On the Trail of Geronimo — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

ON THE TRAIL OF GERONIMO. 87 person will do when assailed by an unexpected peril. Having drawn his knife, the Apache half turned and struck a venomous blow over his shoulder, which cut the coat of the youth. Before he could repeat it, Dick read his purpose. «What do you mean, you wretch?” demanded the indignant officer; “Ive got my pistol, and I will give you a taste of that.” But to draw his weapon he would have to relax his hold around the Apache’s waist. This would give his enemy a fatal advantage, and the youth dared not attempt it, even though the single charge in his revolver would have settled the busi- ness. So long as Dick could hold his enemy squarely in front, so Jong was he safe, but such a state of affairs could not last long. The pony was on a wild gallop, while a squad of cavalry were pressing them hard, the men shouting and firing their car- bines. ‘Though the darkness prevented anything like accurate shooting, the bullets were whistling alarmingly close to the ears of the fugitives. Besides, Dick was serving the disagreeable part of a shield to the Apache, for the ball that reached the Indian must first hit the white man. Comilcoookks (CO) mM