The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

ee ane, oa 40 ‘Who and what are you?” he gasped, rising in anger. “ Are you a fiend incarnate come to taunt me? Away, man! Annoy meno more. I know nothing of what you speak, Quit my place, I loathe you.” é “How soon you have changed your tune. Sib down, Flint ; let us talk over matters, “Proceed. I hear, d——n you.” “There have been two murders. cerned in One, and I could explain the other, if necessary.” “Well.” “ You have gained Ford’s property and title deeds by one.” “6 No.”’ “Yes,” ‘Well, suppose it.” “No, I won’t suppose it, for I know it,’ “ What, then ?” **T want half,” “What?” gasped Flint, ‘alee **You must be dreaming, Jonathan.” __ “ T was never more wide awake in my life.” ‘‘ But suppose I do not ?” “T will denounce you to the police.” “ And if I cannot at the present moment ?” “There remains then but one of two things, Flint,” said Jonathan, suddenly rising, long dagger in hand, “What! a dagger ?—violence 2” ‘Yes, a dagger, Flint, that shall pierce your deceitful heart if you dare attempt to stir or raise any alarm,” “What would you have me do, then ?”’ said Flint, trembling in every limb, as Jonathan stood over him, weapon in hand, “ Have you do?” 66 Yes,” “You have not his wealth here, you say 2” 6é No.”? “Then take up pen and paper,” * or what pinrncke VE Be ~ “To write a full and true confession of old Ford’s murder on stamped paper. I will attest it as witness,” ‘‘ Confession ! what criminate myself?” “Yes, or die. The confession will be held by me for four days. If in that time you do not produce a fair half of old Ford’s treasures, I will deliver this in person at Bow Street, Choose—the confes- sion or instant death !” Flint was conquered. ; He trembled like a leaf, and turned ghastly pale as ue enor Bee oes ‘There,” said he, handing j “wi eatanoe ; g it to Jonathan, “ will «6 Yes,” “T have four days clear?” “You have,” “In that time you shall see me,” ‘Tis well; don’t forget the hour—nine in the rrr ie re fifth day, exclusive of this.” will not, you may rely u 1 life more than wealth.” ae SHO Yau EAE LEP Be ; or tremble!” onathan cast a withering glance at Flint left the room, and shook the roohifeseiGr in naadecs i For the present, farewell, said he,” ‘Must there be, then, still another bloody deed ?”” mused Ilint, when left alone, “ Four days hence ! What a world of time! I shall be hundreds of miles away ; yet I’d give £10,000 to see that villain powerless at my feet, We shall see: work wonders |” see ; four days will You are con— IA 67 comicbookereom THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. CHAPTER XX. ANOTHER SEA-FIGHT—FATTY TURNS GUNNER, AND ‘“TOUCHES OFF’’ A CANNON—HIS NOTIONS OF KICKING—THE AUSTRIAN SUNK, For some time Frank and Hugh Tracy stood each at his gun, ready to fire. | The Austrian steamer came nearer and nearer, and endeayoured to get the yacht between them and the shore. This was good seamanship, for there were many rocks against which the steamer must have struck, But Frank did not want them to get such advan- tages, Under Mark’s directions, the yacht tacked and went before the breeze at a spanking pace, the steamer full tilt after her. ; “We can’t avoid it, lads,” said Frank, “‘ they are getting closer and closer ; we must fight her while — we have a plank standing.” . 4 | | “So we will! so we will!” shouted all in triumph. . ‘Then prepare, my lads!” said Frank; “buckle on your swords and pistol-belts |” They did so in a moment, and_all was ready for action, ‘‘TLook out, Frank ; here it comes!” said Dick Fellows, i” 2 At that same instant a terrible shell whizzed right over them. ‘Two can play at that game, my hearties,” laughed Frank. “Let ’em have it, Hugh. Now then, ready ?” ““ Aye, aye |” : ** Wire |” At the same instant the two brass cannon were discharged. : Their shells screamed through the air in a beau- tiful luminous flight, and then came down smash upon the steamer’s decks and exploded with a ter- rific report. ‘“That’s it, my lads, load again,” said Frank, “we've got the range, Let ’em have it! Never say die!” . In a twinkling the guns were reloaded with shells and again discharged with accurate aim, This time the missiles struck the vessel just be- tween wind and water, and stove in the side. In an instant they bursted and blew up all the machinery, tearing the vessel fore and aft, leaving her a mere wreck upon the water. Still the Austrians fought; they disdained to lower their flag toa mere yacht, and worked like brave men, firing gun for gun, “Let me have a touch at ’em,” said Fatty ; “let me point the gun this time, Frank,” said he; ‘‘you'll see, I'll send ’em all to Jericho.” Frank allowed Fatty to point the gun, which he did long and carefully. “Tt’s ready ; touch it off !” Some one “touched it off’? accordingly, but the recoil of the gun knocked Fatty head over heels sprawling on the deck. ‘Crikey | don’t it ‘kick?’ laughed Buttons, ‘‘T believe you,” said Fatty, growling, “harder than any horse as ever I ever come anear.” The shell, however, was well aimed, for it struck the Austrian fair amidships, It was a true point-blank shot, and in a few seconds a terrible explosion took place. Fatty’s shot had hit the powder magazine ! In a second a column of fire and smoke rushed into the heavens. The young English boys rushed eagerly forward with anxious faces as they saw