Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 44: what you’re looking at

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

BONNY JEAN. 37 b ‘*We have, captain,” responded a rough-looking customer. ‘*We swore to stand by each other when this here band was first organized, and we've done that thing so far.” ‘“Very well; I know that you have. Then let me advise you of the next step to take. We have made our name a terror throughout the entire South. Every one has heard of the vigilantes, and they have learned to tremble at our power. We work in silence and secrecy—our watchword ‘ Vendetta,’ our motto ‘Booty and Beauty’; and in the dark- ness of night we track our victim down to his certain de- struction... And should one of us break his fearful oath, or in any way prove faithless to his trust, he is speedily punished. You all know the penalty for offense?’ ‘* Death/’ returned the men, unanimously. Gabriel Black smiled grimly. ‘‘Ay, death!” he hissed, venomously ; ‘‘and the first one of you who deserves it will get all he deserves. And now, since we are sworn to help each other, and our mission 1s to aid the brotherhood, to the exclusion of all other con- siderations, I wish you to help me in the pursuit of the two women, Mrs. Conway and her daughter, Bonny Jean, who, you know, is my wife.” As the words passed the lips of the villain, Philip Randall uttered an involuntary exclamation of horror and amaze- ment. Instantly Gabriel Black strode forward, opened the door of the cabin, and the two stood face to face. A change came over Black’s visage. ‘“You sneaking devil!” he hissed, with savage vindictive- ness, ‘‘I have you at last! Comrades,” he turned to the others, who had followed him out of the cabin, ‘‘this man isa spy! What is the penalty for such a transgression ?” ‘Death !” cried the vigilantes, flocking around, Eomichbooks (ele) =)