Sunset Ranch: A Story of a Boy's Adventures in the West — page 185: what you’re looking at

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

~*~ Bravo! Buckskin. 173 urging their worn cayuses to the top of their speed, eager to have a hand in the disturbance. A wild joy thrilled Cuthbert. He knew he was saved. Even old Buckskin let out the last kink and bravely held his own temporarily—another five miles must have killed the lion-hearted little beast. But there was no need. The Indians, wild with disappointment at losing in the hour of their seeming triumph, made a last desperate effort to overtake the plucky lad. It was in vain. Buckskin was too game a nag to lose the race on the homestretch; he would have broken his heart sooner than allow that. Realizing the hopelessness of their cause, and hav- ing a healthy respect for the fighting qualities of the cow punchers, they determined to quit the chase while there was yet time. In their sullen rage they forgot that old Standing Elk desired the boy unharmed, and let fly a scatter- - ing volley of missiles from the various firearms in their possession. Cuthbert, however, was uninjured. He had been quick to profit by the lesson they taught when he sought to get in a shot, and no sooner did the first report strike his ears than he threw himself forward and hugged the flowing mane of Buckskin. Again he experienced that creepy sensation as he heard the queer sounds produced by the leaden pel- lets cutting the air above him, and realized that they were meant for his body. When the rattling fusillade ended, and he dared look back, he saw to his satisfaction that the bold Indian braves had turned tail and were in full re- treat. It was a glorious sight, and Cuthbert brought the COMUGIOO S C@©