Rocky Mountain Sam — page 106: what you’re looking at

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

- ROCKY MOUNTAIN SAM. 97 and geese—the dead ones, of course; we'll furnish them with a pleasant surprise.” 3 Sam did as he was requested, and a shout of pleasure arose from the hunters as the plump birds came tumbling down among them. ‘he enemy are preparing to attack you; beware!” called out the professor. ‘‘We can see them almost as wellas you. We are ready,” was the reply. | Lhe Indians, who had relied upon being able to crush the whites at a single blow, by sheer force of overwhelm- ing numbers upon the open plain, were somewhat taken aback by a course of strategy that not only protected two flanks and the rear of the hunters, but rendered an attack in full force impossible. Nevertheless, Firefoot, their chief, could be observed riding energetically among them; and presently about seventy-five warriors, six abreast, moved at a sharp trot upon the little hill, sending forth a volley of bullets and arrows as they advanced, while the hunters— who had dismounted, leaving their horses out of harm’s way among the rocks — coolly awaited their approach, crouching behind their temporary shelter of logs, and re- serving their fire. | ‘“‘T see Firefoot, but not the Prairie Blossom, his captive,” said Sam. ‘‘I suppose he’s hid her away in the rocks some- where to wait the upshot of the scrimmage. By crackie! If we could only find out the place and yank her right ont behind their backs, wouldn’t it be a joke!” “T reckon the renegade has taken pretty good precau- tions against that,” said the old man. ‘‘Hallo! the fight’s commenced. Lower away there, and bust open some of them sand-bags!” The hunters reserved their fire until they could count the streaks of war-paint upon their enemy’s faces, and then poured in volley after volley from their breech-load- ers with tremendous effect; while the Indians were still further discommoded by clouds of fine sand and alkali dust being filtered into their eyes from above, as well as by some very tall sharp-shooting on the part of the aero- nauts. , «Keep the dance up!” yelled Big Horn, springing upon the rough rampart, emptying his revolver with swift-suc- ceeding shots, and almost at the same instant, sending a Gomicboo €oO