Beadle's Dime Novels No. 97: The Doomed Hunter — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

84 THE DOOMED HUNTER. Ralph away, while as many took another direction with Nancy. The young man endeavored to follow her with his eyes, but in this he was unsuccessful, and very soon he realized that they were separated again, perhaps forever. The young man was conducted again to the strong cabin he had occupied upon his former sojourn. There was an un- pleasant look of familiarity about it, every thing appearing as it had done when he was placed there before, save that ample precautions had been taken to aa his escape by the same method. Very soon, too, he discovered that he was to be more close- ly guarded than formerly. Two fresh braves, whom he had not seen before, were conducted to the hut, and very strict or- ders given them in the jargon of their people. Knowing that nothing could be accomplished at present, Ralph composed himself to sleep, and for some hours was quite oblivious to all that passed in the cabin. It was dark when he awoke, so dark that for some minutes he was unable to make out the presence of his gloomy-hued guards. At length, a cat-like movement gave him a clue, and he was enabled to trace the movement of a dusky form across the cabin, and back again to his side. He noticed that the savage moved about uneasily, as though struggling between duty and inclination. Presently he bent over the recumbent form of his compan- ion, and they changed places, the relieved guard setting his gun carelessly against the wall, and throwing himself beside it upon the floor. The new sentinel bent over and satisfied himself that the prisoner was sleeping, then walked once or twice across the cabin, before taking up his station. Ralph had noticed every disposition and movement as perfectly as. the yery uncertain light would permit, and his heart began to swell with hope once more. It was a desperate move, certainly, but. the pri Pe Cae for himself and Naney—justified any reasonable risk, and he began to consider how he should gain the end he sought. The gun of a sleeping guard stood almost within his reach. The other sentry was careless, and supposed his charge fast locked in slumber. So much was to his advantage. To offset—his | arms were bound behind his back, and all his efforts thus far eohipichooks.com ag