The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 28: what you’re looking at

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22 THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’'S YOUNG CAPTAIN. destiny divided them, and ere they met again strange and startling adventures fell to the lot of both, What those exciting adventures were we shall quickly see, CHAPTER XI. THE FIRST EXPLOIT—SEIZURE OF THE SCHOONER YACHT ‘“ KAISER ’’—THE SPIES AT WORK—THE CONFLICT—THE VICTORY—INCREASING DANGERS —THE ITALIAN COLOURS HOISTED—IATTY HAS ANOTHER BATH, THE steamer sped on her way merrily towards the shores of Italy, and all the Garibaldians on board enjoyed themselves vastly in all manner of ways, The captain, who was an Italian in the French mail service, advised all the young Garibaldians to disguise themselves, for the vessel had to call at the Austrian port of Trieste before reaching the harbour of Ancona, where the Italian fleet lay. When they were but two days’ journey from Trieste, and while pleasantly journeying up the Adriatic Sea, Frank called his friends together and addressed them privately. ‘“We are all bound on a dangerous expedition,” gaid he,',“ and before we join Garibaldi it is neces- sary that you should formally elect some one to lead ou,” Wi We have chosen you for our captain,” cried all but tivo. ‘Yes, that is very well,” Frank replied, “ but you ‘had better vote upon the subject. Let each of you write upon a slip of paper the name of the one you have most confidence in as your intended captain, and afterwards there cannot be any dispute; as far as I am concerned, I care not who is captain— whether it be Dick Fellows, Hugh Tracy, or any other, so that the selection is properly settled by vote,” “ Aoreed ! agreed !” shouted all; “we will vote for it at once.” In a moment each one wrote the name of his choice on a slip of paper, but without signing his name thereto. These were all cast into a hat and afterwards ex- amined. Except two (/) all had voted for Frank as their chosen captain, and the choice was hailed with loud applause. Who these two were who had voted against him no one could discover ! Murmurs were heard against them, whoever they were, but it could never be discovered, for each and every one swore that they had voted for Frank and no one else, So well did the two spies conceal their guilt that no one could ever have suspected them of the base designs they had in view. ‘‘ Well, comrades,” said Frank, when the election was over and ratified, “ you have elected me to a very honourable, responsible, and dangerous post ; but you may rely upon it I will never disgrace you, Remember, we are English boys, and must show to all that we are not only brave, as all Englishmen are, but prove to them that we are a little more than brave, Wherever the most danger is, there let us be; and, with our banner unfurled, prove to all that Garabaldi has not misplaced confidence in us,” ‘We will! we will! Three cheers for General Garabaldi !” “ And now,” said Frank, “ since you have elected me of your own accord, I will read to*you a letter, which I received from Garibaldi while in Mar- seilles,” | -~ - a SSS eae a ee Amid loud applause, Frank read as follows :— WHEREAS the King of Italy having been graciously pleased to appoint me, Guiseppe Garibaldi, Genezalissimo of all the Volunteer Forces raised for the Liberation of Venetia, I have, under the powers. conferred on me, accepted the services ofa Gallant Band of English Boys, raised and commanded by Frank Ford, otherwise known as the ‘* Boy Soldier,’ who will in future be known as “ Garibaldi’s young Captain,” and whose deeds, with those of the Band under his command, will add fresh lustre to the English boys’ narae, and prove worthy of ranking beside the laurels gained at Cressy, Agincourt, Water- loo, and a thousand others. (Signed) G. GARIBALDI, Lonato, July, 1866, Disguised as they now were, the young Garibaldi- ans could not be taken for any other than ordinary passengers, As they approached the Austrian port of Trieste it was arranged that they should land, and in the night seize some Austrian vessel, and make sail towards Ancona, “For it won't do for us to arrive among the Italians like empty-handed beggars,” said Hal, “There are many schooners lying in the bay, and nearly all of them carry acouple of guns, Suppose we seize one in the night, and, under cover of the darkness, escape into some Italian port, and make a present of our prize to Garibaldi?” This proposition was received with loud applause — and great enthusiasm, The French steamer arrived at Trieste during the afternoon, and as they were entering the port Frank’s quick eyes espied a beautiful, fast-sailing schooner lying a few yards from shore. She had two brass guns on board, her colours were flying, and altogether she looked a very tempting prize. When the steamer arrived at the wharf all the young Garibaldians landed, and strolled about the town enjoying themselves. : No one would for a moment have suspected that these good-looking, generous, and well-dressed English youths were Garibaldians in disguise, Wherever they went they were well received. Their passports were minutely examined by the hawk-eyed police on guard at the Custom-House; but these important papers were pronounced quite correct, and the youths were looked upon as so many young English travellers. All their luggage had been directed to Ancona, so that when the steamer sailed again that evening they felt perfectly satisfied that their trunks, boxes and the like would be safely landed at the Italian port. According to Frank’s directions, all his followers gradually directed their footsteps towards that part ct the port where the beautiful two-gun schooner ke. “ At midnight, when all is quiet, let us assemble by twos and threes under the long shed on the wharf near where the schooner lies,” said Frank. In the meantime, he, Hugh Tracy, and Dick Fel- lows strolled about until they came within a few yards of where the * Kaiser’? was. They found out that the beautiful schooner was the property of the Austrian admiral, who was on board a frigate out at sea. All the schooner’s crew, it was supposed, were ashore enjoying themselves. There were but four men left on board during the evening, Frank laid his plans, and hired two or three boats, which some of his band rowed down towards the appointed spot, These were hidden under the deep shadows of the wharf until midnight should arrive, COmicbooksEco