Sunset Ranch: A Story of a Boy's Adventures in the West — page 132: what you’re looking at

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

122 The Stoux Village. It grew more broken now, as they approached the foothills. Seen in the misty moonlight, it presented new fea- tures that might have aroused his interest, only that utter weariness prevented him from enjoying any- thing. Cuthbert had never been so tired in his life. Every bone in his body ached—perhaps more as a result of his rough treatment after being roped by the Indians and dragged over the prairie, than be- cause of the ride, since he had long since ceased to be dismayed at anything in the way of this latter. Even the young bucks at length began to show plain evidences of distress, and a halt became neces- sary. Pride caused Cuthbert to disguise his real condi- tion. It was just as strong in the breast of this Vir- ginia lad as with the untutored sons of the wilder- ness, and he slipped from Buckskin’s back with forced agility, assuming a gayety he was far from feeling. Some dropped down and slept, while others cooked more tough venison. Cuthbert pushed his way to the fire and toasted a bit of meat for himself. Then he threw his form upon the velvety turf, masticated his food, and rolled over upon the indian blanket he had taken from the back of his horse. It was like all Indian blankets, | anything but clean, but Cuthbert had gotten over many foolish notions that had accompanied him West, and thought only of the comfort it gave. He blinked up at the clouds now passing over the moon for a few minutes or so, and then exhausted nature carried him to dreamland. The steady downpour of rain and the mutter of voices aroused him. At first he thought he had been asleep but a few minutes, and at sight of the Indians making prepara- tions to resume the flight he was sorely dismayed; ConniclooOokks.€©