against the
muzzle of my air-gun, pull the trigger, and see him fall in his tracks.
It was the work of a second, but it checked my pursuers. They had heard
no noise, but they found something that they did not bargain for, and
lingered a moment; then, they took up the chase with redoubled fury. But
I had too good a start; and where the path joined the main road, instead
of turning down toward the town as they expected I would, I dodged round
in the opposite direction, the uncertain light this time favouring me,
and I heard their footsteps and their curses dying away on the wrong
track. Nevertheless I ran on at full speed, and it was not till the day
was dawning that I began to feel safe and relax my efforts. The sun had
been up an hour when I reached a small town, and the little _locanda_
was just opening for the day when I entered it, thankful for a hot cup
of coffee and a dirty little room, with a dirtier bed, where I could
sleep off the fatigue and excitement of the night. I was strolling
down almost the only street in the afternoon when I met a couple of
carabineers riding into it, and shortly after encountered the whole
troop, to my great delight in command of an intimate friend whom I had
left a month before in Naples.

"Ah, _caro mio_," he exclaimed, when he saw me, "well met! What on earth
are you doing here? Looking for those brigands you were so anxious to
find when you left Naples? Considering that you are in the heart of
their country, you should not have much difficulty in gratifying your
curiosity."

"I have had an adventure or two," I replied, carelessly. "Indeed, that
is partly the reason you find me here. I was just thinking how I could
get safely back to Ascoli, when your welcome escort appeared; for I
suppose you are going there and will let me take advantage of it."

"Only too delighted; and you can tell me your adventures. Let us dine
together to-night, and I will find you a horse to ride on with us in the
morning."

I am afraid my account of the episode with which I have acquainted the
reader was not strictly accurate in all its details, as I did not wish
to bring down my military friends on poor Valeria; so I skipped all
allusion to her and my detention in her home, merely saying that I had
had a scuffle with brigands and had been fortunate enough to escape
under cover of the night. As we passed it next morning I recognised the
path which led up to Valeria's cottage, and shortly after observed