Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1908-02-20
CHAPTER XII.
The Mountain Chalet.

Forced to more moderate pace, the
two journey up the winding road be-
tween some cornfields made red by
peoples. Soon after they pass into
the wooded hill lands, their path bor-
dered by myrtles and arbutus.
After little. the way grows wild.
er, the hills much sleeper, and climb
ing the lofty Cole di San Antonio they
can look down upon hill vistas, beauti
fully wooded, that descend to the dis
tant sea. In the sunlit CLEAN of the
far-off water. Barnes, using his field
glasses, sees the yacht lying alone at
anchor. Graham has sent back the
fishing smack" he says.
Then thank the Virgin" cries Ma
rina, another letter is going to my
husband telling him his disobedient
wife is trying to save bis sister,"
They descend sharply into the little
valley Of the Liamone, and enter the
village of Vico, whose inn is now well
coming the first summer visitors from
Ajaccio.
Here Marina says: "'Twould be
anxious spouse" So they dismount at
the little telegraph office peculiar to
Corsican villages. AS they slip in, a
countryman slouches out and mount
ing horse rides off up the main
street. Her message dispatched, Ma
rina coming from the Office, says:
How hurriedly that fellow went
away"
You think he was looking for us?9
asks Barnes, as he places her on her
pony.
Perhaps; Bernardo is astute. He
may guess that his message to you
brought you after him by water and
that you would find the yacht"
Then after HIM" says Burton, and
turning more to the east they follow
a rapid stream, passing the Sulphur
Baths of Guagno, where they can see
the diligence depositing patients at its
hospital for rheumatics.
They have not overtaken the man,
but no one has passed them on the
road, their pace has been so rapid. The
peasants they have seen, so many of
them carrying guns that Barnes thinks
he is in the Rocky Mountains, have
received the usual greetings In the
patois of the country from Marina, her
escort wisely keeping his sombrero
pulled down over his eyes and saying
nothing. But now farmer. pausing
says: Girl, you and your man had bet
ter not 90 beyond Guagno. Last night
the two accursed bandits, Rochini and
his mate, killed Nicolo, the sheep
grower, up at his house by the lake,
and carried off his daughter"
Thank you for your advice" an
swers Marina politely. She glances at
Barnes, but he scarcely heeds. He is
urging his pony toward the mountain
pass through which Enid must now
be journeying.
WHO is this Rochini?" asks Barnes,
to take Mrs. Anstruther's thoughts to
happier things.
HE and his fellows are the only
bandits Of which Corsica is not proud. "
answers the girl. savagely. "This
wretch with his underlings murders
men for money. Other bandits only
Kill for hate or to escape capture by
the gendarmes. Also this Rochini
drags shrieking women to his lair
while other bandits doff their hats to
ladies'"
Then as they ride along the Cor
sican girl gives Mr.. Barnes some curl
GUS information about bandits.
This murderous Rochini is not O.
our commune; he has been driver
from Rotondo by the farmers because
of his outiages and came over to- De
Oro." she remarks, excitedly. "Ou
own Bocognano bandits. the brav,
Bellacoscia," Marina's tone Is proud
whose family name is Boneli. onl,
fed to the mountains to esca 20 pun
suit from our cruel gendarmes, be
cause. forsooth. the elder Antonio kill
ed Marc Angel. who dared to MARI,
the girl upon whom he had set hi
heart. The younger. Giacomo. becaus
he would not endure the French cor
scription. so he slew the brigadier an
his men who came TO arrest him. Still
Antonio Bonelli, when the Teurons o,
orran France. offered to go over an
fight the German von Moltke with hi