Beadle's Dime Novels No. 85: The Fugitives — page 74: what you’re looking at

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

76 THE FUGITIVES. with a stick. “They’re such pigs they'll eat all of it, and — they'd never notice the p’ison till it was too late.” : Neither Mrs. Abingdon nor Annie made any response, al- though the latter was halfinclined to join in the vindictive wish just expressed. When the cook had poured in the quantity of meal she needed, one of the savages made an examination of the bag and discovered the bread and meat in the bottom. Both ate sparingly of it, and then laid it aside, so as not to destroy their appetite for the grand feast which was preparing. “Tf I only had a little salt, I would make a dish that you would like,” said Mrs. Smithson, addressing herself to the ladies. ‘“‘ Never mind us—they do not wish salt, and you must make it to suit them.” “That's the worst of it. I don’t believe they know nothin’ about pudding, and see if I don’t ’arn ’em something.” “You do not intend—you would not—” Mrs. Abingdon paused, not knowing how to complete the sentence. She gathered from Jerusha Smithson’s manner that she had decided upon some scheme by which to revenge her- self—but could not decide upon its precise nature. She was fearfui that, by some imprudent act, she would bring the fury of the savages upon the entire party. “I do hope you will be careful, Jerusha.” “T will—careful—that they cate it,” she added, in a tone that none heard but herself. In the mean time, the meal was fast becoming pudding, and the ravenous aborigines were impatiently waiting for the mo- ment when their enjoyment was to begin. “How you going to eat it ?” suddenly demanded Mrs. Smith- son. ‘Get some bark to put it on.” More by gestures than any thing else, she made one of them comprehend what she meant. The article desired was speedily procured, and she lifted the kettle from the fire. The unman- nerly captors each held out his “bark ” for the first installment. She poured out a pint or so of the beautiful yellow mass, that looked like molten gold, and they looked up to her for instrue- tions, as to how it should be disposed of “What are you waiting for, you fools? at it quick, while itis warm !” sgmicboekorconm