Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 117: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

er we a eee JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE charge of me, I was conducted forward to the head of the table at which Marco Uberti sate; and Phi- lippo addressed him in his own native language. But the bandit-chief only gazed up at his subordi- nate with a tipsy-leer, and then rolled his eyes in the same stolid vacancy upon me. He evidently recognised me not: neither did he comprehend what Philippo said to him. The ruffians who were drinking with him, were equally beyond the power of understanding what was passing; and Philippo, with an air of uncertainty amounting almost to bewilderment, turned to consult with his comrades who had brought me thither. Angelo Volterra, who had renewed his bacchanalian chaunt, and was / malignity against me. again replenishing the glasses of the convivial ban- dits, now suddenly broke off his song and shouted out something to Philippo. It was evidently a piece of advice given in respect to myself; and equally apparent was it that Philippo deemed it expedient to be followed. He, however, again consulted with his comrades, who held me in their grasp: and I understood from their looks and manner that they assented to whatever had been proposed, Philippo now accosted Marco Uberti, and un- ceremoniously dived his hand into a pocket which was inside the breast of the bandit-chief’s frock- coat,—this garment, which he usually wore but- toned in the military style, being now thrown open in the negligence which pervaded his entire ap- parel. Uberti appeared for a moment to resent this intrusion on his pocket: he raised himself up in the chair, and repulsed Philippo’s hand. Phi- lippo seemed undecided how to act: but a brief ejaculation trom one of the men who held me in custody, urged him on. He poured the contents of the glass down his chieftain’s throat, and at the same time dexterously whisked out a key of mode- rate size from the frock-coat pocket. Volterra shouted out something, at the same time pointing significantly to Marco Uberti: Philippo nodded an assent; and I was led forth from the banquet- ing-hall. “Don’t think, young fellow,” said Philippo to me, when the dvor closed behind us as we reached the corridor outside, “that because you have got a respite of a few hours, it will amount to a reprieve. You were born to be hanged—and hanged you shall be! In the interval you will be kept in such safe custody, that if you can manage to get out, —on my soul! you will deserve your freedom.” I answered not a word—but assumed an air of dignified fortitude as I was conducted along the passage: a door at the extremity was opened; and one of the banditti having brought a light with him, I perceived that it was a small, but tolerably well furnished bed-chamber into which I was now led. Over the huge projecting chimney-piece hung livers swords, pistols, poniards, and rifles ; there were several silver cups and vases on a shelf; and a cupboard door, standing half open, revealed three or four costumes suspended to pegs. The furniture was very old-fashioned: the velvet on the aeats of some of the high-backed chairs was torn; and the whole aspect of the chamber was that of dirty slovenliness. MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. ‘or annoy. ‘“ When you undertook to pit yourself against Marco Uberti and his band, you little thought of the odds you would have to encounter, and the chances which would be against you. You must not fancy that because the chief is somewhat in his cups to-night, and that therefore justice is delayed, it will be suspended altogether: for as sure as you are alive now, you will be dead at this time to-morrow !” Still I gave no answer; because I saw that Philippo was most anxious to provoke me to an altercation or discussion, in the course of which he might find fresh opportunities of venting his bitter With the key which he | had taken from Marco Uberti’s pocket, he opened an inner door; and this led into a small place about six feet square, and having the appearance ' I of a vault or tomb, only that it was not under- | ground. It had no window: but the'air was ad- mitted by a grating set where the key-stone of the arched roof would otherwise have been. This grating was not above half a foot square: the walls gave an idea of tremendous massiveness ; and the door of communication between the chamber and this living tomb, was even more pon- derous than that of Mr. Dorchester’s cave. SBe- sides, it was strengthened with pieces of iron and studded with huge nails of the same metal, like the doors of old-fashioned churches.” “There!”’ said Philippo, pointing to the in- terior of this dreadful place: “‘there are your quarters !” At a signal which he gave, I was thrust rudely forward, so that I almost fell headlong upon the | solid stone floor of the dungeon. The door was about to be closed upon me, when Philippo inter- | posed for an instant; and he said, “ You will do well to say all the prayers you can recollect: for no earthly power can now save you. Hanged you are destined to be—and hang you shall !” These last words were still vibrating in the air, when the door was banged so violently upon me that it seemed to give my brain a concussion ; and I staggered back against the wall. The key turned in the lock—a couple of huge bolts were likewise drawn outside—and thus was I a prisoner in that | horrible place. No article of furniture was there—not so much as arugor a pile of straw whereupon to repose my weary frame. If I wished to lie down, it must be upon the cold pavement; and the place itself seemed to have the death-chill of the tomb. The air came in cold from above: the masonry, when touched, sent the blood congealing to the very heart. It was as if I were in a stone-cofiin. If I stretched out both arms, a very little swaying of the form from side to side, enabled me to touch the opposite walls with the points of my fingers Fiscape thence was indeed impossible, unless by skilful succour from the outside; and then only could flight be achieved by means of the door. As for breaking through that solid masonry, even if provided with all requisite instruments, 1t was out of the question. But what hope had I that suc- cour would come? From Volterra alone could it “You need not think, young fellow, that you! proceed: that he had the will to afford it, 1 had are going to occupy these comfortable quarters,” | already comprehended: but how was he to find said Philippo, who appeared to take a malignant | the power? Ee moving from the spot where I stood. | Again and again, as on sO many pleasure in saying every thing he could to menace ! former occasions, did I repose my faith in heaven. j pe a a ElQOOKS (CO)