José — page 44: what you’re looking at

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

JOSE, 37 to his brothers and then you can tell me what you want.” He opened the gate of the rear portion of the stockade, filled with nearly three hundred loose mules; relieved the captive animal of its lasso and halter, and with a slap on the back sent it to join its fellows. “Now, then, what is it?” he asked, tipping his hat upon his right ear. “Nothing except that I wish you to secure me employment with the train and allow me to be with you on your trip across the plains.” “Oho!” replied the freighter, slowly returning over the road to the lodging-house. “Well, my boy, I may just as well tell you now that I’ve nothing to do with the hiring——” + “But you are Dutch Bill, and a word from you to the wagon-boss will do more than a recommenda- tion from the owner himself!” exclaimed the boy, eagerly. ““You are Dutch Bill!’” said the other, mockmg the words; “that’s all well enough. Everybody knows me and wherever I go there’s fun. Nobody gives up when Dutch Bill’s in the lead, even when the wagons stick in the mud to the hubs, and no- body cares though there’s not a drop o’ water to drink for three days—none to be had for love or money—and it may be true, as you say, that Dutch Bill is known to everybody in Utah and California, Oregon and Santa Fe—but what o’ that? Do you think I’m going to the wagon-boss and tell him, either give this cub herea job or Dutch Bill will quit?” “Oaracho! You area bear who expects to have his ears scratched, but that Pll not do except to a Eomichbooks (E(0)