Beadle's Dime Novels No. 96: Little Moccasin — page 64: what you’re looking at

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

66 LITTLE MOCCASIN. region you are better acquainted than any other man alive, and really, I do not see how we can hope to get along with- out you. If wages are in the way—you shall be satisfied.” The Forester shook his head, and smiled. ‘You have only to name your terms, and I tell you before- hand, that where it depends upon me, and I have the entire control of this department, I will agree to any thing, rather than part with you, before we have finished our explorations.” After another long pause, the major grasped the hand of Gage, and said, in a voice almost choking with emotion— “ Gage—Captain Gage—I like you, and I have liked you from the first. You are a man after my own heart, and I have such faith in your honesty of purpose, that I should like to stand. by you here—and cape” sa eee here he stopped suddenly. | “ But what? Speak plainly, my friend —if you prefer a partnership to. wages, you have only to say so.” “ Not a-word, if you please, about wages—I am_ perfectly satisfiel—and I desire no partnership.” “ Well then, what is it? Why stop so suddenly with. that confounded but? Are you dissatisfied with your associates?” ‘‘No, indeed! far from it. They are just the kind of men, without a single exception, that I should like to go through fire and water with.” “T didn’t know. but you might. have iclen a dislike to Perry—if so, you have only to say the word, and off he goes, Within the next hour... : “ Not for the world, Captain. Gage | Perry is a true man. Our little misunderstanding was natural enough, under the circumstances; but the more I see of that man, the better I ~ like bim?’. “ Well, then, what is it? I pray you tell. me—make a clean breast of it; and if you say so, it shall be strictly con- fidential, no matter whom it concerns.’ “You mistake me, altogether, my good friend—~all I. in- tended to say, by that dut, which seems, to have so disturbed you, was, that notwithstanding my sincere and hearty liking for yourself and for the fine fellows with you, I have a duty to perform—a, matter of life and death—-which must, be at- tended: to, and which can not be longer delayed.” comiclbooks.conm