The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 100: what you’re looking at

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

94. THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. a a a I Cavolti seemed startled at Frank’s sudden ap- pearance. But there was astorm gathering in the. villain’s dark eyes as he fixed them on the bold youth that would have appalled the heart of any one less brave than Frank, who, returning his scathing glance with one of scorn, proudly exclaimed, “Nay, reserve thy fierce looks, Cavolti, for one who fears them. Methinks they sit but ill upon the features of a listener, and one who, on dis- covery, fled like a vile caitiff, as he was,” ‘‘-Tis false |’? cried Cayolti, with fury, “’twas _chance alone that led me to the spot ; but,’ added he, with a galling sneer, “ ’twas not through fear of the English brat !” “ And was it chance that kept thee there until now ?” returned Frank, proudly, c “Peace, babbler, as thou art!’ interrupted Cayolti, “ or not even thy immeasurable inferiority in age, size, or strength shall save thee from the chastisement you deserve.” “ Nobly spoken,” returned Frank, with cutting irony, ‘‘and well befits the man who would rather utter his threats in the the ear of a defenceless maid than face the object of his hatred as a man.” “ Detested idiot! Ill hear no more!’’ cried Cavolti, frantically grasping his sword ; “ that false- hood shall be washed out in blood !” *‘ Now I understand thee,” dauntingly exclaimed Frank, “and my answer is in my scabbard,” “ Pluck it forth, then, and see if thou canst guard thy life, vile English dog !” ““Nay, look to thyself,” returned Frank, as his bright blade gleamed in the air. The cloaks of the combatants had fallen off, and the contrast in their appearance was strikingly different, Frank stood a perfect model of youthful sym- metry, His opponent appeared a second Hercules, the gigantic proportions of his loins indicating strength nearly superhuman. A look of defiance flashed from the eyes of each. Cayvolti rushed to the onset with the ferocity of a tiger. Frank received him with unshrinking valour that bid defiance to his efforts. Roused to madness by the coolness displayed by his youthful antagonist, Cavolti grasped his pon- derous weapon. With both hands he raised it high above his head ; descending, it cleft the air, but Frank stepping aside avoided the stroke, and ere Cayolti could recover himself he, by a side blow, laid him pros- trate on the earth. Then placing a foot upon his broad chest Frank bade him beg his life, ‘‘ Never |” exclaimed Cavolti, in accents scarcely audible from passion, ‘Strike! the pangs of death are less bitter than those I now feel !” Frank, taking his foot from his body, said, proudly, “JT give it thee, Cavolti; ’tis enough; I do not want thy life } take it, and endeavour to forget the occurrence of this evening, as I shall; but never dare dream of the fair Agnese,” Returning his steel to his scabbard he hastened towards the bandits’ camp. For a few moments Cavolti stood, seeming scarcely to believe his own senses. _ Starting to his feet, revenge, like a demon raging in his breast, and crushing every nobler feeling. “ Forget my base defeat, and by a rival, too,” he cried, in a voice hoarse and conyulsed.. “Never ! "‘T'were easier to forget myself. No; revenge is still within my power, and like lightning shall it fall on thy dastard head.” He rushed frantically from the spot. The next evening, as the sun was fast sinking beneath the western horizon, Frank hastened to keep his appointment with Basil’s fair daughter. On reaching the well-known place, however, Agnese was not there. This at first surprised him, as their usual time of meeting had long since passed. Concluding something had happened to detain her he entered some old Roman ruins with the in- tention of waiting there, but scarcely had he seated himself for that purpose on one of the overthrown pillars, when a confused noise stuck upon, his ear, He sprung upon his feet, and in doing so kicked against something on the ground, which, on taking up, proved to be a bracelet, which he instantly re- cognised, and exclaimed, in astonishment, ‘Tis her bracelet !”’ ia Peal Hardly had the words escaped his lips ere the noise was again repeated, and the words, “Save me! save me!” were faintlyguttered by a distant voice, the first tones of whiciM@hrilled to his heart, ‘‘ Save thee |” thundered a voice, as Frank rushed forward. ‘No power on earth shall save thee !” The shriek that followed curdled the blood in Frank’s veins, and rooted him to the spot, At that instant a dark figure glided past him, Frank sprang forward and seized it. The treacherous cloak alone remained in his asp. . : A low moan, and his own name, faintly repeated, _now broke upon his ear, “Ha! I come! I come!” exclaimed Frank, frantically rushing towards the spot. But madness seized upon his brain as he beheld the horrid spectacle. At his feet lay the body of Agnese, who loved him so well, the faithful maid wha had jeopardized her life to saye him from the poisoned goblet. | ' On her bosom was a gaping wound, from which the blood still flowed. Her eyes were closed. A smile played around her lips, from between which her breath was softly ejaculating the name of Frank, that frenzied being who now stood gazing on her, He moved not; no sound escaped him. A slight tremor afflicted his frame; his breast heaved convulsively. ‘“ Aonese! Agnese !” burst in hysteric accents from his bursting heart. His limbs refused their office, and, with a cry of agony, he fell by the side of the wounded maid, * * The rosy beam of morn still found Frank stretched on the earth beside the wounded maid. At length, being aroused from his lethargy, he started up as though awakened from some horrid dream, and he resumed his tender care of staunch- ing the maiden’s wounds. At length his eyes became fixed upon the earth, and at, that moment he beheld something on the ground. He eagerly seized it. It was a dagger encrusted with blood. “Tis her precious blood !’’ cried Frank, in a convulsed voice, and was about'to dash the weapon to the ground when he observed some letters on the blade. ‘Twas the name of his deadly rival ! “Oh, heartless villain ! is this the reward for the life I gave thee?’’ exclaimed Frank, furiously. ‘Base scoundrel! but thou shalt not escape me GComichbookssco