Detective Bob Bridger — page 99: what you’re looking at

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

92 DETECTIVE BOB BRIDGER. “‘T at once assured him that I could do so. “A time was set for my departure for the stable, aiid secreting my diamonds about me, I entered the waiting palangquin, and bade the sturdy blacks who bore it, and the score of relief bearers and servants, who formed my retinue, to proceed. “It was evening when I reached the stable, and accom- panied by the rajah’s chief groom, I at once visited the ailing horse. ‘Informing the chief groom that it would be necessary to keep the swollen leg tied about with a bandage saturated with ointment for a number of hours ere the operation might be attempted, I prepared a simple balsam, and bade the stablemen bind it carefully about the diseased limb. “T was then shown where I was to lodge in the chief groom’s bungalow, and was afterward served with a relish- able meal. ‘‘T then requested that the finest animals in the rajah’s stable should be shown to me. “T spoke of the grandly bred horses of England, inti- mated that I was an enthusiast in horseflesh, and that nothing suited me better than a swift gallop in the evening air. ‘“ And, finally, I requested that a particularly fine and spirited horse, which the chief groom showed me, should be saddled that I might enjoy a canter upon his back. “The rajah’s chief horseman was delighted at my knowl- edge of horseflesh and the interest and praise I lavished upon his stable, for I had promised that, on my return to the palace, I would commend him highly to his royal mas- ter. ‘He was only too willing that I should mount the noble steed I had desired saddled, but as the blacks led forth the fiery animal, he feared that so aged aman as myself had better mount a less fractious horse. ‘His fear I offset by assuring him that, old though I was, | was an expert rider, and that the high mettle shown by the restless and prancing steed suited me exactly. ‘‘He then pointed out to me the direction I might safely ride, and cautioned me against going far upon the road leading from the edge of the plain, as it was coming night, and I might become lost in the jungle, and a prey to wild beasts. ‘I assured him that I would heed his advice, and while the sturdy blacks exerted all their powers to hold | steady ; id ot Be ae ® * Pt . ’ - « od . wy : | J / . fre Ye 'y ¢ EomicpooKsS.com | i fs |} ww Ww EEE - ** at (Pas, 5 : i OF Ay