Beadle's New Dime Novels, No. 49 — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

~ 7 THORNPATH, THE TRAILER; OR, “Lookee, do you see that mvund jist ahead ?” the Trail asked, in a whisper. i “Yes; what—” “Tread light onto it—mind.” The mound in question was a slight rise in the ground at rectly in the path before them. Some dead Jeaves and dry twigs were scattered about and upon it, almost hiding it frow view ; yet. it seemed to be a Jardwark quite familiar to th old Trailers eyes, and upon which seemed to rest great eX pectations, for his eyes flashed with an unusual glow, and bis soul seemed to be centering upon a single hope. As they neared the mysterious méund, the Trailers steps became shorter, but quick and elastic ; and when they at last reached it, he whispered to Josiah : “ Jump it, ’Siab.” Simultaneous they both sprung over the mound, and the Savages supposing they were trying to escape, sprung after them in a body, planting their footsteps directly on the little elevation ; but, at. that instant, the earth beneath them gave way, and they sunk down, down, in wild confusion, into 8 dark and gloomy abyss; while the captives, free and triampb- ant, stood unharmed upon its brink. “ Back up here, ’Siah, back up here, and let me ontie yer hands, quick !” said the old Trailer, excitedly. The two hunters placed themselves back to back, thus bring- ing their hands together, and, with some labor, succeeded in releasing their arms. This done, Thornpath turned and looked down into the pit upon the struggling, howling savages. ‘The pit was about ten feet deep by four in width, half filled with green, slimy, stagnated water. The walls above the water were festooned with slimy yellow moss and green aquatic plants, among which wriggied a number of water snakes and bull-frogs—a)together, by sight and sound, making it one of the most direful objects the old Trailer ever wit- To Thornpath, the existence of this pit had been known for more than a year; for a party of hunters, among whom he was leader, had dug it for a bear-trap, and concealed, by laying small sticks and leaves over it, barely sufficient to hold ® thin layer of dirt, which was, also, conceaed from prying Conmcooolks.comn .