The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 81: what you’re looking at

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

ee ap ‘ THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. 75 must get out of this place as soon as possible; the whole Austrian army confronts us across the river, Stuff your havresacks full of food,’ he said, ‘‘ empty the barrel of wine into your canteens, pack the waggons with all haste; we must retreat. We are too weak to stay here ; the Austrians will be over here in thousands to-morrow, you’ll find.” Although some did not much like this order to retire they followed out the orders to the ietter. Fatty was annoyed, but crammed zo havresacks fall of ‘‘grub,” as he called it, and stuffed his ‘stomach almost to suffocation as well, not forgetting “to pay his very particular respects,” as he said, to ‘the barrel of wine. In less than half an hour the young volunteers struck their tents, packed their waggons, and were soon far from the river, in high glee at their late gallant exploits, Not all, however, left the spot. Dick, Mark, Hugh: Tracy, and Buttons remained behind with the captured cannon. ‘They will.be sure to treat us to a cannonade from the other side shortly,” said Mark, “and as we must protect our retreat we will give them as good as we get.” In a trice these four brave boys commenced to - work with picks and shovels in gallant style. The trees were large, thick, and numerous on the top of the river bank. Mark selected a place where two large oak trees stood about two yards apart. In front of these for about three feet he and the other boys rapidly raised a breastwork of solid earth. A place was cut out in the middle of this earth- work for the muzzle of their cannon to work in. “Now, Buttons,” said Mark, “where did you place the four horses ?” ‘Behind aclump of trees not far off, but out of danger. As we will have to gallop after the boys rather rapidly I placed eight instead of four horses, that I thought would be better.” “ Just 80; eight horses will gallop along with this light cannon like lightning ; all four of us, however, must turn drivers, Load up the gun, lads !” | This was quickly done by Mark, Hugh, and Buttons, who put in a twelve-pound rifle shell. * We shan’t have to wait long before the Austrians begin to shell us, you’ll find,” said Mark. -, Nor had they. Those who managed to escape across the river from the combat, informed the general in command of all that had happened. This defeat so enraged him that he opened fire across the stream upon what had but just been the boys’ camp. Shells came whizzing overhead and through the trees in quick succession, bursting luckily many yards from where the boys were. ‘“‘ Hadn’t we better return the compliment ?” said Hugh, impatiently. | ‘Not yet,” said Mark, spy-glass in hand. “ Let them waste as much powder and shell as they like, they can’t hurt us; we are well protected in front by the trees and our earth-work; they will get tired after a bit, and we shall be fresh, you know.” Still came the Austrians’ shells screaming over- head, and bursting with great noisy explosion right on the ground where their tents had lately stood. ‘They would have peppered us awfully, if we hadn’t got out of the way,” said Buttons ; “ Captain Frank was here to give ’em 4 dose of pills in re- turn.” “Don’t be in any hurry, Buttons, my boy,” said Mark ; ‘‘our brave young commander will lead us on again, and I am only waiting for a good oppor- tunity ; vow can’t see what they are up to, but Z can.” The truth was that his spy-glass enabled Mark to perceive a group of mounted officers on the other side, standing near some ammunition waggons. “ Now,” said Mark, “since they have nearly dene, we'll give ’em a parting salute to remember us by ; but, mark me, lads, directly the shot is fired, jump to your gun, ease it down the bank, and then pull away until we get to the thicket where our horses are.” f ‘‘ Just so, Mark ; take good aim.” Buttons need not have said this, for Mark took deliberate aim at the group of officers standing near the ammunition waggons, “Now I’ve covered them nicely,’ said he. ‘“‘ Dick and Hugh, take a wheel each to prevent too much recoil.” Saying this, he touched off the cannon. A sudden roar. A meteor-like object circled through the air, and descended plump among the waggons. In a second a terrific explosion took place. He had struck the ammunition waggons ! The very earth seemed to shake under their feet, “Got ’em that time,” said Buttons, ;with a chuckle, as they eased the cannon out of its place, and dragged it along towards the place where the - horses were concealed, It was well that they had been so quick, for the cannon had not been out of its place more than two minutes when the Austrians opened fire again from half-a-dozen guns, and tore up the little earth-work all to pieces. : Crash !—whiz !—bang! went their shells inj all directions, smashing trees and shrubs with terrific force. But in less than five minutes the four Boy Soldiers had harnessed their horses to their gun, and each acting as driver to two animals, they went tearing away after their retreating comrades, laugh- ing at their glorious action. CHAPTER XXVI. THE MOUNTAIN CHIEF—ALARM OF THE BANDITTI —TREACHERY AT WORK—THE DEED OF BLOOD —THE ALARM OF AGNESE, THE drug which Agnese” had used proved powerful beyond expectation. It was several hours before Basil the Bandit, and his swarthy band, recovered consciousness, The first to do so was Basil himself. He yawned, stretched himself, and then thoroughly . awoke. ‘‘ Hillo !” said he, rubbing his eyes, “ Hillo! how is this? Where are all the youngsters gone to, eh? Why, here are all my favourite men drunk. Ha! ha! Ah! I understand now, my chief man, Cavolti, has secured the young English strangers, put them in some place of safety, and then returned to finish the frolic among ourselves. Yet I didn’t drink much,” Basil mused; “but still my head aches fit to split in halves.” He struck the table heavily. His daughter Agnese appeared. “Bring me a draught of wine,” said he, “ and of the best, mind. My vitals are all on fire.” Aenese brought in and poured out for her father a goblet of the best wine, which he, drank off at a single draught, “Ah! said he, “that’s cooling and pleasant, a = Oo CoOmicoooksS.€©