Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Horse Among The Cowboys; Or, The League Of The Plains — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

RUN TO Mi : - Fis sensations were indescribable. » Curses loud and deep burst from his lips. y ‘“'They’ve let her escape!” he yelled. yy “Curse them fora pack of fools! But My Vil have her yet.” . > He rushed out into the yard, which, to all appearance, was deserted. > Adesperate battle was in progress at ’ the gate of the stockade. © It was quite likely that all the cow- boys were there engaged in defending _ the ranch. ' Harding made a brief search of the ' Vicinity for Helen. Then it occurred to 5, him to look in upon the prisoners. ‘: ye But he found the bars of the window * sawed out, and they were gone. | His fury knew no bounds. Then he - taved liked a manic, and rushed from » the ranch. = ! © “Ten thousand curses on the fools !” y he hissed, “they should have kept a My . better watch. It is likely the girl has got away and is with her lover.” _- The thought made him furious. vr ~ »* “Curse him! - I will have his life if I | 4 "have to follow him to the end of the Ye It was a vengeful declaration. _ . But it was.a threat which Jack Hard- Fy ; ing was destined never to execute. _ » The fighting at the gate was furzous. ae He saw that the soldiers had forced _» then way through. * a eae That settles it,’ he muttered. “It -) 48 all up with the boys now !” _ ,. His personal safety was now all that. -) Harding thought of. He knew that the |. nly avenue of escape open was through -) » the secret mine. t But when he had reached a point near % Ey Accordingly, he started up the hill. _ the shaft he came unexpectedly upon “ . | ‘SG 4 ‘three persons who were watching the >) In the gloom the villain saw that one a: of them was a female form. — me oe He knew at once that it was Helen ~ -Vose, and. that her companions ' were be Prank Reade, jun., and Arthur Bentley. — * The thought made the wretch fairly a Ah Msane with rage and hate. : ™ Vie pulled a revolver and fired pomt- > blank at Bentley. BP. Foe - ~¥ : ’ . aL a ‘ee The bullet went wide of its mark, and Be “he next’ moment Frank Reade, jun., ie ‘Aocked the pistol from his grasp. | The young inventor grappled with the Vee sillein, anda desperate struggle followed. 9 ade : >is : + ‘ . . B . ai) f 7 ‘ % ne amy. ae ecu ; ‘ . é , ‘ Ms a \ , a a i 0 “ty 9 . . ‘ “ >. bs ry o op ee TAH 4) - . we wie eee Je a of A pet 7 a he A he oe al > rh Fae eh) : a of ar 4 a yr i % : A ae. ye ez “A - bt / , . . ; \ “SL ks, - ’ . ‘i ih yee Weve ‘ | ss x a i J ‘ _ 4 { * , ’ _# 7’ . ih ‘ nd 4 F > , i : 4 ' : vg Ot y mat es. “oe fen JN ee 4 cee - SOAS Rea om) es . >, af a Bs a, ye 4 — x aes 5 - pee (ees RBC Ry SN, J a nea . * Oy ae 29 EARTH. Helen Vose screamed with terror, and Arthur went to Frank’s assistance. The villain fought like a tiger. But two against one were odds not to be despised. The result was that Hard- ing was wverpowered and borne to the ground. Arthur had a lariat, and they bound him securely hand and foot. “Tt wis! do you no good to struggle, Jack Harding!” cried Arthur, with triumph. ‘“ Your career is run.” “Curse you!” roared out the villain. “Tl come square yet!” “T don’t believe it.” “Tet me up!” ‘No, * think not.” Harding fumed like a maniac and tried to break his bonds. But it was all of no use. They held firmly, and his efforts were IM vain. | | Frank and Arthur were elated. “We have got the ringleader m out power !” declared Frank. “ The soldiers will drive the others from the ranch, and your property will be quickly restored to ou,’ “Tt seems too good to believe,” cried Arthur. And all the while Helen Vose clung to’ her lover’s side. The battle in the yard below was nearing the end. Step by step the cowboys were foreed back, for they could not stand before the disciplined valour of the troops. And now through the gates came. thundering the Steam. Horse. The iron steed plunged into the fight and did deadly execution with his spiked hoofs. | The cowboys were driven back to the cattle sheds, and then to the base of the — * mountain. Here their retreat was cutoff, and, completely surrounded, they seemed cer- tain to be eut to pieces. : But discretion asserted itself as valour’s: better part, and they threw down their arms and wisely surrendered. The battle was at an end. The soldiers quickly disarmed and cor- ralled the prisoners, and then proceeded to take possession of the ranch. Frank Read@, jun., now joined Barney and Pomp with the Steam Horse. A guard was sent up to bring down the the captured leader, Jack Harding. — action, os iat f * of}. < My 7 a + Aree. 2G bays ° ' ‘ é ¥ i he “ a > eH | | SRN idk antl Opera Pain ae Si PT PO ae, PIE! 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