Beadle's Dime Novels No. 85: The Fugitives — page 71: what you’re looking at

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

WATCHED. "8 nothing of their captors, and if they could once pass beyond the light of the fire, which was already beginning to smolder, there were strong probabilities of their getting safely away. “Tt will not do to wait,’ said Annie, with natural im- patience. i “No; come on,” added Mrs. Smithson. “I. can walk faster than either of you, if I have a baby to carry.” “T am ready—’ Mrs. Abingdon paused in consternation; for, chancing to turn her head, she observed one of their hateful captors stand- ing behind a tree scarcely a dozen feet away, watching their every movement. She saw he was ready to spring upon the first one who should attempt to move away, and both she and her daughter knew the temper of the American Indian too well to brave it. “ We are seen,” said Mrs. Abingdon, “ we haye been watch- ed from the beginning.” ° “Where? Who? What do you mean ?” “ Look there!” replied Mrs. Abingdon, motioning to the tree behind which the savage was partially concealed. “ Ain’t that mean? Jest like the critters, listening to what other people are saying.” The savage, finding his presence observed, now came forth and began replenishing the fire. “Don’t he act as if he was ashamed ?” said Mrs. Smithson, surveying him in the most scornful disgust. “T can not say that he does, Jerusha,” returned Mrs. Abing- don, smiling in spite of herself... “I very much doubt whether he is capable of feeling shame, after committing so many crimes.” “Tf the other one doesn’t come purty soon, let’s set on to this one. I can manage him if Mrs. Abingdon will hold on to the baby a little, and Annie will only bite and scratch a bit. She’s got temper enough to fight like a wild-cat. Ugh! Ican hardiy keep my hands off him!” _ Our lady friends were hardly prepared for the vigorous pro- ject proposed by their companion in captivity. Mrs. Smith- son’s conduct, in short, showed all too plainly her need ofa prudent counselor. The point beyond which endurance ceases to be a virtue, is very speedily reached when an American connicloooks.comn