Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 163 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

eee . at —— ; 5S A ne wie a ? > *5°V . Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. fs, IF = ——_ = SaPAsE ASR PWTES: ARE. __ fed SS en hrute until ii was forced to retreat with the trickling from its sides, ain the men laughed, then the regulator said: iat ro one of the bulls you're going to fight to- night, is ‘*That’s the only one,” was the reply; “it’s to be a bull and lion fight.”’ ‘A bull and lion fight!" exclaimed the regulator, “ well, that’s better yit, I'll swear it is.”’ ‘Yes; the boys caught a mountain lion, as they're called, when up in California, and started right off to the States with it on a showin’ expedition, but by the time they got this fur on their way they got sick of the enterprise, and sold out their lion to "Rome Fagan and then hired to him to herd cattle. "Rome got the lion on purpose to chaw up that bull, and I do hope hell claw the very innards outen the horned cuss, for he’s the wickedest bull that was ever calved on Texan soil,” | ‘“T reckon you fellows have made him so,” the regulator. ‘Not a bit of it, Cube; not a bit of it, sir: he’s a royal hellyon from the ground up, and killed his man afore he war a year old. We'd ’a’ killed him long ago, but we s’posed he'd get better—more docile, and then he was sich a promisin’ critter. But, thunder! he’s grown viciouser all the time, and ’s killed a dozen or two head of cattle, disembowled three mustangs and killed two herders. Oh, he’s a wicked scamp. I've see’d him stand fight his own shadder till he drueled at the mouth. Ye see he’s got sich infarnal long horns, and then they’re jist as sharp asthe p’int of a Mexican dagger. I tell ye he'll make a stiff ole ficht; I'll bet he'll hold that tiger or lion a square tussle, and I wouldn't be afeard to go you a few that he gits away with the critter. tHe may not, though, for we've been stuffin’ the lion on voung calves for a week or two, and T'll tell ye what he’s got a tooth for beefsteak rare. There! d'ye hear that? that was ole California’s growl; he’s in thet pen over yander where the bull’s cavortin’ now.’ ‘* Heavens, I thought that growlin’ were thunder!” exctained the regulator; ‘‘ and so that war the lion’s voice?” “It war, for a sweet fact.” ‘Well, judgin’ by that, the bull won’t be a mouth- ful for the lion.” ‘Don't deceive yourself on /Avt point, Cube, for I think it'll be the toughest old fight that ever took place in the San,Saba valley. And won't it be said <elicious fun? whew-ee!"’ At this juncture a man appeared from the cabins briugine the guards and prisoner some supper. They passed Morality’s in to him upon a plate, and ie the guards were eating, the other ranchero asKeds: “You haven't heard the latest, have you, boys?” ““ What about?”’ ‘The bull-fight to-night: well, it’s been decided that a man shall fight the victor, be it bull or lion.” ‘** Bravo!” exclaimed the guards. ‘Yes, the Spanish bl! of Senor Fagando and the French wit of Rocheford have arrived at an arrangement that'll equal any of old Spain’s royal entertainments. Oh, it’ll jist be gorgeous!” ‘Well, don’t tantalize a feller, but tell us all "bout it. Who's the reckless man that's going to risk his hide in a conflab with a bull or lion?” “Why, sir,” said the ranchero, ‘‘the man you ruard. Old Morality’s to be placed upon a horse — turned into the pen, and compelled to fight or die,” “Thunder rolling! the old man’ll not stand a tha ow of a chance with the bull or lion.” ‘** Not a shadow,”’ replied the ranchero; “‘ but then we'll bave the sport just the same, don’t you see?” Old Morality heard the ranchero's words, and the news he brought with their supper from head-quar- ters, but instead of breaking down under the start- ling information, he calmly ate his supper and paced his narrow prison, whistling softly to himself. CHAPTER XI. THE BULL AND LION FIGHT. Ir was night at Fagan’s Ranch, but in and around the pens where the fight was soon to come off, the light of a dozen flambeaux lit up the arena witha glare as bright almost as the noonday sun. Dr. Rocheford and his followers and the rancheros were seated upon a platform on top of the stockade, wait- ing for the sport to begin. The lion in his cage was being goaded to frenzy, while men with red lanterns, stationed at different ints around the pen, were teasing and tormenting e bull into fury and madness. Shouts of laughter and the commanding voices of men mingled with the bellowing of the bull and the — roar of the lion, om the door of the elevated watch-house Old Morality was permitted to witness the preparations tor the struggle. ; In the course of an hour the “committee on ar- rangements’’ announced all in readiness for the fight to bezin. A man witha rod lantern stood on top of the lion's cage, and another with a rope in his hand stood by his side; the rope was fastened to the door of the lion’s cage and passed over a pulley. Ready!" shouted the man with the rope} then the one with the red lantern lowered the light by means of a rope and swung it to and fro before the door of thelion’s cage. The bull caught sight of it, shook his head, pawed the earth and then witha ow started across the arena, As he neared the object of his wrath, the man with the rope raed the toor.ot tao caro. - a heavy whip, the ranchero scored the poor, mad I, mm eee ee ee i= ae ee A dead hush fell upon the crowd. Old Morality magined he could hear the voices of the night out in the wood, so profound was the silence. Every eye was fixed in burning suspense upon the lion’s cage. Then a growl and a bellow breaks the silence. There is a rush in the lion’s cage, and the fierce ani- mal springs outinto the arena. A shout bursts from the lips of the rancheros and regulators. Crouching upon the earth the lion gazes around him, his green eyes blazing with rage, his jaws open and dripping with froth, and his tail slowly lashing the ground. He utters a growl—a challenge. The bull shakes his mane, utters a deep, short bellow, and with his tail up, his eyes blazing, and his mouth ~ and tongue protruding, he rushes upon the on, They came together with a dull crash, a scream and aroar. With a leap the agile lion met his horn- ed antagonist, and landed fairly between the animal’s wide horns and buried his fearful claws in the shoul- ders and his teeth in the shaggy neck. With a bel- low that was almost deafening and pitiful, the bull went down upon his knees. He had been taken ata disadvantage. The lion clung to him as if fastened there. In vain the bull tried to shake him off, but his weight almost overcame the strength of his an- tagonist. But at length the bull rose from his knees and charged across the arena with the lion still clinging to his neck and shoulders. The crowd, mad with excitement, shouted at the top of their lungs and waved their hats. ** A thousand dollars to ten that the lion whips the so a Dr. Rocheford shouted across the arena to a riend. Before that friend could reply Old Morality yelled out: ‘‘T'll take you, frog-eater: come over and ante.” “If you’ve ten dollars, ll take it, anyhow,” re- plied Rocheford., A frightful bellow and a subdued growl drew at- | tention to the combatants, when a shout again arose from the spectators’ lins, for the had changed. ‘The lion bad broke his hold and had been hurled over the bull’s back to the ground with fear- ful violence, The bull, with tern, bleeding shoulders, starting eyeballs and steaming nostrils turned, and again rushed upon his fue. The lion made a second spring, but this time it was not so fortunate, for its body came in contact with the sharp horn of the bull, and was impaled thereon. A roar that fairly shook the earth escaped the lion’s fearful lungs, and he sunk back, almost par- alyzed by the cruel horn rankling in his body. ith a snort and a roar, the bull gave a sudden toss of the head and the lion was disemboweled, Still, in the agonies of death the fierce animal fought on, appar- ently more desperate than ever; but this could not last long, and in a few minutes the lion lay a quiver- ing lump of flesh, torn, bleeding and dead. e bull had won the battle. ies mere swung in the air and shouts rung through the n . & at an awful fool you are, Rocheford!”’ yelled Old Morality. ink different soon, my festive vaga- bond,”’ replied the irate Frenchman. A red light was lowered and swung to and fro to entice the bull away from the carcass of the lion. Then several men slipped into the arena, attached a — to the dead animal and d ed it out. en a silence prevailed. Old Morality shuddered, for he knew w was to come next; but he deter- mined to meet his fate without yiel a point. Five minutes or more had ela when two men aseended a ladder to the watch-house, opened the pad unfastened the old man and bade follow em. He was conducted down the ladder, around the cattle-pens and into one of the more pretentious of the many log cabins. A light burned on the table in the middle of the room, and by the table sat Dr. Jules Rosheford and a man in a mask. The latter Old Morality believed was Jerome Fagan, who, against his will, was forced to take sides with the robber in what was to follow, “Well, old man,” said the regulator, “how have you enjoyed the sports of the evening?’ “Very well, indeed, but I'd enjoyed it better to have seen you tossed on that bull’s horns,” was the of man’s reply. ““No doubt of it, sir; but I have a proposition to make + figh “What is it? for you to t me?” “Not exactly, sir ‘* No, for you are too great a coward.” “Be that as it may, there are terms upon which you can purchase your liberty, Morality. “fT am faring very well, my fine frog-eater,”’ re- torted Morality. * You'll accept of no proposition then?” ‘* It’s immaserial to me what becomes of me, I as- sure F io *Well,”’ said Rocheford, “I will say this much to you: we will furnish you a horse and spear with which to enter that arena and slay that bull, and if you succeed, you go free."’ And if the bull wins Till gojsree! Ha! ha! it’s the same either way,” replied the old ranger. $ Do you accept?’ .Laecept no ing at your hands.” Then you will have to fight, anyhow, or die!” was Rochedord’s reply, and he ed armed men who conducted the old man out into the yard. Here 2 horse, i eituation m. ‘‘ Mount that horee,* ordered one of the men. Will you sionnt an = hor ie hall we assist unt that horse? or 6 we veil’ demanded Rocheford in a stern voice. : ri ' 344% ° P as s nie sadg@led and bridled was in waiting for uv _- A a ? (xd The old man leaped nimbly into the saddle. . i ha him to the horse, now,’’ commanded Roche- ord. ‘* No, give me a chance, man!”’ cried the old ran- = < give me a chance and I will enter the arena.” “Ah! he weakens: he will fight! There now, hand him the lance. You need not tie him, for he'll bet- ter fight with free use of himself. Glorious spert! splendid fun! lead on the horse to the gate of the arena,” A man led the horse around to the entrance, the regulators following behind with pistols in hand. There were two gates to the entrance to the Wild Pen, one opening inward and the other opening out- ward with a space of a foot between thetwo. The outerj gate was locked, the inner gate fastened by a hook dropped in a staple. The outer gate was unlocked and pulled open, the inner gate unfastened and pushed open. The attention of the bull having been drawn, by a red light, to the opposite side of the arena, a man led in the horse upon which was seated the unwill- ing matador, lance in hand. A shout hailed the of man’s entrance. In amoment the gates were clos ond Old Morality was alone with the maddened pull! The man who wore the mask in the cabin carried the key that locked the gate, and when he turned the key upon the old man, he did not, with the others, hasten to a point where he could see the conu- flict, but turned and walked away into the shado as if ashamed of what he had done—asif quickened conscience was already upbraiding him. Old Morality took in the situation ata glance. He saw that there was no escape for him—no pitying eye among the many looking down upon him. His horse was old, and lame, and stiff in the joints. The first onset of the bull would destroy it. The old man's situation was, indeed, precarious, but he betrayed no emotions of fear to his enemies. Yet his band trembled. The fire and vigor of _— were not there to support the resolute and unbend- ing spirit that age could not impair. Time had sep- ped much of the vitality of his once powerful and i ' ~~ comicboo athletic form,and yet he felt that he was the al of any man in point of physical strength. He nothing but contempt for his enemies, and as he now more fully realized their cowardice and cruelty, he lifted his eyes and shouted, in a clear, distinct voice: ‘“* Fellow-beings, your sports are those of cowards; not one of you dare fight me, old as I am, and yet you turn your maddened beasts upon me. will smite you for such cowardice.” : A peal of jeering laughter burst from the lips of the spectators, then the red lights were all with- drawn but a single one which was lowered and swung, directly behind the old ranger. The bul) saw it and started toward it, and if was the: (hat it dis- de “g resence of a erty oo res to , it began pawing the earth and helowing, then wietinr its head, it started toward tho horse. The old matador endeavored to spur the ! or. > out of its way, but it came like a hurricane end struck the horse fairly in the side, driving its cruel |.orns deep into the animal's flank, and disembow: ling it in an instant. The horse rolled over upon ity site uttering an almost human scream of ony. Oud Morality endeavored to impale the b vith his lance, but the shaft, a cruel deception, snapped in two where it had been “ ringed,”’ and he was left un- oe . pringing to the ground clear of the stirrups, as the horse went down, he ran across the aren.” te bull did not see him. It was too busy with the poor old horse. The crowd shouted like demons. The red lanterns were swung from the wall to draw the attention of the bull to the man. The horse yg to his feet and attempted to flee; but he could not evade the bull, and soon he was down again, to rise no more. The horse dead, it was no trouble to attract the bull with the lights, and the one nearest the old matador was swung rapidly to and fro. The mad beast see it bls Peg on across the arena to- ward it. Old Morality swiftly out of its way, for he was weapenless. The spectators jeered hime It seemed impossible that human beings could be- come so depraved, so merciless, so inhuman. The victim lifted his face and ran his eyes along the line of spectators. Some of them were their hats, and some were standing in attitudes suspense. Among all was there not one to pity bine —to help him? As he asked himself these questions a voice seemed to whisper: “ Run to thegate!” Just then the bull saw him and darted tow im. Rime- ning backward the old man eo the gate. He thought, perners, they would let him out, seeiner he was completely at the mercy of thebrute. In hs excitement he passed the gate a rod or more, ai a the bull was almost upon him. His heel struek « clod; he stumbled and fell. With head lowered a: i tail erect the bull pionges toward him. As it passa the entrance to the pen, the gate swung partially open and the lithe op of aman sprung into the areva behind the bull with a sword in hand. There was a downward flash of the weapon, and the bull balted—another flash, and the animal sunk baclz upon ite haunches, doth hamstrings severed / Old Moraility sprung to his feet. “ This way, Morality!’ cried the véiee of his res cuer. The old man ran toward his friend and the open gate. | And om the way to liberty he met Little Texa the Boy Lasso-thrower, and ag age the two gli: Jy ne oe the arena ni away into the shatows. af. niga " i st a Vo