Black Arrow, the Avenger — page 76: what you’re looking at

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

80 BLACK ARROW, THE AVENGER. ful in helping to cross the wagons over the water, that his en- tertainers were highly pleased with him, and declared that he was a most valuable acquisition to their party. It was near sunset when the entire caravan was safe on the other side of the fork; and the leaders began, as usual, to con- sult concerning a camping-place. Wilson was in favor of a spot on the rolling prairie, clear of timber, about half a mile from the fork, as they had been accustomed to select open and elevated situations, as the best for defense in case of pos- sible attack. Bell Sparks, however, scouted the idea of danger, and strongly advised his new friends to camp where they were.: '“ Hyar's yer water,” he said, “and hyar’s plenty of wood. Thar’s nv airthly reason why ye should go a mile from wood and water fur a campin’-place. I'll bet a pack of beavers to a coon-skin that ye couldn’t find a red-skin within fifty mile. Take the advice of a man who knows this —— of kentry, and stop whar ye are.” The hunter soon won the greater part of the company to his views, and John Wilson, thinking the matter of not much consequence, easily abandoned his opinion, and it was settled that the camp should be by the river. Perhaps Wilson would not have yielded the point without & little more argument, if he had not caught sight of Miriam Boyd, strolling alone by the bank cf the river, and he was anxious to join her. He acquiesced very readily, therefore, in the opinion of his friends, and hastened to overtake the young -. lady—for Miriam was still young and handsome, although sho had reached the marriageable age pene ree ee she crossed the west fork of the Trinity. “ Why, John, you frightened mv,” she said, turning quickly as she heard his step behind her. “Where did you come from ?” — “From the wagons, of course: You must have been very busy with your own thoughts, or you would have heard me ; for I made noise enough in coming.” ~ “You have come to tell me that they are ready to’ start; I suppose. It is very kind of you.” _ “There is nothing to thank me for. The wagons will pot start before moruing. Wevare to camp by the'siver." nisi Cconmicldooks.com