Beadle's Frontier Series #25: Indian Jim—A Tale of the Minnesota Massacre — page 86: what you’re looking at

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

INDIAN JIM. 2 are es IN CLOSE QUARTERS. As IT was very tsb aiste that the utmost speed and en- durance of the horses would be needed ere nightfall, our friends wisely concluded to husband their strength. Ac- _ cordingly; as they rode out from the wood, it was upon a moderate walk. The Sioux had taken his position in the front of the wagon, directly beside Uncle John, who man- - aged the reins with the skill of a veteran at the business. The Indian stood upon his feet continually, his black, rest- less eyes flitting hither and thither, on the constant alert for danger. '- The artist rode beside the wagon, close to where Maggie oe was seated, Since the reunion of the evening before, he . had manifested a strong preference for her society. She, upon her part, seemed unusually grave and thoughtful. The appalling dangers that had constantly threatened them, had, for the time, driven all gayety from her disposition. Occasionally, the odd humor of Uncle John would peeg out in some remark, and, at rare intervals, the sharp wit and silvery laugh of Marian were heard. But these were only spasmodic reactions of a genial temperament, pressed _ down by doubt and gloom. The faces of all were sad and thoughtful. Marian and young Brainerd entered into a conversation at one side of the wagon, while Maggie and the artist did _ the same upon the opposite. | “What is° your opinion of the Minnesota Indians in general?” asked Maggie, with a sly look at her friend. ° “TI think there ate a confounded lot of vagabonds among -. them, at any rate.” — “Don’t you think the majority are bad men?” ome z “Well, I don’t know. Can’t say but what I do,” he an- 5. Swered, with a emiling reluctance. 2 “You are disappointed, then, in what you fancied them to ~~ be? Come, now, be frank, and say what you really think.” _. “Yes, Maggie, I admit that I am; but I still do not de- = . Spair of finding some noble specimens among them.” as You express a great admiration for the Indian char- acter,” continued Maggie, with a fluent earnestness that _ strprised ne one more than herself. “Do you admire it ; enough to endeavor to elevate and improve it? .Could you forsake the comforts of civilization, to live and preach to ay : those dying heathen?” ey s Viz 4 . a pT ge . >i ri - +3 le, A ech neneeweverray eee © think it would be better if some one should iret. ar ieee | com C JOOKS