The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-02-01
MAN AND MOUSE.
Story of a Prisoner and His Lit
tie Companion.

Through the streets of Genoa moved
q band of five men. He in the midst
had MS arms bound fast behind him,
and his head so muflled in cloths that
no sound could escape. Outside the
city the splendors Of the full moon sill
vered the bay; the air was soft,
and perfumed with the scent of late
blossoms and the breath Of the tideless
sea; but these men threaded their way
between high buildings where no ray
of moonlight fell, and where the stag
nant air hung heavily. Swiftly they
mounted the hilly street, and when
their mute prisoner stumbled they
dragged him to his feet by chains fast
cued to his iron wristlets. As they
advanced there appeared before them
"a blacler blot upon the darkness; here
was an open gateway, and into it they
turned, cncountering "A troop of SOL
diers, who came threateningly toward
them But the leader displayed
badge beneath his cloak, at sight OF
which the guards drew back The
newcomers pressed forward between
nigh walls of stone, where rows OF
laming torches shed an uncertain
light. 10 a second gate, which denied
them further passage Awhistle from
the ICndsr, and this unciosed. admit
ting Them by corridor TO a bare and
lofty chamber. Here sat n grave gray
beardCd man debating TO two youths
Tho newcomers paused till he turned
about; a dull sparkle lit his eye as il
fen on the group.
50 you have hima' he said. as his
look fastened upon the central figure,
80 cnvclopcd in It's wrappings that no
feature could be discorned.
e. Yes, Excellency," replied the lead
cr, bending low. He has led US a
hard chase, but we have him We
took him rs he was mounting the side
Of the "a ley"
'' Has he said aught?''
Il judged il best 20 have no speech
with hun. answered the other, but
10 leave him for your Excellency 10
deal with. Your Excellency should
hear, though, that he caught sight OF
rs ere we seized him, and as VIC laid
hold on him paper dropped from his
hand into the sea, and was gone before
We could even see properly what il
vas"
The old man frowned. "You have
been careless servants" he calculated.
and for n moment sat in silence. Then
he spoke: Remove the cloths f.om
his head, but leave his arms bound
Wait without"
The cloths when stripped away ex-
posed the head and face of young
man OF thirty, with bold and swarthy
features and eyes OF flashing black
moss He gazed steadily at the man be
fore him.
Well, Sir Luigi, If that be the
name you favor" cried the latter. 1--WE
have secured you AZ last For a hum
bic man, he continued, with n sneer.
you have given much trouble to your
betters- And now you are in our
hands, do you care to earn our
farther enmity? From more sides
than one there have reachedus r0mors
OF the conspiracy. Ser Luigi, what
ever power your friends may hold,
they can not reach you here You
have no hope save in as. To plot
- against our Admiral. the well-spring
of our glory, deserves the blackest
death. Therefore reflect well upon his
mercy and his majesty, when he offers
You freedom, fun forgiveness for all
past ofTenscs, even the enduring
friendship OF the Dorias, for one small
favor Give me the names of your
fellows in this evil league, and you
shall find bow nobly Doria can reward
those who have rendered him a serv-
ice"
The speaker ceased. The other.
looking at him with face devoid of all
expression. answered.: ..Iam a simple
merchant. come to Genoa TO buy goods
which hope to sell again at a profit
in Rome. You will find them IN the
galley whence i was torn. know
nothing OF such a conspiracy as you
speak of.
The eyes OF his questioner cleaned
:. Beware," he cried u tell you we
kAov who you are and what brings
YOU here. Lying .ill be vain Will
YOU tell me the names Of your fellows
or not?'
Il have no fellows" answered the
young man. - can not tell you that
which know not myself.