Cucumetto’s Brigand Band in the Lepini Mountains
A band of brigands established in the Lepini mountains began attracting attention. Though brigands have never been truly extirpated from the Roman neighborhood, they sometimes lack a chief—yet when one presents himself, he rarely waits long for followers. The celebrated Cucumetto, pursued from the Abruzzo and driven from the kingdom of Naples, had crossed the Garigliano and taken refuge between Sonnino and Juperno, hoping to surpass Decesaris and Gasparone.
Cucumetto’s Abduction of Rita
Cucumetto abducted a young girl, Rita, the daughter of a surveyor of Frosinone. Under bandit law, a captured girl belongs first to her captor, after which the rest draw lots for her. Carlini, Rita’s lover and a member of Cucumetto’s troop, recognized her and felt his heart sink, knowing her fate. As a three-year faithful servant who had once saved Cucumetto’s life by shooting a dragoon, Carlini hoped for the chief’s pity and took him aside while Rita sat at the foot of a huge pine, hiding her face with her head-dress.
Carlini’s Plea for Rita’s Mercy
Carlini confessed his affection for Rita, their promises of fidelity, and their nightly meetings in nearby ruins. He begged Cucumetto to make an exception in her favor since her father was rich and could pay a large ransom. Cucumetto had actually encountered Rita that night when Carlini had been sent to a village, and Carlini’s entreaties seemed to sway the chief, who told him to find a shepherd to carry a message to Rita’s father in Frosinone.
Carlini’s Ransom Arrangement for Rita
Carlini joyfully told Rita she was saved and bade her write to her father, fixing her ransom at three hundred piastres with only twelve hours allowed—until nine the next morning. Seizing the letter, Carlini hastened to find a messenger, recruiting a young shepherd who promised to reach Frosinone in less than an hour. When Carlini returned to announce the good news, he found the troop supping in a glade but could not find Rita or Cucumetto among them.
Carlini Discovers Rita’s Rape and Murder
When Carlini inquired about Rita, the bandits burst into laughter. One offered him a glass of Orvietto, toasting “the brave Cucumetto and the fair Rita.” Hearing a woman’s cry, Carlini broke the glass across the bandit’s face and rushed toward the sound, finding Rita senseless in Cucumetto’s arms. Cucumetto rose with pistols in hand, but Carlini’s features gradually relaxed and his hand fell to his side. Cucumetto coolly proposed they return to draw lots for Rita, asking if Carlini’s commission had been executed; Carlini confirmed the ransom would arrive at nine.
Carlini Kills Diavolaccio in Retaliation
The brigands demanded lots be drawn. All names, including Carlini’s, were placed in a hat, and the youngest drew the ticket bearing Diavolaccio’s name—the very bandit Carlini had struck across the face. Diavolaccio laughed, showing his bleeding wound, and asked Cucumetto to propose a toast. To everyone’s astonishment, Carlini calmly drank to Diavolaccio’s health, then sat by the fire and ate. When Diavolaccio returned bearing Rita, her hair sweeping the ground, the band saw by the firelight the unearthly pallor of both: a knife was plunged to the hilt in Rita’s left breast, and Carlini’s sheath was empty.
Brigands Draw Lots for Rita’s Custody
The savage deed was understood by all, though no other bandit might have done the same. Carlini rose with his hand on a pistol butt, approaching the corpse and asking if anyone disputed possession of the woman with him. Cucumetto answered that she was his, and Carlini carried her out of the firelight. That night, Rita’s father arrived at midnight with the three hundred piastres ransom, and Cucumetto led him through the moonlit trees to where Carlini sat with Rita’s body.
Burial of Rita and Her Father’s Suicide
The old man recognized his dead daughter. Carlini explained that Cucumetto had violated Rita, and he had slain her to spare her the bandits’ brutality. He offered the father the knife to avenge her, but the old man, in a hoarse voice, said “Thou hast done well!” and embraced him—these were the first tears the man of blood had ever wept. Father and lover dug a grave at the foot of a great oak, said prayers over Rita, and filled the earth. The old man then dismissed Carlini. The next day, Carlini found the father suspended from a branch of the same oak that shaded his daughter’s grave, and he swore an oath of bitter vengeance.
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