The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 178: what you’re looking at

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ee 172 mine there some two years ago; but he’s got worse luck now, you know, my boy, for by all the rules of chance he can’t do the same trick twice in succes- sion.”’ The Count still went on conversing in a merry tone and talked of duelling much like as if it were only an innocent pastime. } “What are you thinking of, Frank, my lad?” said he after another pause, as he whipped up the horses into a brisker pace. ' : “T was just thinking if, after all, I should happen to kill the Marquis.” “ Quite right, my lad, I don’t think there is much danger in you doing more than wounding him, but if you only had the good fortune to do so, you know, I’ll guarantee to settle everything for you. You are not a very great hand at pistols, I think, are you ?” . “No, nothing to boast of ; 1 am much better with the sword,’’ ‘“ Well, never mind if I lose the toss ; I know De Sangri will select pistols, he’s a great shot and he knows it, but never mind that ; you’ve got a good eye, never, take it off him after you’re on the ground, follow him everywhere. De Sangri’s father, that’s now dead and gone, always killed his man ‘in that manner ; he had a way of looking without wink- ing that was very fatal at a short distance, a sort of killing look, as one might say.. But, by the bye, here ‘we are at the riyer bank,” said the Count, throwing the reins to Buttons, and jumping out upon the sand, very gaily. | | “Yes, here we are,” said Tom, slapping his bro- ther Frank:on the. back, “ here we are, the boat is in readiness for us. Now for the honour of old England-%’,, | | ‘““ No fear of me not defending it,”’ said Frank, ‘it ne case of life,or,death for one, if not both of us, om.” .. . Tom Ford smiled. bitterly, as he muttered between his teeth, but unheard by any one, “Tf there is‘any foul play; they shall pay dearly for it.; If Frank falls he shall be bitterly revenged. I will never leave the island aliye ; both of us shall be buried in one grave !”’ CHAPTER LXVI. THE BOY BAND OUT ON A NIGHT ADVENTURE UNDER MAJOR CASPAR, Magor Caspar and the brave Boy Soldiers were not destined to remain long idle, Captain Frank:arcd Buttons ‘had not started off to the king’s head quarters more than a day or two, when an orderly officer rode up to Caspar’s tent with a letter. Caspar opened it, and read, <F Major Caspar must report at General Garibaldi’s head quarters without delay on most urgent business.” “ What can this mean, I wonder?” he said. ‘I have no sooner done one thing than they give me another, I wonder what’s up this time? I hope none of Captain Frank’s-lads have got into any scrapes now that heis away. But my arm pains me dreadfully from the wounds I receiyed when storming that fort.” He had not to remain long in doubt. _ He went to Garibaldi’s head quarters, and was immediately introduced to the old general. “‘ Major Caspar, I have sent for you on most im- portant business, which brooks no delay.” “ May I ask what it is, general ?” THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. Se * Sen 2 ee “Yes, Il want you and a party of well-mounted volunteers to penetrate into the enemy’s lines, ride round the country, and report to me all you see as to their strength, position, number of guns, and such like, for I believe, in a few days, we shall receive orders for a general advance upon the enemy, and it is necessary, therefore, to know as much about them as possible.” “From what regiment or corps am I to select my volunteers, general? Itis a very dangerous expe- pition, and requires not only very brave and well- tried soldiers, but also expert and very light riders.” “True ; well, then, select your own men, and I will take good care they shall be well mounted.” “JT think I could pitch upon a company that would delight in the task, general.” «“ What company, major ?” “ The English Boy Volunteers; they are all good horsemen, light riders, and as to their gallant bearing——” “There is no question about that,’’ said the general, with a smile. ‘“ Well, then, think over it ; but in two days report yourself at my quarters ready for the expedition.” ‘We shall want some guns from the flying artillery.” “True; I will myself select two guns and have them doubly horsed and manned. Prepare yourself as soon as possible.” Caspar was delighted with the confidence which Garibaldi reposed in him, and went to his tent happy. Prag “ What a treat this will be fur the Boy Band,” he thought ; “all of them+can ride like jockeys, and are as true as steel.” ; He wrote ‘off immediately to Lieutenant Hugh Tracy, and, within half-an-hour after the receipt of the order, the Boy Soldiers were on their way, re- joicing at the prospect of what was before them ; Fatty being the noisiest of all. In less than two days Caspar had the pleasure of seeing all his plans arranged, and he called on the old general for his final orders. “JT have come to the conclusion, major,” said the old general, ‘“‘ that, as the Austrians are very strong in cavalry, you had better take with you three companies of you own dragoons, besides the English Boy Volunteers ; and, instead of two, have four pieces of flying artillery, so that if you are attacked you can make a stand, and giye battle to the enemy.” This was all the instruction Caspar received from the old general, yet ere he started, the chief of the engineers gave Caspar a well-made and accurate map of the country he was going to ride through, with all the lanes and roads marked in red ink. All being prepared, and the force paraded, Major Caspar started out late in the afternoon, and towards evening camped in a forest very near to the enemy’s «pickets, Rising early in the morning, and before the heavy mist had cleared off the roads, Caspar with his four companies of volunteers, and his. light cannon, dashed along the road, and asthe Austrian pickets were unable to tell what the cloud of dust which they saw rising in the distance could meaa Caspar’s men rode through several small Austrian camps. Some few prisoners were secured, and placed upon stolen horses, and onward went Caspar’s men again. They had not gone far, however, when they dis- covered several companies of Austrian hussars drawD. up ready to receive them. Caspar sounded a halt, prepared his men, and then dashed at the enemy sword in hand, GComichbooksnco