Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Horse Among The Cowboys; Or, The League Of The Plains — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

* here than to surrender.” : oI ay rt al eS alee eine gyb a aeigeiieaibe atin | 74 : 18 { “I may not get out of it,” replied Frank, “but at least 1 would rather die “Then that’s yer ultimatum ?” “Once and for all.” “ settled, stranger.” Durgin struck spurs and rode back to his companions. They announcement with yells of derision and anger, Frank began to fear an attack, and all Were in readiness, But the cowboys did not venture it. But at this momenta thrilling thing occurred. Suddenly Juan Almado appeared at a break in the chaparral at a point just beyond. He beckoned wildly, and shouted : ‘Come, senors, quickly! .You may make the prairie here!” It was a start- ling announcement. It is needless to say that Frank Reade, jun., started the Steam Horse ahead on the instant. Down to the break in the chaparral went the Horse. ‘Then Frank perceived a thrilling fact. By pushing through a thin veil of foliage the Steam Horse entered a clearing which led over solid ground. to the prairie beyond, and a wild cheer went up. Barney and Pomp took a last long shot at the cowboys, who were now coming in pursuit. Then through the chaparral galloped the Steam Horse. Frank shouted to Juan Almado: ““'Won’t you come aboard ?” _ But the Mexican boy only shook ‘his head, and vanished in the depths of the chaparral. It would have been a wily foe indeed that would have caught him there. The Steam Horse thundered out on the prairie, and in & twinkling the cow- boys were distanced. The Horse was headed for Comfort Ranch. But, as they made the top of a rise in the prairie, a thrilling cry escaped the lips of Frank Reade, jun. “My God! the ranch is in flames!” THE LEAGUE OF received his jaranch. THE PLAINS, CHAPTER VITI. THE PIGHT AT THE RANCH, T required but a glance for the others to see the appalling truth of this awful statement. Far away across the prairie, where the buildings of Comfort Ranch should be, there was a fearful column of flames and smoke. That. the cowboys under Harding had attacked and fired the ranch was a synchronous conclusion. “My God!’ gasped Arthur Bentley, with livid face. “Let us get there as soon as possible, Mr. Reade.” “We will,” observed Frank, with set teeth. “And the dogs who have done this dark deed shall be punished.” “T am with you to the death!” said. Arthur, tensely. With burning gaze fixed on the distant tragical scene, Arthur Bentley gripped the lock of his rifle and waited for the Steam Horse to cover the intervening distance. Horse. Those who took it never forgot that exciting ride, The waggon seemed to leap over tho eround, and with frightful speed. The fastest railroad train would have been eclipsed. Nearer and nearer drew the scene. Now the outlines could be better seen, and a ery of relief went up when it was seen that the main body of the ranch had not yet been fired. Even at that distance the rattle of firearms coulid be heard, It was evident that the loyal ones nt the ranch had fortified themselves | in Major Vose’s house, and were making «a tremendous fight. | ‘Faster — faster!” cried Frank, as Barney climbed out on the shafts and she ph the furnace door to pile on more coal, ! Kivery moment they drew nearer the Soon only a mile intervened. This was run in less than a minute by the Steam Horse. A large band of the cowboys could bo seen trying to storm the palisade which divided the ranch buildings from Mr. Vose’s residence. : “Give it to them, boys!” cried Frank. On and on fled the Steam 7 ~ . _ ‘ ya a . | ; “ Cc “ : . ' : , 2 y é . ‘ : > * / ‘- » ¢ ‘ss . : +) si « : J Sal Aas ‘ f 7 —a J * boo : é . ¥ ; . 2 = .