Red Belt, the Tuscarora — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

(y PAA Ww Rt Vi iy ate es Sh ee be ay p | 6 Cute Vs ‘eo. yi ibe Mite ep oy ' m7 ba F iid. ation THE FLATTENED BULLET. 27 “Ss completed their task; but when it was done, it was well and thoroughly done; for from the outside the cliff looked like a dense pine and hemlock copse—the hiding-place for wild beasts and reptiles, but not the habitation of man. For a moment the two surveyed their work with satisfaction. Then again they emerged from the inclosure and descending the ladder Which they “had let down, crept around to the water-front. This time they carried two long boards, bent to a ‘certain curve, and in different directions—the one to the other. These boards they had brought from the recesses of the cave. The men soon found the boat which they had hidden away in the rocks, and lighting a fagot of pitch-pine by means of a ball of greased tow, which they fired with a flint and steel— they began their work. This consisted in attaching the boards to the low gunwales of the canoe, thus making the boat more staunch—more able to stand wind and water. This was soon accomplished, for the boards fitted accurately. It was evident they had*often been used. Suddenly, as the men finished the work, and were about to launch the boat, did Sampson pause. The light had flashed on @ flatténed bullet, which was partly buried in the seasoned timbers of the canoe. The old hunter pointed silently to it for a moment. “We'll keep it as a remembrance from our friends, my brother,” he said at length in a low tone, and with a light laugh ; “it may bring us good luck! Who knows!” As he spoke he drew his hunting-knife, and leaning down, carefully dug the piece of lead from the wood. The old man straightened up, and holding the light near, examined the bullet closely. All at once he started as if an arrow had pierced his heart, and a terrible frown, fierce and deadly, wrinkled old Sampson's brow. He almost gasped for breath. The Indian quietly drew near and looked on. “ What is it, great warrior?” he asked. “ Is there any thing in a rifle-ball to call up such emotions ¥” and the young brave’s words had a spice of reproach in them. The old man started, and reared himself erect ; but he could not drive away the terrible frown from his swarthy cheek end comicbooks.com — -