José — page 184: what you’re looking at

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

JOSE. 177 observed, descending the gently sloping bank. “The sand is lying on the surface of the water and will only support a weight that is quick to move—there,” he added, his eyes directed toward the ground; “the whole tribe that was camped around the fort has crossed, as I surmised—women, children, and all.” | He walked across with a quick, active step, fol- lowed by his companions in the same manner. The opposite bank was easily ascended, and after a careful examination of the ground the guide divested himself of his game-bag and rifle. “Having found the trail, we can take our break- fast,” he said; “we shall be up with them before nightfall.” : A quantity of dry buffalo chips, that covered the ground about, was quickly gathered and ignited; the necessary tin vessels were produced from the knapsacks, and with the largest of these Bob re- turned to the river, dug a hole in the sand and filled it with water that welled forth in a crystal stream. Coffee was soon prepared, a Welsh corn-cake steam- ing in a tin skillet, and without further delay the three applied themselves to the frugal viands before them. Not until he had drained a large cup of coffee did Bill turn his attention to aught else; then, while Baumann was contemplating the sky, gorgeously tinged with the first flush of morning, and the hunter sat wrapped in sullen thoughts, he began examining the Indian trail, plainly visible in the low, trampled grass. “It’s plain that they came from the direction of the fort. You can trace the trail by their tent-poles which dragged behind,” he said, thoughtfully; “but the fortis at least two day’s travel distant, ‘and it Gomichboo cS (E(0) m