stay, have heard of riot, which was instantly sup pressed by the viceroy's troops"
 ''IS that all?" asked MaSaniello
 "Yes, all. Were you among the rioters9'' 1t was l who was at the head of it, father"
 "You!" exclaimed the monk
 'Yes, father, l. and I thank heaven for your return. You have ever been my guide, and if the light has sometimes waded through the darkness of my understanding, it is to you that owe it."
 My son, sowed ill good ground, and the harvest is therefore, abundant"
 Listen, father; it is time that we should understand one another. The instruction have received from you has inspired mo
  the people of tyranny beneath which they at present groan. Do you approve of this pro jectF'
 "Silence! silence! my son. How can you ever hope to succeedF'
 That is not what am talking about. Do you approve of that projectf'
 Well, then, yes! That is, if you have the means to carry 1t out"
 Are you ready to join us in putting into execution those principles in which you have educated meg'
 My sonl my son! do not hold out to me any deceitful hope; you are young, and your heated imagination carries you away. Yet could we but realize the holy maxim of the Gospel, and really show that all men arc brothers!"
 'We will realize it" answered Masaniello.
 ''Prove this to me, and will follow you wherever you go,"
 Well, then, Dom Francesca, have this day sounded the people, and have found that they are all of the same mind as myself. On hearing me pronounce the sacred name of liberty every heart beat with hope, every arm was raised toward heaven, and every eye shot forth fire. You ask me what guar antees have of victory. You have heard, and I wish for no others"
 "Go on!" said the monk, with a throbbing heart.
 'I have but to make sign, and thousands of lazaroni and fishermen will instantly arise and rush, like burning volcano, wherever I lead them"
 'Is this dream?"
 Tomorrow" continued Masaniello, ''Na- pies will be freel"
 But where did you harangue the peopler
 "On the harbor, after the viceroy's infa' nous act of treachery." Dom Francesca listened attentively to the brief account which Masaniello gave him of what had taken place. The old man rose up, and taking Masaniello by the hand, said: "I have carefully weighed every ono ot your words, and declare that you are jus | tified in what you are doing" Then you approve of our project, fatherf "Yes." "Alas!" said Masaniello, in voice full oi emotion, "I was near betraying it, father" "What do hear?' exclaimed the monk. "A woman-a woman whom love-im l plored me, on her knees, to abandon the undertaking. Her tears made me waver fol | an instant; but, heaven be praised, my love of liberty prevailed, and tomorrow will set me, perhaps, contending hand in hand witt her father, for she is Spaniard and he al officer in the viceroy's army. May beaver | will it otherwisei But the people have nlsned me their leader; so long live Maple. | and ibertyp