The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 97: what you’re looking at

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

Ihoeeesieeeeeee seen eed THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. 9 to their wild mirth and jollity, when far out of all harm’s way, that the luckless Austrian soldiers heard the distant refrain which so startled them, and brought the four-handed duel to so sudden a con- clusion. With all the well practised agility of bold moun- tain robbers, Cavolti, followed by his men, sped along upward and onward over the mountains to- ene Basil’s almost inaccessible and unknown re- reat. Long before they had reached the bandit’s cave the shrill, long-sounding notes of their mountain aa could be heard reveberating among the lofty 8. Basil, among the rest, heard the far-sounding horns, and hastened to the top of a high hill, to gain a distant view of his followers’ approach. In the far distance he saw Cayolti bearing some- thing on his shoulders, and waving his hat. After an hour or more, however, Cavolti’s horn was again heard resounding, and its shrill notes fell like a funeral knell upon the heart of young Agnese, for something told her that the man she hated most had triumphed, and that the hour of her severest trial was fast approaching. She trembled from head to foot, but why she could not tell. Some dread mystery like a pall overweighed her heart. She clasped Annette to her bosom, and burst into a flood of tears, “ As you loye me, dear Annette, go and tell me what these shouts of triumph mean,” she sobbed, “for my heart is filled with dread forebodings, and my soul sickens ‘at the thought of ever becoming the bride of any one of my father’s ruthless band, Go, Annette, go and learn all youcan, MHasten to inform me. Give me death rather than a union with one my soul abhors.” So speaking, she sank upon her knees, and sobbed convulsively. Annette Jeft the cave stealthily, and went forth to see all that was going on. As she hurried towards a group of trees to catch a glimpse of all that passed, she found that Basil and all the band had hurried forward to meet Cayolti, and were shouting in triumph at his approach. She was almost paralyzed to see Frank Ford in the midst of the bandit band. The rough usage he had received at the hands of his captives in some degree aroused Frank from the state of stupor in which he had been for a day or more, His eyes gradually regained their wonted fire, though his face was deadly pale. He could not well stand, for he was yet too weak, and he sat beneath ‘a tree looking like one just awakening from along and painful dream. Basil and all his men, for the most part, were present, Their angry words and fierce oaths thoroughly aroused the bold, brave youth. ** Shoot him !” “Hang him !” “Cut him limb from limb !” they shouted. Young Annette felt the blood curdle in her veins as she listened, She would have run to inform Agnese, but she trembled with excitement, and felt as if rooted to the spot. ; “Tt is the handsome youth returned again,” she sighed. ‘Oh! heaven preserve him! or he will be butchered in cold blood !” “Hang him !” “Shoot the saucy brat!” growled several of the band. “Where am 1?” gasped Frank, now. for the first time, recovering full consciousness. “ Where am I? What! again in Basil’s power ?” ‘Yes, in Basil’s power, rash youth,” said the fierce chief, with a laugh of bitter mockery and scorn. ‘Yes; in Basil’s power once more, and.not likely to give him the slip this time, eh, my bold lad ?” “No, captain.” “Shoot him !” “Swing him up!” | “Basil,” said Cavolti, approaching, “before we proceed with the execution of this bold spy, re- member your promise—‘ Agnese shall be the bride of him who captures Frank Ford.’ Do you re- collect ?” “JT do; and what of that?” said Basil, witha scornful look. ‘‘ What of that? Think you Iso ‘ soon forget my promises? ’Tis well, Agnese besought _your life, and I granted it [ ‘curses on her!’ he - said, softly], and ’tis well again she should marry the man she so much admires [confusion to her, the jade.] But, come, we must dispose of this youth, and at once ; we can’t afford to have spies about us any longer.” “Tam not aspy, Basil,” said Frank, in a faint voice. ‘And wherefore should you murder me in cold blood ?” ‘oTis false,” said Cavolti, frowning like a demon on the proud, pale, handsome face of the prisoner, “tis false, and were it not contrary to Capt. Basil’s orders, I’d cleave your vile English heart with one stroke of my stiletto.” Brave, very brave,” sighed Frank, with a smile of pity on the fierce villain. ‘“ Who let you into the secrets of our cave ?” said Cavolti, fiercely. “Who conducted you in safety from my pre- sence ?” asked Basil, sternly. “Who killed the guard, our comrade, at the main entrance?” growled several, in a breath. He did not breathe a single word, but smiled. “You smile, eh?” said Basil. ‘‘ But do you know that in less than five minutes you will lie a helpless corpse at my feet unless you reveal. who. it was that rescued you?” “T do,” said Frank, faintly. “It will not take much to kill me; I am half-dead already.’ “Oh, you do know, then, that certain death awaits you?” smiled Basil. ‘cc I do.” ‘And still refuse to disclose the names of those who aided you ?” **T do,” said Frank, with a look of scorn. “ Ah, would you scoff at Basil, the bandit chief, in the face of death ?” ‘‘T fear it not,” said Frank, folding his arms. “Do your worst. I would scorn to call myself an English boy, and drag those into trouble who as- sisted me and my band to escape.” “Do you hear that?” said Cavolti, with a fierce glanze. ‘Do you hear that, Basil?” “T do, Cavolti,” the chief replied; “there must be spies and traitors among us ; and, by my wrath,” said he, walking towards Frank, hastily, and in passion, “I will spare thy life if you do but tell me their names, or point them out, Once for all, will you do so?” “No,” said Frank, firmly ; “do with meas you will, but I’ll never turn traitor to a friend in need.” “ Bind him to that tree,” said Basil. In an instant two men stepped forward and bound him. _— Comicboooks.€c©