Beadle's Dime Novels No. 95 — page 40: what you’re looking at

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

42 EPH PETERS: his own property, but which Eph, who kept out Of sight in the transaction, forced him to buy at a fabulous price. Soon after, Ronald obtained leave of absence, as General] Johnson decided to go into winter-quarters, much to the dis- gust of his officers. He commenced building a fort upon the ground of the late battle, which he named Fort William Hen- _ry. The idea of a fort at this exposed point was scouted by ~~ the military authority, but Sir Wiliam, having been knighted soon alter this battle, wished to erect some monument to com- memorate the victory. So the choleric Putnam, unable to get leave of absence, watched the work in the trenches from day to day, while Ro- nald Mannering set out on a journey to the Mohawk, fortified for a bout with Ann Wylde. » He prevailed upon the acute scout, Eph Peters, to accom- pany him, and bought from him one of the horses which his genius had wrung from the baron. . Eph gloried” considerably - over this exploit, and consented to accompany his officer. be- cause he appreciated the richness of the joke. They knew that to approach the cabin at once would ex- pose them to a premature broadside from the long tongue of Ann, and Ronald knew that she would be more than usually vindictive on account, of the recent defeat of the French, in a battle which she had expected to end in quite another way. . Eph told his companion of a limestone cave in the vicinity of the house, and in this it was decided to put the horses. Eph then volunteered to go up and see how the land lay, and re- turn. He approached the house about nine in the morning, and surprised Tom in the act of sharpening his knife upon a stone, “ Hullo, Snowball !” said he. “ Wha’ you call I?” questioned the negro, rising wrathfully. “ Ypose I tek you, marse imperence, an’ fro’ you ober my head, eh ?” “pose yew dew,” said Eph, with inimitable nonchalance, “ What then ?” “ W’at you call a nigger, den ?” “Snowball, didn’t I? Ef I didn’t, it were an weet and Til call ye that now.” © - ° Tom looked up at the tall Yankee in some wonder. CoOMmiclOokxs.Coum