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Article EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF A FREEMASON. ← Page 11 of 17 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Episodes In The Life Of A Freemason.
position . The moon shone out at intervals , but occasionally a driving mass of dark cloud rendered the surrounding objects wholly invisible . For some minutes W strained his eyes in vain on all sides—nothing ivas to be seen ; and he ivas on the point of giving the word to advance , intending to make for the armyfrom Aidiich they Avere UOAV about five miles distantwith
, , all speed . As , hoAvever , he ivas going to speak , another rifle-shot whizzed by him , and grazed the arm of the trooper at his side . At the same moment the moon broke forth from the clouds , and he discovered , at a little distance in their rear , a dark mass ivhich , though ivell concealed by the shadow ofthe glenprovedon closer
, , investigation , to be a party of Sardinian horse , reinforced , apparently , by some of the disaffected peasantry , who Avere always glad of an opportunity to manifest their hatred of Austrian rule . From the position which they had taken up it was evident that their intention had been to attack the Austrians in the rear , as they were advancing towards the main body ; ancl very probably
they would have succeeded in cutting them off , but for the overzealous animosity of one of the peasantry , who could not restrain himself from taking a pop at what he considered his " natural enemy . " This circumstance , of com'se , disclosed the whole plan ,
and each party could not fail of knowing that they were in the presence of hostile troops . The only thing to be done , therefore , ivas to make the best disposition of his little force that the case Avould admit of , and prepare for a desperate struggle . So far as W was able to judge in the darkness of the night , the Sardinians w ere very much superior in point of numbers , but he
had been before engaged against a force numerically better than his own with complete success , and he ivas not therefore discouraged at this circumstance on the present occasion . Whether they relied on this advantage , or whether the commander of the party was unable to restrain the impetuosity of the peasants , the first move ivas made by the Piedmonteseand W seeing that
, , they intended an immediate attack , prepared to give them a warm reception . I shall not Aveary my readers with all the details ofthe desperate encounter Avhich ensued , ancl Avhich lasted for nearly three hours , rural the gray daAvn of morning broke upon the small remaining fragments of the hostile bands . Suffice it to say , that at the close of the engagement there remained but W
ancl tivo troopers on one side , and seven on the other . A fierce and deadly combat between these parties then raged for some time , ivith doubtful success ; during Avhich , W received a fearful wound in his neck , from the thrust of a lance , so near to the jugular vein that he was afterwards told by the surgeon that
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Episodes In The Life Of A Freemason.
position . The moon shone out at intervals , but occasionally a driving mass of dark cloud rendered the surrounding objects wholly invisible . For some minutes W strained his eyes in vain on all sides—nothing ivas to be seen ; and he ivas on the point of giving the word to advance , intending to make for the armyfrom Aidiich they Avere UOAV about five miles distantwith
, , all speed . As , hoAvever , he ivas going to speak , another rifle-shot whizzed by him , and grazed the arm of the trooper at his side . At the same moment the moon broke forth from the clouds , and he discovered , at a little distance in their rear , a dark mass ivhich , though ivell concealed by the shadow ofthe glenprovedon closer
, , investigation , to be a party of Sardinian horse , reinforced , apparently , by some of the disaffected peasantry , who Avere always glad of an opportunity to manifest their hatred of Austrian rule . From the position which they had taken up it was evident that their intention had been to attack the Austrians in the rear , as they were advancing towards the main body ; ancl very probably
they would have succeeded in cutting them off , but for the overzealous animosity of one of the peasantry , who could not restrain himself from taking a pop at what he considered his " natural enemy . " This circumstance , of com'se , disclosed the whole plan ,
and each party could not fail of knowing that they were in the presence of hostile troops . The only thing to be done , therefore , ivas to make the best disposition of his little force that the case Avould admit of , and prepare for a desperate struggle . So far as W was able to judge in the darkness of the night , the Sardinians w ere very much superior in point of numbers , but he
had been before engaged against a force numerically better than his own with complete success , and he ivas not therefore discouraged at this circumstance on the present occasion . Whether they relied on this advantage , or whether the commander of the party was unable to restrain the impetuosity of the peasants , the first move ivas made by the Piedmonteseand W seeing that
, , they intended an immediate attack , prepared to give them a warm reception . I shall not Aveary my readers with all the details ofthe desperate encounter Avhich ensued , ancl Avhich lasted for nearly three hours , rural the gray daAvn of morning broke upon the small remaining fragments of the hostile bands . Suffice it to say , that at the close of the engagement there remained but W
ancl tivo troopers on one side , and seven on the other . A fierce and deadly combat between these parties then raged for some time , ivith doubtful success ; during Avhich , W received a fearful wound in his neck , from the thrust of a lance , so near to the jugular vein that he was afterwards told by the surgeon that