Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 154 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

a ee ee Oe tnt ne Lm —le tt, lla —_ Se ee Curtis’s steed was.as fine a chestnut.as ever was foaled. They had engaged an Arab muleteer to accom- pany them, and their baggage was loaded on his mules. Tor themselves, they caracoled gayly ahead on the road to Constantine, their Mexican spurs, with their huge rowels and jingling bells, attracting the attention of all the ragged Moors and Arabs in the neighborhood, They took the road to Constantine and traveled leisurely thither, passing the romantic defiles of the Atlas, and enjoying the magnificent scenery. They camped every hight, pitching their comfortable lit- tle tent, and enjoying the gipsying life hugely. At last they arrived at Constantine, a terrifically situa- ted mountain fortress, surrounded by Coote, pre- cipices, thousands of feet deep, and from thence uursued their way to Guelma, the former home of rerard, the lion-killer. The fame of our friends preceded them all along the track, and when they arrived at Guelma, no less than three deputations of Arabs were waiting for them. Sincé the departure of the great Gerard, it appeared that the lions had been greatly on the. in- crease, and the flocks and herds of the Arabs had been much harassed. The lion-killer had gone to Europe, and thence on an expedition up the Nile for the British government, and no one had been found to take his place for three years. The Arabs, hear- ing of the strangers from beyond the sea, had come to find what manner of men they were. it think they must have been disappointed if they expected anything imposing. Manuel was the only one of the party who boasted of more than seven- teen years, and they all looked very youttiful, Jack Curtis wore his fair hair in curls, floating over his shoulders, and his velveteen shooting dress end jaunty, gold-tasseled cap, made him look more like an actor on a spree than a grim lion-killer. The old Arab chief glanced contemptuously at him, and did not seem much more satisfied to see Bullard, His dress was that of a regular backwoods- man, made of gray deer-skin, fringed with Indian bead-work and porcupine quills, and all the para- phernalia of Western finery. The Arab looked equally disgusted with him, inasmuch as Bullard was just at that moment laughing uproariously at the antics of one of the mules, which was tormented by a gad-fly. The Arab never laughs, and judges it unworthy of amantodoso. Hence his contempt for Bullard. The old man seemed to think he had a bad job on his hands, and would get through it as quick as he could, He made a long speech in Arabic, which was translated by our friends' muleteer into French, and from which thev learned that a large lion had been ravaging their flocks for some months, and that if they would only kill him the Arabs would be their slaves forever. Manuel promised for his party that they would visit him at once, and the old chief retired, when the other two deputations delivered their messages. They were of similar import. uite likely to have lions enough on their hands, he nearest douar or Arab encampment, which had been persecuted by the lion, lay at the foot of the Atlas, toward the south, about twenty miles off. Thither the boys determined to proceed at once, They did not pitch any camp at Guelma, as they had at first intended, but rode through the place, accom- panied by a large cavalcade of Arab horsemen, the So that our boys were | } | | | | | | | | | | | | | you? The Sword Hunters. ————_—— —— ** Allah kerim!’’ exclaimed the shiekh, when he heard this. ‘*‘ You have caused lion to run from He could not have been one of our lions though. Ovr lions will charge an army alone.” ‘““They’re not a circumstance to the British lion,” replied Jack, coolly. ‘*‘He feeds on Frenchmen wherever he can find them, and the only thing that can whip him is the American eagle.” “But no eagle is large enough to kill a lion,” ob- eZ ye the sheikh, not understanding the allusions of Jack. “ Our eagle is,’ declared Curtis. ‘“‘ You shall see to-morrow morning that we will kill your seignieur.”’ “If you can do thut,” exclaimed the old sheikh, impressively, “I will kiss your feet and be your slave, and you shall have the most beautiful maiden in the tribe for your wife.”’ “Thank the sheikh fcr his kindness, Ismail, and ask him if he'll clear the tent; we're getting very sleepy,”’ were Manuel’s orders. The hospitable old gentleman immeédiately. rose and made a short harangue in Arabic, which h the effect of clearing the tent of all the men in a few minutes. The women were more curious, es- pecially the old and .ugly ones. It was evidently their intention to watch the strangers going to bed, (to see if their clothes formed part of their bodies, as Ismail informed them.) Tom Bullard settled the ” asa he by coolly commencing to take off his lea- thern hunting-shirt. The old sheikh laid hold of a big stick at this, and advanced to drive out the women. Manual Garcia, with all the chivalry of his nature, was yet so shocked at the indelicacy of the women, that he offered no interference, and they were soon driven out, while our friends were left in peace to sleep. How long they rested they could not tell, but it must have been for some time. Manuel dreamed that hé was out in a thunder-storm, with the heavy peals deafening his ears, when a louder clap than usual woke him. It was no dream. ‘The sound of thunder was indeed in his ears, but it was the liv- ing thunder of the lion’s great voice. It was rever- berating all round, and he could not tell from what direction it proceeded. This peculiar P ag he oer of the lion’s roar has often been remarked by others. Bullard and Curtis still slept, but Manuel routed ’ them out in quick time. “Bullard, get up!’ he cried. “‘ Curtis, rouse up! Get your rifles and come out! ere’s the lion |” CHAPTER III. LASSOING A LION. “Ou, hang the lion!” growled Tom, only half- prexe) ‘let's go after him to-morrow, I want to eep.”’ i Vs onsense!”’ retorted Jack Curtis, sharply. *Wiseman’s right. We must get up and go for him, or these Arabs will despise us.”’ Bullard shook himself and rose to his feet, and was.soon as much awake as the rest. The tremen- dous voice of the lion, undoubtedly nearer, serve! to rouse them all fully, as the old sheikh peeped in at the tent-door. As he appeared, they all sallied forth and stood outside the tent-door, The night was intensely dark, but looking to the east the boys could. see a few faint streaks that looked like dawn. It was unusual for the lion to come so late, but _ the moon had only just gone down, and it was ow- } / deputation from the Ouled Cassim, or sons of Cassim, | as their friends of the first deputation were called, In the evening they reached the douar, and found the head sheikh, Mohammed Ben Cassim, ready to receive them. Huge fires were blazing, and an ox was roasting in front of the sheikh’s tent. Here they were entertained with true Arab hos- pitality, and all the camp crewded to see the stran- ers, **Queer-looking dicks those Arabs are!" remarked Bullard, ‘“ Out in Texas the men wear the breeches and the women the petticoats; but here I’m han red if they don’t all wear petticoats together, only ‘the women have ‘em the shortest.”’ “Very bad taste in the sheikh,” grumbled Curtis, ““ to let all these fellows come and stare at us while we're eating, I never knew before what it was to dine in state, but if this is like it, I don’t want to re- peat the operation.”’ “I don’t care for that,” declared practical Tom. aod Cay. wish I vould get a quiet chat with one of those lovely little creatures in the blue dresses, if you can call them dresses.” ‘It’s as much as any of them wear here,” replied Jack. “You'll see we'll have offers of the whole He and their daughters, if we kill the lion for them.”’ ‘Whew! how many wives do they allow a fellow jere ?”’ “As many as he can support,’’ Manuel smilingly answered, ‘“ Why, that’s as liberal as old Brigham himself.” ‘‘ Hush, boys,” ordered the gentlemanly Manuel. “It's nye age to keep the talk to ourselves. Let’s have a talk with the sheikh, Ismail, ask the sheikh what time the lion usually comes!” ‘Allah is great and ohammes is his prophet,” replied the ol me when the seignieur shall visit slaves? Inthe darkness and tempest you will hear his voice, and when the moon has hid her face. But whether he is here now, or whether he come in the morning, he will not let you hear him before he comes. The seignieur is the king, and we are his slaves.” ‘The seignieur is not my king,” said Curtis, when this answer was translated to ** Tell the sheikh that we are Americans, and have no king. That we laugh at kings, and have made the British lion put bis tail between his legs and run, before this,” a ing to her presence that he had not appeared sooner. The fires were blazing furiously, and the Arabs were hurrying to and fro with loud cries, gun in hand. When the three friends came out, they attracted no attention whatever, all the camp being absorbed in receiving the coming enemy. Presently he roar- ed again, and this time quite close by. In an instant the camp was as still as death! It was pitiable, to American eyes, to see the abject terror to which these stalwart Arab warriors were reduced by a single lion. The boys had read of such things in Gerard, the lion-killer’s book, but had felt disposed to doubt the facts as exaggerated. But here was the evidence before their eyes. The ex- cited, yelling crowd was hushed in a moment, and began to slink into the tents. The cattle were hud- dled together in the center of the douar, trembling with fear. And now came a roar louder than any yet, and the dark figure of a huge lion sprung over the high thorn hedge that encircled the camp, and dashed into the midst of the frightened herd. These last seattered in an instant, and came tear- ing through the tents frantic with fear, amid a andemonium of noise, as if Bedlam had broken oose. Manuel had stepped forward, and was about to fire at the lion, when the rush came, and he had to leap out of the way to avoid being trampled to death. Bullard and Curtis had a narrow escape of the same fate, and when they were free and ad- vanced to meet the lion, he had disappeared. _And to show his wonderful strength, he had car- ried with him, in his twelve-foot leap, the carcass of a full grown bullock. The boys advanced cautiously to the place. The lion had gone; and they came to the conclusion that they would have to follow him. But as the : _ turned to go to the gate of the douar, the old shei Arab, pe geerry © “Who can tell is and a crowd of Arabs rushed to intercept them, imploring them, as they valued their lives, not to venture out. The lion, they said, was satisfied, and would molest them no more that night, but if they followed aud wounded him, he would probably at. tack the douar in revenge. When this was translated to the boys, Tom Bul- lard laughed contemptuously, ‘“* And are you afraid of the lion?” asked he, of the sheikh. ‘* Who is not?” returned the Arab. “Tl show you one who is not,” cried Tom, in Se 3 French, do.”” So saying, he was pressing forward to the douar gate, when the sheikh threw his arms around him, and held him by main strength. “Wait till daylight!’’ he pleaded. ‘Life is the gift of Allah, and not. to be thrown away like a foo). Wait only half an hour.”’ ‘* But the lion will be gone,"’ urged Bullard, in his turn. ** No fear of that,” said the sheikh. “ He will de- vour his prey in yonder thickets, and stay there till night. Allah grant that he may not come back!” he boys were finally induced to comply with the chief’s request, and remain till morning. The cogs of the douar were sent out after the lion, and from their loud barking it was concluded that they had found him not far off. The three friends anxiously watched the fast- brightening east, and as soon as objects could be clearly distinguished, called for their horses. “I’m going to teach those Arabs a lesson,” de- clared Manuel Garcia, resolutely, as he swung into his saddle. ‘“‘I dcn’t like their conceit and their contemptuous airs, because a fellow doesn’t hap- pen to be a six-footer with a big beard, Let's co out without any rifies,and lasso thai lim. 1 know the thing has been done with a grizzly, and Ill swear he’s worse than any lion that ever roared.” ** Agreed,” cried devil-may-care Bullard, laughing gayly. ell astonish the natives, and show them what Americans can do.”’ When the Arabs saw them ready to ride out, a unarmed, apparently, their astonishment was oud. “Never mind, old boy,” put in Tom, to the sheikh, as he trotted by. ‘‘ We'll bring the lion into camp presently, and you can kill him if you want him.” The sheikh muttered something about Frankish madmen, and the whole population of the douar turned out to watch the operations of the strangers. The boys galloped briskly forward to a little thicket of bushes, near the camp, whe:e the dogs had given tongue first. Sure enougl., there lay a huge black-maned lion, calmly deyouring the bul- oc ‘‘And you shall see what an American can As they came by, he looked up with 2 savage snarl, that wrinkled his lips, and seposed alccutiiul set of white teeth to view. He evidently didn't propose to be driven from his breakfast, but the i cys were de- termined to do so, since it was impossible te cast a lasso at him so near the bushes. Now Manuel Garcia shone out in his true colors. As cool as a cucumber was Manuel, He sicoped from his saddle to pick up some pebbles, and then galloped past the lion, just outside of his spring. As he passed he threw a handful! with all his force at the licn’s face,and then wheeled and galloped off, laughing. The hair-brained nature of the feat excited a yell of applause from the lately scornful Arabs. Of course the lion charged; Manuel expect- ed him to, and kept his horse just alead of Lim, to draw him into the open ground. The lion pursued him for some hundred yards, when Bullard, who had been coiling bis lasso. meanwhile, came down like a shot across his track, whirling the noose rcund his head. It parted from his hand, and in another moment had settled over the lion’s neck. The latter was so eager after Manuel that he did not notice it, till the pull of the galloping horse, catching him sidewise as he leaped, tumbled him over and Over on the grass, in ignominious ccfeat. Bullard had calculated his distance and his direc- tion with the skill of an old eugvero. A moment earlier or later, and a Ccifferent direction, would have only ineured his own fall. The Arabs were so astounded that a dead silence had fallen on them. But the lion, though stunned and choked, was full of fight. He ony to bis feet and charged Bullard. Put Manuei’s lasso had been swinging, even while the game was Struggling in the noose. It flew through the air, settled on the lion's neck, and ina moment more the grim beast was compa- ratively harmless. As fast as he dashed at one, the other would back his horse and compel him to drag him forward by main strength, and all the while the nooses were tightening steadily. The Arabs were dumb with amazement, They saw their old enemy powerless without having received asbot. He struggléd an roared, dragging the horses here and there with comparative ease, but the riders were cld bands with the lasso, and kigew how to manage him. His roars grew fainter and more strangled, and his st les less violent. Finally they ceased en- tirely, his tongue neper out of his mouth; and the desert king had died of strangulation. The Arabs could not believe their eyes at first, but when they realized the truth, their goy knew no bounds. They crowded around Manuel end Bullard to kiss the hem of their garments. Nothing wes too ey for the lately-despised Franks, now the latter ad shown such indisputable courage, The Arabs were shamed before theirown women, So highly do they value courage, that they made offers of mar- riage to al) three of the boys that night; offers of the most beautiful maidens of the tribe, if they would only take them. The friends feasted gayly for three days among the Ouled Cassim, in all honor and respect, and then departed for their next neighbors, the Ouled eae, preceded by their fame gained in lassoing a lion. CHAPTER IV. UP THE NILE, In the porch of Shepherd’s Hotel, at Cairo, a few months r, sat our three friends, bronzed and Ehoo <€om S (E(0)