Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 425 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

= Ome ee . <a OO 9 pe er ee ee ee ee = al 14 The red-skin reined in his steed and turned upon the llano sport. ‘Long ago Silent Sam took a vow before the Great Spirit that he would find the man who whipped a young Comanche woman one night in the country of the nation—that, until he was on the whipper’s trail, he would speak no more. He has made many trails, he has hunted the llano with thse patience of tho wolf an’ the eye of theeagle. That woman was the Comanche’s daughter. She was the child of Lean Wolf, an’ Lean Wolf isnow 8S lent Sam!” ** Jehosaphat!” ejaculated Texas Trump. ‘Texas, Silent Sam has found the whipper!” and the Comanche leaned forward and fixed his burning eyes on the llano sport. ‘* Hoe would not speak until he found he had mado no mis- take. He measured the foot-track of the man who whipped Niota; rours. No runnin’ now, Texas, lajor Ralph first. Come!” The hand of the Comanche darted forward and seized Texas Trump’s arm, then, turning toward the hacienda, he spoke quickly to his horse. ‘Mebbe,” laughed the llano sport, under his breath—‘' mebbe, Silent Sam, ye’ve caught a Tartar. We'll see.” Five minutes later the twain passed among the trees that grew before the house, and the Co- manche hailed a man who uttered an exclama- tion at sight of kim. It was Major Ralph, the Texan. ‘¢ Look,” said the Indian, pointing at Texas Trump. ‘‘Sam has fetched you an old friend,” The rancher leaned forward and peered into llano rattler’s face. ‘*Don’t know me?” laughed the desperado, *“‘ Would you know me as Laced Leon or May- erick Mark, eh, major?” ‘* Texas Trump!” cried the Texan. . A guiet smile stole over the sport’s face, he has measured We will see ‘“f “What's goin’ on hyer to-night?’ ho asked, - l@pking coolly about upon the lanterns and the Hehted house, ** & hanging will go on,” said the rancher un- ey der his breath, but he replied aloud: ‘*“You are in time to see Inez married, Texas Trump. Wait! let meintroduce you to a young man whom ig may know.” Major Ralph stepped back a pace. ‘** Roy!” he called. A panarame young man turned and came for- ‘ward, ‘This is the fortunate gentleman,” said Ma- jor Ralph with a laugh as he touched Roy on the shoulder and addressed the Indian’s prison- er. ‘* Don’t you know him, Roy?” Roy Berdan approached and looked up into Texas Trump’s face then looked him over from head to foot. ‘‘ Heavens! I see him now!” he suddenly ex- claimed starting back. ‘‘ He made a Mazeppa out of me once. It is Texas Trump.” In a short time the news seemed every where. ' Men came forward with flashing eyes and looks of vengeance and inveterate hatred, but the massive figure of Silent Sam kept between them and the Texan, It was soon discovered by thenew-comers that the assembled company awaited the arrival of a@ person competent to tie the nuptial knot, The Texas parson lived twenty miles from Hermo- silla, and had been sent for, Texas Trump, now the observed of all obser- be sat stoically in his saddle watched by scores eyes. ‘* Arter ther weddin’ a hangin’, eh?’ he mur- mured. ‘‘I kin see thet in ther eyes ov yer all, ne Pu hey suthin’ ter say when it comes ter thet. Already a black lasso had been inspected by several Texans who glanced at Texas Trump during the i se They forgot that Silent Sam claimed him as his prisoner, and that he ae have something to say in pronouncing his doom, ‘‘Thet parson isn’t comin’,” RS a the rancher’s guests as the minutes crept away. ** Let’s havo ther trial first.” ‘‘No, the wedding first,’ was the answer whenever Major Ralph heard these murmurs, ‘‘T wonder ef ther girl’d know me?” suddenly laughed the llano rattler. ‘‘Ov course she knows I’m hyer, but—” ‘* Girl comin’ now,” interrupted the Comanche, and sure enough the next moment Inez, beauti- ful in her wedding robes, halted before the sport. A gleam of recognition was in her eyes, ‘‘T’m back in time ter see yer married, eh my ranch pink?” exclaimed the Rattler. ‘ hedn’t time ter put on ther weddin’ garment, but I’m byer all ther same.” Texas ‘rump, the Bo ee ee ee ee rder Rattler. . . all , | ‘Tt is your fault,” said Inez. ‘‘You should; He came back no more. not have fallen into the chiet’s hands.” ‘Oh, hang it! a feller never sees half ther traps thet lie around him. ter be Roy, ther youngster who played Mazeppa for me once? Ha! ef ther major an’ Jalisco Jack hedn’t found ’im when they did, thar’d be no waitin’ for ther parson ter-night.” There was no reply, only the eyes of the girl flashed resentment and she moved away. ‘Worth playin’ for, ain’t she?’ murmured Texas Trump following her with hiseyes. ‘‘ by heavens! ef [ wait till ther preacher comes, Vil never get ter play my hand out.” Nobody saw tho resolution that blazed sudden- ly in his black orbs. had parted in front of him; he had a clear path to the Rose of Hermosilla; sho was almost within arm’s reach. It seemed that fate and fortune had united to make sure the desperado’s last play. Suddenly he gave his horse the spurs, and the animal shot forward. , He passed the nearest men like an arrow. A wild cry of horror rent the air, and Inez turned. ‘‘My bonanza yet!” grated Texas Trump, and the next second his hand closing on the girl, lifted her from the ground. It was the work of a second; it seemed to paralyze the spectators. Past the house dashed the llano sport, and toward the llano that ap- ared to begin just beyond it. In an instant 6 was out of sight. e had been watched, but with no avail; the swoop of the Texan eagle had not been anticipated. Roy Berdan ran for the nearest horse, but ere he reached it, Silent Sam flew by. The Comanche was already in pursuit! The horses that were mounted after him were the best in Texas, but the Indian’s steed dis- tanced all. _ Out on'the moonlit level a man was riding for CG, ‘*Tt’s Texas Trump’s last play for ther ranch bonanza!” he said, looking down into the face of the young girl ho held before him on the sad- dle. ‘Ef they hunt me, you will bo flung back ter ’em—dead!” There was no reply other than the flashing of the captive’s eyes. Down upon this determined desperado dashed a half-naked Indian, who sat on his horse like a person born to the saddle. He saw the dark ob- ject flying through the moonlight. Nothing balked the Comanche. He did not en to think that the girl might’ be flung to him ead, On, on! The black steed of the Indian gained steadily on the desperado. Texas Trump looked back and saw it all. ‘“‘Tt’s thet infernal red!” he grated, glancing at Inez, and the next instant he shouted over his shoulder: ‘‘ Keep off, ef yer don’t want ter carry a dead girl back! By the eternal! Texas Trump’s last play will be ther most desperate one of his lifel Keep off!” ri, well might he have shouted against the wind, The watching Indian came on like a thunder- bolt. He saw only the man_ straining every nerve in the gleam of moon and star. All at once Texas Trump lifted the ranch pearl from the saddle; he held her up to the red thun- dering down upon him. The next moment the Comanche came along- side. His hand darted at the Border Rattler; he seemed to lift him from the saddle! ‘‘Thar she is—dead!” hissed Texas Trump, as Inez dropped from his clutches, A riderless horse passed on, for Silent Sam was lowering a man to the ground, and in the Comanche’s left hand gleamed a Texan bowie. No use to take Texas Trump back to the ranch for vengeance; the infuriated red had avenged the whipping of his child and the burn- ing of Hermosilla—all at one blow. Three minutes later a party of excited horse- men came up. They saw the ruffian lying in the grass dead, at the end of his last game, and hailed with a esate the gasps of the girl, choked nearly to eath! The Indian said but one word when he looked down at his work: «66 Niota !? The play had failed, Theswoopof the border so had resulted in his own death. t was late that night when the Texas came, but he came, and the beauty of silla Ranch became Roy Berdan’s bride. Silent Sam looked on until the ceremony was complete, then touched Inez’s hand and rode away. arson ermo- The crowd for a moment | The next news that crossed the llano trom | Camp Coyote would have startled Texas Trump Ther lucky man’s | if he had lived. Heavy Hugh the man he had hanged in a tree had been rescued before life was extinct, and he came to Hermosilla to congratu- late Roy, his nephew. Flippo never tound his way out of the cave into which Texas Trump dropped him, and died miserably in darkness—fit retribution for his sneaking crimes against Inez. Where the old ranch stoodisanew building to-day, and we need not say that it is the home of the rancher’s ward. Major Ralph still lives to give Inez’s children lessons in riding, and to tell them about the llano rattler who, under numerous disguises, played es than one desperate game for their mother’s and. It is all over now, and where he played deepest with his tool the boy half-breed, the deeds and tke name of Texas Trump are almost forgotten. Camp Coyote still exists and Heavy Hugh isa man of prominence there, Jalisco Jack, I need not state, remains Major Ralph’s boss herder, and where the Border Rat- tler died bloom the fairest flowers of the fertile llano, THE END, Half-Dime Singer’s Library 1 WuHoaA, EiacaA! and 59 other Songs, 2 CapTain Curr and 57 other Songs, 8 Toe GarnsBoro’ Hat and 62 other Songs. 4 Jonnny Morean and 60 other Songs. 5 l'un Starke You Wit A Frater and 62 others, 6 Grorcr THE CHARMER and 56 other Songs. ? Tae Bette or Rockaway and 52 other Songs, 8 Youna Fecitan, You’re Too FREsH and 60 others. 9 SHy Youne Grru and 65 other Songs. 10 I'm THe GoverNor’s ONLY Son and 58 other Songs 11 My Faw and 65 other Songs. 12 Comin’ Turo’ Tur Rye and 55 other Songs. 13 Tue Rouiiickine IrRIsHMAN and 59 other Songs, 14 Otp Doa Tray and 62 other Songs, 15 WHoa, CHaruiz and 59 other Songs, 16 IN Tors WHeat By AND By and 62 otner Songs. 17 Nancy Lee and 58 other Songs. 18 I’m THe Boy THat’s Bound TO BLAZE and 57 others, 29 Tur Two OrpHans and 59 other Songs, 10 WHat ARE THE WiLp WAVES Sayina, SIsTer? and 59 other Songs. 91 INDIGNANT PoLLy Woe and 59 other Songs. 2° ‘Tae Otp ARM-CHarR and 58 other Songs. 23 On Conry ISLAND Bracnu and 58 other Songs, 24 OLD Simon, THE Hot-Corn Man and 60 others. 95 I’m rN Love and 56 other Songs, 95 PARADE or THE GuasRps and 56 other Songs. 27 Yo. Heave, Ho! and 60 other Songs. 98 "Twit Nevnr po To Gi iT up So and C0 others, 29 Biur Bonnets Over THE RorpeER and 54 others, 30 Tur Merry LAvGHING Man and 56 other Songs, 31 Swer? Foraxt-mE-Nor and 55 other Songs. 82 LerrLe Basy Mine and 53 other Songs. 83 Du Banso AM DE INSTRUMENT FOR ME and 53 others: 84 Tarry and 50 other Songs. 85 Just ro PLEASE THE Boys and 52 other Songs. 96 SKATING ON ONE IN THE GuTTER and 52 others, 87 KotorEp Kranks and 59 other Songs. 88 Nr, DesPpERANDUM and 53 other Songs. 89 Tue Girt I Lerr Beninp Me and 50 other Songs. 40 °Trs puT A LirrLe Fapep FLower and 50 others 41 Prerry Warinetaia and 60 other Songs. 42 DANCING IN THE Bagn and 63 other Songs, 43 TH. M.S. Prvarors, coMPLETE, and 17 other Songs Sold everywhere by Newsdealers, at five cents per copy, or sent post-paid, to any address, on ree ceipt of Sta cents per number. BEADLE AND ADAMS, PvusBLIsHERs, 98 WiLLiaM STREET, New YORK Eomicbhooks ES se . (E(@) ' Pt ee