Mezzoni the Brigand — page 154: what you’re looking at

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

146 MEZZONI THE BRIGAND. ‘*Perhaps He won't see us.’ ‘““Oh, yes; he’s more pepe than a man in pur- suit,’’? said Walter. “Why soP’’ “His instinct is unwavering, and never at fault. It will lead him straight to us.’’ ‘‘T hear him still BoRiny this way.’’ “Straight as an arrow.’ Walter was correct in his surmise; the dog was already close to them, and was doubtless followed by a pursuing party. Hardly had he seized the dirk- knife and taken off his jacket, which he quickly wound round his left arm, when the dog bounded at him. He wasa heavy mongrel, a cross between a wolf hound and a mastiff; his large mouth opening to a most amazing capacity, and showing fangs of deadly power. Walter was ready for him, and receiving the ani- mal upon his protected arm, with his right he liter- ally ripped open the creature’s bowels, from one end of his body to the other, planting the keen dirk blade up to the very handle. All was over with the poor creature; he was almost cut in two, and of course instantly dropped in the agonies of death. The fugitives were indeed running a gantlet of dangers. They were now coming upon an easier footing, and moved faster. ‘It is easier walking here,’’ said Walter, et just a little from his exertion and excitement in dealing with the dog. ‘‘Let us hasten on.’’ As he did so he cleansed the dirk in the soil at his feet, and returned it to the sheath. “Take it, Marion,’ he said, ‘‘the weapon has done us faithful service.’’ They had got but a short distance from the spot comicbooks.com | - ¥ ~ + ks eee ‘ he = ys ea Bes y S4na