The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 195: 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. 189 Ee eater “Oh, nonsense !”’ said Tomasso. fail this time.” _ Tm glad you think so ; but in any case if money is wanted, I suppose I must give it.” “You wouldn’t expect me to do it, would you? For see how long and faithful I have laboured for you from pure friendship alone ; been out night and day looking after and hunting up these two enemies of yours,” “Well, how much do you want ?” ‘‘ How much have you got?” “ Only two hundred pounds.” ‘Well, say you give me one hundred and eighty pounds, and in less than a week they shall be secured and in gaol,” “But that would only leave me with twenty pounds,” “Suppose so, Wouldn’t you rather succeed than fail? Of course you would; and, besides, see the number of spies I shall have to employ both in and out cf the army.” ‘True, true,’’ said Joel, handing over the one hundred and eighty pounds, And when shall I see or hear from you?” “In a week at most. they are captured already.” “Twill; good-night, dear Tomasso, good-night.” “Good-night, fool!” said Tomasso quietly to himself, putting the money in his pocket and walk- ing away. “We cannot Good-night ; consider CHAPTER LXXIV. TWO ‘* VERY DEAR” FRIENDS MEET. THE unexpected meeting of old Flint with Jona- than, on the road near Epping Forest, was startling alike to both those cunning worthies. Flint at first tried to spur his horse onward. But Jonathan’s ferocious aspect, and his levelled revolver, struck terror into the craven heart of the old money-grubbing lawyer. Seeing there was no earthly chance to escape, he pulled up his horse, and appeared timid, as if just meeting with some highwayman or other he had never heard of before. “ Halt!’ said Jonathan, advancing into the middle of the muddy road. “ Halt, I say, or die!” “ What!” gasped old Flint, who was muffled up to the very eyes in comforters and the like, ‘* What did the man say?” ‘Halt, or die!” said Jonathan, seizing his bridle rein. “Who are you, my good{man? What do you want with me?” ’ “Want with you? Why, I want a good deal,” ** Some money, perhaps?” ‘“‘ Yes, that is one thing I stand much in need of.” “‘ Well, then, let go my horse, my good man; let me pursue my way, and I will well reward you.” “Don’t ‘good man’ me,” said Jonathan, with a growl of passion. ‘<T don’t know you.” ‘‘Don’t you, though? How veryjinnocent you are, all at once!” ‘No; upon my word I don’t!” “You don’t want to know me, perhaps; but I know you.” “Indeed! ” “Tndeed!” laughed Jonathan, with a mocking echo ; “Indeed! you old rat! Come, get off your horse at once, or I’ll pull you off, Flint.” Jonathan’s words and gestures were so full of meaning, that old Flint saw it was not of the slightest use for him to try and deceive him. He therefore gave a little start, as of surprise, and said— ‘What ! is that my dear friend Jonathan?” “Yes, it is your ‘dear friend’ Jonathan,” the other chuckled. “Why, who would have expected to see you here?” : You didn’t, at all events, I am very certain ; and, if the truth were known, I have no doubt you would rather have encountered the very devil him- self instead of me, Ha! ha!” So Mr. Flint would, had he had the choice, par- ticularly as the devil was never known to carry a 8ix-barrelled revolver. The old lawyer smiled in a ghastly manner, how- ever, as he said— ‘“Well, really, this meeting is delightful—such a pleasure is beyond all my expectations !”’ “T dare say it is; but I have no time to waste in talking to you here upon the public road.” ‘Why can’t we talk here as well as anywhere elseiie? . “ Hor a good many reasons.” “For a good many reasons, eh?” said Flint, thoughtfully, knowing not what to do. At last he said— “That’s a very nice, pretty-looking revolver you’ve got, Jonathan; let me have a look at it,” ““How very simple you are, Flint! Ha, ha! What should I be able to do—what would become of me—in less than a minute, if I did, eh, old fox?” “Oh, upon my word I didn’t mean any harm, or intend any treachery.” ““Oh, of course you didn’t! I wouldn’t suspect you for all the world, Flint! Ha,ha! You didn’t mean treachery, I suppose, when you bribed Bill to let you go after you went to the bank, eh? I heard all about-it. But if you managed to trick him, you won’t do so with me, I’m too old a bird for that now, Flint !” “Well, well, friend Jonathan, there is no use of us growling together about that little affair, It is true, I did trick Bill, as you say; but it was my intention to use my freedom in getting you released out of the hands of those housebreakers.” “T dare say you did! Words are only wind, Flint ; I don’t believe anything you say. But, as you observed just now, this 7s a very pretty revolver I’ve got, isn’t it?” “ Quite so.” “And what do you think J have just done with it?” 3 “Can’t tell ; you are an excellent shot, I have heard. You have been amusing yourself with rab- bit shooting, I suppose, in the forest.” “Yes; two-legged rabbits,” “ What!” said Flint, turning red; “it cannot be. Surely you have not——-” , “Yes, I have, though; it was a case of life or death with me. I shot the officer who came after me,” “Oh, heavens ! murder again !” “ Murder again? Yes, and why not? -What are you whining about? Do you think I have made up my mind to be hung, then, like a cat for your sake ?” © My sake?” » “Yes, your sake,’ said Jonathan, with flashing eyes. ‘Has not all my misery and crime arisen from you ?” cs No.,”’ by “ Liar |”? said Jonathan, firmly seizing the horse by the bridle, ‘‘ Liar, Flint! you know it has. Ever oO ECoOmicdooksnco