Beadle's New Dime Novels, No. 49 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

> ~- ‘*> 26 THORNPATH, THE TRAILER ; O8, they might be énabled to assist their friends, had they not all been massacred, they pressed on. They were nearing the outskirte of tle Woods, a few rods from which the Post was located. when the old hunter came to an abrupt halt, and throwing up his hand significant of silence, he exclaimed in am undertone: _ “Hark! didn’t you hear a voice ?” CHAPTER IV. TWO WOMEN. Tue Post was a small setilement situated on a lovely prairie, some thirty miles east of Fort Des Moines. It had formerly been a trading-post for the Indians, and the rendezvous of number of hunters and trappers, and was surrounded by a strong stockade, in the center of which was built a commodi- ous and substantial block-house; but as the Indians were then at peace, these defensive features became neglected and finally out of repair. _ In the course of time, four families named Prescott, Vanghn, Stump and Eaton, cante from the East, and, attracted by the fertility of the soil, settled down in the vicinity of the Post. The prosperity that follows ip the wake of industry attended the settlers in their agricultural pursuits; yet, unknown to themselves, their sticcess was watched with a jealous eye by the dusky denizens of the forest, who came often to the settlement to barter their burbaric goods for corn, four and thisat Among the bright attractions of the Post, was Mabel Pies- cott, a maiden of some eighteen summers, with dark-brewn eyes and chestnut ringlets. More than one savage eye looked upou her with the true Indian admiration, and more than one While Lunter’s heart had been Jed captive by ber charms; but there was one only with whose heart ber own be “unison, and that was Frank Harwood. Yet Mabel had a and gentle Way of treating all friends, which many mie R-< commicloolks.coln)