Beadle's Dime Novels No. 213: Squatter Dick — page 58: what you’re looking at

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

69 SQUATTER DICK. scarcely move ‘his left land or arm, and it was more an in- cumbrance then of service to him., Besides, he was totally unarmed,.. In the suddenness of Tadlock’s onset he had been unable to withdraw. the knife from the body of his foe.. Burt Tadlock tightly clasped the sand lapper in his arms, and as.soon as he began to recover. frem the sickening ef- fecis.of the blow he had received, he "made a_ strenuous effort to turn his foe, For a time he. was foiled by Lafin, but the latter labored under a serious disadvantage, and he knew, that unless help shoul] arrive, and that speedily, he would not be alive to boast of his exploits in the morning, §So_he began calling for assistance, using the young parti- ‘san’ S name, at the top of his voice, As if the exertion had weakened him, Laflin felt Tadlock slowly glide from beneath him, and that he,. himself, was .being ttrned upon. his back. For a time he prevented this, and at the same time continued his shouts for Sloan. «“ *Twon't.do, ye varmint ; ’tain’t no manner 0’ use. a-screech- in’. Yer time’s } Somme, an’ ye goes under, shore!” growled Burt... The cold sweat started ‘out ‘upon Laflin’s brow as he fel, himself pinned to the ground, despite his struggles and writh- ing, and he shuddered at the thought of his end being so nigh. Not that he especially dreaded death, or had a spice of cowardice in his composition ; far from it. He was as: brave a man as could well be found, bat he dreaded. the idea of death, not for itself, but because his re- -venge was not yet complete. Had Mat Keedy been dead, he would have perished before calling for help against one man. But for that he wished to live. . Once more Squatter Dick called aloud the name of the young partisan. . He heard the rushing sound of a man rapidly ap- proaching. Burt Tadlock partially arose, and elevated his — knife to deal the finishing blow. But it descended of its own accord, for the keen, heavy blade of James Sloan swept through the air and nearly clove the outlaw’s head in. twain, so deadly was its force.. Laflin glided nimbly to one side, for fear his rescuer should favor him with one of sst:sdiedineiieeiecinritietaniuiets ow- ing to the gloom. comiclooks. conn