The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 86: what you’re looking at

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

——- 80 THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. “Pleasure! yes, why not?” said the guide, laughing. ‘“ Have you never heard of love?” _ “Love! of course I have,” said Hugh, laughing, ‘‘Well, then, it is love which takes me there.” ‘‘ Not. of the Austrians, surely ?”’ “No; but love of a very pretty maiden who lives in that valley. Leander swam the Hellespont to see his sweetheart, and I, an humble imitator, often jeopardize my life to kneel for a moment at the feet of her I adore.” These words were uttered in a tone of so much genuine passion that Hugh was now more firmly convinced of the good faith of his guide than ever, “They call the place Val Verde,” said the guide, “or Green Valley. It is so healthy that the Austrians often send their wounded men here, your young captain is here also, When he is par- tially recovered they will send him on to Vienna, and cast him into some loathsome dungeon.” But, though Hugh and the guide were very chatty, the young soldier always kept himself on his guard against any treachery. For this purpose he walked his horse several yards from his guide, and with his hand upon a pistol ready to draw and fire if need be. This the guide perceived, but did not take any notice, | He smiled often, moreover, as he from time to time turned his head and always found Hugh a few yards behind him, ‘‘How did you manage to elude the Austrian guards and see your sweetheart?” asked Hugh, “Oh, simply enough, my brave young stranger ; easily enough when you've tried it once.” On top of one of these lofty rocks, and near the edge of the precipice, stands an immense old oak.” “Well?” “In times past, the mountaineers used to have a favourite sport of hunting for eagle nests.”’ “JT understand,”’ ‘‘ And for this purpose were wont to tie a long, thick rope to the old oak, and thus descend to the various ledges and shelvings of the rocks below.” ‘ es good plan, I have heard of that method efore,”’ “I discovered this rope, and often descended, and, when down as far as I could go, I found an excellent foothold, and thus descended by the goat track to the vary unperceived. Now you understand ?” 0.” “And it is by this same means you and I will descend. ” Bravo!” said Hugh, delighted. “The idea is a capital one! If we only find out where poor Frank is, and rescue him, you shall have the biggest purse of money you ever had in your life !” Chatting thus, Huch Tracy and hig guide journeyed along for many miles, The night was dark, and the moon's rising would not take place till long past midnight. Cautiously and slowly they picked their way up ite mountain side until it was no longer safe to ride, The guide and Hugh now dismounted, and tied their horses to trees, and proceeded on their journey on foot, They approached the entrance to the mountain gorge, and could see the Austrians on guard, ‘I told you it would be impossible to think of passing in that way,” said the guide. Hugh was convinced of it. On each side of the entrance to the gorge in the mountains Austrian watch fires and picket stations were placed,‘ and the glimmer of their red logs sparkled in the darkness like so many stars. Up the mountain they toiled until at last they reached the old oak tree spoken of by the gnide. The rope was there coiled up ready for use, and hidden from view by low brushwood and brambles, It was stout and thick, but to all appearance had not been used for a long time, despite all the guide had said to the contrary. They peeped over the side of the precipice, and in the valley below could see several small villages. Hugh saw the place indicated, and was anxious to descend at once. “Don’t think of it yet for an hour or two; we are both weary and tired with climbing so far; let us have an hour's sleep; we will then be refreshed and ready for the descent; the ascent afterwards will try all your strength to the utmost.” Hugh did not object, but in his own mind he de- termined not to go to sleep at all. ““T don’t know who nor what this fellow may — prove to be,” said he ; ‘‘ but in case he is treacherously inclined, as Dick imagines, I’ll have a cat’s sleep— with one eye open.” Throwing himself upon the ground the guide was soon fast asleep. He began to snore loudly and heavily. “ Suppose I descend alone,” thought Hugh, Acting up to this idea Hugh Tracy rose from his seat very quietly, and, as he thought, unperceived, He went to the edge of the precipice, and buckled up his sword and straps tightly. “‘It isn’t far to the firat ledge of rocks,” said he, “T see the goat track beyond, I will try it at once.” With a sword slung to his wrist he seized the rope and slowly descended. , “This isn’t much after all,” thought the gallant lad. He had not gone far, however, when the guide appeared at the edge of the precipice. His eyes glared wildly as he saw the youth quietly descending below. In a moment he also seized the rope and fol- lowed, His descent was much more rapid than young Hugh's, “I was trying the rope, comrade,” said Hugh. “Tt is strong enough for half a dozen men,” “I'm glad you think so,” was the calm reply ; “but I thought I might as well accompany you.” “Why?” “Oh, nothing,” said the guide; “mere fancy. Do you know who I am?” said he, with eyes twinkling with villany. “A friend,” “ As you please ; I’m one of Basil’s Band {” “What ! Basil the or-—— ?” “ Just 80,” 3 “And what mean you? For heaven’s sake, speak !” “ Life for life is our motto,” said the ruffian, with a harsh laugh, ‘You surely cannot mean to murder me ?” JIA do, though,”’ was the quick response. In an instant he drew a pistol, and fired full into the youth’s face, ith a loud shout of agony Hugh threw up his hands, He fell from the rope headlong below.* See Engraving in No, 9, o> vr —_—_—_—— ’ ie Comicbooksrzecom