Before continuing my story I must remark upon one of the most striking
facts in Rome--viz., the conduct and bravery of the Roman soldiery.
Even the Papal troops have a robust and martial air, and retain an
individual worth of character to an astonishing degree. In the defense
of Rome, all the Roman artillerymen (observe, all) were killed at their
guns, and a reserve of the wounded, a thing unheard of before, bleeding
though they were, continued to fight manfully until cut down by the
sabres of their foes. On the 3d of June the streets were choked with
mutilated men, and amongst the many combats after the city was taken,
between the Roman soldiery and the foreigners, there did not occur one
example where the Romans had the worst of it in any thing like fair
fight.
Of one point, therefore, the priesthood is certain--that in every case
of general insurrection the Roman army will go with the people. This is
the reason they are compelled to hire foreign mercenaries, and why the
revenues of the "Vicegerent of Heaven" are spent upon Zouaves, Remington
rifles, cartridges, and kilos of gunpowder.
Silvio was received by the triad with exclamations of joy. After
saluting them, he turned to Attilio, saying, "Our men are at hand. I
have left them hidden in the shadows cast by the marble horses. They but
await our signal."
Then Attilio sprang up, saying, "Muzio and I will go at once to the
jailer, and secure the keys. You, Dentato, guide Silvia and his men to
the door of the cell, and overpower the guard stationed before it."
"So be it," replied Dentato; "Scipio (the dragoon who had introduced
Silvio) shall lead you to the jailer's room; but beware Signor Pancaldo,
he is a devil of a fellow to handle."
"Leave me to manage him," replied Attilio, and he hastily left the
apartment, preceded by Scipio and Muzio. Such an attempt as they were
about to make would be a more difficult, if not an incredible thing, in
any other country, where more respect is attached to Government and its
officers. In Rome little obedience is due to a Government which, alas,
is opposed to all that is pure and true.
Dentato, after summoning Silvio's men, led them to the guards stationed
at the entrance to the cells. Silvio waited until the sentinel turned
his back upon them, then, springing forward with the agility that made
him so successful when pursuing the wild boar, he hurled the sentinel to
the ground, covering his mouth with his hand to stifle any cry of alarm.
The slight scuffle aroused the sleepy questor-guard, but before they
could even rub their eyes, Silvio's men had gagged and bound them.
As they accomplished this, Attilio appeared with Muzio, convoying the
reluctant jailer and his bunch of keys between them.
"Open!" commanded Attilio.
The jailer obeyed with forced alacrity, whereupon they entered a large
vaulted room, out of which opened, on every side, doors leading to
separate cells. At sight of them, a soldier, the only inmate visible,
approached with a perplexed air.
"Where is Signor Manlio?" demanded Antilio; and Pancaldo felt the grip
of the young artist clutch his wrist like iron, and noticed his right
hand playing terribly with the dagger-hilt.
"Manlio is here," said he.
"Then release him," cried Attilio.
The terrified jailer attempted to turn the key, but some minutes passed
before his trembling hands allowed him to effect this. Attilio, pushing
him aside as the bolts shot back, dashed open the door, and called to
Manlio to come forth.
Picture the sculptor's astonishment and joy when he beheld Attilio,
and realized that he had come to release him from his cruel and unjust
incarceration. Attilio, knowing they ought to lose no time in leaving
the palace, after returning his friend's embrace, bade Muzio lock up the
guard in the cell. As soon as this was accomplished, they led the jailer
between them through the passages, passing on their way the soldiers
whom they had previously bound, who glared upon them with impotent rage,
till they gained the outer door in silence and safety. Dividing into
groups, they set off at a quick pace, in different directions. Attilio,
Muzio, and Manlio, however, retained possession a little while of the
jailer, whom they made to promenade, gagged and blindfolded, until they
thought their companions were at a safe distance. They then left him,
and proceeded in the direction of the Porta Salaria, which leads into
the open country.