Sunset Ranch: A Story of a Boy's Adventures in the West — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

120 The Sioux Village. decided to do all in his power to cultivate his friend- ship, with the idea of learning about Karl. This was Red Hat, a splendid fellow, over six feet high and of magnificent proportions. Cuthbert cantered alongside him, and endeavored to get this colossal brave to converse. “Me no talk,” said Red Hat, dryly. “Ask me nothing. Me know nothing. So.” With which he went on calmly gazing out across the expanse of desert in front, and nodding saga- ciously at the youngster at his side. — “But you surely know where we are going and why I am being taken.” “Know nothing,” repeated Red Hat. “Boy very silly. He have nice time. He eat, he sleep, he drink, he laugh. Ha, ha! You never want to leave us. Look, Standing Elk tell you all. Ask him.” A chuckle close by told him they were being ob- served, and turning he saw the chief’s beady eyes fixed full upon him, while an indescribable grin marked those angular features. “Ah!” said Standing Elk, grimly. “So white boy not satisfied. You like it by’m-by.” “T shall never like it,’ cried Cuthbert, excitedly; “and as for you, I shall never like you. I just hate you.” “Ah! We see later,” said Standing Elk, with the self-same smile playing about his thin lips. ‘Feel so glad afterwards. Plenty eat. Plenty sleep. Hath not the good Red Hat spoken?” “Not good enough for me,” said Cuthbert, smil- ing in spite of himself. “I don’t want your food. I’d rather be back with Karl and the others. And I tell you what, Ill be off just the first chance I get. You hear that, Standing Elk?” Cuthbert spoke harshly, and Standing Elk lis- tened, his face ever wearing that peculiar grin. The smile relaxed for a moment, and a slight ConniclooOolkks.€©