José — page 182: what you’re looking at

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

JOSE. 175 fall into the hands of the Indians, but I couldn’t rest for the thoughts that troubled me, and now—is it indeed as serious as I have been led to believe?” “We'll talk of that later,” rejoined the old hunter; “the question now is: are you strong enough and bold enough to encounter the dangers that are be- fore us?” Bill interrupted the speaker by seizing his slouch hat and dashing it on the ground with startling energy. “Say that again, and right here I’ll put a bullet through my carcass!” he shouted. “But I suppose Iought to keepmum. After what has passed I’ve got no right to complain about anything.” “TI meant no harm,” Bob quietly observed; “I have seen whites, strong as giants, fall by the way side, for the prairie air is a strange agent; and when a man’s strength fails, his courage follows as a natural consequence.” “But I have my strength back,” vehemently pro- tested Bill, taking his hat from the ground; “and as for my courage, T’ll show you when the time comes.” “Very well,” replied the hunter, witha nod. “I only wished to let you know that we have a weary night’s tramp before us, and that we must be about it without delay. If you are ready to go with us and share our dangers you are welcome. My pur- pose is to visit the redskins at their home and look after our friends of the train.” Bill shouldered his rifle and placed his hat on his head with one motion. “Get up! G’long!” he exclaimed, as though flourishing his quirt over the backs of his mules, Gomichbooks (E(e)