Beadle's Dime Novels No. 214: The Forest Monster — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

22 © THE FOREST MONSTER. rest of them fellers must havé been so scared, (though it wouldn’t do to tell "em so,) that they didnt hit the critter at all, and that’s what makes me kinder want to draw bead on it, and see whiat it'll do afterward.” “ But I say, Steb., now spose you do get a crack at it, and it don’t take no difference“at al’; what thea ?” “Why,” fairly whispered The old hunter, in his shuddering earnestness, “ then I’ll know it’s a spook /” That. was a dreaded word, for it touched the tender point in a brave but ignorant man’s character. Strong in the face of real, tangible danger, they were like children before a peril which they could not comprehend. Both of these hunters had sent their ounce of lead crashing through the heart-strings of the boffalo and grizzly bear, a hundred yards distant, and they were waisaniod in believing that no living creature could face such “ music” and live. What, then, were they to think of any thivg that could bid defiance to their weapons ? Was it not natural that they should look upon it as some‘hing outside of | the world in which _ they lived—something to be dreaded; as tle possessor in itself of a power above and beyond theirs ? | They liad heard strange stories of a wonderful beast seen by different hunters and trapperg, who had’ visited this portion of the Black Hills. Common report had placed it somew has further'to the north-west, so that when, the year before they had caught a glimpse of it, ey ha dou of the Tae grove where they Were then e cause for amaze- ment.” They had faint these ae sii ead rumors which reached their ears in the same category, that listeners doubtless often placed theirs, and believed they originated from an encoun- ter with some mis-shapen, malformed brute, that was no more io be feared than the ordinary creatures to be looked for in these wilds, at any. lime and by any one. — But there came a time when they were most completely undeceived. The preceding spring, when they were return- ing to the States, and they were heavily laden with furs and peliries, they made their halt for the hight in the same grove Tliey were sitting around the fire, somewhat Jate at night, as Ted’y was sound asleep, when they heard a peculiar barking vd dou oe. ! Wits Commicloooks.conn