On the Trail of Geronimo — page 230: what you’re looking at

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

218 ON THE TRAIL OF GERONIMO. to base hope. Joggens convinced his companions that his theory was the most likely. It was that some of the warriors had crept close enough to the building to apply the torch undetected. Then the party, which may not have numbered more than five or six, had withdrawn and calmly awaited developments. As the men came out they were shot down, while the women, with possibly the exception of the eldest, were taken away as prisoners. Whether they were slain or spared he considered an even chance, for during these terrible times so-called mercy depended on the whim of the dusky leader who might chance to get the upper hand. Under these trying circumstances, something of the anxiety with. which the party waited for day may be understood. Never did the hours pass more wearily. It was more than probable the Apaches were nowhere in the immediate vicinity, but the troopers dared not move, lest they should precipitate an attack at a moment when the chances were much less favorable than while among the rocks. But all such weary waiting must have an end, and a general sigh of relief went up when the glare CORNICE OOOKKS.EO