The Young Briton: Sam Sawbones — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

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So,’ laughed the ruffian with the brand, ‘‘ you came amongst us to seek relief. You,a blind wretch, expect that we should feed and clothe you just because you know our secrets. H:, ha, ha, t» think you should have such trust in the wild ‘huntamen! It is remarkablo.’’ The rest of the band took up the c10orus of laughter. ‘You bave our secret. You know thaf all our treasure is hidden in a cave in the centre of this forest, and that the cave can only be reached from this hollow. You aiso kKoow that the entrance to this cave is through that hollow tree.” Here the wretch pointed to the tree. “All this you know. But whatis the use of it to you now? Youare our slave—our prisoner,”’ At each word the cruel monster struck Beppo with the burning brand. “You have had a long reizn of cruelty,’ he continued; ‘‘now we shall see how you like it.’’ ‘Kill me! In mercy, kill me!’ groaned the miserable Beppo. “Kill you? NotI. No; you shall serve us for many a day’s sport, yet. Besides, Beppo, you bear a charmed life. You are the favourite of Hasgan al Feroz; but he will not try to protect you now. He warned you that there was danger amongst these people, and still you did not take care. Your love for the white woman was your ruin. Hassan never forgives an injury, so do not look tohim for help.”’ ‘‘Brute! devil! fiend!”’ yelled Beppo, mad with rage and agony. ‘Nay, and you speak thus, I must correct you. Learn manners, slave.’’ As he spoke he held the flaming brand to Beppo’s side, making the skin scorch and crack. “Mercy, mercy!’’ yelled Beppo... * Will no kind hand put me out of my misery? ”’ The loud report of arifle rang through the forest, and the Wild Hunter dropped the flaming rand, and fell dead on the ground. The next mom-nt Juanita had sprung into the «~<a. a as 4 = eile hollow, and, rushing up to Beppo, commenced cutting his bonds. Quick as lightning, before anyone could stay her, she had freed Beppo; but he fell heavily to the ground. The shot which had killed the wild huntsman, had also pierced B2ppo’s heart, and so the spirits words came true. Boppd had fallen by the hand that loved him. No sooner did the poor girl perceive this than she uttered a loud cry of misery, and cast herself upon the dead body of her lover. Overcome with the sad sight, Jack covered his eyes with his hand for a few minutes. When he looked up again the changed. Juanita was on the ground, and one of the ruffiins knelt upon her, ready t) strike. Crouching down behind a thick bush Jack took deliberate aim at the fellow, and the moment the knife was about to descend, fired. With a wild yell the fellow leaped to his feet, staggered back a few paces, and then fell dead. To Jack’s disgust, no sooner had he fired than his attendants turned and fiad. Strange as if may appear, their cowardice saved his life;for the huntsmen, seeing the slaves ru, at once imagined that one of them had fired the pistol, and at once set off in pursuit, leaving Juanita stretced on the ground. It was bat the work of a moment to dash down into the hollow, seize Juanita, throw her over his shoulder, and bear her away in the opposite direction from that the wild huntsmen had taken. Ooward rushed Jack with his insensible burden, until he had to pause for breath. He laid her gently down on a mossy bank and chafing her hands did a'l he could to restore her. At last she heaved a deep sigh and open:d her large, lustrous eyes. For a moment she stared wildly round, evi- dently not being able to recall what had happened, but she soon did re=:ember all, and a gush of tears showed her dep griof. ‘‘Strange that a man with such a fiend-like nature should beso loved,’’ thought Jack. With gentle words he soothed the poor girl’s grief, and urged upon her the necessity of se-na had escaping from the wood as soon as possible. Drying her eyes, she tose slowly to her feet. ‘T am ready to guide you from the wood,’’ she said. ‘I alone, of all Bepp»’s band, knew his secreti. He helped these’ men who have so cruelly used him. He. held them in his power, and they knolt at his feet; but now they have killed him. He was blind, helpless, and the cowards put him tothe torture, Come! I will lead Henrico and Pedro Velasquez to these men, They shall destroy this nest of scorpions. They shall fight. What matters it to me who gains? They will killone another. Both sides were traitors to Beppo, and both may fight and die. Revenge shall be mine. Come, come.’’ Swiftly she led the way through the dense forest, followed closely by Jack, They were passinga beautiful glade when Jack beheld what he took fora heap of green leaves, with a most beautiful lily at the top. Thinking it would please Gianhare, he stooped to pick it, but Juanita thrast him back. ‘Know you what you would do: ”’ she cried, ‘© Tf will kill you if you touch it.’’ What! is that beautiful flower so - psison- ous ?’’ exclaimed Jack, in surprise. ) ** That is no flower,” replied Juanita ; “ that is a deadly reptile. See, behold that -hare; he will go and try to nibble those leaves. He will be killed. The lily snake has attracted him: He cannot resist tze sweet odour, and will b; devoured.’’ The hare ran up to the creature, and began biting at the leaves. Suddenly the flower bent over, its bell-like lips caught poor pussy, and the next moment the hare had disappeared. Then the ssrpent, for it wa8 a snake, uncodiled its body which was covered over with green scales exactly resembling leaves, and glided swiftly into the brake. This forest is full of deadly reptiles,’’ laughed Jdanita, ‘*but none so venomous as man, Jack looked at the poor girl and saw she was half mad. ** Should [ trust her as my guide,” he thought ; T must? I haveno choice in the matter. I do not think she would betray me; but I will be on my guard.”’ ie =commicbooks “Eom A