José — page 229: what you’re looking at

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

299, JOSE. Fe trail,” interrupted the freighter ;. “at least I never heard of a fort on the Canadian River except in New Mexico.” The hunter nodded. “That is a clew, indeed,” he said. “I guess there are not so many forts but that a person could ascer- tain something about a chief who is feared there. Moreover, it is the only way I can think of to at once dispose of the mules, which we can’t allow to follow us all the time. SoI think we can rest now and resume our expedition with nightfall. I will take the first watch and think it all over.” He arose and examining his gun continued his way toward the river. Dutch Bill, turning his back to the sun, lay in the grass and covered his face with his hat, while Baumann found a shady spot near the rocks, where the two friends were soon comfortably ensconced. “Now, then, one thing above all!” animatedly began the American, when he had barely stretched out upon the ground; “you all know the secret of Jose’s sex?” “Despite her false feathers, the hunter penetrated her identity,” Baumann said, with a smile. “But it appears that Mr. Green was aware of it before.” The other pressed his fingers against his eyes. “i guessed her secret,” he said; “she knew it, and that very night disappeared. That will explain to you much of what occurred and my conduct at the time. Oh, she is a wonderful creature!” he con- tinued, raising upon his elbow; “and I scarcely know what most pained me, ruinous losses and imprisonment, or the necessity of parting with her. However, I willtell you the story, that you may not consider me a fool.” He slowly leaned back in the grass and resumed: Eomichbooks (E(0) m