number of unfortunate beings, on the countenance ofevery one of whom might be traced the marks of fierce ungovernablepassions, sullen and vindictive humours, a low cunning which hadoverreached itself, and was longing again for freedom to indemnifyitself for its fault. Some were endeavouring to warm themselves in thenarrow strip of sunshine which found its way into the courtyard; otherswere staking all they possessed, a few coppers, perhaps, at games ofdice, their eagerness as great as that of the man who is hazarding histhousands; some were carrying on a silent game at cards, the loser, bythe motion of his hand towards the place where his dagger used to be,proving the use he would have made of it had he been armed. There werealso various other games going forward; but by far the greater number ofthe inmates of the prison were sitting down, staring with apatheticlooks on the ground, and thinking of past, or planning fresh, deeds ofwickedness; and though there was every variety of cast of features, and,apparently, many different nations--blacks, mulattos, and Europeans, thesame expression and squalor universally prevailed.
On one side of the yard, next the street, was a large hall, with vaultedroof, and strongly-barred windows, at which were posted as many as couldclamber up, of men, women, and even children, imploring compassion ofthe passers by, and fishing up whatever, in their charity, theybestowed, in small baskets, or old hats, at the end of a string fastenedto a stick. Here no distinction of age or sex was preserved; menhardened in crime, and young children cast in with their wretchedmothers; beardless youths, and girls scarce verging on womanhood;murderers who boasted of their deeds of blood, and miserable beings whompoverty and hunger had tempted to steal a loaf, were thrown together,and scarcely supplied with food sufficient to sustain life: execrations,laughter, screams, and wild songs of desperation, mingling in horriddiscord throughout this den of abomination.
In one corner of the yard were seated two men, whose dress had once beensuperior to that of their surrounding companions, but was now torn,disordered, and dirty in the extreme; their looks betokening them, at aglance, to be villains hardened in crime, exhibiting every mark of thecommon ruffian.
"I am growing weary of this cursed confinement, and am determined tosubmit to it no longer," said one.
"Very likely, so am I," returned his companion; "for though we haveplenty of good company, and meet many old friends, I like to be masterof my own conduct. But how do you purpose escaping, Miguel? Count onme as a staunch supporter; for I shall be happy to get out also, if Iknew but the way."
"I have means which will not fail, though I have waited lingering inprison till now, in hopes that others would exert themselves in myfavour to procure my liberation; but I see there's no use trustingfurther to them," returned the other. "I shall send to the count, andlet him know, if he does not get me set free before many days are over,I shall give a history of some of our transactions, which will go a goodway to blast his character, proud as he is, and secure as he deemshimself."
"It's very well talking about it, but do not suppose that any of thehaughty nobles would care what such poor wretches as we said against oneof their number, even though they might guess we told the truth,"responded the other.
"I would soon take means to make him care; and if not, I would give hima lesson with that dagger he has so often paid me to use againstothers," exclaimed Miguel, grinding his teeth with rage at the thoughtof having been treacherously treated. "If we can once get out, we willjoin some of our old friends, and we shall soon be able to lift up ourheads in the world again."
"Since this Minister, Carvalho, has taken it into his head to interferein the affairs of the city, it is easier to get into a prison than toget out of it again," observed the other.
"Fear not, we will manage to escape in spite of him," said Miguel.
Scarcely had he uttered those words, when the dogs beneath the prisonwalls set up a piteous howl, which was followed by a low, rumblingnoise--the walls of the prison shook. All started on their feet,consternation and dismay depicted on every countenance;--a thunderingcrash was heard, as the side of the vaulted chamber was seen to falloutward, carrying with it the unfortunate wretches who were assembled inthe windows.
Regardless of their cries, the remainder of the prisoners made a rushover the fallen ruins; "Hurra for the earthquake! liberty, liberty!"they shouted, some, with wanton barbarity, seizing the muskets of theguards stationed in front of the prison, and dashing out their brains,before they had time to defend themselves.
With wild cries and imprecations, the savage band hurried on, regardlessof the dreadful convulsions of nature, attacking, in their blind fury,the affrighted inhabitants, who were flying from their falling houses.They halted not in their mad career till they reached an open space,from whence they could look back on their late abode; and as the secondshock came on, when they beheld the prison hurled prostrate to theground, they uttered wild yells of delight, pointing with gestures ofderision towards the spot; in the intoxication of liberty, dancing andsinging like a troop of demons.
What was it to them, that every instant thousands were suffering themost agonising deaths?--what cared they that a flourishing city wasbeing destroyed?--they had gained their liberty! "Viva, viva to theearthquake! the loss of others is our gain. Viva to havoc andconfusion! all is now our prey.--The rich man's wealth is leftunprotected,--Death has parted the miser from his gold,--all is nowours!" and on they rushed. Some of their number were killed by thefalling ruins, but what cared they for their loss? it was soon suppliedby crowds of accursed wretches like themselves, hardened by years ofcrime, and excited by thoughts of indiscriminate plunder. They met aman flying with bags of gold. "What ho! Dare you to take our property,fool?" and he was hurled lifeless to the ground. The third shock came--but while others were falling on their knees, with prayers for mercy,they shouted and blasphemed; the wilder the havoc, the greater would betheir booty;--what cared they for aught else? Away they rushed throughthe streets--none dared oppose them. They seized upon arms, which somesoldiers had thrown aside. "Hurra, hurra! the city is ours! who is lordnow?" they cried.
Hapless were those whom they encountered flying with their wealth; butsuch paltry booty would not satisfy them. "The shrines of the churchesare unguarded; for the earthquake has spared some for us." The candlesburnt on the altars, rich gems decorated the figure of the Virgin,--theytore away the glittering jewels,--they seized upon the golden cups andsalvers of the Holy Sacrament. An aged priest had knelt in prayer,during the awful visitation, happy to die in the sanctuary of his God.With horror he beheld the sacrilegious deed, and cursed the impiouswretches in the name of Him he served. "What, old dotard, darest thouinterfere with our pursuits? Knowest thou not that all now is ours?"And, on the steps of the altar, where he stood, they dashed out the oldman's brains, and laughed, that no one could bear witness of the deed.They entered the palace of a wealthy noble; for the doors were open--noone was there to guard his property. They wandered through thesumptuous chambers; they found jewels in the chamber of his countess; inanother room, a box of gold lay open. The foremost seized on the spoil;the others fought to obtain it--knives were drawn, and blood was spilt;but the wounded scarce stopped to staunch their wounds, so eager werethey to grasp the rich plate, which lay scattered about. Nothing couldsatisfy them: their avarice was excited, and they thought of nought elsebut gaining wealth.
"To the Mint, to the Mint!" they cried,--"that will be unguarded." Awaythey hurried, each eager to outstrip the other; but when they arrivedthere, they found the building entire, and the doors closed; though thesoldiers who had been stationed there had fled from their posts. Theyattempted to force the gates; but though his men had quitted him, theirofficer, a gallant youth, the son of a distinguished noble, haddisdained to fly. Fearless of the savage band, he appeared at a window,and ordered them to depart. They still persisted in attempting to forcean entrance, when, collecting the loaded muskets of his men, he, withadmirable coolness, successively discharged them, killing several of theforemost ruffians. The rest were dishear
tened.
"There is abundance of booty to be found elsewhere, without fighting forit," shouted some, and immediately took to flight; others followed, andthe bravery of one man, scarce numbering eighteen summers, preserved thebuilding from pillage. His name we know not. Throughout the awfulscene he had stood undaunted, every instant expecting the building tofall and crush him, or the earth to open and swallow him up, with thesea breaking from its confines, and rushing towards him on one side, yetrefused to quit his post. Surely the sentinels at the gates of Pompeii,when the fiery shower fell on them, were not a greater example of heroiccourage and military discipline.
Onward hurried the band of marauders. The house of a wealthy banker wasbefore them. Here they might revel amid his chests of gold. Theyloaded themselves with plunder, till