Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 185 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

Wave « « + — — Oe 88 ree ew ee eon « See eet. 6 PR ee ee e+ eee —_— ever infested the south-western border. He had often trailed the villain and his infamous gang to the Rio Grande, and longed to cross at the bead of his detachment and give the raiders a taste of Yankee powder and bullets. The very name of Evil Eye was a terror on the border and his depredations were carried far into the western counties of Texas. Im- mense losses were inflicted upon the cattle-own- ers and redress was beyond the reach of the un- fortunate Texans. Often a pursuing party fol- lowed after the raiders, but beyond killing a few, or recovering part of the stolen stock, the ursuif ended at the river, while the rascals urried over into the friendly arms of the alcalde or to the ranch of the robber Governor. Often had the famous cattle-thief been de- scribed and his peculiar eye pictured by those who had met the renowned outlaw. e had styled bimself ‘‘King of the Cattle Thieves,” and he certainly ruled the lawless band with despotic sway. - This is the infamous Evil Eye,” thought Powell, as he scrutinized the man and observed the optic that had gained the sobriquet for its owner. It certainly was an evil-looking eye, and an evilcountenance acted as a setting tu the rT; gem.” ‘You are an American,” said the robber, again, turning to Powell; ‘‘and you have inter- fered with my men. Either one of these entitle you to a speedy death, I never spare an Ameri- can!” he hissed. ‘‘ Return that girl instantly, and prepare to die!” ‘* Now, sir, hear me. I have undertaken to shield this lady from the scoundrels who pur- sued her. She has come to me for protection, and she will have it. As for returning this poor girl into your hands, you can take her, but not until you cross over my dead body.” With flashing eyes the young American faced the villains, and the trembling girl clung closer ‘to him. ‘* Let them kill me with you!” she whispered ; “‘ better death than the fate in store for me. Do not let that man approach me. He has stolen me from home, and Heaven only knows the miserable life to which he would consign me. Kill me, but do not let them take me from you!” ‘‘Fear not, my poor little one. I will not abandon you. @ shall die here, if needs be!” cried Harry, in the warmth of his excitement. The outlaw chief waved his hand to the mon- grel crew at his back, and a yell arose that would have delighted a Comanche Indian. ** Down with him!” cried Evil Eye. harm the girl, but hack that do can into small pieces. Out wit and slash him into ribbons!” The ruffians sprung toward the young man snd attempted to surround bim. Powell’s finger rested upon the trigger of his revolver ae the weapon cracked apes ely twice in uick succession, and a howl from two of the exicans told that the bullet had found a vital spot. The ruffians in return blazed away, in spite of Evil Eye’s orders, and several bullets grazed the bodies of the young couple. ‘*Give me one of your weapons if you have one to spare,” cried the girl; ‘‘ donot be afraid to trust me.” Harry placed the weapon in her hand and quickly produced another one from his belt. ** Quick; follow mne!” he cried, and he sprung toward the clump of bushes, at the same time uttering a peculiar signal. His faithful steed bounded from the depths of the wild undergrowth. Then a loud cry of rage broke from the lips of the ruffians, for with wonderful agility Harry was in the sad- dle; the next moment he had leaned forward, laced his arm about the girl’s waist and lifted fier to the pommel of his saddle. Almost simul- taneously the intelligent brute wheeled sudden- ly around and dashed into the depths of the chaparral, A howl of excitement arose from the Mexi- cans as they saw the American make for the in- terior country, and at least a score of the thieves | on fleet mustangs followed in pursuit led by the | outlaw chief. Powell passing the chaparral finally gained a tract of wild country where the trees afforded | a friendly shelter. Through this he made bis | way until at length he emerged into an open plain which he knew would be dangerous cross- ** Do not of an Ameri- your knives ing. His steed now began toshow signs of fatigue and the Mexicans were rapidly gaining upon bim. Suddenly he reined in the horse, and uttered a cry of astonishment. A wide and deep chasm yawned directly before him, and a eee a eee OO Se Evil Eye, King of Cattle Thieves. like a barrier prevented further movement in that direction. A wild yell told thatthe Mexi- cans were aware of the dangerous place and now regarded the capture of the fugitives as a foregone conclusion. CHAPTER III. THE VULTURES’ ROOST. ‘We are hemmed in!” cried Powell, ‘‘ and our only chance of escape lies in turning and fighting our enemies.” On came the exultant ruffians, feeling that the American was now in their grasp. They discharged their weapons as they advanced upon the young couple, while Harry wheeled and faced the murderous gang. One swarthy bandit raised a rifle and drew a bead upon the young officer, but ere the Greaser could discharge the weapon a sbarp crack echoed close at hand and a bullet went crash- ing into the brain of the mounted ruffian Powell turned to ascertain who had fired the saving shot, when the howling pack of Mexi- cans dashed upon him; and in spite of his des- perate strugglesand the deadly execution of his revolver he was overpowered and secured. Powell could not suppress his admiration for the young girl. She had fought like an amazon in the short conflict. Nerved by despair, she had defended herself with the courage of a heroine. But it was an unequal struggle, and Evil Eye’s minions easily triumphed. The repulsive villain glared upon the prostrate young man, and once he raised his foot as if to plant his heel upon Powell’s face, but a grim smile played upon his evil countenance as he checked himself and then leered in a diabolical manner: ‘** Pll save you for something more pleasing to the members of my band. I won’t kill you out- right, you dog. No; Ill kill you by inches.” owell made no reply, but correctly surmised that the villain contemplated inflicting some horrible tortures upon him. One thing puzzled him greatly and that was concerning the hidden marksman, He wondered that the Mexicans had not sought for the lurk- ing place of the fatal rifleman: but all thoughts upon the subject were abruptly dispelled by the bandit’s orders: > ‘* Bind the American upon one of the mus- tangs, and tie him fast, hand and foot. That’s right. Now mount and away to the Vultures’ Roost!” Powell was secured upon the back of a mus- tang very much after the manner of the famed asspbe. His captors were in high glee, and handled the prisoner in a brutal manner. Evil Eye assisted the girl upon the mustan belonging to the dead Mexican, and then seate himself upon the back of his own steed. He ave the word of command and the cavalcade dashed away toward the low range of hills. Powell’s position was most excruciating but he bore up bravely and did not allow a groan to escape from his lips during that long and pain- ful journey. Evil Eye never once left the side of his fair captive and his confederates rode in a hollow square, thus hemming in the bandit chief and his prisoners. The hours wore on until the horsemen reached a wild mountainous district. Huge bowlders and giant cactus plants arose upon all sides, and the surface bore evidence of the mighty vol- canic eruptions of bygone ages. ; Throughout certain portions of Mexico, Ari- zona and New Mexico areto be found the re- mains and traces of wonderful dwellings perched among the cliffs and precipices. Savans egree that a race prior to the Peons and Aztecs occupied these dwellings. They were built upon ledges, and were reached by means of ladders, Once the ladders were drawn u by the inhab- itants it was impossible to reach these almost impregnable fortresses on the cliffs. , The race of people inhabiting these mountain cities long since ed away, but their wonder- ful dwellings still remain, some in agood state of preservation, while others have crumbled away into sightless masses of debris, It was toward one of these buildings upon the verge of a precipitous ledge that Evil Eye and his lawless crew made their way, and, within its walls the catitle-thieves founda safe and secluded retreat. They had made great improvements in the mountain retreat. In- stead of using ladders to reach the ledge, they had tunneled into the base of the cliff, and thus formed a passage that led in winding tunnels upward into the walled inclosure above. This entrance was artfully covered up, and it was only by careful search among the masses of mesquite and cactus that it could be discovered by hostile parties. Evil Eye feared no attack, for he was hand in glove with the authorities, yet the wil scoundrel had provided for a breach of friend- ship by fortifying his retreat in various ways and undermining the cliff with undergroun exits. The bandits dismounted and one of their num- ber led the animals into a large chamber and there fastened them. Powell was released and allowed to stand erect, but his hands were se- cured. The entire party proceeded up the in- clined passage and reached the open space of the walled inclosure. Two villainous-looking Mex- icans led the girl toward a dismantled adobe building and placed her in charge of a wrinkled Indian hag, while Powell was thrust into a small hut witha swarthy Greaser for a guard, while the bandit chief and his followers partook of refreshments, and became very bilarious. About a half-hour later the prisoner saw a gaudily dressed Mexican psuse near the hut and place asmall iron furnace upon the'adobe ph toma and ignite a fire within it. Then e thrust a small bar of iron into the coals and heated the metal to a bright red. Before Powell could divine the object of this he Eye strode to the hut, bis followers at his eels. ‘Arise! Your doom is sealed and the ex- ecutioner is waiting,” said he, and a malicious chuckle escaped from bis lips. ‘‘Remember that I have comrades who will avenge my death. I am an American officer and demand a soldier’s death,” return: d Powell. ‘*’'You shall have the death we prepare for you cowardly American dogs. You’re an of- cer, eh? You’re one of the hounds that follow us whenever we choose to cross the Rio Grande to borrow a few head of Texas cattle? Ha! ha\ ha! Glad to know it. Here, Sancho; heat the iron until ’tis almost melted! Ill fix you, my fine fellow. You interfered with me and my intended wife. lVIl warrant that you’ll never _ to interfere with any one again,” cried Evil. ye. “Your intended wife?” said Powell, with a look of contempt. ‘‘ That fair girl your wife? The dove mate with the hawk? The lamb with the wolf? Monster, your crimes are known throughout the States. Your hands are red with the blood of your victims, but I implore you to spare that poor girl. Return her to her Sore ie PORES My life is in your hands, Take it, but add not another crime to your blackened soul.” Evil Eye’s face was convulsed with rage. His fiendish eye fairly blazed in the light of the flames in the iron furnace. . ‘**Seize that red-hot iron!” he yelled to the grinning Mexican at his side. ‘ Drag out that American! Burn out his eyes! Burn deep into the sockets! ’Tis the brand of Evil Eye.” CHAPTER IV. DON COSTA’S TREACHERY. Upon the right bank of a wide stream empty- ing into the west fork of the Nueces river was the large cattle ranch and plantation of Bryan Walters, Crockett county, in Texas, is a vast tract of territory, over which countless herds of cattle roam at large attended by the rancheros in the employ of their various owners. The herds are distinguished by the brands, and are thus iden- tified when the annual count is taken of the animals. It is mostly in this and the adjoining county that the Mexican cattle-thieves confine their operations, running off immense numbers of steers and mustangs. Bryan Walters was a widower with an only child—a lovely maiden of scarcely nineteen summers, and the image of an angel mother whose memory Bryan Walters cherished as a ae legacy. He had fondly watched over is little girl, year after year, until she grew in- to budding womanhood. His hopes were cen- tered in his darling, and Winona returned the affections of her father tenfold, The day before the opening of our story both father and daughter sat within the cosey little parlor, and opposite Bryan Walters was a re- markable personage. He was remarkable because the cast of bis features was such as would impress a beholder. This person was tall and dark-featured. His coarse, black hair fell upon his shoulders in profusion. His lips were thin and almost hidden beneath the dark moustache growing upon the upper ip. ‘Hee sim "EOMIEDOOKS: €o