Rocky Mountain Sam — page 192: what you’re looking at

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

— ROCKY MOUNTAIN SAM. 153 upon the objects of our search—upon Firefoot and his cap- tives, you know—it might be worth his pardon.” “I’m afraid the men of our command would not listen to saving his life,” said young Dutton, doubtfally. Indeed, the hunters who had heard the proposition already began to grumble in a menacing manner. Sam thereupon appealed to Big Horn, who, after having enchanged a hand- clasp and greeting, had remained standing silently near, well knowing that his opinion would be the same as the law laid down. ‘‘l’ve knowed Rube Tenyck nigh onter ten year,” said the great hunter, slowly, “‘an’ though he’s as mean’s askunk in a tar barrel, I kin put my fin on a dozen white men jist as mean in this ere territory. An’ I say as how he ain't wuth hangin’, if you kin make anything’ outer him by savin’ his life. If he kin an’ will tell all the roostin’ places of Fire- foot, why then we kin keep him under guard, an’ if he tells a square story, his life orter be spared. ‘hem’s my opinions.” He cast a glare around him as he pronounced these words, and it is needless to say there was no more dissent- ing among the hunters. ‘‘Suppose we cross-examine our prisoner,’ said Dutton, ‘cand see what he has to say. Sam, you and Big Horn, the professor and myself will draw apart and constitute our- selves into a drumhead Court of Inquiry. Come along. Come, Professor Max ; the balion is secured, is it not ?” They drew apart to the summit of a little grassy knoll, and Rube was brought before them forthwith. Overjoyed at a prospect of saving his neck, he gave them a full de- scription of the. whereabouts and nature of Firefoot’s hid- ing-places in which he would be most likely to secrete and imprison his captives. Notes were taken by both Dutton and Max, and the nature of these fastnesses will be un- | folded to the reader in the course of the further adventures of the balloon. Suffice it to say that it was definitely agreed that Dutton and his party should remain where they were, preparing for every defense in case of an attack, while the professor and his experienced assistants should prosecute all further ~ explorations over the heads of the intervening hostile hordes. | a4 In due time the balloon was reballasted and provisioned | Eomicboo cS (elo)