The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 221: what you’re looking at

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

THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’'§ YOUNG CAPTAIN. 215 “ As we beat through the forest, Pedro suddenly halted, and pointed to a distant tree, up which a fine young bear had climbed some fifteen feet, and, unconscious of our presence, was scooping out honey from a knot-hole, which formed an entrance to the hive. “A sudden gleam of sunshine gave a better view of Bruin, industriously engaged in robbery. ‘ His head was perfectly smothered with a swarm of bees, buzzing and stinging him in every part. “ Heedless of the busy creatures, Mr. Bear con- tinued to scoop out and eat the honey, while a stream of the golden syrup ran to the ground. ‘A shot was followed by a sudden roar, and, quickly descending, the bear, disappeared in the tangle-wood. ‘The excitement of a bear-hunt I never before experienced, and resolved to follow the grim Bruin, “¢ You had better stay in camp with us, captain,’ said Pedro, in a warning manner. ‘You English are too rash. Bear-hunting isn’t as easy as fox- hunting, you must know.’ “Thinking that there was a great deal of sarcasm in Pedro’s remark, and to show him that English boys fear no danger, I grasped my rifle tightly and dashed off into the thicket after the enormous bear, with what success will be seen in another place.” CHAPTER LXXXYV, WARNER’S FLIGHT—THE CHASE—THE FRIENDLY RUSTIC—THE HIDING-PLACE. THE intense sufferings which Warner had under- gone in his place of confinement had reduced him almost to a skeleton, but now that he had a chance for freedom within his reach he felt a little stronger. His wounded foot caused him much pain, and, as he stood shivering at the edge of the water, he knew aot what to do for the best, The hounds and dogs were barking and howling on the other side ina most inharmonious manner, but the servants of the Hall were clamouring and shouting like madmen. “He has escaped |” ‘“T saw him get out on the other side !”’ “T see him! I see him !” “Let us run towards the bridge and stop him before he gets to the village.” Such were the cries which reached Warner’s ears, as, almost fainting from fatigue, he hid behind a tree. He had no weapon with him save the poker which he had stolen out of the parlour of the Hall. But he seized it now more than ever with the | energy of desperation, For some time he remained behind the tree shivering and shaking. He dared not go to the village, for he thought detective Gale might still be there. To go to a farm-house and ask for shelter would have been equally unwise he considered. For his appearance was so ragged, haggard, and. his face so black and grimy that he would have ~ been detected and informed upon immediately. While he thus stood considering what to do, a man approached and touched him on the shoulder, ‘Hullo, mate !’’ said the new comer ; “ you seem wet, and cold, and hungry,” “Yes, I am all that,” said Warner, looking in astonishment upon the stranger. “But what do you want here?” said the escaped villain, grasping his poker in a threatening manner. “Oh, nothing, mate, in particular. I heard the hounds and dogs barking close by, and it seems the folks at the Hall are chasing somebody,” “So they are,’ said Warner, coolly. ‘A thief has been discovered on the premises, but he escaped,” “La! you don’t say so?” “T do, though. I was staying at the Hall myself with Mr. Gale, the detective officer, and hunted the villain all through the mansion, but couldn’t catch ~ him,” “‘ Not up the chimney, sure-ly?” said the country- man, ‘For now I comes to look at you, it seems you are all smothered with soot.” “ That’s true enough. But where do you live?” said Warner. “ Just down here abit, in that small cottage.” “Will you let me stay there for half an hour, I’m too tired to think of going back to the Hall yet.” “T’#e no objection in the world, seeing as how you have been living at the Hall; for I used to be a labourer there myself once, before old Jonathan left so suddenly.”’ ‘“‘ Indeed,” said Warner, who, though he spoke in a firm, but husky tone, still kept his ears. open for the distant sounds of the dogs and the shouts of his pursuers, “Oh, yes,” said the rustic, “I have worked off and on at the Hall for this ten year or more, This way, mate. We haven’t far to go,” Warner felt rejoiced at this news, and followed the rustic with hurried steps, In a short time both of them reached the cottage and entered it. A bright fire was glowing on the hearth, but there was no one there to greet him. Warner had not been in the house more than ten minutes, when the sounds of the dogs could be heard more plainly than ever. “They are on my scent,” thought Warner, “ and will be here in less than five minutes.” Warner now knew not what to do or how to act, To fly would have been madness, for he was thoroughly unstrung, and was now as weak as a kitten, The rustic smoked his pipe, and spoke not for some time; but he eyed Warner in a strange manner, ‘You look rather shaky, my friend,” said the rustic, smiling. “Yes, I do, rather,” “The sounds of the dogs don’t please you, I think ?” ‘“What do you mean ?” said Warner, fiercely. ““Oh, nothing, my hearty, only I saw your eyes looking rather wild, that’s all.” “Do they look wild ?” “Yes, for all the world like those of a man who has just escaped from a lunatic asylum, or who has had a sharp run for his life, ha, ha,’’ ‘What do you mean ?” “T mean this,’ said the rustic, quietly. ‘You are the chap the detective has been after for some time past. That's what I mean.” And as he spoke, he smiled, and winked. “ What?” said Warner, seizing his poker, ‘Nay, nay, friend ; put that bit of iron down, there’s no occasion forit now, Not here, at all events,”’ CONMIG VOOLKS C©