Arizona republican., 1892-03-19
THE RED RAVEN.


 returned from America with a goodly heap of gold, was killed by an unknown hand. Profound consternation, aggra- vated by fantastic fear, reigned through out the country, When would the as sassin be discovered?
 The gendarmes, after securing the country for week, grew weary of the useless labor-no trace, no clew
 The grave where Mastro Lanza lay buried was covered with fall of snow, and the gravedigger, after planting over it rough cross, had chanted this lugu- brious antiphon, Frozen is thy bed poor Mastro; but the rutlian who cut thy throat in order to possess himself of thy dollars will pass the winter joyously before hearth crowned with bottles" As the gravedigger turned his back on the cross and went his way out of the inclosure, q hoarse, guttural sound is- sued from the silent gloom of the twi- light
 "The devil is laughing" exclaimed the servant of the dead, closing the gate. "The gendarmes will lose their time" '
 From the peaks of Albenza to the val leys of Soma the earth was white-the streets were deserted. A few dimly lighted windows disclosed something of life in the human bangs huddled to- gether in frosty huts. The whiteness of the snow seemed dark as twilight poured over its luminous brightness.
 A man wrapped from nose to knees in thick cloak climbed the steep road that led from the valley of Soma to Caperno He was going to Opreno. The distance that still lay before him was long-night threatened to overtake him on his way And this man-young, healthy, vigorous was afraid of the night.
 Coming from Pontida on his way home to his own mountainous country, he had taken the shortest route, which, besides being the shortest, also enabled him to avoid inhabited places. He climed the steep hill with hurried steps, like be- lated traveller who is in haste to reach his destination.
 On, on he went. The hill overcome, he stopped an instant, as if at sight of an obstacle or at the sound of a threat What had he seen? What heard?
 He had seen the white wall of the cemetery-had heard tho hoarse croak of the raven.
 Oh, it is yet to be seen that Nardo dei Brizzi, the intrepid hunter of the valley is afraid of the dead.
 And the man in the cloak, shaking off his terror, took up his march with a quick step, that he might leave as quick ly as possible painful situation.
 Arrived before the cemetery, he turned his face from it and drew back, skirting the wall at the left AS soon as he seemed sufficiently removed from the abode of the dead he stopped, wiped away the perspiration which rolled down his face, and casting backward glance over the road already traversed, saw on the white carpet of snow-hop- ping after him, running directly toward him-a small body, whose form, out lined on the deep snow, appeared that of raven with red plumage. Another ravenI" cried Brizzi, with chattering teeth. "Mastro's was black. Who ever saw one of these cursed birds with feath- CTS the color of blood|
 The red raven had stopped in the mid dle of the road and seemed to be waiting for the man to take up his march again, in order that he might resume his play of running after him.
 Il Brizl threw aside his cloak, picked up handful of snow from the ground, made it in ball and taking aim threw it with an oath straight at the bird.
 The bird jumped aside to avoid the projectile, croaked three times in mock ing tone then, hopping along on its two straight nodulous claws, advanced toward the hunter with the petulant manner of one who has received chal- lenge.
 "Why have not my good gun with me2" thought the mountaineer, grinding his teeth. And, borrowing his head deep in the folds of his cloak, he went hastily on his way up the hill like a frightened child.
 The raven followed him, beating his wings. and that noise of tluttering feath- 1. CTS, penetrating the big hood that en- veloped the head of the fleeing man. pierced his ears and froze his blood.
 In the dense obscurity of the night, damp with perspiration, Nardo Brizzi at last arrived at Opreno.
 With convulsive haste he opened the door of an old hut, entered, closed it, then, having lighted lantern, threw its rays through the little yard to make sure that the other had not entered.
 The other! A tiny bird that in the ex- cited mind of the mighty hunter had taken on the proportions of a gigantic soldierl
 No: the raven had not entered. The hunter breathed again and smiled, shak- ing his head. How did that filthy grave yard bird ever arouse such fear in Nardo Brizzi?
 He opened bottle, emptied Ii in a breath and went into the next room to lie down.
 But scarcely had he laid himself on the bed, scarcely had he extinguished the candle which he had placed on a chair beside him
 "Chek! chekr
 "The devilr'
 "Chek! chekl chek!"
 And the pecking of sharp beak on the window post made the miserable fel.