Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-03-29
CHAPTER XIX.
OIIfiI I TTG NIZA.
EXIT THE ANCIENT BRICo.

I had gained my point without waste Of
words or time, but it was to be my way or
not at all. My lady was in dire peril.
Against this could for moment weigh
any thought of myself? What cared I
whether France, Spain, or the Borgia ruled
in Italy? What mattered it to me whether
one crafty statesman held the reins of pow
er, or another outdid him in craft and
filched away his bone! My lady was in dan
ger, and my honor might rot, and the Most
Christian, the Most Catholic, and Most Holy
wolves might tear each others threats out
before would move finger, take one step,
until she was free. If had to pull down
Baglioni's hold with my own hands, would
free her. If hair of her head was injured
should take such vengeance as man never
heard Of, and then--my foot caught in the
carpeting of the passage, tripped up and
fell heavily, the shock sending stars before
my eyes.
''Too much haste, cavalicre," and hand
helped me to rise. As gained my feet
saw Machiavelli beside me.
II followed you at once" he said, 'but
you went SO fast had missed you but for
that lucky trip. A word more-if you free
her, take her to the convent of st. jerome,
two miles northwest of Magione-the abbess
will do the rest. will see to that"
Every well. God grant succeed"
"Amen to that" and Machiavelli took my
hand. "Adieu, cavaliere, once again, must
60 back to his eminence, we have point or
two to discuss yet, but no more Falernian.
Corpo di Bacco! l grow cold when think
of our escape"
"Goodby, your excellency," and we
parted.
Invent on with little more care, and, be-
ing trifle cooled by my fall, was able to
think better. BY the time reached my
apartments had decided on my route.
should leave by the Porta del Popolo, keep
ON the right bank of the river as far as
Borghetto, there cross the Tiber, and on to
Perugia in straight line by Narni and
Tod. It was close on three and thirty
leagues; but did not mean to spare horse
flesh. AS I reached the entrance which led
to my rooms, found Jacopo and my men
ready, and Castor whinnied glad welcome,
paving at the air with his forefoot in his i'm
patience. St. Armande and the able, al
ready mounted and attended by couple OF
men, were little to the right.
II will not keep you moment, chevalier,' y
I called out as / passed him, and, running
up the stairs to my room, began to dress rap
idly. Jacopo attended me, and, as he hand
ed me my sword, pointed to the open win
dow.
"a fair night for long ride, excellency!"
eyes, the moon stands well-ny cloak
quick" and we descended the stairs.
"All ready, Jacopo"
"Your excellency."
"steady, Castor" and I swung into the
saddle.
rL.,. 400, ~. .;..1. &c LA A.:. A..
clank of steel scabbards, the ring of iron
shod hoofs on the pavement, and with St
Armande by my side and my troop behind
me, left the Palazzo Corneto.
To avoid risk of stoppage did not &C
down by the Alessandria to the Ponte di Sar
Angelo, but determined to cross at the Ri
Angelo, we went northwards by the v. d
Ire Papazzi, up the Via Cancellieri, and
then, turning to the right, rode up the Via
Crescenzio. To our right, as we rode, the
moon hung over San Angelo and the darl
outlines of the gloomy stronghold doomed
like vast shadow of evil above US. In from
Of us lay the Tiber, and the long line of fire.
of the charcoal-burners. The latter over
hung by blue cloud of smoke, into which
the forked flames leaped and danced. A
the bridge we were stopped by the guard
but the safe-conduct set us free, and VI
crossed at slow pace. Above the hollow
beat of the horses hoofs heard the water
churning around the piers, and, looking
over the side, saw the gray river as i
hummed past below me, fecked with whit
foam-tipped waves, chasing each other il
lines of light across its surface, or, as the,
broke, catching the moon rays, and dyinI
in hundred colors with an angry hiss.
Passing through the ruined Porta de
Popolo, where the breaches made b.
Charles cannon were still unimpaired, W
took the Flaminian Way, and galloped dow
the road almost in darkness, owing to tn
shadows thrown by the high walls on eacl
side of us. We recrossed the Tiber at tn
Ponte Molle, and, still keeping the Via Fla
minia, turned our horses heads in the direc
ton of Castel Nuovo.
Not the best horse in the world could kee]
up the pace we were going for long, and
NJ. I'D uns1eA seltiak n AnnH ~ q