Sunset Ranch: A Story of a Boy's Adventures in the West — page 127: what you’re looking at

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

The Sioux Village. 117 It was not a great way from early dawn, and in all probability his captors would not halt again for ~ hours, so that he might just as well get a little re- freshment with the rest. Acting upon the lines he had so hurriedly laid out for his guidance, and under the knowledge that Indians always admire boldness in a kid, Cuthbert demanded some meat. This was readily given, and he set to work chew- ing at the tough morsel, while a dozen eyes watched his movements. Already he had made a discovery that gave him a point or two. The old chief, Standing Elk, was in charge of the bunch of horse raiders. As a usual thing these raids were wholly con- ducted by the hot-headed younger element of the tribe, the more conservative disclaiming any con- nection with the affair should trouble ensue, though always ready and willing to take their share of the spoils after a successful fray. : Cuthbert felt sure that some motive beyond the base desire to steal horses had animated the famous old chief, and brought him down from his northern stronghold. He figured out that it had been the intention of Standing Elk to kidnap Karl and force him to live among the Sioux lodges, filling the place in his heart made vacant by the death of his adored son. If so, a great blunder had occurred, and they had carried off the wrong party. Still, Standing Elk did not appear discouraged, and Cuthbert actually believed the old rascal was watching him do battle with the tough venison with a gleam of satisfaction in his crafty eyes. “Can it be that Standing Elk has changed his mind and decided that I will answer his purpose just as well?” he wondered. comiclooks C©