The Prairie Detective: Secret Service Series No. 24 — page 113: what you’re looking at

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

_ THE PRAIRIE DETECTIVE. 111 imagined, of course, that Robinson had escaped dur- ing the fight of the night previous, and had tracked her down for the purpose of handing her over to the tender graces of Persimmon Bill. But the man soon explained the position in which he stood, and the apparent understanding which ex- isted between himself and Vixen helped to convince Hsther that he spoke the truth. It was now nearly twelve o’clock, and neither of them had tasted food since the night previous. Fortunately Robinson had in his pocket some bits of jerked venison, and on this they breakfasted fru- gally before starting on their return journey. When they. had finished their meal they looked about them for Vixen. She was nowhere to be seen. Both were astonished at the discovery of her ab-— sence, but soon reassured themselves by finding that her tracks led back over the trail they had come over. The pair now started to return toward the place where Ryan and Sycamore Dan had been left. They followed the old trail some distance, when a new thought seemed to strike Robinson, who branched off suddenly to the right, bidding Esther follow him. She did so obediently, but soon asked an explanation of this new freak. Her conductor turned to her with a knowing look upon his face. “You probably noticed, as we came along,’ he said, ‘‘that the ground was soft, and that we lefta very plain trail behind us?”’ “Yes. What of it?” “Well, we are now working to higher ground. After a few more paces we shall be on a stony ledge where we shall leave no signs. Then we shall double on our pursuers, should any of the band fol- Eomicbooks