Deadwood Dick's Big Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon — page 77: what you’re looking at

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

4 DEADWOOD DICK, _ Concluding that there was nothing more practicable to do for the present, Dick fixed a comfortable bed for little Dick out of one of the blankets, and rolled himself in the _ He was in no humor for repose, however, and was on his guard every moment. The hours dragged by slowly, the fire in the cave burned low, and.one of the guards came in to add fresh fuel to it. He was a rough, heavy-bearded fellow, who, it struck Dick, had a famliar look. . “Aire ye awake?” he asked, in a low tone, as he piled on the wood. “Be in readiness, and I'll get you ont of this afore morning.” “All right!” Dick answered, considerably surprised and puzzled. , The man went back to the cave entrance, and did duty as sentinel. The other men were lying about, evidently snatching.a little sleep while a chance afforded. Outside the cave the rain now came down steadily and heavily, while the wind moaned dismaily through the pines. : “f# good night for escape, if I can once get outside the ¥’ Dick mused. “If they have taken my horse, I can