Volume I Part 39 (2/2)
The ladies of the aristocracy were busy in the Casa Borroists and cheave up their stocks of firearms
In spite of the brave resistance of the Austrians, the Borletto Palace had been conquered again by the patriots Radetzky demanded an armistice, but his proposition was declined The enemy were not allowed time to collect themselves
One barrack after the other was captured, and then the great arita, where the _elite_ of the artillery had taken up a position, and a bitter struggle ensued The battle raged indecisively for a long tiate A patriot, Pasquale Sottocorni, had stealthily reached the palace and set it on fire He was the first victim of his heroic deed, and died with the cry on his lips:
”Long live Italy!”
But his boldness helped the patriotssoldiers were taken prisoners, and the ranks of the people were recruited in numbers The Poliziotti barracks still remained to be captured The Poliziotti was intensely hated in Milan because it was ades--Italians who sold the on about the building, Bartolo cards The major perained was precious to hi his teacher while they were playing _ecarte_
From time to time a soldier put his head in the roo to take place
Every time he did so he was told to be off
The corporal had just finished dealing the cards, when the soldier again appeared
”Corporal,” he said, breathlessly, ”the Poliziotti are giving way, the Croatians are decio to their rescue?”
”Bah! we are only a handful,” growled the corporal ”Let us await the result”
The door closed behind the soldier Bartoloun from the drunken corporal, and cried in his ear:
”Obey my order, or you are a dead man!”
”What--should--I--do?” stammered the corporal, partly sobered
”Hoist the white flag--quick!”
”But I--have--no--authority--here!”
”Who cares?” exclaiive the order--the people will be needlessly sacrificed--are you going now?”
The corporal still hesitated, but just then a police sergeant ran in and cried:
”Corporal--let your ht!”
Bartolomeo had placed hiainst his knee, and this fact ht,” he said, gruffly; ”I have given the order to hoist the white flag”
”The white flag? What for?”