Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 375 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

‘ « ’ es ve a ‘must be no mercy. a ee ee —_— Death to the demons who stole my sister, and your wife.” ‘‘Good. War-path open. War-cry on Chiota’s lips. Want squaw. Want Bertie. Want blood. Want scalps. Come!” ‘Will, my boy, I shall go mad if I remain here. 1 must have a hand in. the rescue,”’ ex- claimed the old ranchero, in great emotion. ‘* But you must remain—lI insist upon it!” returned Bandera Bill. ‘‘ You would only hinder us, in your great grief and impatience. Only the skill and cunning of Chiota can ac- complish anything, and we must be patient.” The Creek, meanwhile, had mounted his horse, the Apache mustang he had ‘‘ confis- cated ” at the camp of the red marauders, and which the old ranchero had ridden from the point where his son and the chief had found him. Bandera Bill now rushed wildly out and to the end of the veranda, springing into his saddle, and turning his horse to join Chiota on the lawn opposite the dwelling. He per- ceived, much to his joy and relief, that his father was recovering from the terrible shock he had received sufficiently to attend to the defense of the ranch. Jerking his scalping-knife, the Creek cir- cled the glittering blade over his plumed head, shooting out his war-cry with vengeful intonation. And as if that whoop had been a pre-ar- ranged signal for a change in that tragic drama of the border, a yell came echoing it —a yell of cheer, that both Bill and Chiota knew could proceed only from their prairie pard, Frio Frank. The sound came from the entrance to the bend, and instantly the eyes of all three men were turned in that direction, to behold a sight that banished all concern, anguish and misery; to give place to the most intense amazement, insane joy, and relief beyond expression, while another sound, sweet as the song of angels, came to their hungry ears. This last was the rippling, musical laugh of Bertie Bancroft—a laugh of intense relief and overwhelming joy—and around the curving timber dashed the beautiful maiden, the sunlight kissing her golden head as she sat upon Colorado, her lost mustang. The prince-like Frio Frank galloped proud- ly, with a look of intense happiness stamped upon his handsome face, and softening his keen eyes; while, upon the other side of Bertie, rode Dancing Fawn upon her own mustang. Frank rode the horse of the chief —the same that Bertie had ridden, until they accidentally discovered Colorado in a thick- et—the mustang having, as will be remem- bered, stampeded when assaulted by the monster bear. Almost wild with delight, the ranchero and his son hastened to meet Bertie, both clasping their arms about her as she sat in her saddle, while tears of thankfulness were in their eyes, and prayers of devout gratitude upon their lips. Chiota sat his steed, in the self-same spot where he had been when the war-ecry left his lips; and, straight up to within a few paces of him, rode Dancing Fawn. Their eyes met. “Great Spirit has sent Dancing Fawn back to Chiota! It is good! Chiota’s heart was sad. ‘‘Great Spirit send Frio Frank to shoot Apaches. So many ”—the squaw extended three fingers—‘* hide in tree. Drop lasso. Jump on mustang. Dancing Fawn no see. No have time to shoot.” Then the young squaw turned her mus- tang aside, and slid to the earth. The inter- view between the reunited pair was at an end. Romeo turned a dozen _ hand-springs, which left a trail of rags, diminishing his already meager costume to an alarming ex- tent, We leave the reader to imagine, if he can, the impressive scene on the lawn in front of Bancroft Ranch. Chiota, the Creek. CHAPTER XY. SAFE SO FAR. Many self-sacrificing and heroic deeds had been performed by Chiota, the Creek, and his friends since the war-party of Lone Wolf, the merciless Apache marauder, had entered the Bandera Hills, the day previous to that during which the dread tragic scenes were enacted on the Rio Medina, which we have been attempting to describe. But the last brave act of Frio Frank, which proved him most skillful and a true scout, and caused even Chiota to be most agreeably surprised and to regard Frank much higher than ever before, was the shooting of the three Apaches, and rescue of Bertie Bancroft and Dancing Fawn. There was, after all his misery and an- guish, no happier man on earth than the old ranchero, unless perhaps it might have been Frio Frank himself, who felt as proud and joyous as it is possible for a human being to experience ‘on this earth, from the fact that his had been the honor and happiness of rescuing the loveliest maiden he had ever i possible of existence outside of Par- adise. Frank Forbes had fallen in love with Bertie Bancroft upon first gazing on her; indeed, he believed he must have loved her before being blessed with a vision of her, from hearing her praises and having her described so often by her brother, Bandera Bill. But Frank would not have experienced the most exquisite joy that ruled him had he not seen, mirrored in the maiden’s eyes of heavenly blue, a love for him so pure and guileless that it sought not even to hide it- self. This love had sprung spontaneously from Bertie’s admiration of the young Tex- an’s heroic bearing and his handsome form and face, when he dashed like an avenging god from the screen of branch and bush to the rescue of herself and Dancing Fawn. From admiration and intense gratitude it was but a step to love, and Bertie took that step the instant the handsome stranger, to whom she owed more than life, introduced himself as the friend and comrade of her brother. Bertie, notwithstanding the general joy and excitement, did not forget old Auntie Sue, who had not been thought of, by the others, and she hastened to the cook’s cabin, finding to her surprise the door closed. Poor old Sue, knowing nothing of the return of her young mistress, and still thinking that ‘‘de ole debbil war runnin’ de ranch,” sat against the closed door, Bible in hand—although she could not read a word—and praying most fervently. Bertie pushed at the door and called out: ‘‘Auntie Sue! Oh, Auntie Sue!” It is doubtful whether the old cook ever performed a more circus-like series of con- tortions of face and form than upon this occasion, or if the cabin door was ever jerked open more quickly or suddenly. Then, as Aunt Sue beheld Miss Bertie, she clasped her hands, and cried. out in a transport of joy: ‘*Bress de Lamb! It am herself, sho’— my sweet chile, my baby Bertie!” Hurriedly the young girl explained the startling events of that terrible day, and then impressed the old negress with the necessity of preparing a bountiful repast for the entire household. This was certainly much needed. And old Sue never ‘‘hustled herself ‘round’ ”’ more lively, than upon this, to her, as well as to all of our friends, most impor- tant and momentous occasion. In an hour after the arrival of her young mistress, the family, with Frio Frank and the Creeks, were all seated at a luxurious dinner in the open portion of the house—their rifles near at hand to grasp at the first sign or warning of danger, their side-arms buckled about their waists, and everything in and around the dwelling in a favorable condition for de- fense. While, outside, at each end of front and we eee — lL rr rc rear verandas, stood a burly Texan cowboy, | armed to the teeth, one also being stationed at the entrance and another at the swell of the bend. ‘These had been summoned to the defense of the ranch by the Creek chief, who had galloped over the prairie for that purpose. The vaqueros were also driving in the horses, mules, and cattle, to corra] the same; and everything was quiet around Bancroft Ranch, notwithstanding the tragic occur- rences of the day, and the fact that there were, without doubt, two-score of furious Apaches within a few miles of the ranch, and led by the most bloodthirsty and pitiless chief on the American Continent—the arch- demon, Lone Wolf! But our friends felt little concern, being confident that there would be no attack made on the ranch before the small hours of the coming night, when they hoped to be able to defend the place. And, kind reader, in comparative safety, we will now leave our friends; all happy— none in the Lone Star State more so than Frio Frank and the golden-haired Bertie; and the old ranchero insisting upon his son’s relating, for the third time, the circumstances connected with the capture of himself and Frank, in the Bandera Hills. As may be supposed, Bertie and Frank paid more attention to each other than to the conversation referred to, but neither they nor the others neglected to pay every atten- tion to Chiota and Dancing Fawn. And thus we will leave those whom we have followed through trails of danger and death—Frank and Bertie, happy in their new-born love, and joyous anticipations for the future; the old ranchero, happy that his daughter had been restored to him; and 3andera Bill, not only rejoiced at the rescue of Bertie and Dancing Fawn, but greatly gratified at observing that his prairie pard and his darling sister were mutually attract- ed toward each other. As to our red friends, Chiota and his squaw, they were contented, without doubt, in fact, they were greatly rejoiced ‘at the way in which affairs had turned out. But their thoughts and emotions were like still waters —their stoical faces revealing nothing of the feelings that ruled their minds. None of the party believed that if Lone Wolf did attack the ranch, the Apache chief could accomplish his purpose of capturing them; the walls being so thick, and the doors and shutters as well—the building be- ing also provided with loop-holes. We shall see, however, in the next number of this series—each, however, complete in it- self—in which the same characters will ap- pear, whether our friends were deceived in their belief that they could hold the ranch against LONE Wo LF. THE END. DIME DIALOGUES AND SPEAKERS FOR SCHOOL EXHIBITIONS AND HOME ENTERTAINMENTS. Dialogues, Nos. 1 to 31 inclusive, 15 to 25 popu- lar dialogues and dramas in each book. Each vol- ume 100 pages 12mo. Speakers, Nos. 1 to 4 inclusive. Each speaker 100 pages 12mo, containing from 50 to 75 pieces. YOUNG PEOPLE’S SERIES, Dime Book of Winter Sports. Dime Book of Summer Athletic Sports, Dime Gents’ Letter Writer. . Dime Book of Etiquette. Dime Book of Verses. Dime Book of Dreams. Dime Fortune Teller. Dime Ladies’ Letter Writer. Dime Lovers’ Casket. Dime Ball-Room Companion. Dime Book of 100 Games. Dime Chess Instructor. Dime Book of Beauty. 2" The above books are sold by newsdealers everywhere, or will be sent, post-paid, to any ad- dress, on gece of price, ten cents each. BEADLE AND Abas, Publishers, 98 William st., N. Y, ‘ , “ . @ a aL iy, at! sang gt > 4s . ’ 7 d fia ¥ at“ 4 fa a - dae Cag ee 5 ; » iy ved : Moa KS ~< . a . () \ @ 0 Q 1 aes lee BREE a A wre. e