The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-09-30

VIC Huoe hOo hpidih vi lutiSue, iOI we
have made famous capture. We have
just seized Giannetto Sanpiero."
"God be praised y cried Guiseppa; che
stole mich-goat from us last week"
These words rejoiced GAMBIA.
"Poor devil p said Mateo; che was hun
gry."
''The knave fought ike lion," con-
tinued the adjutant, somewhat mortified
she killed two of my men, and, not con-
tent with that, broke Corporal Chardon's,
arm-but that is no great harm; he is only
Frenchman. Afterward. he was hidden
so finely that the devil himself could not
have found him. should never have
discovered him, had it not been for my
little cousin, Fortunate"
Fortunate !" exclaimed Mateo.
Fortunate" said GAMBIA; ''Yes, Clan
netto was hidden under that heap ofstraw
yonder. But my little cousin showed me
his hiding-place. So will tell his uncle
in town, and he can send him fine pres
ent for his trouble. And his name and
yours will appear in the report that shall
send to the attorney general.
"Damnation r said Mateo, in thick
and husky voice.
They had reached the detachment by
this time. Giannetto was already lying on
the litter, and ready to depart. When he
saw Mateo in Gamba's company, he smiled
strangely, then, turning his head toward
the door of the house, he spat sayagely on
the sill, crying: "The house of traitorl''
Only man who had resolved to die
would have dared to use the word "traitor"
in connection with Falcone A stab from
stiletto would have Immediately avenged
the insult. But Mateo made no other
gesture than carrying his hand to his head,
as if overcome with grief Fortunate had
gone into the house when he saw his father
arrive, but he soonsreappeared, carrying
bowl of milk, which he offered to the pris-
oner, his head hanging down.
"Away, curl" cried the outlaw to him.
Then, turning to one of the guard, "Com-
rade, said he, "give me a drink"
The soldier handed him his gourd and
Giannetto drank the water given him by
man with whom he had just exchanged
shots Afterward, he begged that they
would tie his hands so that they would be
crossed on his breast, instead of having
them bound behind his back,
a like" said he, ''to lie at my ease"
They hastened to satisfy him; then the
adjutant gave the signal of departure, bade
adieu to Mateo, who did not reply, and
they descended, with rapid steps, toward
the plain.
Ten minutes passed before Mateo opened
his mouth. The child looked, uneasily,
sometimes at his mother, then at his father,
who, leaning on his gun, gazed at him
with an expression of furious anger
"You begin well, said Mateo, finally,
in calm voice, but terrible one to any
who knew the man thoroughly.
"My father L cried the child, advancing,
tears in his eyes, as if to throw himself at
his knees. But Mateo cried: "Back r
and he stopped, sobbing and motionless,
few steps from his father.
Guiseppa drew near She had just per-
ceived the chain of the watch, one end of
which huug from Fortunato's shirt
"Who gave you that watch ?" she asked,
in severe tone
"My cousin, the adiutant
Falcone seized the watch, and, throwing
it violently against stone, broke it into
thousand pieces,
''WOman, said he, sis this my child ?"
The brown cheeks of Guiseppa turned
vivid scarlet. "Have care what you say,
Mateo. Do you remember to whom ycu
speak ?"
81 ask your pardon, wife. This child
is the first of the race of Falcone who has
been guilty of treachery"
The sobs and tears of Fortunate redou
bled, and Mateo kept his lynx eyes sternly
fixed upon him. Finally, he struck the
butt-end of his gun on the ground, threw
it over his shoulder, and took his way to-
ward the maquis, bidding Fortunate follow
him. The child obeyed.
Guiseppa ran after Mateo, and seized
his arm. "He is your son, said she, in
trembling voice, fixing her black eyes on
those of her husband, as if to read there
what was passing in his soul
"Leave me" said Mateo, "I am his
father !"
The mother embraced her son, and en-
tered the house weeping; throwing herself
on her knees before an image of the Vir-
gin, she prayed fervently.
Meanwhile, Falcone walked down the
path some two hundred PAGES and stopped
on reaching little rayine. He sounded
the earth, and found it soft and easy for
digging. The spot appeared a favorable
one.
Fortunate" said he, "stand yonder
near that great stone.
The child obeyed, and fell ON Lis knees.
"Say your prayers, said Falcone.
"My father, my father, do not kin me p
"Say your prayers r repeated Mateo, in
a voice which made the child's flesh creep.
The child, sobbing and stammering, re-
peated the 'sPater Noster" and the "Credo."
At the end Of each prayer, the stern father
"Amen.
'Are those all the prayers you know p
asked he.
"My father, 1 also know the Ave Ma
ria, and the litany my aunt taught me-
'Repeat them y