Beadle's Dime Novels No. 97: The Doomed Hunter — page 84: what you’re looking at

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

86 THE DOOMED HUNTER. e —of his own doom—of the terrible tragedy at Forest Valley, decided him again. — fee With a quick spring he half gained his feet, at the same time grasping the Indian’s throat with both hands, and hurl- ing him to the ground. Of course the savage was utterly un- prepared for any such movement as this, and before he realized what strange chance had befallen him, found himself prone upon the earth, with a vice-like grasp upon his throat. The Indian made a desperate effort to free himself, but his at- tempts were perfectly useless so far as regaining his owr free- dom was concerned. The bulkier white weighed him down like the phantom of some horrible nightmare. The only re- sult to be feared was the awakening of the sleeping guard, who began to move uneasily. Not a moment's time was to be lost. Ralph steadily tightened his grasp, hoping to force the one beneath him into a lasting quietude before the other should rouse up. But that was not to be. ‘The sleeper opened his eyes, and taking in by intuition the state of affairs, sprung to his feet, with a ~ loud yell. One less cool and quick-thoughted than Ralph would have been lost at once. Nothing but the promptest action saved his life for a moment, Relaxing his grasp upon the one he held, the young hunter sprung toward the gun, which still leaned d against the wall. The owner made a similar move at the same moment, but found himself staggering away from the effect of a stunning blow delivered by the young ranger. Before he could recover himself the latter had possession of the weapon, and was giving a quicting stroke to the second savage, who had made a boodtless attempt to rise from the ground. The contest was now between man and man,the white having the advantage of being armed. The other, however, was making vigorous use of his lungs, and in a very short time would bring down the whole body of Indians to his as- sistance. Hither and thither the red-man sped, avoiding two or three heavy blows which the white aimed at him, and con- tinuing to make night hideous with his cries. Of course such a contest must end, sooner or later; and, after several futile efforts, Ralph succeeded in peta ay, ‘dows =a ie i ee