The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 158: what you’re looking at

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

There he was and no one could save him. He struggled boldly and manfully against the winds and waves, and his strong limbs writhed round the shattered mast. But no fear was depicted on his noble face. Every one thought that each moment would be Frank’s last. Not so, however. The gallant lad did not seem to take any heed of himself, All he was intent upon was to clear the foremast of the wreck which still clung to it. “An axe! an axe!” cried Frank, in a cheery voice. With great agility Frank still clung to the wreck with one arm and his legs. With the other arm he collected and threw down a thin long rope upon the deck, “An axe! an axe!” he shouted, This was fastened to the end of the rope, which Frank quickly hauled up. By exerting all his strength, he cut asunder the tangled rigging which still fouled the fore part of the vessel, and in less than ten minutes the top part of the broken mast fell with a loud splash into the foaming water. This bold and daring act saved the frigate from certain destruction, for the fouling of the mast as it hung over the ship’s side made it keel over, and had it long remained in that state must have swamped the vessel, The storm after some hours greatly abated, brt still Frank would not leave his post on the cross trees of the broken foremast. He tied himself to the mast and swept the angry ocean with his eagle eye. In all directions he could perceive ships, like black specks upon the water, tossing and heaving and rolling in the most frightful manner. Amongst those who laboured in the terrific storm were several troop ships, filled with soldiers bound, like himself, to Leghorn, From his high positicn Frank could plainly dis- cern in the distance the decks of several ships covered with parts of wreck and broken spars. Some of the ships appeared to be water-loggedm@ but on the decks and in the rigging of each were discernible crowds of soldiers, sailors, and others elinging as if for dear life, Not far away, and nearest of all was a dismasted brig, which rolled and pitched most frightfully. It seemed as if this doomed ship would each moment be sent to the bottom by the immense weight and power of the dashing waves, In an instant there flashed from her dark sides a streak of fire. Presently came boomirg over the deep a long, heavy reverberating sound. It was a signal gun, a token of sore distress | ‘* Man the boats ! the vessel is sinking to leeward of us. Man the life-boats! man the life-boats |” Frank’s voice was clearly heard above the whist- ling of the wind and the splashing of the angry billows. ‘Man the life-boats ! man the life-boats |” Frank still shouted, in stentorian tones, ‘Tis madness ! the boats cannot live in such a sea,’’ was the response. ‘ Do not unlash the boats, men ; ’tis folly,” Knraged beyond measure, Frank slipped down a rope on to the deck, and spoke to the commander, ‘There are women and children on board that vessel, captain; I saw them waving their handker- chiefs as signals of distress,” “I cannot help it,” was the cold reply, ‘I can- THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. not send either men or boats away from my ship in such weather as this, it is certain destruction ; we must look to ourselves.” “TI care not if I perish,” said Frank; “those poor creatures must be saved.”’ 6 “T cannot allow my men to lose their lives uselessly.” ‘Give me a boat, then. I will go alone.” “ You may have one of the boats if you choose ; but, take my advice, do not venture out to sea in such frightful weather.” ' “But I will,” said Frank, firmly ; ‘and will go alone if no one else Will volunteer.” “You shall not go alone Frank,” said Buttons, summoning up all his courage, ‘‘If you sink we must perish together.” ‘“ Bravo Buttons !” said Frank, slapping his young companion on the back, “Bravo, my lad, unlash the ropes, and let’s lower the life-boat at once Who will volunteer ?” ; “T will,” “ So will I,” said half-a-dozen brave sailors, in a breath. In a moment the boat was lowered to leeward. Buttons was at the tiller. Frank had the bow oar, and a boat-hook ready for instant use. Before the gallant crew of the life-boat had pulled away many cables’ length, loud shouts were . heard on board the ‘“‘ Carlo Alberto,” ‘‘ She’s gone down !” “ All is lost !” “The vessel has foundered |” ** Return ! return !” Frank heard these dismal tidings, but they only tended to nerve his heart with fresh courage. “Return! never!” said he. “Pull away, my merry merry men ; pull away, we must surely pick up some of the unfortunates.”’ GRAND DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES !!- ———<+_—- 1400 VALUABLE PRESENTS GEVERN AWAY WITH THE BOYS OF ENGLAND, Consisting of Ponies, Pet Dogs, Pigeons, Ducks, Fowls, Rabbits, Concertinas, Watches, Cricket Bats, Balls and Stumps, Bows and Arrows, Fishing Rods, Quoits, Boxes of Colours, Sets of Characters, Scenes, Stage Front, etc., etc. ORDER No. 1 OF THE BOYS OF ENGLAND. ONE PENNY WEEKLY. With No. 1 is PRESENTED A LARGE AND MAGNIFI- CENT ENGRAVING OF THE BATTLE OF CHEVY CHASE, AND A SET OF CHARACTERS FOR A NEW PLAY. 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