Sunset Ranch: A Story of a Boy's Adventures in the West — page 205: what you’re looking at

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

The Gray-Coated Pirate. 193 seen, and Cuthbert’s heart beat high with pleasure at the familiar sight. Presently he would be mounted on his own horse, with a lariat in hand, dashing hither and yon in pur- a obstinate cattle that refused to keep with the herd. It surprised him to realize what a strange fascina- tion this wild life held for him. When a prisoner among the Sioux he had thought that, once more free, he would start East and resume his former career ; but the first sight of cattle awoke within him the desire to see more of this wonderful country and its strange sights. There were avenues he had not yet explored, of which Karl had never ceased to talk—of hunting and trapping in the winter, and ex- peditions to Texas and old Mexico after cattle—of the gold miner’s wild life, seeking fortune’s smiles amid the rugged fastnesses of the Black Hills. Well, all things considered, he was not yet ready to give up this adventurous life and resume his hopeless search in city and town for the girl cousin who persisted in being a will-o’-the-wisp, continually | eluding his grasp. And this determination became stronger the next day when he sighted the beloved Sunset Ranch, and a charming little maid named Polly galloped out on her pony to meet and welcome home the long lost lad who had won a place in her warm girlish heart. Conniclooe® SS C@©