Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 185 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

2 Evil Fye, King of Cattle Thieves. Evil Eye, KING OF CATTLE THIEVES; OR, The Vultures of the Rio Grande. BY FRANK DUMONT, AUTHOR OF ‘“‘WILD FIRE,” ‘‘ BRANDED HAND,” ‘BLUE BLAZES,” ‘‘ EBONY DAN,” ETC., ETC., ETC. CHAPTER LI. A CRITICAL MOMENT. THE moon had just silvered the waters of the Rio Grande river and partially dispelled the shadows that had settled down upon the wild landscape. A furious storm of wind and rain had raged for several hours, and after the calm that followed a deep gloom like a pall hung over land and water. The darkness continued until shortly after midnight when the moon broke through the mass of clouds and bathed the scene with her silvery beams. A person stood upon the Mexican side cf tho river Jat a point midway between the Rio Pecos and San Pedroriver. He held the bridle of an impatient steed that pawed tho soft earth, ever “as anon snuffing the air and uttering a low whinny. “Yowre acting very strange; what’s the matter? Danger?” The words were addressed to the horse by the young ma, and as he peered across the river he seemed to find a reply to his question. ‘You're right! Pll stake my lifo there’s dan- ger ahead; I never knew you to bo mistaken, old fellow!” Directly across the stream he saw a dark moving mass that rapidly neared the waters of the river. He distinctly heard the sound of horses’ hoofs and the subdued hum of voices. As the moving mass drew nearer to the water’s edge, the watcher upon the Mexican side of the river saw that the forward mass comprised cattle, followed by full a score of mounted men. ‘‘ Cattle-thieves!” he exclaimed; ‘ just return- ing from a successful raid and crossing back in- to Mexico. Villains! Once upon this side of the river they know they are safe from pur i+ 7? suit, He led the horse into a clump of tall mesquite bushes, and the animal obeying its master’s voice, knelt upon the earth and lay crouched like a huge dog. The young man sought his weapons and grasping them firmly, breathless- ly awaited the result of his discovery. From his place of concealment he obtained a good view of the river and point where he surmised the raiders would touch the Mexican shore. The rascals were driving the cattle into the shallow stream, and were even now midway across the river. The herd of cattle were urged forward by the mounted men detailed for that ‘ purpose, while the remainder rode about forty rods behind, acting as a barrier between the herd and any who might follow in _ pursuit. Their rifles reflected the pale moonlight and their loud calls and unnecessary noise plainly told that they exvected no pursuit; and even if they did, the boundary line had been reached and the asylum offered by Mexican supremacy revented the pursuers from setting foot upon he ** sacred soil.” While the cattle-thieves are driving their spoils toward the Mexican shore, we will ob- serve the young man hidden in the tall bushes, for he is to play an important part in our story. His features are handsome, but bronzed by exposure. A dark mustache shades the upper lip and gives the owner quite a military ap- pearance. This does not belie the young man, for Harry Powell is a son of Mars, though not clothed in the garb of a soldier. Heis a leutenant in the Unite States forces stationed at Fort Duncan on the American side of the river. At present his clothing comprises a well-worn coat of dark material, with vest to ma‘ch; buckskin pants and heavy top-boots give him quite a semi-civ- ilized appearance. A huge sombrero finishes the picture, while a broad leather belt holds the necessary weapons for safety while traveling over. the roads in the ‘‘ land of revolutions.” A few days previous to the opening of our story his horse—a most intelligent and valuable .animal—had been stolen from the vicinity return trip, of the fort. It is a wellknown fact that the torder is in a continual state of agitation caused by the incursions of marauding bands. These scoundrels penetrate into the border counties of Texas, drive large herds of horses and cattle across the Rio Grande into Mexico and there dispose of the animals for good round sums. Although the animals ave branded, it is next to impossible to recover them, Pursuit ends at the river, for the Mexican authorities will not allow armed Americans to follow the thieves into Mexico. Of course there is a very good reason for all this. Tne rascally Mexican alcaldes are in league with the robbers and wink at their crimesand share in the plunder. It has been proven beyond a doubt that a Mexi- can Governor named Cortinas was the head and front of a robber crew and waxed fat upon the proceeds of the cattle-thieves and gave them an asylum at his own ranch. Once in a great while a horse can be ransomed. Many valuable animals are thus stolen and an opportunity given to the owner to cross over and regain possession of the creature by paying down a good fizure. It was for this reason that Harry Powell had discarded his uniform and donned one resem- bling a ranchero. Obvaming a short leave of ab- sence he crossed the river, accompanied by a private of his command named Jacob Slaus- horn, a stout German, eccentric and faithful in the extreme. Before startinz upon the expedi- tion, Powell was given to understand that his horse would be found at a certain ranch near San Fernando, a smail Mexican town. To his great joy he recovered his horse and paid down the amount asked and started on his The rascally ‘Greaser’ who had received the amount hastily gathered a few cut- throats and started in pursuit of the American and his companion, intending to again possess the horse and rob the two adventurous men from Texas. Mid a howling storm that suddenly swept Chae p that region, the banditti caught up to Powell and Jacob and after a short conflict, and aided by tho gloom, Powell succeeded in elud- ing the guerrillas. Jacob disappeared in the chaparra!, and when Harry finally reached the banks of the Rio Grands, bis companion was nowhere to be seen, and his pursuers had evi- dently abandoned the chase, The young American had just dismounted and ,was seeking a suitablo place to ford the river when his horse, acting in a strange mau- ner, had caused him to seek an explanation, and to his astonishment he discovered the catile- thieves on the opposite bank about to cross the river. From his secluded point of observation he noted the senting of the raiders and saw the herd driven by. ‘Tho Mexicans were all armed and mounted upon fleet mustangs. Scarcely had the rascals. disappeared with their drove when another detachment touched _ aay and for amoment halted upon the nk, Powell’s eyes were riveted upon a central figure that seemed to beara burden upon the pommel of his saddle, As the moonbeams fell upon their persons, Harry saw that the white mass was the figure of awoman held iv the arms of the horseman and that the woman in question was either pas- sive to her fate or insensible. Toe horseman was a tall dark-featured man whose sombrero shaded his face in such a man- ner that Powell could not see the countenance distinctly although the moon shone directly upon the group. As the cavalcade halted, the woman turned her features in such a manner that the hidden officer saw them quite plainly. Powell uttered an exclamation. It was the face of a young and beautiful girl. Golden hair swept down upon garments white as snow. Her pale countenance denoted anguish, and her eyes were turned inan imploring manner toward the Tex 1n shore. “By Jove! the rascals have abducted an American girl. She’s a prisoner in the hands of those Greasers,” said Powell between his clenched teeth. He placed his hand upon his horse to compel the steed to remain quiet, and again his revol- ver was grasped in a threateniny manner. About a dozen of the marauders were still in the river, allowing their mustangs to drink, while the remainder were gathered near the person with the captive. evidently listening to the commands he was uttering. | Suddenly the white-robed figure leaped from the saddle to the ground, and uttering one lit- tle scream broke awav from the horsemen. On she came and Powell’s heart leaped as he f saw the girl dashing directly toward the chap- arral where be lay concealed, A moment later and several Mexicans, spring- ing trom their saddles, started in pursuit. A tall ruffian had almost overtaken her, when Powell, darting from his hiding-place, met the fugitive. Witn a glad cry she rusbed into his arms and was clasped securely, while, with his rigbt hand, he Jeveled his revolver at the ad- vancing desperadoes. “Back, you dogs, or Ill stretch you dead at my feet! Look up, miss! You are safe for the present,” exclaimed Powell. Without a word of warning, a bearded ruffian discharged a pistol full at the head of the American. The bullet whistled close to his temple, but, before the scoundrel could again raise his arm, Powell’s revolver cracked and the yellow-skin pitched forward upon his face, clutching at the grass in his death struggles. CHAPTER II. “HEMMED IN.” THE pistol-shotand tbe fall of the Mexican oc- curr: d almost instantaneously, and the mounted robbers ninkity f from their mustangs and has- tened toward the spot. A score of scowling Greasers surrounded the young American, who supported the girl with one arm and swept the circle of foes with the hand grasping the polished weapon. The fate of their comrade caused the cow- ardly miscreants to hesitate, and the darin voung cfficer held the cutthroats at bay for fu five minutes ere one of their number mvved. As the remainder of the group reached the spot, a wild yell broke from their lips, and a dozen weapons flashed. ‘‘Stand back, or ll shoot the first that ad- vances an inch toward me!” cried Powell. The beautiful girl crept closer to him, and her face turned toward her champion imploring bis assistance, ‘*Do not let them take me away,” she whis- pered. ‘‘Save me from that man!” and her glance of terror plainly told that the object of her special dread was approaching. A tall, swaithy man, attired in Mexican habiliments drew near the group. His ap- pearance and swagger denoted that he wus no ordinary personage. A repulsive feature of this individual’s ap- pearance was the left eye. The pupil was en- tirely white, as if the sight bad been ah by some accident. The other o1b gleamed like the eye ofa wild beast in the gloomy jungle. His face was quite dark and a black mustache of wiry hair covered thin, cruel lips, exposing the gleaming teeth bebind them, The awiul eye gave an expressicn to the man’s features that was most diabolical—something of the look of a byena. Powell knew by the manner in which the girl clung to him, shuddering and gasping, Lyre the man approaching was her most dread- ‘foe. In a moment he had thrust aside the Mexicans and stood before the young man and his ot ‘‘What’s the meaning of this?’ demanded the new-comer in a peculiar grating voice resem- bling the low warning of the rattlesnake about to strike, He turned his eyes full upon the young American as he spoke. ‘‘Tt means that the young Jady now in my care fled from these ruffians, and as she kas im- plored my protection, | am bound fo assist her even thc ugh I lose my life in the attempt,” ' Powell’s attitude cowed the semicircle of men before him, and his clear ringing voice pronounced every word distinctly, A jeering laugh esc: ped from the lips of the ferocious outlaw chief. ‘““You arean American,” said he mockingly, ‘“‘and you constitute yourselt the protector of that young lady? Do you know the risk at- tending such an act? I wouldn’t give that for your chances of living.” __ The Mexican snapped bis fingers and then turning to his minions exclaimed: ‘¢- You are a nice set of men to allow a single man to bluff youin thismanner. Why do you stand there like a lot of sticks? You are not fit to be members of the band; you are not fit to be under Evil Eye.” The speaker’s voice betrayed no Spanish ac- centin thus haranguing his followers, but, on the contrary, showed plainly that the man, although displaying Mexican garments, was & renegade from the States. Often had Powell heard the name of Evil Eye, the most crafty and daring raider that com | iM Ghooks-eom *