Beadle's Dime Novels No. 139: The Border Foes — page 76: what you’re looking at

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

3 : a — : = «2 AS : “= ng =o “ Perhaps he speaks the truth, and is really in danger,” sng- | gested Mrs. Ryeburn. ““ It would be a pity if our fear should prevent us from being merciful.” “ Don’t be foolish, wife,” roughly exclaimed Jacob Ryeburn. “Tt would be a much greater pity if I should open the door and let in that gang to muréer us. Be off, you scoundrel! —[ know you are lying, and I tell you that you can’t get into this house to-night.” “ I will get in, and will make you pay for this,” muttered the man, as he went away from the door. “ That was only a trick to let the Atlees into the house,” said Jacob Ryeburn. “I have no doubt that the others were standing near, ready to rush in, if the door had been opened. Now, wife, you and the children must get up-stairs: Tom and I will stay down here and watch a while longer.” The sick child was carried up the ladder, and Mrs. Ryeburn, together with Hannah and Sammy, went into the garret, plac- ing themselves in a cornet where they would not be likely to be struck by bullets, if any such* missiles should be flying about. Mr. Ryeburn sent up all the axes and other weapons, ex- cept the two rifles, and then stationed himself near the fire- place, with Tom, to watch the operations of the assailants. They had not waited long, when one of the stones that formed the back of the fire-place was seen to shake, and some dirt fell out of the cracks. Jacob Ryeburn immediately beckoned to Tom, and thetwo men quietly ascended the ladder, which they drew up into the loft after them. They then took their stations near the trap, — opposite the chimney, having placed a candle so that it would : throw light into the lower room. In a few minutes the great back of the fire-place fell in with nr crash, and several men rushed in through the opening, un- der cover of the dust and noise. we Telling Tom to reserve his fire, the old man leveled his — __ Yifle, and shot down among them as soon as he could see any thing to shoot at. A groan and a heavy fall told that the ~* pullet had done its work. The rest of the party below, see- va ing where the shot had come ont, cones ny WB rifles og tate