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.
