The Prairie Detective — page 87: what you’re looking at

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

78 THE PRAIRIE DETECTIVE. The men were already prepared for action, and so | only waited for the approach of their prey. | By listening intently they were soon able to dis- cern the footfalls of a horse, coming nearer and nearer, with a long, loping stride. Then the noise ceased for a moment. ‘Heavens! He has taken fright,’’ ejaculated Dan, in dismay. As he spoke the wild and mournful cry of a pan- ther was borne upon the wind. ‘“‘Nary fright, old hoss,’’ responded Ryan. ‘‘He’s only signalin’—that’s all. es The scout was an excellent imitator of all wild ~ animals, and the reverberations of Robinson’s voice had scarcely died away when he uttered a similar noise. Then the sound of the horse’s hoofs were heard again for afew moments, but moving slower and with more caution than before. In a short time they ceased, and the quick, short bark of the prairie-dog followed the halt. ‘‘He’s feelin’ his way,’’ observed Ryan, signifi- - cantly, at the same time repeating the sound. Shortly afterward the watchers were able to hear the approaching horse’s every step, and when the third halt came they could make out the dim out- lines of beast and rider in the darkness. ‘Dick Hatfield!’’ were the words, spoken in low but distinct tones. ‘‘Are you there?” “Tam,’’ responded Dan, in a voice which was a tol- erably fair imitation of the man who was lying bound and gagged in camp. ‘Come nearer,’’ he continued; ‘‘the coast is clear.” — Robinson urged his horse forward within .a few — paces of the detective. But the night was so black comicboo