Beadle's Dime Novels No. 97: The Doomed Hunter — page 79: what you’re looking at

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

AGAIN IN OAPTIVITY. 81 from the Indians, they complied, and were exultingly seized by their captors, who raised a note of recall to their searching brethren. Very soon a dozen zealous savages had gathered about the party. They were in raptures over the result of their search, for they had not only secured the pale maiden of whom they were in pursuit, but the young man whom their brothers were looking for. As in all matters of like moment, guards were placed over the prisoners, while a coun- cil was held. The only question which arose was, whether to search for the other party, or repair at once to their village. The latter counsel prevailed. They would take the cap- tives home with them, and when Elk’s Foot and his compan- ions returned, weary and crestfallen, they would rejoice and_ boast over them, producing the two captives which they had taken, while the son of a chief searched in vain. Having reached this conelusion, six men were deployed to scour for game, and look for any signs of their companions. The remainder, escorting the prisoners, moved in a_ body, traveling rapidly till near sunset, when they stopped upon the margin of a large natural pond, which had been appoint- ed as a place of rendezvous. No sooner had they halted. than Ralph and his companion were bound, and firmly lashed to stout saplings. At first,the ~- thoughts of an informal auto da fé were very naturally upper- most; but these were speedily dissipated. by the movements of the Indians. Having secured their captives, fishing-tackle _of every description was produceé@, and with spear and “hook, the finny inhabitants of the pond were assailed. The greedy savages waited not for culinary process, or ceremony. Every luckless fish which fell into their power was stripped of the most unpalatable portions, sliced up, and swallowed with a eer which shocked the more civilized witnesses. At length one, more considerate or with less. appetite than his fellows, brought a small slice to each of the priso - after which he resumed his seat in the sorties te till ,, ' Jast morsel had Seacrest cols as Se _ Having disposed of thei ropes which held the y ison ~ lying down, then threw t emsel 2 earth,and silence reigned over the vast forest. i 4 4 Comicbooks-comy