Sunset Ranch: A Story of a Boy's Adventures in the West — page 116: what you’re looking at

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

108 Horse Thieves. Of course an old campaigner like the ancient ranger and cow puncher, Old Sile, would have pur- sued an entirely different system of tactics—his course would have been governed by caution, while Cuthbert felt only the impulse to see, forgetting that in taking this step he was placing himself in a posi- tion to be easily discovered by the Argus eyes of | those prowlers of the night. Which goes to prove that there are many things in the lexicon of border lore which may not be mas- tered, even after a year’s experience and study at close range. So Cuthbert made for the rise, stooping low amid the grass, and stopping every now and then for an observation. Naturally, he believed he was carrying out his part of the business after the manner of an old, ex- perienced hand, though doubtless Karl might have been able to give him points that would have proven valuable. If there were any enemies near by they must have lain pretty close in the grass, for, while Cuthbert claimed to possess keen eyes, he failed to detect them. Thus he gained the low swell from whence an ob- servation might be taken as far as the power of the moonlight permitted. ‘Everything seems peaceful enough around here,” © he said to himself. Looking to the east he could see the dark mass of ponies, and fancied he was able to make out the spot where Karl lay sleeping—dear old Karl, who had filled an aching void in his heart and life that should never be vacant again. Far beyond Cuthbert looked, shading his eyes with his hand, but nothing suspicious appeared to come under his observation. Then, turning on his heel, he swept the western ConniclooOokks.€©