The Wichita daily eagle., 1901-05-05

BonifaziO and the country of its con-
querOr was the GenOese governor, and
he was never put in possession of the
town until he had solemnly sworn. on
the Holy Sacrament. TO preserve inviol-
ate all the treaties and statutes. The
curious respect with which the GenOese
trated the Bonifazisns is a matter OF
history When one Of their vessels en-
tered the port OF Genoa its captain was
asked: Are you from the district OF
Bonifazio or from Bonifazio proper?"
Hence arose the popular saying, often
heard today in this part of the world:
He is Bonifazian proper" A great
many Genoese mobiles and other citizens
OF rank and wealth We're attracted TO
the cliff town which enjoyed privileges
so rare in those days and in time the
"Bonifazian proper could hardly be dis
tinguished from the Genoese in language.
manners and characteristics. few
years before Columbus set of on his
first hunt for a new world this town
withstood the most remarkable siege in
Italian history. The story OF il reads
more like the romance of the Arabian
Nights than actual reality. Alfonso of
Aragon invested the town by land and
sea. with a powerful force Night and
day for i've months a hail of stone balls
hammered the battlements and were
poured into the houses below. both from
the fleet and the position occupied by
the Spanish forces on a neighboring hill.
Incessant voileys OF arrows were also
discharged from the ships towers and
round-tops. and leaden arrows from the
hand bon bards OF The time OF cast
metal. hollow like a reed. and propelled
bv fre with such force as 10 pierce
through a knights armor. Meanwhile
the walls and towers were shattered by
heavier missiles. discharged from cata-
pults and battering-rams and other en-
gines Of medieval warfare. Several
times were breaches effected. and the
Spaniards rushed TO the assault. only 70
be driven hack over the bodies Of the
dead and dying. The womn Of Bonifazio
were not less active than the men in
defending their town. and even monks
and priests took their turn In guarding
The broken ramparts-
Finally Alfonso resolved 70 reduce the
place by famine. and established a close
iHockade. drawing chains across the
narrow harbor 10 prevent the arrival OF
supplies The corn magazines had long
since been burned and the Bonifazzians
were reduced 70 eating roots, lizards
snakes. anything however loathsome that
would sustain life Then ships were not
constantly plying the Nediterralean as
In these DAYS, and the Cenoese Republic
remained IN happy ignorance OF what
was befaninE her colony. The Spaniaris
refused 20 allow the Bonifazians 10 send
any messenger. but the latter built a
small boat IN haste and under cover of
night lowered II by ropes over the clin.
and then one by - let down a ofrw
who had volunteered 70 make the elort
To communicate with the Genoese SEN
ate Meanwhile the King OF Aragon was
plying the BonifsziaRs with seemingly
honorable terms u surrender. snd the
latter 81 their extremity agreed 70 aocept
them il help did not arrive within 90
DAYS.
Then followed period of terrible sus-
pense. All the churches were opened from
dawn TIL midnight the people praying
on their knees for deliverance from their
enemies. and going barefootsd. kobblss
aud All In procession along The Snow
strewn streets chanting solemn utanies.
OF course. they could not know the fate
of TIE little boat they had cast upon the
waters. & reached Genoa in safety. and
feet with re-inforcements for the
garrison and stores If food. vas iuneai-
ateiy ltsed cut. but Tor weeks = success
sion Of storms prevented its leaving port.
At last. when hope had slmost died out
q every heart IL Tie bal-2g1eze5 cgty.