Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 119 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

A series of yells broke the air, coming from the point toward which they had turned their faces. The truth could no longer he doubted. ‘ne Apaches had missed them, and returnin upon their trail, had discovered the meen lelge. Even upon the hard rock, their eagle eyes could trace where the horses had passed. ‘*Crouch down in that corner, Ella. You will be safe there, for a time at least. Those devils will find it no child’s play. A ey cae com? Only one at a time. If they take our lives, they shall pay a dear price for them,” quietly said Hamilton, kneeling before Ella, with a cocked revolver resting upon his left arm, its muzzle commanding the narrow ledge where it wound round the point. The maiden bowed her head upon her lap, covering her ears to shut out the terrifying shrieks. Pale and stern, his nerves firm as steel, Arthur knelt there and awaited the as- ul sault. They were not long kept in suspense. A sharp ery told that the Apaches had gained the point wire the two horses had met their death, The fresh blood-traces evidently surprised them. How came it there? But one impatient brave did not pause to speculate upon this, and light-footed as a deer, sure as the mountain goat, he passed the crum- blingrock, and turned the curve. A brief glimpse of two figures met his eyes; but the yell of dis- covery changed to a wild, horrible death-shriek, as he flung up his arms, then toppled over, fall- pty Wlbeae’d down the abyss. revolver bullet had ended his mortal career. But it told the Apaches plainly that their prey was close at band, and with cries of mingled rage and triumph, they rushed forward, with far more haste than prudence. ‘ Never calmer, Arthur Hamilton recocked his revolver, and covered the spot where the Apa- ches must first reveal themselves. The moment a dusky figure appeared, he fired. Again the terrible yell arose, again a human form plunged swiftly down the canyon, where the jagged rocks quickly extinguished what life the leaden missile had left in the body. The Apaches pressed on with a strange want of caution; they seemed resolved to conquer, at any loss. But as rapidly the pistols i e, and at that short distance—scarcely twenty feet—a far less accurate shot than Hamilton would have made every missile count, Such slaughter could not last long. The Apa- ches sickened of it first, as was but natural. They were picked off as,rapidly as they could the ay te aed in the ledge, without eing able to disc rg a single arrow at the pale-face, and then the continuous reports, without any pause for ny made them be- lieve that they had mistaken the force that con- fronted them. Little wonder then that they fell back with yells of rage and dismay. ‘ Blla, thank God that we are saved for this time!” said Hamilton, when fully assured that the Apaches had retreated, ‘‘T do—but how will it end? We are ina trap—there is no way of escape except by that— and they are there.” ‘*True—it may be best to look the worst full in the face,” said Arthur, gaining the maiden’s side, as he deftly reloaded his weapons.‘ You are not afraid to look death in the face? Yet it is hard for one so young and lovely to die—and by such hands! If I could save you, I would not care for myself—” ‘¢ We will die together,” softly uttered Ella. Something in her tone startled Arthur, and his eyes quickly sought hers. For a moment he doutved, his breath coming quick and uneven, But then the glorious truth burst upon him. He knew that he was loved—that his passion was returned. The dark eyes told him that. “Ah, my darling!” he murmured, as he wound his arms tightly around her form, draw- ing her close to his throbbing heart, and then peee lips met in the long, lingering kiss of pure ove. For a time they were lost to all else—the ert that they loved and were beloved in return. The past trials, the danger that even then threatened them, the unknown fate of their late companions—all was forgotten in that supreme moment. Heart to heart, lip to lip, they were 1n paradise, And around the rock point, a grim, painted form crept stealthily nearer the lovers, with its mouth full of arrows, a strong bow in its hand, They did not hear the faint rustling as he crept along the ledge, nor the particles of rock that rattled down the side of the canyon as the figure the spot where Ella’s horse had met its eath. Stealthily the savage crept on, until the black, Mustang Sam. agian eyes could peer around the point, venomous light filled their depths, as he dis- covered the clinging figures, and an arrow was notched to the string. Anxious to make a sure shot, the savage glided still nearer, until fairly round the point. Then the bow was raised and the arrow drawn back, At that moment Ella raised her eyes and be- held the peril. With a gasping cry, she pushed Arthur violently to one side, just as the bow- string twanged. e arrow passed between their heads, tearing a lock from the maiden’s side hair, then expending its force upon the rock beyond, Arthur hastily flung forward his pistol and fired, just as the Apache fitted a second shaft. The bullet struck the rock wall, then glanced, casting a shower of flinty particles into the In- dian’s face with stinging force. Blinded, con- fused, he started convulsively. It was a fatal act. Losing his balance he fell over the ledge. One shrill scream—then a heavy thud ! awe ia madly, the Apaches charged. Arthur O rushed Ligh to ya gree ge Fevgivers speaking rapidly. gain death reigne - umphant in that cul-de-sac ! CHAPTER IX. A BRIDGE OF HAIR, But this did not last long. The Apaches soon shrunk back from before the deadly revolvers. The partial success of their bold comrade had momentarily encouraged them to rush forward, hoping to take the pale-face in a measure off his guard, Nosooner did they realize the folly of this hope than the survivors turned and shrunk back once more beyond the death- point. Brushing the perspiration from his brow, Hamilton hastily reloaded his pe keeping close watch upon the ledge, half anticipating another attack. Tremblingly Ella crept to his side, feeling safer when within reach of his strong arm. Arthur stooped and touched her lips gently, saying: ‘**lowe my life to you, little one. Only for that quick push, I would be dead now.” “And so would I, even if I had to follow our r horses, for I will never fall alive into their nds. But are they gone—can we go now, back to the wagons?” Arthur smiled sadly, as he drew her yielding form closer to his side, yet not so far forgetting himself as before. ‘*No, little one—they are still eae us. They will never leave us in peace again. I have killed some of their braves, and they will never rest until they take my scalp in payment. I don’t doubt that they are even now within hear- ing— ust around the bend.” ‘Then we—we can not—get away from them?” ‘“My darling, it is hard—very hard to have to tell you as much, but you must be brave and try to bear it. It is best to know the worst at once, Wecan not escape—nothing short of a miracle can save our lives. The red demons hold the pass, and if we were to attempt to escape by it, they would shoot us down like wolves. And it may come to that yet; or else we must stay here until thirst and starvation does its work. And that will not be ri ee ou are not strong,” gloomily responded ur Hamilton. ‘I am stronger than you think—if I am only agirl, And then, if they can keep us in here, we can keep them out yonder,” bravely respond- ed Ella, though her lip quivered pitifully, “Yes, and if the worst comes, we always have one mode of escape from the Apaches,” and Arthur glanced down into the canyon depths, now dim and indistinct as the twilight deepened. ‘‘ But that isa last resource. See! I have a pint of water in any canteen yet, and two sandwiches, Do you take charge of them, Ella. Unless you are very hungry, it would be wisest to save them until morning. For when they are gone, our hopes are small indeed.” ight settled over the desert and rock-hills, Side by side the lovers crouched upon the cheer- less rocks, their eyes riveted upon the point of rock around which the Apaches must pass in order to reach them. Tired and weary, neither to close their eyes in sletp> lens that moment should be chosen by the vindictive, unrelenting enemy for an attack. In vain Arthur besought Ella to leave him and lie down at the further end of the ledge, where she could sleep in comparative safety. It was only when she could feel the reassuring pressure of his strong arm that she felt safe. And thus, his arm around her waist, her head pillowed upon pr Ella at length fell asleep, utterly worn ou For hours Arthur remained thus, fearing to on, « —-—: — ee move lest he should disturb her peaceful slum. ber, even when his arm grew numb and his whole person cramped. ith revolvers cocked and ready, he watched the point of rock through that live-long night, distur only once. The rapid sound of firing came indistinctly to his ears, rousing him from a half-stupor.. But the Apaches did not attack or attempt to surprise him. And then the gray light in the be- tokened the birth of a new day. The sun had climbed high into the sky before Ella awoke, which she finally did with a start and bewildered stare, then shrinking away from Arthur with a hot blush, But immediately, as if remembering what had passed between them on the day before, she nestled close beside him, and did not refuse her lips when he bent his head to kiss her. ‘‘T had a nice sleep—and oh! such pleasant dreams! I thought we were once more with our friends, and—” ‘And what, darling?’ asked Arthur as she sogcenly hesitated. ‘‘Nothing much, I'll tell you sometime perhaps; not now. But you—you look pale and ere be have kept awake all night!” ‘‘ Yes—I did not know at what moment those demons might venture an attack. But it was not very hard—for I was watching over you, little one,” replied Hamilton. oe COR that is what made me dream,” laughed the maiden, with a little of her old archness. ‘‘ But now you must take some rest. Go and lie down, I will watch.” ‘“What if the Apaches should come? What would you do?” and Arthur laughed slightly. ‘IT could shoot them—at least keep cond at bay until you awakened. Give me one of the pistols. You guarded me all night; surely I can watch over you for a little while now,” ‘‘T am aman—you a dear little woman, too—” ‘‘There—no more slander, if you please, I will have it so! Besides, what will you do if we are still here to-night? You cannot go without! sleep forever.” ‘‘You promise to awaken me in an hour, then?” : ‘‘ Just as soon as there is any danger, I will) awaken you.” ‘* Very well, I will take a nap, then, for I am about worn out. But first—you must have your breakfast. You are starving,” and Arthur pro. duced the scanty supply of food and water that alone stood between them and starvation. ‘‘ Divide it, then. I will only share sapally with you,” and Ella remained firm in this deter- mination, despite Hamilton’s entreaties, declar- ing that he was not a bit hungry or ml ving that Ella would not relent, he divided the f and made a pretense of eating, though he carefully put the food away for her. And though his throat was parched with thirst, he barely suffered the water to touch his lips; not a drop passed his throat. Then, while Ella took her position, with cocked revolver in her hand, he lay down upon the rocks and almost immediately fell asleep. One, two, three hours rolled by, and still he slept; and Ella sat there upon guard, trembling with fear, con- 3 ag each murmur of the mountain breeze into the stealthy footfalls of the blood Apaches advancing to the attack 1 resolv not to.awaken her lover until absolutely obliged. It was late in the afternoon before Arthur awoke, and he gently chided Ella for having allowed him to slumber so long, but her ex- cuse lay in his sparkling eye and revivified spirits. Though suffering keenly from thirst and hunger, Hamilton was now more like him- self, and began trying to devise some mode of escape from their ous situation. The long silence of the Apaches—for near] twenty hours had elapsed since their last attac —gave birth toa new hope, Might not they have retreated for good, disheartened by their repeated losses and inability to inflict any injury upon the pale-faces? It would seem so. d yet, such was scarcely tho Apache nature. With Ella’s life depending upon him, as her only earthly protector, Arthur resolved to settle these doubts, and learn whether the sav were still guarding the ledge, or had de = once and all. Yet he did not forget pru- ence. Making A Del! of his coat-sleeves, covered with a white handkerchief, upon which he drew rude representations of a man’s features, he covered with his hat, and then cautiously protruded it around the point. And now he saw the pru- dence of his course, A dozen arrows struck the effigy, and yells of devilish exultation filled the air. y drop- ae pe ey , Arthur drew his pistols and ped back a few paces. GoOmichboo (C SS (E()