The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 51: 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. Deafening cheers was the answer to their signal flags, and the Italian men-of-war saluted the gal- lant little “ Kaiser ”’ and her crew with guns of welcome. The telegraph on shore was soon at work, and long ere Frank cast anchor in the bay, the whole town poured forth to the landing-place to welcome the brave young Garibaldians, According to orders, all the British boys dressed themselves ont in their gayest and best uniforms ; rifles on shoulders and with colours flying, they and the Italian sailors marched four abreast through the town, Bells rang, people cheered, the streets were crowded, a regiment of Garibaldian volunteers marched out to escort them with bands and banners. The whole city was joyful, and as Frank Ford, sword in hand, marched at the head of the English boy-band of soldiers, fair women waved handker- chiefs and kissed their hands in token of admiration to the brave boys. The newspapers were filled that day with long accounts of “the capture of the ‘ Kaiser,’” and the heroism of such mere boys, as they were called, The commandant of the town, however, had ample proof of the statements rumoured abroad, and seemed astounded at all he heard. Wherever the boys went they were treated like conquerors ; they were not allowed to pay for any- thing. This just suited Fatty, who, as may be supposed, was in his glory, and almost danced his legs off that same night with lots of pretty girls at the Casino. Frank and his gallant little band marched out to their camps, situated in a beautiful grove near the edge of the town. Fatty was very sorry to leave Ancona and all its goodlings behind him. Had it not been for Frank’s positive orders he would willingly have remained in the city for a whole month, stuffing himself and capering about with young ladies. But Frank was a soldier. Merriment was all very well in its way; but the ' young Garibaldians had come to Italy to fight, not for pleasure, a8 he knew very well. There were thousands of soldiers camped near them, and many Garibalbian volunteers also; but none of them could equal Frank’s company in cleanliness, beauty of drill, and soldierly conduct, After three days of hard work in drilling, Frank began to think of doing something, He hated idleness. He was abold youth, and wanted excitement. While his company were on parade one day, a loud flourish of trumpets and rolling of drums was heard in the distance. | Cheers and shouts from distant camps echoed on every side. Frank could not make out what it all meant. In a few moments, however, a cloud of dust was perceived in the distance, One minute after a body of horsemen appeared. Thinking it might be some general, Frank waited until the escort approached, and then the whole company, like one man, presented arms in fine style. , TE was General Garibaldi! He and his escort halted. For a moment all was dead silence, Garibaldi looked at the Boy Band with admira- tion. ae They stcod there as solid as a stone wall, Not a boy stirred. Garibaldi’s lips trembled. He wanted to. say something, but could not, He was pleased, surprised, astounded at the soldierly appearance of the youthful English Band, A solemn pause ensued, The boys were too good soldiers to cheer or break their ranks without a command from their captain, and he did not like to give the order without Gari- baldi’s permission. The old Italian chief waved his hand, ‘Shoulder arms! right face! armsaporte! break ranks |”? said Frank, quickly. In a moment the English boys rent the air with their shouts, and flocked around Garibaldi like children. His officers never seemed tired of shaking hands with the Boy Band, while Garibaldi himself ex- tended his right hand to Frank, and said in a tremulous voice, ~ “The war has scarcely begun, and yet you have immortalised yourselves! JI have heard of all your bold achievements, and give you the place of honour among my volunteers, English boys, I thank you for your heroism and devotion to the cause of Italian liberty! For the present, farewell. In a few days we shall meet again. You are all ordered off to Lombardy, where it will not be long ere you meet the Austrians again face to face, Captain Frank Ford and the Company of English Boy Soldiers, I thank you’in the name of Italy, May all honour and glory await you |” Loud and prolonged cheers followed General Garibaldi as he rode off the ground, noisiest of all being Fatty and Buttons. ‘He might have asked us to have something to eat and drink, eh, Buttons?” ‘“‘ Garibaldi don’t eat,” said Buttons, grinning, “What?” said Tony, with an astonished look, - “Fact, so I’ve heard.” “Gammon, Buttons,”’ “Well, if he does, he lives on gunpowder ; and as to sleeping, they say he never does—least, so I’ve heard—and if he does sleep, he lies on abed stuffed with bayonets instead of feathers.” Tony made a “drive” at Buttons, who was grin- ning like a young monkey; but that lively youth nimbly got out of the way. ‘‘T hope Captain Frank will bring a fellow some- thing home from the supper he’s going to to-night,”’ said Fatty. ‘I wouldn’t mind a tuck-out of duck and green peas.” ‘So he’s going to the officers’ supper to-night, is he?” said one Italian to another, who had heard Tony’s last remark. “Couldnt we manage to go there also 7?” “Why not? us?” ‘But are you sure that Captain Frank Ford is the person mentioned in your English letter ?” “IT am positive.” ‘‘ What do you propose?” “Let us go to the supper, and trust to chance for the rest. The deed must be done.” “True, and quickly.” “Then, until to-night, farewell.” “ Farewell,” Such. was the brief conversation between two swarthy individuals who had strolled into the volunteers’ camp, Who they were no one knew, although dressed like officers of the Italian army, What they were we shall very quickly sce, a We have uniforms—who will know eommicoooks ©