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represent the Madonna standing in grief below the representation of the Crucifixion, which, as I have already mentioned, formed the central portion of the altar in the brigands' chapel. The stone supplied for the finished model was much like Carrara marble, and my artistic instinct being aroused, I threw all my efforts into the task imposed.

"I threw all my efforts in to the task imposed."

"Algarita, the model, had, I soon learnt, been taught by the brigands' father confessor the rudiments of English, and in spite of the conditions under which I worked, I soon found that the happiest hours of my bondage were those passed in copying her features. Cospi had endeavoured to win her affections long before my detention in Corsica, and the failure of his hopes, I understood, still smote him keenly. He had been dispatched to a certain town in the island to await my ransom, and upon its arrival was to bring it on to the brigands' headquarters.

"The days and weeks sped away; I was so happy in the task and company which my labour secured that I scarcely noticed the fact that I was drawing near to release or death.

"How Cospi got the information of my interest in Algarita I know not, but on the evening of the twenty-seventh day of my capture, as I was just putting a few finishing strokes with the chisel to the Madonna, and which I had purposely lingered over, Cospi entered the chapel where I was at work. 'I have a message for your excellency,' said he, 'from the chief, Espaldo.'

"Concluding that it was the news of the payment of my ransom, I said, carelessly, 'You may speak out before Algarita; there is nothing to conceal from her.'

"'Espaldo bids your excellency learn that the stipulated sum has been refused payment, and that you be ready for death by sunrise to-morrow,' said Cospi, with an ill-concealed smile.

"'I shall be ready,' I replied, in a dazed sort of way, the unexpected refusal to meet my request for ransom quite unnerving me. Algarita fainted, and at the call of Cospi she was carried away by two swarthy females, and I was left alone with Cospi, who bade me good-night shortly afterwards.

"My last night on earth I determined to spend in the little chapel. All my life seemed to flit before me during the brief interval that elapsed till sunrise dawned. I longed for one word more with Algarita, as I recognised in that hour how much I had learned to love her.

"Cold and grey dawned the morning. I had placed myself in readiness at the entrance to the cave, determined that if Cospi was avenging his unrequited love for