Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 425 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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ance of the last word, and the next moment he was riding like the wind toward the girl. Texas Trump bit his lips madly. ‘Let ’em wait an’ see Maverick Mark’s hand!” he hissed. ‘‘I could ram thet infernal Comanche inter ther ground. Somewhar back thar I lost ther trail, but fortune has found Inez for me anyhow.” Meanwhile, the Texan rancher had reined in his horse between the Indian and his companion, and Texas Trump was compeliccd to witness the embrace that followed. ‘* Thar ar’ four more eyes ter inspect Maverick Mark,” he muttered. ‘I call myself safe. Major Ralph, Roy an’ Jalisco Jack hev failed ter penetrate ther mask. I’m not afraid ter face Sam an’ ther girl.” He did not have to wait long for the ordeal, for Major Ralph soon came back, riding beside Inez, and Silent Sam’s eyes were fastened on the llano rattler. ‘Tm all hunky!’ murmured Texas Trump. ‘‘Ther keenest scourer ov ther ll/ano fails ter recognize me,” CHAPTER XIT. RUN DOWN. HaAviInG found Inez again, Major Ralph was willing to turn back to the desolated ranch. Jalisco Jack, the Indian and Roy were anxious to move forward and hunt the Border Rattler down, and after a short consultation, in which Maverick Mark said a few words, it was decided that both should be done. Major Ralph and Incz, accompanied by the masked sport, turned their horses’ heads to- ward Hermosilla, whilo tho three vengeance- sypuers galloped toward the haunt far to the west. ‘Ef ’'m not havin’ things my own way, shoot me for a parson!” ejaculated Texas Trump, as he rode along beside Inez, who did not for a mo- ment suspect the truth. ‘‘ Half an hour ago I wouldn’t hev given much for my chances; now, I’m on top ag’in. They don’t keep this llano daisy under the grass long at a time. Those fellows won’t find Texas Trump; they may un- earth Flippo.” It was a long ride back to the borders of Her- mosilla Ranch, and when the placo was reached, an unexpected sight greeted the desperado’s eyes. Near the spot whero the hacienda had stood, a small but comfortable building had been erected by the quick-handed servants and adjacent ranchers, and a loud cheer greeted the return of Major Ralph and Inez, ‘You seo what tho villain did,” said the Texan, directing Texas Trump’s attention to the ruins of the ranch home. “My herders and neighbors have put up a LenTD eR y shelter, which will give way for a handsome home b and by. My last orders to Jalisco Jack and his friends were that the llano fiend, if captured, shall be brought here for punishment. What will I do with him? I'll hang him to one of the blackened beams of Hermosilla Ranch!” | Texas Trump did not quail at these words, ‘That wouldn’t be too good for him, major,” he laughed coolly. ‘‘ But you do think the boys will find him?” ‘Tf he is living he will be found,” said the ‘Texan quickly. “I don’t know anything about Roy’s hunting qualities, but I’d stake much on those possessed by Jalisco Jack and the Indian. Find him? They will, sir, and where he did his dirtiest work Texas Trump shall stretch a lasso.” Maverick Mark was invited to make himself at home at the ranch, and he accordingly added his horse to those in the ample stables, He was in no hurry to inspect the ranches of the Brazos ‘n his search for cattle, and he would rest awhile at Hermosilla. Inez was glad to get back to the old ranch, and more than once as the hours flew by she cast longing eyes westward with an eager Hone that the three hunters would soon return, “Took! we are going to have visitors,” sud- denly exclaimed the girl appearing before the house where Major Ralph and Maverick Mark were smoking in the last rays of the sun, ‘A lot of herders for the llanos !” cried the rancher, ‘*‘Ah! we may hear from the three hunters. da may even be in the party.” Maverick Mark sprung to his feet and fixed his eyes on the party riding in a gallop toward the house. “Ther pards ov Camp Coyote. ’'d know ’em without a light,” he growled. ‘*‘ What hev I ter fear, though? I hev passed inspection under ther keenest eyes on earth. Heavy Hugh an’ his pards can’t diskiver anything.” Less than a minute later a party of horsemen - - — ee — —— — — consisting of twelve broad-shouldered and dark- faced men, drew rein before the little group in front of the new ranch. ‘* Hyer at last,” said the man who rode for- ward and held out his hand to Major Ralph. ‘*You hévn’t seen anything ov thet missing nephew ov mine, eh, major?” ss Roy 9”? sé Yes,” ‘* He’s liable to turn up safe at any moment,” was the answer at which Heavy Hugh set up a shout of delight. e ‘* We'll just alight hyer, boys.” The pards of Camp Coyote sprung to the ground, and Heavy Hugh introduced them to the rancher who had a welcome for all. Maverick Mark stood aside and took in the scene with coolness, ‘*Gentlemen, let me introduce you to Maverick Mark from the Southwest,” said Major Ralph, turning suddenly to the Border Rattler. ‘* He’s been our guest a short time and talks of leaving us to-morrow.” Confident of his disguise, Texas Trump stepped forward and met the men from across the Neran. He at once became the target for every eye, and met the scrutiny without a sign of fear. ‘* Ef thar war a smilin’ palace hyer, gents, I'd invite yer up ter hev suthin’ at my expense,” he said to the Coyotes, ‘As it is, boys, ye’ll take ther will for ther deed, though thet doesn’t quench thirst worth a continental.” In a short time, the pards were enjoying themselves on the soft, rich grass before the hacienda, They let their tired and hungry horses graze while they threw themselves on the ground and smoked the cigars which had been passed around by Inez’s fair hand. ‘Major, that guest ov yours,” said Heavy Hugh, touching the Texan rancher at the first opportunity; ‘‘did you say he was Maverick Mark?” ee Yes,” ‘* What’s his business hyer?”’ ‘* He is on his way to the Brazos ranches ter buy cattle.” ‘* It’s a durned lie!” cried Heavy Hugh. Major Ralph turned upon the Coyoter with a look of amazement. ‘“Thar never wer’ but one real Maverick Mark,” the big man continued, ‘‘an’ I happen ter know thet he died five year ago on ther Rio Pecos. Major, I don’t like ter break pleasant relations between you an’ yer guest, but ther sooner thet man gits away from Hermosilla, ther better it'll be for ali parties concerned.” **'Who is he?” ‘““Not Maverick Mark—thet’s sartain,” an- swered Heavy Hugh, confidently, ‘ Pil let yer know before he goes ge FE From that moment, the Border Rattler was under espionage, and when he knew it not, the yenetrating eyes of Heavy Hugh were upon im, ‘* Pll get under his shell before daylight, or turn my hoss’s head toward Coyote,” said the stalwart fellow. ‘That chap is stayin’ hyer fer suthin’. He never thought ov buyin’ cattle on ther Brazos ranches,” The sun went down, and the shadows of the trees, scorched by the late fire, fell long across the new ranch. “TIL go an’ look at my hoss, major,” said Maverick Mark to the Texan, as he started to- ward the stables. Heavy Hugh, who heard, stepped back and lifted a hand ata young man who was watching him from the grass. The youth got leisurely upon his feet, and walked through the group of trees near by. ‘They stick like leeches, hang their hides!” growled Maverick Mark, while he walked to- ward the stables. ‘‘They promise ter kee awake all night just ter beat me out ov a slic little game. By Jehosaphat! Heavy Hugh, if I had yer by ther throat, I’d show yer what Texas Trump’s hands ar’ made oy.” He reached the long, low stables attached to the rench, and entered. ‘What's this?” he suddenly exclaimed, as his hand came in contact with a bridled horse in the darkness, ‘‘ This must be my hoss, an’ sad- dled! Who did this?” ‘* The best friend ye hev at Hermosilla, cap’n,” said a voice, and Texas Trump started eds with his hand on a revolver, as several long fin- gers closed on his arm, He knew the voice, ‘Ts it you, King, my boy?” ‘*Tt is the half-breed,” was the reply. ‘ I’ve saddled yer hoss because ye’ve got ter use him ter-night. They’ve thrown a net about yer, cap’n. “k No?” Texas Trump, the Border Rattler. 11 ‘‘They hey! I tried ter see yer at ther ranch, but failed ter. Then I came hyer an’ saddled the hoss, intendin’ ter go back an’ see yer at all omy Heavy Hugh says ye’re not Maverick ark,” ‘* He does?” flashed Texas Trump, ‘* He won’t say that to my face.” ** Don’t try hin. cap’n. You must go.” ‘* Without makin’ the stroke I had planned?” aT 4. 7% Texas Trump was silent for a moment. Suddenly he said: ‘See hyer. You didn’t do yer duty. Yow let Major Ralph escape when you burned the rancb.’ ‘It wasn’t my fault. The fire didn’t reach hiny quite quick enough. Your drugged cigar failed to kill him. Ah, we both failed!” ‘“The next time there will be no failure!” Texas Trump said these words between his teeth. ‘‘Tf I go away, it will fasten the suspicion that I am not Maverick Mark,” he went on. ‘‘ By ther dust ov Cesar! Pll stay!” ‘‘ An’ lose ther ranch rose forever,” said the half-breed boy. ‘‘Go back an’ face Heavy Hugh an’ pards ter die at ther end ov a lasso, Cap’n, yer must go. No goin’ back ter ther hacienda now, You kin come back hyer in a new skin, an’ nobody will know ther Ulano bird.” ‘‘ Mebbe I’ve been follered?” : . ‘Not yet. Now for the llano, King will go with yer, cap’n—unless yer want him ter do duty hyer.” Two minutes later Maverick Mark leaped to saddle in the shadow of the low stable which was. between him and the hacienda, Tl] shoot yer keen eyes out o’ yer head afore I die, Heavy Hugh!” he said, sending a mad look toward the house, ‘I have yet another skin which I have never worn in these parts. [ll play that hand next.” e threw a look at the half-breed boy as he athered up the lines. King was eager © pilot is master from danger. ei: “ Halt!” rung outa voice so near that the two - liano pards started and turned. i both of you, or I'll send bullets through your >” his is no boy’s game we play on ther , skulls. borders ov ther llano. Get down, Maverick Mark, an’ you, too, half-breed pigmy !” “= 5 Already the Border Rattler saw the young Coyote who stood a few feet away looking calm-. ly into his face from behind a brace of leveled’” revolvers. It was the youth Heavy Hugh had summoned from his lounging place in the grass. “You stop a bad man when you interfere with Maverick Mark,” said Texas Trump men- pare ‘‘T obey orders,” was the answer, ‘* About face now, an’ march to the ranch.” The Wlano sport and his companion who had dropped to the ground under cover of the two revarvens eft their horses and turned their taces toward the house. The eyes of Texas Trump flashed fire; the half~ breed’s glistened likea basilisk’s. The tramp was of short duration, and the young Coyoter astonished all by calling for Heavy Hugh in front of the new ranch, Tn an instant the hoss of Camp Coyote came forward, and stopped in front cf Texas Trump whom he eyed accusingly. : ‘“ Maverick Mark, eh?’ he said. “ Ther next time yer want a new name don’t take a dead man’s.” Was thatall? Was there to be nocharge that he was Texas Trump? ‘“By George! yer know-a good deal ef you know me better than I know myself,” laughed Texas Trump. ‘ Ef I’m not Maverick Mar ) as yer say, in ther name of fortune, who am I?’ ‘*T will unmask him!” cried Inez springing forward at that moment. “If he isnot the real Maverick Mark he can be but one other—Texas Trump. The boy at his side gives him away, He brought the decoy message to Roy the day Laced Leon was here. Laced Leon is Texas Trump; so is that man!” ‘The beard is false, then,” said Major Ralph. ‘Men of Coyote, when I lift my hand, shoot it from his face unless he removes it himself!” Texas Trump saw that the game was up. CHAPTER XIII. THE HALF-BREED’S BIG PLAY. As erect asa statue and with fearless and flashing eye, the cornered sport stood before the ready revolvers of the Coyote pards, ‘‘Unless I’m dropped in my tracks, I'll make it lively enough for all ov yer yet,” he said under his breath. “tam ter jerk my beard off, eh, an’ show ’em that I’m not Maverick Mark?” “comicbooks.com