Beadle's Dime Novels No. 96: Little Moccasin — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

99 LITTLE MOCCASIN. “He mustn't be allowed to escape, whatever may become of the others ; and as we all three want a crack at him, I shal. give you both a chance if I can. If there should be but one of the gang with him—let the others go, and fetch the Mo- hawk. After all, however, you must be governed by circum- stances. IfIcan manage to wheedle away one or two of their number—and I think I can, for I know them well, having hunted with them and warred with them before to-day— though it should only be for a few minutes, we shall have time to load after the first fire, and then, I think, we may dis- pose of the whole four to a dead certainty.” : “Oh, for my double-barrel!” muttered Fletcher. . . Yés, to be sure, for close fighting ; but give me the rifle for a long shot.” | - When I have been gone spout ) low,” continued the major.. “ Get you can, without disturbing them, e minutes, you may fol- 3 ithin half pistol-shot if wait for the signal.” “Tor the signal ?” - = “Yes, a rifle-shot,” said the nel fetching the gun he car- ried a hearty slap on the breech. But mind, not a step, not a word, till you hear the shot. I oe not fire, I promise you, till I am sure of my man.” “But if you should fail in sdpadhtiig them ?” “Then there is only one way left. We must fall upon them together, each taking his man; and after disposing of three, rush together between the fourth and the poor child.” The next minute he was gone—slipping away like a shad- ow. No sound reached them, save that of the far-off rustling wind among the pines, a the sharp tinkling of icicles here and there in the depth of the forest. The five minutes hay- ing passed, Gage and Fletcher now started off in the direction of the fire. ‘Twice they saw the figure of a large man moy- ing athwart the blaze, evidently on the alert, and keeping watch ; but they were ekesedingly cautious, and if was a‘good halfhour, if not longer, before. they found themselves near enough to make out the enemy, man by man, and arrange the attack, subject to contingencies. They found the savages all awake, and preparing » for a move, Lily-pad was sitting up in her litter, with her hands ‘tied, though her feet secmed to be free. The Mohawk chief sat connicloooks. conn