The Prairie Detective: Secret Service Series No. 24 — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRAIRIE DETECTIVE. 29 ‘‘Air you the rooster they call Sycamore Dan?’’ asked the man who had spoken before. ““Ye’ve guessed it, sure ’nuff,’’ rejoined Dan. ‘‘An’ did ye give out as how ye wanted somebody fer to guide ye across to Fort Hays?’’ ‘“Kerrect agin. Ye’re doin’ well, so go ahead.” “Wal, stranger, me an’ my pard yere will do the job fer ye, in good shape at a mod’rit figger. We air goin’ back thet way ourselves, an’ ef ye like we’ll give yea hist. Is ita go?’ “It are. What d’ye want in the shape o’ cash?’’ kee we'll be easy with ye. Say fifty dollars, an’ you to furnish grub, boat, an’ all that, we to do all the work. Ain’t that easy ’nuff?’’ “It suits me toa T. When will ye be able to open up the start?’’ ‘To-morrow mornin’. Is that soon ’nuff?’’ ‘“Thet will do. Good-day, gentlemen.’’ His guests departed, and Dan gave a sigh of relief. At last the vexatious question was settled, and he had managed the difficult problem of securing guides. He did not half like the appearance of his new employees, but he reflected that men were fre- quently better than they looked, and added to him- self that he was not afraid of any two men who ever walked the earth. Andso he dismissed the matter from his mind without another thought. Bright and early in the morning he went down to the river, where his boat, all ready for the voyage, was lying. It was a trim little craft, of good size, but light draught, and very easily paddled through the water. The two guides were on hand ahead of him, and after making sure that all was fully pre-~ pared, they pushed off, and started up the sluggish stream. SS (Efe) GEomicboo