Year: 1860

| from peace and merriment to deadly STRIFE. Ills
tale was soon told. He was in the yard, look
ing on at the game Of bOre'ld, when his new SIR
handkerchief was taken out of his pocket; he
recognized and challenged the thief, who in
stanty fed, was pursued and oyertaken in the
unfortunate manner already described


The invalid was left to his rest and with
drew to my room, but the events of the eve
ming had excited me too much to make me an
tcipate any immediate benefit from sleepi !
therefore, took up an old volume of popular
songs that found lying in the corner OF the
room, and continued reading till past midnight.
Wearied at last, threw myself on the bed and
fell into feyerish slumber during which as
sassins and brigands of all sorts fitted before
my fancy. As the more indistinct shadows
passed away, methought that huge fellow,
armed with n dagger, prepared to seizc anu
strike me. awoke with start, and, by the
dim light admitted through the shutters, saw
with dismay that tall, Jrydndi-like figure was
standing by the side of my bed. ! sprang up
in haste and terror, but was delighted to ma
that the fancod appariton was only my guide,
who had come to call me at the appointed
hour; informing me ut the same time however,
that Lazaro was too feyerish to proceed on the
journey.


A visit to the invalid soon showed the truth
of the statement which the surgeon also con-
frmed on his arrival MThere was no danger,
be said. shut n few days rest was absolutely
had
necessary for the patients recovery, hau,
of course, nothing left for it but to grantthem.
Not thinking il right however, to leave an
excellent servant in strange place SICK ana
alone, desired the guide, whom knew from
former acquaintance to be an honest and good
natured fellow, to remain along with nm anu
take charge Of the horse, declaringa at the same
time that should look out for another atten-
dant TO help me on to Policastro. had hardly
uttered the words when a man, who had arrl-
we'd the day before from La Salla with a load
of glazed wine-pots, offered his services our
bargain was soon struck, and our arrangements
quickly made. An ass, the largest thlnk
had ever seen and which the owner declared
In he of The true Maltese breed, was loaded
with my few necessaries, the man himself Ia
king post on the very top of the cargo. nav
ing again recommended my wounded servant
to the care 81 the host and the guide, threw
myself into the saddle and away we went our
speed was better and our journey merrer than
had anticipated; for the long-eared Maltese
was a frst-rate ambler, and he kept my horse
at a good trot; and my new guide related
many A strange tale of love and strife connected
with the districts through which we passed


Following path, we left Aspro to our right,
halted for half an hour at Trentenara, anu con-
triyed, Notwithstanding the scorching heat OF
the MONDAY sun, to reach Mogliano by one
o'clock.


The place was filed with country people, who
had assembled early in the morning to witness
the execution of two brigands, and were now
living about in the shade to avoid returning
home during the heat of the day The inn, the
worst ever saw in Italy, was crowded the
ward was occupied by the horse-police, the
bouse by district authorities of all kinds and
degrees Dinner and room were alike ont OF
the questions; little muddy wine with TWO
stone-hard loaves, were all the refreshments
we could obtain. We had no temptation there
fore TO delay our departure; and as soon as
onr cattle had consumed the little Indifferent
forage secured for them, we again set forward
on our journey.


But we were soon forced to make another
halt at Campora, for the heat had become M
tolerable, our cattle were greatly exhausted,
and had so severe headache, that every step
my horse took made my very brain shake again.
| would willingly indeed have remained mere
all night. but the hovel inn afforded no comfort
of any kind, and resolved to push on to now
by moonlight as had been told should there
find good accommodation. My guide had'
howeyer different project The vicinity OF
his own home tempted him to turn in that d.
rection. and he recommended me to cross the
mountains, and accompany him to La salia,
where, he assured me, we should tnd princely
quarters and whence we could, with the great
cst ease proceed in the morning, by Diano and
Cassello, to Policastro. Mine host took dii-
ferent view of the matter; he wished met re-
main where was, forsaw storm, and pro-
missed to provide bed of clean straw, when
he recommended me to accept, instead OF ex-
nosing myself to wet ride, which he declared
/ should be sure to encounter if proceeded


When contemplating the picturesque beauty
of the mountains to my left, con'Fs' nat
felt greatly disposed to follow the guide pro-
posal but independently altogether ofthe CIR
| ,,:..,,, .o,ta and additional distance we slOulC
have to traverse could not altogether dis
guise from myself the very indifferent reputa
tion which the southern Apennines enjoyed il
the estimation of travellers. To venture int
the wild and painless mountain districts By
night, and under the guidance of pertec
stranger, was an act of rashness which coult
hardly Justify to myself | therefore declined
the proposal decidedly; and as the sea-breez'
already began to rustic through the leaves
some tall expresses that surrounded smal
chapel at the extremity of the village, force'
my now sulky guide to proceed on the straigh


road to Now.


This straight road was far, however, from


being straight; and though we could see tn


whole country round by the rays of the eve
ming sun, it required knowledge of the local


ity to discover the right path among the man,


tracks that crossed the elevated plain.


We ascended the height slowly and SILENT,


and as we attained the summit beheld a pic
, ture of matchless beauty spread out before US
, To our right lay the rich and fertile valley
bounded at a distance by the ocean, now glow