Beadle's Dime Novels No. 96: Little Moccasin — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

AN ADJURATION. 16. should become necessary, without being overheard by the rest, he said : | “JT pray you, David Perry—I adjure you, by the living God, to be frank with me. I have no unhallowed curiosity to- in- dulge, no evil purpose in my heart, no vengeance to gratify.” Perry lifted his head, and fastened his eyes upon the speak- er with an expression so deadly and so intense, that Gage was | moved to hitch a little nearer, and seemed half inclined to in- terfere. The major continued, laying his hand upon Gage’s knee, as he spoke. Vengeance is mine—I will repay, saith the Lord.” “ Well,” said Perry, “ why don’t kien goon? What are you stopping for?” | “T will go on—and I ask you, as I would if I were on my death-bed, or you on yours, why that mentioning of the 29th of December should make you start up as you did, and threaten me as you did with your eyes—looking as if you saw aspirit ? - and why, after meeting me face to face, like a brave, honest man, as I believe you are, why did you turn your face to the wall and refuse to answer my questioning? And why that heaving of,your chest, as if it were still unsafe to be near you ?” “ All right, and. proper enough, I dare say,’ said Perry, after a short struggle with himself—a sort of paroxysm——as if he were wrestling down some unacknowledged though terrible purpose ; “ but before I answer the question you have put me, as if 1 were on trial for my life—what if I should ask you why you started up, and flung away your blanket, so as to leave your right arm free, and stood overtopping the whole of us, head and shoulders, like Saul among the princes of Israel,and - exclaimed ie, God! when Mr. Gage— “ Cap’n Gage, Ifyou please; we don’t allow no misterin’ here,” squeaked Charley, and then there was another outburst of tinging laughter. “ Be quiet, Charley ” “ Yes, dear.” “When Mr. amescct Captain Gage if you say so,” contin- ued Perry, in the Same low, quiet, solemn yoice, “ mentioned the day of the month.” ~ “You are right, neighbor Perry—you are right !, and there’s | my hand on it,” said the major, instantly changing the £ conicloooks.com .