The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 255: what you’re looking at

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

THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN, THE ACCUSATION.—VSee No. 33. On the table was a sand-glass and various charms, which, from time to time, she consulted with great gravity, while no one spoke a word save the diviner who knelt on the floor deep in thought, (See cut in Wo. 30.) “ By the charms and spells of Montezuma, speak,” said the sorceress, lightly touching the diviner kneeling on the floor. ‘‘ Who are these armed men marching this way ?” “ Friends of the people,” was the answer, * And whither are they bound ?”’ “« The Silver City.” ‘‘ Speak their fate?” “Honour and glory for some, and an early grave for others,” “ Who leads them ?” ‘‘A gallant English youth, Frank Ford by name.” ‘‘And of the enemy, what of them?” asked the Sorceress, ‘ Will the French and Mexican dastards surprise them on their march ?’’ ‘‘ They will endeavour to do so this very night.” ‘ What else ?” , ‘‘ Blood will freely flow, and the leader of a small part of the band will barely escape with life.’’ c Comey “said Frank ; ‘‘come,Count, we will hear o. 52, no more of this maudlin prophesy. I don’t believe in it!” “Tt may come true for all that,” ‘‘ I cannot believe it.’’ Thus spake the Count and Frank, as they ram- bled back from the cottage of the Sorceress ; but ere they reached their own tent a conrier, all covered with foam, rode up at a tremendous pace. ‘“* Halt !” a sentinel cried. The courier halted as ordered, and in a moment his despatches were in Frank’s hands, who read them hastily :— “ Haste your men by forced marches, or the town will fall a prey to the French. Come quickly, or all is lost. A mixed command of Mexicans and French have gone forth to intercept you. If youare camping anywhere near the Great Orange Grove, strike tents and take the right hand road, leaving a sufficient force on the left hand road to prevent the enemy getting in between you and the city, “In haste, ‘GEN, CAVALHO, , “Commandant of Potosi, ‘To Col, Frank Ford.” CO