The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 254: what you’re looking at

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

248 ——E a es Se es ee 4 THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. “To-morrow will do.” - “Tt will not, my dear young friend; be guided by me, you know how honest I am,” “Oh, yes, you always were the pink of honesty.” “Then trust me with but £100 to-night, and I guarantee to——” “ To-morrow.” :, “ £50, then, for the honour of your noble uncle.” To-morrow.” “ £10, then, just to set the ball a rolling.” “To-morrow,” said Tom, putting by his money again, Jonathan could have rashed at him, and had a struggle for it, but he dared not. “Why not to-night? Lose no time.” ‘Well, then, to-night, as you are so impatient.” “ Ah, there spoke a noble youth,” siid Jonathan, rubbing his hands in great glee. “‘T have not sufficient change.” “‘T daresay the proprietors would cash you a check.” “T'll try,’ said Tom, ringing the bell. A servant entered, and took down a note to the proprietors of the hotel. In a moment afterwards he returned, and ushered in a stranger, who, gaily bowing to the old master of Bromley, said, in a cheery voice— “Ah, Vr. Jonathan, happy to see you.” It was Detective Gale. CHAPTER XCV, THE PREDICTION OF THE SORCERERS—THE SEIGE —FRANK AND HIS BRAVE FOLLOWERS TAKE A PROMINENT PART IN THE WAR OF THE PEOPLE AGAINST THE USURPER MAXIMILIAN—STIR- RING SCENES, But the Indian attacks mentioned in a preceeding chapter were not again repeated. The bravery and dash displayed by Frank and his followers so astonished and terrified the rude denizens of the prairies, that they shunned his train, and called him the “fire devil,” to signify how much loss Captain Frank had caused them. The remainder of their journey, therefore, to the Mexican frontier, was comparatively quiet and un- disturbed. : They sometimes had an occasional skirmish with the Indians, but they always came off victorious, and with little loss, The news of the progress of the Mexican war of independence now reached them very frequently by travellers, and Frank was very anxious to hasten onwards so that he might take part in it. Caspar, Hugh Tracy, and the old count were no less impatient, and they hurried on the teams so vigorously, that in a few days the waggon trains crossed over the Rio Grande river, and at last found themselves safe and sound on Mexican territory, The French had been carrying everything before them for some time past, and the timid people began to look upon them as invincible, Not so Frank and his followers, ‘Tf they come to rob the Mexican people of their liberty,” said Frank, “and endeavour to force upon them a king—an institution which they always hated—why then let them bide by the conse- quences. We are on the side of the people,” said he, and whereeyer he went he was received with loud cheers, and the waving of handkerchiefs by both young and old, men and women, ‘ Hurrah for the bold English Boys!” was the I — cry, a8 Frank’s gallant young fellows gaily marched through towns and villages with banners flying. Bands came out to meet and escort them from all directions. The greatest enthusiasm prevailed ; but Frank was sO much in a hurry to march to where hos- tilities were going on, that neither he nor his men had time nor leisure to enjoy one half of the good things which were provided for them. At the time of which we write the French had captured Puebla, in one direction, while a mixed force of French and renegade Mexicans were he- sieging the pretty little town of Potosi, famous for its many valuable silver mines, To this point, therefore, Frank and his gallant party directed their march with all haste, . “Let not this town be sacked and pillaged,” said Frank to his men; “rush like gallant lads to the rescue, and immortalise your names.” Such was the great enthusiasm which Frank’s young heroes caused on their march, that several hundred young and well-armed Mexicans begged to be allowed to follow, if not join, the Boy Band, This proposition Frank agreed to at last, pro- vided they would allow themselves to be com- manded by English officers. This the Mexican volunteers immediately con- sented to do, and, long ere they reached Potosi, the whole number of men under Frank’s command was over 2,000, all ready and willing to fight and die for their fatherland under the guidance of the famous young English leader, The people of Potosi heard of Frank’s approach, and sent out couriers to direct him which way to march, for the French and renegade Mexicans had made up their minds, if possible, to interrupt his progress, For several days Frank took but little heed of these warnings, and continued his marches as if regardless of all danger; but the couriers became more frequent, who begged and prayed him to be less courageous, and to repress the ardour of his men, Yet, all went well with Frank’s command until they arrived within one day’s journey of Potosi. While Frank and his men were pleasantly camped for the night in an orange grove, several of the young officers took a pleasant stroll in the moon- light, “ Look here, look here, Captain Frank,” said the count; “we haye made a great discovery here- abouts,” ‘What is it, count?” “Why, a sorceress,” ““Nonsense! How superstitious these simple Mexicans are,” “Simple or superstitious if you like,” said the count, “but you come with me over to that cottage yonder, and peep through the window unperceived ; you will then see the aged sorceress, and if she is not foretelling and fore-casting our fates, then I’m no gentleman, for I heard her at it,” Frank laughed, but took the count’s arm, and silently approached the cottage. They peeped in at the window unperceived and unheard. Beside the fire, and crouched on the floor, sat three gipsy-looking women smoking, with a cat beside them, In the middle of the floor knelt a woman holding her head between her hands, as if divining things to come, through the power of the sorceress. At a table sat the sorceress herself, magic wand in hand, Gomichbooksnco