Year: 1861

Ahio was ah INTERESTING posltionj sur
enough. l was weak-weak at best--bu
doubly weak now with my illness-and tn
only weapon I had was single pistol
Either of the brigands could have thrown
me over his head with ease, and as 70
fighting with them that was out Of tn
question. What could l do? Both tn
drivers were in league with them. If
leaped from the diligence, should die OIL
the spot where landed. If l shot one o
the bandits, the other would annihilatc me
in moment. 1 had the gold in small
travelling bag under my feet, and as the
heavy carriage jolted over the stones, the
yellow pieces jinglcd sharply, and could
see tho eyes of the villains sparkle like
stars.


cat length the high craggy peak was in
sight, and could see where the road
wound abruptly round it. Thus far had
been torturing my brains to invent some
way of escape, but without effect. 1 was
as thoroughly hodged in as though bound
by iron chains. And in q few minutes
all would be over! Still felt for my pis-
tol, and had it ready.


presently the diligence stopped at the
foot of an abrupt rise, and the fellow who
drove the oxen came and told the bandits
they must get out and walk up. They
stepped out at once, and in a moment |
heard slight scuffle. 1 looked out lust in
time to see both the drivers lashed together
by the arms, back to back. They must
have been placed ready for the operation
for the thing had been done with incredi-
BILE quickness. drew my pistol and
awaited the result. My heart was in my
mouth, but the intense excitement render
ed me strong for the while.


'ln few seconds one of the villains
came and poked the muzzle of huge pis
tol into my face.


"Gold! GoLdi he said. Give ME gold
or die.


''It was but the work of q second tc
knock his weapon dswn with my left hand
while with my right l brought up my owr
pistol and fired. The ball entered be
tween his eyes, and he reelod back ant
fell. Then | lcapcd after him; for l say
his companion coming up upon the othcl
side. hoped to gain the dead mans pis
tol, but ere could do so, the heavy hant
OF the living bandit was upon my shoulder
and his pistol aimed at my head. Will
an energy which the presence of death car
alone beget, | knocked his weapon down
and grappled with him. He hurled me
to the ground as though l had been child
but before he could followup his advantage
the postillion cried out


"Hold, Marco! A vettura is coming


"The robber turned, and in a momen
more heavy vettura, with four horses at
tached, came round the corner full upon US
/ started to my feet, and saw my brother
looking from the window.


"Ielp. Robbers Ishouted with all ny
might.


The bandit had taken aim at the vet
turino of the new team, but he was toe
late. My brother had comprehendcd the
whole truth in moment, and with sure
aim and quick one too, he shot the vii
through the heart.


"We secured my two drivers, and then
matters were quickly explained. 1 told
my brother all that had happened, and he
then told me he had heard of my illness
and was coming back to see me, One o.
my sisters had been i'll at Bologna, so thai
they had not yet gone to Venice, but were
waiting until l should be able to join them
You can imagine how deep our gratitude
was and how fervently We blessed God fol
this fortunate interposition. My joy seem
ed to lift me up from the pain had suff
cred, and l felt better than l had before
felt for weeks.


"And now what should we do next
Should we let the two rascally drivers sc
and turn about for Bologna?


"No, said my brother. Our sisters won
expect us for three days; 50 we'll carry
these villains back and give them up ant
tomorrow we'll go over in my vettura.


"We tumbled the two dead bodies int
the diligence, and then bound the two dri
vers hand and foot, and tumbled them in
after. The oxen were cast adrift, and my
brothers vetturino mounted and started
the heavy team back, while we assumed
the control of the vettura ourselves.


"The drive down the mountain wal
quickly performed, and the city of Pistol.
was reached without mishap. The tw,
dead men were recognized as old offen-
..ao o,,l 49,, ..o.,..