Beadle's Dime Novels No. 85: The Fugitives — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

68 THR FUGITIVES. morning. Other enemies. must be abroad to-night, and he may encounter them, but I do not think there is much danger.” “We must not forget to pray for him, for he is only a mere lad and does run great risk. I place my hopes in this fact,’ said Annie, after a moment’s thought. “ He will go straight back to the house, and if George and Stoddard have escaped, or if any one else feels any anxiety regarding us, they will all come directly there.” “See! what is the matter now ?” ‘The two Indians, who were seated by the fire indulging their pipes, both raised their heads as if something had attracted their attention. The two captives, also listening, a perfect silence ensued ; but neither of them could hear the faintest sound. “ Something is wrong!” whispered Mrs. Abingdon. “Maybe something is right !” replied Annie, her heart beat- ing high with expectation. One of the savages at this point arose to his feet and stealth- ily disappeared in the darkness, while the other as cautiously drew back from the circle of light thrown out by the fire, “T do believe somevone is coming,” repeated Annie. “T pray God that it may be George and Stoddard.” “Sh! don’t you hear the sound of a horse’s feet in the path ?” “Oh! It can not be they, for they would not come on horseback.” “Some poor fugitives, running right into danger without knowing it. What a pity we can not warn them.” The regular tramp of a horse walking the ground could now be heard, and, as may well be imagined, the mother and daughter waited with the most acute apprehension. They were in this nervous etate of excitement, when both were startled by the shrill voice of a female: “Let go that horse, you black, nasty Indian, or you'll be sorry !” : They recognized the tones, and looked at each other in amused dismay. | “Mrs. Smithson!” they gasped, simultaneously. “What can she be doing here ?” asked the mother, “Probably fleeing like ourselves.” - © But where’s Gershom ?” » commiclooks. conn j