José — page 96: what you’re looking at

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

JOSE. 89 general equipment, until a large canteen of steam- ing coffee, a slice of buffalo roast, and a tin plate of baked beans were set before him, when a new peculiarity in the man began to manifest itself. His left hand appeared to be crippled and was com- pletely bandaged with a broad strip of buckskin. Notwithstanding this, he handled the fork, which he somehow fixed between the strips, with complete ease, and meat, beans, and coffee disappeared in a manner that proved that he had not exaggerated his statement that he was hungry. At last, witha nod to the wagon-boss who was sitting near him, he pushed the utensils aside, drew forth a tobacco pouch and a pipe—which latter he stuffed with re- markable dexterity with his right hand—and was soon blowing puffs of smoke into the air with evi- dent gusto. “So, now go on with your questions,” he said, with an air of comfort, “and by way of thanks, VU tell you all that’s in my old noddle.” The sun had disappeared some time, and had been succeeded by the dusk: of a moonlit night. Green and Baumann, upon their arrival, had been witnesses of the closing portion of the conversation, and the former had been quietly engaged in a con- sultation with the wagon-boss while the stranger was devouring his supper. At this juncture the fire was replenished and the strange visitor appeared to the eyes of the observers in the brilliant glow of the crackling blaze. “Just tell us what you have to say in your own way,” said the wagon-boss, in reply to the last re- mark of the stranger. “I reckon that’s all we’ll get out of you, anyway.” ; “There’s certainly considerable sense in the sup- Eomichbooks (E(0)