Beadle's Dime Novels No. 215: The White Hermit — page 67: what you’re looking at

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

A DASH FOR FREEDOM, F fs and laid out his tremendous strength in sending the canoe through the water, wild with the fear that his prize should be wrung from him, even when in his grasp. The water foamed under the bow of the light craft, and she seemed to leap through the water, while a savage cry from the pursuing boat told that the men who followed were eager for his blood. Perdita was appalled by the strange gleam which shone in the eyes of her enraged escort. She could not see his face, but those eyes spoke a desperate resolve, and she knew that in the event of their being overtaken by the pursuing boat she was doomed. He had taken out his dagger, and held it in his teeth, looking at her from time to time as the splash of the coming oars sounded louder and louder in their ears, She looked at Austen’s face as it was turned over his shoulder; and it was grand. He lashed at the water with the might of a giant. She saw that they had laid their weapons where they could easily touch them, and were ready for the struggle when it came. Nearer and nearer yet came the pursuing boat, and each moment the wild light in the eyes of the masked chief became fiercer. “Keep up your courage,” cried Austen. “ We will save you, Perdisa.” “ Will you?” cried the masked chief. “It is not in your power. You have not caught me yet.” “But we will,” replied Austen, for scarcely six boat’s lengths Separated the two crafts). “Lay down to it, Bill. Break your back or catch him.” At this moment Perdita took matters into her own hands, She had been watching the progress of events, and ready to act when the right time came. Springing up suddenly, she gave him a sudden push, sending him completely out of the canoe, Then, seizing the paddle, she pushed rapidly away from him, and reached the other boat, into which she sprung. “Don’t wait,” cried Bill. “Pull back, for our lives !” » . ~~ PI © Thee as