Beadle's Dime Novels No. 85: The Fugitives — page 50: what you’re looking at

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

52 THE FUGITIVES. “Don’t you know any thing of mother or Annie or Arthur? Haven’t you seen or heard any thing regarding them ?” “ Noffin’ at all, Massa George.” The latter now turned to Gershom : “What do you say about them ?” “J think they've seen how things was goin’, and they made up their minds to leave afore they’s taken away.” “What do you think, Stoddard ?” “There is reason in the words of Gershom. — It may be that —most probably it is.” “ Had the Indians taken them away, do you think they would haye left the honse and barn unburned ?” “ Hardly ; it seems they have not come upon this pleasant retreat, but they may come any moment.” “Tf it was a deliberate flight, either Annie or mother would have left some sign behind—something to guide me in search- ing for them. This is the_sitting-room. I see nothing here. Have you noticed any thing ?” Gershom replied that nothing had attracted his attention, and at the suggestion of the young man, he searched by the light of the candle the lower portion of the house. It need scarcely be said that nothing was discovered. “If they have fled of their own free will,” remarked Frank- lin, upon his return, “ they would have gone upon one of the horses.” | “That's it ?? exclaimed Lieutenant Abingdon, striking the table with his hand. “ That will prove it!” “ Let Peter go to the barn and ascertain whether there be any of the horses gone.” “Please, Massa Stobbard, I doesn’t—doesn’t hardly t’ink dat’ am any ob ’em gene—doesn’t seem wuf while for me to g to all dat bodily trouble,” returned the negro, in considerabh trepidation. “ Peter, move or I will move thee.” There was no mistaking the meaning of that soft, low voice, and keen glance. Pete demurred no further, but quietly slip- pec out of the door, and departed. “Do you think he can be trusted ?” questioned young Abing- don as soon as the door was closed. “Tf he attempts any falsehood or deception, I shall harm him.” conmicloookssecomn