The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-12-19
word fta door. LOOEI'

60 G10 SrOCUu I'LL tn0o0 e1aCy AOtA1>t -
the cave. a few moments Of silence
followed during which nothing could
be heard except the painting Of the sol
diers, who were cut Of breath.
ssHelpthe dying.' cried, all Of a-sud-
den, the young brigand, who, like the
rest, helt with his hands to the ground
under the mrsket Of a carabiuiere,
Vito is dying" asked the captain,
coming forward, dusty and painting. :.
There In the corner, " answered the
young man. pointing.
All turned. No one could distinguish
anything.
eUnder the cloak, !" continued the
brigand
The captain, followed by the eyes OF
all, walked to the corner, seized the
mantle and tore it away. A general cry
of horror rose at the sickenlng sight
which was thus revealed. The misera-
Bile prisoner ON his knees, with his
hands braided behind his back and his
head falling ON his chest, was entirely
covered with cuts and blood. so that he
seemed to have been scalped He tried
TO look up
& .eUnsie him Immediately" cried the
captain. Give him water!'
Three soldiers came forward, united
him, seated him and began to examine
his wounds The others. maddened at
the sight, hit the brigands with the
stock of their muskets.
Down with your arms!' ordered the
captain, and turning to the youngest
teigand he commanded, You must
speak! 70
The soldiers who aeld him allowed
him to arise
seWhen was that man captured?''
asked the captain ssTen the truth be-
fore you die "
seThat man, began the young fell
low IN a breathless voice and trembling
]: from horror and fear, ssthat soldier was
captured this morning. They brought
him here; they tied him; they wanted
him to speak Herefused to do so. They
Jumped on him. I saw it all My God,
my Godr'
s<But VINO are yo1?'' exclaimed the
captain, pulling off the young mans
hat a mass of curling hair fell over
his shoulders They all murmwed as
they turned to look at him, "a womanp'
Yes, 2 she cried desperately, "a
woman! They stole me Is days ago
They held knife to my throat and took
me along. But I have not stained my
hands with bloodl No! I swear to it'll
L only accompanied them SO that they
would not Kill me. / am poor peasant
gir,-from San Severe. :"
ssBu. Why did yen not shoot one OF
these nuderers::
sc did not have the courage. They
would have tortured me. You ought to
SEQ what they do. thought I should
90 insane. Oh, If you had seen! But he
land She pointed to the wounded soldierl,
he has been agod! he stood it all with
out murmnr, without cry.
Drag these towards to the feet OF
their victim, . ordered the captain.
The prisoners were dragged in front
Of the wounded man, whose head had
been bandaged with handkerchief, one
end Of which covered his eyes.
s@sI am here, " exclaimed the captain,
bending toward the unhappy man, who
was beginning to revive. ''You are
safe! You are among your companionsl
Coprape! Look: your murdersrs kneel
before you!'
The soldier. raised his head slowly
and shiyered- Thenhe extended his hand,
lar;rg it on the head of the chief Of the
brigands; then he Withdrew it, smiled
with his blood covered mouth, leaned
his head forward and spat something
out upon the ground.
What is this?'' asked the captain,
picking up the thing, white and soft,
which had fallen from the mouth Of the
wounded man.
sYour-answer-to the colonel, -
whispered the soldier.
To the colonel Of San Severe? My
answer. the one I gave you this morn
ing:''
The soldier nodded. The captain
threw himself upon him, put one arm
around his neck and kissed him on his
forehead. Then he sprang up, and turn
ing to his soldiers commanded: 1'Bow to
this hero. my brave boys! he carried to
the colonel ry letter, in which stated
when and where was going. # the
bngands had read it, they would have
been safe. he put it in his mouth, and
he did not speak, in order that he might
not betray himself, and he stood silently
all these terrible tortures. He isa hero!
He is a martyr!''
'sHe is!'' they all cried unanimously.
kiss his feet, cowards!' ordered the
captain to the brigands.
One after the other, crawling like
worms, they kissed the feet Of the
wounded man.
Captain, cried the woman sudden
y, as though out of her mind, Il could
have given the alarm when you were
coming. I did not give it. let you
come. ask one favor in exchange. I
can never return again to my home.