The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-09-06

However, he had to find Giammarchi
first, and there was but one man in
Isola Rosa who could show him the
way, and that man was the least dis
posed Of all to help him, for Carlo
Giammarchi was my friend. How
ever, did show Angelo the way, for it
was my habit to visit Giammarchi in
the village where he lay, still weak
from his wound. and Angelo set spies
to follow me- On my last visit found
to my surprise that the village was de-
serted, except for q few women and
children.
"There is a fiesta in the next ham,
let" Carlo explained. "But it is unlike
ly the gendarmes will on this one day
come here to search for me-"
But even while he spoke child
came running up the hillside, crying
that the gendarmes were coming. |
snatched up my rifle. Carlo picked up
his, but with q certain hesitation, as
though his oath weighed upon him.
81 must needs live in the forest" he,
said, and we hurried out Of the cottage
and up the slope behind the village.
We had only climbed 200 yards when
Carlos breath failed him.
"I can go no farther" lie said, and
dropped to the ground. Sprang on to
a hillock and looked downward. Half
a mile below I could see the shoulder
belts and rifles flashing among the
jumpers like so many mirrors, and
then / heard shout. 1t seemed to
come from much nearer-from the very
borders of the village. I looked that
way and saw q gendarme standing in
front of a cottage. remembered his
shadow on the white plaster of the
wall. He held his rifle to his cheek,
and the next moment saw the smoke
and heard the singing of a bullet q
yard above my head. jumped off the
hillock and lifted Carlo. Half dragging,
half pushing him, got him up to a
narrow patch Of albatro which stretch
ed across the slope. The strip of shrub
berry was dense, and leaving Carlo on
the edge Of it pushed inward to dis
cover the safest hiding place. But
had not moved more than ten PAGES
before heard startled exclamation
behind me. turned around. Carlo
was holding the twigs apart and peer
ing down the slope. All fatigue had
faded from his face; his very beard
seemed alert. I ran back and looked
over his shoulder. One gendarme was
running up the slope, his body doubled
forward. 1t was Angelo Montaltl.
He made mark to tempt saint,
and my fingers itched for shot at
him. Carlo loaded his rife. Twice he
raised it to his shoulder, twice he
lowered it. Then he sprang through
the thicket and out upon the opposite
side. From the border Of the shrub
berry an open incline rose to the great
forest If Carlo could cross the open
space, he would be safe. I advanced
Immediately to Montalti.
"Wheres GiammarchiY he cried.
"Not here. 1t was me you shot at,
Angelo"
"Not herev' said he, with sneer.
"Well, st. Mega is the saint for an ad-
vocate to worship" and he ran past
rae. l was just putting out my hand
I to catch him when noticed the tin
cartridge box which swung at his side.
I drew my hand back. Angelo pushed
through the thicket, and / followed
him. Carlo was half way up the slope,
but he moved at a stumble, with one
hand to the wound in his chest.
"Not herew Montalti flung the words
at me. "Signor Advocate, you and ].
will talk about that lie afterward."
"He had your life in his hands, and
he let you co.
"The more fool he," said Montalti.
He tossed the cartridge he had fred at
me out of his rifle and felt for another.
The lid of his cartridge box was open;
the box was empty.
"You must have spilled them all
while you ran," said l.
"Giye me yours" said he. turning,
with an oath.
I stood little way Off and laughed
at him.
angelo, have none. DO l not
worship st. Nega?"
He swore at me again and then raced
up the hillside. Carlo, though near to
the forest, was yet nearer to the limits
! Of his strength. shouted to him. He
turned, saw Angelo pursuing him.
dropped behind u bowlder and cover
cd him with his rifle. Angelo began to
run in zigzags but always upward,
and still Carlo did not fire. no doubt,
! however, he found the temptation
overpowering him, for suddenly he
jerked the cartridge out Of the rifle
breech and again ran for the forest.
| l saw the copper case of the cartridge
| sparkle through the sunlight and lie
on the brown turf, bright as gold
coin. Angelo saw 1t too. He darted
upon 1t and with 1t shot Giammarchi
through the back just as he reached
the underground.
For moment Montaiti stood mo-
tionless. A thin ribbon Of smoke curled
ND from his rifle barrel. Then h:
opened the lock and flung the cartridge
toward me.
Carlos mistake" said he.
"Montalti's, too," said l, and coy-
cred him. let him run till he reached
the covert, then l shot him through
the back. knew the other gendarmeS
| could not he far behind. I ran up 30