The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 230: what you’re looking at

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

221 nnn nnn es | 224 THE BOY SOLDIER; OR; GARIBALDI'S YOUNG CAPTAIN. eae eee “J did, or else carry it away by main force, which is much better, for I have friends in the boat.” “An excellent idea,” said the rough fellow in reply. “If we could only get it away in a boat, all the rest would be easy; but how is it to be done, there are too many guards about?” “T'II tell you how,” said Joel, “there are three of 9 “ Well,” J : “ Let each go and set fire to one of the ware- houses. ’ When they blaze up all will be confusion, hurry, and bustle; during the hubbub, we will haul off the safe‘to our boat,” “The robber seemed appalled at the boldness of the proposition, but he knew that now was not the time ‘to’ mince matters, so, therefore, after a little more persuasion, he consented to: the diabolical scheme and signalled to his mate, who was still on the look-out, | “When this fellow perceived Joel he recoiled, and would have run away in frighs . When things were explained.to him, however, he stoutly refused to set fire to anything. - us = Tt*was not until threats of personal violence had been’ used that he consented to join in the devilish business,’ Each went his way, and, for some. time, nothing was heard or seen of them. In less than half an hour, however, red flames burst forth from no less. than half-a-dozen ware- houses, ) The appalling grandeur of the conflagration came g0 unexpectedly upon the view, that the town and harbour were instantly and beautifully illuminated © by the light, ‘Fire! fire! fire!” was the dreadful cry which now resounded from the custom-house guards. ‘Fire !\ fire ! fire!” was re-echoed far and wide, The gates were thrown open, and»in poured a multitude of excited people, all intent upon saving ‘the government property or bent upon petty pecu- lation,’ | | “ Keep back! keep back !’” shouted the guards at ‘the gates, as, with levelled: bayonets, they tried to resist the maddened rush of an excited populace. But it was all to no purpose. The guards were knocked down and trampled under foot. On--rushed ‘the excited people, shouting and clamouring. In less than five minutes the engines arrived, one after another, in rapid succession. Through the tall iron gates they dashed at head- long speed, with foaming horses, amid the shouts of a half wild, hat-waving people. It was.too late. Everywhere the flames had got the mastery. ‘The red glare was oppressive, The black clouds were lit up with a glow like that of a thousand furnaces. , Timber cracked, beams fell, roofs tumbled in, and on every hand the sparks flew up to heaven in bright red showers, ‘““Mind the powder! swamp the powder maga- zine!’ shouted a thousand voices; but still the crowds got thicker and denser, and on every hand could be seen workmen and policemen and firemen saving valuable property from destruction. Much brandy was destroyed, hundreds of wine barrels had their heads knocked in, and all who worked the engines and handed buckets about, re- freshed their thirsty throats, while hundreds who did not and would not work did the same. Boxes, barrels, cases, bales of goods, and other property, were wheeled or carried away hy the cle- youring element, q 2 ATT 8 7 , a. On every hand confusion, noise and tumult reigned. And above the dull roar of thousands of voices could be heard the regular clank clank of the hand engines, and the shrill whistle of steam machines. Amidst all this hubbub, however, there was one particular individual who was looking after his own particular interests. That individual was none other than Joel Flint. When a large number of persons had run into ‘the great yard, Joel issued from his place of con- cealment, and mingled among them. In the undress uniform of prefect’s messenger, he was looked upon as an official, and every one made way for him. 7 He rushed about hither and thither as if intent upon saving property instead of stealing it. He soon encountered one of his accomplices, as he approached the much-coveted safe. ‘‘ Where is your mate?” asked Joel, in a hoarse whisper. ‘We have not a moment to loose; this must be conveyed away at once. Where is your mate?” he again asked. The pale incendiary trembled, and as he looked at Joel, gasped out, ‘Oh, what have we done this wretched night ? Would that I had never seen you, or that I had died ere doing what I have done.” “Why, what is the matter? Is there not a mine of silver and gold in the safe to reward us ?”’ “ Reward? reward?’ the man gasped. ‘ What reward can compensate for what we have done—a wife and her children have been burned to ashes?” ‘‘ What of that, dolt?” said Joel. ‘ Whatis that to us? Where is your mate?” ‘‘ He went into a warehouse, and after he had set fire to the goods he tried to escape but could not,” “Ts that true ?” “ As true as Heaven's above us; he too hada wife and children in England, Now he is no more —he is dead,” * Dead ?” “Yes ; the smoke and flames overpowered him, He tried to escape over the roof; I saw him with my own eyes ; but, just as he was about to leap on to the top of a house near by, the roof fell in with acrash! He threw up his hands in wild despair, gave a shout of anguish, next moment he dis- appeared,” “ Horrible?” said Joel, ‘But, nevertheless, we must get to work, or it may be too late,” Finding that his companions in crime were too much shocked by the terrible judgment which had fallen on his mate, Joel. gathered around him a dozen idlers, and in the confusion that reigned on every hand, managed to drag away the safe from under the shed towards the boat landing-stairs. While this was going on, Joel ran towards the sea-wall, and hailed the boat which he knew would be in waiting for him, “Boat ahoy !”’ he shouted. ‘Boat ahoy |’ was the response, and ‘in a few moments a swift four-oared craft shot under the sea-wall, and was moored at the foot of the boat stairs, “You have come at last, signor?’’ said the cox- Bswain, ‘And, as your excellency wanted swift rowers, I have brought three beside myself,” “Right,” said Joel. “ Fasten your boat, and come on shore. I must not look after harbour thieves to- night, but try and save as much of the Government property as I can; therefore, come on shore, all four of you, and assist me to bear away a large packing-case,” CON GEomicbsoo