Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 183: what you’re looking at

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

IT'HE WALKING WAS GOOD, 175 The quartet of revolvers disappears. ‘“We beg his pardon. Peter, accept this as an apology,’’ and Bob thrusts a big cartwheel silver dol- lar into the black hand of the charcoal burner who seems to breathe easier when that terrible array) of firearms no longer stares him in the face. ‘What were you about to tell us, my man ?”? ‘“Well, yer see, the road yer on is dangerous. It goes right past whar ole Jim an’ his gang hole out —sartin sure ter hev trouble,’’ says Peter. “Ts there any other to Gordonville?’’ ‘‘By goin’ back a mile y’ell come acrost one. Reckon ther driver is a knowin’ o’ it.”? “Yes, I’ve heard about it, but this is the best road, if ye ain’t worryin’ about Jim,’’ returns that worthy. | A hurried council of war is held. Strangely enough Mrs. Bob sounds the keynote of the campaign when she says: ‘‘T am for war. We will lose time in going back, and may waste the whole night, as the road is unfamiliar to the driver. Count me as voting for an advance along the whole line.’’ The others applaud her decision. ‘“’That settles it—driver, push on. Peter, good- night, and many thanks to you.’’ So they leave the blazing fires of the charcoal burner and continue along the lonely road. ‘(We must be more than half way—my bright idea did not turn out so well, after all,’’ says Gypsy, but the others will not hear of her taking any blame for their delay. Gomicbookssco in