Beadle's Dime Novels No. 96: Little Moccasin — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

A PUZZLED PATR. 63 astray in this part of our great northern wilderness—and both armed with rifles—and both coming and going at will, by night and by day—and both vanishing so suddenly. No, no —it must be the Little Moccasin; and to make all sure, I mean to measure the footprints, and look for the signs we fol- lowed along that ledge, and up into the woods, so far and so faithfully. What say you ?” “Well, agreed; but another question occurs.to me just now. Have you made up your mind about the relationship that ex- ists between that crafty old major and the ‘ Little Moccasin ? ” “Can’t say I have. Sometimes, when I call to mind the gentleness and tenderness he manifested, and her affectionate warmth when he drew her up to his heart, and- held both of her hands in his, I can not help thinking she may be his child.” Fis child !— “Too young for a wife—she is too young, shouldn’t you say so Fletcher?” continued Gage, with a troubled look, and a slight quiver in his voice, “Altogether too young for a mistress.” “ For a mistress, man!” “ For a sweetheart, I should say; a young creature in whom he has taken a deep interest, which, between ourselves, Fletch- er, | should like to get to the battens of. The more [ think of it, the more Iam puzzled. Why these footprints should be found for miles and miles at such a distance from our camp, when all the time the major must have known where they led to, beats me altogether.” “ And me too,” said Fletcher, ‘pales bewildered, and re- lapsing into profound thought. “Still, I think if you perse- vere in a quiet way, without rousing the suspicions of our mysterious friend, you will-soon be able to satisfy yourself. as to the nature of their relationship—if you are in earnest.” “Jf Tam in earnest !—Gracious God! when I can not sleep o’ nights for thinking of that child.” Fletcher stared as if he thought he must have misunder- stood him. : “Was she so very beautiful then 2?” he asked, “Yes, indeed—to tell you the truth, I,did not get near enough to see her face; but Iam sure she must be beautiful, comniclooks.com