stories by english authors in italy(旅意英国作家的故事)-第20节
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when she told me she was his wife； but then he is a brigand； who
threatened both my ears and my tongue； to say nothing of my life。 To what
extent is the domestic happiness of such a ruffian to be respected？〃 And I
went on splitting the moral straws suggested by this train of thought until I
had recovered my sketch…book and overtaken my escort； with whom I rode
triumphantly back into Ascoli； where my absence had been the cause of
much anxiety and my fate was even then being eagerly discussed。 My
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friends with whom I usually sat round the chemist's door were much
exercised by the reserve which I manifested in reply to the fire of cross…
examination to which I was subjected for the next few days； and English
eccentricity； which was proverbial even in this secluded town； received a
fresh illustration in the light and airy manner with which I treated a
capture and escape from brigands； which I regarded with such indifference
that I could not be induced even to condescend to details。 〃It was a mere
scuffle； there were only four； and； being an Englishman； I polished them
all off with the 'box；' 〃 and I closed my fist and struck a scientific attitude
of self…defence； branching off into a learned disquisition on the pugilistic
art； which filled my hearers with respect and amazement。 From this time
forward the sentiment with which I regarded my air…gun underwent a
change。 When a friend had made me a present of it a year before I
regarded it in the light of a toy and rather resented the gift as too juvenile。
〃I wonder he did not give me a kite or a hoop；〃 I mentally reflected。 Then
I had found it useful among Italians； who are a trifling people and like
playthings； but now that it had saved my life and sent a bullet through a
man's heart； I no longer entertained the same feeling of contempt for it。
Not again would I make light of itthis potent engine of destruction which
had procured me the character of being a magician。 I would hide it from
human gaze and cherish it as a sort of fetich。 So I bought a walking… stick
and an umbrella； and strapped it up with them； wrapped in my plaid； and
when； shortly after； an unexpected remittance from an aunt supplied me
with money enough to buy a horse from one of the officers of my friend's
regiment； which soon after arrived； and I accepted their invitation to
accompany them on their brigand…hunting expeditions； not one of them
knew that I had such a weapon as an air… gun in my possession。
Our /modus operandi/ on these occasions was as follows： On receiving
information from some proprietor that the brigands were threatening his
property；it was impossible to get intelligence from the peasantry； for they
were all in league with the brigands； indeed； they all took a holiday from
regular work and joined a band for a few weeks from time to time；we
proceeded； with a force sufficiently strong to cope with the supposed
strength of the band； to the farm in question。 The bands were all mounted；
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and averaged from 200 to 400 men each。 It was calculated that upward of
2000 men were thus engaged in harrying the country； and this enabled the
Neri to talk of the king's forces engaged in legitimate warfare against
those of Victor Emmanuel。 Riding over the vast plains of Capitanata； we
would discern against the sky outline the figure of a solitary horseman。
This we knew to be a picket。 Then there was no time to be lost； and away
we would go for him helter…skelter across the plain； he would instantly
gallop in on the main body； probably occupying a /masseria/。 If they
thought they were strong enough they would show fight。 If not they would
take to their heels in the direction of the mountains； with us in full cry
after them。 If they were hardly pressed they would scatter； and we were
obliged to do the same； and the result would be that the swiftest horsemen
might possibly effect a few captures。 It was an exciting species of warfare；
partaking a good deal more of the character of a hunting…field than of
cavalry skirmishing。 Sometimes； where the ground was hilly； we had
bersaglieri with us； and as the brigands took to the mountains the warfare
assumed a different character。 Sometimes； in default of these active little
troops； we took local volunteers； whom we found a very poor substitute。
On more than one occasion when we came upon the brigands in a farm
they thought themselves sufficiently strong to hold it against us； and once
the cowardice of the volunteers was amusingly illustrated。 The band was
estimated at about 200； and we had 100 volunteers and a detachment of 50
cavalry。 On coming under the fire of the brigands the cavalry captain； who
was in command； ordered the volunteers to charge； intending when they
had dislodged the enemy to ride him down on the open； but the volunteer
officer did not repeat the word and stood stock…still； his men all imitating
his example。
〃Charge！ I say；〃 shouted the cavalry captain； 〃why don't you charge？ I
believe you're afraid！〃
〃/E vero/；〃 said the captain of volunteers； shrugging his shoulders。
〃Here； take my horseyou're only fit to be a groom； and you； men；
dismount and let these cowards hold your horses； while you follow me。〃
And； jumping from his horse； the gallant fellow； followed by his men；
charged the building； from which a hot fire was playing upon them； sword
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in hand。 In less than a quarter of an hour the brigands were scampering；
some on foot and some on horseback； out of the farm buildings； followed
by a few stray and harmless shots from such of the volunteers as had their
hands free。 We lost three men killed and five wounded in this little
skirmish； and killed six of the brigands； besides making a dozen prisoners。
When I say 〃we〃 I mean my companions； for； having no weapon； I had
discreetly remained with the volunteers。 The scene of this gallant exploit
was on the classic battle…field of Cannae。 This captain； who was not the
friend I had joined the day after my brigand adventure； was a most plucky
and dashing cavalry officer； and was well seconded by his men； who were
all Piedmontese and of a very different temperament from the Neapolitans。
On one occasion a band of 250 brigands waited for us on the top of a small
hill； never dreaming that we should charge up it with the odds five to one
against us； but we did； and after firing a volley at us； which emptied a
couple of saddles； they broke and fled when we were about twenty yards
from them。 Then began one of the most exciting scurries across country it
was ever my fortune to be engaged in。 The brigands scatteredso did we；
and I found myself with two troopers in chase of a pair of bandits； one of
whom seemed to be the chief of the band。 A small stream wound through
the plain； which we dashed across。 Just beyond was a tributary ditch；
which would have been considered a fair jump in the hunting…field： both
brigands took it in splendid style。 The hindmost was not ten yards ahead of
the leading trooper； who came a cropper； on which the brigand reined up；
fired a pistol…shot into the prostrate horse and man； and was off； but the
delay cost him dear。 The other trooper； who was a little ahead of me； got
safely over。 I followed suit。 In another moment he had fired his carabine
into the brigand's horse； and down they both came by the run。 We instantly
reined up； for I saw there was no chance of overtaking the remaining
brigand； and the trooper was in the act of cutting down the man as he
struggled to his feet； when to my horror I recognised the lovely features
ofValeria。
〃Stay； man！〃 I shouted； throwing myself from my horse。 〃It's a woman！
touch her if you dare！〃 And then； seeing the man's eye gleam with
indignation； I added； 〃Brave soldiers； such as you have proved yourself to
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