Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Horse Among The Cowboys; Or, The League Of The Plains — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

—_ ina tev to — —2 nee OO ee 10 by the shoulders and hurled him yards away. Then he lifted his hat to the young girl. “Miss Vose, at your service,” he said, gallantly. “TIT came just in time.” “Mr. Reade,” exclaimed Helen, in fluttering tones. “Oh, I cannot thank you enough.” “Tt is nothing. You need not heed that brute. Come to the house.” Frank cast one apprehensive glance over his shoulder. But Harding had not returned to re- sont the abil He had slunk away silently in the gloom, while Frank escorted Helen to the house. “T thank you for your kindness, Mr. Reade,” said the young girl, sincerely, “Ttis nothing,” rephed Frank; but I would ask a favour from you,” ‘What is 1b P” | “That you beware of that fellow. Do not trust yourself with him again.” “1 will heed your warning.” Frank ‘difted his hat and then went back over ‘the lawn. Very soon he reached the Steam Horse, where Barney and Pomp had a circle of the cowboys about, and were entertaining them with songs and solos on the fiddle and banjo. With Frank’s coming the cowboys re- turned to their quarters. Barney and Pomp served alternately as sentries that night. The next morning at an early hour Frank was astir. Pomp approached the young inventor, and said : | “Tf you please, Marse Frank, dar am a young chap here what purtends fo’ to know a good deal about dat ranch,” “Ts that so?” exclaimed Frank. “ Who “as he P” “Dar he comes yender, sah. ealls him up to talk wif yo’.” A slender lad with a dark type of features, and evidently of Mexican. birth, was approaching. He came and bowed respectfully to Frank. “Si, senor!’ he said, politely, “I know much about the Cowboy League. It is not confined to this spot, senor, but takes L jes’ = ee ee hy Reeth tenae! gee : ee ~~ = 4 . THE LEAGUE OF A te AGI EA Le ae _+ woreee -~* ~ - . a? i- ——— amnesia ee ——— a whe ane -_ -. — THE PLAINS. anything of the disappearance of Arthur “Did you know mysterious Bentley P” “Si, senor. I doubt not that he is now alive, and I have heard from a friend who was told by one of the Cowboy League that he is now a prisoner in the old Spanish mine.” “The Spanish mine ?” Si, senor.”’ “ Where is that P” “In the hills just behind the Star Ranch, senor.” ‘“ Do you know this/for a fact ?” “T cannot take my oath. Nevertheless, [I believe it true.” “How can you find this mine?” asked Frank, excitedly. “That I do not know.” “ But you say it isin the hills behind the Star Ranch P’ | Si, senor.” “Then it shall be found.” “ One word, senor.” Well P” Frank looked in the dark eyes of Juan Almado, the Mexican boy. He saw in them only truth and candour. “You must go well prepared. League of the Plains is powerful.” “| thank you, Juan,’ replied Frank, sincerely. “I will heed your warning.” But the boy drew nearer and lowered his voice while his handsome eyes flashed. “Heed what I say, senor. The league is everywhere. It is even right here, although Senor Vose may not suspect a2? | \ “What do you mean?” said Frank, with a thrill. : ‘T mean that even in this very stock- ade are traitors—are secret spies of the League. I warn you, be on your guard. Trust no man,” i , With this the Mexican lad glided away. The Frank was deeply impressed. . He had turned to enter the waggon, when a great cry came from the stockade gate. A number of the cowboys were . gathered there. “Be jabers, wud yez cum up here a minnit !” cried Barney. Frank hastened to gbey. ih When he reached the gate he beheld the object which had caused a sensa- in a large country and many other Mor hk nage ranches,’ | tion. . } Wane Sra aia “Indeed,” exclaimed Frank. “Who is; Upon the gate post was placed a large’ | to) at the head of it?” square piece of buckskin, ae te it Aer ag TT know not, senor.” _ Upon it was traced a huge black hand. | . wt 1b 2 ya, , p