The Prairie Detective: Secret Service Series No. 24 — page 78: what you’re looking at

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

76 THE PRAIRIE DETECTIVE. bers of the company concerning the possibilities of an attack. The spot chosen was not far from the edge of a clump of trees. Dan and Ryan, at their own request, were selected to guard the camp on that side, and took their rifles in hand for the purpose of assuming their duties shortly after dark. “Why did you pick out this place?’’ asked the de- tective, as they walked toward the grove. “Wal, cos ef Robinson comes to-night, he’ll be purty derned likely to waltz in from this direction.’’ “Why so?’’ “This mess 0’ trees will hide him from bein’ seen by the peoplein camp. Anybody who hed ever been on the border orto know thet.”’ They had soon concealed themselves in the under- brush, and settled down to await the coming of events. Vixen lay upon the ground between them, regard- ing first one and then the other with her great lus- trous eyes, and emitting a sound which resembled the purr of acat. She had taken a great liking to Dan, and apparently looked upon him asa kind of second master. ‘Does she often take fancies to people, as she has to me?’”’ he questioned, stroking her head gently. ‘“No. In fack, it’s doggoned few people she’ll hev anythin’ to do with. But she’s got me down so fine thet whenever she sees me along of anybody, an’ kinder takin’ a hitch to ’em, it’s all she wants in order to foller my example. She’s a mighty know- ing beast, is Vixen, an’ ef she could only talk United States, she’d be better nor human.”’’ Ryan’s pet seemed to appreciate his compliment, for she turned her head so as to regard him more EComicboo