Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 425 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

> fang ‘ we {= LJ ree ee — = a ——_— — ee rr says he has about given up ther game. A young chap, named Roy Berdan, who outjumped Texas Trump in Coyote, once, gave up huntin’ him, an’ hez gone ter Hermosilla ter marry Inez, ther rancher’s ward.” The stranger started slightly as this informa- tion was volunteered. ‘‘T’'d like ter hev five hundred myself,” he said with a smile. ‘‘ I believe I'll take Texas Trump ter Major Ralph.” ‘You'll hev ter catch ther l/ano rattler first, an’ thet’s no child’s play,” said the whisky- dealer. ‘‘ You don’t mean ter say thet you know whar he is, stranger?” ‘‘ Ef I did, I wouldn’t post it in Coyote. Pm glad I’ve seen ther reward. I b’lieve Pll makea strike for it.” The man walked out to the horse waiting for him near the door. ‘‘Wive hundred for Texas Trump delivered alive at Hermosilla!” he ejacula under his breath. ‘‘ An’ aweddin’ too! For his Mazeppa ride, Roy Berdan is ter get ther livin’ bonanza! I came hyer ter transact business with a sartain citizen ov Coyote. Whar is he? Mebbe he went away with ther Mute Comanche.” These words might reveal the man’s identity to the reader. If not, those that followed surely will. ‘‘Tve played Laced Leon, Happy Hank an’ Maverick Mark,” the man went on, glancing about the camp with searching eye. ‘* They kin st a thousand offers ov reward; they don’t etch ther Border Rattler asleep. Whar is ther hound who ordered ther pards ov Camp Coyote ter pull King up ter Major Ralph’s tree?” As if in reply to the inquiry, a stalwart man came from between the cabins and walked away. ‘That’s Hugh!” exclaimed the disguised des- perado. ‘‘He doesn’t dream that l’m within pistol-shot. Hung King, my half-breed pard, 7 I’m hyer ter worse than hang you, Heavy ugh!” eavy Hugh did not appear to notice the man who watched him with a pair of eager eyes, fe What'd you give ter know thet Texas Trump holds his eyes on ye?” chuckled the llano pest. ‘* Pll be at ther weddin’ ef it doesn’t go off too soon. Come, hoss,” He walked off, with the horse following “H his heels. Suddenly he called to Heavy luch. ‘he boss of Camp Coyote stopped and turned. ‘‘ Mebbe ye kin give a stranger a piece ov in- formation,” said Texas Trump, coping up, and speaking mm a tone at variance with his true voice, ‘‘Wal?? responded Hugh, looking at the speaker, who looked like an inoffensive, travel- worn man. ‘‘ Which is ther shortest route ter ther Brazos cattle-markets?” Heavy Hugh stepped back a pace as though something startling was recalled by the innocent question. ss Yo’ 1” said. ‘‘ Ther llano lies between us, eh?” 4 EY es,” ‘“T guess Llano Jack an’I ar’ cqual ter it,” said Texas Trump nodding toward his horse. ‘* Show me ther trail will yer?” ‘*’-Ye'r’ not goin’ ter try it with thet hoss?” ‘*Bet yer boots, cap’n.” Heavy Hugh said no more, but motioned to the desperado to follow him, Side by side the two men walked from Camp Coyote and the sun went down with them on the llano just beyond its borders, and near a clump of trees, More than once during the tramp Texas Trump had thrown mad looks at Heavy Hugh, and once under the tree he looked like a tiger about to leap upon a victim. 1 The Coyoter proceeded to point out the way across the llano. ‘Tf you run across Texas Trump you might take him to Hermosilla an’ claim the reward,” = a Masicenity laughed glancing at the man at his elbow. ‘What'd you give to find ‘im? asked the a long ways from them, pard,” he rt. Pe A good deal. I don’t think I’d trouble Ma ph for the reward.” jor ** Why not?’ era the grass snake myself.” ‘* As you hung his boy pard, eh?” The sentence seemed to end in a hiss, and Heavy Hugh whirled upon the speaker as it still sounded. ‘“ Who told you that I hanged Texas Trump’s boy pard?” he asked. a = Texas Trump, the Border Rattler. —EE EEE Hugh. What Texas Trump knows, he knows,” ‘Texas Trump?” ‘‘ As large as life! Ther llano rattlesnake has found you at last!” The hand of Heavy Hugh darted toward the revolver in his belt, but the bronze fingers of the Border Rattler arrested it. ‘‘No drawin’ hyer!” he continued sternly. ‘¢ When I knew by whose orders King war pull- ed up thet night I said ’'d get even with Heav Hugh. 1 came ter Coyote for that purpose. hev decoyed yer hyer. I want ter cross ther llano, but I know ther way. I’m going ter reach Hermosilla in time ter play ther biggest hand ov ther season. A weddin’ thar they say, Hugh!” The desperado laughed savagely in the Coyo- ter’s face. The two men, stalwart fellows and bronze athletes, stood face to face in the dusk; they looked like gladiators about to engage. ‘““T play my game through in spite ov Satan!” Texas Trump went on. ‘‘I don’t begin hyer with ther revolver that might put all Coyote on my track. I don’t want ter be followed just now.” The next moment his clinched hand went up, and before aves J Hugh could prepare for a blow one was dealt full in his face and he was sent staggering back. ‘‘ Silence hyer, thunder when I get ter Her- mosilla!” ejaculated Texas Trump, following up the stroke by throwing himself upon Heavy Hugh who was trying torecover. ‘‘ This is for ther neck-stretchin’ yer gave King.” The boss pard of Camp Coyote was beaten back by the furious blows rained upon him by the Border Rattler, and at last the /lano demon stood over an almost unconscious body. ‘‘Now for a vulture feast,” he said, taking from the saddle-bags thrown across his horse to complete his disguise, a well-coiled lasso; then climbing nimbly into the low-limbed tree, he threw one end over a bough. Dropping lightly to_the ground again, he slip a noose over Heavy Hugh’s head, and then fastened the loose end of the rope to his horse’s girth, so that when the animal moved forward the Coyoter was drawn up into the branches. ‘‘Bucher me all through ther game ef yer win!” ejaculated Texas ‘trum p when he had fastened the lasso in the tree, in such a manner that neither it nor its victim could be seen from the ground. ‘‘Good-by, Heavy Hugh. Rope for rope, neck for neck! This is ther death law ov ther llano!” - He looked back toward Camp Coyote, but saw no one, then climbing upon the horse, which now showed no signs of fatigue, the moment he ke to him he was off, across the wild country that stretches between Hermosilla and the min- ing-camp. | he stars went down the trails of the sky but Texas Trump kept on. He was not bound for the cattle-markets of the Brazos region, but for a scene where he had determined to play his last hand in the desperate game he had begun. He had deceived Heavy Hugh. Why would he not deceive the denizens of the ranch‘ Daylight found him still on the Uano, but near toa group of trees, from which suddenly rode a single horseman, at sight of whom Texas Trump almost drew rein. “Ther whisky seraph ov Coyote war right!” he exclaimed, ‘‘ Thet feller is Silent Sam, ther Mute Comanche.” He could not avoid the Indian who had ridden from among the trees, for the red-skin had al- ready sighted him and was waitirg for him to come up. ‘* Hyer goes!” said Texas Trump dashing for- ward, ‘‘I won’t let thet red chap bother me long. At ther first opportunity Ill throw eight inches ov steel between his shoulders, or beni a bullet whistlin’ among his brains,” Forced to move ahead by the Comanche’s ac- tions, Texas, Trump put on a calm face and pie! te up. ar ello ih he exclaimed as he drew rein beside the red-skin’ who looked out from under his black lashes. ‘* Bound for ther Brazos kentry, eh?” The Indian put his hand to his lips and shook his head. ; ‘Playin’ it yet, ch?’ muttered the sport, “ Blippo said you talked ter him ther night he (ound yer in the rock region. Wal, I don’t give engthing away.” e pair rode on together, ‘¢ Give me half achance!” hissed Texas Trump, eying the red-skin askance with the glances of an eagle. ‘‘ Hang me, ef I don’t b’lieve ye’r’ get- tin’ under my disguise.” ‘‘T know it. Don’t say yer did not, Heavy 13 oo — - The light grew stronger with the rising sun and the two men, red and white, cantere across the level country with the east wind in their faces. More than once the llano sport glanced at the bowie ready for his hand, ‘‘Ef this red suspects as I b’lieve he does, I can’t go ter ther ranch with him,” he said to him- self, ‘‘ Ef he ever talks it will be when my bowie enters his back!” All at once Texas Trump slackened his horse’s gait just the least. The action threw the Indian half a neck ahead, ‘‘ Now!” cried the Wano serpent. ‘I go ter Hermosilla ter play my last card alone !” He jerked his bowie from its nest as he rose in his stirrups. The naked back of the Comanche was a splendid target. Up went the eight-inch blade as Texas Trump’s eyes flashed fire. ‘* Now for a heart-hunt!” he cried, The bowie had started on the downward sweep, when the red-skin whirled, and quick as. a flash his hand caught the llano rattler’s wrist. ‘‘Texas Trump not quick enough for Silent Sam!” laughed the cool Comanche, Texas Trump uttered an oath and tried to break the red-skin’s hold. ‘*Sam know Border Rattler as soon as he see im,” continued the Comanche still holding on. — ‘‘ Him go on to Major Ralph now. Big reward an’ a rope waitin’ at ther ranch.” | Silent Sam leaned forward, and suddenly twisting the Rattler’s arm til] he almost howled for as made him drop the bowie. Then his. revolver was jerked from his belt and flung away. o Come,” said the Comanche, drawing and cocking a revolver, ‘Texas Trump will see Roy an’ ther ranch rose married.” ‘‘Not ef i git a chance ter play a final hand, an’ yell hev ter watch me ef I don’t!” said the | desperado, settling back into his saddle. ‘‘ ve come out first-best with big odds ag’in’ me afore ter-day'” , CHAPTER XV, DESPERATE TO THE END. ForLeD ma the Indian and inwardly cursing his ill-luck, Texas Trump was compelled to ride weaponless over the plain, watched constantly by the keenest pair of eyes that ever gleamed in the head of a human being. The Comanche did not look like a man who had achieved a success in which he rejoiced. More than once he looked at his companion in a half-regretful way, but he never offered him a chance for liberty. The Border Rattler knew that at the first break he would receive a shot that would ter- minate his career. Mile after mile the twain left behind them. Texas Trump longed for one chance—for one Jeap at the red-skin’s throat, but the cherished opportunity was not granted. A brilliant moon, surrounded by myriads of stars hung in the sky when the two rode down upon Hermosilla Ranch. Silent Sam glanced significantly at Texas mp. ‘Oh, yer needn’t look at me in that manner,” muttered the llano rattler. ‘‘I know whar I am. I’ve been hyer afore an’ under better colors than these homely duds. Ride on, my red galoot, Show meter Major Ralph as ye’d show a captive tiger, but don’t give ther tiger @ chance ter display his claws.” The little house which had, for the present, re- placed the pretentious hacienda home, fired by the half-breed’s torch, stood on its gentle rise in the soft moonlight with windows well lighted and lanterns hung here and there on the trees, making a picturesque scone. Texas mp scowled darkly as he rode for- ward. He had not counted on reaching Hermosilla as the prisoner of the keen red hunter then at his side, nor had he dreamed of going there unarm- ed. “Hang me, ef we arn’t gettin’ hyer on ther weddin’ night!” he exclaimed. , ‘* Mebbe so,” said the Indian. ** See hyer,” and Texas Trump leaned sudden- ly forward and Jaid his hand on the Comanche’s arm, hev yer been playin’ dumb all these years? By Jericho! you've played it well, Injun. What made ye do it?” he Comanche turned away and for a mo- ment rode on in silence. ‘“‘ Texas Trump know pretty soon.” ‘‘'T’e]] me now.” “ Sam will, ” | ICO (E