Sometimes a chief is wanted, but when a chief presents himself he rarely has to wait long for a band of followers.
"The celebrated Cucumetto, pursued in the Abruzzo, driven out of the kingdom of Naples, where he had carried on a regular war, had crossed the Garigliano, like Manfred, and had taken refuge on the banks of the Amasine between Sonnino and Juperno.

He strove to collect a band of followers, and followed the footsteps of Decesaris and Gasperone, whom he hoped to surpass.

Many young men of Palestrina, Frascati, and Pampinara had disappeared.

Their disappearance at first caused much disquietude; but it was soon known that they had joined Cucumetto.

After some time Cucumetto became the object of universal attention; the most extraordinary traits of ferocious daring and brutality were related of him.