Beadle's Dime Novels No. 13 — page 45: what you’re looking at

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

OPENING THE CHEST OF ARMS 4? Waen at last, Ben Graham stated the case, the whole secret was told in one word—plunder. Plunder from the _ Whigs whatsoever there was to plunder, whether money, lands, or life. Qhosen from a circuit of a number of miles, as men devoid of principle, but full of the lust for money, these fel- lows were just the creatures to be moved by the mind and Judgment of Ben Graham—for that gentleman, of course, in- tended for himself the honors of a captaincy. Four dimly-burning stable-lanterns cast but a weak and fit- ful light over the large company assembled in that old barn. he room, though in reality well paved and dry, seemed damp and gloomy. All outside openings had been carefully board- ed up, so that no unobserved listener might see the gathering Fr catch some unguarded speech. It was, in truth, a picturesque scene,—these thirty men, all crime-stamped, as the majority of them were, standing around & huge box—through the dim light looking like an altar, and the mer like devotees to some strange shrine—and bending their gaze fixedly upon the stern countenance of the self-elect- ed leader. Bold, cnscrupulous, fond of adventure, without a thought for the right of the question, Graham was the sort of Man to lead such a horde of villains. A half-hour slipped away. The opinions of the men had been taken, and Graham elected, with all due formality, cap- tain. Anxious to assume his new dignity in a manner suit- able at once to it and to limself, Captain Ben proceeded to make a speech :— “TI know most of you have your rifles, but there are some who are without weapons, and, what is worsé, not meaning any offence, without money to buy any. The king is particu- larly careful that such men shall be enabled to do their duty; and so this box, here, contains about a dozen’ rifles,—for I thought we'll need that many,—and swords and. daggers enough to go around the whole party. If one of you will hand me an ax, I will open the box and show you the gift of the king.” , An ax made its appearance. A few vigorous strokes re- moved the top of the box, disclosing the arms of which Gra. ham had spoken. With exclamations of pleasure the men crowded around tlhe box, handling the weapons, and praisitie . Connicloooks.com _—