The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1899-10-04
CHAPTER v.
D'ENrRASoUEs SCORES = iorNr.

bet0rc ] nad gone ntty PAGES, however,
became aware that therc was some law left
In Montevarcbi. for warning cry made me
look over my shoulder, and ! saw party Of
the city guards, who bad discreetly kept out
u the way when Brico and crossed swords,
hurryins towards me. The same glance,
showed me that the ancient was already in
their hands, and was being dragged along
with but little regard 10 his comfort; and
] felt sure that now, AZ the troop was gone,
the citizens would wreak their vengeance on
this hen.roost robber, and he would be
lucky II he escaped with life. AZ for me,
the catchpolls being out. they no doubt rca.
soned that they might as well net me. To
stop and resist would only result in my be-
ing ultimately overpowered, and perhaps
imprisoned; 10 yield without blow meant
very much the same thing, and, IN the shake
Of a brakes tail, | resolved TO run, and to
trust for escape TO my turn for speed. SO l
set of at my roundest pace, followed by the
posse, and the rabble who but a moment
before were cheering me.
More than once felt inclined TO turn, and
end the matter for myself; but the tact that
this might mean laying aside all chance Of
settling D'Entrangues urged me to my best
efforts Some fool made an attempt TO stop
me, and was compelled to slash him across
the face with my sword, as a warming not to
interfere with matters with which he had
no concern. hardly knew where | was
going; but dashed down a little by-street,
and was, after hundred yards, brought to
a halt by dead vail. could barely reach
the top Of it with my bare hands, but
luckily this was enough 10 all me TO draw
myself NJ, and drop over to the other side
just as the police reached within ten feet
Of me. ! did not stop 10 take note Of their
action. but was of as soon as my feet
touched the ground, and found 10 my
JOY that ! was close TO one Of the un.
repaired breaches in the city wall, made siX
months ago by Tremouille's cannon.
Through this | rushed, and, scrnmbling down
a slope Of broken stone and mortar, found
I would lie compelled to climb down very
nearly hundred feet Of what looked like the
face OF rock, before ! could reach level
ground. There was not even a goat track.
My agility was, however, spurred on by hear.
ing shouts behind me, and preferring TO risk
death in attempting the descent rather
than fall into the hands Of mcsser the po-
desta. I CHANGED the venture, and. partly by
holding on TO the tough broom roots, partly
slipping, and aided by Providence and Our
Lady Of San Spirto, TO whom ! hurriedly
cast up a prayer, ! managed to reach the
bottom, and fell, exhausted and breathless,
into a cistus hedge.
l was too beaten to go another yard, and.
had my pursuers only followed VI, must
have become all easy prey. As it was hearl
them reach the breach, where they came to
a stop. all shouting and babbling at the
same time. One or two, holder than the
others, attempted to descend the ledge Of
rock, down which | escaped. but its steep
ness damped their courage. They. however.
succeeded in loosenlng some Of the debris
so that it fell over the cliff, and few of the
stones dropped very close TO me; but by
good hap escaped, or else this never would
have been written. One great block, indeed.
just passed over my head and | vowed an
altarpiece to Our Lady of San Spirito.
who alone could have diverted that which
was coming straight to my destruction; and
| may add duly kept my word. After
time the voices above began TO grow fainter,
and to my delight found that the citizens,
thinking it impossible | should nave escaped
Ike a lizard amongst the rocks, were bark.
ing back, and ranging TO the right and left.
] waited until all sound died away, and eau.
tiousy peeped out. The coast was clear. ]
had recovered my wind, and. without more
waste of time, ! rose and pressed on in the
direction Of the hills, determined TO chance
no further adventures near the towns. In
deed, l had crowded more incident into the
past few hours than into the previous FIVE
and-thirty years Of my life, and my sole OBJ
ject, at present, was to reach Florence
without further let OF hindrance.
Keeping the vineyards between me and
the town, | avoided all observation, and,
at a small wayside inn, filed a wallet which
purchased with food and n bottle Of the
rough country wine, 80 that there might be
no necessity for my visiting human habita-
tion during the remainder of my journey.
With the wallet swung over my shoulder, an
hour OF 80 later | was ascending the slopes
of Mount st. Michele, cursing the fallen pine
needles, which made my foothold so slippery
that slid rather than walked.
IL was late in the evening before halted
aud ate my dinner under an overhanglng
rock, sheltered from the north wind by
clump Of pines. When | finished ! rollel
myself up in my cloak, and fatigue, to-
gether with good conscience, combined to
send me to 4 sleep as sound as II was re
freshing ! was up before the sun and con
tinued my way, determined TO reach Flor
enee by evening. ! took no particular no
tice of the view, where | could see TO my
right the Prato Magno, and TO my left all
the valleys of the Greve; but kept my eyes
before me. intent on my thoughts.
At length, when passing lmpruneta, where
the Black Virgin is, Florence came in sight.
There was a slight haze which prevented me
from seeing as clearly as | could wish; but
| plainly made out the houses on the banks
Of the Arno, Arnolfo's tower, the palace
Of the Sgnory, the cathedral, the Bargelo,
and the unfinished Pitt palace, whilst be
yond rose the convent-topped hill Of
Scenario, where the Services have their mon
astery.
As looked there was little Of admiration
in my heart, although the scene was fair
but could give no mind TO any
thing beyond the fact that was at last
within measurable distance of ID Entrangues,
and that in few hours my hand was like
10 be at his throat.
With these thoughts there somehow min |
sled Up the face Of madame, and the scene |
If our last meeting. ! put this aside. how
ever, with a strong hand, and determined |
70 think no more Of her, although no such |
recollection could be anything but pleasant |
md sweet. Until met her had managed |
well enough without womankind, and for |
he future l would leave bright eyes alone. |
Yet knew was the better man for holding
he privilege Of her friendship. However,
The had passed out Of my life, and across