Beadle's Dime Novels No. 231: The Texan Trailer — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

THE COMANCHE WAR-PARTY. . 7 Colonel Crockett stood almost fascinated at the sight. The Comanches were fine-looking men, gayly dressed in bright colors, all mounted on magnificent horses, and, as is well known, they are among the finest horsemen in the world. Sitting as motionless as carved figures, they would have formed a capital scene for a painter. The question that naturally occurred to the hunter ws whether these made up the entire force of Comanches that were marching against Brownston. If they did, the town being forewarned, certainly had little to fear from them ; but the settlers who dwelt im the surrounding country were as powerless to resist this band, as though all the red-skins west of the Rio Grande should descend upon them. Crockett felt that time was important, and that he endan- gered the safety of others by waiting ; but, he was so anxious to watch their movements that he Cetermined to wait awhile at least, and try to discover their intentions. His experience among the Creek Indians had given him a good knowledge of Indian character and ways, and he was not long in understanding that was a sort of council—those in the center of the large circle, having all to say in the mat- ter. Crockett first carefully approached his own mustang, and securing him, sprang upon his back, and then held himself in readiness io flee in case the red-skins should turn their faces toward him. - ~ Some fifteen minutes passed in this painful suspense, when a simultaneous shout arose from the group, and they were seen turning their horses about, and brandishing their wea- pons about their heads. The conclusion had-been reached ! The Comanches were now ready to march! And just at this moment, Colonel Crockett became aware that the faces of the Indians were turned toward him, and their horses were galloping at full speed directly at the point in the wood where he stood. “ Be sure you're right, then go ahead,” growled Crockett, as he wheeled his mustang about, “and I think it’s right for me to kick gravel.” : The proximity of the trees was such that, as | have shown comichooks;com ‘a L 4