Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Horse Among The Cowboys; Or, The League Of The Plains — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

IN Several of the cowboys were met, but “they paid no heed to Frank and Arthur, | lay in a daring bluff game. a as they easily passed for members of the SANG higher i ap Yay the defenders of Star Ranch. “My goodness! Harding has brought | together a big band, has Arthur, “ft suppose all this property belongs to |; —we know it.” you ?” said Frank. Wy é¢ Yes 7) i! “ It shall be restored to you!” from the ground almost at their very feet. “Treachery !” yelled a startled voice. * Spies are in camp !” In an instant a score of armed men were on the spot. “Heavens! we are lost!” groaned Arthur. Frank Reade, jun., pulled his revolvers. His first impulse was to fight. But second thoughts restrained hin, They were surrounded by their foes. The cowboys were intensely excited. Cries went up: | ‘“They’re spies 1” “Hang ’em up!” “Give ’em cold lead!” Bat ,one of the gang clutched Firank’s arm, and, peering into his face, asked : | “Who are ye P” we ow eee CHAPTER X. iN THE ENEMY’S POWER. be {~ one of the Sang replied Frank, imperturbably. “What the devil ae ails you fellows P” me. “One of the garig, eh?” Bere “Yes.” | aie “ When did ye jine P” . mee. An uproarious laugh went up at this. ‘Look here, pard,” said Frank, coolly, “don’t get off your nut. There’s no flies onme. Tm straight goods.” This amount of slang, an uncommon thing for the young inventor to use, ought to have had its effect. ih ft But it did not. The cowboys were not a, to be so easily deceived. | es “That won't work, cap’n!” cried the \ Apel ‘We’ t Hand spokesman. “ We’re on to yer. Hands : ,. & + ‘ 4 a) " , =f Je, , 4 ‘ma’ Bs; a> ae tt is m7 - : WH ENEALY’S Doth were surprised at the number of | joke. I'll treat.” n’t he 2” declared | the enemy ?” | The words were barely out of Frank’s | pered Arthur to Frank. “There is no mouth when a dark form sprang up| way out of it; we are‘lost !’ POWER, 20 a Bat Frank knew that their only hope cs So he insisted : “Come pards, this ain’t no kind of a “1 reckon ye will.” _ ~ a 4 . . . +. D- — ng - = - eo “Ye don’t actually imagine I’m one of | “We don’t think anything about it ; “Don’t make a mistake.” | “Tou bet we won't.” At i “My soul! itis all up with us!” whis-— -_—~ There was a world of despair in the young inan’s declaration. “Tie ’em up !” said one of the cowboys. “Give us a lariat.” 4 Then one of the gang made a grab at Arthur’s false beard and pulled it off. Then, of course, the game was up. — “~~ < - ‘ = « . ‘ — ‘ : » , : j eS A as Sh ee ee Fy ney AP ae gw seen, 22, eth 2 (Aa oe ‘ en =e The light of a lantern was flashed — i in the young Wasterner’s face. The i result was a sharp ery of recognition. — e. “ By Jupiter, pards!” yelled the cow- 9 9) ~ boy leader. ‘It’s Bentley, the young — | cuss who escaped from the mine.. Were — i in luck, and Harding will promote us for 4 hi this.” eee Oe “An this chap—— Great guns,it’s the covey that runs the Steam Hoss!” 14 at There was no use to attempt further concealment. ; Sa Ae Frank realised this at once, anddidnot = attempt it. MEO hsm The two prisoners were led downto the ranch yard, where they stood = — revealed in the light of severalfires. = = = A great crowd gathered about them, — ~ and the excitement was most intense, “Hang ’em up !” a di “Shoot ’em at ten paces!” wel “Drag ’em ona lariat!” aaa Be - These were the excited cries vengefully | uttered by the crowd. But suddenly a tall, dark-featured man pressed for- 5 4 The others fell back. Arthur Bentley ~ i gave a gasp of horror, as he recognised |_| him as Jack Harding. td aN cae : “Ha!” gritted the villain, with savage accent. “ You’ve wound yourselves wp with your own rope, haven’t you, my fine birds? Ah, Mr. Frank Reade, jun., who . | has the upper hand now? And you, ~~ Arthur Bentley, I shall not be so gracious | as to spare your life, even underground, = for another year.” | OL eee Ms micbooks.c