Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1148 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

considered necessary, bound as he was, and in _ the midst of the Indian camp. ~_ £ Ey <= : * 2 * > . } Sen — . Lh, a —- ‘ ; / Pied «a oe. P, ne a tee a me, ro an ae ma . ry ee. « _ ~, Pan Fa! " = a . ra -) . ee we we “ “A ae . - J Se cr < ~ 77 is a —- >. * 4 ft - ae” Ji se ™ i> Ng ae + ; a ” e7 a . a5 = ‘eu ; ve 5 os ee ae sos a tt - a Se Pe _ ee ie ? i 7 *~ i. Fm, — a ¥, a : ~~ “7 j WES i — Pani ig - % 4 -. o—- oe a om 32". #2 _— 7 2* et | es ety, | eae ial - > ~ 7 ~ 4 om ad ~_ he wou he saw that the Roan King was also sad ‘ % > 7 3 - > ¢< , : * ee ek tS ; 4 = Se’ The young girl fed him, for he was bound hand and foot, and she said: *T’ll come to-night, sir.” ‘« My child, the chief, Mad Wolf, means to let me go, so I wish you to slip away, after all have gone to bed, and meet me at the canyon where I noticed five trees growing together as came here.” , ‘*‘T know the place, sir.” ‘‘ Find out if you can where my horse is kept, and if you cannot do that, let me know where the red-skins keep their ponies, and we will se- cure a pair, and with the start we get we will get away from the Indians.” ‘ ‘¢ f will be there, sir, and do all that I can to find out about your horse, for all the Indians are talking about the splendid animal,” Soon after little Ruth again left Buck to his thoughts, and eagerly he watched for the com- ing of night. At last the shadows deepened, and an hour after nightfall the village was lost in sleep. As a greater security against Buck’s escape, be had been more securely bound, but was left in the tepee without a guard, and at this he was greatly pleased, and supposed that he had to thank the chief for it. After awhile, when the minutes began to drag out to him like hours, he saw some one en- ter the eee } ‘* My white brother is awake?” asked a voice. ‘* You bet I am, chief.” ‘“‘ He can go, but he must appear to untie his own bonds and get away. ‘t Here is a bow and arrows for him, as I can give him nothing else, _ ‘‘He is a great warrior, and, with the night to cover his trail, he can be far away when the sum comes.” | ‘You are as kind as you can be, chief, and I thank you, for I know you would fare bad with your people if they knew what you did,” The chief had, in the mean while, unfastened his bonds, and Buck arose to his feet, feeling very lame and numb. — ‘“T will leave my white chief turned away. ; Buck stretched himself, rubbed his arms and brother now,” and the legs to get up a circulation, and stepped out of the tepee, The chief had camp, excepting t . He quickly got bis bearings, one, and all was still in the e yelping of an Indian dog. and with his - blanket esned about him, to look like an In- dinw, he stalked along through the village and left it without meeting a single prowling red- skip. He remembered the way he had been brought to the village, and hastened along as fast as his benumbed limbs could carry him, to the rendez- vous he had appointed with Ruth McNally. His own jaek had been so good, that he feared not meet the girl there; but, as he reacbed the entrance tu the canyon, he suddenly discovered her. “Oh, sir, 1 feared you would not come,” she said, as she grasped his hand, i! ioe Pane ie all right, and I’m awful lad you are. a But what about the horses?” ‘*Pve got your horse, sir.” “Do you mean it?” eagerly said Buck. “Yes, sir, the chief Mad Wolf had him ti up bak of his tepee, and I took him, and another horse for me to ride. ; Mand. I got your rifle and belt of arms too, sir. “You are a daisy, little Miss McNally; but if old Mad Wolf don’t swear in choice Injun at this, ’ll eat my boots. ‘Why he'll think after he set me free I stole ~ay horse from him.” ‘It is your horse, sir, and in stealing the weapons I knew they were yours. = Fra bad them all hidden under a bear robe.” ‘‘ You’ve got dead oodles of sense, little one, and no mistake, ‘‘ But don't let us stay here, for it’s far from healthy.” She led the way to where the horses were, and Buck gave an exclamation of delight, as dled and bridled. | ‘You got there too!” ‘Yes, sir, for they were near the horse,” A small mustang was near Roan King, and “upon his back Ruth sprung without assistance, ‘and mounting, as soon as he had buckled on his weapons, Buck Taylor started on the long trail to the Rangers’ camp. pushed on, as | | by Ruth could travel, and rode into the . ~-~ i > ° “ 2 4 fast as the little mustang |. Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 13 % aeoe in the afternoon, just as Captain McNally | at meas I swim across, only I insist upon not oF had lighted his after-dinner pipe. being hit. bie” One cry of joy, as he recognized his child, and “ c shall tell Don Rafael that I have killed you . the Ranger captain cl her in his arms, | and seek to join bis band, a while Buck hastened away to leave them alone “* My hatred for you all shall be intense, and I lek together. will offer to arrange to lead his band upon your a hen the young Texan’s story was told, it cainy by a secret trail and surprise you. 8 was no wonder that the Rangers cheered him ‘*] will arrange with you, captain, just my are and said that he was indeed entitled to be called | plan, and you can all keep on the alert each a King of Cowboys. pighe for it, until it comes off, for [ll fetch ’em ag in time. . Bp CHAPTER XXIV. ‘* Now, you know my little game, and Ill go ‘a THE RANGER SPY. out and take a look at the chasm, to get the best ey To show the Mexican Raiders of Don Rafael | spot to take the leap,” ye that they were constantly on the watch for Captain McNally and his brother Rangers in ‘satel them, the Rangers moved their camp to a situa- | vain tried to dissuade Buck Taylor from his da:- ne tion on the banks of the Rio Grande, ing resolve, , The scenery was wild and picturesque, and Fie was determined, and he felt sure that Don r* from their ning 3 they could see the Mexican | Rafael and his band could be wiped out by just ie sentinel always ep on duty, on a cliff across | such a bold scheme. ) , the river, and each day Don Rafael was wont To go into the camp of the Mexicans and claim mn to appear and inspect the Rangers’ camp with | to be a deserter, he knew would cause his instant 4 his glass, for he was out of range of their rifles. | death as a spy.. , Captain McNally was so overjoyed at the re-| To appear to kill his captain, and escape by ‘S turn of his davghter, that he determined to al- | such a desperate leap, as over that frightful 6 low no chance for her recapture, and so he took | chasm, and then down into the river, he was as- ws her with him to the town where ber mother | sured would get for him the credit of having ‘tea then was in a ppivate asylum, fled for bis life, ) ny He was gone but ten days, but when here-| Soit was arranged at last, when all saw that oh. turned his face wore a happy look, and he told | Buck was determined to go into the camp of the be his faithful Rangers how the sight of her child | Raiders as a spy. . “2 had brought back reason to the brain of Mrs. br McNally, and the mother and child he had left CHAPTER XXYV. a together. THE LEAP. ta e told his men also that there was a great On the day set for Buck Taylor’s bold plot ra deal of talk about Don Rafael’s raids into Texas, | to outwit the Raiders, he had Roan King in the Or te in the face of the Rangers, and said that they | finest condition. wes must arrange some plan to capture the daring Back over the bill he had put on the saddle a Mexican outlaw. and bridle with a nicety he bad never before yt Many pans were talked over, for the captain | done, and every superfluous ounce of weight was Se said, with the getting back to the home of his | taken off. ; te wife and daughter, he intended to give up his Then Buck waited until the man on the watch ; command soon of the Rangers, and therefore | reported that Don Rafael and four com ons . wisherl to signal bis retirement by the capture | were crossing the plain toward the bill, where eae of the outlaw chief. | the Mexican sentinel stood. ae ae ‘‘Once Don Rafael is our prisoner, and his| At once Buck prereren to mount, and, at a vel men will disperse,” he said. signal did so, and came riding into camp as | ees At last Buck said: : though just returned from a scout, | ae ‘*T have a plan, sir, if you will consent to it.” Captain McNally had started to cross the ine All eyes were turned upon the speaker, laza of the camp at the same time, and the ., Fa As Buck Taylor had a plan, all felt that it | Rangers were lying about here and there, ap- i. must be a daring one. parently enjoying the balmy day. “Out with it, Buck.” The sentinel on the cliff was seen to be watch- e ‘We are in full view of the Mexican sentinel | ing the Ranger camp with his glass, and a few 5° on the other side of the river.” moments after Don Rafael and four other horse- oe ‘Yes, sir.” men appeared back on the hills, rep toward <1 ‘very day, about at the same hour, Don | the cliff where the man on watch : aa nae Rafael rides up to the cliff, from his camp, and Then the pantomime began among the Ran-— reviews our encampment.” gers. \ i ‘* He does.” The captain seemed to beckon to Buck, who a ‘Well, sir, we can always see him as he | dismounted and approached him, leading Roan Fy leaves the plain before he ascends to the cliff, | King. ¢ ate and to-morrow, if you will have a guard set to| Then they appeared to be quarreling fiercely, iN report his coming, I will be ready for my little | and the Rangers were seen to spring up and ap- “~~ act.” proach them. = aici: ** And what is that, Buck?” Suddenly Buck Taylor drew a revclver and a ‘Tt will be, sir, to pretend to bave trouble | fired. ; nse with you in camp. The captain also fired, but staggered back, ano ‘‘ We can appear to quarrel, you can start to- | and Buck gave another shot. | | ei, ward me, I fire my revolver, you fall as Instantly the captain sunk to the ground, end re - though dead, and I make a rush for my horse, | turning quickly, Buck Taylor sprung into his Ra? Roan Kimg, ee ; saddie and darted awey. oe ‘‘The boys can open with their revolvers, as | At first he started, as though to dash down - Seen though firing at me, and I will ride straight for | the valley; but Rangers ran out, as if to head iy the river and—” him off, and he wheeled back, halted, and then <5 ‘* But there is the chasm between you and the | headed for the cliff. oe river, Buck.” , All this was seen from the cliff across the = “That's a part of my plan, sir.” river. fe tg ‘* Well.” Buck Taylor and Captain McNally were well <2 **] shall leap it,” known to the Mexicavs, and they had no idea ee A chorus of ‘‘ ohs!”” went up at this bold asser- | that a mimic tragedy was being enacted for of tion. " | _ | their benefit. ee “Leap that chasm, Buck! Then they saw some of the Rangers run to the ee “Yes, captain.” captain, who lay motionless, but so that he = ‘*'No horse can do it.” could see Buck’s desperate leap. ' = aor ‘Roan King can.” They heard the popping of the revolvers, and : c ee know that he is a wonderful leaper, | saw Buck turn in his saddle and fire back = ut— . in. | . " . “You have seen him leap as far.” hen he settled himself in his saddle and ES ‘Yes, but not over a chasm a hundred feet | headed for the chasm, _ 7 ee hia a e ; ‘‘ > can never make it,” cried Don Rafael in en ‘*T shall leap it, sir, never fear, for the Mexi- | his excitement. tine : ¢ ae cans have camped right where we are many a | Breathlessly all watched now,andthe Rangers time, and they know the chasm well, and how | stood looking at ‘their dashing comrade as ae wide and deep it is. though spellbound. my ‘Of course they would not expect any man to| Straight for the chasm went the gallant roan. Si take such a leap for the pure fun of it, and it Firm asa sack Buck sat, his hand upon the er will add to the belief that I have killed you and | rein, and ready for the fearful leap. j San am flying for nry life. None knew better than did he the fearful risk esa “ {will then spring Roan King from the bank | he ran, and he nerved himself to it. : ee into the river, for it is only about ten feet, and He was pale, but calm, and the reckless lighé , ee swim across. so natural to his eyes, shone there, - a “Of course they will see all, andruntomyaid,| Nearer and nearer he drew to the chasm, and = as the boys must mount, head the chasm, and fire ' when almost upon it, he said to hishome; >. , < om