Beadle's Dime Novels No. 85: The Fugitives — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

_ - THE BUGITIVES. Indian is in question, and more than once had she wavered about that point. Both of her captors Held in themselves the power of checking her annoyance at any moment when it be- came too great to bear. Filled with this thought, the quiet, even- sempored Mrs. Abingdon remonstrated with her. “ Jerusha, suppose one of these Indians should take it into his head to murder you, what would there be to prevent it ?” The direct 1 moa rather startled her. “ Nothing, I s’pose; law suz, what do you ane “T mean if you are not very careful they will do it. ‘They are somewhat amused at your actions, but if you annoy them too much, they will not wait a moment to kill you.” “ Mother is right,” added Annie, “ although I sometimes al- low my indignation to place me in great danger.” “Fudge ! who's afeard ?” snapped Mrs. Smithson. . It was very evident, im spite of this vaunting assertion, that the fiery lady was impressed by the caution so kindly given her; and, while her animosity was rather increased than di- minished by this truth, she mentally resolved to be a little more gracious in her manner. Old Gershom, if roundly be- - rated now and then, still held a warm place in her heart, and the infant, lying all unconscious upon her breast, would un- hesitatingly be given the sacrifice of her life should it become necessary. Placed on the same footing as one of the Indians, no doubt she would have become an exceedingly intractable customer; but it is not necessary to refer to the impossibility of her ever holding this position. The kindly admonition of Mrs. Atingdon came in good time, for the forbearance of Jerusha was immediately tested. He who had watched the captives with such a suspicious eye, now approached her horse and tied him to 4 sapling, in the same manner that the other one had been secured. ‘Then coming up to Mrs. Smithson, he extended his hand for the bag of meal. i “ Let him me—want him.” eee “Take him, then,” she replied, stepping away from her pro- perty and allowing him to claim it, instead of reaching it to him. Unfastening the top, the savage placed his hand in it, and mMEOMIGDOOkKSsGCOM