Rocky Mountain Sam — page 218: what you’re looking at

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

~ , = a"; ROCKY MOUNTAIN SAM. | 209 landed,” said the professor, kindly, but firmly. <“‘It is very likely moreover that we will have to engage in one more battle, in support of the troops against the Indians, and it would never do for you to bein the carat such a time.” Big Horn and Rocky Mountain Sam, notwithstanding their disinclination to separate from their lady-loves, joined their voices with the professor in setting forth this asthe wisest course to be pursued, and Mollie at last permitted herself to be persuaded; Fayaway and Mewanee, of course, decided as she did. , The approach of the balloon to the earth had called forth nearly the entire garrison of the fort, the officers and their. wives—there happened to be a good many ladies at the station at this time—coming out of the stockades, and mingling freely with the soldiers, hunters, and Indian hangers-on; and cheer after cheer greeted the aeronauts for some time before they reached the ground. bBut—it being generally understood what the main object of the bal- loon expedition had been—when the car grounded safely upon the green turf, and the quaint old professor handed out Miss Mollie Chapman—the captive restored, the Prairie Blossom, of whom the entire territory was proud—followed by the Indian maidens, the shouts that: shook the welkin might have been heard for miles around. Mollie felt very much embarrassed on account of her shabby appearanee among others of her sex who were well and even eleyantly dressed; but the ladies—many of whom were personal acquaintances who had enjoyed her hospi- tality at the ranch in less ‘‘distressful” times—gathered around her with smiles and greetings, and bore her off to their quarters; at the same time taking care of Fayaway and Mewanee with almost equal consideration. Leaving hiscompanions to entertain their many question- ers with an account of their exploits, old Max sought the headquarters of the commandant, to whom he related every- . thing attending the rescue of Miss Chapman, and announced his intention of seeking Lieutenant Dutton and his com- mand on the following day; all of which the officer highly approved. ‘It is far better that the young lady and her compan- ions should remain here for the present where she can have every comfort,” said he. ‘My wife will take her under her (ele) comicboo! cS