The Prairie Detective: Secret Service Series No. 24 — page 44: what you’re looking at

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

42 THE PRAIRIE DETECTIVE. rooster. But we’re nigh thar now, an’ ye kin see fer yerself.’’ A moment later they reached the spot where Dan had been nearly murdered. There, lying cold and stark upon the ground, with his glassy eyes fixed on space, lay all that was left of Jim Slavin. The detective’s rifle was found lying where the surviving ruffian in his hasty retreat had left it. It’s owner picked up the weapon joyfully, and was about to suggest to Ryan that they should begin their journey toward the fort, when the borderman accosted him for the first time with a serious face. ‘‘Look hyar, stranger,’’ he began. ‘I foun’ ye layin’ alone and wounded onto the perairie, an’ I restored ye to life, as one man orto do with ’nother. So far so good; but afore you an’ me goes ahead to- gether I’ve got to know who ye are, an’ what is yer connection with thet Persimmon Bill outfit. Ifso be ye’re squar an’ honest, why all right.. But don’t ye try to play nothin’ crooked onto me, ’cos I won’t stan’ thet.” The buffalo hunter had spoken with vehemence. Dan reflected an instant before he replied. Why should he not tell this man his mission? From the fact that he had ruthlessly slain one of the gang it was evident that he was the enemy of the band. Besides, looking into the face of his newly found friend, he saw what told him that any secret would be safe in Ryan’s possession. Without further parley, then, he recounted his former adventures with Bill Creighton, his orders from the chief of the Secret Service to xapture the villain, and the incidents which had already fallen in his way. The scout heard his story without a word of com- Gomicbooks (ele)