Beadle's Dime Novels No. 213: Squatter Dick — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

A MESSAGE OF IMPORTANCE. 58 getting at loggerheads? For my sake?” he added, as be saw the looks of surprise glancing from man to man. Then, after a few moments’ pause, Tom Whalen stepped forward ‘and quotli : ) “Cap'n, I think I can speak for the boys. Ef so be they don’t put upon us, more’n a while man can Dd'ar, we'll do it. We'll fust clear out the Tories, an’ then wade into the lobsters. What d’ you say boys—'m I right 2” was but one answer, and Sloan warmly thanked them as lie pressed the hand of each in turn, Then he de- tailed his plans. | Toward the middle of that afternoon the yonng partisan rode out from the hidden camp and proceeded toward the plantation of Martin Sollars. When heappeared in full view of the house he secured a white handkerchief to the point of his saber and slowly advanced toward the great gate. There were several red-coated soldiers lounging about the grounds, and when within a score of yards of the gate, a sen- tinel stepped in view and challenged the young partisan, “TI bear a message to your commander, Colonel .De For- rest, of the greatest importance,” answered Sloan. “ Who the dence are you, hany ‘ow ?” grumbled the soldier. ‘That concerns your betters,” baughtily replied Sloan. “Calla man and deliver my message or I will report, you, ou scoundrel? SORE ERE *’ The sentinel, cowed, did as ordered, and the messenger ed in a few moments, saying that his commander would meet him upon the verandah. Dismounting, the par tisan was conducted to where the British officer was awaiting him, fh company with Mr. Sollars. eo ee gue The ae was somewhat constrained upon both sides, - the planter muttering something about his nephew being quite a stranger: a remark that the latter did not cheose to hear, The colonel first broke the silence : “Your messenger informed me that you had tidings of im- portance for me. May I ask what it is?” “You may,” coldly returned Sloan ; then turning to his nucle, he added ; reiuien DO’ , _ “Mr. Sollars, you haye a considerable sum, of money in the Conmmicloooksaconn