The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 83: 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. 77 Heavy, drenching rain began to fall, and it seemed as if the very heavens were about to deluge the earth. This was greatly refreshing to the two wounded boys, who in different parts of the field lay huddled up, and perfectly unconscious of each other's pre- sence there. Frank, with a blood-stained brow, and a bullet wound in his left arm, was unable to move, A ar Bennet had been hit in the thigh by a spent a He also was unable to stir. But, even during the drenching showers that fell all around him, Sam Bennet’s quick ear detected the distant moaning of some wounded man. Again and again he raised himself on his elbow, and looked about him to the right and left to see wherever it might proceed, ‘Some wounded Austrian,” thought Sam. “I’m glad our boys have left none of our party behind except me, for I have no doubt if these Austrian camp followers should happen to fall across any lads they would murder them on the spot.” He little thought that the moaning proceeded from Frank, But it did. __ Poor Frank was desperately hurt, and was almost if not entirely unconscious. ‘Hang their stupid heads,” said Sam, half aloud, “they have gone off and left me here alone; “‘it’s through mistake, I know, but that don’t make my situation any the less miserable and dangerous ; but I dare say some of them will soon return when they miss me,” With such thoughts Sam Bennet tied up his wounded thigh, and tried again to ccan the battle- field in order to discover who it might be that was groaning, He raised himself on his elbow, but could discover nothing, The truth was that a slight indentation of the ground concealed Frank from view. “T wish I could only walk,” thought Sam. “I dare say it’s some poor devil of an Austrian, dying, perhaps, for a cup of water.” Towards the evening stars began to twinkle in the eastern sky long before the heavy clouds finally drifted from the scene. Still at intervals he could hear the same distant moaning. He listened again and again, It sounds like the voice of a boy. “What if it should turn out to be one of our band, though,” he said. ‘I wonder who it can be. Surely they haven’t left any one but me behind !” These and such like thoughts puzzled and tor- mented the brave lad’s mind. Ere long, however, his eyes and thoughts were directed in another way. In the distance he perceived an old, haggard woman, slowly looking about the battle-field. She was followed at a short distance by a vil- lanous-looking rascal, dressed and muffled up in a jong; black cloak, and broad-brimmed slouching at. A cold sweat was on Sam’s brow as he thought— ‘They are ‘Night Vultures,’ come to rob and strip the dead—and the living, also, if they get the chance! I will be prepared for them.” Luckily, his rifle was close at hand. He loaded very carefully and slyly,fin order not to be perceived, ‘‘They always come armed, I’m told; and if they fall across a half dying man, they make no scruple about giving him a taste of their daggers. But se re ee + they shan’t catch me asleep. I've heard too much about them long before this. Captain Frank has often spoken of this thing, and to be aware of drinking anything they offer; for if a fellow only happens to have a watch, a ring, or a few shillings in his pocket, they think nothing of poisoning him for it, the cursed wretches,—‘ Night Wultures’ they are aptly called—but they must take care, or I'll do for one of ’em, if not for two, if they come near me |” The old hag slowly moved to and fro about the battle-field, followed at*a short distance by the un- known, murderous-looking villain. They approached a spot about midway where Frank and Sam lay. “Stop,” said the villain, to the hag, “did you not hear distant moans? Listen again.” “T do,” was the croaking reply ; “and it sounds like the voice of a youth.” “‘Of a youth?” said the villain, with glistening eyes. ee Yes, I cannot be mistaken,” “Tf it should only be Aim!” was the quick, im- passioned reply. ‘“Who?” asked the hag, with a low chuckle. “Tt matters not. I dare say you would not feel very scrupulous about whoever it was, s0 he had a well-filled purse and a watch.” “Not I; no, not a bit,” was the harshreply. “I only wish I could stumble across such a one. But what makes you so anxious about these Boy Garibaldians ?” “That's my business,” said the villain, gruffly. ‘‘ But, hark | there are the groans again,” “T heard them plainly that time. Let us go and see,” “The bloodthirsty hounds!” said Sani. “They are bent on murder. I wonder who it can be that is moaning so? I'll watch them closely,” As he spoke he saw the old hag hobble across the field followed by her dark companion. They did not go far ere she stopped and turned towards the villain. “He moves, he breathes,” she said, in a soft voice. And so Frank did. He was lying unconscious, with his head resting on a small mound of earth, and with his eyes closed. Near him lay his cap and one of the Austrian drums that had been broken and left behind. “‘’Tig he!” said the villain, with glittering eyes, pointing to the wounded youth, ‘“‘’tis he !” “ What would ye have me do?” said the woman, with a croaking voice. and a dry, hurried laugh. ‘Despatch him |!” said the villain. “ Strike him to the heart! No one sees us; you shall be well paid! Despatch him, I say !” “1s he your enemy ?” “Tt matters not now to tell; no time must be lost. Despatch him, drive your long dagger through his throbbing heart! I hear the approach of distant horsemen. Quick, Isay, quick! He is my worst enemy! let your dagger sink deep into his vile heart—he is my life-long foe !” With upraised weapon the hag of the battle- field stood over the prostrate boy, in the act of deal- ing a death blow. On the instant was heard the crack of a rifle. With a loud scream, the woman threw up her hands, dropped the dagger, and fell to the earth— dead ! Sam Bennet had raised himself from the ground, and watched them, He leaned against a waggon-wheel for support. CoOmicoookks.co© a TT