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

first. and there was but one man I'm
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 1t
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 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 n child
came running up the hillside, CRYING
that the gendarmes were coming.
snatched up my rifle. Carlo picked up
Lis, but with a certain hesitation, as
though his oath weighed upon him.
II must needs live in the forest" he
said, and we hurried out OF the cottagc
and up the slope behind the village.
We had only climbed 200 yards wlIen
Carlos breath failed him.
II can go no farther" lie said. and
dropped to the ground. sprang on TO
hillock and looked downward. Half
q mile below I could see the shoulder
belts and rifles flashing among the
jumpers like SO many mirrors, and
then heard a shout. 1t seemed to
come from much nearer-from the very
borders Of the village. looked that
way and saw gendarme standing in
front of cottage. remembered his
shadow on the white plaster Of the
wall. He held his rifle to his cheek.
and the next moment l saw the smoke
and heard the singing Of a bullet u
yard above my head. / jumped off the
hiilock and lifted Carlo. Half dragging,
half pushing him, got him up to Il
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. 1 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 MontaltI.
He made mark to tempt q saint.
and my fingers itched for q shot at
him. Carlo loaded his rife. Twice he
raised it to his shoulder, twice he
lowered 1t. Then he sprang through
the thfcket 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, lie would be safe. advanced
Immediately to Montalti.
where's Giammarchi? ?? he cried.
"Not here. It was me you shot at.
Angelo"
"Not here" said he, with q sneer.
"Well. st. Mega is the saint for an ad-
vocate to worship" and he ran past
me. was just putting out my hand
to catch him when / noticed the tin
cartridge box which swung at his side.
J. drew my hand back. Angelo pushed
through the thicket. and I 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 here" Montaltf 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 Mt
me out OF his rife 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 1.
"Give me yours" said he. turning.
with an oath.
I stood little way of and laughed
at him.
"Angelo, l have none. Do 1 not
worship st. Nega?"
He swOre ut 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 bowlder and cover
cd him with his rife. Angelo began to
run in zigzags, but always upward,
ss-~A SiAAA Oe%A AZ OiU AOL ATc. NO UOuDC,
however, he found the temptation
overpowerlng him, for suddenly he
jerked the cartridge out Of the rifle
breech and again ran for the forest.
saw the copper case OF the cartridge
sparkle through the sunlight and lie
on the brown turf, bright as a gold
coin. Angelo saw it too. He darted
upon It and with 1t shot Giammarchi
through the back just as he reached
the underground.
For moment Montalti stood mo-
tiOnless. A thin ribbon Of smoke curled
up from his rifle barrel. Then he
opened the lock and flung the cartridge
toward me.
Carlos mistake" said he.
@Montalti's, too" said I, and I cov-
cred him. let him run till he reached
the covert, then shot him through
the back. knew the other gendarmcs
could not be far behind. ran up TO
the forest. Carlo was kneeling, stark
dead. with one hand clasped about a
tree bole, the other grasping his rife.
I took the exploded cartridge from the
~ II - III