Beadle's New Dime Novels, No. 49 — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

A THORNPATH, THE TRAILER; OR, Mabel and Aunt Sally back to-morrow. Come; can’t you tell us What became of the other women and children ?” ~“ No, sir,” the child sobbed. “I never saw any of them after I left to swing; but I did see a whole let of Indians _running™about the cabins like they were hunting for some- body.” 7 “*Spect they’ve all been killed,” said the old hunter; “ how- gomever, we'd better go and look about the place for what in- formation we can git. I'll go before, and you bring the boy and follow.” - So saying, the three moved on toward the burning bnild- ings. In a few moments they reached the outskirts of the woods. Before them lay the Post, a heap of glaring coals. Not a living creature was visible—not a sound broke the dead silence save the low wind that whispered continually to the forest-leaves, as though it was telling some deep and awful secret, such ag had never been heard of before! For a few moments the hunters and litle Willie stopped and gazed around them, then they dropped upon their hands and knees und began crawling toward the burning cabins. They had gone but a short distance when they heard the snapping of a twig behind them. Looking back, they beheld, ‘by the sickly glare of the fire, four pale, haggard faces, peer- ‘ing from the undergrowth toward them. They were the faces ,of Arthur Prescott, Aaron Eaton and Frederick Vaughn, who were just returning from their holiday excursion, to find their home in ruins and their families gone, alas, they knew not where. Recognizing the settlers, the hunters arose and advanced toward them. “ Great God, Thornpath !” exclaimed Arthur Prescott, “ what does this all mean ?” “ Treachery ! Ingin deviltry, old friend,” the old Trailer re- plied. “Oh, i’'s my father!” exclaimed little Willie, running for- ‘ward to meet his father. ~ “Thank God! my boy, my Willie, is safe !” the father cried, seizing his child in bis arms, gnd pressing him” to his breast _ Ip a8 Tew words a8 pomsible, Willie related oll hs knew