The Strand Magazine/Volume 6/Issue 33/A Brigand's Daughter in Belgravia
By Charles J. Mansford, B.A.
I.
"
hat a handsome portrait, Fred! Who was your model?"
"My wife," responded Fred Wynton, as he followed his friend's gaze of admiration to a portrait standing on an cascl in his studio.
"Your wife! What, are you married, then?" queried Henry Aubert, as he looked in a surprised manner at his friend. "You made no mention of the subject to me when we parted at Milan a year ago. I always thought you were too careless a fellow to settle down as a prosy Benedict, Fred."
"So I thought," was the response, "but that was before my adventures in Corsica. I had quite a romantic as wcll as exciting time of it after leaving you—in fact, I have only been in England a month."
"May I hear the circumstances which brought about such a change in you?" asked Henry Aubert, with a smile, as he leant back in a low chair, and took a proffered cigar.
"By all means, old fellow, only mind, no chaff afterwards," said Fred Wynton, and sitting down by the long French window, he faced his friend, and began the narrative of his adventures.
"You remember I told you when we parted that morning at Milan that I intended to indulge in a couple of months' shooting in Corsica? Well, on my arrival at the home of big game and banditti, I proceeded to put my wishes into practice. I had obtained, as I thought, a trustworthy guide in the person of Luigo Cospi, who had offered me his assistance shortly after my arrival. He knew the island thoroughly, and also how to avoid the districts infested by mountain robbers; so on the recommendation of my host, who was evidently in league with him, as I found out afterwards, I engaged his services.
"Matters went well enough for a couple of weeks. My guide was a splendid shot, a careful attendant, and apparently faithful. We had traversed a considerable distance one day when, as I felt exceedingly weary, I lay down to rest in a shady nook, leaving Cospi on guard with his loaded carbine. The steady tramp of my attendant as he passed to and fro gradually produced a drowsiness; I closed my eyes, and was soon fast asleep.
"How long my slumber lasted I am unable to say, but the sun had gone down when I awoke, and in the twilight my eyes rested on secveral forms standing close by in animated conversation. They were gathered round my guide, who was gesticulating and talking excitedly. Hearing my name pronounced by him, I endeavoured to raise my right hand to rub my eyes, when, to my great surprise, I found myself unable to do so. Looking down, I observed that a coil of rope, evidently part of a lariat, which Cospi had used occasionally during the past two weeks, was twined several times round my waist and secured my arms firmly to my sides. I struggled to my feet, and was instantly observed by the miscreants, one of whom presented his carbine at my head, threatening sudden death if I ventured to resist, which, in my bound condition, I was not likely to have much opportunity to do.
"'Have you betrayed me, Cospi?' I ejaculated, looking indignantly at my quondam guide.
"For reply he shrugged his shoulders, and then said, in an apologetic tone, 'I serve my chief, Espaldo; all are his enemies save we who serve him.'
"Round the fire."
"'What do you intend to do with me?' I asked.
"'We march to-night to the chief's headquarters whose prisoner you are,' responded Cospi. 'You will be treated with due respect on the route, provided that you accept the inevitable, and make no effort to escape.'
"'The distance?' I asked, laconically.
"Fifteen English miles. We hope to arrive about four o'clock, that is one hour after sunrise,' replied Cospi.
"Previous to our departure, my right arm was unbound while I partook of some coarse bread and fruit, washed down with a little sour wine. In spite of the peril in which I felt myself placed, I could not help feeling a keen interest in the scene in which I unfortunately played so prominent a part. The night was cool, and the brigands had improvised a fire of the dead wood which lay so plentifully to hand, and the ruddy gleams of the burning wood lit up the foliage of the trees around, save where the shadows of my guards fell upon them. Above, the blue heaven was spangled with stars; while round the fire the brigands, including Cospi, sat in their picturesque garb, sharing the rough repast of which I was a partaker. At intervals, through the foliage, I caught glimpses of the two brigands who kept watch, as they marched backwards and forwards, with their carbines in readiness should any unforeseen chance necessitate their use.
"'We must commence our journey, your excellency,' said Cospi, shortly after the meal was concluded.
"'I am ready,' I responded, and rose to my feet, submitting to the rebinding of my right arm to my as I felt resistance was useless.
"Cospi headed the small column, then came two of the banditti, next I marched, followed by two more of my guard, whose rear was brought up by a single brigand. It was a long journey through the rough country, for my captors carefully avoided the beaten tracks, and long before the journey was over I felt weary, but the steady march of my guards never wavered. Morning with its glorious sunrise had dawned for fully an hour, when I became aware that we were approaching the bandit chief's abode.
"'Your excellency must submit to be blindfolded," said Cospi, who now left the head of the column, and, suiting the action to the word, placed a brightly coloured silk scarf across my eyes, which left me in total darkness.
Steered by my former servant and now my captor, I stumbled on for some time, then became aware of being in a close atmosphere. The bandage was removed from my eyes. I was in the presence of the chief, Espaldo.
II.
After a few minutes, during which my eyes were becoming used to the light, I began to comprehend the various objects around. I was evidently in a natural cave, from the roof of which hung long stalactites. At the far end of the cave was a ruddy gleam of light, which I concluded came from the sky, as the air seemed to blow fresher towards that part, and to relieve me somewhat from the closeness which I had observed on entering the cave. The sea was evidently near at hand, for I could distinctly hear the waves as they broke against the shore, which re-echoed with their beating and dashing against it.
"The cave itself was extremely long, and apparently stored with the proceeds of the spoils of both land and sea. Carpets, rugs, and tapestry of all descriptions lay profusely around, while the walls were adorned with rude carvings done in idle hours, and interspersed with weapons of defence, consisting of carbines, short, wide-bladed swords, curved scimitars, and some curious-looking two-handed weapons. Upon a pile of carpet and skins lay the chief, a dark, handsome man, fully fifty years of age. Ranged round him were carbineers, with here and there a woman's face adorned with long ear-rings and gay-coloured shawls. On left and right of the chief's daïs the attendants ranged, and along the cave. Through the pathway thus made I was led into Espaldo's presence.
"Cospi, carbine in hand, stood at my right. Behind were two of my guard. The rest had joined the number who filled the sides of the cave.
"The confused murmur of voices died away as Espaldo, raising himself, directed a keen glance at me, and inquired, 'Your name, captive?'
"Your name, captive?"
"'Frederic Scott Wynton,' I responded, meeting his glance with all the calmness and fortitude I could command.
"'You are an Englishman, if I may judge from your accent?' continued the chief.
"'I am proud to own that is the fact,' I replied.
"'Your profession?'
"'Artist—that is to say, I paint a little, and also carve occasionally in stone.'
"'Do you understand why you have been brought here?'
"'I presume that some ransom may be obtained for my release,' I answered.
"'Precisely. What ransom are you prepared to offer?' questioned Espaldo.
"'I have no suggestion to make,' I responded. 'My visit to this island was purely of a friendly description. You rob me of liberty, the dearest right of my countrymen, but I do not recognise your authority to do so.'
"Espaldo's face flushed crimson, and he made a hasty motion to Cospi, who led me towards an opening on the left, my guard following. I stopped at the entry, my heart beating violently as I wondered what the effect of my rash speech would be. Cospi, seeing me hesitate to enter the side chamber—which had been evidently excavated, judging from the regularity of its sides and roof—exclaimed:—
"'Your excellency need fear nothing at present; our chief is about to consult as to the conditions to be offered you for your release.'
Entering this stone apartment, I discovered it to be one apparently used for the devotion of this lawless band. Crime and superstition are handmaids in the Corsican's life. At the far end was apparently an altar, the centre-piece of which was a large representation of the Crucifixion carved in oak, in front of which were several wooden benches for the use of the worshippers. The walls were bare, save here and there where a rough representation of various Scriptural events was cut into the solid stone. The brigands' chapel, as I may call it, was lit by the sole device of hewing a square picce out of the roof of it, into which had bcen fitted a large pane of crimson glass, the effect of which upon the interior was to produce a strange and weird appearance.
"I had been occupied in examining the different carvings—which showed occasionally considerable artistic skill—for about half an hour, when Cospi entered the apartment, from which he had been called a few minutes previously, and intimated that my presence was required by Espaldo. I re-entered the main part of the cave and passed mto the bandit chief's presence.
"'The conditions of your release have been settled in my council, and from them no deviation will be made," said Espaldo.
"'I await their mention,' I responded.
"'They are two in number—the first is that you obtain a ransom of one thousand English pounds within four weeks of this day.'
"'And the second?' I asked, wondering what further stipulation could be made.
"'That you carve for us the representation of the Virgin in stone during the time you remain our prisoner.'
"'And what if I refuse one or both conditions? The sum you name is large, and an artist cannot work by force,' I replied, gloomily.
"'Your refusal will be the signal for your death; your acceptance will bring you release when the conditions are fulfilled,' answered Espaldo.
"'And that death will be' I began.
"'You will be shot at daybreak to-morrow; or, failing the arrival of the ransom if you aceept, to-morrow four weeks.
"'I cannot carve without a model,' I responded, hoping that this objection would be of service to me.
"'That has been provided for,' responded the chief, and he gave an order to one of his attendants, who retired. A few minutes afterwards the attendant returned, accompanied by a lady thickly muffled. By the chief's command the gearing was removed from her head and shoulders, and the model for the brigand's Madonna stood unveiled before me. Why need I describe the feelings of admiration and excitement which possessed me on seeing her lovely form attired in handsome and picturesque costume, with raven locks falling in profusion over her shoulders? The portrait you are looking at is but a poor representation of her whom I first beheld at that moment.
"'I accept the conditions,' was my re- sponse, and in a short time I was conducted to another part of the cave, my bonds removed, and a couch of skins prepared for the rest which I so much needed. Cospi, his carbine in hand, guarded me. Later on, when the chief understood the sacredness with which I held my sworn promise to fulfil the imposed conditions, even this guard was withdrawn, and I enjoyed comparative freedom. I was not, however, allowed to wander far from the cave; indeed, the carbineers posted regularly near the cave's entry cut off any hope of escape had I attempted it.
III.
Having accepted the proposed conditions for my ransom, I gave a written order on my banker for the stipulated sum to Espaldo, who was easily able, by means of his emissaries, to obtain its monetary value in the time stipulated.
Meantime I began to make a rough model in clay of the Madonna from the daughter of Espaldo, as the lady assigned for the purpose proved to be. I had determined to represent the Madonna standing in grief below the representation of the Crucifixion, which, as I have already mentioned, formed the central portion of the altar in the brigands' chapel. The stone supplied for the finished model was much like Carrara marble, and my artistic instinct being aroused, I threw all my efforts into the task imposed.
"I threw all my efforts in to the task imposed."
"Algarita, the model, had, I soon learnt, been taught by the brigands' father confessor the rudiments of English, and in spite of the conditions under which I worked, I soon found that the happiest hours of my bondage were those passed in copying her features. Cospi had endeavoured to win her affections long before my detention in Corsica, and the failure of his hopes, I understood, still smote him keenly. He had been dispatched to a certain town in the island to await my ransom, and upon its arrival was to bring it on to the brigands' headquarters.
"The days and weeks sped away; I was so happy in the task and company which my labour secured that I scarcely noticed the fact that I was drawing near to release or death.
"How Cospi got the information of my interest in Algarita I know not, but on the evening of the twenty-seventh day of my capture, as I was just putting a few finishing strokes with the chisel to the Madonna, and which I had purposely lingered over, Cospi entered the chapel where I was at work. 'I have a message for your excellency,' said he, 'from the chief, Espaldo.'
"Concluding that it was the news of the payment of my ransom, I said, carelessly, 'You may speak out before Algarita; there is nothing to conceal from her.'
"'Espaldo bids your excellency learn that the stipulated sum has been refused payment, and that you be ready for death by sunrise to-morrow,' said Cospi, with an ill-concealed smile.
"'I shall be ready,' I replied, in a dazed sort of way, the unexpected refusal to meet my request for ransom quite unnerving me. Algarita fainted, and at the call of Cospi she was carried away by two swarthy females, and I was left alone with Cospi, who bade me good-night shortly afterwards.
"My last night on earth I determined to spend in the little chapel. All my life seemed to flit before me during the brief interval that elapsed till sunrise dawned. I longed for one word more with Algarita, as I recognised in that hour how much I had learned to love her.
"Cold and grey dawned the morning. I had placed myself in readiness at the entrance to the cave, determined that if Cospi was avenging his unrequited love for Algarita on my head by concealing the fact of my ransom having been paid―which I found afterwards was true―his revenge should never wring one request for mercy or respite from me.
"The sunlight streaked the east with golden splinters of light; up rose the sun, and reddened sky and hill-top in glory. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder. Looking round, I saw a carbineer, who addressed me by saying, 'The hour has come; has the stranger any last request?'
"Could I trust this man with a message to Algarita? I wondered. Taking a leaf from my pocket-book, I scrawled upon it: 'Goodbye, with my dying breath I bless you.―F.' and gave it to the carbineer. 'Deliver this,' I responded, 'and grant me to die with my eyes unbandaged.'
"'A brave request; it is granted, and Algarita shall have this scrap of paper,' said the carbineer; 'and now follow me.'
"There was an open space outside the cave, between it and the sea, and to this spot my guide conducted me. Here I found several carbineers drawn up in line, Cospi, with a look of exultation, among them.
"I knelt down, then waved my right hand in token of readiness for death.
"I was shot!"
"'Ready! Present! Fire!' rang out on the still morning air, and the words were drowned in a volley from the guns. A dull thud, a sensation of pain, a blank nothingness: I was shot!
"Out on the blue waters of the Mediterranean sailed a little craft. Propped up with pillows I lay, my head supported by Algarita. When consciousness had returned to me, I begged to hear the sequel of my fate. It was told in a few words. Cospi's gun alone was loaded with a bullet, the rest had been tampered with, and a harmless cartridge substituted. Although not ordered to take part in my death, Cospi had asked to join the carbineers at the last moment, and the chief had granted him permission. The others, on his subsequent departure, had carried me into the boat. Algarita would not leave me to the care of the two carbineers who had volunteered to try to land me at the nearest European seaport. My wounded shoulder soon was restored. We reached England after a journey first to Lyons, thence to Dieppe, and London, where we were married."
"And what shall you call the portrait when you exhibit it?" asked Henry Aubert.
"'A Brigand's Daughter in Belgravia,'"" he responded.