The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 62: what you’re looking at

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

— 56 THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI'S YOUNG CAPTAIN. “ Aye; come, come, old man, be quick, without | you want the Italian light cavalry surrounding your | house.” “Major Andre, eh?” muttered the farmer, as he descended the stairs. “Surely he can’t have re- turned so quickly? There is some mystery here. I © must be cautious with this stranger.” Att 5 ae The door was half opened by the old farmer, who | sald, ‘“You come from Major Andre, do you?” | “Yes ; you have a dozen horses here, fully equip- ped, and ready for the use of his friends ?” aie ~ So I have, youngster,” said the old man, drily, “but not for you.” oe ‘Not for me? What mean ye?” es | *‘T mean this, my boys, you have come tothe wrong | house ; you are one of Garibaldi’s English boys. Now, if you’ll take my advice, you'll be off with yourself as soon as possible. I don’t want to ‘hort you, seeing how young and foolish you are, but if — you must know the truth, I'll tell you that I have not only the twelve horses, but the twelve men here.” a “Twelve men?” said Frank, surprised, certain - that he had fallen into a trap, ‘‘ And where are | they ?”’ ‘ oe) ‘“‘T’ll soon let you see, You have played your | we ; ; CHAPTER XXVII. THE SECRET EXPEDITION BY NIGHT—THE FARM- HOUSE SURPRISED—MAJOR ANDRE’S SECRET— THE AUSTRIAN PAYMASTER HAS TO PAY DEARLY FOR HIS RIDE—SERGEANT FATTY AND CORPORAL BUTTONS TAKE A NIGHT GALLOP IN SEARCH OF PREY, SERGEANT Fatty didn’t like to be left out of it, whatever it was, nor did Buttons, hence, after mich coaxing on the part of Tony, he and Job were allowed to form two of the party. “ But what are you going to do ?” “ That will shortly be seen,” said Frank, ‘‘ Come, buckle on your pistols and swords, and follow me.” “Are we going on foot?” said Tony, dolefully. “‘T can’t a-bear walking ; it hurt’s a fellow’s corns so.” “No; we are not going to walk this time, we shall ride, Tony.’’, Fatty and the rest were delighted, Frank picked out ten persons altogether, and went out of the camp towards the river. “The capture of that spy is worth more than £10,000 to us, Tony,” said Frank, * How ?” “You will soon see. From his papers I have found out many things which will be quickly explained. Follow me in silence, and don’t dare walk out of the wood,” After half an hour’s walking, one after the other, in silence through the wood, Frank stopped. ‘*Here’s the ford,” he said, “‘Tuck up your ‘trousers, and follow me! we shan’t be seen.” In the greatest silence they did as commanded, and followed Frank, who was already in the river up to his knees. In ten minutes they had forded the river. But now the adventure began. Keeping close under the high bank of the river, they crept up the stream for a considerable distance, and even passed several sentries without being seen, In twenty minutes they came to an old farm- house. ' No sounds were heard; not a soul was stirring, not even a watch dog could be seen, “This is the house,” said Frank. ‘Open the garden gate quietly. Enter the back way.” Hugh was the first to enter, followed by the rest, without the slightest noise. At that instant a ferocious bull-dog rushed out of his kennel with a fearful growl, and was about to jump at Hugh’s throat. an a second Frank’s sword flashed in the moon- ight, The dog’s head was severed from the body at one stroke, and rolled on the ground |! Fatty and Buttons were inclined to laugh at the quick work their captain had made of the ugly beast, but Frank cautioned silence, ‘* Keep close to the wall,” he said, ‘‘in the deep shadows, and be ready, pistol in hand, while I go to the front door.” With his sword-hilt Frank rapped at the door loudly, “Hillo! house here! In the name of the emperor, open |” In a few moments the bushy head of the farmer appeared at the window. ** Who calls house at this lonely hour ?” “fT do; open instantly, I come from Major Andre.” “ Major Andre ?” OA JA 6 Read “ROVING JACKE, THE PIRATE HUNTER.” Pictures with Nos.1 & 5, and Amusing Gift in preparation. Order “ ROVING TACKI" "4 ; comichbooksteom part very well, but you ain’t quite so old in the ~ tooth asIam. If you don’t believe me, and want to see ‘em, I’ll wake ’em up for you.” Se | “ Hold !” said Frank, who perceived that the old man was about to raise an alarm, ‘“ Hold, on your — ifs !” said he, presenting a pistol at the old man’s | — ‘head, A a, " Ae “Two can play at that game, rash youth,” said | oe old man, snapping a revolver full in Frank’s | ace, 2) a The weapon missed fire, and next moment Frank " seized him by the throat, and flung him on the floor. | “* Make the slightest noise, and you are a ‘dead |) man !”’ he whispered in the farmer’s ear, “Tell | me on the instant where the men and horses are.” | “‘ Release your hands from my throat, and Iwill,” | the old man gasped, . a “Then, do so, quickly.” | “The men are Austrian hussars. They came to- © night, and are sleeping in the hay-loft, over the | barn. The horses are in the stable.” WS ‘What brought them here ?” “ The Austrian commandant received information from an English gentleman that a desperate band of young Garibaldians would perhaps be sent into this part of the country ; and, to guard his mail-bags and despatches, he sent twelve hussars here to escort it on its way from Vienna.” Mai “Ah! an Englishman informedhim, eh? Didn't | you hear who he was ?” . “*A young man of property. His name I did not learn, He hates this young band of Garibaldians — intensely. I myself heard him say he would give a thousand pounds for the head of Frank Ford, their captain,” “‘Very merciful and polite, I’m sure,” said Frank, | — with a broad grin, “ And when is this mail coach | expected here? Does it carry money ?” 1% “It does, and will call to-night, I expect it in | about two hours,” ‘Vs “Enough, old man. Now, as you value your life, show the way to your stables,” said Frank, putting a pistol at the old man’s ear. “Who is that? Who is below?” said the voice of a soldier, poking his head out of the hay-loft | door not many yards away, “who is below, there? — speak, or I fire |” ea A sharp click of a pistol wasat that moment heard! _ | and a Novel *