Beadle's Dime Novels No. 300: The Crested Serpent — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

THE TIME FOR ACTION. ~ Al to-day true to an Imperial form of Government. He is descend- ed from good blood. Iturbide, first emperor since the com- mencement of Spanish rale, is proud, and no doubt brave ad honest.” The tents of Vidal and Humfredo were erected near the marquee of Arnaud Boussard, with their rears almost touch- ing the rocks on the western side of the mountain. The tent for Vidal was furnished in a manner agreeing with his rank, the hand of Murieta arranging cushions and blankets in truly oriental style. Boussard, Murieta, and Vidal ate their evening meal toge- ther, and the conversation wis lively, full of wit, and appa- Yent good humor; but the mask of the actor covered the feelings of Vidal. He was breaking bread with the two who had hurriedly and unprepared, Jaunched his father into eter- nity. Yet Vidal smiled and choked down the bitter’ flood of hate that almost broke out at every peal of laughter from Boussard and the Arabian woman. Night was approaching as the soldiers’ camp-fires com- Menced to show through the trees. “Vidal and Humfredo Were in close conversation, for on that night, at the sounding Of the mission bell, he would have to make his route down the mountain and hurry away to the Aztec cave, Hour after hour. crept slowly along, and all except the Suards were asleep, or profoundly quiet, when the bell in the Old mission slowly sent its warning over the prairie and up the mountain to Humfredo that Marta awaited her son in the Cave of the Aztecs. He heard it and crept like a reptile from his tent to the rear of the one in which the prisoner Was confined. He could have released him; but the time lad not come for Steager’s delivery from his enemtes. Part- lng the bushes with his bands, he crept over the edge of the Tocks, and through the aid of vines and branches, lowered Limself down at least fifteen feet, until he rested on a table- like rock. Letting go the vines, he skirted the mountain on the apparently perilous ledge, until a cluster of cactus and. Toecks blocked his further course. Pushing aside the prickly Cactus, a crevice exhibited itself, into which Humfredo or without faltering. Once inside, he lighted a taper, =a as the light spread, dispelling the darkness, a broad pas- 4 ~~ L Comicbooks: com