The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1899-11-15
CHAPTER XI.-CoSrrSUEp.

resolved not to go back to my lodging
but TO quit Florence the moment ] had sc
cured my horse. Ii was necessary, however
to provide some change OF attire. ! did
not intend to substitute steel corselet for
| my buiT-coat, having a mind TO fight ny
way back TO fortune with no defense but
that over my heart, and contented myself
with purchasing a light steel helmet, a
pair Of stout riding-boots, cloak, and some
other articles which could go into small
yalise, capable of being fastened on 20 the
back of saddle. These left at the ven.
doris, promising to call for them in an hour
or so, and hurried toward the horse mar.
ket, my shadow still keeping behind me,
in his accustomed place. Opposite the
Baptistry | heard, to my surprise, some one
shouting my name, and looking in that di.
rection saw a man running across the
pavement towards me. i recognized at once
one of my lances, Jacopo Jacopi, Lucchese,
whom / had every reason 20 believe de
voted to me. He had served with me at
Eornovo and after; and although he sub
sequently left me for little time, on my
joining the Venetian fleet against the
Turks, he returned to my banner once more,
when it was spread ON firm ground, and
had always proved a devoted follower. lie
came now % me with joy on his face, shout
ing out. "Ab. excellencyl 1t is !. who am
q glad man to see you"
"Jacopi" 1 exclaimed, but my name
is no longer Savelli. 1t is Donati now-and
what do you here"
He looked a trife embarrassed. as he
replied: Il am seeking service-I left the
army when your excellency left"
Knowing the man to be a stout soldier,
decided on the instant what to do.
See here" / said. II have no time to
lose. VIII you follow me once more?
am bound to Rome on an urgent affair, and
leave to-day"
will a dog sniff at bone? Will a cat
pass by cream? Win an ass turn up his nose
at a carrot! / will follow to the devil, let
alone Rome, exeellency, and at once If you
will"
Have you a horsep
Nothing, signore, but an arquebus and
my sword, which | have at my lodging"
Then come with me, we must buy two
borses, and leave at once"
81 am ready, your worship" and taking
his place little behind me we hurried on.
eve will have a hard task to get TO
Rome, now that the whole country is up,
s,gnore," said Jacopo, as we walked along.
II have thought of that" answered; Il
propose to go by Leghorn, and taking ship
there, proceed to Rome by sea"
Saeopo gave such a groan at this that
turned round in surprise, and became at
once aware that my shadower had crossed
the road and come SO close up TO us that
he must have heard every word of our con
versation. This was most annoying, and
disaster Of which the future consequences
might be most serious. determined how
ever TO be rid of him for the rest OF my stay
in Florence at any rate, and addressed him
sharply:
"Signore, l seem to have excited much
curiosity IN YOU May ! ask what It is you
WANT"
lie stood for q moment, at a loss for re-
ply, and then said: ''Phe road is as free TO
ne AS 10 you"
II admit that" ! said; but | object to
your stopping to listen to my conversation,
and therefore will be obliged by your pass
ing on, unless you want more severe pun
nhmeEt than you received last night"
lie turned pale with anger, and slipped
hts hand into his vest; but as suddenly
pllled II out again, and without another
word hurried past us.
MARK that man, Jacopo," said; "wher-
ever he is, there is danger for u.s. and now
sll me some news Of the army"
"1he duke IL in full march on Perugia,
and means to drive Cesare thence. The
v hole country is awake, as you know. The
general, Ives d'Alegres, is come on a mis-
sion TO Florence"
lives d'Alegres here"
"Yes, excellency, and the lord of Bayard
has hurried to Rome"
"Then this means something that | can
mot follow"
Nor can explain, excellency."
"And tell me, has the duchesse de la
gone back TO FraneeF
"Yes, By sea from Leghorn, with great
train Of ladies, Just before war was declared
lsain. II is said she is gone TO the court
Of the king OF Macon, and the escort was
commanded by Count Carlo Niseonti."
"Do you know any who went with herY
NEARLY all the ladies who were at Arezzo,
Tor the duke, II is said, would have none Of
them, now that war was begun again"
had 10 come 10 the question direct;
Was Nine. d'kntrsngues in the train Of
he duobsssr