On the Trail of Geronimo — page 153: what you’re looking at

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

ON THE TRAIL OF GELONIMO. 143 could be too great. Joggens and Windstrom were at the head, as usual, and it was characteristic of them that when they came in contact with some loose fragment of rock that was easily moved, they lifted it from the path. If the stone was too heavy to be handled, they emitted a faint sibilant sound, to warn those behind them that unusual caution was necessary. By and by the ascending trail seemed to end. There was no longer any path to follow, and it was necessary to creep over the bowlders and rocks in their way. Overthem the men went unhesitatingly crawling on all fours, and spreading out on either hand, looking in the moonlight like so many huge bees climbing up the mountain side. Suddenly Captain Campereaux uttered a guarded execration. He had caught the clink of a canteen against the rocks behind him. The whispered order to halt was instantly given, followed by the command to the men to remove their canteens. The crisis was too close at hand for any chances to be taken. The vessels were noiselessly laid aside, the sur- geon being the only one allowed to retain his. Then the advance was renewed. the captain finding CoOnniclooo SH (CO) im