José — page 215: what you’re looking at

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

208 JOSE. the high grass. Scarcely fifty paces beyond was the first wigwam. “Be off now, freighter, in a straight line across the creek, and to work,” Bob muttered, in a low tone. “Should you chance to run across a dead body remember that it is only a dog, which the Prairie-Devil has already removed from our path. Tam thinking the red coyotes will soon make his acquaintance——” Abruptly he paused. A low growl was heard a few paces away and seemed slowly drawing nearer.” “Don’t move a limb,” Bob whispered; “sure enough, one of the brutes still survives!” At that instant a specimen of. the large dogs which he had observed in the village on the preced- ing afternoon, loomed up before Baumann’s vision, approaching step upon step with leveled head and glowing eyes. Nota grass-blade swayed about the trio, listening with bated breath to the approaching sound; but scarcely had the animal come within reach, pausing and growling viciously, apparently undecided what to do, when with a single unerring grip Bob’s right hand fastened upon the dog’s throat—two blows with his left fist, that followed in quick succession and sounded like the strokes of an iron hammer on a hollow object—and noiselessly the animal rolled over upon the ground. “He will never open his eyes again!” chuckled Bob, pushing the carcass aside. “Don’t let us lose another minute—away, freighter, and discharge your duty as silently as you saw me doa moment since.” The other made no reply and stole noiselessly Eomichookssco m