Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 163 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

ree eee ee oe = ——- — ed back over his shoulder as if looking for the doc- tor. He seemed uneasy, and Chrystie did not fail 5m noticeit; nor did it give her any c or com- ort. The maiden did not look back, but now and then -_— —— ee -——- oo the assurance thet he was in sight—still 2 cround, But in this Victor Ure lied, for at every rod Re and@hristie had been gaining upon Dover for over two miles, and finally the intervening distance shut the doctor entirely from view. Dover saw that they were gaining upon him, and called to them to wait when he saw them fading from his view; but they heard him not. Still he urged on his beast, but it was no match for the wiry mnustangs, and finally the two melted from his sight. ‘The doctor now began to despair. of the country, nor no more where he wanted to go than themaninthe moon. He looked around for a etar or landmark by which he could keep his present , Little Texas, > ~~ « 5 ‘ J ae ee Oe - ee eee eww ee ee tt st — oe — ce a ee Le — | hand of the man at her side she would have fallen from her seat. ** But don't take on now, little lady, or I shall be under the necessity of taking you in my arms. 1 _ know it is mean in me to deceive you, but then it cbe inquired about the doctor, and pee oo be received | olding his | can't be hel I consider the worst deceived.” Christie burst into tears, but when/she heard the a UN a * “a . . § . he Young Mustanger. It is your friends and not you that | a long ways from the San Saba. This is the Lian» timber, and my cabin is not far from here. I hope you will forgive me for playin’ the Victor Ure in nut tellin’ you sooner where I was takin’ you. But my intentions are good. T want you to have rest and food, for the San Saba is far from here. To-morrow I will take you to your friends; in fact, I will take _ you now, if you say so.” villain gloating like a fiend over his exploit in get- | ting her into his power, her fear and terror turned to hatred and scorn, The gentle spirit of the beau- | tiful, confiding gir! was trausformed into one of de- | flance. man’s consummate treachery and deception. what could she do, afterall’ The villain had already _ taken the hitch-rein of her bridle, and he now con- He knew nothing | trolled her pony. To leap from her saddle was her only chance of escape, and even this must be done | at the risk of her life, but she resolved on attempt- course, A little motte of tall trees arrested his at- | tention. It was not far away, and as he approached it a horseman glided from out its shadows and drew rein before him. Dr. Dover saw that it was neither of his friends, | into the den of the infamous Black and before he could rein in his horse he found him- | self at the stranger's side. “ Halt, there!’’ demanded the unknown, in a voice not calculated to inspire terror in a breast like Do- ver’s., ‘Well, now I’m halted, confound you! what do | you want?" and the crusty old doctor, gazing down upon the stranger, saw a youthful figure dressed in | buck-skin, and a boyish face looking up at him from _ under the brim of a sombrero, oh a dark-colored mustang, and carried, at the bow of his heavy Mexican saddle, a revolver and a lasso. ‘*T just want to know what ole cross bear you are, oe where you're going?” was the youth’s rejoin- caer, “It’s none of your business who I am,” blurted Dover; ‘‘but I am trying to follow a man and giri to the ranch of the furmer, but, bless my eyes, if the rascals haven’t outridden me. Have you seen any- thing of them, baby-face?” He was mounted up- | ing it when she saw all other chances of escape were gone. But after thinking the matter over it oc- curred to her that such an act would afford her no Her very soul revolted at the thought of a ut is best, Texas; I will trust to entered a “You know what / your judgment.” Ana so they rode on until the trail that wound through the v , and ina time drew up before a low, wide cabin sitting under the sullen brow of a bluff. ; Leaping to the ground Little Texas assisted Chas tie to dismount, then hitchi the hor he con- ducted the maiden to the cabin, pulled latch _ string and threw open the door. Buta of sur- relief, should she escape death, for the villain could — easily follow her up. She was helpless and riding soniface. Many were the thoughts that flashed through the poor girl’s brain as they galloped on, but none of them brought the least cheer or consolation to her breast. Could she have been certain that Colonel Miles was living, it would have afforded her a spark of hope, but since she found that Victor Ure had been deceiving her in regard to the illness of her uncle, she felt satisfied that he was dead, and that the man at her side had slain bim. Deep in the solitude of the great plain Black Boniface felt safe with his captive, and surrounded _-by the shadows of night he believed he was hidden ‘* Hal ha! ha!’ laughed the youth in the doctor's | e. “What the de’il ails you?’ stormed Dover, furi- ously; “are you a wandering Bedlamite?”’ ** Not at all, old pie-crust; but whom were you fol- lerin’, do you suppose?"’ asked the boy. “Victor Ure and Christie Miles, that’s who! We're going to the man’s ranch, where a friend lies sick— wounded. He sent Ure after us.” “*And Victor Ure and the maiden have outridden you?"’ ** Yes,’’ short and crustily. saved your life.” “I mean that man Victor Ure’s made a pack of fools of you. Why, sir, he’s the worst outlaw and freebooter in all Texas. He's a man with a dozen faces. He’s Black Boniface.”’ “T don’t believe it—don’t believe a word of it!’’ ‘*lt’s true, nevertheless,’’ was the cool rejoinder. ** Boy, do you know what you say is true? “ 68, Ido!” ** Oh, Lord!” aned the doctor; “‘what in the world will I do, then? Say, can you tell me, boy” ‘Yes; go back to your friends and tell them what fools you've all been, and Jil follow Black Boni- ace, “ You'll follow Black Boniface* Heavens and hur- from all human eyes, but in the very hour of his triumph, his self-assured safety, a rider dashed out from the darkness that hung over the distance and ae down toward him—turning his triumph into ear. ee ee ee eS eee With a muttered oath the villain urged on the | two horses at renewed speed. By his fears his cap- | tive took courage. Like the wind they sped down the prairie, and on, ' closer and closer behind, came the unknown pur- suer. Boniface drew his revolver, for he saw he would soon be overtaken. Fa halt, there!” suddenly rung out from be- nd. Boniface turned in his saddle and raised his re- | volver and fired. A mocking laugh and _ the ‘*whiz”’ of bullets answered him, and the villain saw he was in danger. But again he turned and fired and again was his shot answered by one from _ his pursuer. “It’s well; the gait of your horse has no doubt | In this manner a running fight was kept up until _ the outlaw’s horse received a bullet in the leg and ‘What do you mean, you little night-hawk, you?” | fell. Asthe animal went down Boniface endeavor- ed to land upon his feet, but his stirrup threw him, and holding on to the rein of Christie's horse the bits were torn from its mouth, Alarmed by the report of the pistols, and finding itself uncurbed by the iron bits, the animal plunged madly away over the plain with bis fair young rider. Christie saw her danger in a moment. She had eT nature, easily thrown off his prise and horror burst from his lips as he did ao, for the light of a fire burning on tae hearth flashed into his face, and in that light, seated apon the floor and reclining in attitudes of ease and répose, were Dr Jules Rocheford and a dozen more of Black Boat face's freebooters! CHAPTER fV¥. THE GOOD SAMARITANS. We will now go back and look after Colonel Mites whom we left in a previous chapter in pursuit of the horse-thieves. After leaving his four companions — a pushed on rapidly, for the trail was fresh and lain. ' Colonel Miles was ey of a k, impulsive valance by excitement, and as he hurried forward, eager to recover his horses and punish the thieves, he never once took into consideration the risk he was running. re- sult of this impetuous haste was that he came sud- denly upon the thieves with his horses in a little val- ley, and, without a second thought, he drew his re- volver and charged upon them, demanding their surrender. Not knowing but a dozen friends were at the colo- nel’s back, the ouUlaws leaped into their saddles and attempted toescape. Butin an instant the colonel was upon them. At the first shot a robber fell dead, then followed several other shots and another horse- thief bit the dust; but before the brave man could serve the third in like manner the thief dashed up behind him and dealt him—the colonel—a blow upore the head that partially stunned bim. Mile’s horse dashed away, the colonel fell from the saddle and was dragged some distance with his foet fast in the stirrup. a desperate effort he succeeded in free- iug himself from this danger, and then all became blank to him—total oblivion. Nature had been over- done and he fainted, and how long he remained so he knew not; but when he had f recovered his senses the first thing of which he became conscious was the sound of voices—voices that seemed far away and sounded like the distant murmur of wa- ter—like the voices we hear in adream; then the oytlines of a woman appeared before him—the walis of a room with strange pictures and devices upon it; , and doors and windows were graduall greg | ' from the dimness of his confused b ; and escaped from the outlaw, but was a prisoner in the | saddle! She could no longer control] her horse, and a dreadful fear seized upon her, but in the midst of _ ali she heard a voice shouting words of cheer and | hind. | age. ricanes! what a large lité/e critter you are! Who are | you, anyhow?” “Tam Little Texas, the Boy gern 50 the lad responded, and then turning his horse’s head, dashed abe over the moonlit plain an the trail of Black Boniface, CHAPTER III. TWICE LASSOED. rode Victor Ure and Christie Miles. her in the heavens sailed the big round moon. The hard-ridden horses showed no signs of fatigue, nor did a word of complaint escape the lips of the | riders. | of a boy. To Christie it seemed that they had been hours | upon the way and that they must be nearing their destination. Inwardly she prayed that such might be the case, for her companion, hitherto so ‘ss She and congenial, had grown silent and sullen. no ite | longer asked him questions, but finally, when de- | sirous of knowing where Dr. Dover was, she turned her head and looked back; but she saw nothing of her friend. “Mr. Ure,” she exclaimed, no longer able to re- strain her emotions, “ where is Dr. Dover? ee Me ** We left him far behind an hour ago,"’ was the cool response. ‘ But you have told me all along he was in sight,”’ said Christie. “Well, but I lied.” which the man ~ ag and she grew sick at heart; but mustering her cour- she asked: i. ‘Will he be able to find the way, do you think? “Tt don’t make a bit of difference whether he does or not, Miss Miles,” he answered. ed you?” the maiden asked, with a trembling voice. ‘Not at all, my little derling,” the ranger replied, in a sinister voice. ‘* The fact is, and the truth may as well be told now, I’ve been lying like an Arid lo you all along; mniy name is m ¢ Victor Ur, but in short is Black Boniface.” A cry burst from the maiden’s lips, and but for the The voice came from be- It was a strange voice. Her heart took cour- She listened intently for she dare not look back. She heard the sound of pursuing hoofs close behind. “ Stick to your saddle, girl,”’ the unknown again called out, ** and | will save you!” The next instant something shot past her head with a “ skirring * sound, and struck the outstretch- ed head of her pony. It was a lasso, and true to iis aim, the noose settled about the animal’s neck, and was gradually drawn taut. This was the last that Christie remembered of her wild ride for some time. She fainted, and when she again recovered consciousness she lay upon the moonlit prairie, while over her was bending the form Hard by stood her own pony and that of her rescuer. “You are feeling better, now, are you not?” was the boy’s query, as she gazed up into his face; ‘don't be afraid of me,” he went on, * for I’m your friend. lam Little Texas.”’ “You Little Texas, the Boy Mustanger?” the as- tonished girl exclainied, rising to a sitting posture, and then to her feet. “That's who I am, miss; and I’m yours now to encouragement to her. _command. Oh, but 1 did cheat old Boniface out of leannot | Let us mount and be off. — an angel, sure! But there's no tellin’ how soon he'll be upon us again, for I didn’t have time to stop and kill him. Come, I have your mustang in charge. your friends, wherever they may be."’ He had put his own bridle upon Christie’s horse ; and assisting her to the mustang’s back, he mount Christie was startled by the cold, bitter tone in | 4 "i A shudder passed over her, | his own animal and the two rode away. In a few words Christie told the story of her = —— length he had so far recovered as to be able to com- prehend his situation; he was lyin a room upon a soft bed. - —_ —— and su from a se vere pain and a raging fever. Closing his eyes the colonel collected his bewfider- ed thoughts. One by one he recalled the events of the past—his fight with the vt Bg blow upon the head, the flight of his horse with him in the stirrup and the shouts of men and the din of conflict. All these things were clear enough to bim, and forced upon him the conviction that he was in the power of his enemies. The thought czused him tostart. He opened his eyes and — e:cund him, He saw that the room he occupied was well and tastily furnished, and wore an air of neat- ness and comfort that only the deft fingers of we- mai can impart to the arrangements of a house. Ni ar the head of the bed stood a small table, and upon this was a number of bottles, a water-pi and some clean linen. The woman watching by his Ledside was a negress. He fixed his eyes upon her w th sucha strange, bewildered look that she be- came frightened, started up and uttered a little scream, Instantly a voice with a slightly foreign seeens celled out from an adj room: ‘What is the matter, Hagar?” “Oh, missus!"’ replied the negress, “de sick - man’s opened bis eyes and he’s lookin’ so awful wild _—Jjist like ole Mars’ Gray did when he died. ‘Fore I will see you safe with | hew life into the colonel’s body. be good Lord, Miss Nita, I fear dis man’s gwine to © ie!” A young woman, tall and slender, with dark hair and eyes entered the room, and advanced with,» soft step to the bedside and looked upon the sit. man. A light of tenderness and anxiety was beam- ing upon her wondrous face that seemed to infuse Her dark, lustrous _ eyes seemed to look down into his soul with the holy | ' serenity of a night’s adventure with Victor Ure, prefacing the | same with an account of Colouel Miles’s ahsence and the visit of the villain Ure. She placed implicit con- | fidence in the gallant Young Mustanger. She saw the brow of the youth. _ that the seal of a brave and noble heart was set upon “Mr, Ure, why do you speak thus? Have I offend-— | The two rode along for an hour or more, convers- | ing in a free, familiar way, when they finally entered a belt of heavy timber where the darkness was in- tense, i s os th 4: the San Sata timber, Little Texas?” Chris- 1@ aASKeU, * INO, no, litte girl,” the boy responded; ““we are a » 4 oer ian . There were a few mo- ments’ silence; the woman was the to speak, “You are better, senor,” she said. The sound of her voice broke the spell that hung wu e col- onel’s lips. He replied in a focble toleen the first time he had spoken since the day of the conflict on the ge omlene “I do not know—I am eonfused, weak.” “You pave pens through a tryin ordeal, senor,” death’s door, but carefu : t yo back to life.” Pine > ie — ‘“ But where am I, and how came I here?” the col- one! asked. * You are in the house of friends,” she answered; 900