Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1148 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

’ gcore strong, had gone toward the red Raiders of the RioGrande, ; . 12 ~_——— —-_ Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. He had seen them from the hills, far out on the rairie, the dark mass being visible in the moon- ight, for he had caught sight of them with his field-glass, a legacy trom the Gambler Ranger. Buck knew that the trail they were on skirted the hills and led to the Rio Grande, a couple of miles away. . So the Rangers, not needed to guard the passes of the valley, where the captured stock was corraled, were called to arms and lay in wait for their foes. Don Rafael had crossed the Rio Grande at a ford some miles above, and just at the hour of sunset. He bad gone with full force, nearly a hundred men, and he meant to strike the settlements on the Texan border. He bad sent a spy ahead, who was to meet him at a given point and let him know just where the Rangers were, for the Don had reason to fear that wild Texan band. The man met him, and the report he made was by no means good tidings. He reported that the Texan ome Foe three- io Grande that very night. The Comanches had fallen back to their strongholds, so the Texans could hardly be on their trail. Don Rafael was a very shrewd man and an able commander, though a cruel foe. He at once decided that the Rangers had gone into Mexican territory. He knew that his acts had often been threat- ened with retaliation, and his spy, Rodriguez —orin other words Roddy Armstrong—had told him that Captain McNally anticipated a raid upon his camp. The Texans then had, he supposed, gone upon their raid, ~ Not knowing that Armstrong was dead, and having arranged with him, as the reader has seen, a plan to ambush and destroy the Rangers, he decided to postpone his raid and hasten back to Mexican territory, hoping at the same time that he would not be too late, So, without the suspicion of an ambush, and believing the Rangers then over on Mexican territory, Don Rafael and his Raiders came xlong at a gallop, heading for the Rio Grande. The trail led close in around the hills, and, as the Mexicans, riding two abreast, and stretched out for a long distance, came on at a canter, the head of the line was allowed to pass, the more surely to damage the entire force. As the center reached the spot where the Texans waited, all mounted and with revolvers in hand, a loud voice broke the silence with two words: : ‘* Rangers charge!” A wild yell in chorus from Lorsy throats, a Oo snorting of steeds, the thunder hoofs, and then the rattle of revolvers. The Mexican line recoiled like a frightened drove of sheep, and many saddles were emptied ere the Raiders began te form for resistance, With his men in trouble, Don Rafael boldly charged back, a score of men behind him, and rushed upon the Rangers. _ es But the shot was met witha hae rks be a the Raiders apaged back, and their line being cut in two, and many a man and horse down they became panic-stricken and took to mad ight. | ‘ ‘After them dashed the victorious Texans, and the of revolvers mingled with the thunder of hoofs, the shouts of the combatants, and the neighing and snorting of horses in one grand chorus. ‘ Over the moonlit plains dashed pursued and 3 rs, and into the Rio Grande were driven the flying Raiders, and all who reached the river were not destined to get across, while many who started out with merciless and murderous intent, found graves upon Texan soil. - Jt was a grand vic rho the Rangers, and the heart of the*‘young leasure as be rode into camp, and fain McNally aid ‘Buck, my daring comrade, we owe our success to you!” : With nothing to fear from the Raiders, the Texan Rangers took their time in reaching the settlements, where the horses and cattle they had tured were given to the settlers fora nominal sum, as was the wont of these brave de- fenders of the frontier, and the was dis- wboy may | beat with eard Cap- tributed among those who claimed it, whether - onestly or not, for much that was valuable had taken from the border settlements by the stroyed, his men slain and cattle, horses and booty carried off, he vowed a fearful revenge. From that day he became a worse terror on | the Texan border than ever, and, allying him- ‘self with the Comanches, he began a little war against the Rangers. On their part the Rangers felt that they must wipe out their foe, and Captain McNally chang- ed his camping-ground from the Rangers’ Ranc to a spot upon the Rio Grande, and at once be- gun a struggle for victory between the Texan defenders and the Mexican outlaws that was known as the War of the Avengers, and bitter and merciless was the fight for mastery. CHAPTER XXII, ENTRAPPED, DURING the war for revenge, between the Rangers and the Raiders, no man won greater fame as a daring scout than did Buck ‘Taylor. Many a lone scout did he go on, and through all he kept up his record as “ boss of em all,” as old Mack Hastings was wont to put it. The Rangers not only held their own, but they changed their camp to a point near the Rio Grande, and beat back both Mexican outlaws and Comanches whenever they sought to devas- tate Texan territory. Upon one occasion Buck Taylor met with an adventure that well nigh ended his career as ‘* King of the Cowboys,’ It is with the marked incidents of the life of this ing cowboy that I would deal, for the minor i, * are by far too numerous, and this one should be told as he came out of it with un- stinted praise. He was on a lonely scout, and his desire was to capture a Mexican spy who he knew was wont to frequently carry tidings across the river to Don Rafael. He had halted one night in a small ravine, and, being very tired taken to his blankets ores a cold supper, for he did not care to build a fire. Hardly had he gotten asleep when dark forms appeared upon every side of him, and with terrific yells half a hundred red-skins rush- ed upon him, They had seen him approaching the hills, and had hidden to ambush him. It was night when he reached his camping place, so he saw no trails, and he suspected no danger, other than the peril he knew surrounded him for being in that part of the country. Just then he had not sheugnp of Indians, not erpens ae a raiding party to be in that locality. Buck was surprised, as might be Be eae but, though awakened from his sound sleep, he arose in his might and a desperate battle began. He got in but a couple of shots, and a0. like a pack of wolves they were upon bim. They could have made a pin cushion of him, with their arrows, had they wished, but they knew their deadly foe and wanted him alive for their future pleasure. ; His gigantic strength made him a hard man to handle, even after they had him in their grasp. But at last they succeeded in bearing him to the ground and binding him with lariats until he loo’.ed like a mummy, all wrapped up as he was with ropes from head to feet. . It was a very Jong and sad night for Buck that he passed; but the Indians were up at dawn and the march to their village in the mountains was begun. 7 Roan Sg wee mounted by the chief of the band, while Buck was tied on the back of the sorriest-looking mustang in the party. That night the band reached their camp, and it was a strong one, situated in the very midst of i tea and as formidable as a pale-face 0 The Indian village was wild with joy at the capture of one of their foes,a Texan Ranger, and one whom they knew but too well for Buck’s peace of mind. He was taken to the strong tepee of the village, and a guard was placed over him, while he was told that his career of usefulness was at an end. Buck did not believe it. He was not one to lose hope, until there was no ray of hope. He felt sore after his hard struggle, and from being bound; but he was unhurt, and could he pet a chance he meant to make a strong fight for i + With a mercy he had not expected aps re- leased him of about half bis bonds, sponge he was still bound too thoroughly to see any chance of getting away by his own exertions, 3 He But it soon became kn Rafael, | He was surely entrapped, and as he said him- Ke. swith bis usual good luck, had escaped with about self, in his way: half of his command, and fin retreat de-' “They've got me dead to rights.” CHAPTER XXIIL COMANCHE FRIENDSHIP. WHEN the morning dawned in the Comanche village, Buck Taylor found that he was an ob- ject of great curiosity among the squaws anc children. He did not like the attention he received .by any means, for they slapped his face, pulled his hair, and abused him shamefully. | But he took the abuse with the air of a stoic. Among the children his eyes suddenly fell upon one whom a glance was sufficient to show was not a red-skin. 3 Her face was darkly bronzed from exposure, but there was no Indian blood in ber veins, Buck felt well assured, . 4 She was about twelve years of age, and as pretty as a picture. Her dress was of the wild and picturesque character of the people among whom she dwelt, and she seemed to have an influence over the children she was with. © She came up to Buck in a timid kind of way, and gazing sadly at him, said in English: oid i feel sorry for you, sir, for they will kill you. ‘Are you a captive of the Indians?’ Buck asked. ‘‘ Yes, sir; I have been here for a long time it seems to me, and they treat me kindly. ‘But then 1 am a child.” “ What is your name?” ; ‘‘ Ruth McNally, sir, was my old name, but I am called here ‘Snow Flower.’ ” Buck started, and gazed fixedly at the girl. Then he asked: ‘*Do you remember when you were brought here?” ‘Oh, yes, sir! I can never forget it,” ‘* Tell me of it.” ‘“My father was away from home, and the Comanches came there and killed our cowboy defenders, and shot my little brother, because be struck an Indian warrior with his hatchet. ‘‘They spared me and took me with them, and I have been here ever since; but 1 am not happy, for I do not know if mother and father are alive.” | * Yes, my child, they are both alive, and i saw your father not three days ego. ‘1 belong to his company of Rangers. ‘¢ But we must not talk any more now; but if you can come here to-night and get me free « these bonds, and will find out where my weapc iis and horse are, [ think I can be able to take you to your home,” “ Oh, sir—” the girl’s words were checked by a warning look from Buck, and soon after she turned away. ‘* T would give my right arm to take that little girl back to her father,’ mused Buck, and he at once began to plot and plan for escape. Late in the afternoon Buck saw a tall chief approaching. As he drew near him he thought he recognized one he had seen before. | ‘*Tt’s my old, broken-leg pard,” he muttered, ** My white brother is in trouble,” said the chief as he halted near the prisoner. . ‘¢‘’m in hard luck, chief, I admit.” ‘‘ My brother was good to me one time.” ‘Don’t mention it,” said Buck in his light- hearted way. ees braves say that my white brother must ie. ‘Oh, yes, they intend to roast me.” — A see white brother must live,” “ Was good to me, so I will be good to him.” ** Do a mean it, chief?” ‘‘Mad Wolf speaks with straighttongue.” ** You are about the first -skin I ever met that did,” muttered Buck. a ‘‘ Mad Wolf wants his white brother to hecom Buck shook his head, “Marry red-skin squaw ; be great chief.” ‘No, I will not turn red-skin.” ‘** Must not die.” ‘* No, but I won’t turn, red-skin.” ‘‘Then Mad Wolf save his white brother to- night. | ‘ Will let him go.” < ‘Mad Wolf, if you do this for me, I'll do as much for you another time.” ‘‘ Mad Wolf will come before moon-rise,” and the red-skin turned away. ‘That means ten o’clock,” muttered Buck. Then he lay ihere in the tepee some food for him. = It was the first that he had had, and Mad Wolt had sent her. Sr a or There was no guard over him, for none was _ , » “= - - ~~ * > . a on : m ee Fs be eee gets ie. = << \ : > » . ie ~~ 4 > * al Ads + iF. Nac’ 5 pigs 5 ee > a? >= =" ie . ~ a - +> - fe | plotting, until the little captive girl Came with _ a - a cc a Com pS YS VAY AW 4 f ~ , —,' ag * * 2 % - ane : “ . <7 ewer a - : ! ~S dus « a mah <™ +. os i aw eee)