The Prairie Detective: Secret Service Series No. 24 — page 73: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRAIRIE DETECTIVE. | 71 out like ye did then. Spooks an’ tarantalers, but I b’lieve he’s dead.’’ “Oh, no, he isn’t,’ responded. Dan, coolly. Then remembering his dialect, he continued: ‘“‘He’ll git over it afore long. Jest put his head to soak, an’ lay him one side fer awhile.’’ “Great snakes!’’ rejoined Ryan. ‘‘Why, I’d ez lief be struck by a yearthquake ez to hev a tap 0’ thet kind. W-h-e-w!’’ and he ended his comment by a long- drawn whistle, which was half UnicHag of surprise and half of aaateaaon It was a sad morning in camp. pads: as a rule, like every class of men made up for the most part of low or bigoted natures, are given to superstitions. They believe that if a hunting trip begins with suc- cess, it will be attended by the same thing all the way through; and they also imagine that if the first day or two is darkened by ill fortune, they will not meet with good luck during the entire trip. The hun- ters we have accompanied thus far looked upon the death of their companion as a common misfortune, which would have an equal effect on all of them. The murder was to them an infallible omen of dis- aster. It told them, through their superstitious fancy that before they should again return to Fort Hays and their families, there would be more bloodshed and greater loss of life. They were gloomy and ab- stracted all day. But it is only just to them to say that the quiet and darkness which fell upon the camp- was not caused by this selfish thought alone. The men sincerely mourned the loss of their companion, who had been a brave and daring hunter. They felt keen and un- speakable sorrow that he had met such an untimely fate. (ele) Eomichoo JS)