Beadle's Dime Novels No. 310: Foghorn Phil — page 53: what you’re looking at

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

A BOLD STROKE. 55 der the bank of the island; and he knew at once that this was what the savage was looking for, for he at once turned and began to retrace his steps down the river. But bis way was disputed. The great, bony fingers of Foghorn Phil closed suddenly upon his throat. Then followed the sound of a slight struggle, that dull crunch of a knife driven into a throbbing heart, and the fall of a heavy body; and an instant after, all was silent as on the morning of the ereation. Silently and deadly had the scout done his work, and then he took the Indian’s head-gear and blanket, and putting them on, turned and crept softly down toward the three Indians in waiting. He had resolved upon a bold stroke—one that would cost him his life if it failed. In passing himself off for the Indian, it suddenly occurred to him that he would have to give some kind of a report when he reached the three Indians, He could speak the Indian language to perfection, but what should he report not to get himself into trouble? He thought the matter over carefully, and finally settled upon his course of action, He then quick- ened his footsteps, and soon joined the three savages waiting by the tree. .“Jight flash one time,” he said in a low whisper and in the Sioux dialect. . To his joy and relief, one of the Indians turned and climb- ing onto the leaning tree. began crawling along its trunk. He was immediately followed by the other two, and by this move- ment Phil saw that the light was the signal for their advance. But, scarcely was the third Indian upon the tree, ere the scout was close at his heels, determined on another desperate stroke. Half the length of the tree had been made when time for ~ action came. Reaching forward, he seized the savage by the loin-cloth and jerked him off the log. Then followed a loud plash, a confused, strangling gasp, and ,the Indian was swept away by the swift rushing current of the channel. The fall of the warrior into the water awoke the men on the island, and the hurrying of feet thereon brought the other two Indiane to a balt. But for Phil there was no delay, and creeping up behind the next warrior, he shoved him off into the river; but scarcely had he touched the water, before the . Comichooksteom