The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 34: what you’re looking at

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

ee se C , EEE oe 28 THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. He divided all the money he found among his followers: Each one was well supplied with meat, bread and wine from the well stored pantrys, and ere an hour had passed all the young soldiers were as merry as crickets, chief of whom was the Fat Boy, who, at the first mention of wine and good food, crawled from his hiding place among the empty water-casks, After a time a loud knocking was heard at the main-hatchway. This was raised a few inches. A rough-looking seaman who spoke Italian, which Frank well understood, beg ged to be allowed to come on deck. As the young Garibaldians were all well-armed, and did not fear any mutiny, this was allowed, “What do you want?” asked Frank, For a moment the Italian seaman looked astonished at the number of red-shirted youths around him, Tears stood in his eyes, as he said, *“ Now I understand all, my young friends, Every one of you belong to Garibaldi.” “We do,” Frank answered, proudly. “T see that from your dress, and, moreover, you are brave English boys?” “‘ Every one is English.” “ And you forfeit all to fight for Italian liberty ?” “Yes, we do; and will sacrifice our lives if need be,”’ For a moment the Italian seaman hung his head, At last he said, “ Let me join you?” cYoul: “Yes, me, There are twenty more beside me in the hold, who hate the Austrian yoke, Some are Poles, some are Italians, some Hungarians, and some from other parts. We all love Garibaldi, and will fight for him if you will let us free.” “But why are you serving on board an Austrian vessel, then ?” ‘Because we have been forced to do so, my young captain.” “T have been sent by my comrades to ask this favour of you; will you grant it? Will you let us help to fight your battles for Italian in- dependence? If you distrust us, sail away to the first Italian port you like, and then you will soon [| J see how quickly we will keep our words, and join the volunteers.” For a moment Frank knew not what to do, He was fearful of some plot, “What proof can you give us of your sincerity ?” Frank asked, “ Anything yon demand,” “Do you know anything of the Austrian’s inten- tions?” <Tdous “Tell me them ?” “The Austrians seized one of Garibaldi’s female spies—her name is Teresa F'azzi.” Well?” ‘She is now confined. in the strong coast-guard house, near the light-house?”’ “What light-house ?” “The one you sec some fifteen miles away, there yonder, where the small light twinkles above the waves like a star.” “Ts that the light-house?” | “Tt is, The coast-guard house is but a mile higher up the beach,” ‘© How know you she is there,” “TI saw her arrested this morning in Trieste, They removed her out of town for fear of any rescue being attempted. To-morrow she will be taken to Venice. She is a. most important prisoner for the Austrians, and I fear me they will torture her to death but what they will extract every secret from her.” Here the Italian sighed, and hung his head, ‘Why do you sigh?” Frank asked, with compas- gion in his voice. ‘‘T saw her pass, and in my heart I vowed to attempt her rescue .” ; “You?” “Yes, captain; we both belong to a Secret Society, having in view the deliverance of Italy from the Austrian yoke,” “‘ How know you this?” “She made certain signs which I could not mistake. We both belong to the same secret order, as I have told you, and could recognise each other anywhere.” ‘‘ What order is that ?” “Nay, signor, I could not, I dare not, reveal that; itis too great a secret. Perhaps ere many days you yourself, nay, every one of your gallant young band, may belong-to it, and then you will not only be surprised, but commend and admire my silence,” “Perhaps so; and what is your name ?” ‘Antonio Ricci. It is all important that Teresa be released, and to-night,” * Ah, indeed !” ‘Yes, she ought to be at Ancona ere this, for she bears important information to Garibaldi.” “Well, if this be so, why not let us change our course, and assail the coast-guard house?” said Frank, ‘‘ Agreed ! agreed !” shouted all. “Then so be.it. We might as well fight our first battle with the Austrains to-night as at any other time.” This proposition was received with applause ‘by all the young Garibaldians. The Italian seaman, Antonio, shed tears of joy when informed of their intention. After a long consultation together, it was agreed to release the Italian prisoners, and arm them. When this determination was made known to them by Antonio and Frank, the prisoners leaped for oy. On their bended knees they swore to be faithful and true, Some wept, others laughed with joy, while many kissed Frank’s hands in token of humble submission, admiration, and loyalty. They soon changed their hated Austrian uniform for a red shirt, and ere long the yacht “ Kaiser,” with her two brass cannon charged with grape shot, turned her course towards the light-house, The plan, as agreed upon, was this :— : The yacht was to sail in towards the land, and, in a small inlet about two miles south of the light- house, land a part of the crew. It would then sail an equal distance above the coast-guard fort and land the rest, leaving some one behind to guard the “ Kaiser.” At a given signal, which was to be a red rocket fired from the yacht, both parties were to march cowards the fort, and assail it on both sides at nce, A part of the Italian sailors and young Gari- baldians, led on by Hugh Tracy and Dick Fellows, were the first party landed, while Frank Ford and the rest were also landed above the small fort, There were tvo of the young Garibaldians left i RATTAN TI Se ET ET NT NT aT RN RRR em Noe peg ee Comicbookszeom