The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 104: what you’re looking at

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Nee SEEM GE y) 98 THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI'S YOUNG CAPTAIN. mination, and their swords clashed in deadly embrace. ; The two young Garibaldians looked on with great interest at the desperate combat. But there was a smile of confidence on Frank’s noble face that gave them encouragement. They knew what a splendid swordsman their young chief was, but, for a moment, they feared that the bandit’s great weight and strength would prove too much for the brave young chief. ‘‘Never fear, boys,” said Frank; “this craven scoundrel has been under my heel before, and I spared his life ; but this time he will not escape my vengeance |” While he thus spoke to his two companions, Cavolti made a sudden and a desperate rush upon | him. a His sword glanced close to Frank’s left side, and inflicted a slight wound, Trifling as the success was it filled Qavolti with fiendish pleasure, and his dark eyes rolled wildly, © and he showed his fang-like teeth. ‘‘ Now, villain,” said Frank, gaily ; “Ill pay off old scores.” The ruffian made another desperate lunge, Frank invited a repetition of such strokes. Gathering all his muscles together as if for a final effort, Cavolti rushed upon him. Frank, with a terrible stroke, knocked the sword from the ruffian’s hand. He uttered a ery of pain. Frank had wounded him desperately, Staggering, and with bitter curses on his lips, he approached Frank, dagger in hand. “T will take no advantage of you,’ said Frank, throwing his sword away, and producing a dagger. He flourished it before Cavolti’s eyes. It was the villain’s weapon, and he quickly recognised it. A smile of triumph was on Frank’s face now. Cavolti, with all the strength he had, now made a sudden bound upon his young adversary, and seized Frank by the throat. His dagger was upraised. In an instant he fell to the earth. Frank’s weapon had done its work. With the quickness of thought Frank had plunged his dagger to the hilt in the brigand’s breast, Cavolti was dying. The villain’s eyes rolled in dreadful agony, and he gnashed his teeth, as he said— “You have conquered me ; but I am happy, I die content.” ‘‘ Happy ! Yes. I have wounded you.” laugh, he added— “ My sword-blade was poisoned I? ‘Traitor! wretch !” said Frank, red with rage, “Thus, monster, perish.” In an instant he raised his sword, and cleaved Cavolti’s head from the trunk, Seizing the head by its hair, Frank held it up in full view of the brigands, who, filled with astonish- ment, had witnessed the duel from first to Jast.* Distant cries and curses were now heard on the ridge, and several shots were fired, ; One of them struck the ground near Frank’s eet. Again they fired, and struck Dick Fellows to the ground. Content !” said Frank, With a bitter Se te Tee * See illustration in last week’s number. CHAPTER XXXV. THE REVOLT IN THE BANDIT BAND—FATE OF FRANK, TuE brigands on the Fidge now suddenly disap- ared. ipa} Bg ‘ 7 ee Prank did not know or care what their intentions. were. ma Ss Sox, A He was busily engaged in binding up Dick’s wound. a ; After some short time, however, the roar of dis- tant voices was heard approaching. It sounded like the rush of a pack of hungry wolves. “This way, lads, this way!” shouted a hoarse voice. “Follow me Ss ae ‘‘ Wire when I give the word. _ In an instant - dozen ruffians rushed forth from the woods, Fire |”? said their leader. * Cut them down !” Some took deliberate aim at Frank. Bang ! He fell. “s aty One shot which was fired struck down one of the bravest lads that ever breathed, Dick Fellows threw up his hands, and with a sharp cry of pain fell to the earth. | He was struck in the side ! ‘I’m hit, Frank,” he said, feebly. | “ Where, Dick ?”’ : “In the left side, Frank; the wound, I fear, is mortal,” $ ‘Don’t say that,” Frank remarked, kneeling by his side, and taking his hana tenderly, _ I do, though, and am certain I shan’t live twenty- four hours, Frank. Take care of yourself, captain ; dodge out of their way, get behind a tree; their shots are falling around us like hailstones.” . Without any personal fear, Frank boldly laid hold on Dick Fellows, and carried him carefully to a place of safety. | ‘‘ Mark, and the rest of the boy soldiers cannot be far off, Frank,” said Dick, feebly. ‘I left them in the mountains yonder, and came on alone with this youth, my companion, to reconnoitre the gorges hereabouts, in search of you, but little dreamed of meeting you, engaged in mortal combat with that huge ruffian you slew.” { ‘‘The band hereabouts!” said Frank, in surprise. “Yes; Hugh Tracy fell a victim to treachery,” said Dick, and in afew words explained all that had happened since the night when he was left on’ the battle field by mistake. A ““And Mark, you say, stormed the barricade in the mountain gorge ?” “Yes, sword in hand, and routed the Austrians, We searched for you everywhere in the valley, but not a trace could be discovered either of you or Tracy.® ““ Speak gently,” said Frank, looking sorrowfully at the poor boy’s pale face. “If the lads come I fear they will be cut all to pieces. The banditti “can at a pinch muster over two hundred men,” ‘The boys don't care if they lose half their own number, so that they rescue you, Oaptain Frank, Any of them would willingly sacrifice their best blood to save you,” ; **T know it, Dick ; you have proved it, for, as you lie. here upon the grass, something strikes mé you will never recover.” “*T am certain of it,’’ said Dick, with a sorrowful smile. “But take care of yourself; revenge my death upon these ruffians.” “IT will,” said Frank, with energy, grasping Comichbooksrcom