Beadle's Dime Novels No. 13 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

24 CEDAR SWAMP; OR, WILD NAT’S BRIGADE. “Three cheers for Ernshaw’s brigade !” shouted one whose patriotism had overcome his prudence, and the three cheers: were accordingly given with a will. Then the whole band took up its line of march, the men handling their weapons) with eager impatience. Nat was busy in laying out his plans for attacks The prin- cipal difficulty which presented itself seemed to be, how to open the battle. He might, he felt assured, ‘steal upon the dragoons and shoot down a score or more of them before they could rightly tell from. whence their danger came; but. there was almost an insuperable, objection to this plan—it, seemed too much like murder. After due deliberation, he settled on the course. which he intended to take, and which seemed to be most safe as well as most honorable. What. it was, the reader will hereafter learn. : When the Americans tached: the path which, led davon the woods, the captain addressed:a few last words to his; men, Then. they pressed on with noiseless steps. When Ernshaw found they were within a few rods of the spot designated, he left the troop and went forward to reconnoiter.. Carefully peering through an opening between the pines, he looked out. It wasa clear, moonlight night—so light that he could easily dis-. tinguish the forms of some forty or fifty horsemen, who. oc- cupied the area before him. _ Wishing to draw closer to them. to mark their disposal, a cracking stick betrayed. his presence. Every one of the waiting enemies were startled—the captain of the troop calling out, “Here comes one of them at; last. Into the woods after him, half a dozen of you, but don’t use fire-arms unless it is absolutely necessary. It will give: the, alarm.” . : ef Instantly seven of, the privates, threw themselves from, their steeds for the pursuit; but they. had; scarcely touched, the ground when a command, given ina quick, clear-ringing voice, riveted them to their places. “Hold! Not. one step,or you are dead men. Surrender.to Nat Ernshaw’s Carolina Brigade, or your lives shall be the forfeit !” For a time a panic seemed to thrill the hearts of the Britons wri command so unexpectedly, so sternly given. | IVs but a ruse my men,” shouted the captain, ‘ First. rani fire a volley, then charge into the woods.” . — comicbooks.com