A Silver Brand — page 159: what you’re looking at

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

A SILVER BRAND, 151 him anywhere on the island, and I hain’t seen him since supper time last night.” At this information there rose a little murmur of in- quiry and dissent. | | * What was the man like?” asked Nat. “I’m a poor hand at describin’ folks, but -he was an ugly looking chap, and you never got a square look out of him, as I remember, not giving much thought, you know, except for the fishing. He said his name was Jack Robin- son, which might be, and might not. Hillo!” He said this asa man shoved himself in view from be- hind the ledge. “There he is—there’s the fellow now. Where in the world has he come from ?” Gin ce ) Robinson, who was the same man who had watched Nat. that day upon the shore with such malignant eyes, came along whistling, his hat pulled down low upon his forehead. _ No sooner had the taxidermist’s eyes fallen upon him than he turned himself about. “Watch him without allowing him to suspect your sus- picions,” said he to Urban Foss, and calling- Paul, he leaped into his own boat and took up the oars, taking care not to turn his face to Robinson’s view. As soon as Paul Foss joined him he pushed off. ‘“‘T don’t see how one man. could, spirit away those two girls without a single warning cry,” said Paul, looking down gloomily into the water.’ | es Nat did not answer. -He was. rowing with fierce energy, his forehead knit into. a heavy frown, his eyes troubled, his lips pressed together grimly. | “T almost wish I had staid to question the fellow,” spoke Paul again. | Upon which Nat roused himself. ‘You should have said so. For myself I was very anx- ious to get away. I know the man, and a more hardened, brutal wretch does not exist. I knocked him down once, | and spoiled a thieving, murderous project of his. If he * had any object he would be just the man for such a black - deed as this. I donot want him to recognize me, but I shall take care that he is watched closely, though I con- fess my suspicions do not point to him.” “Have you the slightest suspicion in any quarter?” questioned Paul, anxiously. “I confess I have not.” — Nat shook his head, but the frown grew deeper. “T think I shall leave you to state the circumstances to the justice,” he said, presently. “I shallrun myself in the GComichboo “S (Efe)