Beadle's Dime Novels No. 310: Foghorn Phil — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

38 . FOGHORN PHIL. bewildered, stood scratching his head asif for some new idea. Meanwhile, he gazed around him, then down at the earth, as though he had been suddenly apprised of some new facts. And so he did, and his thoughts found expression in the startled exclamation : “Gar almighty, is it possible ?” “What, Foghorn ?—is what possible ?” It was Colonel Aylesworth who had approached unob- served and overheard the scout’s words. “ Ay! it’s you colonel,” the scout replied, his’ breath com- | ing quick and hard; “ but do you know that Satan’s at work ?” | “What do you mean, Phil; are we’ in danger ?” “ Danger’s no name for it, colonel.” “Explain yourself ; don’t keep a fellow in suspense.” “Come out here,” he replied, plucking the colonel to one side. “ Now, GCowirer. ” he began, “you know the banks» 0’ this island is wished under, don’t you ?” “Yes; I noticed that.” “ And ye also noticed the roots and vines that hang around ~ the edge of the island like fringe, didn’t ye ?” “| did, and remarked about the lacework of bare roots and parasites.” “ Just so; then did it ever occur to yer mind, colonel, that in under that bank, and behind that curtain of roots, a hun- dred Si-ox Injins war concealed ?” “It has not; such a thing is impossible,” replied the colo- nel, strangely impressed by the tone and action of his com- panion, “ Nothin’ devilish is onpossible for a red-skin, colonels and my life on it, thar’s Injins enuff aft this blessed minit, con- cealed under the edge o’ this island to eat us all) vooth and nail, hide and hair! And now if you'll lay down whar I did, and put your ear to the earth, ye can hear’em under the island diggin’ like badgers, You can hear every lick of their knives, as that’s what they’re diggin’ with, I know; and you can hear the dirt rattlin’ down jist as plain as you can heat thunder, You see they’re diggin’ up through the island in a dozen places, and all willaim to git thro’ ’bout the same. time, then up they'll rush, an’ Lor’ what atime! You see, comicbooks.conn