Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-05-10

affairs in Rome had been changed in an hour,
and that, had so wished, might have, in
safety, proclaimed what Ihad done from the
very house tops. As we came nearer the
city, it was evident that there was some
great commotion within, for, from every
quarter pillars of dim smoke rose up in
spiral columns, and then spreading out like
a fan hung sullenly in the yellow of the sun
set. 1t was clear that houses were burning,
and swords were out. We soon began to
meet parties of fugitives, hurrying from the
city, and making across country in all di-
rections. They avoided us like the plague,
and the mere CLINT of our arms was sufficient
to make them scatter to right and left, leav-
ing such property as they could not bear
with them to the tender mercies of the
roadside. Some of my men were eager to
ride after the runaways, and question them;
but forbade this, knowing we should hear
soon enough, and that if there were danger,
it would be best to hold together.
"Per Racco" and Jacopo, riding up beside
me, pointed to black cloud, which slowly
rose and settled above the vineyards of the
Pincian hill, I'VE had best go with a leaden
boot, excellency. There is devils carnival
in Rome, or l am foresworn."
at this Juncture, we turned an abrupt cor
ner of the road, coming upon crowd Of
fugitives, who seemed to be running for
wards, caring little where they went, so that
they put distance between them and Rome.
Amongst the throng was a figure 1ecog-
nized; and in mean habit, mounted on q
mule, which was seized with an obstinate fit,
and refused to bulge, although soundly
thwacked, l saw the cardinal of Stri2onia.
Bidding Jacopo keep the men together,
rode up to him, and asked:
"Can 1 render your eminence any aid"
His round eyes, starting out of his head
like runaway hare's, glanced at me IN fear,
end the stick he bore dropped from his hand,
no doubt much to the satisfaction of the
mule. AT first he was unable to speak, for
my words seemed to fill the man with terror,
and had to repeat the question, before he
stammered outs
"You are mistaken, sir; 1 am no eminence,
but poor brother of Mount Carmel, on my
way to Foligno, out of this hell behind me, "
and he glanced over his shoulder towards
Rome.
II see" answered with smile, "but if
the poor brother of Mount Carmel will look
more closely at me, he will see friend. In
short, your eminence, am Di Savelli."
"Corpo di Bacco! mean our Lady be
thanked. And SO it is you, cavaliere! Take
my advice, and turn your horses head to
Foligno. On beast!" and he kicked at the
mule, which moved not an inch.
Il am for Rome, your eminence; but what
has happened?"
ooh, that 1 had horse!" he groaned.
"What has happened? Everything has hap
pened. Alexander is dead or dying. Cesare
dead, they say, and burning in hades by this.
Orsini and Colonna at the old game of ham
mer and tongs-"
"And the cardinal-D' Amboises
"Safe enough, believe, as the Orsini hold
the Borgo, and have declared for France"
Trust me, your reverence, you will be
safer in Rome than out of it. The whole
country will rise at the news, and the habit
of Mount Carmel will not save the cardinal
of Strigonia. Turn back with me, and will
escort you to the Palazzo Corneto."
To make short story, D Este agreed after
a little persuasion, and the mule was kind
enough to amble back very willingly to
Rome. We placed his eminence in the cen
tero -four troops, and went UPWARDS, entering
the city by the Porta Pinciana, riding along
leisurely in the direction of S. Trinita di
Monti, and thence straight on towards the
Ripetta. 1t was work of no little danger
to make this last passage, for everywhere
bands of plunderers were engaged in quitting
the houses, many of which were in flames,
and we continually came across dead bodies,
or passed houses from which we heard
shrieks of agony. We could help no one.
1t was all we could do to keep our own heads
on our shoulders; but by dint of shouting,
'AColonna!" with the Colonna, and "Orsini!
Orsini!" with their rivals, and sometimes
hitting a shrewd blow or two, we crossed
| the Ripetta, and in few minutes were safe
in the Palazzo Corneto.
| Here we were received by LIE Clerc, who
comforted the trembling Strigonia, with the
assurance that an excellent supper awaited
him, informing me, almost in the same
breath, that D'Amboise was in the vatican.
lost no time in repairing thither, which I
did on foot, accompanied by Jacopo alone.
and made my way without let or hindrancc
to the Tore Borgia. Here everything was in
the widest confusion, and the Spanish SOL
aiers of the pope were plundering right and
left. stumbled across De Leyva, who, with
few men at his back, was trying to main
tain order. He gladly accepted the offer Of
my sword, and we did what we could to pre-
vent the wholesale robbery from going on.
| In brief interval of rest, / asked:
i
"In the Sistine chapel, with half-a-dozen
others; De Briconnet guards the entrance"
"And Alexander?"
Dead or dying-I do not even know
where is is; Don Michele has seized as much
as he can, and, carrying Cesare on litter
has escaped to Ostia."
'Tken Casare is not dead"
mo. Cross of st. James! see that?" and
be pointed to a Keeling drunken crowd, full
with wine and plumber, who passed by us
with yells, into the great reception-rooms.
Followed by the few men who remained
steady, De Leyva dashed after them, and
with Jacopo at my heels, I made for the
Sistine chapel. / reached the Scala Regia,
and although knew the Sistine chapel was
but few feet distant, yet, owing to the
darkness that prevailed, missed the way,
and Jacopo was of course unable to help me.
Cropping EDWARDS we came to small door,
and pushing it, found it to open easily. Il
led into narrow, vsultsd passage, whsrl
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