Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 425 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

A ee 12 ‘‘OffF with the mask!” commanded Major Ralph at this moment. ‘If it is not removed when I have finished counting five, these men | had been for years. will proceed to shoot it away.’ Texas Trump’s hand moved to his face, and the next moment the false beard was jerked away and he stood revealed in his true cnar- acter. The Coyoters uttered exclamations of astonish- ment, the transformation from Maverick Mark to Texas Trump was so startling ‘*Gentlemen, thar’s no use ter cling ter false feathers any longer,” said the llano desperado with a cool smile. ‘‘Istan’ before yer as Texas Trump. Now eg with yer trial.” He addressed the last words to the rancher upon whom he turned as he uttered them. ‘* Not now, though I should not hesitate to drop iby in your boots,” was the reply. ‘* We shall old you till Roy and his companions come back, Then, Texas Trump, I warn you you will receive no mercy.” There was no answer fora moment. The pest of the llano and Major Ralph exchanged looks of hatred. ‘It takes cheek to play a game like this,” sud- denly said the rancher. ‘‘ A man with no cheek has no right ter ther dlano,” was the answer. ‘‘I guess Maverick Mark won’t buy any cattle among ther Brazos ranchers, eh, major?’ and Texas Trump laughed as though he was victor and not a condemned prisoner, Heavy Hugh eyed the Rattler with eyes full of indignation. He saw in him the man who, as ae Hank, had invaded Coyote and jumped with Roy, to follow up the sport with one of the coolest abductions on record, and a deed that made the blood run cold, Texas Trump and the half-breed boy were a under guard. A lantern was hung to oneof he pillars of the little veranda of the new house, and the Coyoters with cocked revolvers began to watch the prisoners, _ 4 Major Ralph had hopes that Jalisco Jack and “party would return before daylight. They would not find Texas Trump in the old haunt; therefore he would put back to Hermosilla. Slowly the hours of that night wore away. King, the half-breed boy ung himself upon the pores and appeared to fall into a sound slumber as if he was in no peril. _ Texas Trump occupied the chair which he had been ordered to fill at the muzzles of rifles and revolvers, and nobody seemed to take notice of the figure stretched at his feet. : Major Ralph went inside at midnight, after giving Heavy Hugh some instructions about guar ing the prisoner, and the morning stars open their long vigils. exas Trump watched the lantern which flickered fitfully against its post. At times it would leave him in shadow for a second, but then he would always see the cool men who, ‘wide awake as serpents, watched him closely. It was the most perilous scene of his eventful career. The pards of Coyote forgot the boy who had dropped asleep at the desperado’s chair. ing was playing ‘possum, for just after midnight he began to move away by degrees. His movements were not noticed by any one; the Coyoters seemed asleep. Instead of nAgean 3 toward the edge of the porch where he might drop into the grass, the wily half-breed moved toward the open door of the house, and drew himself across the thres- hold. His movement was accomplished unseen by keeping in the shadow of the llano bandit and his chair, Once acro.s the door-step the half-breed hug- ged the floor and let slip a breath of relief. ‘If I don’t get Texas out o’ this brine, pickle me for a shrimp!” he ejaculated, his little eyes glistening like polished diamonds. ‘‘They must watch King when they guard his master. Ha! ha! the eyes of the Coyoters aren’t sharp enough. ‘We will yet get the livin’ bonanza!” The temporary house which had been erected was a one-story frame, consisting of three small rooms. Inezs new boudoir was to the right of the door entered by the boy half-breed e seemed to know this, for he crept toward it, moving slowly like a serpent and li ming all the while. The lantern ew a few fitful rays of light into the room thus entered, and showed King the bacon door of the chamber. He reached the threshold, and listened. For a moment he heard nothing, and then the low breathing of a sleeping person was dis- cernible., Bor the eyes of the boy half-breed scintillated now Texas Trump, the Border R i ree: It was all for the man guarded on the porch, for the desperate sport whose slave and pard he There was no other ho No rescue before daylight meant death to Texas Trump. ing seemed in no hurry, for he listened at the door for some minutes, or until he had located the sleeper. Then began a series of snail-like movements that ended in transferring himself into the room and crouching at the foot of the girl’s couch. He felt the bedclothes with his sallow hands, then took a lucifer from his pocket and drew it over the floor under the couch. There was a tiny flash but no report, and tho half-breed held the flame to the sheet fcr a mo- ment, ‘** Now, let them beat Texas Trump ef they can!” he laughed turning his back on the flame. He glided out of the room, crept to the door of the porch and rolled himself back to the chair. All this, while it took time, did not occupy many minutes. There was victory in the eyes of the half- breed boy. He looked often toward the room from his old position. All at once a wild shriek startled everybody. It came from the girl’s room, and sounded like a cry of despair. King knew what it meant. The yellow boy crouched at the feet of his doomed master felt a thrill of pleasure through his frame as that wild cry rung out. ‘Fire! by heavens! the ranch’s on fire!” The wakeful Coyoters leaped upon the porch forgetful of the man they were guarding. * Fire it is,” said King springing up. The young lady seems to be in danger.” Major h rushed out half-bewildered b the cry and then, seeming to realize Inez’s peril, he i back into the house! The -breed clutched the Border Rattler’s a rm, ‘*Quick! It was done for you, cap’n!” be ex- claimed. Texas Trump left his chair and dashed at tho only man left to guard him in the momentary confusion. King sprung at the same object and both reached him at the same moment. “Tm a he when I try myself!” cried Texas Trump, hurling the Coyoter against the heavy ilar, ‘* Thar never war a trap thet held Texas rump long, an’ this one isn’t one ov thet kind.’ The twain dashed toward the horses of the camp pards, and had filled two saddles before the alarm was sounded. ‘* No foolin’ hyer, cap’n,” said the half-breed boy. ‘To-morrow will bo your day for ven- geance, at ih They turned the steeds and gave them the spur with crimson interest. ‘*T owe all this to you,” said Texas Trump to the youth when they found themselves on the llano. ‘‘ Your hand is in it somehow, but just how I do not know.” King looked at him with a smile. **A hand an’ a match, cap’n,” he said with a grin. ‘“‘ King creep into the house an’ set fire to the girl’s bed.” ‘You did?” suddenly roared the desperado catching the boy’s arm while fire seemed to start from his eyes. ‘‘ Look hyer! you destroy tho very bonanza I’ve been playin’ for. Curse your head! King, whar war it when you did this thing?” ‘*They find the girl soon enough ter save her,” was the response. ‘‘ Fire no devour her cap’n. King no fool when he plays a big hand like that.” ‘Ar’ youcertain? ‘You failed the other time, you know.” “The hacienda went, but Major Ralph es- caped. It will be the same way this time. House go mebbe, but they will save Inez, the ranch rose. Cap’n Trump kin play a new role now,’ ** An’ won’t I?” exclaimed the llano scourge. ‘*Isee no fire back yonder, King. They have saved the house.” ‘* An’ Inez, too.” ** You couldn’t go back an’ see?” ‘King go anywhar for Texas Trump.” The next minute the desperado was alone and the half-breed boy was riding back toward the ranch where he had played one of the shrewd- est games of rescue imaginable. ‘* That boy is worth his weight in gold,” Texas Trump ejaculated. ‘‘Now Iam free to play a new hand. I wouldn’t hev given much for m chances awhile ago, but King was plannin’ his play all ther time. When I get ther bonanza, I'll reward him. T’ll bu’st a dozen faro-banks an’ throw ther winnin’s at his feet.” OO ———— ———— sss attler, Meanwhile, the half-breed boy moved cautious- ly toward the Texan ranch. Strange to say, he heard no noise, no loud commands, and the tramp of no horses, He knew that the fire had been extinguished before it inflicted much damage, and this fact told him also that Inez had been rescued. He left his horse at the stables and crept for- ward on foot. Half-way between stables and hcuse he crouched suddenly and drew the bowie he had snatched from the belt of the Coyoter charged by Texas and himself on the porch. ‘*T heard it,” said a voice. ‘* It was between us an’ the horses.” King now saw the speaker, a man crouched like himself in the grass. ‘*Go forward an’ settle the question,” said another voice. The man moved, he came toward the waiting and watching half-breed. ; Retreat was out of the question. King had already advanced too far. He clutched the bowie and waited. The man came on. All at once the half-breed boy sprung up from under the Coyoter’s very feet, and then leaped into his arms. ‘**Take this for ther cap’n an’ King!” hissed the half-breed, and at the same time he deliver- ed a blow with the knife. A loud cry told that the blade had inflicted a terrible wound. The Coyoter’s companions ran to his side. ‘* ll master the half-breed baby!” the wound- ed man exclaimed. ‘I’ve got my arms about him. Get out o’ ther way. Tm goin’ ter throw him at Heavy Hugh’s feet!” He turned about and dashed toward the house with King a prisoner in his arms. ‘*Whar’s Hugh?’ he exclaimed, rushing up to agroup»f men, whose appearance told that they had heard the cry. ‘‘Hyer, Red Rube! What on earth—” + Hyer's ther llano rattler’s serpent!” was the interruption. ‘‘He’s cut me ter ther death. Take him—away!” Red Rube’s arms opened at that moment and ae the half-breed dropped at Heavy Hugh’s eet. A dozen men seemed to spring. at the boy. He was jerked from the ground in the twinkling of an eye, and a lasso produced from somewhere went over his head. The men had been transformed into demons. Over the sturdiest limb of the nearest tree the black cord was quickly thrown, and Texas Trump’s boy pard was lifted from the ground. ‘* Hold!” cried Major Ralph, catching the rope. ‘‘He must show us the Border Rattler’s trail first.” ** Never |! the boy. The Texan rancher was pushed back by the determined representatives of Coyote, and, at a signal from Heavy Hugh, the lasso tightened again. While Texas Trump waited for the pard who would never come. King war never yet a traitor,” said CHAPTER XIV. MATCHED ON THE LLANO. In the bright red sunset of a summer day, a man who looked very commonplace, rcde into. Camp Coyote, and dismounting in front of its one saloon, went in and caijled for a drink. His horse looked fatigued, and the man him- self showed signs of weariness, When he had helped himself to two draughts of liquor, he looked at a piece of panes tacked ooo the shelves, and then glanced at the bar- tender, ‘* Wanted—Texas Trump, eh?” he said. ‘* That’s what ther notice says. It’s been up thar for two months, stranger, an’ nobody’s stepped for’ard ter claim ther reward. What did he do? Oh, he’s been raisin’ pandemonium in one way an’ another for years along both borders. His last play war on ther other side, at Hermosilla Ranch, which he an’ his half- breed boy pard burned. They got ther boy, though, an’ strung him upter a limb, but Texas Trump himself got away, Major Ralph Rogers offers thet reward,’ an’ he’ll Fey, it dollar for dollar, too. Three hundred for Texas Trump dead, five for ’im alive.” ‘* Who’s hunted ’im?”’ asked the stranger with some interest. ‘‘ Nearly everybody. Coyote hez sent out a posse, an’ ther other oni? ev taken a hand.” ‘* An’ he’s still at large?” ‘‘ My opinion is thet he’s left ther border. It’s been scoured thoroughly. When Silent Sam, ther Mute Comanche, can’t find his man, it’s no use for white people to keep up ther hunt. Ther Injun war hyer an hour ago, an’ Heavy Hugh ECO A MICE) 0100) SS} ~-