Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 425 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

; _. lassoed when I suspected no danger. , + A: ew SS A Texas Trump, the Border Ratt . ee ae — Texas Trump, coming up and looking into the youth’s face as if he did not fear recognition. ‘Such things ar’common in this kentry. Don’t go inter spasms over a little incident like this, my Austin pink.” ‘Who ar’ you—not my mute companion?” ** Not by a yardortwo! Do I look like a boy?” And Texas Trump laughed again. ‘Why this lasso?” demanded Roy, his bright eyes flashing. ‘* Wait awhile an’ see,” was the answer. ‘‘ You forget that we ar’ on every man’s ground. This is ther Llano ELstacado—a fightin’ field for all. Who am I, eh? It would hardly do ter tell you wuo I have been within ther last ten hours, but now I’m a free lance what kin play a game thet would astonishall Texas. Come! we move along, Mr. Berdan.” ‘You know me!” exclaimed the astonished youth. ‘* Bet yer boots, an’ I could tell you whar you *’ goin’ ef I war a mind ter.” ‘‘ Heavens! then you know—” ‘*Thet Heavy Hugh waits for his nephew?— yes I know thet,” was the interruption. ‘“ I’m afraid, Roy, thet you hed better hev remained in the South. This is a bad kentry for boys who hunt their relatives alone.” Roy Berdan, astonished, looked into the speak- er’s face. ‘You are not my uncle’s enemy, are you?” he ked. ‘** Not his, but yours, maybe.” The youth could not repress a cry of astonish- ment, This cool man with the glittering eyes his foe? Then he was in danger. Texas Trump suddenly caught the bridle-rein the young man’s horse, and the two steeds walked on side by side. ‘*[T demand to know what this means!” cried Roy. *‘I am in your hands because I have been You have either, killed my companion or else he is your hee tool. Tell me what all this means. I demand ‘Oh, ’'m Texas Trump, ther Border Rattler an’ I’m playin one ov ther slickest games ever played on the llano !” laughed the desperado. “It is against me, then?” “Not so much as it is for another,” was the answer. ‘‘I’d be a fool ter let yer get ter Camp Coyote an’ ter Heavy Hugh, yer uncle. Ye’r’ ter be kept from him forever, Roy, my Austin ink, an’ from Hermosilla Ranch till Gabriel oots his bugle.” ** All of which means that I am to die on the llano?” said the youth calmly. ‘‘ Thet’s about ther heft of it!” was the reply, spoken in triumphant but cold and merciless tones. ‘*‘ I’m goin’ ter Camp Coyote, but mebbe I beh ive eavy Hugh ther particulars,” evil! ‘* Yes, thet’s what I’ve been called a thousand times,” was the retort. ‘‘ Whar I’m best known Iam called Texas Trump, ther Border Rattler. Thar’s a queer society in Camp Coyote, but you'll never git introduced ter it, because I’ve interfered. I’m goin’ ter toss yer out ov my way.” ‘* How can I be in it?” ‘*You stan’ between Texas Trump an’ ther Caisiest bonanza thet ever existed. Tes not in l.iles an’ horns, my blushin’ flower-bed; it’s not in hoofs and acres. I wouldn’t play fer nonsense like thet. My bonanza wears dresses.” Roy Berdan recoiled with a startling cry. A name leaped over his lips. ‘** Inez!” he exclaimed. Texas Trump’s hand tightened on the bridle- rein, his eyes glittered anew. ‘, o says thet my bonanza ain’t ther big- gest an’ richest out o’ doors?’ he laughed. ‘I play no boy’s game for it, Roy, an’ I tell ye so plainly because I hold ther winnin’ cards.” ‘But I am not in your path.” ‘“‘['m no fool! 1 kin see what’d come ov yer stayin’ a week under the eyes ov ther ranch Cleopatra,” cried Texas Trump. ‘A thistle cut off in the bud will never sting any one. When you trample a young rattler under yer foot, you never hear a hiss. Oh, I’m no tenderfoot, Roy.” By this time the two men had left the canyon, . and their horses stood on the plain in the bril- liant starlight side by side. ‘“Take yer choice,” suddenly said Texas Trump. ‘‘I am goin’ ter leave you hyer. Knife or revolver, Roy; or would Sap sooner be dragged ter death behind my hoss?” It was a terrible aiternative, but the young man did not blanch. **T amin your power. I will make no choice of deaths,” he said. ‘‘ For this deed there will come some time a day cf vengeance,” + ee a ‘* Revenge hez been huntin’ me in a dozen shapes for as many years, but Pm hyer yet in first class condition,” laughed the desperado, as he quietly drew a revolver, and Roy Berdan heard an ominous click in the starlight. All at once the two horses pricked up their ets and the young Texan could not repress a start, ‘*Never mind—it is my pard,” said Texas Trump looking at Roy. “Ther hoss that’s comin’ up carries my tool, an’ yer guide—ther a ha ift-breed. har’s no hope in thet quar- r, Roy. The deebaraih sport straightened as he finished and leveled the revolver at the youth’s breast. ‘* When I count five,” he said, ‘‘I touch the trigger. One—two—three—” The next moment the horse came up and halt- ed between the pair. ‘* Jehosaphat! hades an’ horns!” cried Texas Trump recoiling. ‘‘I war lookin’ for Satan first!” Well might he reel and stare; the person who had come between was the Mute Comanche! CHAPTER IV. FACING FLIPPO’S LIE. Roy BERDAN the late guest of Hermosilla Ranch was as much astonished as Texas Trump, but his astonishment was of a different sort. The interference which had prolonged his life was timely and startling, but it was apparent that the last man wanted or expected by the Border Rattler, had come up. The Mute Comanche looked at the two men, but his glittering eyes became fixed on Texas Trump. ‘Hang it all! I’m not goin’ ter let ther silent Injun cheat me out 0’ ther bonanzer!” suddenly grated the sport. ‘‘See hyer, reddy; you go back. This is no game ov yours,” The sole reply was the sudden tiger-like lea of a red hand, and Texas Trump felt four vel- vety fingers encircle his wrist.. The Indian leaned forward until his face almost touched the Llano desperado’s; then, lifting the other hand, he pointed westward. ‘“‘'Thet means ‘go away’, eh?” grated Texas Trump. The Comanche’s eyes said, ‘ Yes’! For several seconds the outstretched arm did not move, and the mute Indian glared at the sport in a manner which told that he was not there to be trifled with. ‘* Mebbe,” muttered Texas Trump, ‘‘mebbe [ had better go, an’ play a new game. This in- fernal Injun ain’t ter be fooled with; but who war lookin’ for ’im hyer? He’s only balked my game for a while. He nor no other livin’ mor- tal kin block it forever. You've got me, an’ I ve in,” to the Comanche; ‘‘ but, remember het this meddlin’ with my business will be re- membered an’ attended to afore long!” He touched his horse lightly as he concluded, and when the animal moved off, the llano sport found the dumb red-skin riding at his side. Re Berdan sat spellbound in hissaddle, ‘*That strange Indian will come back,” he said to himself. ‘‘I owe my life to him, and I will wait here to tell him so.’ He saw Texas Trump and his watcher disa pear, but he did not see the Mute Comanche point again into the west while he told the llano rattler with his merciless eyes that it would be dangerous to follow him. ‘* Time makes all things even,” ground Texas Trump. ‘‘ Knife, lasso an’ revolver settle many a human debt. Til not forget you, my red daisy ov Texas,” and with a look that seemed capable of killing, he gathered up the reins and dashed out of the Indian’s sight. Silent Sam came back to Roy before he looked for him, and he started when he saw the red- skin’s eyesriveted upon him. The next instant he put forth his hand and wi it into the Comanche’s palm. ‘* Be this my pledge of eternal friendship,” he said, forgetting that Texas Trump had called the Indian a mute. ‘I owe you a debt which 1 can never pay, but forever call Roy Berdan your friend. ith that white villain out of my way, [ will continue my journey to Camp Coy- ote. The Indian’s hand when released dropped to his steed’s neck, and a moment later the twain were riding across the llano. ‘“‘lam to have a companion and a guide,” ejaculated the young man. ‘‘ Warned of foes by his interference, 1am now doubly armed, and woe to Texas Trump and his friends who at- tempt a desperate game!” ore than once sec Berdan glanced at the stalwart and silent ally who r The Indian had come from toward Hermosilla ’ ler, e at his side. . ————— Ranch. Had Inez sent him? Had she impress- ed the Comanche with the belief that her friend was in danger? If she had done this, the young traveler had to thank the Rose of Hermosilla. As for Texas Trump, he rode a short distance westward and then drew rein with a mad ejacu- lation. ‘*Let ’em go ter Coyote!” he exclaimed. ‘* Ther youngster will find his relative thar, but thet won’t eucher me in the end. Ef Texas Trump ain’t a match for all combinations, he’ll leave his old stampin’-ground. I’m goin’ back. I’m goin’ ter put on ther lace once more.” He turned his horse about, and instead of fol- lowing the youth and his Indian pard, rode to- ward Hermosilla Ranch, then miles away. In a certain canyon several miles from the scene of his discomfiture by Silent Sam, he found a cavern whose whereabouts he seemed to know, and there, with some garments which he took from a natural shelf, he turned himself into Laced Leon so completely that the identity of Texas Trump was entirely lost. ‘*Oh! I'm ther daisy rattler ov these parts!” he laughed as he walked back to his horse. ‘*T’m a galoot ov many disguises, none of which hev ever been penetrated, an’ Texas Trump ov one place is never Texas Trump ov another. Beat me at cool games, will yer? Eucher Satan ef yer kin!” ut on the boundless llano once more, with the east wind in his face and cunning in his eyes, rode the Border Rattler, with his steed moving toward Major Ralph’s ranch. All at once he halted as if an enemy had risen before him. | ‘*A hoss an’ his rider!” he exclaimed, and then he leaned forward with an expression of keen curiosity. He did not have to wait long, for the objects he had mentioned were speedily evolved from the starlight, and Texas Trump caught a bridle- rein and stopped a horse, while a cry of aston- ishment greeted him. ‘*My dear child, aren’t you lost?’ he asked, looking into the face of the young girl whom he had halted. ‘‘ The llanois a dangerous place for the Rose of Hermosilla. Aha! you know me! I called at sundown ter see Major Ralph. We will go back now. Let Laced Leon hev ther honor ov bein’ yer escort.” Inez seemed too surprised to let slip a single word in remonstrance, She could look into the man’s face, and won- der if he had not risen from the earth to con- front her there, and prevent her from carrying out her design of joining Roy. What! go back to the ranch without accom- plishing her purpose? The girl drew back with a gesture of refusal. ‘T am not lost,” she said. ‘‘I know where I am going. You will let me go on.” ‘¢ Across ther plains?” ‘* Perhaps.” “T can’t do that,” said Texas Trump. ‘“‘I beg yer pardon, Inez my ranch flower, but_my rye is ter take yer back ter Hermosilla. What ef ther major should come back, an’ find yer missin’? It might unbalance him. No, back ter ther ranch!” He turned the girl’s horse about, with but slight remonstrance on her part. ‘What brought yer out hyer?” he asked. ‘*My friend—the guest whom you saw with me when you called at the ranch,” was the re- ly. ‘A letter came for him shortly after you t. It hurried him across the llano—to Camp Coyote. He had a dumb boy, the messenger, for his protector and outa that was all.” ¥ 8 you war goin’ ter strengthen his escor ?” es, ‘* Never fear about thet youngster,” laughed the desperado. ‘‘ He’s got more help than thet boy by this time. Two persons pared me awhile back—a white man an’ a big Injun.” ‘* The Monte Comanche! thank Heaven!” ejac- wlated Inez. ‘‘He is safe then. I know that silent red-man. He is a host in himself. AU the dangers of the Estacado can not prevent him from seeing Roy safe to Camp Coyote. Now I am willing to g° back to the hacienda.” The man who now called himself Laced Leon smiled, and Sropping the rein he had held up to that moment, rode leisurely at the girl’s side. ‘‘Who is this friend ov yers?” he suddenly asked. ‘* Roy Berdan.” ‘* From ther South?” ‘*From Austin.” ‘*'You’ve known him for some time, eh?” ‘*For a week only,” said Inez, witha smile. ‘‘T never saw him before he came to Hermosilla on his road to Camp Coyote. He had letters of som Ebooks.com