San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-05-28

<EAA before sunset We had
&zx9gA scarcely run into harbor
sESGS when small party of Of
(-lu..E % ficers and gendarmes, heav-
3" 81, lily laden with pistols and
1sS.<NZ- carbineS, came on board and
showed document author
izing them to search the brig for Carmelo
Neri. | was somewhat anxious for the
safety of my good friend, the captain
but he was in no wise diSmayed; he
smiled and welcomed the armed emissar-
ries of the government as though they
were his dearest friends.
ITO give you my opinion frankly" he
said to them, as he opened flask of fine
Chianti for their behoof, II believe the
villain Carmelo is somewhere about
Gaeta. would not tell you lie-why
shonld L? Is there not reward Of
fered, and ain not poor? Look you,
would do my best to assist you"
One of the men looked at him dubi-
ously.
"We received information" he said in
precise businessIike tones, "that Neri es-
capped from Gaeta two months since, and
was aided and abetted in his escape by
one Andrea Luziani, owner of the coast
ing brig Laurey, journeying for the pur-
poses of trade between Naples and Pa
lermo. You are Andrea Luziani, and
this is the brig Laura, we are right in
this, is it not SOP"
LAS if you could ever be wrong, carol"
cried the captain with undiminished
gaiety, clapping him on the shoulder.
Nay, II St. Peter should have the bad
taste to shut you out of heaven, you
ho An
and better entrance! All, Dio! L believe
it! Yes, you are right about my name
and the name of my brig, but in the other
things"-here he shook his fingers with
an expressive sign of denial-''you are
wrong-wrong-all wrong" He broke
into a gay laugh. Eyes, wreng-but we
will not quarrel about it! Have some
more Chianti! Searching for byigands is
thirsty work. Fill your glasses amici-
spare not the flask, there are twenty more
below stairs!"
The officers smiled in spite of them
selves, as they drank the proffered wine,
and the youngest looking of the party, a
brisk, handsome fellow, entered into the
spirit of the captain with ardour, though
he evidently thought he should trap him
into confession unawares, by the ap-
parent carelessness and bonhomie Of his
manner.
bravo, Andrea" he cried merrily.
80 let us all be friends together, Be-
sides, what harm is there in taking bril-
gand for paSSenger-no doubt he would
pay you better than most cargoes!"
But Andrea was not to be so caught.
On the contrary, he raised his hands and
eyes with an admirably feigned express
sion of shocked alarm.
''Our lady and the saints forgive you'll"
he exclaimed piouslf, "for thinking that
/, an honest marinaro, would accept one
baiocco from an accursed brigand! III
luck would follow me ever after! Nay,
day; there has been mistake; l know
nothing of Carmelo Neri, and hope the
saints will grant that / may never meet
him!''
He spoke with so much apparent sim
cerity that the officers in command were
evidently puzzled, though the fact
Of their being so did not de-
ter them from searching the
brig thoroughly. Disappointed in their
expectations, they questioned all on
board, including myself, but were OF
course unable to obtain any satisfactory
replies. Fortunately they accepted my
costume as sign Of my trade, and
though they glanced curiously at my
white hair, they seemed to think there
was nothing suspicious about me. After
few more ELUSIVE compliments and
civilities on the part of the captain,
they took their departure, completely
baffied, and quite convinced that the in
formation they had received had been
somehow incorrect As soon as they
were out of sight, the merry Andrea ca
pered on his deck like a child in play
ground, and snapped his fingers def
antly.
''Per Bacco!" he cried ecstatically,
"they should as soon make priest tell
confessional secrets as force me,
honest Andrea Luziani, to betray man
who has given me good cigars! Let
them run back to Gaeta and hunt in
every hole and corner! Carmelo may
rest comfortably in the MOntemaggiore
without the shadow of gendarme to
disturb him! All, signore!-for l had
advanced to bid him farewell-'I am
truly sorry to part company with you!
You do not blame me for helping away
poor devil who trusts me?'
Not IT. l answered him heartily.
son the contrary, would there were
more like you, Addio! and with this"
here | gave him the passage money we
had agreed upon, accept my thanks
shall not forget your kindness-if you
ever need friend, send for me-"
But" he said; with naive mingling
of curiosity and timidity, show can l do
that if the signore does not tell me his
name?"
l had thought of this during the past
NIGHT I lynaNu IL would ha 70