Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 163 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

’ j CHAPTER. XiL. ADRIFT ON THU PRAIRIE. Ticommy had the Boy Mustanger wielded his sword— ‘the gift of Don Rossevan—in the cause. of .right—in «+: caso of humen life. aha 8 “ howl cf rage and disappointment, mingled with a2icw faint shouts of joy, rung out upon the night from the lips of the spectators. In the light of the {2mbeanx, the regulators in particular had recog- wo d Litts Texas, and his name was rung upon a @oc.n livs. A dozen revolvers leaped from their wisters ond a random fire opened upon ithe youth c:0d the old ranger; but the bullets rattied harmlessiy gegainst the stockade, for ina moment the two were cevt of the pen and beyond the radius of light, and nome of the enemy being near the gate, they, made ppoer1 their escape, “This way, Morality,” whispered the Boy Mus- tam er, when under cover of the darkness; and them bes Ind the old man, by 4 circuitous route to a dense. clurip of timber back of the stables where Lightfoot and enother horse were in waiting. “Were, Morality, I’ve a horse for you, old pard,”’ cried the boy; ““mount, and _let’s make ourselves ccarce in these parts, for it ‘Il soon be hotter’n a Aercnicia’s nest, . Old Morality was so rejoiced and so excited that he could make no reply, but mounting the horse fol- ‘owed the PORDS Centaur. , “They roce on in silence until they had reached the opc fp andy and assured themselves they were ond immediate danger. Then Little Texas reined 3 animal and rode by Morality’s side. “Ciood-evening, old pard,”’ the lad said, ‘* business bes been so pressing that I hav'n’t had time to speak to you before. “Cod bless you! give me your hand, you angelic ite cuss,”’ responded the old ranger, in language xrore fervent than elegant; “if thar is a child on seart: I adore just now, it’s you. Boy, you are a firct-class jewel, and have a faculty o’ dove-tailin’ yercolf into a flery deefickilty jist like the farmer or eS that’s alers ov hand to rescue tho good iile boy from the brook in Sunday-school books. Litt's Toxas—Mighty Young Mustanger ad Lasso- thrower! 1 thank you from the very bottcm of my old heart!’ “Oh, never mind that, Morality; I’m only too glad to know you are safe. A moment later and you'd shave been a goner.”’ “I Lnow it, I know it; and it makes one crateful to a friend that has sandwiched himself between thim and eternity on a moment’stime. Oh, if war Alclicious, boy, the way you sailedinthar butii’sa ques‘ion with me how you got in.” “YT gotin there in a rather singular way, Morality, and to tell you tho story I must go back to the time of your capture. I was not far away when the xeguiators took you in and marched you off this way, wand <o I concluded to foller them and sce what they meant to do; and you can judge of my surprise when I saw them ride into Fagan’s Ranch unharmed, I’ve known Mr. Fagan some time—have lassoed many and many a wild steer for him, and only last sumincr I took a job of catchin’ two dozen wild mustcogs for him, and I alers cousidered him an honest man. But Isaw them imprison you in the elevated watch-house, and made up my mind to git you out cf there as soon asdarkness setin. You goe I didn’t know anything "bout the bull and lion *, but wuen I saw ’em fixin’ up platforms and tin’ torches’ I knowed somethin’ war up. Well the ficht came off; from the branches of a tree I taw the fiendish sport, then Lsaw ’em take you out of the waich-huouse, and’ with what I heard in gooxtin’ around, I knew what wasup, and began to rtew and b’ile. I saw them’take you into the pen; I Low a man—the one who wore a mask on—”’ “That war Fagan, Téxas, I'll bet a jip /** interrupt- axl Bioral.ty. “Liever mind who you think it was,” continued Feras, ** but I saw the man with the mask un- kak the gate and let you in, and thenI saw him Jock the fate upon you. Now, sir, my fingers just hawned to get hold of that key, and to git the key ‘wes to git the man first. 1 didn’t want to kill the auan for I saw he wasn’t a regulator; but, as luck would have it, he marched right straight into the _ Isrush where I was hid jist as if he wanted to con- ceal bis guilty conscience; but what do ha e's — that man come there for? to kill hisself? to ide the kcy to the caitle- gate? No; he come there to pray. It’s a God's fact, he went upon his imees and F lah ey that you, you, Morality, might and that the hand of justice would for- ever rid the country of sich men as Black Boniface sand his followers. Oh, I tell you it was a rattlin’ mood prayer; showed he’d been used to it. It done ‘me good—it strengthened me. I tell you there is estrength in prayer, and I jist felt like shoutin’ when man mode some splendid hits, and when he had finished I couldn’t, to save my soul, keep from sayin’ “Amen!” out loud. Gracious! you’d ought to ‘a’ seen him jump and start to run; but I said: ‘I am Little Texas,’ and was there to help the Lord fulfill hhis prayer. ‘ Now,’ says hes th me that key, and i will erdenvor to save the old man.’ Without a word he pulied out the key and give itto me. Then I went for the gate, and hewent dcwn upon his again, and for all I know he’s there yet, The wrest you know, Morality.” “Yes, yes; and glory to King David! Boy, thar Asu"t avother youngster in Texas that can equal you!”’ exclaimed the old man; “ but say, don’t you think that man in the mask was Fagan?” “ W.2ecver he was, he’s to be pitied for his moral | wowarlice,” was the evasive reply; ‘**he will receive | ‘them regulators and treat them kindly just to keep fem from robbing him; aud this is . take advantage of sini. ’ ——$—— the way they | , , . Vi 0 Sbi.tae,’ ‘They were crossin Ago; still, eae: - P » = =y¥ - 4 “ Another question, boy; I see you sport a sword; where did ah gm across sich a tool as that?’ ; *T carned it.”’ “Oh, you oe eh?—bin doin’ somethin’ for some- pare eh “* Yes; I rescued a lady and peatlenien to-lay from death, or injury by catchin’ their runaway horses, the prairie and their driver had been suddenly killed by ambushed. Indians, and onDy, went their horses, lickey-te-kilter over the Flain.’ “The kissin’ Judas! what war @ man and woman doin’ in a rig o’ that kind in this kentry f “He was taking the lady from the Saba valley to his home across . : the prairie. : Heavens!" exclaimed Morality, someth of the truth beginning to dawn. upon his conf raind, ‘‘ what war his name?” ‘**Juan de Rossevan.” ‘‘Great horned gallinippers! de Rossevan and Miss ‘Edith Clayton, I presume?” said the old man, inter- rogatively. °° Ah, I see you know him, Morality.”’ ‘‘Know him? I should think I did, boy; I have been his scout and spy and secret agent for five years, but, I'll swear to man, you are the first stran- erl ever breathed the fact to, aud I hope you'll old your peace on the Don's account for he’s a no- ble feller; and I guess he don’t want the folks over in Spain to know where he is, just a awhile,” ‘**Secrecy is my motto, Morality; but as I was going to say Don Sognerat ave me this sword.” ‘‘A worthy present, boy, for that sword has a his- tory. Royal ds have clasped it, hundreds of years ago. Itis said that Don Rossevan's ancestors wore it at the court of Isabella and Ferdinand, and that it has come down an heirloom in the Rossevan family. It’s a wonder that Don Juan would with it. It’s worth thousands, boy, for the t’s set with diamonds and—”’ “What? I thought it was glass or stone,’’ replied Little Texas. , ‘** Diamonds, boy, diamonds; you're rich in jewels, But look here, boy; you know you left me rather sudden, t’other night; I've been *toask you how you come out m your pursuit of old Boniface and that girl.” “*T catched old Bonny and—”’ “Checked him for perdition?”’ “No, I had no time to stop, and shoot him; I thought more of saving thegirl than of killin’ him, for the saying, of the life .of such a girl as she is was worth more to me than the destruction of a mil- lion such critters as Black Boniface.” PS Dr. Dover told me she was an angel of a little critter.”’ ‘Yes, Morality; but she is now~—well, God only knows where. Lhave been hunting her sinee yes- terday morning; we became. sepaiated near my cabin in the dark, and where she went tol know not. I know this much, however: she is not in the power of Rocheford’s party.” ‘*'D'yeknow anything about ole Bonny hisself?”’ ‘** Nothing;”’ i That gal must be found, then,"’ said Old Mo- rality... me ra IT shall never rest until I know where she is, whether she be déad or alive,”’ replied the young Lasso-thrower, : “Texas,” said Morality, as a thought suddenly oc- curred to “let's cut a bee-line for the Ruins of Rosseyan, nee there and the Don’ll furnish us men and horses to search and scout this country over for the gal.” “How far away is it, Morality?’ ‘We can make it by breakfast.” ‘* So near?—then lead the way, and I will follow.” Thus was their course determined, and they turned in the direction of the Ruins de Rossevan; The nicht was not half gone, and the moon drifted serenely through the tender blue sky. About midnight the two dismounted to rest and allow their tired animals to graze. They sat down in the tall grass and talked in low tones. They talk- ed for nearly av hour or more, and wére. about to re- sumé their journey, when the sound of hoof-strokes fell upon their ears.. Starting to their feet they dis- covered a horseman approac ing. Morality challenged him.. He drew rein and answered: ** Alvrez, Senor Morality.’’ He had recognized the ranger by his voice. An exclamation of delight burst from the old man’s lips. Alvrez was one of Don Rossevan’s followers, The two friends advanced, and casped hands. Morality introduced his young companion, and the Spaniard uttered a little cry of surprise when he heard the boy’s name mentioned. ‘* Little Texas!"’ he exclaimed, looking close into the boy's face; “then I have a message for you, senor.’ ‘From whom, Alvrez?’’ asked the boy. ‘* Senorita Miles, senor.” , “Christie Miles?” exclaimed the boy, with a start. “The same, senor; she wished me to say to you, if I should meet you, that she is safe at the Ruins de Rossevan, where she will be delighted to see you soon,” Little Texas tossed his cap in the air and uttered a shout of joy. ‘* By the kissin’ Judas, boy, I b’lieve you're in love wih that gal, Little Texas,” declared Old Morality. Pil bet you'd be, too, if you'd see what an angel she is,” answered Texns. Bah, my boy, I soured on love years and years like a ein y girl—they’re nice to have around,’ replied Old Morality; then turning to Alv- rez, continued: *“* Where you going, Al?” ‘*To the San Saha; I go with a message from the guest of Don Rossevan to his friends in camp there, Little Texas, the Young icustanger. ee ee ee i ee ——_ LL LL Morality. — They are to move at once to the Ruins de Rossevaz and make it the nucleus of their colony.”’ “You don’t tell me, Alvrez! Why, what’s got the matter-with your young master?’ asked Old Movrai- ity. Xi Ah, senor! I think he loves the pretty lady with the soft. blue eyes and the golden hair—she who was in the calesa when the Little Texas caught the runa- way team on the plain.” ‘*T don’t blame him for that, ether,’’ declared ‘“‘T see’d that woman with my own eyes, and slie’s nice enough for any king on the footstool; she's sister to your gal, Tex.” ‘“Indeed?”” exclaimed the young Texan, in sur- prise. Alvrez did not tarry long with the ranger and mustanger, but. continued his journey_toward the San Saba: while Little Texas and Old Morality mounted their horses and continued on toward the Ruins de Rossevan at a steady pace. A great weight had been lifted from the Boy Las- so-thrower’s heart, and for the first time in man days he, found himself without.a care upon his mind, or an especial object to pursue; and, thus relieved his thoughts were free to roam in the realms of fancy.. Christie Miles was the first object to come up before his mind’s eye, and his boyish heart beat. bie ee over the thought. of meeting her soon, and hat, too, under circamstances never. presented be fore—in the midst of friends, and away from the dangers and terrors of wood and plain—where her woman’s nature undisturbed by fear and excitement would shine forth in allits wondrous beauty and gen- tle love. It was, indeed, a happy thought. When morning dawned ii fuund the two some dis- fance from their destination; but moving on they finally reached a little creek where they stopped to water their horses and make their ablutious, Ther our little friend arranged his clothing, combed his long yellow locks back from his forehead and tem- ples, and even with this hastily made and simple toilet, the appearance of the little mustanger was greatly improved. It gavea renewed luster to his eyes and freshness to his cheeks. Mounting their horses the two moved on and final- ly came in sight of the Ruins de Rossevan, “ Ay!’ exclaimed the boy, “I have- been near this place many times, and beard of yonder ruins, but never saw them before. What a huge oid pile it is! Colonel Hayes was telling me once about the people that built these ruins—Jesuits, I think he called them. Up in New Mexico thar’s lots of them tumbled around. The colonel said this country was once peopled and wealthy; but the hand of the in- vader desolated it, and gave it |! ack to the savage and outlaw, the wolf and the owl.” * Yes, this land has a history, boy,’ replied Ole Morality—“ a history written in blood and fire. The curse of God seems to have fallen upon it as it fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah; but, unlike those stricken places, the day is not far distant when it will be reclaimed from ruin and robbers, and out o” the ashes of the invaders’ torch will spring, Phenix- like, the fairest land and grandest improvements the country ever saw.”’ ‘‘lam surprised at Rossevan settling down in this dismal old ruin ‘mong dangers and privations,”’ said the mustanger. ‘*No doubt of it, boy; but you'd ort to ’a’ see’d the lace when he first come here. Scarcely one stone y upon another, and everything was overgrown and infested by coyotes, owls, serpents and bats. The Don rebuilt one wing of the building, cleared off the yard and planted oranges, and oleanders, and peaches, and flowers, and thus turned desolation into a little chunk of a paradise.”’ ‘“*I see now that the place has been repaired anc rebuilt, and that, too, so as to preserve the aspect of ruins,”’ said Texas, ‘* but—”’ ‘‘Good-morning, Daco!”’ suddenly exclaimed Old Morality. They arrived at the gate of the great stone or quadiilsteral surrounding the .b ; and here they drew rein and dismounted. A colored man was there and took their horses. Then Daco. the guard, opened the gate and admitted them to the grounds. A nice grayeled walk led up to the door of the old mission-house. Orange trees and oleanders lent the fragrance of their bloom to the peach and the rose that bloomed upon every: side. The Lasso-thrower was sary , asto ed. ‘Great sun of the temple!” he exclaimed, “ that is a sort of asecond-hand paradise, ain't it, Morality? I declare, if I war a robber or an Ingin, I'd be tempt- ed to lunder it—rout the Don, and take possession, myself. ‘It’s a lovely place, Texas, and the people that live here add another pecooliar charm to it. It’s a garden bloomin’ in a wilderness, my boy.” The two proceeded slowly up the walk toward the building. 79/8 Were passing to and fro about the door in performance of their morning duties. Birds chattered merrily in the trees overhead. The air was rife with the intoxicating perfume of flowers. The walk was strewn with orange bloom. Little Texas’s heart begen 1o throb, wildly. A few steps more, and he would stand in the presence of Don Rossevan, Colonel Israel Miles, Edith, th, beautiful heroine of the calesa, and of her whos: presence had not been absent from his heart or mini since they parted, Christie Miles! Old Morality noticed the youth’s emotions. He saw:the color coming into the brown face, and his lips twitching, nervously; but never in all his life did he look upor a& more manly young cavalier, with his straigh+ form, his well-poised head, his long yellow hair gath - ered back from an intellectual brow, his great brown eyes and. withal, his bearing of princely grace and manhood. As the two approeched the ruins, the sound of Goim Ebooks. co ocean Rl nee i ™ —— ee eee ad s