Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 119 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

his danger. The Apache he had disarmed of his lance had drawn a knife and was even then bending forward to make a finishing thrust. Swaying lightly to one side, Mustang swept around his heavy revolver, the barrel striking the red-skin’s wrist. A howl of an y pain broke from his lips as the member fell, the bones cracked like dried reeds, Bending iow along his animal’s back, he turned and fled from the spot of death. His example seemed contagious. tunned and confused by the rapidly-detonating revolvers, that seemed never to require reload- ing, the Apaches retreated in sad disorder, not pausing. to remove their dead and disabled, eaving them to the mercy of the whites. Scarce one minute had elapsed since the charge. began before the Apaches were once more beyond rifle-range. Yet that short space had been thick crowded with death. Stern and desperate, the brief conflict had cut short a full score human lives, The emigrants had not escaped unscathed. Three of their number were dead; others were wounded. The survivors looked grave and stern. One-fourth of their number had wasted away since leaving the wagon corral, and yet they were not half-way to the point of rocks. The prospect began to look gloomy. If the Apaches should continue their furious charges, they must prove victorious in the end. Yet the men silently obeyed when Mustang bade them bind their fallen comrades upon the backs of the extra horses. Not one protested against the journey being continued, though more than one thought of the little stream of water that flowed from the mesa spring, out into the desert sands, gradually growing less and less, until the reedy, insatiable desert gulped down the last a0 : and.a similar fate seemed to be in store for Aner, They were the stream, the Apaches were the desert sands. _ With MustangSam leading the way, the little cavalcade rode steadily onward, bearing their dead.in their midst... They rode in silence now. The mocking laughter, the jests and repartees were no longer heard. . Only the sturdy, monot- onous trampling of the horses’ hoofs upon the soft, yielding sands, or the occasional jingle of the Mad Rider’s spur. The Apaches were still within sight, though more to the rear of the pale-faces, drawn to- gether, evidently. earnestly consulting. It seemed as though they had given up all hopes of conque that brave handful; but Mustang and Sy eatinah did not reason in that way. They, read the Apache nature too thoroughly fall into such an error. ** Don’t you b’lieve it, fellers,” Sam said; ‘‘ we hain’t see’d the last o’ them yit. I don’t sa they'll charge us ag’in, like the last time, fer we giv’ ’em a bellyfull then, but they’ll hang around an’ watch their chainces to git ina underhand lick. But ef we keep our eyes open, I reekon we'll fool ’em yit.” Riding steadily on, the emigrants soon lost sight of the Apaches entirely. Some believed the enemy had gone back to the corral, thinking to secure an easy victory there, but, knowing how. strong the position was, little fear was felt as to the result. All at once Mustang Sam reined in Comanche and motioned to his followers to halt, bendin his head forward in eager listening. A rapi glance ran around the party. The same thought struck each and every one of the living riders. “Our fri’ndsis in trouble yender ’mong the hills,” said Mustang, his eyes glowing. ‘‘It was a White man’s rifle that Iheard. Mebbe we'll bein time yit, if we hurry,” and he urged Comanche onward. ‘God preserve my child,” murmured Edward Bland, an agonized expression coming over his countenance. “Tf too late to save, we can avenge them!” Heflin. At breakneck speed the Party dashed on. In front rode Mustang Sam, still bestriding the proud Comanche, while Tornado kept close alongside, jealously eying his rival. Close be- hind them the emigrants; and last of all the mounted corpses — ghastly sight !— galloped along with swa ring limbs and lolling heads, the thin vail of dust cast upon the air by the tram- pling hoofs disguising, not hiding, the expres- sion of terrible agony that sudden death had frozen upon the slain men’s faces. The point of rocks loomed up more and more distinctly, and it was now plain that the alarm- ing sounds proceeded from the other side of the spur. It was plain that a stout defense was be- ing made, The quick, sharp reports of revolv- ers were heard, mingling with wild yells, and an occasional shriek of some human being in mortal agony. ee ea era ee 10000 Mustang Sam. It was no time to consult caution or prudence. Even the loss of a moment might fatal, Mustang Sam turned bis head and waved a re- volver toward his followers, then dashed swift- ly around the point of rocks. P hisinvmreoy i the emigrants followed, though knowing that the next moment might carry them headlong into the midst of an overwhelming force of the enemy. That was not the least brave action of that eventful day. A thrilling sight burst upon the vision as Mustang Sam dashed around the rocky point. A ledge of rocks, some forty feet above the level of the desert, was thickly vailed with smoke from the revolver-muzzies that still vom- ited forth death. At the foot of this ledge, yell- ing wildly, trying to scale the rocks, was a horde of dusky figures—the hornets of the prai- rie, Not all were standing erect. The ground was strewn with motionless bodies, their un- natural position plainly telling that death had claimed its prey. This much the one glance showed Mustan Sam, but he did not stop to count the odds, x revolver in either hand, he uttered his wild war- cry, and urged Comanche forward at full speed, Startled and amazed, the Apaches turned their gaze, just as the rescuing party dashed around the point. Yells of alarm and dismay broke from their lips, as they, with one accord, sprung toward their ponies. But death was even faster. The revolvers of Mustang Sam sent a leaden hail through the flying mass, and then the Mad Rider was upon them. Side by side did Comanche and Tornado force their way through the terror- stricken wretches, crushing and mangling limbs and bodies beneath their sharp hoofs, while the Caney Tandled revolvers dealt death upon either e. ** Houp-la! make your mark, boys. Imps like these killed your comrades—wipe ’em off the face 0’ the airth!” yelled the Mad Rider, wheel- ing his horse for a return charge. ‘Hooray for Mustang Sam!” shouted a sten- torian voice, as a dark figure recklessly bounded down the rocks, and plunged into the melee with flashing knife. . In sheer surprise Mustang reined in Comanche, The voice was that of Tom McKoun, and Ralph Weston was even them clambering down from the rock-ledge, moving with difficulty, for one aah om in his shoulder, another deep in A bitter groan burst from Edward Bland’s ashy lips, ashe saw that the ledge was now empty. Heartsick and faint, he bowed in his saddle, his face resting upon his horse’s mane, Heflin rushed up up to Weston, crying in hoarse, unnatural tones: ‘“‘Ella—my child—where is she? Tell me— quick!” ‘Your child? I know nothing of her,” re- piled the astonished young man. ‘‘I don’t un- erstand you.” ‘* Wasn’t she here—haven’t you been fighting for her?’ ‘“‘T’ve been fighting for my life—I and my mate Soha arsinas those accursed Apaches —nothing more. But here—if you don’t mean to use that horse, let me have it before the red devils are all killed!” and almost tearing Heflin from the saddle, Weston mounted, despite the arrows that still rankled in his wounds, and with a wild yell, dashed away to join in the fight— or rather massacre, _ And massacre if might well be called, for the Apaches. did not show fight, being bewildered and completely cowed by the surprise. They had made a dash for their ponies as Mustang Sam’s first shot, but Comanche overtook them, and the half-wild mustangs, frightened by the uproar and confusion, tossed their heels aloft and then fled Ieee over the desert, leaving their masters in the lurch, The Apaches are essentially horse Indians, Afoot they are slow, clumsy and awkward, like a professional jockey. A man of ordinary speed can easily distance them. Thus the mounted emigrants rode them down, slaying them merci- lessly, urged on in their work of bl by the sight of their dead comrades as the death-bear- ing horses wheeled to and fro, snorting wildly, intensely excited. With those figures in view it was not likely that the whites would think of mercy. Occasionally an Apache, rendered desperate, would turn and ge an arrow or two, but seldom did these reach their mark. Darting repay here and _ there, the flying targets were difficult to hit by the coolest of marksmen. _ It was a thrilling yet sickenin it lasted only a few minutes. for want of further victims. scene, though hus it ended Of the entire band 7 of Apaches but two or three ences: these scrambling up the rocks, unobserved during the confusion. Then, while the party were looking to their hurts, Mustang Sam questioned his mates. Sub- stantially, their story was as follows: With considerable difficulty they had mas- tered the chiang aie! mustang roped by Weston, who had then app led saddle and bow-stall, and mounted to break the horse. In the wild gallo that. followed, he. observed a large and fresh trail, evidently made by Indians. As soon as — he returned to where McKoun was. fearing. lest a aN Sam should get into trouble, they took his trail. Nearing the point of rocks, they heard the sound of flre-arms, and believing their fears confirmed, dashed on, re. solved to save their mate or share his fate, Scarcely had they gained the point of rocks, thana strong body of Apaches dashed around it. As their only chance, the hunters dismount- ed and took to the rocks, trusting in their revol- vers to keep the enemy at bay. Twice they re- paleed them; once, in the evening, the other ate in the night. The third and lastone bade fair to be successful, for they were both wounded, and their ammunition was frowing: low, when the opportune arrival of. Mustang Sam and his party saved them from the threat- ened fate, “It was on this ridge that I see’d them folks that I telled ye of, Bland. .Whar’bouts did the sound of firin’ seem to come from, Tom?” ‘* From t’other side the hill, a good bit over that way,” pointing tothe high, open ground | from which the spur jutted. “It didn’t last long though. There hain’t been any fun over thar sence yest’day, as | could hear.” “Then it is as I feared—those devils have butchered a child!” groaned Bland, an unut- terable depth of despair written upon. his blanched countenance. - “Don’t be a fool, man,” sharply but with kind intention spoke Mustang. ‘When. thar’s two trails, al’ays take the best. Try to blieve that your fri’nds whipped out the red _ niggers jest as we’ve done so often, but are still hidin’ in the rocks, afraid to ventur’ out while the ho’- nets are buzzin’ round so thick. Try it—you’ll git on a heap better for it. Then ef the worst is to. come, it'll be bad enough when ye. cain’t eye it from ye no longer, ’thout runnin’ a’ter i ‘He says well, neighbor,” said Heflin, brave- ly mastering his emotion. ‘‘ We will hope for the best while we may, and then if it should prove what ben fear—then we at least have vengeance left us. ‘And we will have it too—will drink deep of it! She is the last one left me—the rest are all gone. If sheis gone too, lam alone. Ill have only one thing then to live for—as you say, vengeance!” gritted Bland, a strange change coming over his face. ‘‘An’ we'll help you, too, old man,” hastily added Mustang. ‘‘ But this is losin’ time. . Le’s be. travelin’;. .Yender’s whar I sighted the folks, As they was hossback, I reckon we kin go thar too.” The party trotted rapidly along the foot.of the ses te The rocks in most places. rose precipit- ously for many feet, then broke into long nar- row ree, rising one above the other, stair- like, The designated point was reached, but the rocky wall still rose smooth and bare. It soon became evident that the party, wherever a were, must have gained the ledge from the hi pronng beyond. othing was left for it buta gallop to that point, and the rapidly waning day warned the party to make all the spee sible in case they hoped to strike the trail before night de- scended and put a stop to their labors, Once there, finding a number of the ledges, Mustang Sam placed all the horses upon one, in charge of half the sound men, while the others were divided along the trail. By the aid of lassoes, it would be easy for those above to descend to the ledges upon which the animals were. so ppey, proceeded with the search. r full an hour the search was without suc- cess, save that Mustang Sam found unmistaka- ble signs of where horses had passed at no very distant date. But the nature of the wae was such that he could not tell, with certainty, in which direction the wanderers had been travel- then a signal from the opposite side of the ridge reached their ears, telling of some impor- tant discovery. By tough scrambling the foot- man managed to cross the ridge, and gained the spot where stood Dan Sweatman. He stood upon a ledge not quite six feet wide, where it made an abrupt curve; thus two per . + OOO) coim (C ‘Ss GO