Sunset Ranch: A Story of a Boy's Adventures in the West — page 253: what you’re looking at

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

The Stampede. 241 good they would make a bold bid for fortune ere the turn of another day. By following the back trail they had hopes of run- ning into the arms of Mr. Kelly and his cowboy band, if so be those worthies were coming to Polly’s relief. Karl was heartily glad to quit the pocket in the wall, and once more breathe the fresh air, to hear the breeze rustle the coloring leaves overhead, and see the bright stars hung high in the heavens. He realized what a desperate piece of business lay before them, but the spirit of enterprise and de- termination that had tided him over numerous diffi- culties in the past again came to the fore, and bol- stered up his courage. It was Polly whom he risked all for; Polly, who seemed as dear to him as a young sister, and whose cruel fate, if left in the midst of these rough ele- ments, was enough to arouse compassion in even a less sympathetic breast than Karl’s. They approached the settlement with great cau- tion. As on the preceding night, it was a scene of con- siderable confusion, for the hour of feeding was on. Karl speedily caught sight of Polly, busily en- gaged in her culinary labors. He watched her every move with an eagerness that sprung from genuine concern. “See here, Buckshot,” said Karl, softly; “we got to find a way of letting Polly know we’re here and that we’re going to get her out of the hands of these fellers.”’ “How!” ejaculated the Indian. “Yes, that’s just it—how? Set your dusky brains to work and try to figure how we’re to reach Polly.” “Me tink one way.’ “Well, let’s hear it.” “Polly, she woman.” Comicloooks C©