Beadle's Dime Novels No. 97: The Doomed Hunter — page 83: what you’re looking at

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

GYMNASTICS. - 85 had failed to loosen the cords. True; there was considerable freedom to his hands, but the knots were most secure. Finally a thought struck him. He had heard of men crawling backward through their arms, with hands tied as were his own, He had eyen attempted it himself, but, thus far, had never succeeded. There was sufficient play to his arms ; possibly he might succeed in the gymnastic operation, and do it without any noise. Both conditions were essential to success. : Placing his hands flat upon the earth, Ralph drew himself up, at @ moment when he was. not observed, and found that the attempt was likely to prove successful. The very slight noise he made drew the attention of the guard, who hastened toward him. But before his eyes could pierce the gloom the prisoner had resumed his motionless posture, only moving his limbs and groaning heavily. The guard watched him for some moments, then turned and slowly paced the narrow apartment. again, keeping his eyes upon the suspicious form. And yet, under all this _ ‘scrutiny, Ralph slipped his hands over his feet, and found those useful members in front of him, where he could proceed to liberate them with his teeth. Se Even this was no trifling task. The knots had been drawn — very tight by his repeated straining upon them, and. in the darkness he could not tell when his efforts were rightly directed. But perseverance and determination finally tri- umphed, and one of his hands was freed. A thrill.of joy passed over his frame as this consummation was reached, and he moved very cautiously along the hard-trodden ground sey- eral inches before attempting to cast off the cord. E He had just thrown aside the ligature, when a sudden im-_ pulse seized the guard, and, running to the spot, he bent over the prisoner. ‘The operation brought his face so close to that of Ralphy that the latter could see the gleaming of. his” eyes, and notice the look of curiosity which mantled his fea- tures. = : In. an instant the captive’s resolution was taken, but before it could be carrie he faltered momentarily. It seemed _ repugnant to his better feelings to act thus treacherously. Only for a moment did he hesitate. The thought of Nancy at, ~ E Comme OOS : =a ;