Lucia Rudini: Somewhere in Italy

clearing. The men talked and smoked, and the Ca

d not for the world ask her enemies for food. She was not above accepting it, however, when a little before noon one of the soldiers br

g his watch every little while, and the men were hurrying about excitedly. They all looked up at a certain mountai

e Captain and handed him a message. Whatever the message was, it pleased the Captain, for he brought his fist down on his knee a

he other men spoke, but she could not. They were eagerly questioning the messenger and giving him food and water. He was answering them, and from

inted to the shed. The messenger evidently suggested milking the goat, for after a

empts on the part of the soldiers it was evident that no one was ever going to, if that very

y to herself. She was not surprised when, a few minutes lat

ave pretended blank stupidity, but she wanted some milk herself, and this was a good way to get it. Besides

she milked her, and submitted m

hed. She walked back to the door as slowly as possible, and looked hard at the lock. It was just an ordinary padlock and it hung open on

dlock; it swung on the catch, and then fell into the mud.

oss of the lock, but he did not apparently connect her with its disappearance, nor did he bother much abo

pi had done after she left. She knew that Beppi could easily find his way back to the cottage, and in case Nana had already gone, an

it meant, and return to his comrades for help. She listened, but th

he dugout. The men looked cross and sullen, but the Captain was still smiling. He walked over t

y busy buckling on their kit bags in preparation for a departure. When they were ready, they stood at atte

o. She did not stop to consider the many sentries who walked up and down the walls day and night, or the fact that two enemy soldiers would hardly wa

gain consulting his watch. The soldiers looked at him and fell t

ll of them had their guns on their shoulders, and waited his next word. The Captain himse

ho had left earlier in the morning. This was correct in part, but they were also going to look fo

elieve their comrades already at work. When none of them returned t

ce, and she would have been delighted. As it was, she dismissed the Captain with a shrug and turned her attentio

all talking at once. By their angry gestures they appeared to be discussin

as slow work, but in the end it proved the best way, for she reached the tree and Garibaldi without being discovered. The shed h

pad noise in the mud. Lucia dropped to the ground again and crawled slowly after her. Below

ped from one rock to the next, always keeping the two men in sight, but keeping under cover herself. The men kept to

lls of Cellino. But it did not tire Lucia, as it did the two men. They walked slower and

r stop and look up. They stood still for a long time, and then hurried on. Until now the road had been deserted, but ahead at the end of a footbridge, just around a sharp turn, Lucia, fr

pt on until they were abreast of the man. He was a beggar to judge by his shabby c

e caught her breath sharply when a queer thing happened. One of