Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-03-14


appreciated the situation. "Now, lads,
be smart and hide yourselves under the
hay. want two of you to help me man
age the craft; the rest keep close till they
hear me call out: Good lnck to our fish
ingl' Do You understand?
Apparently they did, for in few
moments not a man was to be seen ex-
cept the two whom Gennaro had selected
as his assistants. Having completed
these arrangements, the daring leader
hoisted his huge, three-conered sail,
and stood out in the direction of the
galleon.
Gennaro's first care, on finding him
self at length upon his enemy's quarter
deck, after the dialogue that has already
been related, was to glance keenly,
though stealthily, around him, in order
to ascertain what resistance he might
have to expect. His eye frightened as
! he noted that not more than dozen of
the crew were on deck-that even they
were either asleep, or nearly so-and
that the only men capable of making
any instant opposition We're the admiral
himself and two of his officers. The
matches once battered down, and those
below thus imprisoned, the ship and her
contents were at his mercy and, as he
saluted the admiral, sinister smile
broke over his dark face, which might
have somewhat disturbed Fernandez
/ had he observed it.
"Well, now, fellow asked the latter
impatiently "what are those country
men of thine doing yonder in the
town."
"Ah, signor," answered the giant,
with an air of well feigned horror,
"they've been doing some very bad
deeds-San Gennaro protect us all Z"
"Why, what are they about, then"
inquired the admiral, with look of
some disquiet, while the two officers
edged forward to hear the answer.
81 could tell you better if my mouth
were not so dry, noble signor, answer
ed the lazzarone, with a significant ges-
/ ture.
"Ah, see you want to remind me
of the wine that l promised you. Wen,
helpyourself;" andhe handed his strange
/ guest silver flask.
! lads = cried Gennaro to his oars
men, who were still on board the barge,
''this noble signor is good enough to Of
/ fer us some wine. Come up, both of
you, you rogues, and drink his excel
lency's health, and good luck to our
/ fishing!"
/ SO speaking he planted his huge bulk
in front of the admiral, as ii TO hide
+ from the latter the view of something
/ that was passing behind; while his two
rowers-who had sprung mp the moment
they were called-planted themselves to
right and left Of him apparently with
the same object and watched very keen
4 ~ his every movement.
"And now, your excellency," pursued
Gennaro, when the bottle had been
passed round, Sin thanks for your good
/ liquor I'll give you all the news l can,
/ though it's bad news Mt the best. The
lazzaroni are up-and they have beaten
the soldiers and driven the duke into the
citadel--and they're burning and pillag-
ing at their pleasure-and Masaniello of
Amalf is at their head. "
At that moment slight noise attract
ed the admiIal's attention. He stepped
aside, so rs to carry his eyes past the
towering figure that blocked their view
and beheld sight which startled him
not littlo.
There stood on the deck before him,
not two men, but twelve; and others
were laundering mp as fast rs they
could scramble, each with long knife
between his teeth. and a businoss-likc
look on his face that was anything but
reassuring.
"Ha :" cried Fernandez, starting back,
''what means tliisl'
That question was fated to have no
answer-in words Mt least; for the only
reply to it came in the form of n crush
ing blow from Gennaro's sledge-hammer
fist. planted with such hearty goodwill
in the admiral S august visage that the
latter fell senseless ON the deck as if
struck down by shot. At the same
moment the two officers were felled by
the ready oarsmen, while the rest of the
lazzaroni came pouring over the bull
warRs TO support their chief.
"Six of you tic these fellows and pass
them down into the barge" said Gen
naro, cody. ''The rest of you follow
met"
In twinkling the matches were clap
ped on and battened down, fore and aft,
catching those below IN trap; and not
soul remained to confront the fifty
desperadoes save the handful of seamen
who had started from their sleep at the
noise Of the scufile.
But their presence availed nothing to
change the fortune of the day. Unarm-
ed. bewildered, scarcely realizing what
had taken place, they were completely
ut the mercy of their numerous and
powerful antagonists. In less time than
it takes to tell it they were all beaten
down or flung overheard, and the great
prize was fairly in the hands of its dar-
ing assailants.
"Corpo santoi'' cried the gigantic
leader, rubbing his brawny hands with
grim chuclSle, ''these gudgeons don't |
take long to net, anyhow Now, lads, |
force open the hold aud out with the I
money-quick
The command was obeyed as soon as
uttered; and, one after another, the ,
,,onderous casks were DRAGGED on deck I