Sunset Ranch: A Story of a Boy's Adventures in the West — page 275: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XX, THE LAST ROUND-UP. It seemed almost too good to be true. Karl dug his knuckles into his eyes and looked again, to see the wild riders swinging up with vo- ciferous shouts of hearty welcome and congratula- tion. He could even distinguish Mr. Kelly and Old Sile, together with the shrieking Virginia boy in the van, and all were waving sombreros like people possessed. Into Karl’s heart there crept a peace such as he had never known before—a spirit of gratitude that brought tears to his eyes, so great was the revul- sion of feeling. A minute before he had been al- most at the point of despair, and nerved to take hu- man life if need be in order to defend Polly, while now the spirit of war fled to give place to the gentle dove of peace. He turned to Polly. Their hands met ina fervent clasp; not a word was exchanged, but the tears that glistened in her eyes, as well as the glow of satis- faction illuminating his face, spoke eloquently enough. Already the Indian was on top of the stockade, brandishing his arms and giving vent to whoops that voiced his sentiments. Little Buckshot could meet death without a tremor, but life had charms for the son of a chief with a future before him, and he flung aside his stoical ways for once to allow his natural feelings full swing. There Karl joined him as soon as he could com- mand his limbs; and there he swung his old weather- beaten felt hat with right good will to welcome the coming of the boys. comiclooks C@©