Beadle's Dime Novels No. 119: Blackeyes — page 69: what you’re looking at

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

THE INDIANS MYSTIFIED. — 71 “Tt ig no one but myself, and I am glad that you have found your tongues,” replied the young man, in equally good Spanish. “ What is it that seems wonderful to you ?” “ We came here a short time ago, and you were not in the room. We know that you were not here, for we searched in every corner, and even shook out the blankets. Weare won- dering where you have been, and how you got out.” When the young officer heard this statement, he was afraid that his secret might be discovered, and was at a loss ‘to reply to the warrior. In a few moments, however, his self-posses- sion returned to him, and it scemed possible to turn the aston- ishment of his jailors to profit. We rose, looked at them with a pitying smile, and spoke to them in a confident tone. “Tt is true, my children,” he said, “that I was not here a little while ago, and that you now see me before you. Tam alive, and you shall judge whether I am a spirit or a mere mortal man. I have often left this room sinee I was placed here, and I would not be in it now, unless by my own will. You think that it is strong; that no person can escape from it; but I can go through stone ,walls, and can command all the doors to open to me. ‘You doubt it, but it is easy for me to convinee you that I have spoken the truth.” Ele then mentioned several details of the construction and, location of different parts of the building, which he had ob- served in the course of his explorations. ‘The peon fell upon his face before him, and the Wonder of the others visibly in- creased... peBr on. — “Tf you want more proof you shall ng it,” he continued, perceiving that the warriors were still incredulous. “ Leave the room, lock the door, return in a few moments, and I will not be here. Again leave the room, return as before, me you will again see me seated on this stool.” After a brief hesitation, the Indians obeyed his atrecttons: locking and bolting the @obr- behind them: | As svon as they had gone, the young man slipped out through the opening in the pillar, and replaced the stone, leay- ing a small crevice, through which he could watch the ititerior of the cell. The Indians returned, and he saw their looks of wonder, and heard their exclamations of astonishment, when. they comiclooks.con