Sunset Ranch: A Story of a Boy's Adventures in the West — page 49: what you’re looking at

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

Wild Life on the Ranch. 43 the glowing sun, and as his acquaintance with old Sile deepened he discovered new traits to admire— that the plainsman who had laughed the Indians to scorn as he stood at the torture post, with a bravado equal to the most reckless among them, or engage in a single-handed fight with a grizzly bear, his only weapon a hunting-knife, could at the same time be as tender 2s a woman with a wounded companion. They were but five in all, Old Sile,; the two kids and a couple of range riders who knew their busi- ness from A to Z, hardy fellows, good natured, reckless, and of course with the almost universal love for strong drink that marks their kind. Taken altogether, they presented quite a deter- mined and warlike appearance, and the tenderfoot believed it would be a sorry day for the painted ma- rauders should they come in contact with them. He had had no experience with Sioux on the rampage, and did not know what deviltry they were capable of showing. The gallop continued mile after mile. Eager eyes scanned the surrounding prairie when- ever the horses topped a rise, but if the Indians were near by they managed to conceal their where- abouts without trouble, for no one caught even a glimpse of them in any quarter. Then Old Sile gave a sudden signal for the career- ing squad to halt, and was overboard immediately, bending over the trail his keen eyes, ever on the alert for “sign.” Crouching down on all fours he began his exam- ination. At intervals was heard a grunt, and finally he delivered himself with the air of a man who knows not doubt: “Ten Indians. Heading for spot northeast of camp. Why in thund’ration did Kelly send the cat- tle thar?” cComiclooks C©