Beadle's Dime Novels No. 85: The Fugitives — page 77: what you’re looking at

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

ON THE TRACK. 79 Not heeding this compliment, which really savored. of the unpalatable, Franklin continued : _ “J will take the lead, as I am acquainted with the Old Warrior’s Path, and Gershom will follow. . Behind him may come George and Arthur, and last of all, Pete. _ Pete, dost thou feel qualified to accompany us ?” “Scuse my modesty, but I’s jis’ agwine to decline myself for capting, knowin’ dat you was likely to make me de leader. I t’inks George will do berry near as well as me,” ‘Let there be an end to thy nonsense,’ admonished Frank- lin. “I wish to ask thee whether thee thinkest thou can keep silence and obey orders.” | “TI allers obeys my s’periors,” said Pete, addressing his remarks directly to the acknowledged leader. “If I take the lead,” exclaimed Franklin, speaking to those around him, “ it is with the distinct understanding that all are to obey me. © Gershom has more years than have I, and of him I shall ask advice, when the time comes for counsel.” “Of course, Stoddard, every thing is understood. We know our duty. What's the use of waiting ?” said the impa- tient lieutenant. ) “My words are chiefly intended for thee, Peter, although not entirely so. Thee will do well to heed them, Peter.” ““T will see that he doesn’t make. a fool of himself.” “T much fear:that task was performed. for him at his birth,” quietly replied: Franklin... Pete didn’t get.a syllable of the meaning of this left-handed compliment, and patiently awaited for any other remarks. “JT mean,” said the lieutenant, with marked emphasis, ‘that any insubordination upon the part of Pete shall be followed by the severest punishment.”’ » Pete understood precisely as much of this as he did of the compliment just referred to. Conceiving that enough had been said for all parties to understand, the young Quaker took the advance, and the little company entered the woods. Fairly within the gloom of the forest, following the invisi- ble trail that all knew lay beneath their feet, with the certainty that the goal was but a short distance away—strange and un- wonted emotions took possession of all, - The quiet, persever- ing Friend, who at his Master’s beck, would have. walked comicbooks.conn — ee 4