The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 80: what you’re looking at

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

taste ietstertesirerssrennnmnstt' si! 74 until our return,” said he ; “but it is better to be prepared for all chances.” ge When the alarm was raised the wisdom of young Captain Frank’s foresight was apparent. — All the young volunteers hastened to this rallying point. They had plenty of spare arms with them, such as revolvers and rifles, and following the orders of Dick Fellows, all these spare weapons were doubly loaded, and placed close at hand ready for instant use, The Austrians did not come on boldly with trumpets sounding, but stole into the camps as quietly as possible. They looked around everywhere; but nowhere could they see any of the Boy Soldiers. The Austrian commandant was puzzled. “Where had the young Garibaldians retreated to?” he thought, as he brought up a full squadron right into the middle of the camp, and looked around annoyed at being foiled. He had not long to wait for an answer, All at once, and when least expected, Dick Fellows whispered to the boys, “ Now, lads, take good aim, low, and at the word, fire.” ‘Are you all ready ?” he said. “Yes,” was the answer. ct Fire | ? No sooner said than done. Keep your heads ¢ On the instant a terrific volley was poured into the Austrians. All sides of the waggon barricade seemed sud- denly lit up, and was yomiting fire and shot into the Austrians, The enemy, although taken by surprise, were no cowards, and fired away with hearty goodwill and loud shouts, Their shots, however, never hit the boys. All the harm done was to knock splinters out of the waggons, behind which the young soldiers were concealed, On horseback as they were, the Austrians hoped in some way to break down the batricade ; but they could not, “Surrender! surrender!” the Austrian officer shouted, in stentorian tones, “ or we will exter- minate eyery one of you.” . A loud shout of derision was the only answer, as Dick Fellows, flag in hand, stood upright in the midst of the boys, and said aloud, “ Knglish boys, never surrender ! Garibaldi and liberty !” The combat had now lasted about twenty minutes, when the Austrians, finding they had lost many men, resolved to bring into action a light cannon which carried a six-pound shot. ** We'll soon smash down their barricade,’’ said they, in boast. One of their men galloped off, and soon returned, followed by the cannon, ' “ Surrender, lads, surrender |” the Austrian officer Hurrah ! for shouted again. ‘“‘ We don’t want to kill you ; throw down your arms !” ‘“ Never !” was the answer. | “Then,” said he to the artillery-men, “load, and fire rapidly ; we’ll soon demolish their rotten waggons ; the pistol and sabre will do the rest.” It was at this exact moment, when loading their cannon, that FWrank and his party arrived on the scene to the rescue at a furious gallop. With swords flashing in the twilight of morning, the boys, now led on by Mark, dashed in upon the Austrians, shouting, os THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDIS YOUNG CAPTAIN. ee “ Garibaldi for ever !” a 3 The Austrians, taken in the rear by the gallant young soldiers, were amazed and panic-stricken., They knew not for a moment what to do. With firm resolves to conquer or die they met the onslaught with coolness and bravery, The combat was now terrific. ' With shouts and yells the Austrians tried to escape, after losing more than half their number, but they knew not which way to go. | They ‘madly dashed in one direction ; but when about to reach the road, near where the mail coach now stood, the Fat Boy blew a terrific blast upon a cayalry trumpet he had found in the carriage. — “Right about,” shouted the Austrians; “ these imps of the devil are calling up reinforcements ; we shall be all cut to pieces if we attempt to retreat by that road |’ . Panierstricken, they wheeled right about, just in time to meet Mark and his band, who were now at their heels galloping in mad pursuit. fe Another clash of swords, and another terrific ‘ running fight ensued. Whicheyer way the Austrians tried to flee they %3 Pr? met with obstacles. | Left to themselves and without any support the artillery-men were unable to protect their gun, and so abandoned it and fled. . One brave fellow did not run, however, and he , was a sergeant, - With a valour worthy of a better cause he mained by the cannon, and was about to spikei so as to render it useless to its captors. He had the spike in the touch-hole, and, with hammer in hand, was on the point of driving it home, when a well-directed shot from young Buttons hit him, and knocked the hammer from his hand ! ; “ Now’s our time, boys !” said Buttons, who was on foot, his horse haying been shot from under him. “ Now’s our time, boys; some of you come out of the barricade, and help me to load it, We'll give the Austrians a rare warming in a minute |” With a cheer several of the boys ran to his assistance. . With nimbleness the boys}loaded the cannon with grape shot, ; ‘Don't fire till we see those flying Austrians well clear of our boys ; let me touch it off.” So saying, Buttons seized the strap which pulled the-hammer down on the percussion cap, and waited a moment to watch a good opportunity. It was not long in coming. Mark and his brave boys had cut off the enemy’s retreat by every road save by crossing the river ! This the Austrians perceived, and they madly galloped towards the stream. At that instant Master Buttons levelled his cannon and took good aim, “Now for 27em hed , On the instant he yigorously pulled the hammer down on the cap. Next moment a terrific roar ensued, and grape shot flew into the enemy’s ranks, cutting horsemen down like so many dry twigs | ‘ That’s our parting to’em,’’ said Buttons, “ They won't trouble us again in a purty ; at all events, not to-night. We'll now have a'bit of grub in peace, eh, Fatty ?”’ “I believe, you my boy,” said Fatty, in a weary manner. : ‘Tired to death,” the boy band were too much of soldiers to neglect any precaution. “They have found us out,” said Mark, “and we GEomicboo it, Stand aside, boys; here’s at | \ com