Penny Dreadfuls, 1916 · page 245 of 400
Tom Anderson, Dare-Devil: A Young Virginian in the Revolution — page 245: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a page of running prose from a Victorian penny dreadful (page 227, titled "Pink"). The text describes a nighttime encounter between British and American characters—a baronet invites an American captain for drinks, but the captain prefers walking and cryptically mentions a "Swamp Fox" and a swamp as "salvation." A Scottish character observes this exchange with suspicion, wondering if American officers know of a secret attempt to seize someone called the "Swamp Fox." The passage concerns itself with honor, intrigue, and apparent espionage, with characters assessing each other's courage and composure as their coach arrives at a city after nine o'clock.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PINK 227 about and saluted his antagonist-elect with no mean dig- nity. [he moon was on his face, but he had hastily turned his lapel over the mischief-making rose: a move- ment not lost on Sir Atneas. “A gentleman, every inch of him!” he reflected. “It won’t do, you know, Franthith.” Though Colonel Lloyd lifted his eyebrows, the coach was stopped; and there was the baronet standing in the road, the moon silvering his powdered hair as he bowed low to the American. “If you'll take a theat with uth, we will be honored, Captain.” The night ts so fine I like walking. Hark, listen to those fox-hounds. There they go!” as a pack under full cry — swept through a distant rice-field. “Do they take foxeth by moonlight, at the South?” The eyes that were a keepsake from St. Bartholomew’s Night shone queerly. ‘You must be prepared for any- thing, at the South; particularly the worst.” The Scotchman flashed a keen glance at Troupe. “The fox has given ’em a fine run to-night. But he’s safe. [hat swamp down there’s his salvation. I have the honor to bid you good-night.”’ Was this innuendo! With quivering nostrils the little man surveyed his imperturbable rival. Did that clique of American officers know of the attempt made a few hours ago to seize the “Swamp Fox’’? It was to have been con- ducted with the utmost secrecy. Could it have leaked out! “By Heaven, he’s daring!” But to Troupe’s ears had come no syllable of the plots hatching in the Capital. It had been Tom’s luck to hear, to do, and to become the instrument of Fate. As the coach door slammed, Colonel Lloyd ejaculated, “‘ As lean as a greyhound; and as proud as Lucifer!”’ ‘The sang-froid of the man!”’ “Don’t mind Americans,” superbly. “I never do.” Notable swells, but two of the bravest men in His Mayjesty’s service, these. It was after nine o'clock when they drove into the city. The night was soft as spring. GOMmMiiGcsdoo eS (CO) im