The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 187: what you’re looking at

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

THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’'S YOUNG CAPTAIN, 181 ‘No, I do not mean that ; nothing in the world | into a loathsome gaol for six months, ona trumpery would please me more than that they should do so. “Then why advise them otherwise ?” ~ From information I have received,’ as the English detectives say, I have reason to believe that Sergeant Gale is already on the track of the true culprits, and if Frank or Tom appear upon the scene at an improper moment, it might cause fresh complications, and, perhaps, thwart the ends of justice,’ ‘But how could you get to know all this ?” “ Why, with Joe] Flint’s own money.” “‘T cannot see that, for, from what I have heard, ne English police cannot be bribed to give informa- ion. The Italian detective laughed, as he said— ‘““ Policemen all over the world are alike in many things, and I can tell you that a few florins in Italy, like afew pounds in England, have a won- derful effect on constables, and they will swear white is black, if they only have a chance. The reason of this is they are over worked, and very badly paid. It istrue, if you wish a detective to get you out of a scrape, you must ‘ palm’ him far more heavily than a man in uniform—for you must know this much, detectives themselves are watched by detectives, as constables are by constables, for in the police force no one would trust another further than they can see him, and, in most cases, they look upon every man, woman, and child as born thieves and vagabonds.”’ ““Not a very flattering description, certainly,” said the count, laughing, “No; but it istrue, though, count ; and the way I got my information is easily told, for the King of Italy has Italian detectives in England like he has in Leghorn, and everywhere else ; these know the English ones, so they are well informed of all that’s going on, whether it concerns them individually or not.” “You are a clever——” “Rogue you would have said, count,” the de- tective remarked, laughing. ‘‘ Well, as you please ; I have only done my duty to two trusty, gallant friends in this instance, for they deserve all that one true man can do for another. I have fulfilled my mission, and am satisfied. I must leave the rest to themselves,” “You are very kind,” said the count, “and to reward you, here is my purse,” said he, offering it to Tomasso. The Italian detective shook his head, and looked grave, “No money ‘between friends,” said he, with a look of annoyance. Taking up his hat, he was about to depart, and said, “Qaptain Frank will find his Boy Band on the road towards Verona. The Italian army is ready to advance on Verona, leaving Peschiera on the left about ten miles. The army will not move for four or five days.” So speaking, he bowed himself out, and left, “ This is a bold fellow,” thought the count ; “ but who knows but what he may be a spy, after all? I must advise my young friends to depart at once, in case the detective’s plausible tale might prove nought else but a trap to secure them.” When informed of this conversation, both Frank and Tom were much amazed, Buttons was astonished, and swore very loudly for a youth of his inches that— “He wouldn’t stay in Leghorn, to be clapped charge made up by Joel Flint, or any one else.” He was dying to rejoin Fatty and the Boy Band, and when the count, Frank, and Tom, after a short council of war, decided to depart that very night, he danced and kicked up his heels in such a wild, extravagant manner, that the Italian cooks and chambermaids thought the droll English boy had taken leave of his senses. That same night, when no one expected it, Frank, Tom, the count, and Buttons. boldly walked out of their hotel towards Tom’s ship. As they approaclied the landing, they were recog- nised, and surrounded by a large posse of police. “That’s your man—seize him!’ said the chief, pointing to Frank. In an instant Frank, Tom, and the count drew their swords, and fought their way through bravely. They must have soon been overpowered, how- ever, but, just as the police were gathering stronger and stronger each moment, a loud shout was heard from the waterside. A loud, ringing English cheer resounded in the alr. In an instant Frank’s party were joined by a strong boat’s crew from Tom’s ship, who, cutlass and pistol in hand, dispersed the Italian police force like chaff before the wind, In an instant two brawny sailors seized Frank, and carried him in triumph to their boat, and ina few minutes another loud cheer told the Italian officers that the English youths were then safely and triumphantly on their way towards Tom’s gallant barque. In less than half an hour Tom stood on the quarter deck of his gallant craft, and she sailed from Leg- horn with every inch of canvas set, and dashed through the sparkling waves like a thing of life. ‘‘ Ho-o-ray | ho-o-ray |!” shouted young Buttons, with all his might; ‘ho-o-ray, we shall soon join the Boy Band again.” ‘Yes,’ said Frank, in his ear, “ but before we leave Italy, we must join in the first battle that takes place, to show these lying rascals that we are not cowards, but made of sterling English steel ; and when that is over, we’ll all seek adventures in another clime before we return to England.” ‘“Where to?’ asked Buttons, with breathless curiosity. “Why, in—Mexico ; to help the people this time, and not tyrannical upstarts who call themselves kings.” CHAPTER LXXI. THE COUNT NARRATES THE EXPERIENCE OF AN OLD SOLDIER—CADET’S LIFE—THE BATTLE OF NOVARA—TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER. FRANK, and everybody on board, imagined that the vessel could not possibly be more than three or four days at most in reaching the port they desired to land at, But they were all very much mistaken. The winds were so contrary and boisterous, that they drove the noble vessel off its course, and they lay more than a week buffeting about in the tem- pestuous seas, and many times were in great danger of being wrecked. It was a sad disappointment to Frank, the old count, and all the crew, that they could not be able to land in time to take part in the expeditions of the land forces. MICLOO S 7 —————— CO