Beadle's Dime Novels No. 300: The Crested Serpent — page 42: what you’re looking at

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

Ag ~ HE CRESTED SERPENT. “ Senor Boussard,” said a guard, as he stood in front of the tent, “a strange woman has invaded the camp, and asks to see f A strange woman? How did she pass the guards ?” “She has been in the camp since sunrise, and the relieved guards from the north entrance say that she did not pass them, and the same is said by those at the pass. Perhaps she drop- ped from the clouds, as there is no other way to ascend these steep mountain-sides than by the two guarded routes. mM “Send her to me.” | Marta came forward. Her long gray hair fell down over her shoulders, and her slender form was incased in a robe of black, corded at the waist by a girdle made of horse-hair. In- her right hand she bore a long staff, and in her left a. green bough... “Come in, woman,” said Boussard, and he eaised the. folds ; of the spacious marquee. | She entered and stood before them, exciting apparent vee prise from Vidal, and. real astonishment from -Murieta. j “Speak, woman! How did you get upon, the mountain: Z top without.the knowledge of our gates ?” said Boussard. i “I came from the stars,” 4 “Arnaud, she is crazed; speak to her kindly,” remarked | Murieta,.as niyo looked iiteatly at the gray-headed intruder in the Tio camp. 5 v Then you possess supernatural powers?’ he said, sarcas- tically. | a “T do.” | The cynical, cold. look was again on his face, and his eyes: | sneeringly bent upon Marta. | * Who am I ?”’ She waved her staf¥ over his head, then took his right hand — and traced the lines that ran through it. Stopping suddenly, — she broke out in a wild, shrill tone; ~ “ You will be a king—you will be a king !” A. flush surmounted Boussard’s sallow face, and the cold, scttled expression of doubt softened, and he looked at Vidal | and Murieta. “ You-are the White Tiger of the Tropics—a child of thes sun, like myself. A diadem will rest upon your brow. AL Gomicbooks: com, - « RE hy eo eT Se ae