Beadle's Dime Novels No. 126: Old Jupe — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

24 : OLD JUPE. the depths of the forest. Jupe occupied the post of honor, as leader, followed closely by Luke Bryant, who had been compelled to say good-by thrice to his weeping wife, who would not be convinced that there was no danger. ‘“We intend to take them by surprise,’ he assured her, “when they are busy at work, with their weapons out of hand.” And so they did; but not quite so successfully as they had hoped; for a sentinel had given warning in time to enable the counterfeiters to catch up their rifles and make a brief defense. Fifty resolute men against a dozen soon decided the matter ; but not until Luke had a flesh-wound in his arm which gave him some pain. Another fine young man was shot in the shoulder. All the inmates of the cave were secured, with the proofs of their guilt about them. Bryant was more relieved than he would like to allow to find that Parcell was not in the gang, for he had dreaded, while affecting to disbelieve, that such might be the case. Jupe solemnly assured him that he had been there on the previous night, and that some accident must have kept him away. Luke did not think any too well of his brother-in-law to believe this; but when he found that he was not there, he again persuaded himself there had been some mistake. “New Orleans is a long distance from here,” he mused, “and the journey not easy at this season of the year. Of course, Jupe was mistaken.” It was after midnight when the Vigilance Committee march- ed into town, with the prisoners in their midst. Every one not in the secret had retired to slumber; but there were those who watched and waited; in less than half an hour New Bristol was as wide awake as if it were noon; the only bell of the town rung a joyful peal; the citizens gathered in the little square at the signal of an immense bonfire, which was soon kindled, and by the light of which the prisoners were tried. Before daybreak, eight of those wretched men had re ceived fifty lashes from the hands of selfconstituted authori- ties, and were then placed in the jail, which was double-guard- ed; the other three had received more summary punishment. Taken down to the river, a hole was broken in the ice, and the condemned men were plunged in and held under until comicloOokks.con