Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 163 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

eh 3 i Terre + = " : x r 4 home of the gallant Boy Mustanger, as well as her sveend mene Se the regulators and her escape. © ven from the lips of Edith she received the joyful i,ielligence that Colonel Miles was living, and that «ay would soon be in his presence. Dou Rossevan hed little to say from this on. He ‘hod no desire to interrupt the happy meeting of the to Isdies; moreover, he was troubied in mind over ‘tae inforn..tion that Black Boniface and his follow- vers were in the vicinity. In the course of another hour the calesa again BA) whei Rossevan said: “here, senoritas, we have reached the Ruins de liessevan.”’ The mai lens had been so deeply absorbed in each «ier’s sovie.y and happiness that they had taken vo note of tirae or aught else until their companion «ole. Then they looked out. The moon shone full venom the surroundings, and before them, looming | up against the north, was a long, low structure— — apparently a rass of ruins—overgrown with wild ivy and other parasitical vines—and from the midst 4# which a light shone brightly. atuwistie recognized the place as the same from «hoch she had fled but an hour befpre. Yon Rossevan assisted the girls from the calesa, 4uen giving each anarm he conducted them to the i. cuse. Reaching the door he rapped upon it, and a t omont later it swung slowly open upon wheezy idnges, aud Rossevan and his fair companions sS xpaved into a long, wide hall that was dimly lighted, me. pervaded with the sweet perfume of flowers “71 the soft, dulcet music of an olian harp fixed iy (he window at the further end of the passage. ee . ’ ee eee eee —— —— oe we ~—— ee —— > =, oe = . PT? ~ we eee ee ae ee -— oo oe oe ae eee and led to further question regarding Don Rossevan; but Old Morality evaded the ques:ions iv such an adroit and clever way that the settlers were con- vinced that he knew more of Rossevan than he felt at liberty to tell. Upon being informed that the Spaniard had been gone but a short time, Oid Morality took leave of the emigrants, mounted his horse aud rode away, fol- lowing the track of the calesa. This was further evidence of some relationship between Rossevan and the old ranger. It was the intention of Morality to overtake the party when he left camp; but after riding for two | or three hours upon the track of the calesa, he gave \ up all hope of overtaking it, and struck out across the plain toward the West. Not a sign of life was visible except a number of buzzards circling in the heavens far to the westward. The plain stretched away before him to the blue horizon, relieved, now and then, of its monotonous sameness by a little motte or clump of bushes—islands in the ocean of verdure. To Old Morality, however, these mottes | were only a relief to the eye—not to the mind. Ex- _ perience had taught him that they were the Scylla and Charybdis of the prairie ocean; that from their cover the Indian and the robber lay in wait for the merchantman, the trader and the emigrant. There- fore, he shunned them as much as possible. The old man rode on, apparently indifferent to all around him save those buzzards w eeling in the air. _ Their presence was portentous to him as it ever is to Puiaing from the hall Rossevan led the girls into | »/ viliantly-lighted and handsomely-furnished room, «ere a young, handsome and dark-eyed girl rose (.ceceive them with kind words of weicome. “This, ladies,” said Don Rossevan to Edith and { ‘wistie, ‘is my sister, Anita Rossevan.”’ ‘Ihe young dark-eyed maiden greeted the girls tindly and welcomed them to the home of Don Jaan de Rossevan; and then having assisted them to disrobe, she conducted them into an Ae :wom where, weak and pale, Colonel Israel Miles ‘atin an easy-chair, ready to receive them. CHAPTER X. LD MORALITY IN TROUBLE—FAGAN’'S CATTLE-RANCH, Da. JepuTHAN Dover and Old Morality were sound osieep in their respective tents when Don Juan de itessevan and his gay escort visited camp, and it vp not until that gentleman had been gone with ith more than an hour that they made their ap- pearance from their tents. Dr. Dover was the first ‘0 join the little group outside discussing the events «vf che day, and as soon as apprised of the visit of ihossevan, the old fellow flew into a passion. “There! by the dancing dervishes!” he exclaimed, “you've all branded yourselves a set of nincom- yoops!—gone and give the colonel’'s other girl into the hands of the bloody hellyons.’ Oh, Lord!” _ “Doctor, there was no deception about that man Roessevan,”’ said Mr. Byrd; ‘* besides, he—"’ * Neither was there deception in the kiss of Judas «xalaimed the doctor, pacing the camp in rage 7 . “Twas going to say,’ continued Byrd, “that he | {ought a letter from the colonel who lies very low, the borderman; but, with the open plain before him and a swift borse under him, he feit no fear of dan- er and rode leisurely on, He had ourneyed per- 4. ST AS 0 Manin we | | wie LounS J ustanger. ; | . Cae ad ; . “ i” itu | diaphragm. 'he feared Little aps five miles upon the plain, and was passing | along between two little clumps of timber, when a vifle, in the furthest one away, sudcenly rung out and the old man’s horse reared and plunged forward witha piteous cry and sunk quivering to the earth. Then forth from their ambush galloped half a score of horsemen with drawn pistols. They were outlaws, and the old ranger seeing it would be use- less to contend with such great odds, returned his pistol to its place, and with folded arms calmly awaited their approach. At the head of the party rode the notorious Dr. Rocheford. ‘*‘A glorious subject!’’ exclaimed the villain, as he rode up to where the ranger stood. “So itis, my gallant knight of the cross-bones,”’ replied a comrade. ‘A willing subject in the interest of science,” add- ed another, seeing he made no resistance, The regulators drew = around the old man who stood calmly regarding them with silent contempt. “A purty critter he is,” said Rocheford and all laughed heartily, for Old Morality had assumed an air and attitude that tordered upon the ludicrous and comical. ’ “You gol-dashed tar-rant'-lers and blood-suckers of the peraro!"’ the old man exclaimed savagely, “you can ’ford to laugh and giggle at an old, hoary- headed man after you've got the 'vantage of him; _ but, dash your cowardly picters! I can take you, two | at a time, and knock the butt end of your brains out “vom effects of wounds,in the gentleman's house; | 2 4 itis a genuine letter too. ~) cistie, or bothif they could both leave.”’ “What did yer say the feller’s name war what « tne for the gals?’ suddenly exclaimed Old Moral- * . wo, at this juncture, made his appearance, | img gamght a part of the conversation with Dover 4, 40 his tent. “Juan de Rossevan,”’ replied Byrd, consulting Miles’s letter. “Vipers and tar-rent’-lers!’’ exclaimed the old min, in astonishment, “‘ you don’t tell me that Don Ressevan war here, do you?” “That was the name.” “What for a lookin’ critter was he?” Byrd described the man and outfit. ™ t war him, by the kissin’ Judas! tiuinder didn’t ye wake me?” “Then you know him, do you, Morality?” * Know him! yes, I should think I did know him; and I know him well enough to know that Edith Clayton will be his captive.” **My Lord! is he a robber, too?” “There!"’ broke in Dr. Dover, ‘* what did I tell you? Oh, by heavens! you'll learn wisdom from expe- rience—Ditter experience. You're aset of nincom- poops to just deliberately give a girl into the hands of a vile old robber!” “Did I insinuate that he was a robber, ole pill- tazs?’” asked Old Morality; “did I even hint at his twing any thing but what he is—a perfect gentle- t.on,ascholar and a Christian’ Yea, verily I say wm to you, folks, that Don Juan de Rossevan is one of 4.40 whitest-souled, big-hearted men that ever made hoo by the Gaudilquiver or drank in the glories of e. Andalusian night. If he said Colonel es war « uis ranch, why, the colonel’s there, you can bet » ur last fip on that.” ‘*Man!"’ stormed Dr. Dover, ‘‘I believe you're in } [roe with that man, and that you are both out- . Wa “Fia! ha! ha!” laughed the old ranger. Geena turedly. ‘‘you’re an ole cuss, doctor and t you «an't tell a pill from a bug. What I alluded to when 3} sayed Edith ’d be the Don’s captive, was that she’d tall to her eyebrows in love with him, beca’se she <an't help it, ed to the doctors’ corner in perdi- : on if she can, for he’s the quintessence of all that’s }.0bje and manly in man, ‘s what and whe Don Bay his exp Why in 8, tlemen. Hh or ha relieved the settlers of the emo- 8 .. -* rel'> bad tet worked un Im their minds, ‘< + He sent for Edith or | eee | | tell you what, ole sive enter: Beet i # & little tar- _easier’n slippin’ on ice; and if you don't believe it, jist climb me and I'll dish it up to you so hot that you'll think you're thar, you quintescences of cow- ardice and turkey-buzzardness!”’ i “The old chap imagines he’s a hoss,”’ said a rob- er. ‘*And if ye don’t b'lieve I are, climb me, will ye? I'll take ye with one eye shet, eoeye holts, and double ye like a fish grub,”’ replied the ranger. “We know you, Old Morality,”’ replied Rocheford; ““we have had our eyes on your moral carcass for two weeks or more.”’ “The devil’s had hisen on you ever since you drawed your first breath and war kicked out of so- ciety,’’ replied Morality. ** Moraliiy |’ sneered Rocheford, “what a misap- lication of a namethatis! Olc ~allion would better; however, anything will do what little time you'll have to remain away from your Satanic master. Why, sir,I am a searcher for knowledge and natural curiosities, and I have a desire to meas- ure your brain, if you have one, bottle your heart and dissect your liver in order to find out wherein your sejf-conceit and rascalities lie.” ‘* You’re a great man, ar’n’t ye?”’ replied Morality; ‘*vou're the Rose o’ Sharon—the Cedar o’ Lebanon, 2 fms, ' dj ‘ Le “A ts ad 3 * > we wee tw ? . . —_a= oe ~~“ = + + ee cactus-point in business, quick asx jacced lightnin’, and can beat all Texas throwin’ a lasso, or chuckin lead into a robber’s diaphragm. I reckon he’s an other subject you've got in view, arn’t he, fromey?” * Yes!" hissed the Frenchman, *“ and by the Vir gin I will have him, too!” * {would if | way you,” replied the prisoner, sar castical.y, ** for he’s a good *un,” The ro: bers laughed at the old man’s indifference and audacity. “Old man,’ said Rocheford, stung to the quick by Moralify’s retort, ‘ll make you grimace out of the A corner of your mouth before you get through with me,"’ “And then old Satan ‘Il make 7 uirm like s maggot afore he gits through with you,” replied the ranger. “If Little Texas ‘ll only keep his word he'll give you a check for Dimnation afore the owls hoot or the wolf leaves his lair.” “ Sacre’ what do you mean, did vagabond?” de- manded the Frenchman, in evident fear. “I mean, monsieur,’’ replied Morality, with a bland smile, “that Little Texas, the Boy Mustanger, has a very pretty little rifle, and in that rifle he has put a charge of powder, and upon that powder he rammed home a half-ounce ball of lead. Now, sir, his intentions are to excite that powder by tetchin’ behind with a spark of fire, cause it to kick furiously and slam that chunk of lead through your Now do ye understand?” Rocheford involuntarily glanced around him, for ) Texas more than he feared the wrath of God, despite his boastful language. Old Morality roared with laughter. Thus they moved on, the ranger arguing and quar- reling with his captors, as though perfectly indif. ferent to his situation, or as to what they might de - with him. At different times the old man overheard the reg- ulators talking about Fagan’s Ranch, which he knew was situated some miles ahead of them; and as Je- _ rome Fagan had always borne a good reputation, he came to the conclusion that their designs were to make a raid upon his ranch. It istrue, he also heard them talking about a bull-fight at the ranch that | night, but supposed their language had a different meaning from that implied—that they were talking in riddles. But whatever his doubts and specula- tions were, concerning his captor’s designs upon | Fagan’s Ranch, all were finally dismissed when the party, in open day, rode boldly into the ranch, and, to the surprise of the ranger, were cordially received | by Jerome Fagan and his friends. | Tnen, This convinced Morality that the cattle-men were not what they had always been represented. If the were not in league with the regulators in crime, it was, at least, certain that they were courting the friendship of the robbers, and harboring them as self-protection—to save the ranch from their depre- dations. Fagan’s Ranch was situated in an abrupt bend of a little stream called Mesquit Creek. The place was heavily timbered, and well watered—natural advan- tages for acattle-ranch. A number of low log cabins stood upon a little eminencesoverlooking the penin- sula, or bend, and were occupied by Fagan and his employees, numbering in all, women and children, fifty or sixty persons, Of these, at least thirty were Back of the cabins were stables and sheds for horses, and south of the cabins were the caitle-pens. Of the latter there were four, with a capacity for thousands of cattle. One of the four, however, was quite small, and built in a circular form, of logs set upright in the ground like a stockade. This pen was fifteen feet in hight, and was called the Wild Pen in coutradistinction to the others. It was intended | for wild and vicious cattle, and those recently taken — covered with shi ar’n’t ye? you're the Feet hugawapusandi, ar’n't ye? + ( You're the tail eend of a family 0’ dirty cowards and French fools, ar’n’t ye? Why, sir, the carcass of that dead hoss is worth more’n your hull soul—I wouldn’t begin to trade, even if the devil hadn’t a fust mortgage on your pestiverous soul.”’ “ Well, this play on words is not business; men, mount this specimen of the genus catamount upon one of those horses and we'll be moving,” said Rocheford, nettled by the old man’s words, There were three or four led horses in the part and upon one of these Old Morality was mounted; then the band moved away toward the north, ap- parently satisfied with their day’s work. Old Moralit rode were stained with crusted blood, and gmt | by the a that it was a robber e@utfit, he to Rocheford: “T see evidence of death in your apne A mighty man of Texas; I see claret has been gpilt on your hoas’s withers—reckon Little Texas or somebody's saw that the withers of the horse he | been applyin’ lead to your friend’s anatomy—doc- | terin’ ‘em up,eh? Lead is wusser’n a tar'rant'ler | bite to strike in, and all the horse-hair ropes in | Texas won't keep it from crogsin’ the line and divin’ into a feller’s system. I reckon it war Little Texas that’s been playin’ ‘ill with your duck, eh? Ah! I rapin—ooile as a eatamount in a with the lasso from the plain. It was built in a cir- cular form to prevent the animals from * cornering ’’ each other in a fight. Upon one side of the Wild Pen, with front resting upon the logs of the stockade, and rear upon other upright posts, was an elevated cabin, or shanty, les. This was a watch-house. When the pen was full of cattle it was found neces- sary to keep a man on guard, day and bight, to prevent any accident. From this elevated point the guard could overlook all the pens, as they all cor- nered there. In this watch-house, Old Morality was imprisoned, securely bound, and one of the robbers, along with the regular watch, was placed in guard over him. There was no window, and but a single low, narrow door in the building, but in this door was cut a wicket or opening large enough for a man to see out, and through which Morality was enabled to survey his situation. For some reason or other there were no cattle in the Wild Pen with the exception of a single Texan bull—a wild, ferocious-looking fellow with a fierce eye, glossy coat, and white, slender horns, sh as rapiers, and fully four feet long. This animal stood near what appeared to be a cage, on the opposite side of the pen, bellowing, and pawing the ground in apparent rage. e regulator and ranchero, who were seated on the eet in front of the cabin, were watching the bull and laughing at his frantic efforts to destroy something, real or imaginary. ‘*Ah, he’s a vicious brute,"’ Morality heard the ranchero say; “I’ve been teasin’ him here all day; now watch him.” The ranchero uttered a low, bellowing sound that caused the bull to desist from his at on the cage and listen. Then he turned, and with his tail up, his head down, and his tongue out, he came . ing across the pen with a flerce bellow, and fnalky eame up with a crash the side of the stock- ade cameo Be shanty to fairly tremble. The guards burst into e peal of laughter, then, wit JOO eom (E() (E ON =) . ee —