The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 354: what you’re looking at

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

348 THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. “While jumping a ditch, however, some one of the soldiers in pursuit fired again. “This time Red Devil:was hurt in the thigh, and s0 great was the. pain and so [great his weakness that he fell from the saddle, and with one leg in a stirrup, was) dragged along the ground. (See cut in present Number). “How long the brave fellow might have been dragged along the ground: ro one can tell, had it not been that at that moment a party of mounted Republicans, headed by Sam Gale, advanced to the rescue, and thus saved Red Devil from certain death. “Sam Gale was not aware of the presence of the hussars, for he and his friends were at that moment returning from a scouting expedition, “ But. directly, they saw how things were, they raised a shout, charged the hussars, and drove them off successfully. “ Yankee Sam, and. his friend the ‘Red Devil, felt so much annoyed at their.mishaps that they resolved, to gather two or three hundred volunteers, who should be well, mounted, and thus penetrate into the lines of General Mejia around Pontsville. “JT need not tell: you’ that such a proposal was received by our brave boys with loud cheers, all of wham procured good horses, and were eager for the ray. ‘Myself, the Count, Major Caspar, Hugh Tracy, the ‘Red Devil,’ and Yankee; Sam, were chosen the leaders of this. party, and, haying procured several small pieces,of light.cannon, to serve as ‘flying artillery,’ we filled our havresacks with food, and our canteens with wine, ready for the expedition, ‘We remained in-camp several days, waiting for favourable weather, and in the meantime sent out scouts to see ‘ how the Jand lay’ around us, and on our destined route, “From scouts, out several, days before, it was ascertained the enemy had a strong force of cavalry quartered on the proposed route, and that a fight would be inevitable. ‘‘ Rising with the sun, our men dashed along the roads, and, as; the enemy’s pickets were unable to tell what this immense cloud of dust meant that rose onthe, distant, landscape, our force actually rode through one of their cavalry encampments before the alarm was given, _“ The enemy were for the most part absent at the time, and sustained but little loss save the total destruction of their stores, capture of spare horses, and a few prisoners. ‘ These latter, being mounted, were placed in orate of the rear guard, and the excursion pro- ceeded. “The delay at this camp had given the, enemy warning, and, when we progressed some miles further, several squadrons of dragoons were observed drawn up on a slope ready to receive us, ‘A halt was sounded, two squadrons were sent forwatd, who dashed at the enemy full gallop. ‘The Imperialists remained long enough to dis- charge their revolvers, and not attempting to charge down hill, broke and fled, precipitously, | _“ Their officers were the last to retire, and seemed disgusted with the poltroons they commanded. “A few accoutrements, pistols, horses, &c., were found here, and in a neighbouring camp, and on we dashed as gaily as ever, “We had not proceeded many miles when a strong body of the enemy were discovered admirably posted, with skirmishers thrown out in front. “ Our advance, consisting of one squadron, went ahead, drove in the outposts, and rode in full view of the enemy, five squadrons strong, and attempted to draw them out, “The commander, not observing our whole force screened in woods a mile distant, sallied forth to exterminate our advance. “The latter, however, returned up the hill, over it, and, when half-way down, were met by another squadron—both advanced again, and met the enemy advancing up on the other side, “Sam gave the word, and our horsemen, spurring their steeds ints a maddening gallop, charged among the enemy, and were sabreing and pistolling right and left before they fully recovered from astonishment. ‘The conflict was hand to hand, and conspicuous in our foremost ranks were the Count and Caspir. ‘‘The fight lasted about ten minutes, and ended in the Imperialists’ flight, who dispersed in all directions, and would not heed their trumpets sounding the rally. “As our men advanced down into the level plain they were again attacked by a fresh body of horse. “ But a third company coming to our assistance made the combat more equal, and finally routed them with loss. ‘We captured many prisoners, a lot of fine horses, sabres, trumpets, and pistols, together with their well-provisioned camps found a half-mile further on, with all things as their owners left them, ** And among other articles lots of superior sad- dles and harness were immediately appropriated, and not allowed to be burned with all things else. “ Having refreshed our men, and remounted many, we continued on our travels, and were ~ cheered on every hand by the country people, who, informed of things by the frightened Imperialists, lined the road-side and waved hats and handker- chiefs in high glee. ‘“¢T told ’em you’d come along one of these fine mornings’ said a fine old gentleman, standing at his door with two daughters, and shaking with laughter, ‘Take care of my son, Yankee Sam, and drive all the skunks into the river !’ ““¢ Hurry on, boys, hurry on | the varmint ain't more nor a mile ahead! We’re all Imperialists (!) down here, you know. One of their camps is just over the hill, and has lots of horses. Darn ’em! Go in, boys, give ’em the devil !’ “‘* Hold on,’ said a fine young girl, with a gun in her hand, ‘I’ve got four of the rascals in my house ; they thought to hide until you passed, but seeing your boys coming, I made them deliver up their weapons, and stood guard till you arrived.’ ‘Sure enough the Imperialists were there, but soon accommodated with horses, and being placed in charge of the rear-guard, on went the column again ; clouds of dust rising on every hand, and artillery jingling along the roads. lRustics on fences, negroes on door-steps and wood piles, others at the plough or spade ; all rushed forward, yelling and clapping hands like madmen. ‘“* Pile in on ’em, Massa; ‘we ain’tno Im- perialists down dese diggins!—fotch it to ’em, —_- nw Oro eee oo white folks, and make ’em clar out of Mexico. We want none ob em among dese chickens,’ cS a ag aS Seen Comicbooksscom