Beadle's Dime Novels No. 97: The Doomed Hunter — page 81: what you’re looking at

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

WEARY AND WORN. ) ' $3 Slowly the day wore away. Hungry, weary and scarce able ' to stand, the heroic Nancy toiled along, almost ready to stop and meet grim death itself, rather than drag her sinking frame further toward a fate—she knew not how fearful it might be— she shuddered and sickened at the very thought. Only the occasional words which Ralph found opportunity to utter, cheered her desponding heart. So long as he hoped, she felt . it wroug to quite give way to despair. Just before dusk they entered the Indian town again. A gloom, as of death, fell over the maiden’s spirits—if gloom could be said to cast a shadow over despair. Up to this mo- ment a faint thought had haunted her mind that they might — escape or be rescued before reaching the village. But now even this undefined hope fled. Ralph noticed her mood, and managing to slip near her side, he muttered : “ We shall have all the night to get away in—what more could we ask ?” “You no say anyfing !” shouted one of the Indians, brandish- ing a hatchet, ashe sprung toward Ralph. “ You come wid me!” He grasped the prisoner by the arm, and dragged him to the ~ other side of the party. Then, assuming an air of grandeur - and importance, the braves stalked forward, paying no atten- tion to the rushing squaws and young Indians, who crowded — about to see the prisoners, aud clamored for their instant: torture. a Presently the old chief, Wolf-Slayer, appeared. The entire procession stopped at his approach, and waited in silence for his will to be made known. ‘The old hunter ran his eyes over the group. They lighted up perceptibly when he saw the pale, pain-marked features of Nancy Andrews, and a grunt of satisfaction escaped his lips. But when he saw Ralph, and especially when he noticed the look of coolness and daring upon the oat hunter’s face, the brows of the old Indian contracted, and he turned fiercely upon his heel. Calling one of the warriors to his side, the twain conversed several moments, earnestly. Having satisfied his feelings the old chief hurrie ay, and the party was not long in gaining the midst of the town. Here they scarcely paused, half a dozen of tlie savages leading 4 Ccomiclhooks.conn - ‘a! me