Penny Dreadfuls, 1916 · page 368 of 400
Tom Anderson, Dare-Devil: A Young Virginian in the Revolution — page 368: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Page 348 This is a page of running prose text from the penny dreadful *Tom Anderson, Dare-Devil*. The passage describes Troupe's search for a missing boy called "the Indian Missionary" (apparently Tom Anderson) in Charleston during the American Revolutionary War. After finding an unsigned note suggesting the boy has joined Sumter's forces, Troupe enlists in Morgan's command and participates in Revolutionary battles (Cowpens, Cowan's Ford, the Dan River crossing). The text ends with Governor Jefferson's correspondence about deploying American forces against the British in the South, presumably addressing fears of Benedict Arnold's ("the Red Judas") treachery.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
348 Tom ANDERSON, Dare-DEvVIL harbor came to nothing. Troupe prowled about the streets till he looked like a ghost. “The beauty of Charleston” sought in many a patriot household in the Capital for some clue to the boy’s hiding-place. ‘The.story of her meet- ing with Tom, Troupe heard from her own lips. How his heart swelled when he listened to that/ From the house in Tradd Street came an unsigned note. “I never saw the ‘Indian Missionary’ after the night of November 26th. He was the brightest, bravest boy I ever knew! God help us all!” Troupe, stern with suspense, said: “If he’s alive, he’s not in Charleston.” “Wad he gang awa’ wi’out ane ward wi’ me an’ Luath? Na, na! Troupe.” They were “Troupe” and “Rory” to each other now, and friends for life. And ‘Troupe, in the frankness of their mutual and devouring anxiety, answered, “It’s my belief he’s back yonder with Sumter’s fellows; and there’s no more ie a corporal’s guard of them, I reckon!” A week after Christmas came the exchange of priés oners for which they were all praying, and [Troupe was off. ‘Through Rory’s good offices he had secured a horse. Away for Morgan’s camp at the junction of the Broad and Pacolet Rivers. Before he left Morgan’s tent he had en- listed in Morgan’s command, with a captain’s commission. Back fell Morgan to the Cowpens. Now came the bloody fight of January 17th, when Tarleton was hurled from the field. ‘Then the rush for Cowan's Ford, — Morgan run- ning away with his bone! — the Yadkin, veritable “Bras de Dieu”; finally the Dan. Troupe found many a fellow who knew Sumter’s former aide, — “‘ He was a Dare-Devil, too; or [’ll eat fire!’”’ — but no man could say he’d seen the half-breed since the battle of Blackstock’s Hill. After Greene got into Virginia, one of Governor Jefferson’s ex- presses delivered to Troupe a letter from Dare. They were in terror of the Red Judas — Arnold. The Governor had written the Commander-in-Chief, “If the greater part of the British armies be employed in the South, it is to be supposed the greater part of the American force will be sent there to meet them,” and, “With arms, we should ECOMMICOOOKS sO m