The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-10
BRIGANDs IN SARDINIA.
The War of determination and Its
Successful Ending.

know, but who are ye?' would he the av-
erage Englishman's greeting to any Sar- |
dnian brgands who should Introduce |
themselves 10 his notice The Caiabrian |
brigands we all remember, for The war of |
the regulars against them ended barely |
generation ago while scllan br.gands |
have a world wide notoriety But brlsand- |
age in Sardinia is an institution hoary |
with the dust of centuries and cherished |
by the islanders as a memory not only OF
dangers threatened and i'll done bu, also |
of deeds of romantic daring and bravery.
II is only within The last few days (as |
already recorded b lefty in the Daily News)
that the final overthrow of this institution
has been accomplished and the circum-
stances surrounding the closing struggle
OF the brigaHds in defense Of thc-r frte-
dom are tull OF stirring and dramatic in
terest. The cheering result is hailed with
delight by the whole nation as marking an
epoch of incalculable moral impol tance IN
her history.
The sta.e of terrorism established by the
bTigands in the island was such that,
against their will, The farmers were COM
PEELED to feed and assist them; aud 0ny
last June hundreds of the inhabitants-s
among them a Mayor and others in au-
thority-were arrested on charge of har-
boring and helping these dangerous rebels.
Then the pursuit of the brigand5 began
IncTe was niue rear on Ineii ESCAPE AipHi
the first, for the coast was jealousy
watched especially between Maudalena
Island and Cagliari; troops were roured
into the island and stationed all over II,
particularly in the plains, and even If the
avenues of escape had not been closed
against the fugitives, it was known that
the desire of being revenged on the rich
farmer who denounced them, Salvatore
Nance would keep them within their native
shores. After some weeks of seatch, IL
was at last discovered that the outlaws
had evid ntly sought refuge in the wi DIS OF
Mount DOrgolai near OrgosolO, in the
Province Of MORO, one Of the widest and
most rugged of all Sardinias wild and rug
ged mountains, and one which offers. or
doubtless seemed to offer, a sure and safe
asylum. Wild bears, wi d sheep and royal
eagles of stupendous size are it's only ire
quenters; dense forest gTowths in many
parts obscure the sky from thosei beloWa
| while in Others dread rocky preclpiceS,
which bid defiance to The skilfuilest Alpine
climbers render approach we thigh impos-
sible.
Manning the Approaches.
Carabinicre eau was deputed by his chief
to reconnoitre this place, and, disguised
as a peasant, re managed TO make sketches
of the mountain and lis neighborhood. By
the aid Of these Capt. Petela was able
so to dispose his men that they command
ed all ways OF escape from the mountain.
Then, with a handful Of men. he sci Out
one night TO the assault, laDoriously climb /
ing the almost impracucable steeps ana
craving painfully on hands and knees
through the brushWood. When they were
nearing the summit without having seen |
any traces of the brigauds, Capt. Petela
sent eau out once more 10 spy the land, |
and just at daybreak eau discovered
small hut, built of rough logs and roofeG
with brauches standing in the Shelter OF
the rocks. On receiving Cau's report, /
Capt. Petela led his men on once more |
and just as they came in sight of the hut
Luvicu, one of the brigands, spied them
and fired incOntinently twice at them, but |
without effect The fire was returned, and
he was severely wounded Flnging his |
rife away, and bowling with rage and
pain, he craWled onto a rock, and then
suddenly leaped into the steep ravine
Hearing his cries and the crack of the
rifles, the other brigands, whose names
have been household words in Sardinia
for many years, came forth, and the min
iature battle began The brigands fought !
after the manner Of the Beers, hiding be-
hind rocks and trees, and shifting from
shelter to shelter as they fired The first
of them to fan was the giant, Thomas Vir-
dis, whose breast was shattered. anG |
whose jaw was smashed by the deadly !
fire Of the carabinecrs. One of the pur-
sued alone showed the white feat her Jacu
Sierra, after being severely wounded. was
Pardon pardOn" But at last his cries
ceased, and he fell a bleeding corpse. TO
the ground. After short rest, the enemy
having disappeared. Petella and his men
went forward once more this time to
meet with disaster for one of their mon |
was wounded, and another fell prone to
the ground with a bullet through his
heart, just as his brave captain cried 10 |
him. Courage AIOretu il will be moth |
ing!' Then the brigands dispersed again |
and after a while the soldiers found and !
seized an impudent little boy, Just as he !
emerged from the bushes. To their in |
quiries he refused a reply and when they |
pointed a revolver TO his breast threat |
ching to shoot him if he did not answer. !
he burst out laughing. At last. after
many threats, he sadmitted that he was |
sent by two of the brieands TO discover
the disposition Of the troops in the forest. |
The Capture of the Chiefs.
Desultory fighting then ensucd til 4 IN |
the afternoon, during which time only one |
more Of Peteila's men fell, while eleven of |
the brgandes were Killed. But. the two |
chiefs were uncaptured and alive They |
were making their wayne one knows |
how-through guards and sentries. and /
had almost passed the uttermost line of |
the regulars, when private soldier of the |
attacking force, being fatigued and |
thirsty, and seeing a small stream close |
at hand, ran 10 il and stopped to drink |
From their hiding place the brigands saw |
him. and thinking he was spying them |
fired and killed him on the spot But tho |
shot that they intended for their safety |
proved their ruin. Immediately the al |
tention of Petella's men was drawn to The |
two, aud the pursuit was renewed in earn |
est. The two fled into the forest. and /
might have reached place Of refuge had |
they not had to cross an open space. Here |
they were exposed 20 the fire of the cara |
blneers, and neither escaped it, After
running a little way, Elias. one Of the two /
was seen 10 leap into the air and to null |
at his jacket IN vain effort 10 get Il off /
Then he turned to his pursuers and shout /
ed az them Dogs! lecca -piatti (plafe /
lickers)!' Then, facing them I'm his death /
agony lie fell TO the ground CRYING i
Enough, enough Mother, mother,' ana /
50 died. The other Pau was severely 4
wounded. too. and fell on his knees But /
he disdalnnd To slLrrnnlnr- AMI hnIdinu- ~. L