Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Horse Among The Cowboys; Or, The League Of The Plains — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

ay i ee Be ns ee ee tind anes Eas — Se 6 ————— ’ RESCUED FROM There was just room for the Steam Horse'to turn round. Krank then started back down the canyon at fullspeed, while the mad yells of the cowboys followed them. But ina few moments the Steam Horse had swept out of range. Down the canyon they went, and then out upon the plain. But as they emerged, a band of mounted cowboys swept in pursuit from the direc- tion of the ranch. Frank only smiled. ‘‘ Nothing could work better,” he mut- tered, “ITIl give them a good lesson now.” He kept the Steam Horse at sucha speed as to hold the pursuing cowboys just within range. “Now, Barney and Pomp!” he cried, “You know what to do.” ‘That we do, sor!” cried the Celt, srab- bing his rifle. “Come on wid yeZ, naygur.”’ While Frank manipulated the, reins, Barney and Pomp kept a steady and rapid fire upon the foe. One after another the cowboys dropped from their saddles. The fire was most deadly. jarney and Pomp seldom missed their: aim. In vain the: cowboys lashed their horses and tried. to overtake the Steam Horse. They might as well have tried to catch AIL 7gNUS fatuus, or will-o’-the-wisp. Frank allowed them to draw near at times, and then would speed away from them. Further and further from the Star Ranch, Frank led them. He did not intend that many of the rascals should get back to their den alive. In vain did the cowboys, in their reck- less anger, try to overtake ‘the Steam Florse. Their numbers were rapidly growing less, and all of a sudden they realized what a death chase they were making, As this dawned upon them, they pulled up their horses in dismay. Then, whirling, they startedimadly back to the ranch. Spurring their horses they rode for safety. But Frank now turned the Horse about and pursued them, so that the pursuers thus became the pursued. Almost to the very gates of the ranch was the pursuit carried. : Sek @ £4 , zy) 3 bee L > she 4 se BS a se THE 4 hg | 7 + - Late .f J ° ' ; “ . id ~ > 7 _- \e ~ ¢ ; vs . > hs > 7 ¥ | *, > ‘ ‘ q s 4 ~~ Cia m4 d 4 at h s ay, 5 ® e —_ er Oo Irn" we 4 ; . aa nan ‘ a Te eat = be SEP So cb te te ee ne ae a Pe tee 5 earner ending ona cote tae at et ~ ons te - SECRET MINE. 13 Hardly a score of the band of cowboys ~ lived to reach the shelter of the stockade, It was a very Waterloo for them. Barney and Pomp were exultant. “Huh!” cried Pomp ; ; “IT jes’ reckon we gib dem a good ’un dat time. “ Be jabers, that’s thrue!” Barney. . < r fink dey don’ want no mo’ ob dis gang.” The plain was literally strewn with the ~ bodies of the foe. It was not likely that they would venture to attack the Steam Horse in the open again. CHAPTER, VI. RESCUED FROM THE SECRET MINE. | hares did not venture to attack the stockade. This he knew would tind be foolhardy. Victory did not make him rash or thoughtless. He started the Steam Horse off across the plain and in the direction of Comfort Ranch. Indeed, it was his intention to return to Major Vose’s place for a time. “We have given them a good lesson,” he declared. “Let them have time for re- flection upon it.” But three miles from the Star Ranch Frank saw a black pony galloping toward him. Upon the pony’s back was a slender lad. He at once recognized him as Juan Almado, the Mexican ‘boy. A few moments later, Juan. came ep L hasten. 2c 24 | and appeared much excited. “Buenos, senor!’ he exclaimed. saw your fight and I am glad. to give you some news.’ “ News!” cried Frank. take him through a secret pass to the mine where Senor Bentley is imprisoned.” Frank was astounded. “Do you mean that he cried. - “Si, senor.’ “How did you get the information P” “T have told you of my friend Whovy knows the secrets of the league.” . a4 Yes. 7} “1 obtainetdl my directions from biti? Frank hesitated, as he gazed keenly at the lad for a moment. Surely he was not the one to be suspected of lohan “FHnough!” he cried. “I will trust. you, Juan. Shall we go now P” | Si, senor.” oe ee erled | ¢ What.is it-77% » “Tf the senor will trust Juan, he will