Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 375 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

; ’ : : ; ; | | | — --- iA ———OEe——— ee S-—™ 7~— - Chiota, the Creek. astride of the animal best suited to him, he | detailed by the Fates, as our guardian angel. sped toward his white friends, passing, as he reached them, one of the weapons which he had retained to Bandera Bill. The lat- ter, with a ‘“‘six” in each hand and reins between his teeth, sat his saddle, almost frantic with delight; but not more so than was Frio Frank, his pard. Thus the in- trepid trio started. Then followed a grand and daring act,.as more than two-score Apache warriors stood for a moment dumfounded at the tableau be- fore them. But not for long. The Texan yell from Bill and Frank blended with the wild war-whoop of Chiota, and all at the same instant dashed forward. Leaden hail hurtled amid the amazed Apaches, and Lone Wolf roared his rallying signals in vain. Death-howls and yells of agony sounded. Arrows flew wildly through the air, and mustangs reared and plunged. All this caused a stampede among the staked steeds, which, with terrific bounds, crashed through the undergrowth, while our three friends 28 oan into, the timber, Bandera Bill in the lead. All galloped down the Rio Medina to- —their mustangs scattered in the shades, and a dozen warriors mangled and dead in their very camp. Well might Frio Frank, after this, fairly ell the words, in which he was joined by andera Bill: ‘¢ Hurrah for Chiota, the Creek!” CHAPTER XIT. LOVED FOR THE DANGERS HE HAD PASSED. Tue confusion and demoralization among the Apaches was so intense that Lone Wolf was unable to restore an approach to order for some time, and then the main object of all the party was to recover their mustangs, without which they would be helpless, and would fall easy victims to any small company of rancheros who might encounter them. In consequence of this, our friends were safe from pursuit. ‘“We owe you our lives, Chiota,” said Bandera Bill, ‘‘ and we shall not forget it, I assure he ‘Indeed, we shall not,’ added Frio Frank. ‘‘ Talk is cheap, I know, but we are not the boys to take it out in mere talking.” But it was evident to the young Texans that the Creek chicf was greatly averse to listening to any words of theirs, and he so informed them. ‘‘Talk no good on war-path,” he said, bending his ear to listen to the sounds from the Apache camp. ‘*‘ When Chiota say Ban- dera Bill brother—say Frio Frank brother— he mean what say ‘‘Brother ficht for brother. Brother die for save brother from torture. It is enough, No want thanks. Come. Go down river. “Dancing Fawn down to ranch. Go with Bandera Bill sister. Name Bertie. Snake want bite Bertie. Chiota shoot off head. Bear want eat Bertie. Chiota kill bear. Come sce. “More Apache down river. So many ”— holding up three fingers—‘‘Chiota he kill down river. Take scalp. See!’ pointing to his belt. When the chief mentioned Bertie, Bill jerked his steed toa halt, in much concern; and, as Chiota evded his remarks, he cried out: | “Great Scott! Has she really been in such danger?” ‘*Chiota has spoken,” returned the Creek. ‘‘ Shake again, pard!” said the young man, impulsively. ‘‘ This has been, indeed, an eventful day. Why, Bertie, I do believe, never saw anything in her young life to frighten her, “It seems, chief, you have been expressly | ! | | | By Crockett! But strange things do happen in this world of ours!” All had started on, down the river again, while Bill was speaking. ‘* You are just right, pard,” agreed Frank; ‘“‘it is perfectly astounding to think over the events of the day. But I hope your sister has arrived safe at the ranch. However, as Dancing Fawn is with her, we may con- clude that all is well. ‘*It seems that, terrible as our capture was, we have, after all, thanks to Chiota, arrived in time to defend your home against the demons. Those who came down the river were doubtless spies, who were seeking information, with a view of attacking Ban- croft Ranch. ‘‘Lone Wolf may be frantic and revenge- ful, and may now seek to carry out his pre- arranged programme of destroying your home, murdering or capturing us, and driv- ing all the stock to the Pecos.” ‘By heavens! He will have a slim war- party to return with,’ exclaimed Bandera Bill. ‘‘ We have shown him that we can ! | | | scoop his warriors in, by the wholesale; but ward Bancroft Ranch, leaving Lone Wolf | and his braves a most demoralized war-party | we'll give him more proof of the same kind, if he advances down the Medina. The | ranch is built as strong as a fort.” ‘‘{ know Lone Wolf well enough to be confident that he will not return, Pecos-way, without a desperate attempt at avenging the loss of his braves, and the release of our- selves by Chiota. We must not lose sight of such a probability.” ‘‘How many Apache spies came down- stream, Chiota?”’ asked Bandera Bill. The Creek held up six fingers. ‘“ And you killed so many?” Bill repeated, extending three fingers. The chief bowed affirmatively, buat im- mediately after corrected himself, ‘‘Chiota he kill so many ”’—holding up two fingers—‘‘ Dancing Fawn, so many ”— adding a third digit. ‘‘Good for her!” said Bill, with relief: ‘‘T feel easier now. ILreckon Dancing Fawn will see Bertie safely through.”’ For some time, all rode on in silence. Often, in days past, since having formed the acquaintance of Bill Bancroft, and heard so much from him in regard to Bertie’s beauty and intelligence, had Frank Forbes found himself thinking of the sister of his friend; and, in his imagination, he had painted a picture of her, as he thought she would appear when he should have the pleasure of meeting her. In fact, Frank so often found his mind dwelling upon Bertie that this seemed strange to him; and he mentally accused himself of being in love with a maiden whom he had never even seen. He was now anxious in regard to. the voung girl's safety, yet there appeared to be little ground for anxiety in that direction, as Dancing Fawn was with her. It pained Frank to think that Bertie had twice that day Been in imminent danger, and that he had not had the gratification of accomplish- ing her rescue. Meanwhile his anxiety on her account increased. Frio Frank could not, for his life, explain why he felt thus; but there was a heavy feeling of great apprehension at his heart, and one which increased as he rode on, causing him to shoot glances in every direc- tion. Most certainly the guardian angel of the beautiful maiden was, in some mysterious manner, influencing Frank; for, as Bill and Chiota urged their horses down a steep bank, which cut off from them a view toward the plain, Frank, from the top of this bank, caught sight of something which caused his heart to spring to his throat. A kind Providence it was that directed his gaze, 7 So flitting was the sight, remaining in view but an instant, that he almost believed 11 it had been born of the thoughts that had’ for some time ruled him, in connection with his pard’s beautiful sister. That which Frank thought he saw was a flaunting feather above the top of the under- growth, toward the plain; and the next mo- ment, to the rear of it, he believed that he saw the gleam of golden hair amid the foliage. He did not wish to inform Chiota or Bill of it, as he was not positive that he had seen it, after all; yet he at once drew rein, turned his horse half about, and return- ed on the back-trail, determined to investi- gate it. Very stealthily the young Texan proceed- ed, and his absence was not noticed by Ban- dera Bill or the Creek chief until he was be- yond their view. With revolver in hand, Frank caused his horse to walk warily, and at times halted to listen; soon becoming convineed that the sight had been real indeed—only too real— and he regretted not having informed Bill and Chiota. But it was now too late for regrets, and he braced nimself for conflict. He was positive that the three surviving Apache spies were approaching, and that they held Dancing Fawn and Bertie Bancroft captives. The greatest caution was necessary. And Frio Frank was caution itself. He was soon relieved by the sight of an Apache, followed by Bertie, as he decided; for he could see that her hair was golden, and that it vailéd her pale face. Behind her rode Dancing Fawn, and in the rear two more Apache braves. One glance at that bowed and bound form would have nerved the heart of a coward; and the reader can imagine how the sinews of Frio Frank—a brave and daring young Texan—became as steel, his teeth clinched, and his senses were strained to the utmost. Dauntless, stoical, and with disdain in her glance, rode Dancing Fawn; but her features softened, and sympathy was ex- pressed in her glances, when they rested up- on the form of her white sister. Frank clutched his revolver firmly. It was a game, to play which would tax his strength and brain—ay, his very soul— for thick bushes intercepted his way to the tworear Apaches, and the greatest expert- ness with revolver would be required to shoot, and not hit one of the captives. But there could be no hesitation. Hesitation meant failure. It meant death, perhaps:to himself, cer- tainly to Bertie and Dancing awn. The scene that followed baffles deserip- tion, The noble animal he rode made one ter- rific bound forward, as if knowing what wa: expected of it, and how much depended upon it, Instantly Frank’s revolver vomited fire and lead, and the leading Apache, with a horrible death-how], threw up his arms, and fell, a corpse, over the hamsof his mustang, Then, with a piercing shriek, Bertie straightened upward, and gazed around her in terror. But this feeling was at once transformed into relief and joy. As the startled ery died on her lips, Frio Frank, handsome as a veritable god of vengeance, bounded paet her, a report from his revolver following. The remaining two Apaches lost the op- portunity of doing their cowardly work, for the bullets from Frank's rapidly-discharged weapon tore through the vitals of both, as their quirts were raised in air to lash their mustangs up beside the captives to slay them, Down they fell, gurgling death-howls burst- ing from their lips. A moment only did Frio Frank sit his horse, the animal jerked to haunches, his eyes blazing fury and his broad breast heaving with excitement—presenting a picture that was most artistic in poise, noble, handsome: and grand. | . + , ‘ ; : a . S ar? ‘ > P & “ a - . ‘ ‘ + 7 ~4 for ey 5 7 * F i» ooks-cOm . .