The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-01-06

The conditions of your release have
been settled in my council, and from them
no deviation will be made said Espaldo.
4 await their mention,' | responded.
They are two in number. The first
is that you obtain ransom of one thousand
English pounds within four weeks of this
day.
"'And the second?' asked, wondering
what further stipulation could be made.
THAT you carve for us the representa-
tion of the Virgin in stone during the time
you remain our prisoner.
':And what if refuse one or both con-
ditions? The sum you name is large, and
an artist cannot work by force, replied,
gloomily.
"'Your refusal will be the signal for
your death; your acceptance will bring you
release when the conditions are fulfilled,
answered Espaldo.
a'And that death will be- began.
"'You will be shot at daybreak tomor-
row; or failing the arrival Of the ransom if
you accept, tomorrow four weeks
~ cannot carve without a model, l
responded, hoping that this objection would
be Of service to me.
"'That has been provided for, responded
the chief, and he gave an order to one of
his attendants, who retired A few min
utes afterward the attendant returned.
accompanied by lady thickly muffied
By the chief S command the gearing was
removed from her head and shoulders. and
the model for the brigands' Madonna stood
unveiled before me, Why need | describe
the feelings of admiration aud excitement
which possessed me on seeing her lovely
form attired in handsome and picturesque
costume, with raven locks falling in pro-
fusion over her shoulders? The portrait
you are looking at is but poor represen-
tation of her whom first beheld at that
moment
" L accept the conditions, was my re-
sponsc, and in short time was conduct
ed to another part of the cave, my bonds
removed, and couch of skins prepared
for the rest which | so much needed.
Cospi, his carbine in hand, guarded me-
Later on when the chief understood the
sacredness with which held my sworn
promise to fulfill the imposed conditions,
even this guard was withdrawn, and I en-
ioyed comparative freedom. was not,
however, allowed to wander far from the
cave; indeed the carbineers posted regularly
near the caves entry cut off any hope of
escape, had I attempted it.
CHAPTER III.
Having accepted the proposed condi-
tions for my ransom, l gave a written order
on my banker for the stipulated sum to
Espaldo, who was easily able by means of
his emissaries to obtain It's monetary value
in the time stipulated
Meatime | began to make a rough model
in clay of the Madonna, from the daughter
of Espaldo, as the lady assigned for the
purpose proved to be. had determined to
represent the Madonna standing in grief
below the representation of the Crucifxion,
which, as have already mentioned, formed
the central portion of the altar in the brig
ands' chapel. The stone supplied for the
finished model was much like Carrara
marble, and my artistic instinct being
aroused threw all my efforts into the task
imposed.
Algarita, the model, had, | soon learned,
been taught by the brigands' father coufes-
sor the rudiments of English, and, in spite
of the conditions under which | worked. [
soon found that the happiest hours of my
bondage were those passed in copying her
features, Cospi had epdeavored to win her
affections long before my detention in Cor
sica, and the failure of his hopes, under
stood, still smote him keeDly. He had
been despatched to certain town in the
island to await my ransom, and upon its
arrival was to bring it on to the brigands'
headquarters.
'"rhe days and weeks sped away. | was
so happy in the task and company which
my labor secured that | scarcely noticed
the fact that was drawing near to release
or death.
'How Cospi got the information of my
interest in Algeria know not, but on the
evening of the twenty-seventh day of my
capture, as | was just putting few finish
ing strokes with the chisel to the Madonna.
and which | had purposely fingered over,
Cospi entered the chapel where | was at
work. i have message for your Excel
lency, said he, from the Chief Espaldo.'
Considering that it was the news of the
Of my ransom, | said, carelessly,
'You may speak out before Algarita; there
is nothing to conceal from her.
'Espaldo bids your Excelleney learn
that the stipulated sum has been refused
payment, and that you be ready for death
by sunrise tomorrow, said Cospi, with an
smile
"'f shall be ready, replied, in dazed
sort of way, the unexpected refusal to meet
my request for ransom quite unnerving me.
Algarita tainted, and at the call of Cospi
she was carried away by two swarthy fe-
males, and l was left alone with Cospi,
who bade me good night shortly afterward.
"My last night on earth ! determined to
spend in the little chapel. All OF my life
seemed to fit before me during the brief
interval that elapsed till sunrise dawned