Log Cabin Library: The Queen of the Canons — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

> => é » - [3° «eee . ” rs - ~ ) wth oe Pe ea ty ee = ~ a * + But she did _soldiers-are doomed to destruction. ‘ed s po 2 Mt. Sa : > eS ned ? * ‘ ° ao a, pets antl _— * 4 ‘ % > ter any , ~ om « Pe - av ol we > aera. : wee ma Mad 5 I . 4 a4 % _s ” cer 4 . * * - “ « — f s ~ 2S a™ re a 4 ~ + J a. y' * - aad - - Pigs 2 ie =) » SR Ot A a - \ ~~ ? 5 ae. othe > aan 5 > . S ce — — eee ee — —EE a a eee lS OS Oe ‘* *Pears to be ’bout ten t’ousan, but I shouldn’t wonder if dere is ober a hundred.” “Uncle,” said Juan, drawing his uncle aside, ‘‘these As long as you re- main in this fortified ranch, double the number of savages cannot drive you out, even if they were hostile to you, which I do not believe. If you go to the assistance of this handful of troops, you will probably meet with destruc- tion yourself. Better leave them to their fate.” “Juan Camargo,” exclaimed the recluse of the Red Ranch, almost for the first time speaking sternly and harshly to him, “I go to the rescve of my country’s soldiers. Stay you behind, if you desire it.” “By Heaven, you wrong me!” cried Juan, warmly. “I spoke but for your sake and hers.” ‘‘How does it look now, Josh?” called out Mr. Bounty. ‘‘Dustier’n nebber, massa,” replied Josh, from the top of the wall. “Golly! look at de Injuns! Some is crossin’ de ribber on hossback.” “There is no time to lose, then,” said Mr. Bounty. It was decided to retain ten men inside the ranch for its defense in case of an emergency, and Mr. Bouaty was to remain with these. The remainder of the torce—about thirty-five in number, composed of friendly Indians, peons, and a few white hunters, all well mounted and ‘armed—were ordered to move at once to the attack, Jingo Josh being unanimously placed in command, as the most experienced borderer in the band. Just as they were moving away, a horse and his rider dashed tnrough the gate of the corral and joined them. It was Bertie. Her father yelled, and Mrs. Hornett, the housekeeper, screamed after her to come back. They caught a last glimpse of her, with her spear flash- ing and her long hair streaming in the moonlight, and that was all. “Dear me, what a worriting child! Whatever will be- come of her?” exclaimed Mrs. Hornett, wringing her hands. “Well, I hope she can take care of herself,” said Mr. Bounty, though he said it with a heayy heart. The troops had not been quite taken by surprise. They had surrounded themselves with their horses, most of which had already been killed, and were now making a gallant fight from behind the fallen carcasses. The Indians were attacking them fiercely, some on horse- back, and others, those who had come in boats, on foot. They were about a hundred strong, but many of their dead and wounded already strewed the ground. The moonlight msde the scene almost as bright as day. The beleaguered soldiers set up a shout of hope as the res- cuing band came in view; while the mounted Indians pre- pared to receive a charge. ‘ Bertie, the Queen of the Canons, forgetful of her de- sire to merely look on, was in the van, meteor-like, with her waving spear, back. Juan Camargo was somewhat in the rear. Beside him, like bis evil and grosser spirit, was Brazos Bob, the bravo. There was evidently an understanding between them, but neither of them spoke a word, even to each other. “Keep back, Mistis Bertie, keep back for de lub ob Heben!” cried Josh, as the hunters drew their steeds abreast, two deep, preparatory for the charge. “Oh, never mind me, Jingo!” cried the Queen of the Canons; “this may be the only chance of the kind I may ever have, you know.” However, he foreed her back into the rear line; and then, with a wild, ringing shout, the hunters charged. firing their rifles and pistols as they closed with the red- skins. . The latter were more poorly armed, most of them hav- ing bows and arrows instead of guns, but they were far superior in numbers, and fought bravely, while the other - Jndians continued their fire upon the soldiers. ertie did actually drive her spear through a redskin’s | body, and then, perhaps appalled by the desperate and ¢ bloody nature of the fight, withdrew a little to the rear. not fail to observe the combat with absorb- White and red horsemen seemed mixed up Py - s x & ar, jin THE LOG CAB despite Jingo Josh’s efforts to keep her | h inextricably, though the latter were evidently the nearest to giving way. Brazos Bob, during the fight. They seemed ever to hang upon the rear, and while still making a show of participation, appeared by no | means inearnest. Their action caused her to watch them closely and suspiciously. Suddenly, Gamargo, unaware of this espionage, raised his pistol, and aiming it unmistakably at Jingo Josh, eS was inthe heart of the fray, with his back turned, red. 3 The shot took effect upon the Black Scout’s left arm, for he let it fall with a painful gesture, and reeled in his saddle. The next instant, however, he recovered himself, and with the others, pressed on after the savages, who were now in full retreat. At the same time the Brazos bravo, seemingly imbued With sudden and fiery zeal, spurred among the pursuing |party ; but Bertie, who had watched everything narrowly, failed not to notice that he was more intent upon nearing Jingo Josh than in increasing the growing panic among the savages. | At last he came within a few paces of the negro, raised his revolver, and fired. A sudden rearing of the negro’s ‘horse caused the animal to receive the shot in his head, instead of his rider. | Thus the second attempt at assassination had failed, and Jingo Josh found himself unborsed, but unhurt, with the exception of a smarting flesh wound in the arm, and thé ‘state of affairs was such that the attempt on his life could ‘not be renewed: for Bertie was at his side in°a moment, while the baffled bravo slunk back to his equally guilty master. “Are you hurt, Josh?” exclaimed Bertie, with a world of tenderness. ' “Not much, mistis. left arm. Go back, Mistis Bertie, for Heben’s sake! -am no place fur you.” | “Hold your tongue, Josh, and bare your arm at once.” | She forced him to obey, despite his grimaces of depreca- tion, and tearing some wampum from the ornamentation of her hunting-dress, stanched his wound, and bound it up as best she could. “Now wait till I can catch a horse for you, for I see that ‘there are many of them in want of riders,” said she ; ‘‘and | while Iam gone, Josh‘ do you be on the lookout, for your enemies are not all Indians.” She dashed away. é | The contest between the mounted parties had led them a considerable distance from the beleaguered camp,and the ‘immediate field was now almost deserted, but she soon succeeded in capturing a riderless horse, with which she speedily returned to Jingo Josh. “Get on as soon as you can, you great good wooly- eaded old fellow,” said she ; “ we must recall the pursuers, and hasten back to the soldiers’ camp.” ; “Mistis Bertie,” said the Black Scout, regaining his sad- dle with some difficulty, ‘count de old man in!” With others of the horsemen who were returning from the pursuit of the routed foe, the Queen of the Canons and Jingo Josh rode back to the soldiers’ camp on the river- bank. They were just in time. : . The remnants of the little band were almost over- powered, and their assailants were pressing in upon them from all sides with hideous yells of triumph. - A charge or two of the mounted men proved sufficient to put them to flight, and most of the savages were cut down in their tracks. » The moon was still at its full, making everything as bright almost as day. | | Only a sort ob flea-scratch in my Dis At this time it was that she noticed the — peculiar action of her Cousin Juan and his good naan, — With asickening of the heart our heroine neared the ; little camp. It was not the field, gory and ghastly as — sie: me it was, with its fallen forms of men and steeds, that = caused this sickening—though at another time it might uncertainty of her well have appalled her—but the lover’s fate. | aye See re Her fears were by no means mitigated when she sa - ~~ “yw >t -< ag ae” bois art + “ a =~ a i ¥ - ~e " -_ e ; a. 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