The Prairie Detective: Secret Service Series No. 24 — page 162: what you’re looking at

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

160 THE PRAIRIE DETECTIVE, frightened horses were running wildly over the prai- — rie. The fourth rider, quite unscathed, checked his ani- mal as quickly as possible, and turned to fly. But in the meantime Dan had reloaded his rifle, and before the horse had made three Jumps his rider rolled heavily upon the ground, stone dead, with an ounce of lead in his brain. The work had been done well and quickly. “Now then,’’ said Ryan, coolly, as he rolled over so as to face Robinson; ‘‘now then we'll listen to what ye’ve got to say.” ‘“T agree at once,’’ responded the man. ‘But as the story is interesting to all of us, I should like to have the young lady-hear it also.”’ ‘“Sartin,’’ observed the scout. ‘‘That’s a good idee. So let’s go back to camp.”’ | In five minutes they were seated about the fire, and Robinson was telling his story. “Tt isn’t a very long yarn,’’ said he, ‘‘but what there is of itis true. The young lady has, no doubt, told you all there was to tell about the little aid I was able to grant her. Of course when the gang, headed by that devil Hatfield, came up 1 knew it was no use for me to try and do battle against so many, and therefore I was obliged to use my cun- ning in drawing them off the scent. In this scheme I was entirely successful, and I did not learn until nightfall, after I had been leading them away for three or four hours, of your imprisonment by Hat- field. It disturbed me more than you can guess, be- cause I knew you would think that was my work. However, I did not fear for your ultimate safety, because I had directed Miss Esther how to find you, , ee comicbooks.co