Beadle's Dime Novels No. 300: The Crested Serpent — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

ay} THE CRESTED SERPENT. ‘ to the west of this spot. Only narrow trails among therocks lead thence. The stone I moved back is so evenly balanced that your strength, Senorita Paula, is sufficient to raise it, and it adjusts itself. These Tigers are encamped two Jeagues that Way,” and he pointed to the southern end of the spur. One hour from that time they were out on the pruairie, en route to the hacienda, which they reached as gray streaks were flaring up in the east. ‘* Mirta, Humfredo and myself must enter the camp of our enemies. When there we will communicate with you in the “cave.” “Your plan is good, daughter; but how will you escape detection ?” : eB dressing in man’s attire. I am tall, can stain my face and bands to a brown color, cut off these long black tresses, mount my horse, and will then be beyond recognition.” “The White Tiger is cunning, and he would not receive you pares you went tu him indorsed by udherents of Ulye new empire,” * True, I must see to that.” * Paula, the army of Maximilian has in its ranks many of our Aztec blood—those who never dispute the rights of Marta, the high priestess. One, now in the city of Mexico, Ramon Mendez, a friend to the Tiger, is a prominent Gencral in the ~ énemy’s service.” Sbe took a ring from her finger and handed it to Paula. “This ring, if you have an interview with him, will insure you whatever you ask, be it in his power to grant it.” As she placed the ring upon Paula’s finger, she touched a secret spring, and from its top the head of a crested serpent sprung out. Only a few seconds its head remained exposed, then disappeared from view. That evening saw Paula Vallejo costumed in male attire—. her hair cut short, and face stained to a deep brown ; and ag the darkness of night set in, she and Humfredo bade Marta. _ adtos, and took their way. sGuttiward of the camp of the Tigers in the direction of the city of Mexico. As they skirted the — mountaim-spar, music from Marieta’s harp, and her voice in an Arabic Seon DRaNae could be distinctly heard ia the- epi : = -comicbooks-com,