Beadle's Dime Novels No. 120: The Hunchback — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

20. THE HUNCHBACK. me in England. What came of it? He lies beneath the sod to-day, while I tread it alive.” “You say my uncle’s blood is on your hand,” cried Stan- ton, rising suddenly. “Draw your sword, and let us fight this quarrel where we stand. May the best man win !” “Are you weary of your life?” the*dwarf asked. “ Put up your sword, young sir. If I draw mine in anger, your blood be on your head, and I have promised not to shed it.” “One pass for the honor of my tomy! ’* shouted Stanton, “ Prepare !” Caspar Decker drew his sword slowly, a sneering smile on his thin lips. Then for the first time Stanton saw that his arms were of wonderful length, and he handled his blade with the ease and grace of a master of the weapon. The bright steel crossed, and before the young man had time to think, his point was beaten Gown, and he was at the mercy of the dwarf. The latter allowed him to recover his weapon and began to play, cautiously circling about his antagonist like a lion waiting a chance to spring. ““T shall cut off the button at your sword-wrist, ” said the hunchback. “Tt is impossible,” said Stanton. Thrust, parry, guard! A slight turn of ‘eee dextrous blade, and the button dropped to the floor, “TJ will now cut off the button at your throat,” said the hunchback, quietly, his face still wearing that sarcastic smile. “You can not,’ gasped Stanton. They closed again, and, as before, the button dropped to the floor. Stanton threw down his sword, | “T yield,” he said. “I can not fence with you.” “You must own that I did not force it on you,” said Cas- par, returning his sword to its sheath. “I shall be pleased to give you lessons in this art. I had your life in my hands, I did not take it. I had a reason for it. Are you quite sat- isfied that you can not ‘Aight with me ?” 66 I am. ”? “Take the lesson kindly. Others, more famed in arms than you, haye yielded to the power of this right arm. To those who are denied some gifts, nature is prolific in others. I have the strength of three men in my arms, and my feet connmielooolkks.c©