Beadle's Dime Novels No. 97: The Doomed Hunter — page 63: what you’re looking at

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

A OAS. 65 “ Fire away !” he muttered, darting on with unabated speed. “You can’t shoot without losing time, and while your are blazing away Ill be running !” The truth of this reasoning soon became so apparent to the Iudians that they desisted from firing, and bent. all their energy to the pursuit. Ralph had gained sufficiently during the few moments which had been allowed him, to give him quite a tolerable chance in the race which was to follow. The Indians, however, were never more determined than upon the present occasion, and for miles the race was continued without any apparent advantage to either side. The sayages were more scattered, one or two, and Elk’s Foot led the party, being nearer than at the commencement, while others had fallen back, almost out of sight. Ralph had taken a western route, so that he was making ground in the right direction. Still, he preferred to take his time in making his journey, and to do it without observation. Besides, the long-continued ex- ertion was telling upon his worn frame, and he began to feel the need of at least a short respite. His resolve was soon — taken. He would endeavor to check the progress of his foes. — His rifle had been slung over his back, hut he managed readily to disengage it, and then he looked at the priming as hé ran. It was in perfect order, and without any hesitation he wheeled quickly, placed the barrel beside a sapling to insure it from any tremulous motion, and leveled it at Elk’s Foot, who was in advance, and quite near. : It really seemed hard to take the life of one who had once saved his own, and if Ralph had reasoned more upon the matter his noble soul might have refused to sanction the at- tempt. But he had no time for nice calculations, and with a steady aim he pulled the trigger ! , ere was @ flash—then a report; but the weapon hung éfor a moment. — Elk’s Foot was unharmed, though one of followers, at a consderable distance, was stricken down by e: bute. yas | “So ho!’ he thought, turning to continue his flight. “I might have expected as much. My hand is getting so un- steady that I can’t even shoot—that doesn’t argue well for my getting clear of this yelling tribe. Possibly I can load on, a run and not lose ground much, Tl try it.” aie CORMlcloOokK<s.Conn