The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 78: what you’re looking at

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

72 THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDIS YOUNG CAPTIAIN. The Italian groaned, All was over. He was dead ! Stabbed to the heart ! It was pitch dark now on every hand. At that moment Annette rushed forward. “Hark |” said she, “ some one approaches!” “Quick! To horse!” The young soldiers, with their Austrian captive safe in the carriage, were reddy to start, but they knew not which way to go. While in doubt, little Annette appeared. ‘Follow me, brave youths,” she said; “JZ will show you a better path than the one by which you came, Follow me, and fear not. Yet, let every one of you be prepared for instant action, for we know not whom we may meet. It may cost me my life, but yet I will risk it to save this gallant and youthful band of brave Garibaldi volunteers,”’ None of the Boy Soldiers could imagine which way the road led along which she was pilotting them, but they had faithful confidence in their young guide. They travelled down a long broad path round the side of the mountain, No one spoke. Nought was heard but the jingling of horses’ harness and the creaking of the carriage springs. For a full half hour they journeyed where they knew not, through the dense forest of the mountain, and at last came in sight of a fine level road, “This is the road I wished you to take,” said Annette. “Go straight on ; you cannot miss your way; you are all well mounted and armed. As for me,’’ she sighed, ‘‘I must return.” “But why, dear Annette,” said Frank, gallantly, “why not flee from that den of thieves ?”’ ‘‘T dare not ; at least, not without Agnese, who is more to me than a sister. We both sigh to escape the contamination of that wretched den, but dare not yet. Our plans are not completed.” “Your plans ?”’ ‘Yes, We are but two simple girls ; Agnese is a little older than myself. But we have plans—brave, good plans; but she is hurt. I will not, I could not, desert her now. Her father would kill her did I escape. We will some day both flee together. But go! I cannot, I dare not, say more at present, but 1 shall return to my slavery with a firm hope, that, as we have saved the Boy Band, they may also save and rescue us,” So saying, the brave little Annette waved her Hand and disappeared like a fairy up the mountain side, It was no time for Frank or any of his band to stop to moralize or feel regret. Time was precious ; morning was about to dawn, and yet they were far from their own camps, a whip and spur the young Garibaldians sped along, They had not gone far, however, when they heard the distant sounds of a fiery fusillade going on in the direction of their own camps, This quickened the curiosity of all, Onward they dashed along the road. Their own camps were visible in the distance. The nearer they approached the more certain they felt their companions had been set upon, This was put beyond doubt when they a h still nearer and nearer, Y PERRIN EE They could hear the Austrians shouting, _The report of fire-arms, and the bright flash, was visible on every hand, atk JAG: “ Spur, boys, spur |!” shouted Frank, with a loud voice. “Dash to the rescue of our companions, brave young Garibaldians! Follow me!” With a loud shout they drew their revolvers, and galloped into their own camps, sword in hand! CHAPTER XXY. THB CAMP SURPRISED—THE WAGGON BARRICADE —THE DEFIANCE—“ ENGLISH BOYS, NEVER SUR- RENDER”’’— FATTY AND HIS TRUMPET — THE CAPTURED CANNON—BUTTONS IN HIS GLORY— TERRIFIC COMBAT OF HORSEMEN. IF ever the blood of English boys was was on this special occasion. ‘“Now, comrades, to the charge |” cried Frank, his eyes flashing with the stern joy of battle. ‘‘Upon them! First powder, and then steel! Blench not, for the honour of old England! Viva Garibaldi! Morte ai Tedesche! Death to the Austrian tyrants! Huzza!” ‘‘Huzza |!” shouted the Boy Band, rushing along in a cloud of dust, amid which their bright swords gleamed like lightning flashes in the sulphury thunder cloud, A roar of artillery, and a long, sharp crackle of musketry. | . Suddenly the youthful cavalcade reined in their galloping horses. “He is struck! he falls!” was gasped from every lip. A clot of crimson appears on Frank’s noble brow. His horse caracoles ; then the noble youth reels back in the saddle, and the next instant he is rolled in the dust ! aroused, it The most interesting Story of the day is ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER EXTRACT :— The exasperated beseigers did not scruple to discharge their fire-arms at the escaping thieves and bona robas, and more than one shriek or yell told that some of the shots had taken ect. ** What ho, there!’’ thundered a stern and terrible voice. ‘* Keep the peace, I say!” | The commander-in-chief of the thief-takers and the autocrat of thieves sprang into the room, savagely scowling and brandishing a heavy bludgeon. ** What means this outrage ?”’ “Heed him not!” shouted Jack. ‘* Knock the villain down! Yonder flies Dick Turpin over the roofs of the outhouses! After him! Five hundred gold guineas for the bloody wolf, dead or alive !’’ With an oath the thief-taker rushed up to our hero. “ii Taek whelp! Do ye know me? I.am Jonathan 2 “* And I am—Roving Jack!” responded our hero, sending his fist smash into the ruffian’s face and knocking him backwards. ““Down with the traitor, the double-dealing wretch who lives upon the blood of his misguided victims!” shouted Jack, indignantly. “Hanghimup! Beat out his brains with his own tipstaff! He is the law’s disgrace, and it is no breach of law to slay such a hyena!” The mob uttered a shout of execration, and flew upon the thief-taker. But Jonathan Wild was a man of indomitable courage, and fought like a rampant lion. Whirling round his heavy sword, he carved a way through the crowd and escaped from the house. Meantime, the mob scrambled through the windows, and hurried in pursuit of the thieves ; the noise of the riot alarmed the whole neighbourhood, and soon the streets were filled by the excited populace ; alarm bells were rung, and a troop of dragoons paraded the streets. gow Publishing, One Penny Weekly. Eomichbookssco