The Prairie Detective: Secret Service Series No. 24 — page 146: what you’re looking at

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

144 THE PRAIRIE DETECTIVE. spected. The first man among you who repeats this performance, shall answer for it with his life. Move on.”’ The offender was assisted to his saddle,and ac- companied the march with downcast eyes and sub- dued mien. — Marian and her father had instantly recognized in the speaker Esther’s former lover, who was none other than Persimmon Bill himself. Under-any other circumstances both would have berated him in the most condemnatory terms for the part he had played. But he had rendered them a service in saving a defenseless girl from wanton in- sult, and they were obliged, reluctant though they were, to acknowledge a certain sense of gratitude to ~ him. At dusk the party halted, and took a rest of six hours duration, after which the mustangs were again saddled, and the weary journey was.resumed. At daybreak there was ‘another brief stop, and then they went on again. About eight o’clock the leaders reached the bank of a shallow stream} the water of which flowed with great rapidity over a hard, pebbly bottom. Into this the horses were driven, and for the next four hours they floundered on through the river itself, following its course carefully. Just as the sun reached the meridian the party came to a long, flat rock, lying in-the midst of the narrow current. Upon this the horses were driven, and it was announced that there would be a rest of several hours. 7 This served as a relief for the tired travelers , many of whom were soon stretched at full length, basking in the warm sunlight, while the tough and r - ot gi st ' books. co