Beadle's New Dime Novels: The Specter Chief — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

18 THE PHANTOM CHIEP. “citement: When free from any particular engagement, he “sliom mingled with those of his class, but wandered about, or sat apart, busy with some internal s»urce of dis- quiet, which, at such seasons, seemed to amonnt to abso lute torment. — Any enterprise which called forth all his energies was eagerly embraced by him; and he appeared ‘to’ relieve himself from his mental uneasiness only by the fiercest exertions, Whence he came, or what the cause ‘of his peculiarities, remained a subject of inquiry amongst his acquaintances. An incautious trader once ventured ‘a jesting hint upon some inadvertent expression of Butler, ‘and the terrible violence which followed had served asa protection against similar experiments. et, although ‘thus vindictive and even savage when fully roused, he was not unfrequently tender, and kind to a degree unusual ‘amongst his rugged companions. Bat he was everywhere trented with respect, for few of tlie most desperate would have lightly provoked a contest with this singular youth. With no fixed pursuit, he roamed wherever there was « promise of adventure. Lately a spy and ranger, he was aow on his way to mark some of the choicest vacant land acar the new Kentucky stations. ‘+ He had been sitting on the cabin roof, inattentive to the amusements of his fellow-voyagers, b-ing absorbed in the ol struggle with his invisible enemy. An observer would have shuddered at the demoniae seow! which darkened his nhysiognomy just before he sprang from his position in the manner above related. The knife which glittered ia his grasp as he thrust himself between the contending par- ties, was drawn before he even knew of the rising quar- rel. Inthe fury of passion he hai turned quickly towart | the bow of the. boat, when his eye caught the scene velow; and his face yet glowed with the pent-up fire ot ois anger, as he uttered the threat which turned the atten- ticn of all upon himself. - After witnessing the-success of his interference, he re- sreated toward the afterpart of the boat, with the desiga f ugain secluding himself from the rest of the compiny __ Lis manner was subdued, and reaction seemed to be tik, 7 CcommiclooOolks.eonn)