Beadle's Dime Novels No. 13 — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

84 CEDAR SWAMP;“OR, WILD NAT'S BRIGADE. fhe cloven hoof zoill show itself, be it ever so nicely con- cealed; and the purpose of Reginald Preston could not be con- cealed even by his bland tones, Preston continued: “To tell the truth to you, however mortifying it may be to me, I am ashamed of myself, and acknowledge that the way in which I acted was reprehensible in the extreme. No nian ever gained any thing by getting into a passion, especially with a woman. Having made this apology, I can return to the calm anc dispassionate discussion of the subject before us.” The captain spoke in an easy, self-assured manner. Kate was herself again, and she answered in a tone calm but clear and stern: “Mr. Preston, there is nothing to be discussed be- tween us. You have done that which removes you forever beyond the pale of common honesty, a deed most foul; I am to some extent, in your power. You may keep me imprisoned here, but more than that you can never, dare never{ attempt. I have friends who will find me though they have not the slightest clue to guide their search; and they will, as sure as there is a Heaven above us, avenge to the last, any wrong done to me while I am in your power.” “That you have friends, for the sake of argument, we'll ad- mit; but, if you include your brother in the number, I am afraid you will never see him again. He was captured in Charleston last night, is at bi h in prison, and will be hung to-morrow as a spy.” “Then may God preserve him and me !” oucaiel Cath- eitne, and she sank fainting on the bed beside her. Captain Preston, springing to raise her, was arrested by a voice ex- claiming : “ And-He will !” Turning, he saw standing in the door, which, through inad- yertence, he had neglected 1 to lock, the stalwart frame of Na- thaniel Ernshaw. “ Who are you, who dares to intrude here ?”? was’on his lips, but not uttered ; for, as he placed his hand to his sword-hilt, Ernshaw sprang forward and planted his fist straight between the eyes of Reginald. The captain fel] sense- less to the floor. Ernshaw gently raised the senseless form of Kate, and called her name. His voice recalled her wandering senses. Opening her eyes, she murmured, “Thank God! I am saved! Saved! make haste away! ” Passing quickly out, and crossing a small hall, Nat and his comicbooks.conn