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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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be； do not kill women； though your traducers say you do； do not give them
cause to speak truth。 I will be responsible for this woman's safety。 Here； to
make it sure you had better strap us together。〃 I piqued myself exceedingly
on this happy inspiration； whereby I secured an arm…in…arm walk； of a
peculiar kind； it is true； with Valeria； and indeed my readiness to sacrifice
myself seemed rather to astonish the soldier； who hesitated。 However； his
comrade； whose horse had been shot in the ditch； now came up； and
seconded my proposal as I offered him a mount on mine。
〃How on earth am I to let you escape； dear Valeria？〃 I whispered；
giving her a sort of affectionate nudge； the position of our arms prevented
my squeezing hers as I could have wished； and the two troopers kept
behind us； watching us； I thought； suspiciously。
〃It is quite impossible nowdon't attempt it；〃 she answered； 〃perhaps
there may be an opportunity later。〃
〃Was that Croppo who got away？〃 I asked。
〃Yes。 He could not get his cowardly men to stand on that hill。〃
〃What a bother those men are behind； dearest！ Let me pretend to
scratch my nose with this hand that is tied to yours； which I can thus bring
to my lips。〃
I accomplished this manoeuvre rather neatly； but parties now came
straggling in from other directions； and I was obliged to give up
whispering and become circumspect。 They all seemed rather astonished at
our group； and the captain laughed heartily as he rode up and called out；
〃Who have you got tied to you there； /caro mio/？〃
〃Croppo's wife。 I had her tied to me for fear she should escape； besides；
she is not bad…looking。〃
〃What a prize！〃 he exclaimed。 〃We have made a