Читать книгу Buffalo Bill's Still Hunt; Or, The Robber of the Range онлайн

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His hair was very long, falling far down his back, and he wore a mustache and imperial which gave him a military air.

His horse was richly caparisoned, and it looked ready for any service its master demanded.

His lasso coil having been most skilfully launched over the waters and caught by Nina de Sutro, the horseman called out in a voice of command:

“Tie a firm knot about the dash of the carriage, and I will make fast my end to this tree.”

The girl obeyed with alacrity, and, dismounting, the man took his stake-rope, and, throwing aside his hat, jacket, belt of arms, and boots with heavy spurs, plunged into the stream, and was, with a few vigorous strokes, carried to the vehicle, which was just balancing upon the bar of sand, the horses barely keeping their feet.

The stake-ropes of the horses were taken from the boot and tied securely to the one carried by the rescuer. The new line was then made fast to the pole, the stranger meanwhile acting rapidly and coolly, while he said:

“Have no fear now, ladies, for I will swim ashore with this line, attach it to my saddle, and my horse will drag your carriage ashore. You, miss, hold the reins, but cling to the carriage top-rail, should the vehicle capsize, as this lady must also do. Now all is ready, and there is no time to lose.”