Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Horse Among The Cowboys; Or, The League Of The Plains — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

ete hI a DIOP OHS PO OD a —~ « — a“ _< 7 es _ . CS Se ee = ey meng 4 ee ow pee ae — : — < a - —— : + e- In response to the command, a score of armed cowboys rode forth. - ‘The major headed them, with Arthur Bentley by his side. Frank Reade, jun., and Barney and Pomp went ahead with the Steam horse. There was no doubt that the abductors of Helen Vose had gone straight to the Star Ranch. It was natural, therefore, that the pursuers should go thither. Straight for the Star Ranch they bore. After a hard and swift ride, they rode down a little slope, and approached the stockade gate. It was closed, and armed men were seen at the loop-holes. Frank advised Major Vose to halt his men just out of range, while he rode up with the Steam Horse to within parley- ing distance of the ranch. Paige it ie alting the Steam Horse near the -t = stockade ‘cate, Frank shouted : “Hallo! the ranch!” The answer came back: Hallo!” “1 want to talk with Harding.” A. harsh voice answered : me . ~ ean jo oa ~— -—>. “ - ~ “fT am Harding. ..What do you » want P”’ “Do you hold Helen Vose in your custody ?” *W hat’s that to you r”’ y » J rea ve ' t Ti ~ - ‘ LA al bi ’ .* cs res é Tel - 4 tt - _ "ht f ppm aaty* De bd e"F mia - i ‘3 yi « i fy yy 4 : ’ P “ | Pat 4 7) - 9 4% P. . ¥ . \ 4 ’ , ¥ “| oe 5 ’ ae s 7 ’ ‘4 - ? é . : ' 7 ‘ ® 4 Ay © ‘i a4 ANG . UA : é x Rit “A good deal. I represent her out- -.. raged father,” replied Frank. ee pi he mocking laugh came back. Wagon. What do you suppose I care for her father? He is an old fraud. I will ' officiate at his funeral yet.” \ “Spare your cheap talk,” rephed Frank. “We want to know upon what terms you will surrender her.” “ V’ll never surrender her.”’ ce Why P” pips She is my prize. IL have worked a “long time, hard and well, to secure her.” ~“You must bea villain,” : “Allright. Let it go at that,” “Then 3 you won't give her up ?” » 66 No,” “Not even on payment of a heavy ransom. 2” “Nothing will do 16.” “i “Then beware! If harm comes .to Women, her; ‘there 18 an awful punishment in ~ \ ‘store for you.” “Bah! spare your threats.” “You are a traitor, a murderer and 4 > —_ SF pe aie ~ a *~ 9 eae ogee ~<- 7 ~~ “a < ” a Ce , a \- - ~, = at a ~ r5 —— » = — - 2 ~ —— —n . ~~ J ; ~~ == Ra. 4 — — rr, a - 3 ‘i dd se : Mi Gi De hee Poa Seg Seated apts ee Cert <pigermperrs Ion er aan SE SOOO ai ata "« " a : , a . eo a 7 ’ sph ‘ Lilet ee STE a Wek “ » He veh > 4 ] he i as + 4 | ia : Sy . yy ; . on AG) THE LEAGUK OF ‘THE PLAINS, ; coward, and you shall suffer a well-merited fate,” cried Frank. “ Pshaw! that.is idle talk. What can you doP I mean to make old iron of that rig of yours yet.” ‘“ Be “jabers, yez can’t do it, yea blather- skite,’ shouted Barney. The Celt had literally boiled over. He had listened to the villain’s tirade with anger, and could control his feelings no longer. But Frank spoke to him reprovingly. “Enough of that, Barney!” he “said, sharply. “Never do that again,” “T beg yure pardon, | Misther Frank,” id Barney, humbly, ‘ but the blather- skite made me that mad av mesilf that [ cudn’t help it, sor.” “All right. We'll let it go this time. ’ The Steam Horse returned to the ae where Frank had left the major and his men, where a surprise was in store for him. The major was making a speech to the men. “You are all a set of poltroons and cowards!” he roared. “ Every man of you deserves a court-martial.” “What is the matter?” asked Frank, in surprise. “Matter!” thundered the major. ‘“Hivery one of these cowardly fellows refuses to go any further.” The young inventor was astonished. Heré was a contretemps little anticipated. What was to be done ? To be deserted at this juncture was fatal to every interest at stake. CHAPTHR | IX. A SCOUTING | TRIP. S ee that ‘be possible, major!’ ex- claimed Frank, as he faced the. men. ‘ What is the reason for it?” “Nothing except that they're a set of cowards.” “| beg yer parding!” said one of the cowboys. “It ain’t that at a, gents. But we wuz hired to herd caké™ © aw not ‘ter fight.” : “That's right !” “We want fair play.” “It is only our rights.” Frank saw the point at once, e&though the major was not quite so keen. “All right, boys!” he cried, seized with a sudden Inspiration. «We will * J » . > 1 ea 4 aa ’ eu / ¢ 4 ,* - ; re i : | ry 44 . ic 200k | : » ¥ ‘ ~ A a d \ uf oh pur J, oe 1 J - we ” eT ear ,