Beadle's New Dime Novels, No. 49 — page 59: what you’re looking at

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

THE PERILS OF THE PRAIRIE. 63 i Sars suddenly caught the report of a gun, followed by a flerce, Bavage yell. They came to a sudden halt beneath thc low ‘Grooping branches of an elm tree and listened, and they could Still hear a savage confusion some distance away. “ What do you think the trouble is, Egypt ?” asked Mabel. “Dunno, Miss Mapel, ’zactly, but vinks dar’s somebody In trubble. Jis’ like ’s not sum ob our frien’s, Miss Mapel. ‘Bpects dis nigger better go see and help friend.” “Yes, Egypt, go,” said Mabel, “I will remain under this Wee until you return.” “ Dat’s right, Miss Mapel; Ill be back soon,” and the dar- turned and glided into the undergrowth. Mabel sat down at the foot of the tree, around which the heavy branches and adjacent undergrowth formed a covert im which to hide from the eyes of an enemy if such might hap- Pen to pass near. She closed her eyes to reflect over the past twenty-four hours which to her seemed like au age, and thus reflecting she fell into a gentle doze. Presently she awoke, &nd instantly became conscious that she was gazing at two beautiful tiny sparks of fire upon the ground before her. What is it? she asked herself, and attempted to put out her -hand and touch it. But, her limb was motionless. She at- tempted to rise but she could not, nor could she move her €yes from those tiny sparks before her, that kept up a gentle, Swaying motion—now receding almost beyond sight, then advancing so close that they seemed Jike sparks of living light. Suddenly a horrible reality rushed across Muabel’s Those tiny specks were its eyes, back of which she could see the dark outlines of its body, coiled, fold upon fold, upon it- telf with horrible precision. Time after time she attempted © rise or cry out and break the horrible spell, but her efforts Were fruitiess. She covld not move her eyes from those tiny orbs that were darting their rays of diabolical enchant- Ment into her very soul. Beautiful colors flashed before her, &nd a sound like the distant song of the siren fell upon her Cars. She seemed floating on the air—floating, floating, de- Spite her efforts, into the very fangs of the serpent, whose Tm appeared to be magnified a hundred fold. But, sud- aly, a dark form sprangin between her and the snake, and CconmiclooOolks.conn