Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Horse Among The Cowboys; Or, The League Of The Plains — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

oe oe sie a “There are little armatures and joints which assist the action, the rapidity of which can be easily gauged by means of ere the pressure of the steam. he ‘All four legs of the Horse are thus : made to work at a rapid gallop, carrying the body along, and the waggon after it.” ‘Wonderful ” “Yndeed, I think so. Now you will oe “notice that the saddle holds the steam | gauge and indicator. The valve isin the Horse’s mouth, and is regulated by these long reins, held by the driver in the wageon. “ Now you can see clearly the principle of the Steam Horse, and how it gets its locomotive powers.” ate ee ‘Indeed I can,” replied Captain Bent- by 3a ley, “and I regard it as unparalleled.” eins: ‘Wow to the waggon. It is, as you gee, square and roomy, with bunkers for coal, and on top of these are long slots to be utilized as bunks at night. ‘Under the bunkers we have a largo compartment for the keeping of stores. Upon each corner of the waggon are standards upon which rests a top made of plates of steel. (Curtains mace , be > *° of steel ribs with | Rat several loop-holes to fire through, may be | ee at pulled down, inclosing the whole interior oo. of the waggon. ‘‘Tn this vehicle we are wholly safe 2 from the bullets of the foe. The wheels Ra of the waggon I have made with broad it _ and grooved tires, suitable for rough oe Gah riding over any kind of land.” | ms ; Captain Bentley drew a deep breath. me oe he t Pastuinty. you need fear no ordinary "foe in that vehicle,’ he said, turning Oe away. ‘Now may I see you in private, aR Mr. Reade ?” “Certainly!” replied Frank, “Just id come into this small room.” “ane “T have very important business with Seale you,’ tides “Very good.” na re The two men entered Frank’s private es office. _ ! i eae Bentley took a seat at a table opposite ae: Pioa i rank. He at once went on: Brg. “Some ten years ago,’ he declared, wea) “my brother, who had been a roving RAR oo spirit, died, and left me the title ofa ERS large and productive ranch in the Pan Handle part of Texas. “Tt was near a range of hills, the land was arable, and running water near, THE LEAGUE OF THE PLAINS. 2 hw one nwe et POPE Bo ae _ —— “ss —= —_— -— ~~ -<—— —_=—-o a i ~ eee ae eae se —_— . PAT y * 4 : "alia! | me 2h - Ps \ ” . 7 J 4 1 77 : : : Pol § 4 en ? a * : Pe + ae a. : nae ey Pe, j im The buildings were good, as ranch build- “77” ings go, Bhi “ But I had no heart to run it, so it has py lain idle ever since. Be “One year ago, my son Arthur, jus? | from Harvard College, wanted to 8° § West. | ‘““T pooh-poohed the *. idea, and tried %°— dissuade him, but in vain. Finally, finds iq ing him resolute, I acceded, and decicet to send him out to Star Ranch. I did go, and from that day to this I have nob” seen him. ae “T received one letter from him, 1 ) which ‘he described the ranch as in the “Ss hands of squatter cowboys, who claime@s je” possession of the place, and would not: Tip move or give up their claim. a “T wrote and directed him to get & ( posse of officers and oust the villains. + know not whether he did this or not, bub — from that day to this I have not heard — from him. a “T am too old a man to go in quest of { him myself. JL sent two, detectives, bub. neither ever came back to make 4 7) report, i 8 “As you can imagine, I am very” Sy | anxious to know the fate of my sou aM i will, pay any sum to get news vom ee “Now, Mr. Reade, I do not mean 10 9 insult you by attempting to ‘a y . : ‘Tit >. ® bg me 1 ¥ “" Ft hire you t0 | eo to the relief of my boy. But I lay the | case before you, and, as God wills, so be | it. Do you think you can do anything | to help me P”’ | an Frank listened with deep interest the old man’s story. AeA ae When he had fimished, the young "4. ventor for a time remained silent, while i. tears were in the old captain’s eyes. aes “Do you imagine that harm has |” come to your son?” asked Frank, finally, | “T do not see how it can very well be | otherwise,” replied the captain. ORG course, I live in hope.” | Ty is “Of course. Ican understand.” yr) Frank arose, and paced the floor. Be ! He thrust his hands deep in bie f pockets, and stood regarding the old | captain a moment. | a ‘Captain Bentley,” he said, quietly, 9 “vou have approached me in the right | way. Ifyou had offered me money, + | should have declined. But you hav@ | enlisted my sympathies. I am sorry 10} ou, and I will go in quest of your SelM) f heaven favours me, I will find him, 0M | — Ye = ¥. of é , rg : . : i pee | Tie, ue | tS FR ay : 4 ‘J 5 a hs P : + tee L ‘ : : , : rT si yo eT ay 4 7 ° - ; ‘ : tu : - fre mPa ; 4 . m™m i | Se Ae s hl ‘ af — Y _, , ai Jd ay hy: ot eee i : ' = Sin oe 's Abe. eta ST. et =