Penny Dreadfuls, 1916 · page 398 of 400
Tom Anderson, Dare-Devil: A Young Virginian in the Revolution — page 398: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains running prose from a Victorian penny dreadful titled *Tom Anderson, Dare-Devil* (page 376). The text depicts a dramatic encounter: a female character named Dare, after saying farewell to a departing soldier, is approached by a dark-complexioned, elegantly dressed rider. Without warning, he seizes her bridle, embraces her, and kisses her while her companion Busher does nothing to intervene. The passage ends with a dialectal exclamation suggesting familiarity between the mysterious rider and Dare. The narrative emphasizes romantic melodrama and sudden, improper physical contact typical of Victorian sensation fiction.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
376 Tom ANDERSON, DareE-DEVIL “As the Lord liveth — no!” He saluted, and offered her an escort over “the raider’s road.”’ “T have a faithful body-guard. These horses are yours. We will leave them in the hands of your men.” And she thanked him and gave him adieu. “Adieu, brave girl!”” A sharp command, and the pound- ing of rhythmic hoofs: the Great Soldier was gone. And two of the King’s horses, their noses turned toward Ox- heart, were neighing wistfully after their fellows. In the light of that June sunrise Dare saw a sight she never forgot. A rider came cantering toward them, quietly but elegantly dressed, dark as an Indian, a fellow of remarkable distinc- tion and good looks. As he came up, Dare decided he was riding nearer than was civil. On a sudden, his hand was on her bridle; his arm about her; his lips to hers. Nor did Busher lift a finger! “Lrl’ Missy ainh know Marse Toml”’ ECONMMICOOOKS sO m