Beadle's Dime Novels No. 215: The White Hermit — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

=F 3 ity encirclefi his waist, in which a pair of handsome pistols were ~~ thrust, beside a long, silver-hilted dagger. He’ wore also a. short cut-and-thrust sword, with a richly-chased seabbard, and hilt like the dagger. In his right hand, the butt resting on the ground, he held a heavy. rifle. “ Now, Hungry Bill,” said the young soldier, “listen to me, and see that you pay due heed to my words. Do you know any thing of a stranger, said to lead the life of a recluse upon an island in the lake yonder ?” “Capt’in Larry—” began Hungry Bill. “T believe I shall have to give you another souse,” said — ; Larry. “What m:kes you hang fire in that way ?” “Cause I've got princeples /” roared Bill. “ Cause I've give my word, and swore by the big horn spoon I wouldn't take nobody to the island, nor tell’em a thing about the island. Now, see here, Capt'in Larry Austen, I've thought many a time I'd part comp’ny with you and I find no time so goud as the present. Let’s agree to quit.” R “In other words you propose to discharge me from your service?” said Captain Austen, laughing. “Leastways in a contriary sense,” replied Hungry Bill. “ You let the island alone, can’t you? You ain’t got no call to go thar, I opinionate.” “ But, I propose to go there this very day. And further, I propose that you shall take me there in your canoe. What do : you mean by this nonsense? I know as well as you do that some one inhabits the island, and do you think I would go there to do them harm, you blockhead ?” “* Who said there was =, thar ?” growled Hungry Bill. “ You did.” “T didn’t.” «“T say you dia” “And I say you lie /” oo aaa aewegepE at Bill and ee ie» A MAN WITI PUINCIPLES.