The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 149: what you’re looking at

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

THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. Thus passed the long night, more terrible from horrors of lying among the dead and wounded than all the dangers and hellish excitement of the assault, While thus Frank lay in the ruins of the breach, among the ghastly bodies of the slain, he was aroused by the distant sound of several English voices, the chief of whom said, “Bring him this way, lads! with the rascal into the fosse !” ** He shall die no soldier's death, said one, *© Oh, mercy, as you hope for mercy !” “Traitor! scoundrel ! don’t dare to mutter to us of mercy.” Over the breach - by Heaven !” As the last words were spoken, Frank, in some degree, recovered consciousness, and turned to look whence the sounds proceeded. He saw, not far from him, four of his owa band —Tatty, Buttons, Mark and Hugh Tracy—dragging forward a pale and haggard wretch, whose limbs trailed behind him like as if he had the palsy. His uniform was that of some Austrian regiment, but his voice was English. ‘‘ Kneel down there, and die like a man, Moss,” said Hugh, with a lip trembling in rage. ‘“No, no! have mercy. Pardon me,” said the voice, whiningly. ‘‘There is no pardon for such scoundrels as you,” said Mark. ‘Didn't you try all sorts of plans to get Captain Frank into Joel Flint’s clutches?” said Fatty, with an oath. “Wasn't he in league with Basil’s men?” said Buttons. “Didn't you desert from our camps, you and your pal, and go oyer to the Austrians lixe a traitor?” said Hugh. * T saw him firing at us for fully an hour,” said Mark ; ‘‘ and, I verily believe, the villain has shot Captain Frank, for we can find him nowhere, hig& nor low.” “Have mercy !” said Moss, imploringly. “ Have pity on me!” 2 “Fix bayonets, lads,’ said Hugh. “There is no possible doubt of his knavery, for we discovered him concealed behind a broken embrasure, and caught him with his Austrian uniform on.” “Forgive me! for the love of heaven, forgive me !’’ screamed the voice of the victim, Moss, the one who, as we have seen in previous chapters, had deserted. But his last accents ended in a death-cry. For as he spoke the bayonets flashed for an instant in the air, and the next were plunged through his body ! Frank saw all this take place, but was, unable to speak, Nor did his companions perceive him, ‘as, dusty, powder-blackened, and exhausted, he lay hidden among the rubbish and ruins of the rampart. What was worse, Hugh Tracy and the others left the spot, and did not for a moment dream that their young captain, for whom they were searching, was at that instant within twenty yards of them, and had seen all that took place. He lay there helpless for more than an hour, wien a party of the lst Volunteers, four jn number, commenced to search among the ruins near by, but did not perceive him. «Was he killed, think you?” said one. . “There cannot be a doubt about it,’ another replied. “Did you see him fighting for the Austrian flag upon the wall, single handed?” ‘Yes; and aright good rousing cheer we gave 143 him for his valor. and no mistake.” Captain Ford’s conduct, and that of his young companions, is the talk of the whole army.” “When did you see the young captain last alive?” “ At the top of this breach.” “Then if he fell we must surely find him some- where hereabouts.”’ While they spoke thus, and searched for the body of the brave youth who had led them, one of the party caught sight of a fragment of the Austrian banner which Frank held in his hand. “Curses on him,” said he; “why here is an Austrian ensign still alive, and with the colours in his hand,” A short and fervent prayer burst from Frank’s lips as he thought, “They mistake me for an enemy, and are about to shoot ” The leader of the party called ont, ‘‘ Make ready ! aim! one! two!” “Ground arms! ground arms!” the leader sud- denly roared out, ‘“‘don’t fire! ground arms !—’tis the young English Captain himself !”’ Down went the muskets with a crash, Springing towards Frank, the sunburnt Italians changed their scowling revengeful looks for smiles, caught the brave lad in their arms, and with a jerk mounted him on their shoulders, The shout they gave when this was done sounded like the wild yell of maniacs. Ha, ha, ha! we have him now,” sang their wild Voices, as with blood-stained hands, and powder- blackened features, they bore him down the ram- part towards the town. In this manner, on the shoulders of four volun- teers, Frank was borne towards the market-place, These English are very brave where several hundred men of different regiments were bivouacked. : A shout of recognition welcomed their arrival, when suddenly three or four youths springing from the ground rushed forward with drawn bayonets, calling out in angry tones,— “Give him up!—give him up to us this minute! or, by heavens, we’ll make short work of you !” The order was made by youths who seemed well destined to execute it, and accordingly Captain Frank was grounded with a sudden shock, that thoroughly aroused him to consciousness. As he sat passively on the gronnd, looking wildly about, he pereeived that Fatty, Buttons, and Mark were beside him, About him also were encircled scores of volun- teers, who gazed upon the pallid youth with looks of admiration as they whispered to each other the many deeds of daring done by him during the assault, ‘‘ Where is Major Caspar?” Frank faintly asked, “Tn the church, captain,” many answered. “ But why there ?”’ “ There’s one of your generals badly wounded.” “ Did you bear his name ?” “ No, sir; all I know is, that he was one of the storming party.” ‘‘Where is the church then?” asked Frank faintly, and for the first time trying to walk. “ T’ll show you,” said Hugh. Leaning on Hugh’s and Mark’sarm, Frank slowly moved towards the church, and as he did s0, all the stragglinz soldiers rose to their feet, and gave him tke salute. After they had turned down a small narrow street, they came very near the private door of the church, before which a sentry paced up and down. Hugh and Mark, by his own desire, now left ee comicooo S Conn