Beadle's Dime Novels No. 96: Little Moccasin — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

84 LITTLE MOCCASIN. “God be thanked !” he exclaimed—“ the very men I have most wished to meet with !” ; “ Well, major, what's to pay?” said Gage. “ Ask me no questions, I pray you, but look to yourselves. I want your help—and have been trying to find you for the last four-and-twenty hours. I have not eaten nor drank since yesterday morning—and I am dying for want of sleep.” “Here is no place for sleeping, major; but our game-bags are both full of provisions, and if you will take possession of that hillock yonder long enopgh to satisfy your hunger, you may depend upon our help.” For a moment, the major seemed choking—twice he opened his mouth and tried to speak, but the sounds died away in a low, gasping moan; and then, ag his face with his hands, he sunk down upon the hillock, while they opened their game-hags and set them on the ice before him. “Take hold, major !—take hold teyou must be well-nigli fumished,” said Gage, handing him a cut of cor ned- peer and a piece of bread. The major tried, but found be gout Hot wallow his heart was in his throat,” he said, and straightway the expres- sion of his eyes changed, his chin quivered, and he sat before them gasping for breath, and trembling from head to’ foot. Nay, more—the man’s eyes filled, ‘and for the first time, they saw the lashes glistening. After a few minutes, a brief, terrible struggle ensued—the perspiration started about his temples and mouth—his knees smote together—and then, all at once, he recovered his self- possession, took a bite of the cold meat, swallowing with dif ficulty, and turning toward our two hunters, asked thenr if they were ready. Sea “Ready for what, major?” asked Gage. “ Let us under- stand what you require of us, and—there’s my hand—for life or death !? And so said Fletcher. | : “ But first, a word or two with you, about yesterday, if you please. Where did you find shelter last night? Did you eyer see such a sudden and violent rain, without notice ?” “ “Never !—and I was out in it all the time, never stopping - nor resting, till I had finished the business on hand.” “ You were on snow-shoes, were you not ?” asked Fletcher, ~ we! . : connicloooks.comn