Leather-Clad Tales of Adventure and Romance, No. 38 — page 176: what you’re looking at

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

168 IN THE SUNK LANDS. The boys were compelled to do as they ~ | were ordered—-for the crowd fingered their guns in amanner very trying to one’s nerves —and Smoky Bill tied their arms securely with strips of buckskin and an inane smile. ‘‘ Now, face to’ards the sou’west an’ step out lively !’’ commanded Jim Lacy. ‘Six o us'll go on an’ git the cinch on t’other two. Ef they don’t move fast enough, prick ’em up with a bowie knife!” “We'll stick 1t clean thr-ugh ’em !” said one of the men, with a cheerfulness that sent the cold shivers chasing each other up the trio’s back. “Oh, no; an inch orso will be enough,” replied Mr. Jim Lacy, carelessly. If Jim Lacy intended to frighten them about the depth they would be pricked if inclined to loiter, he succeeded; for, although knowing it was simply a bluff, they did not know what ENE etation the guards would make. Jim and five of his followers set out to- wards the cabin, while the others, giving the boys a violent push, started in the opposite direction. Gall and wormwood would have been Eomicbooks (ele) mn