Sunset Ranch: A Story of a Boy's Adventures in the West — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

Chased by a Prairie Fire. 23 saw the yellow-red glow that was lighting up the heavens as no harvest moon ever could illuminate them, and with a snort of alarm sprang to his feet. Cuthbert knew then and there some good cause for action had arisen, but he did not comprehend the whole terrible significance of the truth until his companion clasped his arm and half led, half dragged him to the edge of the motte facing the west. Then he was simply appalled by the weird and un- canny spectacle that burst upon his view—the whole horizon as far as the sight could reach seemed to be on fire, and the strange, roaring sound he had listened to as the approach of a storm was a secret no longer. “That’s the moon that rises in the west!’ ital Karl, sarcastically. “A prairie on fire!’ gasped Cuthbert. “Yes; ain’t it a grand and terrible sight? But this is no time for talk—we’ve got to do some tall riding right away if we want to have a chance to see day- light again. Come!” How steadily he spoke in the face of a peril that threatened death! Cuthbert had admired him be- fore, but now he felt something even stronger for the lad whose spirit could not be daunted by even such an impending calamity. Karl gave his orders coolly, but quickly, for sec- onds were precious at such a time. It seemed hardly a minute ere they were at the side of the snorting horse, Karl running the trailing lariat through his hands until he reached the fright- ened animal, Cuthbert coming just behind with the cowboy saddle and paraphernalia. “Sorry for you, Buckskin, my boy, but there’s no escape. You've got to bear double this night, and let out every kink at that or we’re all goners for CoOmicaoo cS CO