CHAPTER LXII. THE NARRATIVE OF MARZIO CONTINUED.
Marzio continued: "The old abbess walked in front, I followed, and theyoung girls brought up the rear. We descended about fifty steps, andentered a rather spacious passage, which soon led us into a large room.I suppose it to have been large, for, with the help of the feeble taper,I could scarcely distinguish the walls. We had gone about ten paces,when I seemed to hear lamentations. I stopped, in order to listenbetter, but when I recollected myself, and was moving on, lookingforward to my guide, behold I was in utter darkness.
"My God! I sprang forward with such a leap as a tiger might have taken,when from its hiding-place in the forest it rushes on its prey. Darknesswas all I caught. In vain I turned round and round, my arms stretchedas far as they could extend, in the hope of meeting that woman-fiend.I darted against the wall, and kept following it, at the risk of takingthe skin off my hands, but I found no door.
"At length, after feeling about for some time, and being almost reducedto despair, I leaned heavily against the wall, and felt it give way withmy weight.
"Hope re-awoke; I rubbed my hands over that part of the wall, and foundto my surprise that it was wooden, which fact had escaped me in myprevious investigation. I pushed hard against the planks, and then feltsomething move, as if a door on its hinges; at the same time a rush ofoffensive pestilential air entered by the aperture. I turned my headaway to escape the putrid odor. The moans which I had before heard againsmote my ear, and calmed my agitation with wonder and pity.
"I thought of my companions, and remembered a few matches which I had inmy pocket, but which I had forgotten in my excitement. I struck one ofthem, and looking at what I had supposed to be a door, found that itwas a turntable, and, Eureka! at the bottom lay my taper, which the oldwretch had dropped in her flight.
"When I had rekindled my taper, I found my companions near me, tremblinglike leaves.
"'Courage!' said I, and threw myself into the adjoining apartment, theyfollowing, in the hope of overtaking the abbess, who had doubtlessescaped this way. I hastened on, but, great God! what was my horror!against the wall of the room through which I was flying, hung severalhuman beings by the neck, the waist, and the arms, all but one dead, andmore or less decomposed. The solitary survivor was a young man, once ofa fine form, but now an emaciated phantom. He was wildly gazing atme, with deep, dark, open eyes, that seemed ready to burst from theirsockets. He had ceased to moan, conscious that I had discovered and wasapproaching him. Whatever the danger of my own position, I couldnot leave that victim without making some attempt to liberate him. Iapproached, and kissed him on the forehead; I always feel drawn towardsthe suffering. Sorely the Almighty inspires one with this sympathy,which is not imparted by the poisonous breath of the priest!--Well,well, let them call me a brigand!
"Yes, I kissed the unhappy creature's forehead, dropping sweat, yetburning like a coal. But what could I do for him? his chains weresoldered into the wall, and those walls were massive. I looked among thedead, to see if I could find any iron implement with which to excavatethe wall, or to break the chains. Horrible! in every directionwere instruments of torture--bedsteads, stretchers, pincers, ropes,gridirons, etc., 'for the mortification of the flesh,' as the priestssay, but which fiends alone could have invented, one would think, forthe torment of mankind.
"Nanna and Maria--such was the name of Nanna's companion--had also drawnnear the unhappy youth, and endeavored, but in vain, to help him toescape from his frightful position. Happily for us all, Nannastartled me with the exclamation, 'Oh, a key!' and truly, being verysharp-sighted, she had discovered a key in the loose mortar.
"Trying the key in the padlock of the chains, I found it fitted, andwhile the rusty lock yielded to my hand, my heart dilated. I was at thelast chain, it fell, and I was freeing the youth's stiff limbs, whenNanna clasped me by the arm, and timidly pointed to a light in thedirection of the wheel-door.
"I left my liberated companion, and in an instant stood at the entrance.No sooner was I there than I perceived one of the already-mentionedpatrols, who was turning round the door, with his dark lantern inone hand, his pistol in the other. Shrinking into as small a space aspossible, I stood back watching him. When his startled eyes were fixedon my face, which did not look pleasant at that moment, I had alreadygrasped him by his right with my left hand, and my dagger was sheathedin his body. He fell dead on the ground. You know, captain, that I aman enemy of blood-shedding, and that I never have spilt any except inself-defense; but in that instance there was no time for consideration.I knew there were others following the first, and I was one alone. Theyouth I had liberated showed signs of regaining power of exertion, andmy brave female companions had succeeded in separating two bars from atorture-bedstead, and stood behind me, ready to help. The situation wasaltered, yet the dead man, although I had dispatched him noiselessly,had not expired without a cry. His companions, however, were frightened,and effected their escape. By keeping in absolute silence we could heartheir steps in the distance. I repeat, there was no time to lose, or tohold councils of war before deciding on our course. To leave by the waywe had entered was madness; still what other path remained? We all knew,however, that Roman catacombs have many outlets--this instance was notan exception.
"A look at my new companion confirmed me in my opinion that he was notuseless to us, and without uttering a word, touching his heart withhis hand, he made me understand that I could rely on him to follow methrough all dangers.
"By this time daybreak must be at hand, and, doubtless, preparationswere making in the convent to secure our capture. The likeliestconjecture was, that there were armed men placed at every outlet.
"The addition of the rescued man was very valuable to us all. He was notonly acquainted with the subterranean path, but at a short distance hegathered up some torches, and distributed one to each of us. This wasvery useful, because my taper was almost extinguished, and the lanternwhich I had taken from the dead patrol, had not sufficient oil to lastduring the underground journey which was about to commence. To the rightof the spot where the young man found the torches, he pointed out to mea light, and said, 'That opening leads to the garden of the convent, andonce passed, we are out of danger of being intercepted.
"On we went, I really think for two hours, although we were in asubterranean road, cut in the hard clay, of which you know, captain,our Roman undersoil is largely composed: and how many of those catacombshave we not visited together!
"Young and active, our two companions were always near us. I frequentlyasked if they were tired, or if they required support. 'Oh, no; go on!We will follow you, if it be to death,' answered both girls.
"'There is the light!' finally exclaimed Tito, for such was the name ofthe youth, and truly before us appeared a bright point in the distance.'By that gate we shall enter the woods of Guido Castle, whence theydragged me, to conduct me to a seminary in Rome, the focus of allimmorality and vileness. Accursed be the hypocrites!'
"Arrived at the end of the subterranean road, Tito began to clear awaysome branches of lentils which obstructed the gate and went out,looking first in all directions. 'Safe!' he at last exclaimed, 'safe, sofar--our persecutors have not arrived!'
"When I got out with my companions, I wondered how such a narrow andalmost imperceptible opening, when covered with branches, could be thepassage to such spacious catacombs. 'Guido Castle!' said I to Tito. 'Notfar from here must be the dwelling of the shepherd poet!'
"'Yes,' he replied, 'it is a few miles off, and I will lead you straightto it; there we can find a little rest, and food to satisfy our hunger.'
"The sun of March was high above the horizon when we left theunderground gloom, yet the change was not very great, for in thebeautiful forest in which we found ourselves, the trees of centuriesgave no admission to the sunshine. The paths formed by the passage ofanimals were delightfully shady, and we should have enjoyed our walk ifwe had suffered less from fatigue and hunger. At last, on the edge ofthe wood, appeared to the lon
ging eyes of our wearied travellers thecottage sought for, and fortunately we discovered our friend on thedoor-step. He seemed awaiting some one.
"'Ah, Marzio!' exclaimed he, when we were near him, 'it was not you whomI expected today,' and he shook hands like old friends.
"'I expected some of those Government ruffians, because it was rumoredthat men of your band were about the neighborhood. And,' he added, ina lower voice, drawing me aside, 'at a little distance from here isEmilio, with ten companies.'
"'Instead of the hunters, you receive the game then, Lelio,' I said;'but a truce to talking, give us somewhat to eat and drink, for we arefamished.'
"'Come in; you will find all you want--ham, cream, cheese, bread, andreal Orvieto. Eat and drink, while I keep a look-out for the Papalhounds; no questions now.'
"We ate the timely and abundant meal, and, our first cravings satisfied,I asked Tito for the narrative of his adventures, which he gave in a fewwords.
"'I am,' he began, 'the son of Roman parents. My father, steward of theimmense possessions of Cardinal M------, by the advice of hisEminence, sent me to a Roman seminary at the age of fifteen, to embracethe ecclesiastical career. For two years, contrary to my inclination,I was compelled to continue that detested life. For at first FatherPetrucchio, the director of the seminary, showed me a good deal ofsympathy, much to the vexation of my companions, who did not fail to beenvious of my good fortune. The Father sometimes took me out with him towalk. These promenades with Petrucchio, in themselves somewhat tedious,appeared less so when I accompanied him to the convent of St. Francis,to visit the nuns. There the lady abbess and the nuns, pleased, Isuppose, with my external appearance, used to compliment me and load mewith attentions. The abbess, all-powerful over the director, obtained,without difficulty, that I should be employed in the religious serviceof the convent as assistant to the old priest who officiated for thenuns. I was not long in discovering that the abbess had conceived apassion for me, and I became her too docile favorite. For several monthsthings went on thus. Under one pretense or the other, I was hardly everseen in the seminary. I had the support of the director, so I coulddo just what I liked, and he was managed by the abbess, who, on thatcondition, left him certain licenses in her convent. I myself, inclinedto any thing but a seminary, was from boyhood passionately fond ofhunting, and any adventure that required boldness; and thus, during myexcursions in the neighborhood of Guido Castle, I had become acquaintedwith the subterranean passage we have just left, and frequently I haveexplored with torches its most hidden recesses. Thus, indeed, I found away of communicating with the convent, and made use of it to introducemyself there at all hours, and by no means always at the invitation ofthe abbess. The history of her jealousy would be too long; cunning asI had been, she had not failed to discover my partiality for certainyounger sisters, and many a time I have found her in such a toweringrage as to make me tremble at her. The enormities that I witnessed inthat den of iniquity can not be recounted now. Many lives in the bud, orjust unfolded, were there cut short! Things happened at which anypious soul would shudder, I, ashamed of myself, resolved to leave thatpestilential place, never to return to it again. But I was doomed to paythe penalty of my complicity in so much abomination, for that oldwitch, the promoter of all licentiousness, appeared to have guessed myintention of flying, and did not give me time to accomplish my resolve.She one day said to me, "Tito, go down to the subterranean passageand bring me some torches; I have been asked for some for a midnightprocession." I had a presentiment of misfortune; but there flashedacross my mind the idea of taking advantage of the opportunity to leaveforever the den of impurity. No sooner had I reached the bottom of thestaircase than I felt myself overpowered by four strong men, and draggedtowards the charnel-house which you know, and from which I was somiraculously saved by you. They were sworn agents, and therefore mysupplications, my grief, my promises were useless. I was as good ascounted among the victims of vice and infamy when you saved me, braveman!' and Tito finished by kissing the hand of the bandit.
"Tito's story being ended, I felt a strong desire to hear somethingof Nanna's experiences; but, comforted and refreshed as we were by adraught of good Orvieto, and yet fatigued still by the extraordinaryadventures we had passed through, we were all growing heavy-eyed, and bymutual consent we dropped asleep on our seats. I do not know how longwe remained in that sleeping position, but a sharp whistle resoundingthrough the dwelling made us start up. We were scarcely roused whenthe shepherd entered and said, 'Do not fear! My son Vezio has placed asentinel on the top of the Petilia ruins, from whence whoever approachescan be distinguished. Those who are coming are our own people from yourband.'"
And Marzio, as though he had not been in the presence of his captain,but in the Campagna, here stroked his jet-black mustaches, thinking ofthose stout fellows.
"They were in fact our intrepid comrades," he went on, "the terror ofthe wretched priests. I leave you to imagine, captain, what our joywas on finding ourselves among those brave hearts. Many were theglad embraces given me by those whom the vulgar think hardened inall cruelties, but who are often in truth the manliest part of thepeople--those, namely, who will not bear bad rule and injustice: thatpart of the people who, could they receive something better than theeducation given by the priests--that is to say, a moral, humanizing, andpatriotic training--would furnish heroes to Italy, and to the world thesame examples of courage and virtue which our fathers gave.
"Having thus so wonderfully saved my Nanna, and finding myself once moreamong my comrades, I had every reason to be satisfied with my luck; yetI must repeat your favorite saying, captain, 'Happiness on earth onlyexists in the imagination!' Your words are true; I soon felt that theywere so. You remember that rascally priest at San Paolo, who seemed tohave become friendly to us, and on whom we lavished so much sympathy andkindness? Well, the wretch was in love with my Nanna, and never did heforgive me for having won her affection.
"Don Vantano, with the diabolic cunning which distinguishes hisfraternity, had succeeded in ingratiating himself with the family ofNanna, and in poisoning their minds against me. Her four brothers--asI learnt from her--helped by others, devised the plot, and, underthe guidance of the priest, succeeded in carrying off my darling fromMarcello's house. Such was the brief story of Nanna. Being obligedagain to absent myself with my men and my dear one being in a delicatecondition, I resolved to leave her in the charge of our host, withMaria as a companion. They had become as sisters, their affection beingstrengthened and cemented by the dangers and trials they had shared.Still, being ever uneasy as to the fate of my beloved, and well awareof the malice of her persecutor, I kept wandering about Lelio'sneighborhood; as the lioness who deposits her young while she goes insearch of food, always encircles the hiding-place of her treasure. Ifelt certain that it would be very difficult for those who had atfirst carried off Nanna to effect that object a second time. I was wellassisted in guarding her by Tito, who knew those parts thoroughly, andwho attached himself to me with much gratitude.
"Still, what height can not the wickedness of a priest reach! Vantano,knowing how hazardous it would be for him to cany off his prey,determined to destroy it! Being near her confinement, the unhappy child,alone with the inexperienced Maria, followed the advice innocently givenher by Lelio, to call in a midwife from Guido Castle--a woman who tillthen had borne a good character for honesty. But who can reckon on thehonesty of a woman where bribery and monkery reign! He who does notbelieve my words, let him but pass a few months in the nest of thosehypocrites, sitting in the places that once held a Scipio and aCincinnatus.
"How many crimes may not a weak woman be induced to commit when she isassured that she is fulfilling God's will, and listening to God's word!God's word!--sacrilege of which a priest alone would be guilty. At everyceremonial the Catholic faithful go to receive God's oracles from thelips of the bride of Christ, the Church. She is no pure bride, but asecret harlot. By one of her ministers poison was administered tomy Nanna, and thus was I robbed of wif
e, child, and every earthlyhappiness.
"I was arrested, torn from her cold body, myself almost unconscious oflife. I learned afterwards that my seizure required, to accomplish it,a number of the Papal mercenaries, and that our brave fellows foughtdesperately in my defense till, overpowered by reinforcements, andnearly all wounded, they retired in bold order.
"I was stupefied, and called again and again on death, but in vain; thetriumph of my captors was made complete, for I was alive and enchained.From the galleys of Civita Vecchia I was, after several months, sent toRome, and subsequently liberated, after being compelled to take anoath to obey and maintain the authority of the Pope--an oath to servefaithfully an impostor and a despot, to swear to obey him, even if thecommand were to murder one's father and mother. And I swore--I tell youthe whole truth--but I swore also, along with it, war on themselves, andwhile this life lasts I am their enemy to the bitter end."
PART THE THIRD.