Beadle's Dime Novels No. 85: The Fugitives — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

* PETE, SOLUS. 27 It did not seem to enter the African’s mind that it was pos- sible for his friends to encounter such a thing as defeat. It seemed to him that if any were invincible, they were the “ Leftenant and the old Dutchman,” who had learned the art of war a half century before. “I'd kinder like to see the fout go on. I nebber see’d one yet, and I s’pose it’s high old fun, But dar’ must be great dan- ger in looking on. Dem Injins hate colored folks, and I’ve _ heard dey could smell ’em a half-mile way. Mighty qu’ar!” Pete by this time had reached a point almost back of the settlement. The day was warm, and ‘he concluded to lie down on the leaves and sleep for a while. Like most of his race, he possessed a remarkable “ gift of sleep,” being able to pass off into unconsciousness at almost any time and in almost any place. Arranging a rude bed upon the leaves, he stretched himself beneath a large oak, and had scarcely done so when he was soundly asleep. It was afternoon when he awoke—and the sound of mus- ketry, and the shouts of men aroused him to consciousness. . He started up alarmed and bewildered, until he recalled his situation. “ De fout’s begun,” he exclaimed, excitedly. “Oh! if 1 was only dar’, wouldn’t I smash tings !” He took good care, however, not to be there, or anywhere that threatened danger. Rising to his feet, he examined the priming of his gun, brushed the leaves from his person, and looked around to make sure that no glaring Indian’s eye was fixed upon him. “ Best to be sart’in and ready—no telling when dem Seah are ’round. Dey come frough de woods like a cat when she’s going to catch a mouse.” As the firing increased in rapidity, and the terrific yells of the assaulting Indians grew louder and louder, Pete partook somewhat of thé excitement, and his curiosity became great to witness what was going on. ; “T’ll kinder stole up, and take a peep. It wouldn’t do for "em to see me, as dey’d just as lief hit a feller when dey shoot as not, so I'll keep shady awhile.” With this determination, the negro set out for the vicinity of the battle-field. He moved very stealthily, pausing every: connicloooks.comn)