The Mohegan Maiden — page 62: what you’re looking at

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

64 THE MOWEGAN MAIDEN. A thought occurred to him, Stripping off his hunting- © shirt, he so arranged it against the wall as to be just visible © | | | from above, indicating his continued presence there. This — done, he retraced his way to his avenue of escape. The rope was made fast without delay, and with the rapidity of one knowing the value of moments, he slid down the slender but strong line. It reached to within six or eight feet of the rock, and to drop that distance was easy and safe enough, if his weight did not dislodge the rock from its bed. . Down he bounded, however, and with safety, for the rock was firm. Instantly gliding to the cover of the bushes stretching away along the cliff, he found a second shelf, as he had surmised. This he followed, bearing him away, as it did, further from the scene of his terrible danger. Gradually a thicket of evergreens began to creep up the cliff, proving the declivity to be near its end; and, in a few moments more, the young scout was safe in the rocky bed. This he crossed; and, striking out into the forest and hills beyond, was soon loping off through the woods at a pace which, before high noon, had placed miles between himself and the fierce warriors who thirsted for his blood. Toward the Mohegan lodges he bent his course, hoping to find rest with his red friends ere the night should again close over him. Had he no other purpose in seeking the village than reat for his weary, aching limbs ? CHAPTER VII. — | Peeu: ? ng i Hiram noon passed, and still he pur sued his cautious! course. Danger, he only too well realized, lurked in unexpected places, and his eagerness to reach the village of the Mohegans did not betray binky into forgetfulness of a scout’s sagacity. Though fatigued, and sore and hungry almost to an unbearable degree, Archibald persevered with a will which must have been sustained by a sweet hope of rest to come. THE MOHEGAN VILLAGE, comiclbooks.con