The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1899-10-10
CHAPTER XX.

CHAPTER XX.
''ABROWN PAUL-ALITTLE COPPER"
Such a5 they were, the troubles of the an
Gent and his crony Luigi could not have
ended soon, for, although at first they were
surrounded by jeering crowd, fresh things
caught the minds of the people after a lit
tie time, and they were left to themselves.
As the following day was holiday in Tod,
the innkeeper probably let them lie bound
until he had more leisure on his hands,
which were in truth full enough, as the al
bergo hummed with custom. | never heard
or saw anything more of either of the vii
lains again. We had time yet at our dis
pOsal; but, after an early supper, the horses
being rested, we started, and, going slowly,
with a halt On the right bank of the Paglia,
we crossed the Tiber near San Fortunate,
and Perugia lay before US, bright in the sun
shine In order to throw any pursuit off the
scent, for if by chance inquiries were made
about us, they would be at The southern
gates, we. made a turn east, then struck
north, and, getting over the numberleSs
trenches lying between us and our point,
eventually entered the city by the Porta del
Carmine. Here Jacopo, under my secret in
structions, let the guard handle his wine
skin, buzzing out as if in the confidence of
the cup that we had come from Fabriano in
the Marches and then gave them the day
We rode on, leaving the ward at the gate
to finish the skin, and found very cOmforta-
bic hOuse-room in the Rubicon, an hotel
kept by Messer Passaro, which lay behind
the house of the Piccinno family, close to
the Duomo, the citadel, and the gallows,"
as the landlord, who thought himself a
merry wag, informed NE whilst he received
us at his door. l took the best room availa-
bic for myself, and saw to the wants of my
followers and the horses, who were as we'll
as when they started. | left them in com
fort, bidding Bande Mere make ready to
accompany me out at nOontide. Dinner
ordered at II, inviting the landlord to
crack flask of his best thereafter. with nc.
He accepted with eifusion; my object in
doing this being to try and get as much
information out of him rs possible, as /
saw he had a loose tongue and a gossiping
heart, and l was resolved to leave no stone
unturned in my search for Angola. 1t want
ed two hours or more for dinner and, hav-
ing bathed and changed my attire, | sank
me down III an armchair to enjoy an hour
or so of repOse.
After dinner mine host appeared, bear
ing with him a cobwebbed flask
1T i: wine of France, excelency-Bur-
gundy-and all my customers do not taste
this, | can tell you"
81 am favored, indeed, Mcsser Passaro !;
take a seat, and help yourself
'The cOndescensiOn of your eXcellcncy!'
and with a bow he settled himself COM
fortably on the extreme edge of a chair.
We poured out our measures and, on
testing the wine, | found it most excellent
as for Pessaro, he pushed himself back into
his seat and let the liquid down his throat
in drops, his eyes closed in an ecstasy.
When he opened them, which he did after
a time, he gasped out:
rs not that glorious, signore? Have you
ever Tipped the brandt"
Il confess it is wine for the GODS"
said. rs there much in your CELLAR"
"Store of it, excellency; [ was not but
Ter to his eminence of Strigonia for ten
years for nothing"
His eminence is a fine judge of wines. -
''Cospitto! And your excellency's for
giveness for swearing. He is the finest
Judge in the world There is no brand he
could not name, nay, tell you the year of
vintage, were he blindfold and drop but
touched his palate. Corpo di Bacco! But
he is a true prince of the church"
''Ah! you are sly dog, Messer Passaro,
and l filled him his glass; Il warrant me
you can tell many a tale of the cardinal
But come, now, has not the Baglioni as fine
taste in wines, and better one for neat
anhle?"
''Hush!" he said, looking around him as
he put down his empty glass, ''in your ear,
excellency-the Count Carlo has big teeth
and bites hard. Let your tongue be still
when his name comes up in Perugia."
Thanks, friend, but Count Carlo owes
me no grudge, or else l should not be
here"
Your worship has come to join him
them"
LAS you see, Messer Passaro," and
filled his glass again, Il am soldier and
love to serve soldier. Besides things will
be on foot soon, for what with the French
at Passaignano, war cannot be delayed
long"
True, and a light has been put to the
torch, too"
''Hurrah! Another glass. man; we sol
diers are sick of this truce. Our purses
run dry in peace But tell Nae"
"You must know, signore, that all the
country east of Castigione to the Tiber
and lying between the Nestore and Casale
is a fief of the Castellani, and the count
hal hal 1t was glorious!" and he slapped
his thigh-"hal ha."
Nothing irritates me so much as to heal
man laughing aimlessy, and it was IN &
sharp tone that l said: Go on"