Beadle's Dime Novels No. 95 — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

e THER DISPATCHES. 27 “The General would see Captain Mannering without a. mo- ment’s delay.” Ronald shook off his young friends and entered the Gener- al’s quarters; a murmur of dissatisfaction followed him. The country occupied by the lfostile forces was at this time covered by a dense forest, and Johnson made prepara- tions for a long stay by felling a few trees and building huts for the accommodation of himself and officers. It was at this place that he was found by Ronald, on ‘his return from his southern expedition. There was a council of officers that day in the General’s quarters. Many of the juniors were present, and among oth- ers, Israel Putnam. He was standing apart from the rest when Ronald was announced, and an expression of concern deepened on his florid face at the name. Ronald came in hastily, and saluting the General and the officers present, pre- sented the dispatches from Washingtoh and Dunbar. The General read them, and a storm of fearful passion swept across his strongly-marked face. He had known the material of - which Braddock’s army was composed, and it threw him into a terrible rage to know that all the hopes of the past weeks had vanished, and that the remnant of the army which might and should have been in Du Quesne, were fugitives within the walls of Fort Cumberland. | Johnson had faith in the provincials, and he saw the mis- take of Braddock. The old British’ wrongheadedness had done the work of destruction. “ Ruined ! by heavens!” he exclaimed, springing to his feet. The officers, who had not heard the news, pressed forward in silent dismay, dreading the worst. A few hurried words informed them of the catastrophe. . “Gentlemen,” said the General, at last, “will you leave me alone awhile? Captain Mannering, let me beg a little of your time. ” > The officers hurried out of the tent, the provincials prudent- ly bottling up their anger until fairly out of the hut. When there, they gathered in angry knots and discussed the unwel- Come tidings with lowering brows. Ronald spent an hour in close consultation with the Gen- erdl, In the end he came out, and was at once fastened upon comicbooks.com