Beadle's Dime Novels No. 35: East and West — page 56: what you’re looking at

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

56 THE BEAUTY OF WILLARD’S MILL. have the boys ferry over the horse on the flat-boat; and tell ‘em to bring along plenty of rope to tie up the boats—we can’t afford to lose ’°em, and the moorings aren’t very safe in high water.” “ Are you a good boatman, Mr. Harris?” asked Minnie, as they were pushing off. “The current is pretty strong, now the boards are off the flood-gate, to let the water over the dam.” ; “To confess the truth, I am not; but you shall give orders, and I will obey them.” “ Well, then, we had better paddle up the creek before we try to cross ; for I don’t think I would like to risk going over the dam.”? . ot think you cared about the risk this morning, Miss Minnie. I shall always be ashamed, after this, that my city breeding makes me so helpless.” “ Oh, I don’t see why you should call yourself by such an unmanly word, Mr. Harris. You have been of much service to-day, and we all thank you very much indeed,” cried Min- nie, warmly. “If only Minnie thanked me, I should be more than rewarded for doing what was only a common service,” said Fletcher, as they shot into the current, and the hard rowing suspended conversation. They landed a little above the cabin, where the old grass was broken down, concealing the state of the ground, which Fletcher found almost knee-deep in water, upon trial. “T see I'll have to carry you to the cabin, Miss Willard. You can’t take a step here.” -“Oh, yes! I can. The water will not melt me, and is not deep enough to drown. Poor Hannah! she would soon have been overtaken.” Bravely Minnie stepped out as the boat was hauled up, but instead of reaching terra firma, as she had expected, was received in the waiting arms of Fletcher, and conveyed quickly toward the cabin. Did she fancy it or not, that he had pressed her once tightly to his breast, before placing her on her feet in the cabin-door ? Fletcher left her there to go to the mill. It was already deep twilight. The men had taken their suppers, and having comlcbooks.com ~~