Beadle's Dime Novels No. 139: The Border Foes — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

. be a ~ - : RUM. : “ty whatever happens. Here is a hatchet, and I will defend the passage as long as I can.” As the girls listened attentively, keeping their bodies away from the trap-door, they perceived that some article of furni- ture was dragged under it, and then one of*the Indians took hold of the edges of the logs near them, as if for the pur- pose of drawing himself up into the gurret. As quick as thought, Kate’s hatchet came down upon the har.d, chopping off two of its fingers. With a yell, the savage dropped back, amid the laughter of his companions. The attempt was not immediately renewed, for the Indians had found a new object of pursuit, which was very attractive to all of them. The breaking of a closet was heard, followed by joyful cries and eager exclamations, and shortly the fumes of liquor began to ascend into the garret. “ They have found father’s rum,” said Kate, “and I am glad of it.” “ Why are you glad of it, Kate? It will make them wild, and God only knows how they will treat us then.” '. “ They will treat us like demons, if they can get hold of | ‘ls, but the liquor may save us. They will do nothing but drink, as long as it lasts. If there is enough to make them ail drunk, perhaps we may be able to escape.” “ How is that possible ?” 75 “T think I know a way. Let us listen to them now.” | As Kate had expected, the savages at once commenced a ~ carousal. The fiery liquor mounted to their heads immedi- ) ately, and they committed all sorts of extravagances.” The first tuste of the rum begot a furious desire for more, and they continued to drink until every drop was exhausted. Some of them; who were quite intoxicated, rotled on the floor, and Others engaged in a rough-and-tumble scuffle. The affrighted girls in the garret might well have imagined that a party of _ demons were holding an orgie beneath them. é “Now is our time!” whispered Kate, as she started up. _ “T verily believe that the rum. and the darkness will prove our salvation. Can you take the hatchet, cousin, and guard _ the passage for a little while ?” ae _ * Yes,” bravely answered Martha, “I will be sure to kil) — _ One of them, if they again try to come up.” — se ~=— get. Comicbooks.co SL ee