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Altsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander), 1862-1919

"The Free Rangers A Story of the Early Days Along the Mississippi"

Besides the accomplishment
of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of
government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to
the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and
destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in
either America. It is no wonder that the bosoms of the five throbbed with
curiosity, and that they looked forward to strange and varied sights.
"Now, Jim," said Shif'less Sol in a warning tone to Long Jim, "I've got
advice to give you. I wuz in a big town once. I told you about that time I
went to Baltimore when I wuz a little boy, an' so I'm fit to tell you how
to behave. New Or-lee-yuns ain't like the woods, Jim. Don't you be too
handy with your gun. Ef you see a man follerin' along behind you ez ef he
wuz trailin' you, don't you up an' take a shot at him. Like ez not he's
about his business, only it happens to be in the same direction that
you're goin'. An', Jim, don't you go to gittin' dizzy, through seein' so
many people about. Mebbe you don't think thar will be sech a crowd, but
you'll believe it when you see it."
"Sol Hyde," rejoined Long Jim indignantly, "I'm sorry New Or-lee-yuns
ain't right at the sea, 'cause the sea is salt, so I've heard, an' then ef
I wuz to dip you in it three or four times it would do you a pow'ful lot
uv good.


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