Beadle's Dime Novels No. 13 — page 47: what you’re looking at

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

| | A BATTLE IN A BARN. — 49 | Jains whom he was to command. They gave a shout when _ they saw the steel, and pressed forward to look within the box. | answering shout! Was it the echo that pealed through the room, or did they hear that cheer only in imagination ? | The tories looked at one another with astonishment and fear _ Pictured upon-each countenance. , _ 9.“ We are vetrayed !” sang out one nearest the door. “ Fy, - for the rebels are coming !” A sort.of hurried movement was made; then all stood still again, to wait for what was to come. ‘The suspense did not endure long, for with a crash the door flew open, and on the threshold, with a torch in one hand, a bright gleaming sword In the other, stood Nat Ernshaw, while a swarm of faces Showed dark behind him. | “Surrender, you tory dogs!” shouted Nat. “Surrender! Show them your strength, boys. At them!” The patriots rushed into the room, and were met by those who now were fighting for life. The contest was therefore one of desperation. Notwithstanding the patriots were in the majority, victory was by no means an easy thing to obtain. The American’s torches had been dropped, and the conflict _ Was waged by the light of the four lanterns which hung from the roof of the vault. Graham watched the conduct of his men with a critical eye, even while he was crossing blades with a furious “rebel.” The man was ignorant of the science, while Ben was a master of it; consequently, the tory gave his antagonist a severe wound in the arm. ‘The smoke of a score ' Of pistols wrapped the greater parteof the scene in obscurity, but the groans of the wounded told that the contest had not been bloodless, One of ‘the lamps had been extinguished by & chance shot; two others hung close together and gave just “nough light for Ben to perceive that his men were being slowly but surely driven back. | With all_ his power the tory captain hurled a heavy horse- Pistol which he held in his. hand. The, weapon struck the lanterns, and effectually extinguished their light. “ Retreat, boys!” he shouted. “ Retreat!” and he dashed away, follow- ed by hig men. A huge oaken door was at the end of the reom. Beyond this a passage led to a spring-house some eight or ten yards comiclbooks.conn