442

LIFE OF COLONEL MACERONI.

had been a homicide and a bandit. In 1806, he was madean officer (Captain, I think) by the Bourbons, and becamean active partizan in all their atrocious operations. Hehad escaped to Sicily—but was re-landed in Calabria bySir John Stuart, on the occasion I have already mentioned.Pursued by the executors of General Manhes’s commands,Parafanti became at last confined to the forest of Nicastro,with about thirty followers. Of these, some were killed indifferent rencontres with their pursuers ; others, in despair,gave themselves up, so that he remained with only five menand his faithful wife, who never left his side. On the 5tlxof December, he fell into an ambush which cost the lives offour of his men, and the fifth was taken. He himself, withhis wife, both having - performed prodigies of valour, effectedtheir escape. But the pursuit was top hot for them ; thenext day they were again come up with : the wife fell deadbeside her husband ; Parafanti was alone, but still foughtlike a lion. A ball fractured the bone of his leg—it wasthe only wound he had ever received in all his numerouscombats. He did not fall—neither could he well stand,but, leaning against a tree, he still persisted in defendinghimself, and being armed with several pistols besides hisgun, and an unerring shot, he killed many of his pursuers,in some sort keeping them at bay. His dauntless courage,extraordinary skill, and gigantic strength, caused him to beapproached with much circumspection ; but one of the assail-ants, more crafty than his fellows, crept slyly behind somehigh fern and brambles, and taking a near and deliberateaim, shot Parafanti through the breast. He fell, and theslayer anxious for his spoils, which of course belonged tohim, taking him for dead rushed upon him and stoopedto search the body for the gold. But Parafanti wasnot dead, although dying ; his powerful arms had not yetlost their vigour. He seized his enemy and drew him to