Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1893-04-06


bines. Handcuffed, and pushed about
by one and another, we reached the bot
tom of the slope, where prison van
was waiting for us--a vile box, without
ventilation and full of vermin-into
which we were thrown and driven 10
Bastia. escorted by gendarmes with
drawn swords.
A nice position for Government off,
cial
II was broad daylight when we reached
Bastia. The Public Prosecutor, the col
onel of gendarmes, and the governor OF
the prison were impatiently awaiting us.
/ never saw man look more astonished
than the corporal in charge of the escort,
as, with triumphant smile, he led me
to these gentlemen, and saw them hurry
toward me with oil sorts of apologies,
and take off the handouts.
What Is it your exclaimed the
Public Prosecutor. "Have these idiots
really arrested your But how did il
come about--what is the meaning OF
it7"
Explanations followed. On the prev
ious day the Public Prosecutor had re-
ceived a telegram from Porto Vecchio,
informing him of the presence of Quas.
tana in the locality, and giving precise
details as to where and when he could be
found. The name of Porto Vicchio
opened my eyes; it was that travelling
companions of mine who had played
me this shabby trickl He was the Pros
ecutor's deputy.
''But, my dear SIR" said the Public
Prosecutor, ''whoever would have ex-
pec.ed to see you in shooting costume II
the house of the brigand's cousinl We
have given you rather a bad time of it,
but know you will not bear malice, and
you will prove it by coming to breakfast
with me" Then turning 10 the corporal,
and pointing to Matteo, he said Take
this fellow away; we will deal with hin
in the morning"
The unfortunate Matteo remained
dumb with fright; he looked appeal
ingly at me, and /, of course, could moi
do otherwise than explain matters. TAX
ing the Prosecutor on one side | told hin
that Matteo was really assisting the Pre-
feet. to capture the brigand; but as
told him all about the matter his face as
sumed hard, judicial expression.
~ am sorry for the Prefecture" he
said; but have Quastana's cousin and
won't let him go! He will be tried
with some peasants, who are accused
of having supplied the brigand with pro-
visions"
''But / repeat that this man is really
in the service of the Prefecture" l pro
tested.
$50 much the worse for the Prefcc
going to give the administration lessor
it won't forget, and teach it not to med.
die with what doesn't concern it. There
is only one brigand in Corscia, and you
want to take him! He's my game, ]
tell you. The Project knows that, yet
he tries to forestall me! Now / will pay
him out. Matteo shall be tried he will
of course, appeal to your side; there will
be great TODD, and the brigand will be
put on his guard against his cousin and
gentlemen of the Prefecture who &C
shooting"
Well, he kept his word. We had tc
appear on behalf of Matteo, and we had
a nice time of it in the court. was the
laughing stock of the place. Matted
was acquitted, but he could no longer be
of use to us, because Quastana was fore
warned. He had to quit the country.
AS to Quastana, he was never caught
He knew the country, and every peasant
was ecretly ready to assist him; and al
though the soldiers and gendarmes tried
their best TO take him, they could mol
manage it. When left the island he
was still at liberty, and never heard
anything about his capture since. II Tho
Strand Magazine.