Beadle's New Dime Novels, No. 49 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

32 THORKPATH, THE TRAILER; OR, heayily to the ground, Before he could rise, a dozen of the Bloux were upon him, binding him band and foot _Thornpath knew by the yells of the red 2emons that Har- cael was Captured, and, dodging in his pursuit, he crawled back to within a few yards of where a score of them were standing over his young friend. He was sorely tempted to dash ont and attempt his rescue, but upon reflection he saw that the odds were too powerful for him alone. However, be would wait and watch his chance to strike when the red- skins were off their guard. Being well versed in the Indian tongue, he soon learned the disposition that was to be made of his friend. While some of them were in favor of braining him on the spot, others and the majority were in favor of conveying him up the Black Channel and then given up to public torture; and, ag the majority rules in all assemblies, so it did upon this occa sion, and immediate preparations were made for departure. The name of Black Channel sounded ominous enough in the old Trailer’s ears, for some dark Indian legend was eon- nected with it which tradition has failed to chronicle. But it had had been the custom, from time immemorial, that, when a | captive was taken within a hundred miles of the channel, he was borne thither and conveyed up its course in a small canoe before being put to death. With his hands and feet still bound, Frank was placed in a canoe upon the water. The old Trailer crawled down almost to the brink, and, by listening and watching, fonnd how all had arranged themselves in the canoe. In the prow a sixgle savage had seated himself, to act as pilot. Next to him was Frank; then his guard, a herculean-looking fellow, who sat with his tomahawk in one hand while the other rested upon the captive’s shoulder. Next to the guard were the two oars men, » Much to his delight, the old Trailer found that these four savages were all that were to be sent in charge of Frank, the others being sent away to continue the search for the Serpent Trail, who,at the very moment, was ensconced within hearing of their plans. In a few minutes the boat started on its laborious journey up the dark and gloomy cliannel, closely and silently followed by the shadowy form of the old Trailer, whose wind wax now conmiclooolkks.conn