The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 225: 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. Fa a Sg a | ‘* While some, bolder than the rest, few out into | the unclouded moon-light, and, after a short flight, would re-enter the timber again. “The whole forest was a living mass. of birds, and a single accidental shot would cause the up- rising of thousands. ‘“None were foolish enough to enter the ‘roost,’ nor were there any dogs that might disturb it. ‘For had accident dffrighted such vast numbers, they would: have flown out into the open grounds, and possibly knocked us down and smothered us. ‘For if such numberless creatures bend and break down huge limbs of trees, and leave their roost a mass of broken timber, with a thick layer of feathers, manure, and débris, few persons would have the temerity to go within dangerous proximity, for fear of personal harm, “ i _ “Having, therefore, previously provided some dozens of thin deal boarding, and fixed them firmly against a fence in the form of a hoarding, and then placed a large mass of pine wood several feet in front, we ignited it, and immediately retired toa respectful distance, to watch and await the result. ‘The smoke soon ascended in columns, and the flames began to crackle and send forth a lurid glow, which lit the face of the woods. ‘As soon as the light brightened, the roost ‘ap- peared to be in an uneasy state of rustle and flutter, and occasionally afew birds took wing, flew towards the fire, skimmed round it, and retired, . “ Presently, however, as the pine wood shot forth amass of light, the birds flew about in hundreds, and fast increased to thousands, sweeping hither and thither, until the moonbeams streaming through the forest were completely darkened, . ‘“‘ Their numbers increased every moment. ‘Flying directly at, the blaze, hundreds’ dashed against the boards, and lay fluttering on the ground, _ “Thus the ‘sport,’ if it may so be called, con- tinued, until large heaps of birds almost covered _the hoarding against which they had been stunned, smothered, and killed. 2H ‘It was wise that we had retired a considerable distance from their line of flight, for had any one dared to approach such masses, they must assuredly , have been killed, for nothing could scarcely resist their weight and numbers, "When the fire had burned out, and the birds once more returned to roost, we ventured forth, and filled two waggons with the spoil, leaving several waggon loads behind. Be ‘“The depredations of such immense flocks upon neighbouring plantations are very grievous; and I am assured that they are almost like locusts, for coming at spring time, they despoil thousands of acres of their seedlings, causing sad havoc, and entirely destroying prospective crops. “ Occasionally their stay is but short, but some- times they choose to remain weeks and months, and there seems to be no method of being rid of them. _ “To one who watches the flight of a few pigeons in a city, they seem to be the most harmless crea- tures in creation; but even the dove, emblematic as it is of innocence and purity, is one of the most destructive of the feathered tribe, and causes much mischief at spring time in the south, where they assail the seed already in the ground, and follow the sower with great diligence and pertinacity. “ The effect of such numbers is best seen in what- ever forest they may have used as their ‘ roost.’ “TI once visited one, and could scarcely credit the havoc there visible. “The earth was covered with large branches, and Bier) Here a thick layer of manure and feather- own, “Hogs, wild or domestic, are great patrons of such spots, and grow amazingly fat, for, from some cause, dead birds lie as thickly as fallen fruit in autumn, “Towards morning, our party of pigeon hunters returned. ‘‘ Among our number were Fatty and Buttons. ‘‘The former danced about like a maniac, and was for ever talking of ‘roast pigeon,’ ‘boiled pigeon,’ ‘pigeon soup,’ and ‘ pigeon pies,’ until his merriment almost made our heads ache. _ “True enough, we had now sufficient pigeons to last us for a long time. “But, to my surprise, Fatty and Buttons showed us all an example by which to profit. | “They plucked the feathers, and made feather- beds, and the first sleep which Fatty had thereon lasted for twenty-four hours or more, ‘Tn fact, his bed was such a huge one, that he was almost hidden among the feathers, and could not be induced to show himself in public, except at dinner-time, and at that particular hour, to use his own words— ‘“* He was always on hand!’ = ==-—— r CHAPTER LXXXVI,... TOMASSO THE DETECTIVE AND JOEL FLINT, THE position of Joel-Flint in Leghorn, deprived as he was.of all communication with his father in England, was not by any means very pleasant. He was without money. ‘ And more than: that, he was without,a single friend, That he,must do something shortly he very well knew, but what to do he knew not, Tomasso, the detective, instead of proving a friend, now turned round upon Joel, and watched him both night and day as if he had been a thief, if not something worse, wherever he went ; whether to the parks, to the theatres, or for a walk, he was sure to meet with Tomasso. This, at last, became so painful to Joel, that he felt as if he were haunted by some. dreadful gnome, One day, when Joel was walking alone by the sea- side pondering on what he had better do, Tomasso touched him on the shoulder rather unexpectedly and suddenly, The movement, though slight in itself, made Joel turn deadly pale. He trembled, and for a moment could not speak. Tomasso’s black eyes glistened again as he watched the sudden pallor of the English youth, “You are quite a stranger,” said Joel ; “how do you do, Tomasso ?” wp “ ‘Nay, I am very well, I thank you; but how are you, Mr, Schmidt ?” He laid such peculiar stress on the Mr, Schmidt, that Joel felt more uneasy than ever. | “ Nay, how are you, my friend?” said Tomasso, again, ‘‘I. heard you were about to leave for England ?” “So I was, but——” . “But what ?” said Tomasso. “I hope there is nothing unpleasant going on at home,” — “Unpleasant? I do not understand;you,” said Joel, » “Well, I meant that I hope your worthy father had not met with any reverse in fortune or any- thing of that sort, you know.” “Oh, no,” said Joel, with a well-assumed air of pride. “No misfortunes of that nature could over-