Mezzoni the Brigand — page 44: what you’re looking at

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

36 MEZZONI THE BRIGAND. might be depended upon. In vain were all pleadings and protestations of the old officer. ‘“We make no terms.’’ ‘Take me and release my child.’’ “Tt will not answer our purpose.’’ ““My God! can I do nothing?’’ ‘“Pay the ransom,’’ was the answer. It was pitiful to see the old man’s agony at thus being separated from his child. He lost all anger now, and tears only came to his relief. He could hardly realize the state of the case to have Marion thus torn from him before his very eyes. It seemed more like a troubled dream than like reality, and he looked wildly about him, as though he expected to awake and find relief. Colonel Bray had struggled out of the vehicle, and though it was now nearly dark he refused to leave the spot, until at last he was overpersuaded by his companions, and came to realize that Marion was doubtless already half a league away from them. During the time they had remained the brigands had quietly pocketed the booty taken from the party, and turning their horses’ heads had walked away in no apparent hurry, following the direction taken by the Sedan chair containing Marion. The colonel could not be pacified, but continued to regret the want of ‘“‘fire-arms to fight these devils with,’’ as he said. ‘‘Kiven if we had weapons, you see how easily they could have summoned any number they had required to assist them,’’ said the other gentleman. ‘*I should know the spokesman were I to meet him again,’’ said the colonel, ‘‘though the villain’s face was evidently disguised.’’. ‘“How?”’ asked his companion. Eomicbooks:.¢co