The morning call., 1893-05-27

he has come TO my house, he said,
raising his hand to his hat. Twill you
follow me there?"
We went outside. 1t was very dark and
windy; we stumbled along stony path
for about three miles-a narrow path full
OF small stones and 0vergrown with
luxuriant vegetation, which prevented US
from going quickly.
That's my house." said Matteo, point
ing among the bushes to light which
was Pickering at short distance from us.
minute later we were confronted by
big dog. who barked furiously at US. One
wonid have imagined that lie meant TO stop
US from going along the road.
Here, Bruccio, Brnccio!' cried my
guide; then, leaning toward me, he said:
That's Quastana's dog A ferocious ami
NAL. He has no equal for keeping watch"
Turning TO the dog again. he called out:
That's all right, old fellow! Do you
AXE US for policemen?"
The enormous animal quieted down, and
came and shifted around our legs. 1t was
sp endid Newfoundland dog, with a
thick, white, woolly coat, which had OBJ
talned for him the name of Bruccio (white
cheese). He ran on in front of us TO the
house, kind of stone hut, with a large
hole in the roof, which did duty for both
hlmney and wind Nv.
In the center of the room stood rough
table. around which were several seats"
hacked into shape with a chopper. A
torch stuck in piece of wood gave a
Pickering light, around which flew a
swarm of moths and other insects.
At the table sat man who looked
like an Italian or Provenciai fisherman,
with a shrewd, sunburnt, clean-shaven
face. He was leaning over pack of
cards and was enveloped in cloud of to-
bacco SNAKE.
Cousin Quastana," said Matteo, as we
went in. this Is gentleman who is going
shooting with me in the morning. Ee
will sleep here tonight, so as to be close
to the spot in good time Tomorrow"
When yOu have been an outlaw and had
to fly for your life you look with suspicion
upon a stranger. Quastana looked me
straight in the eyes for second; then, ar
parently satisfied, he saluted me and took
no further notice of me. Two minutes
later the cousins were absorbed in game
of scopa.
1t is astonishing what mania for card
playing existed in Corsica at that time
and it is probably the same now
The clubs and cafes were watched by
the police, for the young men ruined them
selves at game called bOuillotte. In the
VILLAGES IT was the same; the peasants
were mad for game at cards, end when
they had no money they played for their
pines, knives. Sheep-anything.
L watched the two men with great inter-
est as they sat opposite each other. silently
playing the game. They watched each
others movements, the cards either face
downward upon The table or carefully held
S that the opponent might not catch a
glimpse Of them. and gave an occasional
quick glance at their "hand" without los
ing sight of the other players face. was
especially interested in watching Quas-
tana. The Dh"tograph ph was a very good
one. but it could not reproduce the sun
70 hA NIT md
movement, surprising in man of his age,
and the hoarse, hollow voice peculiar TO
those who spend most of their time In SOL
itude.
Between two and three hours passed in
this way. and | had some diff ulty in
keeping awake In the Stuffy air nf the hut.
and the long stretches Of silence broken
only by an occasional exclamation
Seventeen p "Eighteenr' From time
to time L was aroused by heavy gust of
wind, or dispute between the players.
Suddenly there was savage bark from
BrncclO. like cry of alarm. We all
Spraug up, and Quastana rushed out of
the door, returning an instant afterward
and srZing his gun. With an exclamation
of rage he daTted out of the door again
and was gone. Matteo and | were look
Ing at one mother in surprise when a
dozen armed men entered and called upon
us 10 surrender, and IN less time than it
.
bound, and prisoners. In vain | tried 10
make the gendaTmes understand who
was; they would not listen to me. That's
all right; you will have an opportunity of
making an explanation when we get to
Bastia."
They dragged US to our feet and drove
rs out with the butt-ends of their carbnes.
Handcuffed, and pushed about by one au-
other, we reached the bottom of the
slope, where prison van was waiting for
us-a vile box, without ventilation and full
of vernin-into which we were thrown
and driven to Bastia, escorted by gen.
darmes with drawn swords. a nice posi-
tion for Govern ment official!
1t was broad daylight when we reached
Bastia. The Public Prosecutor, the colon ell
Of the gendarmes and the governor of the
prison were impatieutly awaiting us.
never saw man look more astonished
than the corporal IN charge of tie escort
as, with n triumphant smile, he led me to
these gentlemen and saw them hurry to-
ward me with all sorts of apologies and
take off the handcuffs.
What! Is it You" exclaimed the Pub
lie Prosecutor. Have the idiots really
arrested your But how did it come
about-what is the meaning of it?"
Explanations followed. On the pre-
vious day the Public Prosecutor had re-
celVeu telegram RON Porto NPcchiO,
informing him of the presence OF Quas-
tana in the locality, and giving precise
details as to where and when he could I've
found. The name of Porto Veechio
opened my eyes; it was that travelling
companion Of mine who had played me
this shabby trick! He was the Prose-
cutor's duputy.
But, my dear sir" said the Public
Prosecutor, "whoever would haze ex-
pected 10 see you in shooting costume in
the house OF the brigand's cousin! We
have given you rather a bad time of it, but
l know you Will not bear malice, and you
will prove 1t by coming to breakfast with
me-" Then. turning to the corporal and
pointing to Matteo, he said: Take this
fellow away; we will deal with him in the
morning"
Tie unfortunate Matteo remained dumb
with fright. He looked appeaingly at nj e,
and /, of course, could not do otherwise
than explain matters. Taking the pr, Sc
cutor to one side | told HIM that Matteo
was really assisting the Prefeci to capture
the bTigand; but as / told him all about
the matter his face assumed hard, Judi
cial expression.
M'I am sorry for the Prefecture" he
said. 'but l 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 provisions"
But | repeat that this man is really
in the service Of the Prefecture" l pro-
tested.
$50 much the worse for the Prefec-
ture." said he with laugh. II am going
to give the administration lesson 1t won't
fnrget, and teach 1t not 10 meddle with