The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 217: what you’re looking at

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

— ee eee THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. 211 ee save the owl, with its sudden flight and ceaseless challenge of ‘teewit, teewit, teewho!’ echoing from distant parts, and the moaning winds sighing among gigantic chestnuts, birches, and patriarchal oak trees. “The moon began to peepfrom amid the clouds, and from where I lay beside its osiered bank, could see the deep dark waters of the river floating, winding on swiftly and silently, until lost in the labyrinthine mass of dark timber bending in lofty arches above, while rays of moonlight stealing through the leafy roof, discovered flocks of water fowl sleeping on its banks, “The white crane stood sentry in the shade, ‘* Herons fluttered in the marsh. “Startled birds would dart across the stream, © where silver-backed fish were rolling and disporting on the surface. ‘‘ The scream of the wild cat and sudden flight of birds; the long howling of the wolf, the cry of the panther, and scream of the wild hog; these were the sounds that occasionally broke upon the ear in the quiet of the night as I lay absorbing tne beauty and contemplating the magnificence of the scene, feeling dwarfed and full of awe at the prodigality of nature, and the mag- nitude and colossal proportions of this temple of nature, rising in island-like grandeur amid a sea- like expanse of prairie. “Tf the dust-begrimed and caréworn denizens of European cities knew but a tithe of the peace, beauty, plenty, and prodigality of nature strewn with lavish hands in the prairie islands of the west—if the pallid and weary man of thought could but escape for a time to enjoy the unearthly quiet | and repose of these priceless retreats, to hunt in its | woods, and bathe in its: streams, to inhale the bracing breeze, and by manly sport to feel himself hourly growing robust and strong, with his dogs and gun and trusty horse tethered and waiting beneath the wide-spreading beech ; it would solace his soul with acalm and peace unknown before, and for ever wed him toa closer communion with, - and an instructive contemplation of, the wonders and magnificence of nature, “But while I thus thought and dreamed of far- off England, I was suddenly aroused by afierce and terrible growl behind me, : ‘‘T turned my head, and was horrified at what I there saw,” CHAPTER LXXXITII. TOM FORD AND HIS GALLANT CREW ONCE MORE PUT TO SEA—THE COMBAT—A HAPPY DELIVER- ANCE, WHEN the old count had departed with Frank on their overland journey towards Mexico, Tom Ford and his gallant lads were left alone in the port of Galveston. The Americans there knew very well that the Boy Soldiers were bent on joining the people against the French, and they rejoiced at it, for nothing could ever displease them so much as'the idea that an emperor should install himself'so near them on the great continent, When Tom bade adieu to his brother, therefore, the Americans loudly cheered the Boy Soldiers, and escorted them for a long distance on their way with bands, banners, and much cheering. But the Americans had no idea that Captain Tom Ford was also on the side of the Mexicans, for { ComilGbooksreom his two vessels were much too small to cope with the French men-of-war in those waters, They were much deceived if they, for a moment, thought that Tom would remain idle, for such was not his nature, There were several French spies, however, who had narrowly watched Captain Tom's manceuvres, and they were not slow in sending on their infor- mation and suspicions to the French and Mexican admirals at Vera Cruz. Tom didn’t suspect this until quietly informed of it by an American friend. “What!” said Tom, to the American, do you mean to say that any cowardly lubber has sent word to the French admiral, and that ships of war are on the way to watch us?” } ‘‘T ouess that’s the fact,’ said the long-legged American, chewing his quid, with a smile, ‘and although I don’t wish any kind o’ harm to any o’ the sons of old Johnny Bull, ’d give you a piece of advice, and that is, skedaddle as fast as you kin, ontil sich times as yon air strong enough to return to these diggings, and give the Frenchers an etarnal whipping.” Tom could not but smile at the American’s advice; but before he acted he consulted the wishes of his crew. That same night, at midnight, he was about. to weigh anchor and depart, when the long-legged American again made his appearance, and, mount- ing the ship’s side, he whispered in Captain Tom’s ear, “ T caleulate I’ve gota bit o’ news as will suit you roving Britishers.” “What is it?” asked Tom, with a smile. “ Just awhile ago the Americans in town received word by pony express across the plains, that the French are driving all out of Mexico at the point of the bayonet who don’t take the oath of allegiance to old Maximilian; there’s a whole ship-load on their way to prison now, I hear.” “ You don’t mean that ?”’ “T do, though, and some mighty fine ladies on board, too; and if you could just chance to fall across that craft and capture it, ’'d bet my bottom dollar you’d not repent the adventure.” “Perhaps not, my friend ; but what sort of craft is it, and what’s it’s name ?” ‘Tt is called the ‘ Austrian Eagle,’ and is a fast- sailing, ten-gun brig, You’re sure to fall in with her if you go as far south as Zambia or Vera Cruz. “ All right, my friend,” said Tom, and heartily thanked the long-legged American for his informa- tion, The Yankee “‘liquored up,” that is to say he drank a good draught of brandy with Captdin Tom ere he left the ship, and went ashore rather “ mellow.” That night, and about an hour afterthe American’s visit, Tom signalled both ships to prepare to sail, and ere morning both vessels were far out af sea, with all canvas set, sailing for the south, * x * x %* Tom had been two days ai sea when the man on the look-out at the mast-head shouted, and hailed the deck, “A sail! a sail !” “In what quarter ?” “On the port bow,” “ How far?” . “ About twenty miles.” ‘©Can you make her out?” shouted Tom, through his trumpet. “ Not much, captain.” ‘What is she like ?”