The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 112: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

——_——- 106 THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDIS YOUNG CAPTAIN. ~~ TAM A DAT a eee ee ee “I know it; but you would not depart empty handed ?” “How mean you?” “Basil has immense treasures concealed in these caves.” “Let him keep them, then, é are rich enough without his ill-gotten coin. for the present ; we His daughter and Annette, however, must be rescued » ere we depart.” ; “Tis easily done. Let your followers make their way to the end of this long gailery, the same way Teresa pointed out to them unknown to me; let them wait at the end on the mountain side, con- cealed in the bushes until we return. Follow me !” In a few hurried words Frank explained the position of affairs to his followers, and they obeyed his orders by making ‘the best of their way along the gallery silently and swiftly. Ambrose now dived down 2 side gallery, which — was as:dark as pitch. He was followed by Frank. After a time they came near to the spot where Frank had been confined. ; “ The next cell to yours is Annette’s,” said Am- brose. “ Then that accounts for the voice I heard.” “Tre, she was gagged and ironed by order of Basil and the council of twelve, which your fol- lowers have just now 80 well imitated. WhenIsaw you this morning I unlocked her cell door, un- chained and ungagged her. She is ready to fly, but knows not, that you are still alive. “ But where is Agnese?’’ said Frank. “ Ah, that is a different matter. I fear that blood will have to be shed ere you carry her off.” ‘© Why?” ‘There is a guard placed at her chamber door night and day.” ‘“‘ By whose orders ? ”’ ‘The council’s.” ‘Cannot he be dispatched, ’tis easily done? The girl shall not suffer, for my fault.” “Bravely said, Captain Frank, and like a true lover ; but I have a better plan in view.” “ What is it?” ‘Give him wine.” ‘¢ Poisoned wine?” said Frank. ‘No, only drugged.” “ That is better.” “Let us carry Annette away first, and leave her in charge of your followers, we will quickly return and do the rest.” Like two well-practised burglars Ambrose and | Frank entered Annette’s dark cell, and before the | girl could recover from astonishment she was rapidly conveyed along the winding passages. As they approached the further end, before de- scribed, the fitful gusts of pure fresh air revived her, and ere long she managed to crawl through the aperture, and was safe among the Boy Soldiers there in waiting, All this had been quickly done, and without noise, for both Ambrose and Frank were in their stocking feet, Ambrose, however, carried his boots in his hand, and when he approached the chamber in which Agnese was confined, he put them on again, so that his approach might be heard, Me motioned Frank to hide in a dark recess until called upon, While secreted there, Ambrose went ‘forward. “Tlalt,” said the gruff brigand at the chamber door, ‘* who approaches {ih ‘‘ Ambrose,” was the reply, “Advance, Ambrose, what'want ye?” ‘“ How long is it since you were placed on guard here?” “ Four hours,” ‘‘ How is that?” “The chief of the guard had warning that there were numerous armed strangers prowling about the hills, and he called off all the men he could muster | to go and look after them.” “Tknowit. Imyself gave that information to Captain Basil.” ; “That accounts then why the council will not sit to night,” “True ; every available man has been sent off to the valley and gorge. Basil fears that the Boy Sol- diers may even attack our stronghold here.” “No fear of that,” laughed the sentinel; ‘no one knows the ins and outs of this place except our- selves.” “Quite true. You seem tired.” “So I am, standing here in the dark, and damp, | and cold.” : -“ Will you take a cup of wine? It will cheer you up.” “JT don’t mind, but you know it is quite against our orders ; if a man is found drunk upon his post he is shot.” ‘‘No fear of that; who should speak of it? Not Ambrose, you may be sure; wait a moment. Iam promoted to a councillor now, and can go anywhere in these caverns at my will.” ! In a few minutes Ambrose passed the spot where Frank was concealed. [oa * As he went by he whispered, “In five minutes the guard will be senseless ; wait till I give the word.” | Ambrose procured the wine ina small apartment some distance away, and soon returned with a large goblet filled to the brim. He stopped again, and spoke to Frank in a whisper. “Drink,” said he, “ heartily, my lad ; it will re- fresh you. I have not drugged it yet.” Frank took a draught, and with many thanks. Ambrose now dropped a liquid drug into the wine, and walked on towards the sentinel. “‘Here’s health to you, Councillor Ambrose, and | may you live to be chief of our band, instead of Basil, the drunken sot. Here’s health to you.” He drank the wine with great avidity, and soon | he became very talkative, But Ambrose left him and went to Frank. In less than tien minutes both of them heard the dis- tant sound of loud snoring, “T told you so,” said Ambrose. done its work, WHe’s fast asleep, me.” In a few moments Frank and his faithful guide found themselves at the chamber-door of Agnese. The tipsy, insensible guard lay flat.on his face, snoring loudly, with his gun beside him, They stepped over his body, and opened the chamber-door, “Tl stay here until you return,” said Ambrose. ‘‘No- one knows what may happen. Her chamber is in the inner room, | . Frank did not need to be told twice. He quickly passed through the first apartment, and quietly opened a door which led into a second, Within, and reposing on a-small bed, lay the beautiful Agnese, her hair flowing over the pillow, and her breasts and arms all bare... t 100 Beside her on a chair ‘sat'a wicked, cadaverous- Rae & old woman, whose eyes glared like two balls of fire, “The drug has Come, follow etal 3 | AN a RULE ace SLi (EO MMKElNoolkS rp COM