Beadle's Dime Novels No. 120: The Hunchback — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

26 THE HUNCHBACK. “Tam going to ask you some questions,” said Tom, “ and in my opinion the best thing for you to do will be to answer them directly. In the first place, how many men has the rebel colonel in the fort ?” “ T don’t know who you mean.” “You know your colonel, do you not 2?” “ Certainly.” “That is the one I mean. How pat has he at the fort ? Answer at once.” ‘“ Enough to apne St. Leger’s gang howling back from whence they came.” | -““ Be careful,” said Goldey, striking his sword-hilt. “ Once for all, be careful that you do not make me angry, or you will suffer for it. ow many men has Peter Gansevoort?” - “ Once for all, I do not know. And if I knew, to a man, I would not tell you.” “You speak plainly, to say the leet ” said the ruffian, with a sneer. “Be it so, then. I will find a way to loosen that tongue of yours or to quiet it for ever.” He went a little aside and began to kindle a fire, using a flint and steel, with some dried leaves and grass for tinder. In a short time a tiny flame shot up, which he fed with bits of grass, leaves and moss, and then with small dry sticks, nursing it delicately, until it was strong enough to bear heavier wood. He worked carefully, and soon a strong flame was roaring up toward the zenith. Then he came to the tree where Stanton stood, loosened his arms and stripped him to the waist. This done, he again bound his hands firmly and had the victim ready. “ You see the fire,” said this fiend in human form, pointing to the mounting flame. “Fire isa strong agent. It humbles the will of the strongest. I fave heard of fools who suffered death in the flames, or who would only open their mouths to curse their tormentors, but you are not one of these. You are going to tell me how many soldiers Peter Gansevoort me at the fort.” “Tam going to do nothing of the kind,” said the young man, eyeing his enemy firmly. “On the contrary, you will find me made of firmer stuff than you imagine, Do your worst.” commiclookks.conn