Beadle's Dime Novels No. 213: Squatter Dick — page 50: what you’re looking at

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

52 SQUATTER DICK with than they counts on. Seth Keedy goes under to-aight. But what's your plans, anyhow 2” replied Laflin. ‘The house will be barricaded and we inside, stationed at the windows, .The moon will shine clear, and they must ex- pose themselves. One volley, and one charge home; then follow until we have wiped out the last knave of them,” rapidly detailed Sloan; then adding: “ Bat be on hand, for we may need you to guide us to their retreat on the island,” he concluded, 2s he conducted the squatter beyond the lines, where he had left his animal, one of those rough, uncouth, but swift and hardy ponies, termed “ swamp-tackies.” _ After watching until Squatter Dick disappeared among the shades of the swamp, the young partisan retraced his steps to the camp, and pausing upon the highest ground near the -center of the island, called his men around him. When all were silent, he doffed his hat, and spoke : “ Comrades; you all saw the man who just left? Well, he brought us news; whether good or bad, I leave you to de- cide. There are few of you who have not some cause to hate the gang known as the ‘Black Band’ of Mat Keedy, and who would not like a chance to wipe off old scores. “ To-night, if willing; you shall have that opportunity, for they intend visiting Mr. Sollars’ plantation, to rob him, and, us [ suspect, abduct his daughter; for I know that Keedy had hopes in that direction before the war. I know that -when I tell you she is my cousin, that you will join me. Am I right, comrades?” _ An unanimous murmur. of approval ran around the little group, anda flush of epee rae Sloan’s brow. Then he resumed. “ But there is one drawback, that I fear you will consi- ,der a most serious one. Colonel De Forrest, of the British army, with a score of his bodyguard, are stationed at the house. They might beat off the attack, but the outlaws out- number them two to one. Our party will about equalize this, “I know it will be a dlangrecubie: bask: and I would not. sk it of you if there was any other resource. Do you think you could mingle for an hour or so with the soldiers, without > conmiclooolks. conn