The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 218: what you’re looking at

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

eee a EE eee 212 ‘A fast-sailing brig, sir.’’ * Any guns?” “Can’t make them out, sir.”’ ‘Go aloft, lad,” said Captain Tom; “and take ny telescope to the look-out man at the mast- ead,” ‘‘ Aye, aye, sir,” said the boy ; and, with a smile, clambered up the rigging, and was at the mast- head in no time, ‘ “Make her ont now?” said Tom, through his trumpet, “See her ports?” “Yes, captain; she’s a ten-gun brig, and as pretty a craft as I ever saw,” was the answer. These words sent a thrill of joy to the hearts of all, both officers and men. ‘Signal our companion,” said Tom; “do you see her, look-out ?”’ ‘No, captain ; she is obeying orders, and crossing to the eastward,” | ‘‘Tsn’t she in sight ?” “No, captain, She was out of sight an hour ago,” ‘Fire a gun, captain,” said another ; ‘‘ that will bring her closer.” ‘No, no guns, my lads, that would spoil all the sport. We musn’t let this Austrian brig know that we carry any guns at all, without she strikes her flag, andif she don’t, why then we must sink her, that’s all.” In a few minutes, all was prepared on board the fast-sailing; trim-looking vessel ‘‘ Kaiser.’ The guns were double shotted, and every man was at his post. ‘‘Let every man jack of you hide himself as best he can,” said Tom; “for the Austrians will be very curious to know who and what we are, but we must take care to deceive them.” In afew hours the two ships approached each other, and came almost within gun-shot. Tom pretended not to notice the flag of the “ Austrian Hagle,” as it floated out in the breeze. He made it appear as if he wished to pass the enemy without showing his own colours. But he was soon forced to change his mind. The Austrian commander fired a gun, and the shot ploughed up the water just athwart the *‘ Kaiser’s” bows, “Rather cheeky, that,” said an old salt, turning the ‘‘quid” in his mouth, ‘‘ Rather cheeky, that,’ of the stranger; I hope Captain Tom will return the compliment.” But, instead of “returning the compliment,” Tom backed his sails, and made ready to speak to the stranger. “Ship, ahoy !” said the captain of the “ Austrian Hagley with his speaking trumpet, in stentorian tones, ‘Ship, ahoy |!” answered Tom. ‘What vessel is that—where do you come from —and whither bound ?” “More cheeky still,” said the old salt, in disgust. “ Answer that same question yourself,” said Tom, in defiance. ‘‘ Are you for the emperor or the people?” asked the Austrian, “The people, of course, always,” said Tom, defiantly, ‘“D——n Maximilian, say I, and all despots.”’ | At the same time he said aside to his crew, ‘Stand by, my merry men; be ready to run out your guns, and give the Austrian ‘ pepper.’ ” He had scarcely spoken, when the Austrian ‘cap- tain, looking with contempt at the little craft, shouted out, ‘‘T have seen your craft before,” THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. ‘“T dare say you haye,” laughed Tom, “ and now you see it again, my hearty, I hope it will do your sore eyes good.” i “ Haul down your flag,” said the Austrian ; that craft was captured by a band of English boys 10 the Adriatic some time ago. It formerly belonged to the Austrian admiral. Haul down your repub- lican colours, or I’ll sink you. Surrender, I say, surrender !” ‘‘ Come and take us, then, my brave fellow,” said Tom, laughing ; “you talk loudly enough, but I don’t think you can do much when it comes to the pinches. . “Haul down your colours, you buccaneering rebels !”’ roared the Austrian captain, white with rage. ‘Haul them down this instant, or Vl sink ou.” ‘ i Instead of doing so, however, Captain Tom hauled up the British ensign over the Mexican flag, amid the cheers of his crew. At that moment the Austrian fired a broadside at the ‘‘ Kaiser.” But all the shots flew wide of their mark. _ Shouts of derision resounded from the “ Kaiser,” and in a second the little craft discharged her guns in return. ; The shots were well aimed, and tore the Austrian fore and aft. The action now between the two vessels was desperate and quick. The ‘Kaiser,’ however, always managed by Tom’s superior seamanship to take the wind out of her enemy’s sails, and he brought up his vessel so close that his crew could almost ciimb on the decks of the big Austrian. “Quick and devilish, my merry men,” said Tom ; “ don’t waste much powder and shot at ‘long taw.’ Haul the ‘ Kaiser’ closer still, rake her fore and aft once more, and then board her, sword in hand.” This resolve was received with loud cheers by . Tom’s English crew. The Austrian, however, although the fight had lasted only ten minutes, was so damaged, that she wanted to get away, and sneak out of the fight, if possible, Tom’s quick eye saw this, but he only laughed, and shouted out, amid the din of battle, “ Keep close to her, lads ; don’t let her haul off an inch, Close with her, my lads, and show the Austrian and Mexican traitors what men can do who fight for liberty.” Dressed as he was in a splendid Mexican uniform, Captain Tom looked more handsome and brave than ever, as, sword in hand, and bare-headed, he rushed at the head of his men to board the stranger. “They have got a lot of women and children on board, Captain Tom,” said several. ‘I heard them scream, and beg the Austrian commander to sur- render,” ‘“T know that, my lads,’’ said Tom, with an oath, ‘and that’s the reason why I wish to board her at once, so as to spare the lives of the innocent,” When it became generally known on board the “Kaiser,” that there were many women and chil- dren on board the Austrian, Tom’s followers were mad with rage, and begged to be led on at once to board her, = ‘This way, then, lads—this way! Tll lead you.” ‘No, captain, you stay behind ; you might get hurt or killed,” said many brave tars, ‘ Let us go first, captain, and clear the way.” ‘No, you won't,” said Tom, laughing; “I have always been first in danger, and will be first now. Follow me !” — — 7d _—__-__--~ Gomichbooksnco