Beadle's Dime Novels No. 97: The Doomed Hunter — page 62: what you’re looking at

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

64 THE DOOMED HUNTER. produced a hatchet at the same. moment, but béfore it could be drawn back into a striking position, Ralph had grasped . him, and a fierce struggle ensued. | In bulk and physical power the two combatants were quite equally matched—the Indian being a trifle taller, and: not quite so heavily built as his antagonist. The white, however, was much the more supple, and played around the confused _ Indian in his own manner. The latter, although he had probably never grasped that man whom he could not van- quish, and somewhat surprised by the peculiar movements of the hunter, was no mean antagonist. He defied every effort to throw him to the earth, and at times had his hatchet - dangerously free. But Ralph as steadily foiled every attempt to strike on the Indian’s part, and generally gaived some slight advantage in turn. But the contest gave promise of too great duration, and the white resolved upon a bold expedient for ending it. The strugele had occurred upon the bank of the creek, which both had taken care to avoid at first. Now he sprung quickly into the water, drawing the savage after him. The result was what he had anticipated. The tall Indian lost his footing, and with a slight effort Ralph threw him headlong into the stream. While Elk’s Foot was floundering in’ the disturbed flood, the victor sprung quickly to the shore, and started off through the forest at almost lightning speed. He realized that the Indian’s followers were probably near at hand, and discretion - under such circumstances would be more to his. purpose than headlong rashness. He was right in suspecting their proximity, for he had scarcely sped fifty yards upon his course when a shout arose, and looking back he saw that a number of Indians had ap- peared upon the scene of his late struggle with their chief. He had barely time to throw himself bana a tree when t or three guns were discharged, and the balls whistled so Lee ly as to leave no doubt of their fatal effects had he not taken the precaution he did. Much as he would have delighted to return the shots, he had no time for so doing. Gathering ‘all his strength he bounded away, and though other missiles whistled after and about him, none of them came within dangerous Cistanies ~ COnnicooolks.coOnn : ‘ ;