Beadle's Dime Novels No. 85: The Fugitives — page 34: what you’re looking at

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

36 THE FUGITIVES. perception of the latter, however, warned him of the danger, and “ ducking ” his head with the quickness of lightning, he allowed the instrument to whiz harmlessly by. “ Now of a surety it becometh me to defend myself,” was the mental conclusion of Franklin. ‘“ Ungodly heathen, pre- pare to meet thy Maker !” ‘On witnessing the failure of his attempt at murder, the savage drew his knife and sprung forward with the intention of ending matters very summarily in a hand-to-hand contest. Had the young Quaker been less agile and powerful, there could have been no hope for him; but, at the moment of uttering the admonition we have just recorded, he had clubbed his rifle; and the very instant the shaven skull of the Indian came within reach, that instant the stock described a light- ning-like swoop, and came down with such irresistible fury that the aborigine could not have gone to the earth more suddenly had a bolt of heaven struck him, “ Verily, thy days are numbered, and thou canst not sin any more,” remarked Franklin, glancing around to. see whether he was about to receive a charge from any one else. He now observed that his personal danger was becoming more imminent each moment. His flying companions had _left him almost alone, and unless he soon freed himself from the net that was closing around him, it would be impossible to do so. He noted that the majority were making for the river, and more for the purpose of defending the miserable fugitives, than for a regard of his safety, he joined them. In the wheat-field, he came up with old sturdy Benjamin Belknap, who, cool and collected, was retreating in compara- tively a leisurely manner. “Tt is a sad day,” remarked the old man. “A bitter day, indeed. It might not have been, had our men maintained their composure, and stood their ground.” “They were not used to such scenes—and I s’pose they couldn’t help the panic.” “JI can not agree with thee, I think they could, They were admonished of the necessity by Colonel Butler, and by their captains and lieutenants.” “J see your gun is injured,” added the old man, glancing’ furtively around him, as he hurried along. connicloooks.comn) | 4