Beadle's Dime Novels No. 13 — page 84: what you’re looking at

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

86 CEDAR SWAMP} OR, WILD NAT’S BRIGADE. s than half sawn in two. As the hours wore on, Vale would occasionally pause in his work and listen for some signal from his expected friend. . The faint, bell-like notes of a dis- tant clock chiming the expected hour, finally reached him, sounding solemn and still through the noiseless night-air. The steady movement of the saw ceased for a season, but no sound was heard, and again the nervous arm of the young man con- tinued its task. A faint sound as of something scratching the wall was the signal for work to be discontinued; then, the cheery voice of Simon whispered: ‘‘ Are you there, John ?” “All right!” answered Vale as he stretched his hand out through the opening to be grasped by the hardy blacksmith. “You have done better than I thought you would, and if they give us half an hour, or even a quarter, it will go hard but that you once more regain your liberty.” The quarter of an hour was destined to be granted, and, though the work was done noiselessly enough, yet, at the ex- piration of that time, under the vigorous wrist of the black- smith the bar was severed. — “Wait a moment,” said Simon, “the ladder does not seem to be over-strong and may not bear two of us.” Hunt descended to the ground, and, ina moment more Vale stood beside him. The spot where the two stood was in a garden, upon which one side of the prison looked, and which belonged, to one of the most influential men in the city. Mak- ing their way carefull¥ along, passing through another garden, they reached an alley. Hunt gave a low whistle, received an answer, and, vaulting over the fence, two horses were found there in waiting, held by a man—his features could not be made out in the darkness. Vale turned to his companion, in doubt: “Mr, Hunt,” said he, “you seem to be well provided. Whose horses are these? Hardly yours, and yet they could Lardly have come from the British.” “They are yours as much as mine, though they did not come from the British. They were furnished me by an in- - fluential and rich man who has found it necessary to conceal his patriotic proclivities. But into the saddle with you! If Nat Ernshaw has been successful, there is one waiting for yov - whom you much long to see.” . Conniclsooks.com