The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-10-06
CHAPTER XVI


the Force. But the ascent is so steep
they are soon compelled to walk their
horses. A precipice is on one side of
them and the great TANKS of Del Orc
are on the other. Both Edwin and Bur-
ton have been silent, thinking of their
wives. The latter now remarks, point
ing to a deep gorge running up the
mountain side: THAT, l believe, leads
TO La Pintica. the home of the Bella
coscia, which the gendarmes never dare
TO visit.
Il wonder If the great bandit will
take La Blackwood there?" observes
Edwin, with q grimace that at a hap
pier moment would be smile.
But they having reached the summit
of the Col. now speed their horses
sharply down the declivities into the
great forest of Vizzavona, the road
leading them through pines, beeches
and the inevitable chestnut trees.
They have passed no one in the dark
ness. In fact, they have not yet gone
far enough to have any hope of over
taking Marina unless accident has be-
fallen her vehicle Besides, her horses
were fresh; theirs. according TO the
hostler, had been ridden during the pre-
ceding day.
Soon after. they dash through the
village of Vivario, announced by the
barking Of some ours and the grunt-
ing of some pigs. Every house in the
village is closed and no one would open
for us in the dead of night In this land
of the vendetta" remarks Barnes.
They go to climbing again, and soon
after descend through the gorge of the
rapid Vecchio, the river foaming far
beneath the road, while rocky hills and
sharp mountains rise on either side
With the first light of the morning they
ride through the hamlet of Serraggio.
Until this time Del Orc has always
been with them. A glance over the
shoulder and they see it's white peak
Now 1t passes out of view. They have
knocked at no doors; they have made
no inquiries; they have only hurried
on. But some hour after the red-tiied
houses of Corte loom up before them
and few minutes later they jog their
tired Steeeds up one of the principal
streets of the central inland town of
Corsica. the great Monte Rotondo now
looking down upon them.
Above them are tall elm trees that
catch the rays of the rising sun.
Thanked on each side by white stone
red-roofed houses, they pass between
the hotels Pierracci and Paoli. almost
deserted now. this being the beginning
of the hot summer season. Along the
street are many placards indicating the
approaching election. Every time he
sees the name of Saliceti, Barnes, COM
pressing his lips. thinks of his lost
darling.
At the Pierracci they learn from one
of the walters that a lady had paused
10 obtain a relay of horses, and he had
brought out to her at her request a cup
of coffee.
WAS she driven by an old MANI"
questions Edwin, hurriedly.
Yes, with a beard like a bandit"
answers the man with a grin. THE
carriage was full of cyclamen flowers.
You could smell them all over the
street,
Its your wife," whispers Barnes,
giving the man a twenty-franc piece
that makes him look almost as happy
as this news does Anstruther.
"Only an hour ago! We will over
take Marina long before she reaches
Bastia," cries Edwin.
Both men drink cup of coffee and
eat a little with almost gusto. for anx-
iety has partially left the face of Ed
win, and Barnes hopes he may, by Ma
rina, obtain a clue to the whereabouts
of his bride. Let Marina go on ahead
of us after we catch sight of her." he
says to Edwin, land see what will hap
pen to her. 1t may give us some hint
as to the location OF Cipriano."
Let's sight my wife first" answers
the English sailor eagerly, and the two
gallop on. fresh horses under them,
now quite certain of overtaking Mrs.
Anstruther.
They ride hurriedly, the road skirting
the torrent of the foaming Vecchio I'M
ill considerably over an hour after
leaving Corte they reach Ponte-alla-
Lecchio where the big bridge crosses
-, C.E1 rrsr l1n hnr
men note more signs of the coming
c. sting of votes.
Some of the "Locchese" workmen
from Italy are throwing stones at an
election placard that displeases them.
THE pests from Lucca," mutters a
Corsican shopkeeper as they buy
glass'of wine from him. ARE always
riotous, and at election times batter
every ones heads with stones-their
own included. They've been here since
sunrise fighting and brawling. l heard
their shouts when I was I'm bed. But
everyone pardons the Lucchese;' they
do all our hard work" adds the man
with a grin. pocketing the coin Ed
ward hands him.
But the wineshop keeper can tell
them nothing of a woman travelling.
and to their establishment, though they
make many inquiries, they hear of no
lady in carriage passing through the
village this morning.
It's quite possible" says Edwin to
Barnes, "she didn't stop here. Her
horses were fresh. She's gone on. No
one has noticed her"
That's very true" answers Barnes.
though his face grows more concerned
and gloomy.
Therefore they ride rapidly along
over the now well-kept road, which
generally skirts the Colo. An hour or
so later it abruptly reaches that region
where the river spreads out in marsh
and mere that gives Corsica the name
of being unhealthy. Turning north,
they spur on over the causeway that
crosses the great lagoons and soon
after passing through some small vii
lagos. they come out upon the sea and
ride almost straight along its shores,
10 enter that miniature Genoa, called
Bastia, some two hours before mid
day.
Barnes pilots his companion to the
Hotel de France. You should like
this inn," he observes; cts on the
Boulevard Paoh."
Catching sight of a gentleman in
tall hat and swallowtail coat, Barnes