BAKUNIN THE APOSTLE OF NIHILISM. 223 
The curé, Fortini, who was also a municipal councillor, mounts 
on the pedestal of the cross and says that these men, who are 
come to establish equality, are the true apostles of the Lord, 
and that this is the meaning of the Gospel. He then places 
himself at the head of the band and leads them to the 
neighbouring village of Gallo, crying, “ Long live the Social 
Revolution.” 
The curé of Gallo, Tambur ini, comes forward to receive 
them and presents them to his flock. “ Fear nothing,” he says, 
“ they are honest folk ; there has been a change of government 
and a burning of the registers.” {Buona gente : non temete. 
Cambiamento di governo ed incendio di carte.) The crowd 
appear delighted. The muskets of the national guard are 
distributed among them. The registers are carried out to the 
public square and make a great blaze. In the mill the people 
destroy the hated instrument for calculating the tax to be paid 
for the grinding. The enthusiasm reaches its height The 
vicar embraces the leader, who wears a red belt The women 
weep for joy. No more taxes, no more rent; everybody 
equal ; general emancipation ! But soon they hear that the 
troops are approaching. The band flies for safety into the 
forest of Matesa. Unhappily, the elements are less merciful 
than the peasants. Everything is buried in snow, and the cold 
is intense. The liberators die of hunger. They are taken, and, 
in the month of August, 1878, they are brought up at the 
Assizes of Capua. The leaders were Count G , of Imola, 
C , a doctor of law, and M , a chemist. The two curés 
were included among the thirty-seven prisoners. 
The upshot of the adventure was not the least extraordinary 
part. The counsel for the accused pleaded that the matter was 
a political offence, and was covered by the amnesty granted by 
King Humbert on coming to the throne. The jury acquitted 
them. Meanwhile one of the carabineers had died and the 
other was crippled for life. Was it not like a page of romance ? 
It gives food for reflection, however. It proves how readily 
the idea of a social revolution, even when presented 
under an almost burlesque form, is accepted by the rural 
populations and their clergy. Small agrarian insurrections.