Sunset Ranch: A Story of a Boy's Adventures in the West — page 236: what you’re looking at

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

224 ~~ ‘The Raid on the Bad Lands. “Oh, yes; you want me to notice the trail as we go along.” The Indian nodded. “We come Polly p’rhaps. Shoot me—you get ’way. Where? Not know. See?” “That’s right, Buckshot,’ exclaimed Karl. “*Twould be a mighty bad business for me if any- thing was to happen to you; but it’d be kinder harder on my luck if I was to rescue Polly and then not know the way back to home.” “Watch trail,” repeated the Indian, laying his finger on his lips. =» And together they moved on in silence. Karl shuddered at the prospect around him; it was all so vastly different from the grassy plains where life abounded and where it seemed so easy to breathe. Here gloomy rocks surrounded them and only ghostly buzzards or skulking, piratical coyotes could be seen. It was the land of death, avoided by every animal worthy of the name of game, a fitting abode for evil spirits who had cheated the border Judge Lynch of his dues, a place of refuge whence they could sally forth at intervals to pounce upon some unlucky caravan and secure plunder. Karl believed it would give him the nightmare, and that it must be a long time ere he could shake off the chill which these dreary surroundings cast upon his usually buoyant spirits. At the same time there was not the slightest change in his determination. He was ready to undertake any risk, however great, in order to accomplish the task of rescuing Polly. Not once did he consider the romantic side of the business. All he had in mind was that Polly was here against her will, and her appearance indicated how unhappy she felt. Karl cared to know nothing further. Connicloooks.€©