Beadle's Dime Novels No. 85: The Fugitives — page 96: what you’re looking at

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

98 THE FUGITIVES. “Came on my horse; don’t you know nothin’? How would I come !” “ But I thought you started for Strondsburg.” “ So I did, and so did these nasty Indians, and they cotched me. ? ‘“ How’s the baby ?” “Well’nough. I’m glad you come, for now you can ’tend her till we get to Stroudsburg.” Whereupon, Mrs, Smithson deposited her offspring in the lap of her spouse, and busied herself about other matters. This awakened the infant, which began a terrific yelling, kicking and scratching, while the father rocked backward and forward upon the ground in vain attempts to quiet it. The outcries of the infant convinced the waiting and listen- ing Pete Weldon that it was now safe to make his appearance, and he accordingly came rushing forward. “‘Whar’s dem Injins? Why didn’t you call me? I want to smash ’em. Dar’ dey am, eh ?” Seeing they were bound and helpless, he rushed up with the intention of pommeling them, when the Quaker interfered. “ Don’t thee touch them, or I will tie thee to one of them, and let thee have it out with him.” “Golly gracious! I won't,” replied the negro, terrified at the bare thought. “I see dey is fastened, so it wouldn’t be hon’ble !”’ . Mrs. Smithson busied herself in piling brush upon the fire, so that in a few minutes it was roaring and crackling, and throwing a cheerful light far into the surrounding gloom. A slight investigation proved that the’ horses were undisturbed ; and as every one realized the importance of expedition in the matter, preparations were made for resuming the flight of the fugitives from the vicinity of the ill-fated Wyoming Valley. ‘‘ What do you intend doing with those Indians ?” inquired Lieutenant Abingdon. “ First we will ascertain how they have treated Annie and her mother. Have they been cruel toward thee ?” “They have shown far more kindness than we had reason to expect,” replied Mrs. Abingdon. “ Have they offered thee insult ?” “None at all,’ answered Annie. connicloooks.comn)