Sunset Ranch: A Story of a Boy's Adventures in the West — page 168: what you’re looking at

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

156 Taking French Leave. It was a period of time fraught with intense solici- tude, and which he could never forget so long as he lived—these halcyon memories of his brief stay among the mysterious red people of the wilderness would haunt him ever. And now it was all over. He was launched upon his new voyage, which must end, he fondly hoped, with his restoration to Sunset Ranch, to Karl and to—Polly—for surely the girl had been often in his mind during these days of his captivity, and Cuth- bert knew she had become as dear to him as a sister. He was determined that could he gain her consent and that of her protectors, the genial Kellys, she would occupy that position—if he could not find Hildegarde Gordon, his cousin, there was no reason why this dainty girl should not occupy her place, and share his bounty. When finally he drew up at the gnarled tree in the hollow of which his limited stores were secreted, he believed every chance was within his grasp. Quickly, then, he proceeded to secure his little all to the back of the horse. As it was made up in something the shape of two saddlebags, in antici- pation of just such an emergency, this was not a difficult task. He was just testing the cords or thongs with which this had been carried into effect, when he heard a peculiar grunt close beside him, ‘and in the dim starlight beheld a human figure rise out of the brush. His first thought was that the game was up, or at least in a perilous position, since this must be one of the Sioux videttes, and if he escaped to. start on his long’ journey, it could only be after a success- ful contest with this muscular brave, who would en- deavor to hold him fast until assistance arrived from . the village. ConniclooOolkks.€c©