The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1913-04-25
A DESPERATE
BANDIT
Q, MARGARET BARRY

ed to headquarters AZ naples. ols cnlet
said to him:
.sThis brisand Laneth who has been
te%rrorizing the mountains must be cap
tured. 1 have sent out a spy. who
says that In a ravine back Of Sorrento
he came upon the band. He was
halted and told to turn about. He
could see no N but remarked the
position and says that II they remain
there long enough for a competent
force to attack them they must all be
captured. Take ifty men. 60 at once
and bring Lanetti here dead OF alive.
II you can bring the others do SO. but
do not fail to capture their leader"
Have you a description OF him?"
asked the lieutenant.
mo. Nor have I found any M who
has seen him. He has but recently
begun his depredations and thus Tar
We have not been able to get any In
formation about him. Persons who
have been captured BY his band and
held for ranso have not been brought
before him"
Lieutenant Grtolano with his men
went by train 40 near to the point they
intended to attack az possible. then at
nightfali followed q road leading up
into the mountains.
Az soon as 1t grew lighter the police.
oil armed with rifles, advanced. turn
ing a bend In the ravine. which led
kho- enon <O Rono NTH - hu rr{oaAa ~
stones the bandits had erected across
It. Griolano halted his men and stood
looking up at the barrier. All was a.
lent. Not q living thing was to DO
seen.
THE bird has TOWN." he remarked
in a disappointed tone.
No sooner had the words been ut
tered than a bullet sang close to bis
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 owe till he
could determine upon the hest 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 a few inches above
bis head. This time he was prepared
and did not finch.
On both sides Of the ravfne 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 q loss how to proceed. While
celebrating another rife cracked. and
another bullet whizxed past him, this
time knocking of 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. There must be half our
number behind II. and II we attempt
to carry It by storm we shall lose the
greater part of n men. must 6nd
a way to get at them FROM
Ping! Another bullet grazed the on
cars shoulder. RI
II beg OF you. lieutenant reiterated
the sergeant, ITO :get behind q rock.
Why the villains have missed you four
times I cannot understand"
"Nor L." replied Grtolano. "Howev-
there is nothing for 1t but to carry
the place by assault"
Given the order to advance the men
moved up the ravtne. each man getting
over the rocks In his W 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 a burst
of flame and smoke and a haIstorm Of
bullets. Hair the remaining distance
was covered and yet no sign Of de.
Tense.
They are waiting" said the ser.
geant. It'll we get right before them.
then each bandit will aim at one Of %.
and they will Dire all at once"
But In . few moments more they
were 1t the base Of the barrtcads.
then on and over 1t. all unhurt.
In the farthest corner crouched the
garrison. q girt some seventeen years
old. No other living neing was theirs.
Grtolano stood In amusement.
Where b [anetti7" be asked.
n am Lanett."
"You Lanetti?'
Yes. stgn0r.
HI where are yoiir men1"
'-.They are towards. They have de-
me"
After q brief silence. during which
the oticer was lost in wonder. he said:
why did you miss ms 10 many
times. Are you % poor . markamanY'
No. signor. Lean nit aEstrd on tho
wing u
Well7'' fS$&
-iAO