Mezzoni the Brigand — page 178: what you’re looking at

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

170 yest! MEZZONI THE BRIGAND. thrown out to prevent any one from ascending at the several points where passage was possible, and with orders to arrest any one who should attempt to escape from the gang above. These orders were brief and decisive. In case of the least resistance no mercy was to be shown—they were told to shoot down the fugitives at once. The men were also in- cited to extra effort by the promised reward, which the captain reminded them of. These precautions having all been carefully per- fected, the command was divided into three parties of equal numbers, who ascended the mountain at three known passes, with such preconcerted signals as should enable them to concentrate upon any one . point in case of necessity. They were to halt for two hours’ rest at midnight, provided they met with no interruption to their progress up to.that time, then they were to draw together at a designated point, and hurry forward, so as, if possible, to surprise the banditti a little before the break of day. These ar- rangements were excellent, provided nothing hap- pened to interfere with their proper consummation. The organized force was enabled, by thus taking the open paths, to travel over three times the space which Marion and Walter had accomplished in the same period of time. Besides this the men were all fresh and prepared for their work, which was per- formed as systematically as though on parade. The starting of the expedition just at nightfall was the crowning cause of its successful progress. If it had gone out during the hours of the day its purpose would have been at once divined, and spies would have informed the robbers in much less time than the troops could possibly have moved. Under such circumstances the purpose of the whole movement Ecomicboo S:con