The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 234: what you’re looking at

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228 THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI'S, YOUNG. CAPTAIN. ‘‘T was tied both hands and feet, however, and could not move. “An Indian watched me both night and day, and I could not stir but his dark eyes were upon me. “In order to, have plenty of rest before they tracked you, they all went to sleep at sunset last night. ots ‘I pretended to slumber myself; but it was all am, ‘““My guard, however, dosed off beside me, and lay down quite close to me. “In turning over, his hunting knife fell from his belt. “With great difficulty I picked it up with my teeth, and managed to cut the tight thinggaround my right arm. “ This done, I quickly cut the rest, and was about to get up when my guard awoke. “T seized him by the throat, so that he would not cause any alarm, and in an instant killed him. ‘In a moment I crept out among the horses. “Vaulting on to one, I galloped away. “‘ But just as I did so, some villain espied me, and fired. ‘I knew that I should be ‘pursued, and so -I was for several miles ; but I rode in quite a different direction to where your camp fires lit up the sky, so as_ to throw the Redskins off the scent; but a stray bullet, the last they fired at me, struck me on the cheek, and glanced off, otherwise I should have been a dead man long ago. ‘And now that I have told you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, give me a drink of whisky, and let mé have a sleep.” The trapper’s account of his adventures and sufferings was so true in all particulars that no one doubted hin for a moment. é “‘ And when do you think they intend to attack us?” Frank asked. : “To-morrow morning, I think, but they may change their mind before that,’ said the trapper, groaning and wiping the blood off his face. “Then let all prepare at once for them,’ said Frank. “Yes, that’s right,” said the trapper, “be pre- pared for them, but make no noise or bustle, if you do you will be seen, for I haye no doubt they have aspy or two out in the high grass watching all your movements, Frank, the Count, Pedro, Hugh, Casper, andevery one began to prepare for the coming conflict; but night passed on and no Indians wete visible, any- where. When the sun rose the company started on their journey again, very carefully and close together. Some of the party rode far out into the prairie, to the right and left of the waggon train to look out for the enemy. But nowhere was a single Indian visible ; not the slightest trace of any one or anything could be seen. Noon was passed, and Frank began to think that the Indians might have changed their minds and gone off without attempting to harm him or his friends, Towards evening, according to Pedro’s word, they were approaching a thick forest, and soon. after entered it, The waggons were well guarded, and in front no one ever for a moment thought of danger, and began to imagine that in less than an hour all moni be snugly encamped and resting for the night, They were all mistaken. rij For while they were just entering and passing through an open space in jhe forest, a nume- rous band of Indians, mounted and on foot, rushed upon the waggon train with ear-piercing yells. . {They were armed with pistols, knives, bows: and arrows, rifles, tomahawks, and heavy spike-headed bludgeons. , They rushed upon the volunteers with great fury, and for a few moments all, was uproar and con- fusion. (See cut in No. 28). . Eagle-wing, the chief, was foremost in. the fray. Mounted on a strong young horse, he galloped about, dealing blows to the right and left with his | ponderous war club, The fight which now ensued between the Boy Band and the Indians was of the most fierce and sanguinary description. ee. Rifle shotS and deadly arrows were flying about in all directions, | rd J Frank, Ford, with the greatest. coolness, com- manded during the entire combat, andgave his orders in a loud, cheery voice, which could not be mistaken by any one. For some time the shouts, yells, and screams of | the Redskins was something dreadful to hear, Fatty and Buttons, not having any horses, were compelled for some time to fight on foot,: - But the danger was very great, and each moment they were well nigh trampled under foot both by friend and foe. Fatty and Buttons therefore climbed into one of the waggons, and kept up such a lively fire with their rifles and revolvers, that in a very short time more than a dozen Indians were knocked over and bit the dust, The Count, sword in hand, accompanied. by Caspar, Hugh Tracy, and others, dashed right into the midst of the terrible Redskins, and cut down all before them like as if they were dry reeds, Eagle-wing, the chief, seeing his men fast falling all around him, and with no hopes of final success, became desperate, and rushed hither and thither, with his immense war-club and tomahawk, and dispersed the Mexican drivers, who cared more to | save their lives than to protect the waggon train. It was in. vain that Frank and others called upon them to act like men. They would not. They had been hired to drive the teams, they said, and -not to fight; and therefore hid out of the way under the waggons, or even climbed up trees. Frank threatened to shoot the rascals like dogs if they did not fight. But all these threats they did not care for, and began swearing and growling about their ill luck in pitiable tones. EKagle-wing roused up his Indians for a last attempt. They retreated for some little distance, and then turned back again with greater fury than ever. Wagle-wing espied the escaped trapper among the Boy Soldiers, and made a dash at him. The trapper was much too weak to:encounter such a powerful man as Eagle-wing single-handed. He therefore dodged the terrific and deadly blow which was aimed at him, when Frank Ford galloped up to his rescue, The meeting of Frank and Eagle-wing was one which few of the oldest Indian hunters Mae ever witnessed, or even heard of, for bravery and obstinacy. With a loud laugh of scorn, Eagle-wing rode up to Frank, and made a terrific stroke at the brave youth’s head. Frank smiled, and warded off the blow. . eee _—__ GComichbooksnco