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

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

A COUPLE OF SLEEPY-HEADS. 8? “T havyecompanions a short distance away,” returned Frank- lin, hesitating whether to invite them to join their party or not. “Do you need any help 2”. _ “T can not say that we do... We are more than powerful enough to overcome the heathen whom we-are seeking, and While my friends would be all glad to see thee, yet thy presence in our party would hardly add to its efficiency.” “ All right, I’m glad to hear it; for the fact is, I am power- ful sleepy, and I’m jist going to stretch outon the ground out here, where we won’t be as likely to be seen, and snooze till morning.” As this seemed to be the inclination of his companion, our friend, after bidding them a kind good-by and some useful ad- Vice, made his way back to where young Abingdon was wait- ing and wondering. at his prolonged absence. His communi- Cation, as may well be imagined, was a great disappointment to the fiery lieutenant, who had already cocked sasniinin sO as to be ready when the crisis should come. “ Baffled again,’ he muttered, a3 he let the hammer of his rifledown. “I had hegun to think that maybe you had Se- cured them by stratagem.” ‘““We must press on without delay,” suggested old Gershom. “Tt's gettin’ well into the night and it’s my/opine that we won't be able to do much when the daylight is about.” “They must have. been a couple of natural-born fools,” re- marked the lieutenant, alluding to the two men who had been left by the camp-fire, “ Wanting greatly in prudence, we must admit; but we-are losing precious time.” : They were on the point of resuming their pursuit, when old Gershom whispered: ‘“ See here, Stoddard, there’s something following us. I heard it just.as you came up.” “ Has thee heard any noise before ?” “T did, two or three times, and told George about it, and proposed to go back and git rid of whatever it might be that was bothering us, but he thought I'd best wait till you come.” “Tt may be Peter.” “ What I suggested, but Gersh. thinks different.” “Tt don’t act like a darkey; it comes ups as sly as a cat, and is then gone before you know it.” comicbooks.com