Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 163 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

ec tel and Black Boniface were one and the same—a tri- une character. The features of Lucas were more repulsive than those of Ure, for under the mask of the latter was concealed the index of the man’s sin- ful soul. They conversed cone freely upon different sub- oom as they rode along. Captain Lucas, the Texan rader, as he had styled himself, lied to her in every breath, and did it, too, with an air of innocence and truth remarkable for its audacity; and upon the pther hand, Christie confined herself strictly to the facts in every cular. She narrated her adven- ture with Black Boniface in such good faith and wonderful indifference to the presence of that grand scoundrel himself that the man was surprised at her manifest ignorance of the existing state of facts. And in this manner they had traveled a couple of miles together. They had entered a dark, lonesome part of the forest, and were descending a rather steep hill. Christie was a little behind her compan- ion—perhaps half the length of her horse’s neck. She had been watching her chance—the eye of the regulator was not upon her. She took from her pocket the tiny pistol that Little Texas bad given her the night before, and concealed it in the folds of her dress, She knew how to useit. She looked at the outlaw and then at his horse. Her soul shrunk from the thought’of murder—of having the stain of human blood, however vile, upon her soul. She de- termined upon the other expedient. Perhaps it would again liberate her from the villain, and with- out asecond thought she held her pistol at the head of the regulator’s horse and fired. Simultaneous with the report of his pistol, Cap- tain Lucas uttered an oath and attempted to strike the weapon from the girl's hand, but he was just the fraction of a second too late, and with an almost human cry the horse plunged forward down the de- clivity headlong into the valley. tain Lucas was par stunned by the fall, and when he regained iis feet and collected his senses, he found that inno- cent, confiding girl was gone. To say that the outwitted villain swore would not do the subject justice, so we will leave him for the time being, seated upon his dead horse amid the shadows of the valley, and follow the author of his troubles. The maiden turned her horse's head and rode west- ward after she had gotrid of her escort. The ex- citement of her adventure with the regulator had stimulated her nerves and strengthened her mind and courage, but this soon began to wear off, and hunger and fatigue attack her vital energies. To these enemies of mind and body were added the de- pressing influence of night—the melancholy drone of insects’ wings, the mournful song of nocturnal voices and the damp and dismal shadows of the lonesome wood. But the maiden kept on; hope was implanted in her young heart. Finally she struck a lim wagon-road leading up a wide valley, and her heart gave a bound of joy. She felt certain that the road would lead to a cattle-ranch, a settlement or some place where she would find friends, and so she urged on her ny a little faster. She had followed the road about a mile, when, true enough, a light ahead burst upon her view. She rode on until she came to the edge of a little open- ing, when she drew rein. She saw a massive build- ing before her. It stood upon an elevated piece of ground, and was outlined against the blue sky. It was surrounded by a massive wall, upon the top of which she could see a sentinel standing with a mus- ket at his side. He anpraree to be listening, too; and having made these discoveries, Christie began to ask herself these questions: “Is that a fort, gar- risoned by soldiers, before me? and has that man heard my approach? Surely, this cannot be; I heard of no forts being anywhere in this country. The building looks like an old ruin, but it is inhabited. Can it be the home of settlers, cattle-men, or mus- tangers? or can it be that it is the stronghold of Black Boniface?” The last question caused a shudder to pass over her form and fill her heart with a horrible fear. This was increased by strange sounds coming from the direction of the building, and turning her horse’s Rene apwn the valley, she fled from the mysterious welling. Down the dim way she rode until her ears were suddenly greeted by a sound coming up the road to- ward her. She drew rein and listened. She heard the clatter of hoofs and the rattle and hum of wheels coming up the road at a lively pace; and with these were seen | the sound of voices and the clank- ig milligry trappings. Was it Black Boniface’s Pet r bah SL pos ae the maiden could satisfy, herself as to this, the party hal a stern voice challenged her. a Then from the OWS & man, dressed in all the elegance of a royal prince, emerged, and in the moonlight came toward her. CHAPTER IX. A STRANGER RESCUES ROSSEVAN’S RUNAWAY TEAM. Down the plain at a fearfu) rate dashed the terri- fled horses with the calesa of Don van, the driver doing his best to hold them in, = Ob an God!” eried Edith Clayton, when she heard the clash of firearms and saw the Apaches c up the valley. m4 cerege dear lady,” said Don Rossevan, draw- ing his revolvers, determined to defend the calesa and the fair girl to the last. . The In the team dashing away fired another volley at it. Another cry of agony came from the top of the calesa, and the vehicle lunged forward so suddenly that Don Rossevan was almost thrown from his seat. Then the horses seemed to redouble their speed, for the calesa shot forward, ALL Se “bs ar ff? ~~ £ ~ bounding and rocking until it seemed it would be dashed to pieces. Don Rossevan’s face now assumed a look of fear despite his efforts to appear calm in the presence of Edith. Something of the real truth of the situation forced itself upon his mind. He put his head out at the door and took in the state of affairs. Back be- e Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. = oo hind he saw his escort engaged in a conflict with the | lanced forward. enemy. He turned his head and his veins, A shiver of horror ran throug ¥ a go moment checking their advance; but at this func ture half a dozen more Indians with a led horse for each of the footmen appeared at a sweeping ga from behind a swell in fhe plain, and a few moments later every savage that was not down was mounted. With a yell the painted warriors charged u the troopers, receiving from the latter another broadside that told fearfully upon their ranks; bot ——<.0e--— ' mad with a thirst for blood they came on, The for | over the edge of the foot-board he saw the head of | the driver hanging. In his hands he grasped the lines, but it was in the had been slain. The es hu horses, uncurbed, ran with wild ight. The most imminent danger threatened Rossevan and his faircompanion. The calesa was in danger of a oe or dashed to pieces at any moment, Don Rossevan saw that be must act if he would avert some dread catastrophe. He could no longer conceal the truth from Edith who sat trembling and sobbing with terror in her seat. “IT must climb out and get hold of the lines, fair of death—the driver | slack, and the | senorita,” he said; ‘‘the driver is dead; but take | of them would have escaped. co e.”” He divested himself of his serape and sword, then swung himself out at the door and endeavored to | climb into the driver’s seat; but the calesa rocked, his foot slipped and he came nigh bein under the flying wheels. He climbed back into the vehicle with a sprained ankle, but, determined upon stopping the team, he drewa knife and was about to cut away the top of the calesa when a horseman dashed along side the vehicle wheels as possible. He looked and saw that the horseman was a stranger—a mere youth. For a moment it was a question whether he was friend or foe, but before he outh, with the nees in the saddle-seat, then drawing u and planting it by the other knee he made a quick leap and landed upon the flying calesa. An exclamation burst from the of Don Ros- sevan. He had gota a of the boy’s face as he sprung from his horse. It was an honest, manly face, and the Spaniard’s heart took courage, and when he heard the voice of the pone stranger try- ing to check the flying horses, and felt the calesa slackening up, a cry of joy burst from his lips. ‘Thank God, senorita!’’ he exclaimed, “‘a friend has come to our rescue! Blessed Virgin! the team is comiaog to a halt!” A few minutes later the flying, terrified horses were brought to a stand by the hand of the fearless young stranger. thrown | riding as close to the | had time for a second thought the - ility of a circus-rider, rose to his | one foot | EE ~-- No sooner had they stopped than Rossevan, lame | as he was, sprung from the vehicle, doffed his hat to the youth in the driver’s seat, and in the most grateful tone thanked him for what he had done— for saving his and the fair Edith’s life. “You're welcome, general,’’ was the youth's re- sponse; “ butI tell you things was lively as a hor- net’s-nest for awhile, and there’s no time to be lost | in gittin’ out of here. If them Apaches lick your friends they'll foller you up and raise Cain with you. I am sorry I can’t go any further with you, for I’ve | more work ahead of me ji.t now than forty sich | boys can do.”’ ‘But, my boy,” said Don Rossevan, “I must know our name. the Boy Mustanger?”’ that’s my name,”’ replied the boy. “ Ah, my boy, I’m rejoiced to meet you—to know you. None but Little Texas could have performed Sir, I mistrust you are Little Texas, | troopers drew their swords and prepared for the onset. Then followed a yell and a crash. The enemies, about equal now in numbers, had met. Swords and spears clashed together, and flashed and gleamed in the sunlight. The followers of Don Rossevan were brave and fearless men, and, being skilled and scientif.s swordsmen, it was but play for them to parry tiie lances of the Apaches, and at the same time des! telling and deadly blows, Th. result of this advai- tage was the utter demoralization of the Apaches and a complete and overwhelniing vm a | tor the troopers. The Indians took to flight and for seme distance a running fight was keyt up, and but for the superior speed of the Apaches horses not on When the troopers finally gave up the chase they turned about and started in pursuit of Don Resse- van’s carriage. It was a couple of hours or more before they over- took the calesa, to find Rossevan in the driver's: seat with the driver lying dead at his feet. When he learned how the battle had gone, the Spaniard spoke a few words of praise to his men, then descended from the box and entered the calesa,, a trooper taking the lines. ‘*Praise God, senorita,” he said, ‘we have escaped, but it was a miraculous escape. I hope I find yow fceling much better, senorita.” ‘*Yes, indeed, Mr. Rossevan,” she replied; “siege. your friends joined us with news of their phone a terrible weight has been lifted from my mind. fF have one thing to regret, however, and that is that I did not think to inquire of Little Texas whether he has seen sister Christie."’ “Ah, indeed!” exclaimed the man, regretfully; ‘‘T am to be censured for such an oversight; I hope you will pardon me, however, senorita.” ** Oh, sir!”’ cried Edith, ‘*vou had enough to thirk of. I could not think of 7 te. so much from you, for te have already made too much sacrifice in our behalf.”’ ‘‘No, no, senorita,” be replied; “I feel thankful that I have been able to serve your guardian and yourself as I have: but I feel that the worst is over with, and hope that by dark we will be at our dest nation. The calesa rumbled on and on over plain and vah- ley. The hours wore away and the sun went dow», but, contrary te Rossevan’s most sanguine hope, they had not reached their journey’s end. In fact, they were some miles from there when darkness se} in The shadows of night filled Edith with renewed. fears and terrors. They hadentered a densely-tim- bered valley where every footfall, every creak of the springs or snort of a horse secmed freighted witha thousarid horrors as they were repeated in hollew echoes —_ the dismal night. Now and then flashes of moonlight flitted across the windows of the calera, starting the maiden as though they had been the , . flashes of a gun; and thus were her fears kept werk-, “You hit the nail on the head, square pop, gineral; | the feat that you did, and for your kindness, senor, | I do want to bestow something besides mere words | upon you. your bravery and kindness, permit me to present to you this sword and belt worth a fortune in itself.” He took from the calesa his sword, a small on | and | Damascus blade with a hilt set in diamon pearls, and banded it to the Boy Mustanger, who still sat in the box. In honor of my regard and esteem for | The lad took the blade, ignorant of its true value | aside from that of a weapon. A look of boyish de- light and pride kindled in his eyes as he buckied the belt around his waist; then, when he saw how much smaller he was than the donor, he leughed outright. ‘“ Better to buckle the boy onto the sword,”’ he said; ‘‘but, stranger, I am proud of this gift. I never had anything so nice given mein all my life, and if the ’Paches and regulators don’t keep away m me now I'll slicesome of themup. Thank you, ger.” The boy descended from the driver’s seat, giving the lines to Don Rossevan; then he called up his horse, that was grazing a short way off, and mount- it. This brought him in a position where he could see the white face of Edith, to whom he touched his hat and bowed. The battle between the troopers and Indians could still be heard in the distance, and the Boy Mustanger seemed impatient to be off to the scene of conflict. With a wave of his hand and a “good-by” to the man and woman he was off Jike the wind. Speaking a few words of encouragement to Edith, Don Rossevan mounted the driver’s seat and drove repeals momen de he meeting and ara | been under such trying and exciting circumstances that it did not occur to Edith to inquire after Christie until it was too late—until the distance shut the form of the Boy Mustanger from her view. The battle between Rossevan's troopers and the ae ah was a desperate one. After the second discharge of firearms by the Indians at least a score of the red demons arose from the tall and charged the troopers with lances. The latter apa ed a murderous fire with carbines upon them, for a with Little Texas had ed up to the highest pitch. Her companicn titked in cheerful tones and endeavored, by eve n €2e possible, to dispel the gloom and shadows from her mind. Suddenly the calesa stopped. An exclamation of fear involuntarily escaped Edith’s lips. Don Rossevan opened the door and locked out. A trooper rode up to the calesa and said: ‘Senor, a horseman is coming down the roed from the direction of the Ruins de Rossevan,”’ Edith’s heart rose in her throat. Don Rossevan sprung from the calesa, advanced to the head of the horses and looked up the road. A litle way ahead of the team lay a email o; ening. flooded with mconlight, and across this opening, true enough, the horseman was approaching. “That’s a woman,” said Roesevan to the man be- hind him, as the unknown drew nearer to them. Just then a trooper cried, “ Halt!” The woman drew rein, and Rossevan, advancing toward her, asked: eX y, who are you that rides this way and so ay The woman hesitated with fear or doubt. ‘Have no fears, lady; we are neither outlaws nor», Indians.” A little ery of surprise and joy escaped her liys, then she said: **T am lost, sir.” “ Your name, senorita?’ “ Christie Miles,” she replied, and her words reac h- ed the listening ear of the trembling Edith, who cri out: ‘‘ Oh, Christie! Christie! my darling sister, com it be you” : ‘* Edith Clayton!’ burstfrom Christie’s lips; “ca my ears deceive?” ‘No, no, sweet sister, Iam here!’’ replied the de> lighted Edith. Christie rode - to the calesa end sprung frem her pony and rushed inte Fdith's erms. For a me ment there was a brief silerce of icy: ther Reseeven ordered a trooper to take charge of Christie’s hoc, assisted the sisters into the calesa, and entering L-nr self, gave orders to move on. As they rumbled alone Christie narreted her re ventures with Black Boniface, and receunted the events that hac trauspired the night previcus at the ‘ i iC) ro ht =P. > > ,. @," = a oexe) < Mie i