Rocky Mountain Sam — page 45: what you’re looking at

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

_ 36 ROCKY MOUNTAIN SAM. Big Horn and a number of others had already provided themselves with mounts in a similar way, and the return to the ranch was wearily but leisurely taken up. ‘““Good Heaven! how many of our own poor fellows must be laid low,” exclaimed Chapman. ‘‘We must make all haste, and take care of the wounded. ‘Thank Heaven for my early surgical training, for it will stand many a poor fellow in good stead now; and the women at the house will do their best.’ At this moment, however, a man who had ridden consid- erably in advance, and had attained a little rise of ground commanding a view of the ranch, uttered a cry of dismay, and came galloping back at full speed. ‘‘Colonel,” he cried, ‘‘Miss Mollie—the Prairie Blossom peeugs tuk prisoner by Firefoot single-handed, as sure as a oun!” | The colonel at first turned pale. and then forced a laugh. How could it be? “Impossible. You’re looney!” he exclaimed, angrily. “Look fur yourself, then,” said the informant, sullenly. ‘-W hile we was givin’ chase, he’s been and stole inter the house all by hisself, an’ grabbed the gal.” Without a word the whole party pushed on to the summit of the hill. A single glance served:to verify the truth of - what had been reported. Lhe Prairie Blossom was a captive. CHAPTER V._ THE PRAIRIE BLOSSOM A CAPTIVE, Before the cock began to crow ‘We made our early meal, : And by the torches’ trembling glow We armed ourselves with steel. While wintry thoughts around us fell Like blossom-showers in June, For weal or woe we bade farewell At setting of the moon. Upon a ridge about a mile beyond the ranch was plainly outlined against the brilliant sky the form of the renegade chieftain, seated upon his powerful horse, and holding before him over the saddle bow a graceful, motionless figure, clad - ¢€oO Eomicboo cS