Sunset Ranch: A Story of a Boy's Adventures in the West — page 34: what you’re looking at

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

28 Chased by a Prairie Fire. ably in a pool of water that oozed from his gar- ments. Before lying down, Karl went to see Buckskin, and Cuthbert could hear him talking affectionately to the weary horse, as he hobbled him where the grass was greenest. This time Cuthbert slept despite the new excite- ment that had come upon them—tired Nature de- manded repose, and even his heated brain had to give in. When he awoke the sun was shining, Karl was busy at the fire making a limited breakfast as only a cowboy knows how, and the odor of fragrant coffee permeated the air. Cuthbert was up in a jiffy. “Hi there, Karl,” he called out, gayly, “what can I do to help the ood cause along: ee “Lots!” said Karl promptly, and he set his new chum to work. The simple breakfast, eaten under such singular conditions, tasted fine, and Cuthbert’s Spirits arose to greater heights than before. This was the free life for which he had so long yearned, and he felt sure he would enjoy being Karl’s comrade. Buckskin apparently did not like the idea of again bearing a double burden; perhaps it brought to his equine mind the startling events associated with his last experience in that line; but Karl had the master hand, and no broncho that lived could baffle his desire. Accordingly they mounted and were off at a very moderate pace. Karl had little doubt as to his ability to discover the freighters’ caravan, which he knew must have crossed the river at the usual ford, and reaching this he showed his companion the deep ruts made by the wheels of the great wagons drawn by mule power. comclooolkks.€©