Mezzoni the Brigand — page 155: what you’re looking at

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

MEZZONI THE BRIGAND. | 147 where the dog had attacked them, when they heard — probably his master and another man come up to the spot, and also their Italian oaths at the dog’s fate. As by the sound of their voices they seemed to re- treat, Walter thought it most likely that they had gone back to their cabin to procure fire-arms, de- signing then to pursue them. But he had seemingly got hardened to the situation now, as, notwithstand- ing his fatigue, he laughed at the idea of these mountaineers joining in the effort to capture them. It was a hysterical laugh, however, for tough and hardy as the young Ameircan was, the strain of anxiety on Marion’s account, the several encoun- ters, and the great bodily fatigue were beginning to tell seriously upon both body and mind. He had al- ways been a brave and hardy youth, very strong and enduring, but he had never been so severely tried before, as he had been within the last twenty- four hours. His system must have been of iron not to exhibit some symptoms of yielding. He had only to look at the fair young girl by his side, however, to nerve him to any daring for her sake. ‘How strange that laugh sounded, Walter,’’ she said, coming closer to his side, and laying her hand gently upon his arm. ‘*A little nervous, Marion, that is all. You must excuse me.”’ “Poor Walter,’’ she continued, looking into his eyes, ‘‘you have been terribly tried!”’ “Tt is a little rough, I admit,’’ he answered, half- exhausted at last. ‘‘And all for my sake.”’ ‘‘Ah, that’s the redeeming feature,’ said he, brightening up. ‘‘You shall see no more weakness, Marion.’’ (Efe) comicbooks