Beadle's Dime Novels No. 215: The White Hermit — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

* - i* oy wr BILL INEXURABLE. 18 gallant Indian-fighter and was distinguished for bravery amount- ing almost to madness, when in the face of the enemy. His: present expedition had led him through this section, and his mission was to discover whether the Indiapvs were really upon the war-path, and to what extent the Six Nutions were disaf- fected, as it had been whispered that the Onejdas were harbor- ing messengers from the French. With the struggle this story has nothing to do, further than to explain the- presence of this young man in this wild region, with but a single com-— panion. Hungry Bill still sat upon the bank, knocking his heels in a disconsolate manner against the stones, and looking after the disappearing boat. As it rounded the pviut, be gave a sigh of pleasure, and then took up his tune just where he left it off. “ How came you to know that this beautiful girl made this Jake her home ?’ said Austen, taking a-seat' beside him. Bill looked at him in a reproachful manner, »nd passed his hard across his nose, very much as a man does who thinks his nose is bleeding and is disappointed. ~“ You heard me, Bill ?” said Austen. “ Now, that won’t do, you know, capt’in,” replied Bill, in the same mournful tone. “ You know it won't. It’s a-good plant, but what’s the use? I ain’t beok-l’arnt, or any thing _of that sort, but I know how to keep my tongue between my teeth, and I mean to do it.” “You are determined to tell me nothing of this lady who calls herself Perdita?”’ said Austen. “Then your pretended attachment to me is all a sham.” “ Attachment be darned.” said Bill. “I ain't got nothin’ to say to that. I promised not to tell any thing about the little-gal, and I guess I'll keep my word.” “ Of course, of course. I did not wish to worm your se- ' €fet out of you, Bill,” said-Austen. “Only I would give my commission to know about this lady and where she — tives.” ; “ You couldn't give it to me,” said Bill ; “so it don’t mat- ter. Now, then, hadn’t we better attend to basiness, unless” _ you'd like to sling me into the water ag’in. Suit’ yourself; I ain't particular, nohow.” “Psbaw. You know how hasty I am, Bill.”