Here the robber concluded his story.  He had talked himself into companionship, and assured me he no longer bore me any grudge for the error of which I had been the innocent cause.  He even professed a kindness for me, and wished me to remain some time with them.  He promised to give me a sight of certain grottos which they occupied beyond Villetri, and whither they resorted during the intervals of their expeditions.  He assured me that they led a jovial life there; had plenty of good cheer; slept on beds of moss, and were waited upon by young and beautiful females, whom I might take for models.

I confess I felt my curiosity roused by his descriptions of these grottos and their inhabitants; they realized those scenes in robber-story which I had always looked upon as mere creations of the fancy.  I should gladly have accepted his invitation, and paid a visit to those caverns, could I have felt more secure in my company.

I began to find my situation less painful.  I had evidently propitiated the good-will of the chieftain, and hoped that he might release me for a moderate ransom.  A new alarm, however, awaited me.  While the captain was looking out with impatience for the return of the messenger who had been sent to the prince, the sentinel who had been posted on the side of the mountain facing the plain of la Molara, came running towards us with precipitation.  “We are betrayed!” exclaimed he.  “The police of Frescati are after us.  A party of carabiniers have just stopped at the inn below the mountain.”  Then laying his hand on his stiletto, he swore, with a terrible oath, that if they made the least movement towards the mountains, my life and the lives of my fellow-prisoners should answer for it.

The chieftain resumed all his ferocity of demeanor, and approved of what his companion said; but when the latter had returned to his post, he turned to me with a softened air:  “I must act as chief,” said he, “and humor my dangerous subalterns.  It is a law with us to kill our prisoners rather than suffer them to be rescued; but do not be alarmed.  In case we are surprised keep by me; fly with us, and I will consider myself responsible for your life.”

There was nothing very consolatory in this arrangement, which would have placed me between two dangers; I scarcely knew, in case of flight, which I should have most to apprehend from, the carbines of the pursuers, or the stilettos of the pursued.  I remained silent, however, and endeavored to maintain a look of tranquillity.

For an hour was I kept in this state of peril and anxiety.  The robbers, crouching among their leafy coverts, kept an eagle watch upon the carabiniers below, as they loitered about the inn; sometimes lolling about the portal; sometimes disappearing for several minutes, then sallying out, examining their weapons, pointing in different directions and apparently asking questions about the neighborhood; not a movement or gesture was last upon the keen eyes of the brigands.