Beadle's Dime Novels No. 13 — page 75: what you’re looking at

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

~ JOHN VALE BEFORE CLINTON. © 77 “T will effect his rescue even though I have to make an attack on Charleston with the men I have around me,” said Nat. “I will be in the city to-night.” When morning came, and Sir Henry Clinton had arisen, his first thought was of the young man who, the night before, had been captured as aspy. Accordingly, after breakfast, he had him brought up from the guard cells for examination. When the stalwart young man made his appearance before the general, that worthy gazed upon*him with a look of curiosity. John was still dressed ip his disguise, and his clothing evinced marks of a recent struggle. <A cut over the right eyebrow, with the blood congealed thereon, showed that he had not yielded himself willingly as a prisoner, and had only given in at the last moment. “J understand that, haying come into the city in disguise, you have been apprehended as a spy.” To this salutation Vale merely responded, “So it appears.” “Your name, I believe, is Vale; and you are one of those rebels who are engaged in resisting the laws of the land, in endeavoring to overthrew the legally appointed government, to the great injury of the king and all his peaceably disposed subjects. As a rebel, you were deserving of death by the rope, and being captured acting as a spy, you will most certainly receive your deserts.” Eres Vale kept silent for a moment, as though desirous of hear- ing the British officer to an end; but finding-that some reply was expected, he answered: “As for being a rebel, you and I differ as to what is the true meaning of the word; but this much I can say: I did not enter Charleston as a spy, but on my own private and peguliar business, which could neither be deferred, nor delegated to another. I came for no hostile purpose, and if I hang, a dozen Britons will keep me com- pany.” “Indeed! And may we ask how that can be? As you are bold enough to threaten, perhaps you can explain how those threats are to be accomplished.” * ' “T can, and that to your satisfaction. When a company of dragoons was sent out to capture a number of patriots who were to meet together for the purpose of forming a patriot connicloooks.com