Читать книгу Buffalo Bill, Peacemaker; Or, On a Troublesome Trail онлайн

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The loafing cattlemen gave the scout keen attention as he loped past. Even though his name was unknown, yet he was a figure to command attention anywhere. The magnificent black war horse, without a peer for looks, mettle and speed, backed by the lithe, athletic form that swayed in perfect unison with the black’s movements, offered a picture not easily forgotten.

The cowboys sat up and stared. The scout waved a hand at them in friendly wise, slowed pace at the hitching-pole and dismounted. Quickly he buckled his reins about the pole, moved to the open door of the cabin and, unannounced, stepped inside.

A volley of savage oaths greeted his appearance. Calmly he leaned against the wall and took the measure of the situation.

He was in a room, a big room, whose floor was littered with catamount and wolf skins. The furniture, although of the pioneer variety, was comfortable and somewhat pretentious.

There were three men in the room. The one that commanded most of the scout’s attention was, to use a colloquial term, “buck-and-gagged;” that is, he was trussed up in a manner as uncomfortable as it was effective.