The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-08-08
A DESPERATE
BANDIT
BY MARGARET BARRY

Lieutenant Giuseppe Gr1olano OF the
Italian national police being summon
ed to headquarters at Naples. his chief
said to him:
This brigand Lanetti who has been
terrorizing the mountains must be cap
| tured | have sent out a spy, who
says that in a ravine back of Sorrento
be came upon the band. He was
halted and told to turn about, He
could see no one, but remarked the
position and says that If they remain
there long enough for competent
force to attack them they must all be
captured. Take fifty men, go at once
and bring Lanetti here dead or alive
If you can bring the others do so. but
do not fail to capture their leader"
Have you a description of him?''
asked the lieutenant.
NO Nor have l found any one who
has seen him. He has but recently
begun his depredations and thus far
we have not been able to get any in
formation about him. Persons who
have been captured by his band and
held for ransom have not been brought
before him."
Lieutenant Griolano with his men
went by train as near to the point they
intended to attack as possible. then at
nightfall followed a road leading up
into the mountains.
AS soon as it grew lighter the police,
all armed with rifles. advanced. turn.
ing a bend in the ravtne, which led
them face to face with barricade of
stones the bandits had erected across
It Griolano halted his men and stood
looking up at the barrier. All was ST.
lent Not a living thing was to be
seen.
1.-The bird has flown," he remarked
in disappointed tone.
No sooner had the words been ut
tered than bullet sang close to his
ear.
The bravest man will duck at being
thus surprised, for the nerves do not
give the brain time to reason that the
danger has already passed. Griolano
involuntarily ducked. then ordered his
men to lie down under cover till he
could determine upon the best method
Of attack. He stood upright himself.
taking in the defense before him. He
was a handsome man, twenty-five
years old and brave. While he was
looking for an opening by which to
make a flank attack upon the position
another bullet sang few inches above
his head This time he was prepared
and did not finch.
On both sides Of the ravine where
the barrier had been erected there was
a wall Of rock. which the lieutenant
saw no way Of passing. Indeed. the
position the bandits had taken could
only be captured from the front. and
this could not be done without consid
cradle loss of life. The young officer
was at loss how to proceed While
deliberating another rifle cracked, and
another bullet whizzed past him. this
time knocking off the uniform Napo-
leonic hat worn by the national police
"For heavens sake, lieutenant"
cried a sergeant. Cease to expose
yourself in that way. The next shot
will surely bring you down"
'Those shots have come from diff
ferent parts of the barrier" replied
the lieutenant without needing the
warning. 'sThere must be half our
number behind 1t, and If we attempt
to carry 1t by storm we shall lose the
greater part of our men. l must find
a way to get at them FROM
Ping! Another bullet grazed the Off
GERS shoulder.
II beg of you. lieutenant" reiterated
the sergeant, ITO get behind a rock
Why the villains have missed you four
times l cannot understand"
"Nor l." replied Griolano. "Howev-
er, there is nothing for 1t but 10 carry
the place by assault"
Given the order to advance the men
moved up the ravine, each man getting
over the rocks in his own way. Every
moment all expected to receive a vol,
ley that would thin their ranks, but
they made half the distance and not a
shot had come from the barrier. Every
neck was stretched, every eye bent on
the improvised fort looking for burst
of flame and smoke and hailstorm of
bullets. Half the remaining distance
was NSNSASb cAio JOb hO o49h VI NC
tense.
'"rhey are waiting" said the ser,
geant, It'll we get right before them.
then each bandit will aim at one of us.
and they viii fire all at once"
But In few moments more they
we're at the base of the barTtcade.
then on and over II, all unhurt-
In the farthest corner crouched the
garrison, a girl some seventeen years
old No other living being was there.
Griolano stood in amazement.
where is LanettiY' he asked.
II am Lanett."
"You Lanett1T
Eyes, signor."
"Where are your men?"
"They are towards They have de-
serted me-"