Penny Dreadfuls, 1916 · page 294 of 400
Tom Anderson, Dare-Devil: A Young Virginian in the Revolution — page 294: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a page of running prose from the penny dreadful *Tom Anderson, Dare-Devil* (page 276). The text depicts a dialogue in which Tom Anderson, questioned by Bishop Coleridge about his English connections, claims descent from a Virginia family and describes how male relatives have suffered in war—imprisoned, enslaved, or killed. When skeptics doubt his story lacks proof, Tom hotly proposes an audacious plan: to commandeer a ship and pursue a slaver to rescue someone named Higgins. A character named De la Jonquière enthusiastically agrees to join the venture. The passage emphasizes melodramatic family tragedy and adventure-seeking heroism typical of the genre.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
276 Tom ANDERSON, DaARE-DEVIL English Bishop?” asked Bishop Coleridge with cautious earnestness. “T do, Your Lordship. The widow of Charles Anderson, of Oxheart, Albemarle County, Virginia, is my grand- mother. Before her marriage she was Sarah Paul, daughter of Hugh, Bishop of Nottingham; he being an adherent of the House of Stuart. That John Paul who was killed at the siege of Dalrymple Castle in 1745 was her brother.” In conclusion he said: “Every male of our house has fallen victim to the fortunes of war. Major Audley Ander- son languishes in a prison-ship in Charleston Harbor. His eldest son, Captain Troupe Anderson, is a paroled prisoner in Charleston. His second son 1s here’ kidnaped and sold into slavery in Barbados.” “A most extraordinary story,” said Lord Mulgrave, in neutral tones. “Quite unsupported by proofs,” returned Tom bit- terly. eT don’t say that,” replied His Lordship judicially. “Your manners and education support your declaration. But we’ve no legal evidence.” ‘At present the evidence is merely out of reach,” said Bishop Coleridge. “The Governor of Virginia has known me ever ‘since I was born —” “The Governor of Mars would be just as easy to get at,” sneered Knatchbull. “War going on in the Rebel Colonies; no communication.” “T?ll tell you what it is, sir,” said Tom tempestuously. “1I’m no sailor, but if you'll take any light, clipper-built craft, and two or three sailors, this Cherokee and I will go along, and if we can run down the slaver — the Indian and I will bring Higgins back! It’s not too late yet. I’ve my own account to settle with Higgins. Come! Will you O diet “ Sacré bleu! What a lark! Come on, Dick. You know the Caribbean like a book. Let’s run the Yankee down,” exclaimed De la Jonquiére, laughing. ECONMMICOOOKS.(e©) m