Sunset Ranch: A Story of a Boy's Adventures in the West — page 201: what you’re looking at

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

The Gray-Coated Pirate. 189 aged to control his nerves fairly well while thus de- liberately walking up to the beast, which had now ceased its catlike purr, and was growling savagely in a way quite venomous enough to curdle one’s blood. Surely, such an experience was sufficient to acquit any one of cowardice. Men who, in the heat and ex- citement of battle, would rush into the jaws of death and lead a forlorn charge against a smoking, blaz- ing battery, might hesitate to deliberately advance foot by foot close up to this bristling monster. Thanks to the illumination afforded by the torch Karl carried, they could now see the beast quite plainly. He squatted there upon the ground, evidently with the slender body of the antelope under his paws; his yellow eyes glared like two electric balls of fire, and he continued to emit the most terrifying sounds to indicate his anger at being disturbed. Karl stopped. The time for action had arrived. Steadily Cuthbert brought his gun to bear, having in mind a shot that would count. He must have conquered that fluttering at his heart, for his hands were quite firm. Without ceasing to regard his intended quarry, he knew Karl had also raised his gun and was covering the panther, determined to have a hand in the final scene. “When you are ready, give it to him,’ came the low admonition. It was, indeed, time, for the beast had gathered for a spring, despite the fear he might supposedly entertain for the blazing torch. When Cuthbert pulled trigger he heard the report of the revolver so closely blended with that of the gun that they seemed as one. Karl had coached him as to what next to do. Even though the great beast were fatally struck Conniclooe® S C©