Beadle's Dime Novels No. 13 — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

62 CEDAR SWAMP, OR, WILD NAT’S BRIGADE. “Friend!” shouted the horseman, and, without slackening — his pace; he dashed over the narrow neck of safe ground di- vectly towards the spot where Ernshaw was standing. Nat recognized his friend, and exclaimed: “Good heavens! What brings you here so soon 2” | “The British are at our house, and my sister has disap- peared—was stcisn away last night by three mounted men, » who carried her away by the road: which leads to Charleston.” “Stolen away.! Catherine gone! O God! is this so?” The captain was too startled at the news, and big tears burst- from his eyes. He quickly, however, controlled his feelings ; and then his flushed face and quick words showed that the man within him was ready for action. ‘Have they left no traces behind by which they may be recognized » . “ None but this ;” and John showed the note which he had picked up in his sister’s room: j “You have suspicions, though?” ‘|; “Yes; and well-grounded ones, too. The man whom I suspect—whom my mother suspects—is a captain in the Brit- ish army. He came into my presence this morning, and [ shot him down, as I would have shot a dog.” “If he had a hand in the abduction, she must not be fa distant, for he could not make his reappearance so sud-— denly.” : “He probably was not present when the deed was done ; but that it was planned by him, and executed for him, I can have but little doubt. No one else had any motive for such an act. Alas, Nathaniel! my sister is even now in Charleston, I have every reason to fear.” | _“Becalm, John. Ifyou have killed the fellow, the chances are that Kate will: be set. at liberty, as no excuse could offer for her retention in Charleston.” | “ Unfortunately, I am not sure that the villain is dead, or even mortally wounded. I fired in a hurry, and ‘so great was my agitation I much fear I have missed mortally wounding bim.” — ' “ But, what can wedo? If Catherine hag been: carried to Charléston, we can do but little to effect her rescue. It would be almost certain death to risk ourselyes within the limits of the city.” | ‘ comicbooks.com