Beadle's Dime Novels No. 97: The Doomed Hunter — page 55: what you’re looking at

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

BAFFLED. 57 without. But the minutes passed, the straw burned out, and all continued silent. The vigilance of the search was all un- rewarded, and with a crestfallen air Rufus turned to his de- luded followers, “He can’t be here, we must look som’ers else for him,” he said. ‘‘ But he’s som’ers near, and we'll nab him before he can git off.” The searching party bustled out of the house, and were soon scouring about in the vicinity, thinking it possible he might have slipped from the dwelling unobserved. But they found nothing, and, after venting their disappointment in oaths, proceeded into the forest, rather with a hope than any expec- tations of finding him. . When they had gained a safe distance from the house, Ralph | suddenly emerged in the apartment where Stephen and Kate were standing, wondering what had oouite of the person in question. “Where in this world, Ralph, did you hide?” the brother demanded. “I looked to see you hunted down every moment. Did you go up the chimney ?” “ Yes, there was where I went at first. But before I tell you more, get me the knife we spoke of, so that I can be ready to leave at any time.” Though very anxious to hear how his shrewd and daring brother had escaped, Stephen hastened for the weapon, and soon returned with it in his hand. “There is a man beneath one of the windows of this room,’ he said, placing the weapon in Ralph’s hand. “TI think he is left as a spy. I saw him crawling along and en- deavoring’ to peer in; possibly he heard the sound of your voice.” , «That is unlucky,” mused Ralph. “If I attempt to leave he will be certain to follow, and bring down the whole crew upon me. -I think I can fix him. Let me reflect a moment. I must not hurt him—I have no wish to; and yet I can not consent tamely to be hung. I have it, now r : He went to the cupboard, and taking up a tin box, poured a quantity of its contents into his hand. ‘Then he moved to- ward another part of the room, | ’ “Come this way,’ he said, “and I will tell you how I <* COMIC OOO K<SsCOhl