St. Landry democrat., 1893-05-06

ventilation and full of vermln--lnto
which we were thrown and driven to
Bastia, escorted by gendarmes with
| drawn swords.
A nice position for Government Off
cial!
| It was broad daylight when we reached
Bastia. The Public Prosecutor, the eel
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 all sorts of apologies,
and take off the handouts.
"Whau! Is it you?" exclaimed the
Public Prosecutor. ''Haye these idiots
really arrested you2 But how did it
come about--what is the meaning Of
itm
Explanations followed. On the prev
ious day the Public Prosecutor had re
ceived telegram from Porto Vecchlo,
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 trick! He was the Pros
ecutor's deputy.
''But, my dear sir,' said the Public
Prosecutor, "whoever would have ex-
pected to see you in shooting costume in
the house of the brigand's cousin? 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' Thenturning to the corporal,
and pointing to Matteo, he said - Take
this fellow away; we will deal with him
in the morning.
The unfortunate Matteo remained
dumb with fright; he looked appeal
ingly at me, and I, Of course, could not
do otherwise than explain matters. TAX,
ing the Prosecutor on one side told him
that Mattco was really assisting the Pre-
feet to capture the brjgand; but as |
told him all about the matter his face as
sumed hard, judicial expression.
Il am sorry for the Prefecture," he
said; but have Quastanas cousin and
l 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 | pro-
tested.
$50 much the worse for the Prefcc,
ture," said he with laugh Il am
-, ~, Il 1oc
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 forcstall mel Now I 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 aud
gentlemen Of the Prefecture who go
Shooting"
Well, he kept his word. We lad to
appear ON behalf of Matteo, and we had
q nice time of it III the court. [ was the
laughing stock of the place. Matteo |
was acquitted, but he could no longer be
Of use to US, because Quastana was fore
warned. lie had to quit the country.
AS to Quastana, he WAS never caught. |
He knew the country, and every peasant
vas ecretly ready to assist him; and al,
hough the soldiers and gendarmes tried |
heir best to take him, they could not
it. When lett the island he
vas still at liberty, and | never heard
about his capture since. 1.-The
strand Magazine.