Log Cabin Library: The Queen of the Canons — page 9: what you’re looking at

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ees ros ¥ a _ oe « . Pe ton oe we ee, yee eS ‘ © ef eat 2k egiee Fay aves me S r aloe . t= o> - aed - to a” 4 »- THE LOG CABIN or not she sanctioned the authoritative tone used by her cousin; an eloquent look inreply gave him reassurance and heart. Juan marked the interchange, and raged inwardly, as he conjectured its meaning. . “Of course you know, captain, that T never shall for- get this,” said Bertie, recovering her spirits. “We were having capital sport with the buffalo, only I got hemmed in, and was nearly done for. Now, who do you think saved me? None other than Jingo Josh there. And who do you think he used to be? Why, aslave-boy on one of my father’s plantations. Oh, I have so much to talk to you about! I do declare——” “Cousin,” put in Juan, impatiently, “do you forget that the captain has his duties to attend to, and that your father——” “Cousin Juan!” almost screamed the young beauty, her. cheek and eyes kindling, “who gave you the right to use this tone to me? You presume too much, sir!” And she gave Markham a chatty account of the hunting expedition, after which, regretting the rudeness with) which she had treated Juan—much as he had merited it—_ she brought the two together, and said, merrily : | “Come, gentlemen, if you are to be my friends, you must be friends with each other. How say you now?” | “With all my heart!” exclaimed Captain Markham, extending his hand with soldierly frankness. “I think I have scarcely an enemy in the world—at least among white men—and I shall esteem it an honor to know a rel- aiive of Miss Bounty.” Juan could do nothing but accept the proffered hand, | which he didewith pretended cheerfulness, saying : “Why should I not rejoice in having the friendship of orie who has twice rendered me an estimable service ?” | “Pray let that drop; it was nothing more than I would have done for any one,” said Markham, somewhat im- patiently. He then added: “I am glad to know you, sir, for we shall probably see each other frequently for some} time. I haveinstructions to remain in the vicinity of. the Red Ranch for some days, as we bave rumors at the. fort of a projected hostile movement against it by the In- dians.’ Juan Camargo grew sick with hate and apprehension as he heard this. . Bertie was at first delighted, but this was followed by doubt and fear as to how the captain would be received | by her father. f ~ Nevertheless, they all rode out together to meet the. soldiers, who were coming in from the pursuit of the savages, more than half of whose number had been sent to the happy hunting grounds. CHAPTER VIII. A BATTLE WITH THE INDIANS. After escorting Bertie and her companions to the ranch, Captain Markham and his command encamped on the river-bank about a quarter of a mile below. | One beautiful moonlight night Miss Bertie was wander- ' ' i ing alone on the bank of the river, when she came sud- denly upon her cousin. “In what way has it been my misfortune to offend you of late, Cousin Bertie?” said he, mournfully. Bertie did not reply, but, with a gentle gesture of depre- cation, was about to move on, when he opposed her, cry- ing, impetuously : “Then you cast me aside utterly for this fellow, Mark- ham, I suppose ?” i | “T know no fellow, Markham, nor any other fellow, if you please, Cousin Juan,” said Bertie, still gently. “Oh, you understand whom I mean well evough,” be sneered. : , _ “Tf you mean the man who has twice had the honor of saving your highly precious life, perhaps I do.” “Yes, I mean just him,” exclaimed Juan, with difficulty suppressing an oath. “But they were accidents, were they not? I didn’t ask him to save my life, did I?” ‘‘Doubtless, however, you would not have had the life ask such a question if he had not saved it.” ‘ ~—s«s&He turned from her, with his face toward the broad, glit- : vay J) " ; = Pi Kad com Shy 4 mo ih. a} hay hy.) + , ; : . - - . 7 ~~" «+ a a ® - - . + - > » * ‘ < A] = A, - t~ “ ’ b bd : = - Pm . - Y rere s ’ wen e ~ Ls i . . P : yo : a I y} a) wl - =" ” S08 Als ° age é ) . / 3 Ne ae VES re ee ee Aas ot a es a ~ : teks {2% a a Ae el SA EE ee eee RA’ Sree hae fa Si pe, Se ES eS : P a : : . : - : 'T. Pa >< y _ 7 > 4 - eX - s*J« r. 2 : < A oe « * Set ~ > ‘ ~via +s - =. = LIBRARY. —— oe tering river, with thoughts seething in his mind as strongly as those strong waters. A ‘Wait a moment, Bertie,” said he, as she tried to pass him along the little path which wound tbrough the scanty chaparral in which they were standing—“ just one mo- ment.” “No. Let there be an end of this. ranch for a quiet walk alone.” - “Tell me first,” he cried, almost fiercely, “is there any hope for me? Can you never be mine ?” “Of course not, because I cannot love you. and trouble me.” “Listen to me, cousin!” he exclaimed, grasping her by the wrist, and hissing in her ear; “if you can never be mine, you at least shall never be that man’s, if I have to hunt him to his death. Do you hear?” She forcibly cast him from her, and thrust her hand into her breast, with a fierce and menacing gesture. “Juan Camargo, how dare you?” she cried, with im- petuous feeling. ‘“ You know my fearless nature; do you then take me for a schoolgirl, to be awed by such threats I started from the You tire as yours?” He saw the mistake he had made, and turned pale and bit his lip. . “As for your threats against Captain Markham,’’she con- tinued, mockingy, “fear not that he can take care of him- self against such as you. Heisa soldier, and meets his foemen face to face, and has no need of hired bravos todo his bloody work.” His brow darkened, but a new thought seemed to take possession of his mind, as his glance wandered over the stream. “Hush! there is danger!” he exclaimed, in a hoarse whisper. “Crouch low in the chaparral and look upon the river.” She did so, as well as he; and then they saw canoe after canoe pass silently down the stream, each contain- ing three or four dusky warriors. At the same time, pass- ing swiftly along the opposite shore, came horseman after horseman in single file—there must have been fifty in all. “Great Heaven! they must be on their way to attack the soldiers’ camp,” exclaimed Bertie. “Yes; but they will reach it much sooner than you Re “But not before I can tell papa, and alarm the ranch,” cried Bertie, breaking away, and fleeing like a deer toward the ranch, which was fortunately close at hand. Camargo remained some moments behind, plunged in his own dark thoughts. | “There are only thirty of the soldiers,” thought he. “They are almost certain to be destroyed, even if the hunters and peons go to their rescue. All will work well. But I must not lurk here; I must appear, at least, to be one of the foremost to save.” - He ran to the ranch. Alarmed by Bertie, the people were already astir, and Mr. Bounty was giving orders. “Ha! just in time, my Juan,” he cried. man! The attack may begin any minute, ter fully forty men here, white and red.” “And one woman too, papa!” cried Bertie, suddenly appearing on the piazza in full hunting costume, pistols in belt, and long spéar in hand. “Please to count me in.” “You are mad, my dear; I will not hear of it,” said her father, sternly. “Just to look on, papa, you know,” pleaded Bertie. “Just think of it. I never saw a real fight close at hand, and it would be almost a sin to miss this one.” Before she could receive an answer there came the ominous rattle of rifle-shots from down below. “The attack has begain !” exclaimed Camargo, who was already mounted. A huge, dark figure landed witha flying leap on the top of the corral wall. It was Jingo Josh, bent upon obtaining a lookout. “Hooray, massa!” he roared; “dey is at it hotter dan de old boy. De troopsam surrounded an’ fighting on foot. Golly! how many Injuns dere is!” } “How many do you suppose, Josh?” Bounty, anxiously. “To horse, We can mus- called out Mr, 60> ae fay hy tw COmMICDOOKS.com [|