The Prairie Detective: Secret Service Series No. 24 — page 122: what you’re looking at

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

f 120 | THE PRAIRIE DETECTIVE. quivered to indicate life. All nature was as quiet as if wrapped in slumber. Ksther stole quietly over to the bank of the stream and looked in all directions, as if half expecting that every bush and tree hid a lurking foe. She had not realized before what a terrible thing it was to be alone and unprotected in the midst of a wilderness filled with savage Indians and unprincipled white men. In the presence of Robinson, when once as- ured that he meant no mischief, she had not known what fear was. But when thé force of circumstances deprived her of his company, she realized at once the full loneliness of her condition. Ksther Harper was no coward, and she did not quail or cringe before the dark prospect which con- fronted her. But, brave and self-reliant as she was, she could not altogether stay the misgivings which onawed at her heart. She lost no time, however, in useless reflections, but pushed ahead without hesitation. It-was already past three in the afternoon, and she knew that the journey before her was long and arduous. Fixing her course due north—having determined the right direction by the position of the sun—she started as rapidly as possible toward her destination. She walked with such good effect that at about half-past five o’clock she came in sight of the spot whence she had fled in such precipitate haste the previous night. She shuddered at the thought of passing over the field of battle and looking upon those who had fallen in death. The thought was terrible to her, and, wishing to avoid the sickening sight, she took a wide circle to the left, thus skirting the dreaded place. This maneuver cost her extra exertion and ‘comicboo cS com