The Land Claim — page 92: what you’re looking at

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

88 THE LAND-CLAIM. “T was not given liberty to answer questions ; don’t ask me any more, if you please,” said Alicia, with a quiet show of displeasure at the freedom he used. “Tf your father had been as discreet as yourself, he would never haye got into the serape he did,” said Carnes, ma- liciously. Then, seeing she did not reply under such great provoca- tion, he grew restless, and writhed his body about constantly. “A damned pretty situation for a gentleman to be in,” he grumbled. ‘ Suppose I make an outcry, and bring a friend to _my relief? I could do it.” “T shall do as I was bidden—shoot you at the first attempt.” “You! You could not shoot a man—your heart is too soft for that.” “JT hope you will not put me to the test. T shall certainly do my duty,” answered Alicia, firmly, though the bosom under the white dress was throbbing violently. “It’s going to rain,” said Carnes. “ I feel a drop on my face. You had better run to the house, for you see I can’t get away. I'd be happy to escort you there if I could.” _ Alicia looked up through the trees, and saw that there was other reason than the approaching sunset for the gloom that was gradually darkening the woods. Gray, flying clouds were gathering thickly in the air, quite obscuring the heavens. Could she have seen the black eagle’s wing spreading out in the west, she would have been terrified. As it was, she was simply very uneasy. The half-hour was not yet gone, and it was already quite dark in the woods. “Miss Newcome,” said Carnes, after apparent deliberation, “T have a skiff down at the foot of the bluffs. If you would cut this lariat and let me take my chances of escape, even now, I. swear to you that I will save your father from the hangman. Will you doit? Answer quick ” Before Alicia could have replied, there came a roar through the woods, as of perpetual thunder. The trees creaked, and swung their tops together like giants in battle. The lightning flickered through the air, as if the heavens were one great electric battery, and every living thing a conductor. Above the roar of the wind came sharp reports of thunder, crash after crash, reverberating among the bluffs, and deafening the comiliclooks. com ——e