Sunset Ranch: A Story of a Boy's Adventures in the West — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

48 The Indian Foray. At the same time previous acquaintance with cow- boys had taught them caution—they knew how reckless these wild range riders might be, and how proficient with rope and revolver. Evidently the red rascals had arranged a plan in anticipation of such an interruption, for while a couple endeavored to cut off a fair-sized bunch of cattle with which they meant to ride off, the other eight galloped toward the advancing horsemen. Such a spectacle as they presented, the boy from the East had never before seen—some shook their fists in bravado, others waved guns over their heads, while all of them sat their horses as though a part of the animals, With many-colored feathers glowing in the sun- light, and the war paint upon their faces giving each warrior a hideous aspect, they truly presented an appearance that was apt to send a thrill of alarm through the breast of the stoutest adversary. Still Old Sile never slackened his pace, but kept straight on, as though he meant to teach these au- dacious young bucks a lesson they would not soon forget, and Cuthbert, seeing the grim look upon the seamed and weather-beaten face of the veteran cow puncher, made up his mind there was nothing to fear. | They kept well together as they rode, and had . now arrived within easy gunshot of their galloping adversaries. “Do the Indians mean to keep straight on until the shock of battle comes?’ Cuthbert asked, now thoroughly alarmed. Little as the tenderfoot knew about their habits, he did not think this could be the usual method of warfare employed by such tricky and cautious people. “You just watch,” said Karl, significantly. Even as he contemplated such a change in the cConnicloookks.€©