The Washington times., 1895-02-17

one time. Along this narrow tongue they
passed, and coming to the other side, found
level space on the edge OF a great precipice,
and Antonio. pointing over the precipice
they saw in the light of the day, which now
was dawnlng. the towers and spires of For
niola very far away in the plain below
1T is better place for the fire than the
other" said Antonio, aud Bena laughed
while Martolo shivered,
''Yet we risk being hindered by these fel-
lows behind said Tommasino
Nay, | think not said Antonio.
Then he charged Tommasino and all OF
them TO busy themselves in collecting such
dry sticks ana brushwood as they could and
there was alum nianee near, for the fir trees
grew even so high. And one OF the men also
went and set Il suare. and presently caught a
wild goat. so that they had meat But Antonio
himself took Bena and set him on one side
OF the way where the neck opened out into
level space aud he he stood on the other side
of the way himself. And when they stretched
out their arms the point of Bena's sword
reached the hiit OF Anton o's. And Antonio
smiled. saying. to Bena: HE had need 10 be
thin man, Bena. that passeth between you
and me. "
And Bena nodded his head at Count Anto-
MO, answering: Indeed this is as straight as
the way to heaven. my lord. and leads. as it
seems TO me, in much the same direction
Thus Antonio and Bena waited ia the
shelter of the rocks, at the opening OF the
neck, while the rest built up great pile OF
wood. Then. having roasted the meat they
made their breakfast. Martolo carrying por-
toins to Antonio and to Bena. AMI, their
pur5uers not knowing the path so we'll and
therefore moving less quickly. il was but
three hours short of noon when they heard
the voices of men from the other side the
neck. And Antouio cried straightway: Come
rot through at your peril. Yet one may come
and speak with me-
Then the great fellow, whose name is vari-
ously Civ n, hough most of those whom I
have questioned call him Saneho, came
through the neck. and, reaching the end of
it. found the crossed swords OF Antonio and
Bena like a fence against his breast. And he
saw also the great pile of wood and resting
now on the top of it the golden casket that
tonic:
NV lord. we love you; but, sooner than
that the bones should be burnt, we will kill
you and all that are with you"
And Antonio answered: Il also love you,
Sancho; yet you and all your company shall
die sooner than that my oath shall be
broken
''Your soul shall answer for 1t, my lord, -
said Sancho.
''You speak truly" answered Antonio.
Then Sancho went back through the neck
and took counsel with his followers: and they
made him their chief and promised TO be
obedent to all that he ordered. And he said:
LET two run at their highest speed through
the neck; it may be we'll they will die but the
bones must be saved. And after them two
more, and again two. And will be of the
first two"
But they would not suffer him to be of the
first two. although he prevailed that he should
be of the last two. And the six being chosen,
drew their swords. and with a cry rushed int o
the neck. And Antonio, hearing their feet,
said to Bena:
''A-quick blow is as good as a slow, Bens. ="
And even as he spoke the first two came to
the opening of the neck. But Antonio and
Bena struck at them before they came out of
the narrowest part or could WELD their
swords freely; and the second two coming on,
Bena struck ut one and wounded him in the
breast; and he wounded Bena in the face.
over the right eye; and then Bena slew him
while Antonio slew his man at his first shove.
And the fifth man and Sancho. the sixth,
coming on. Antonio cried loudly:
Are you mad? We could hold the neck
against hundred"
BCt they would not stop. and Antonio slew
the fifth, and Bena was in the act to strike at
Sancho. but Antonio suddenly dashed San
cho's sord from his hand and caught him a
the bodies of the five that were dead y
go back. fool. 90 backn' he cried.
And Saneho answering nothing gathered
himself up and went back; for be perceived
now that not with the loss of half of his men
would he get by Antonio and Bena. and be-
yond them stood TammasiDo with ten whom
he knew to be of the stoutest OF the band
Its sore days work, Bena," said An
tonic looking at the dead bodies.
If Il man be too great fool 10 keep HIM
self alive, my lord, he must die answered
Bena. and he pushed the bodies little far
ther back into the neck with his foot
Then Sanchos company took counsel again,
for much as they reyerenced the sacred bones,
there was none of them eager to enter the
neck. Thus they were at a loss, till the shep-
herd who had come along with them spoke
to Sancho, saying:
''At the cost OF long journey you may
come at him. for there is way around that
/ can lead you by. But you will not raverse
it in less than twelve or thirteen hours, taking
necessary rest by the way"
But Sancho, counting the time, said: lit
will servel For although thousand came
against him. yet the count will not burn the
bones before the time of his OATH"
Therefore he left fifteen men to hold the
neck. in case Antonio should offer to return
back through it, and with the rest, he fol-
lowed the shepherd in great stealth and
quiet; by reason OF which, and OF the rock
between them, Antonio knew not what was
to be done, but thought that the whole COM
peny lay still on the other side OF the neck.
Thus the day wore to evening. rs the arch
bishop, with the Lord Lorenzo and the
guards cams to the spur of the hills, and
here they found q man waiting, who cried to
them:
do you bring the dukes promise to the
Count Antonio?''
Yes. we bring it ;" said they.
II am charged, said he. 'to lead the arch
bishop and one other after the count" But
since The archbishop could not climb the hills,
being old and weary, Lorenzo constrained
the man TO take with him four of the guards
besides, and the four bore the archbishop
along. Thus they were led through the secret
tracks in the hills, and these Lorenzo tried to
engrave on his memory, that he might come
again. But the way was long and devious,
and it was hard to mark it. Thus going they
came to the huts, and passing the huts still
climbed weariy till they arrived near to the
neck. 1t was then night, and as they guessed
near Oh to the time when Antonio had sworn
to burn the sacred bones: therefore they
pressed on more and moro, and came at last
to the entrance of the neck Here they found
the fifteen, and Lorenzo, running up, cried
aloud:
1--WE bring the promise, we bring the
promise!''
But scarcely had he spoken these
wOrds when a sudden grant ahont oame from