Beadle's Dime Novels No. 213: Squatter Dick — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

43 SQUATTER DICK. and his eye lightened up. with a joyful vengeance as he recog- nized them for the men who had hunted him and his com mand so hard and so far. Then, as they rode by the avenue, two abreast, he leveled his pistols, and cried, in a stentorian voice, for them to halt and surrender. In their surprise they paused and huddled to- gether, thus affording a good target. Sloan did not neglect his opportunity, but emptied one pistol after the other into their ranks ; then cried : “ Tell Colonel De Forrest that Captain Sloan sends him his compliments !” and then spurred away through the swamp. Pursuit was instantly made, but the difficulties soon dis- couraged the troopers, who feared being drawn into an..am- bush, and they returned to the road where lay the forms of two men; one dead and the other badly wounded. Then they slowly pursued their way to the house of Martin Scllars, Sloan rode rapidly until he was assured that the chase was abandoned ; then, changing his course, he proceeded more leisurely through the swamp, along a half-submerged path that wound deviously between two pools of stagnant, slimy water. The hideous form of the alligator floated in the loathsome ‘pool, while from beneath nearly every tuft the deadly mocca- sin, ar copperhead, glided away, disturbed from their rest by the splashing of the horse’s hoofs. - But the partisan did not heed them. His mind was full of thoughts of his offended betrothed, and_he could see, now, how foolishly and rudely he had acted. He well khew, too, the proud and imperious nature of Ada, and feared that. the breach would not easily be healed over. Then the hated - form of | his rival would obtrude itself, and he gritted his teeth as he recalled how politely familiar he had been with Ada, and that she seemed in nowise loth to accept of his attentions. While thus musing, he came upon the cdge of a wide and deep pool, and plunging in, swam his horse across it. When he landed, he was challenged by an unseen picket, and after giving the password, he pressed through the line of bushes, and stood upon the outer edge of the encampment.of the par- tisan band, . known. as “ Sloan’s Rangers.” : Tt was itn in the center ‘of a swamp. ‘being surronnded comiclsooks.coim