The Prairie Detective: Secret Service Series No. 24 — page 129: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRAIRIE DETECTIVE. 127 In an instant they were alert and watchful. Some one was walking not far distant. Vixen had heard the sound also, and was upon her feet sniffing the air. Who could it be? Was it friend or foe? In any case they must attract attention. But how? | [hey were bound and gagged. Oh, bitterness! What a terrible position of suspense! The steps came nearer, ceased an instant, and then went on. Good Heaven! ~The prisoners must make themselves known. Dan did not stop to listen or think. One chance alone seemed feasible. Vizen must tell the stranger where they were.. The scout lifted his foot, and kicked her heavily in the ribs. Could he have seen the reproachful look upon her face he would have bitterly repented that act. She only whined as if she was badly hurt. The steps receded! Heaven! Liberty was slipping slowly from their very grasp. Would Vixen never cry out? The agony of the two men was awtul. Ah! A long-drawn mournful cry of. a coyote came over the hills! In the smallest part of a sec- ond the wild-cat was alive and aggressive. That sound was to her a signal of danger to her master. Bristling with anger, she lifted her muzzle in the air, and gave vent to a wild, loud screech. The footsteps stopped instantly. Again Vixen yelled. Her cry was answered by a glad little feminine - voice, exclaiming: “Vixen! where are you? Come to me, come to- } >? me! _ And in ten seconds Esther Harper stood in the lit- EOmMmIcHDOO SS) €o