Beadle's Dime Novels No. 226: The Mustang-Hunters — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

« a dea >, Pete ry ¢ a - : Wh. : A LIBERAL OFFER. 27 -. ‘way myself, but for a different purpose. One of Moreau’s eagueros told me that he had seen Pete Wilkins riding west, along with you, and I followed you up till I found you here.” “ Sit down and hev some supper, Gil,” said the old hunter at this moment. “ Yer must be bungry.” “ Many thanks, Peter, I will,’ said the other, politely. He proceeded to unsaddle his horse and dispose his effects on the ground; after which he did justice to a venison steak. . = “And now, Peter,’ he said, as he was regaling himself therewith, while the bay horse was munching the grass in the river-bottom, “I suppose you want to know what I want you for, Ill tell you. That infernal scoundrel, Tom Austin, has joined the Comanches and he’s out on this very trail your friend’s on—the trail of the Black Mustang. It seems that the scoundrel found some way of worming himself into favor with Big Thunder, the Comanche chief, by giving him a chance to capture a lot of old Springfield muskets sent back from = Yurt Chadbourne to be converted to breech-loaders. Tom was tound out after the wagons were plundered, and he escaped to the Comanches. Now, Pete, if you can guide me through these prairies to Big Thunder's village, it’s all I ask of you. I can shoot straight and quick, but it's all I can do, except play poker, and you know the plaims. I will give you all I have about me, gold, notes, jewelry and all, the day I catch Tom ce to face.” “ Wal,” returned Pete, slowly, “I'm gittin’ sot up in biz, I am. I kurn’t help yer till I've got through with the younker : here, far I've promised him. Arter that I'm ready to take ye . thar.” : “Mr. Weston,” said the little stranger, turning to Frank, ; “T am in a di emmaas.to my future course. I fear to let Tom Ausiin escape, and Ido not wish to deprive you of your promise. I am a gambler, as you know, and you must excuse my proposition, Will you throw the dice ‘with me to sce on which quest we go firt? If you win, I will assist you with heart and soul till your purpose is accomplished. If I win, : you will hele me to accomplish our common vengeance, Do - “~ Frank aS a moment. Atlast he said: %I don’t know what todo. Let uslcave it to chance, as you suggest,” Ft 1 bh ;