Beadle's Dime Novels No. 215: The White Hermit — page 63: what you’re looking at

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

The place in which Bill had left his canoe was upon the 7 northern side of the lake, far above the Indian camp, and he __ = had taken no pains to hide it. Austen was rowing, and Bill } steering with one of the extra oars, for the boat carried two : pair. They rounded the point behind which Bill had left hig canoe, and immediately that person began to swear like a pi-— ~ate, much to the surprise of Austen. “ What is the matter ?” “Matter! matter enuff! Some uneasy villain has stole my canoe. I know’'d it; I know’d they'd steal the old man’s ca- | noe, bu’st 'em.”’ = “ You should have hidden it.” “Did I hey time? Oh, merry Moses! I’m so ’tarnal mad Td like to bu’st something. Blame his old head that done it.” + “ We may as well go back,” said Austen. “No use crying ‘ for spilled milk.” ~ | They pulled back, and as they romndad the point of the island and neared the spot where they had left Perdita, the a face of Austen blanched, and touching his companion on the _ arm, he pointed to a canoe, which was moving slowly through — the water just in front, containing two persons, the masked chief and Perdita, _ How was it done? FS * * ai “Freee: vt rity a» on é ‘=> i With a caution and celerity which spoke well for his forest _ training the masked chief drew himself up the bank and Se : reached the side of the sleeping girl, who lay slumbering in Z beauty, her fragrant breath just stirring the clustering hair which lay upon her cheek. The man paused and stood over — her with folded arms, looking down upon her. His See . opened and closed in a strange, nervous way, as if he re- strained some mighty passion, Then he drew a long, keen- — bladed dagger from his belt and stooped over her. Would | pe he slay her, this beautiful child? Could he have the heart to take this sweet young life? Evidently he hesitated what | *¢ to do, but at length be deopped his broad hand upon her -- month and nostrils, so that she could not ery out, and held the dagger suspended above her with the other. sete a2 amen P he muttered, hoarsely. “If you valu your =. life, do not dare to speak.” i