Beadle's Dime Novels No. 13 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

“4 CAPTIN’ CONSTITOOTED.” — 23 question. When the sun had finally disappeared and the twi- light had settled over all like a friendly cloak, thirty-two men were gathered on the banks of Cedar Creek: among the num- ber were Nathaniel Ernshaw and John Vale. The majority of the company were young men, none of them over thirty, —all- broad-shouldered, deep-chested, bronzed with exposure to the weather, and as spirited as the winds which played over their hills and valleys. ' Ernshaw addressed his companions—stating that they were well acquainted with the object which brought them there ;— were they willing to enter into a conflict with a body of men larger in number, better armed, more used to such scenes of blood and carnage? If they were willing let them say so. A low but distinct “We are!” passed around. Nat continued :— “The soldiers were to start from Charleston at an early hour this afternoon, before this time they should have accom- plished the distance. There is another road which théy must have taken. Timothy Turner,”—at the mention of this name . a shout of execration burst from the lips of all—“T say, Tur- ner knows the other road, and that it leads near by the spot where we would have held our meeting. I think I know the exact spot where the dragoons are this moment stationed. By going three-quarters of a mile out of our way, we may, by a third path, come upon them unawares. Shall we venture ?” No one raised a dissentient voice; all seemed anxious for the fray. One, however, a hardy-looking six-footer, begged leave to say a word before they started. | “You see we're formin’ into a troop that’s goin’ to give thunder and brimstone to every bloody, stealin’, cut-throat of a Britisher that we come across. You know who started this here idea, and got it into motion, an’ all that ’ar; but thar’s one thing that ain’t settled yet, an’ that is, who's captain? Tt’s ” purty generally understood that Nat Ernshaw is goin’ to lead us, but we hain’t actooally given him the legal authority yit ; so I move that he be constitooted our captin’, an’ we all agree to be under and obey his orders, reeular soger fashion. — Who- evér’s in favor of this let him spéak out and tell it.” A simultaneous and unanimous “ay ” announced that Nat Ernsliaw was the accepted and willing chosen commander of the patriotic brigade. i comicbooks.com