Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-01-19
FLoURGsHING INDUSTRY IN
ITALY.

4 - >
In the mountains Of southernmost
Italy kidnapping is still a fourishlng
industry. and BOZ King Murats time
was the almost invariably preliminary
% a forced loan" as the brlgands
called their extortions. The French gen
darmcs guarded every village, soaring
the bushwhackers back 10 the thiCkets
OF the Highlands. and the presence OF
the foreigners rather encouraged the
village magnates TO resist hlackmall,
hut the capture II yotn stgr morally
smoo he'd the way 10 negotiations.
There was no end 10 tn foxy tricks
Of the nappers they would send down
a woman or a boy Of their own as de.
coy. or watch the habits Of playing
children for days before arranging their
plan Of operations, Parents, finding a
child missing were never seriously
alarmed for its safety and only Won
dergi with what minimum OF eNtor-
ton they could contriye 70 get OF this
time. Go-betweens were always ready
TO offer their services. but In 1911 the
French rangers got wind Of a proposed
compromise Of that sort and prepared
20 tackle the kdnappers in their
stronghold. some fifteen miles east OF
Tore del Lobo. In the Apulian High
lands. Reinforcements Of troopers were
hurried % the spot and In their fright
the parents " the hostage adopted the
astonishing plan Of sending private
messengers 20 put the brlgands on their
guard Judging from former eXper-
fence they supposed the cavaliers Of
The wilderness would retreat
few dozen miles further noun
tainward. and be gentlemanly
enough TO return their host
age by roundabout trails as soon as
they had received the first installment
Of their loan"
DOUBLE RACE AGAINST TINE,
An accident however. led to unfor-
seen complications. Happening to over
hear the lmprecatOns Of his captOrs.
the young prisoner took fright. and by
dint OF extravagant promises bribed
a young camp follower 10 aid In plan
ming his escape. They were too closely
watched that first day. but IN the con-
fusion Of a nocturnal retreat were left
unguarded for a few seconds Their
chance had come, and without a mo-
meut's hesitation they plunged side
ways into the thICket relying on luck
TO make their way TO the foothills
where they could already see the adj
vanclng torches OF the military rescu-
ing party.
The leader Of the brlgands however
ala not lose his head and instantly
scattered scouts 10 intercept the flight
Of he dcsarters An exciting chase
followed q double race against time;
the fugitiyes rushing down hill, regard
less of obstacl s, and the bandits strain
ing every nerve % head them OF. or
scare them Sideways az least. for the
troopers, too, had guessed the turn of
events by that time and came charging
uphill at a double quick An encounter
would promptly have settled the fate
Of the outlaws who had % keep under
cover while their adyersarles avalled
themselves Of every clearing. and could
rally stragglers by bugle signals That
twOfOld advantage decided the fortune
OF the day. or, rather. OF the night, See
ing help fast advancing the young de-
serters had the good sense 10 stick 90
the first convenient hiding place and
keep dead still tin the rescuers had IN
terposed between them and their pur-
sucrs.
TIGHT BARGAINS OF BRIGANDs.
They were carried home In triumph.
amidst strains Of bugle music. mingled
With the occasional WhlZ OF a rifle ball.
but the sequ ! Il the episode mentioned
among the cur.osities of the causes
celebyosl Is at least equally strange. a
father NJ the rescued LAD went % COM
siderable trouble o. ascertain the where
Ihouts of the br.gluds. and of his own
accord paid them % liberal indemnity.
Too addition tl Oh stipulated loan. feel