Beadle's Dime Novels No. 316: Hurricane Bill — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

94 HURRICANE BILL. distance to utter a long-drawn, lugubrious how! as if protest- ing against this invasion of his domain. A family of javalinas Jeap up from their wollowing place with shrill snorts and eye the travelers, viciously champing their long, white tusks, half inclined to attack the intruders. Here the trampling of hoofs start up a covey of quail, or a couple of grouse; the soft, long-drawn note of the dove was mingled with the more rapid call of the wood pigeon. Such is the Evil Land and its inhabitants. A native would add demons, gnomes, aphrites; but our frieuds beheld none of these. The “ witching hour” was past. ad It was midforenoon when Hurricane Bill called a halt. Both animals and riders were tired, sleepy and hungry. Of water they had a supply, having filled their gourds at a spring just before daylight. Of food, two and a half brace of grouse hung beside Hurricane Bill’s leg.. He had dropped them while riding along, with bis revolver. “ T reckon this is the best place we kin find,” observed the tall plainsman, as he paused upon the edge of the crater. * It looks cool down thar. Then the critters kin git drink, sech as itis. The smoke ’]] scatter afore it rises the edge hyar.” Even Don Munez hesitated but for a moment. Though naturally anxious to reach home and safety as quickly as pos- sible, and dreading lest the bandits should improve the time thus given them, to get before them once more, he saw that Carmela was utterly exhausted. She must rest, in order to ‘have strength to meet the difficulties that might still bestrew their path. Yet it required all his courage to enter what the natives called the Temple of the Evil Spirits. Dismounting, Hurricane Bill gently lifted Carmela from Tornado’s back and then carried her down to the side of the miniature lake. The big borderer was wonderfully tender and careful; the change became him, too. He tore off huge handsful of leaves to:form a cushioned seat. And he felt a thousand fold repaid when Carmela’s dark eyes met his in mute thanks, © Hurricane Bill eas corraled. A small fire was kindled and the grouse were speedily roast- ing. The horses were eagerly feeding, after a sniff of dis- gust at the water. It was jetty black, though clear, at least ¢ 4 4 conmicloooks. com