Rosalino Pilo wrote, finally, that in any case he was determined to go to Sicily himself to complete the preparations, and he added:  ’The insurrection in Sicily, consider it well, will carry with it that of the whole south of the peninsula,’ by which means not only would the Muratist plots be frustrated, but also a new army and fleet would become available for the conquest of independence and the liberation of Venetia.  The writer concluded by wishing the general ’new glories in Sicily in the accomplishment of our country’s redemption.’

True to his word Rosalino Pilo embarked at Genoa on the 24th of March, on a crazy old coasting vessel, manned by five friendly sailors.  He had with him a single companion, and carried such arms and ammunition as he had been able to get together.  Terrible weather and the deplorable condition of their craft kept them at sea for fifteen days, during which time something of great importance happened at Palermo.  On the 4th of April the authorities became aware that arms and conspirators were concealed in the convent of La Gancia, which was to have been the focus of the revolution.  Troops were sent to besiege the convent, which they only succeeded in taking after four hours’ resistance; its fall was the signal for a general slaughter of the inmates, both monks and laymen.  The insurrection was thus stifled in its birth in the capital, but from this time it began to spread in the country, and when, at last, Rosalino Pilo landed near Messina on the 10th of April, he found that several armed bands were already roving the mountains, as yet almost unperceived by the Government, which had gone to sleep again after its exhibition of energy on the 4th.  Events were, however, to awake it from its slumbers, and to cause it to renew its vigilance.  It required all Rosalino Pilo’s skill and courage to sustain the revolution of which he became henceforth the responsible head, till the fated deliverer arrived.

Pilo’s letters, brought back to Genoa by the pilot who guided him to Sicilian waters, were what decided Garibaldi to go to the rescue.  Some, like Bixio and Bertani, warmly and persistently urged him to accept the charge; others, like Sirtori, were convinced that the undertaking was foredoomed, and that its only result would be the death of their beloved captain:  but this conviction did not lessen their eagerness to share his perils when once he was resolved to go.

Like all born men of action, Garibaldi did not know what doubt was after he came to a decision.  From that moment his mental atmosphere cleared; he saw the goal and went straight for it.  In a surprisingly short time the expedition was organised and ready to leave.  ’Few and good,’ had been the rule laid down by Garibaldi for the enrolments; if he had chosen he could have taken with him a much more numerous host.  When it was the day to start few they were (according to the most recent computation the exact number was 1072 men), and they were certainly