Beadle's Dime Novels No. 226: The Mustang-Hunters — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

2, : , * -- ” gael . ew _v - “> s . rs a a-comin’ down the pass and they’ll be hyar in about five min- utes. Weaint fur from the top of the pass, and the var- mints ain't quite all in. Now then you must come up to the front the best way you kin, and we must kill every durned Comanche of the crowd. Ef we don’t—good-by Mustang.” “How many are there, Peter?” inquired Little Gilmore, coolly. As he spoke he examined his rifle with the same coolness as if he were going to shoot ata target. Frank Weston, whose first initiation it was into Indian-fighting, felt that strange beating of the heart which sudden danger always, produces on men unaccustomed to it, however brave naturally. He felt his hands tremble as he handled his ritle, but the tremor of nature did not prevent his feeling anxious to go to the front. Olu Pete Wilkins answered Gilmore’s question. “Thar's about twenty on ‘em, as near as I kin tell, but’ ~ whether they seen me or not I ain’t sartin. Come, hurry up . r. and git to the front. Scramble over the mar’, Gil. Come, Frank.” Little Gilmore made no reply save to place his hands on the mare’s croup and vault into the saddle, where he stood up —s ~ for a moment and then leaped clear over her head, lighting on his feet by Wilkins. - Frank Weston came forward more cautiously. It was a very nervous business passing the two horses on that narrow ledge. He crept along on the outside, however, holding on by the horses’ legs as he passed. It was a far more danger- ous way in fact, but it looked less hazardous, and the young Texan was not used to this kind of work. He succeeded in passing safely, and the three companions stood together, sheltered from view of the approaching Indians by the jut- ting buttress of rock. _“ Now then, fellers,” said Pete, “the path’s wide enough to hold two abreast round the corner. We must git round, and commence shootin’ at once, Mind, we mustn’leave a - single Injun alive, or we'll hev the hull tribe on us.” - And without another word the three passed boldly round | _ the edge of the rock and found themselves in full view of a | PW a Oe 5 we ) Fee” UE let oe a > o. - ad .