Rocky Mountain Sam — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

eae ROCKY MOUNTAIN SAM. and then paused a moment wrapped in profound thought. He then went closer to the captive, and said, in a low voice: ‘Sam-—Sam Coolcard, you know already the price at which I will not only set you at hberty, but reward you well.” ‘What!’ cried Sam, indignantly; ‘‘do you dare make that proposition again to me? You still think to force me into being your ally in luring the Prairie Blossom from her father’s home? Out upon you, villain—coward!” ‘Then you die!” y ‘You dare not.” ‘Ay, I dare anything. You know the whole Blackfeet tribe are at my feet. You know how they hate you more than any other American. A word from me, and you will be burnt alive where you stand.” : ‘“‘T say again, you dare not leave me to their mercies.” “Well, wherefore—wherefore? since you carry it so bravely.” “Because,” and the young man lowered his voice, mean- ingly, ‘‘because the aged woman whom you have sought so long, and with a devotion which would do credit to your head and heart anywhere, were you not otherwise so vile, lives, and the secret of her whereabouts is locked in the breast of Big Horn, who is my friend.” A spasm of emotion shook the other’s frame, and for a moment he made no reply. “My poor mother,” he murmured,in a broken voice. ““And you will assure me where to find her if I set you free?” | “No; I cannot do that; but I’ll assure you that you never will find her unless you set me free.” . “That will not do. You know that Big Hornis my im- placable foe, even more than yourself.” The Indians, who had been impatiently standing apart during this interview, now became clamorous for its discon- tinuance, and the imperious command of their leader could not altogether keep them back. Evenas he spoke to them, a tomahawk hurtled over his shoulder and buried itself just above the captives head. | “They are exasperated even beyond my control,” whis- pered Firefoot; ‘‘but speak but the word—promise your aid in running off the Prairie Blossom—and I will save you at the risk of my ownlife. Do you promise?” (> (e(@) eom ebooks mn