The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 106: what you’re looking at

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

— 100 ee ee as THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI'S YOUNG CAPTAIN. eet te eee CHAPTER XXXVI. THE BANDIT COUNCIL— THE SURPRISE — THE ; DEFIANCE. WHEN introduced into the presence of the bandit chief, Frank found Basil smiling and happy instead of in a towering passion. He could not understand this. For some time Basil walked up and down, rubbing his hands, and bursting out into strange, wild laughter. ‘‘Oh! you have returned, eh?” said the chief, at last, grinning, and showing his white, fang-like teeth, and rolling a pair of black, wicked-looking eyes, ‘‘ You have returned I see!” “Yes, Basil, Ihave. You, of course, know all?” “T do, young man, and am sorry for you,” said the chief, chuckling and rubbing his hands; adding in a whisper to himself, “Sorry, eh?’ Ha! ha! it’s the best day’s work ever happened to me; but he don’t know it. This bold youth has rid me of the greatest villain that ever crossed my path or tried to circumvent me! and just when that comes to pass, a letter arrives from the Englishman, and a messenger, with the price of his head. The band don’t know this, however, and never shall. I will stick to the golden coin myself. They will be none the wiser.” “So you bave killed him ?”’ said Basil, aloud. “T have, and fairly, in sight of many of your men,” ‘Ah! that’s another matter—we will have to decide all about that. The council sits to-night,” “For what purpose ?” “To decide what manner of death you shall die, so prepare yourself, This time to-morrow you will be dead.”’ “You are very consoling, Captain Basil,” said Frank. ‘“ You talk of taking life just as coolly as if you did it regularly, like a butcher.”’ “Tm glad yout itikso; you'll die game I per- ceive. Ha! ha!” (No wonder that Englishman wants to get him out of the way. There is some mystery between them, What it is I can’t find out. All I know is that he’s flush of money, or he couldn’t send so many bags of florins,” thought Basil.) ‘‘Am I to consider myself under arrest, then?” said Frank. “Am I allowed certain bounds as usual, or is it revoked?” ‘It is revoked. Give up your arms and retire to your cell,” “How is this? Do you break faith with me _ then, Basil,? You promised me certain bounds and the right to use my arms in self-defence.” ‘‘ Circumstances alter cases—until your fight with Cavolti, it was all very well; but not now.” (I knew that they would quarrel,” said Basil, aside. “Cavolti, I learned, had poisoned the tip of his sword, Perhaps for my breast; but I changed it! This youth, unknown to himself, has had Cavolti’s wea- pon. <A single scratch would have been sufficient for the purpose, but the lad did more, he beheaded him. Ha! ha! Their swords were alike, Cavolti never discovered the difference. What an excel- lent thought to. change their weapons! The biter was bitten! Ha! ha’) ; peor be-your decision; Basil, yowhave broken aith,’ ‘‘ No prattle, youth, You have heard my decision, Do not tempt me to enforce it,” He touched a bell, Four men appeared, as if by magic, Basil pointed to Frank, vis “Nay, approach me no further. Put up your weapons, men; I fear ye not. No, not if you were twenty instead of four. Here is my sword, Basil,” said Frank, proudly, throwing it upon the floor. “Takeit. Itisofnouse to menow. If I die, it shall be as a man of honour.” “Send him away.” Frank was conducted from Basil’s presence and cast into a dungeon, ‘‘ When does this young stranger arrive?” asked Basil, of one who entered on the summons of the chief, “This evening, captain.” ‘‘ You know our rules, of course ?” “The twelve masks and gowns are prepared fo the council, who will receive them.” ‘Tis well; and what of Annette ?” ‘She is in close confinement, and awaits the de- cision of to-night’s council.” PAaty ‘‘My daughter is too weak from her wound to appear, I fear.” ‘She is unwell, captain; but it strikes me, from all I hear of her nurse, the old hag, that if even she were well, nothing could be forced from her which would help to criminate this young Englishman.” ‘‘T do not understand you,” said the chief. “ Speak plainer. ‘‘ Her wound then, captain, is much better; who- ever struck the biow missed his mark. If the dagger had penetrated one inch lower, it must have killed her instantly. She raves and rambles in her sleep, so the hag informs me, and is for ever calling on the young Englishman’s name in the tenderest accents, and with the most loving words.” “Bah ! love; stuff and nonsense. She is but a babbling girl ; she must appear, and if she does not tell all she knows about this youth, why then she must suffer with Annette; we will have no spies among us.” ‘‘ All you say is right and proper, Captain Basil,” said the brigand, bowing, and about to retire. © “Stay,” said Basil. “‘ Now that Cavolti is dead, there is one of the council less.” ** There is.” | ‘You know that the position is one of great trust and secresy ?”’ “c I do.”’ c r “Well, then, for your faithfulness, Ambrose,” said Basil, ‘‘and for the devotedness you have shown to me and the band since you have been among us, I appoint you to the vacant maskhood and gown.” “Me |”? said Ambrose, the brigand, in surprise, * Yes, you. Will you take the oath?” Twill?’ ‘¢ Then kneel,” Ambrose did so. ‘Swear by this upraised sword to remain faithful and true; on your blood and life swear it.” a cc I do,” “Then rise. The vacant mask and gown is yours ; disgrace it not. “On my blood, I swear,”’ ‘Tis well,” At that moment the brigands, who had taken Frank forth, returned. “We have.” ‘You may retire.” They bowed, and left the apartment. ‘Now, Ambrose, go you and see that this young captive is safely secured ; he must not escape; his head is paid for; ’tis. precious, L meet to-night, farewell,” Ambrose left the room, _ - - -— - -- - -_ -_-— ' Eomicboo (©) “ Have you caged him, men ?” t ; Until the council