José — page 112: what you’re looking at

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

JOSE. 105 broke down in the haunches ere he could reach the Indians, and his rider toppled over backward. The Indian yell changed into a howl; the Comanche chief galloped back—Old Bob cast a look at the caravan, ominously shook his head, tore the rifle from his back, and marched in long strides toward the Indians, now moving about in a state of wild confusion. The train crew could distinguish his ciant stature for some moments, gesticulating and brandishing his double-barrel; an instant later he was concealed behind a troop of horse who detached themselves from the main body and came galloping over the plain with the speed of a whirlwind, their riders, with lances leveled, bent down to their horses’ necks, completely protecting them from the fire of the caravan. It seemed impossible to repel such a charge successfully. “Keep cool!” cried the wagon-boss, who had only regained his composure when the negotiations were interrupted, “Don’t fire before the word is given! Ready—fire !” | The charging detachment had received fire at fifty paces, and at first sight the effect of the volley appeared to exceed all expectations of the defend- ers. The troop had been scattered as if by a stroke of lightning. Horses were rolling in mortal pain upon the grass; riders were slowly winding them- selves from under their fallen animals, and the re- mainder was charging back to the main body ina wide circle. But barely two hundred yards hence the fugitives were again closing up, and with a wild howl the troop came thundering down upon the train for the second time. “Second line—ready !” commanded Wood; but ere the assailants had come within as close range as the first time, the detach- Eomichbooks