Beadle's Dime Novels No. 115: The Sons of Liberty — page 68: what you’re looking at

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

7 THE SONS OF LIBERTY. The stout door flew from its hinges, and they burst into the hall with a shout that made the rafters tremble. “ Hurrah for Captain Chambers and the Continental Con- gress! Down with Alec Black! Confusion to the John- sons and their Highland thieves!’ were the exclamations which filled the house. Edgar began to understand that they had come to aid him, and his heart gave a mule throb of joy as he answered the cheer with a loud “ amen,’ “ Keep your eyes. at the key-holes, lads,’ said Sammons, “ and when you see.a room with any one in it, goin. Or, keep still.a moment. Hoy! Every man; quick 1. Captain Chambers, let us hear your voice.” “ Here!” shouted Edgar. Sammons was at the door in a moment. ‘Now be easy, captain,” he said, ‘‘anad we will have you out of this in no time at all. Here, John, bring your ax, Iwill soon burst this lock.” " The person addressed gave the ax to his leader, who in- serted the edge between the door and the casing and pressed hard upon the handle. The door yielded .a little and he push- ed the blade further in, while a blacksmith who stood near with a hammer on his arm struck the door near the lock. It broke with a loud crash and the door was open. “ You are free,” cried Sammons, bursting into the room. ‘Come out under God’s blue sky and thank Him that he hath sent you friends,” Edgar held out his manacled hands and honest Sammons groaned in sympathy. “ This is what. it is to be)true to your country,” he said. ‘ Good friends, we have fallen into strange times. Jonas Carter, have you a file ?” “T have better than that,” said-the blacksmith. . “‘ I have F a picklock here with which I could open the best lock in the © thirteen colonies. Stand forward, sir, where the light of the torch can reach you and I will soon set you free.” He took a little steel instrument from his pocket with which he shot back the bolt of the fetters and Edgar Chambers was free. It was a strange scene and one not likely to be lightly rated by the actors in it, They had struck the first blow against the authority of the king and were marked men from that hour. Edgar shook hands with as many of his unknown friends as could get near him, saying aloud : Cconmmicloooks.eomnn