Beadle's Dime Novels No. 85: The Fugitives — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

THH PURSUER PURSUED. 89° "3 wished safety when he reached the island, he must be rid of his pursuer before doing so. A moment’s rapid. deliberation determined him to turn around and engage him, at once. Having fully made up his mind to do this, no time was lost in carrying it out. } 3 The exultant Indian suddenly checked his outcries when he saw the white man suddenly turn around, and with knife in his teeth make tovvard him. Ifthe action of the Quaker was unexpected by the Indian, that of the Indian was unexpected by the Quaker ; for without waiting a moment, he turned and fled in the utmost terror, Franklin pursued with all the Swiftness he could surmmon, but very soon made the discovery that it was impossible to overtake him. Their skill in swim- ming was equal. Finding it was useless to follow, Franklin relinquished the pursuit, and leisurely continued his flight toward the island. There were savages all around him, and the utmost circum- spection was necessary to avoid them; but, by great good fortune, he found himself within a few yards of Monoeacy, With the river bottom within reach, and to all appearance un- noticed by any of the savages upon the island. He lay in the water as low as possible to avoid attracting attention; and was about to make his way to, the eastern bank of the island, when, at the instant, with tbe crack of a rifle, came the zip of a bullet within a few inches of his face, Turning his head, he saw an Indian stretched upon the ground, his whole soul evidently absorbed in the work of put- ting an end to the young man’s career. : _This put a new face upon affairs, as the savage was lying at the very point where he intended to land. Observing the failure of his first shot, the Indian proceeded very coolly to reload his piece, constantly glancing in the meanwhile toward his visitor, to see that. he did not take himself off, before he had finished his business with him. “ Verily, this is a reception that I did not count upon,” Was the mental conclusion of young Franklin, as he maintained @ stationary position, uncertain what to do. If he remained Where he was, it was manifest he would soon be shot, and if he attempted to land he would thereby expose himself to greater danger, as the savage could watch him and thwart connicloooks.com