The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 146: what you’re looking at

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

i an I rn enn 140 THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. gn who had pretended to be asleep, opened his eyes, and was surprised to find Fatty setting by his bedside. “That you, Tony ?” : ‘Yes, Frank, that’s me, what's left of me, for I felt so knocked up when you were hurt, I thought I should have died, All I wanted was to find out that other chap as had a hand in this cowardly affair, but could not. Jf I had thought, said Fatty, with an oath, ‘“ I’d a’ smashed him, and no mistake.” “ And how did you manage to get into my room? Don’t you know I’m not supposed to allow any one in to see me?” 4 ‘Yes, Captain Frank, I know all about it ; but I wasn’t going to let them Italian fellows wait on you while I was near,” “And Mark, Mr. Caspar, Hugh, Buttons, and the rest, what has become of them ?” “They have started off to assist in capturing the Austrian fort which stops the way of the Volunteers on their road into the Tyrol. They said, as you had promised your word to go, they felt in duty bound to be present.” “They were quite right,” said Frank, ‘ Colonel de Medicci expects them and me also.” ** But, of course, you can’t go?” “ But I can though,” said Frank, “ You ?” ! “ Yes, and you, too.” “T don’t understand.” ‘Tt’s very easily comprehended. Listen |—the doctors have extracted all the poison from my wound, and say that there is not any danger from that cause now, except a little lossof blood. I feel as strong and active as ever, and as I have the use of my right arm, I intend to go also.” “No, no, no, Captain Frank,” said Fatty, ‘ you must not go,”’ “ But I tell you I will,” said Frank, ‘ I'm not going to lay here idle and do nothing, while the other lads are exposing their lives. I’m not one of that sort.” Fatty smiled, but said, “If you go, I will also, Captain Frank. You ain’t agoing to leave me behind.” “ Well, then, get me a carriage and four horses immediately,’ said Frank, “ You and I will start after Caspar and the rest immediately. We shall get there all in good time—the storming doesn’t come off until to-morrow night.” Although he did not much relish the idea of his captain escaping from his ‘sick-room with his wounded arm, there was nothing else for it but to order the carriage and four. The vehicle was soon hired, and stood ready in the shadow of a by-street. In less than an hour Frank escaped from his sick chamber, unperceived by any one in the house, and joined Fatty, He flung himself into the carriage, Fatty perched himself on the box seat. The two postillions cracked their whips, and in less time than it takes to tell it, both were on the high road to Trent at a clipping rate, * * * * ** It was in the afternoon of the followirg day that Frank and Fatty arrived in the plain that in part surrounded the Austrian fort, before which were gathered some five or six thousand gallant Italian volunteers, Frank had heard the loud booming of artillery aor. several hours ere he reached the scene of action, But the sight that he saw in the valley in front TL Ct ttt it sasetttt mace of the fort was something more than he ever ex- pected to see, The air was calm and still. A clear sky was overhead ; but through the green valley volumes of sulphury smoke lazily rolled away from the brazen mouths of thundering artillery, and entirely concealed the lower part of the fortress, in the walls of which were visible three large rents. A bright flash of flame would now and then burst from the walls; but the unceasing roar of the Italian volunteer artillery drowned all the other sounds, save when a loud ringing cheer would burst from the brave volunteers in the trenches, as now and then a well-directed shot brought some part of the heavy masonry of the fortress rattling down. The utmost activity was visible on all sides, Troops pressed forward here and there to the relief of their tired and powder-blackened comrades in the trenches. : “ Officers rode madly hither and thither, giving orders, and all betokened that the long-expected assault upon the grim fortress would soon take place. While every volunteer in the army was anxiously expecting the final dicision of General Garibaldi, a general order was made known from head-quarters, in which, after briefly detailing the plan of assault, ended with these words :— ‘The fortress must be carried by assault to-night, by orders of GENERAL GARIBALDI. When the order was privately circulated among the prircipal officers, the activity on all sides seemed to increase ten-fold. As the day drew to a close, the cannonade on either side was slackened. A solitary gun would be ‘heard at intervals, and its echoes would thunder through the valleys and the mountain gorges of the Tyrol. But when night set in, even these sounds were not heard, and a death-like silence reigned on all sides, In the trenches, which were crowded with anxious and well-armed soldiers, not a sound was audible, and even among that silent host the challenge of a solitary sentry could be distinctly heard. The marine fortress loomed larger, as its dark shadow stood out in bold relief from the light blue sky, and was as silent as the grave, while now and then could be detected in the several trenches the sudden passing twinkling of a lamp, as the AustTian guards walked their rounds upon the lofty walls, and then suddenly disappear again, leaving all dark and gloomy as before. Frank had not been long among the Italian officers when he learned that General Garibaldi had so much admired the bravery of Mr. Caspar, Hugh Tracy and Mark, that he had given to each of them the command of a storming party. Garibaldi had heard of Frank’s accident at the opera-house, and was much incensed with the cowardly trick played upon him. He had given strict orders, moreover, that Captain Ford should refrain from further duty until his recovery was placed beyond all doubt ; and Colonel de Medicci had even been heard to say that Frank had already rejoined his company of boy soldiers, and was then strictly under the doctor's hands, and would be unable to report for active duty for at least a month to come. “This is fine news,” thought Frank, laughing, ‘General Garibaldi fancies I’m in bed among my own lads, and here Iam dying to have something to do, and take part in the grand assault to-night. And I dare not show myself to the old general either, or he will reprimand me, and have me under arrest. [ am in a regular fix, But I wonder where Caspar, a a eee Eomichsoo S (E@)