Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 425 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

Texas Trump, the Border Rattler. 9 “It was no stationary object. I've haunted ther llano too long to be fooled,” said Texas Trump. ‘‘ The man that kin trail me must hey ther scent ov a bloodhound. It isn’t ther major. I left him ter King’s mercies. It can’t be ther boy. A hoss’ll be carryin’ his skeleton over ther llano before long.” He was already past Flippo, but tho dwarf caught these words, and a moment later he was gliding after the Border Rattler with the same noiseless tread that had before marked his pro- } rress. Suddenly Texas Trump turned a sharp bend in the way, and Flippo halied. It might not do to go forward too suddenly, and he held back five minutes before he pushed on, ** Gone! I war a fool!” grated the dwarf when he discovered that Texas Trump was not to be found. ‘‘I ought ter be blown ter pieces. Td ive a hundred dollars for a kickin’ machine oy orty-horse power.” The little man was in a rage at himself; he had let the sport of the border give him the slip. Por more than an hour he hunted for the lost trail with no success. In vain did he get down and examine the path in the light of the stars oe sprinkled the firmament once more with mps. re oe I'll hev ter hang up somewhar an’ wait till mornin’,” he said, at last. ‘‘ Fortua- ately, I know something about this place. I’ve been hyer before, but [ don’t pretend ter know it as Texas does. It may hev a thousand hidin’- places an’ I not know one ov ’em. But give me a glimpse ov thet galoot ag’in an’ Ill warrant thet he’ll not escape me.” Flippo turned back and went away in no happy mood. ‘Hello! what war thet?” he suddexly ejacu- lated. ‘‘lt isn’t possible thet Texas has got ahead ov me.” No, Texas Trump was not ahead of the dwarf as he soon discovered, for when he went forwar again he was suddenly seized at the collar and jerked from the ground. Fe Mage som pote hades an’ horns!” exclaimed e astonishe ippo, trying to get a glimpse of the owner of the hand that had patesd hin, “‘[ve been in traps before, but this one has ie quickest spring I ever saw. Who holds me There was no reply, but the dwarf was twirl- ed around until his little eyes, starting almost from their sockets, looked into the face of an Indian on horseback! ‘Silent Sam, by all thet’s holy!” continued Flippo. ‘I guess it’s no use ter beg for mercy from you, for they say ye’ deaf as a post. You kin see, though, thet [ want loose. Jehu! Com- anche, don’t hold me thet way. My neck ain't gutta percha,” Not a muscle of the copper-colored face re- laxed, and the vise-like grip that held Flippo suspended in mid-air did not loosen in the least. ‘* Ef ye’r’ holdin’ me for news, ye’ve got ther gmp thet’ll fetch it out,” the dwarf went on. ‘By Jove! ef ye hed ears, Silent Sam, I could tell yer thet Texas Trump an’ ther ranch rose ar’ among these rocks, thet I’ve stumbled on ther lano serpent, but thet I lost ‘im awhile ago. Did he see a new glitter como into the Mute Comanche’s eyes while he spoke? ‘‘Let me go. I can’t tell yer anything be- cause yer can’t hear,” said Flippo. ‘‘ Hang me, ef I wouldn’t sooner be squeezed in a vise. Ye war born with a grip thet’d crush quartz.” As if the Comanche understood, Flippo was suddenly jerked forward and held to the blanket which the red-skin rode instead of a saddle. ‘*So,” said a voice at his ear, have seen the serpent of the llano?” If the hand of the Comanche had not held Flippo he would have been knocked from the horse by astonishment. ‘‘ Jupiter! when did you get your tongue back?” he cried. ‘‘Hlippo never mind that,” was tho reply. ‘‘ Whar did he lose the llano rattler?” “Tt makes little difference whar. Yow’ve found him now /” exclaimed a voice before Flip- po could 9p With the last word there sare into the rocky trail a desperado of splendid figure, and in each hand that went up was a revolver, “When the tiger hunts his hunters, look out!” the same voice continued and two quick shots followed. Flippo dropped from the Indian’s hands and staggered away, and Silent Sam pitched for- ward on his steed’s neck! CHAPTER X, FLIPPO LOSES A PLAY. ‘*FounnD, but not caught, my daisies, ha, ha!” laughed the man who had delivered the quick and startling shots. ‘* The dwarf ov ther haci- enda is dead enough, an’ I’m not so sart’in that the hoss carried off a corpse.” Texas Trump went forward and found Flippo one of his victims lying across the path, dead enough to all appearances. Silent Sam’s horse had carried him from the scene of surprise, and the /lano sport turned his attention to the dwarf, ‘* 1 don’t miss when I shoot for a bonanza like ther rose ov Hermosvilla,” he ejaculated. ‘‘ How this deformed viper discovered that I war hyer isa mystery to me, but I’m thinkin’ it’s ther costliest diskivery he ever made.” He picked the dwarf up and carried him from the spot nor halted until he stood on the fringe of a chasm. ‘** Ther vultures will find yer, Flippo!” he said raising the dwarf above his head. “I can’t afford ter hey even dead men at large among these rocks,” He was about to cast Flippo from him when a strange cry issued from his throat, and he low- ered the body with curiosity in his eyes. ‘* Not dead, eh?” Texas Trump exclaimed, look- ing into the dwarf’s face, ‘‘Mebbe youkin give me ther opposition lay-out. Come, Flippo, tell mo whar you ran across ther Mute Comanche.” ‘* Not unless ’'m ter hev my liberty,” was the answer. ‘* Nothin’ for nothin’, Texas Trump.” The desperado laughed strangely and advanced again toward the edge of the cliff from which he had stepped at the dwart’s first cry. ‘* Nothin’ for nothin’, hey?” he said. ‘‘ Very well, Flippo; thet suits me tera T. Down yer o ter ther vultures that will come at daylight.” ‘*Hold! I’m not ready ter be served raw for the winged wolves of the llano!” cried Flippo. ‘‘ All right; show sense and talk it.” The dwarf was lowered once more, but was not released, and he saw the cold glittering eyes of the Border Rattler fixed upon him. ‘You war huntin’ me?” said Texas Trump. ‘*'You an’ ther red?” ‘Not together. I didn’t dream ov seein’ thet Injun hyer. I war in his grip before I knew of his presence,” ar he alone?” sé Yes.” “Ov course he didn’t tell yer anything, be- cause—” ‘* By heavens! thet red kin talk,” interrupted Flippo. ‘It nearly took my breath when I heard him talk, He’s no mute,” ‘* He’s piaywe it uncommon fine for years,” said Texas Trump. ‘‘ Why has he done so?” ** You'll have ter ask him,” “Dead men never impart information,” an- swered the sport with a grin. ‘‘ You did not see ’im tumble forward on his animal’s neck when I touched ther trigger.” ‘‘Tf IT hed thet red on my trail I wouldn't be satisfied till I knew he war dead.” ‘‘ What! don’t yer think I’ve finished him?” ‘**T would want ter know.” ‘*Ther dwarf is right,” said Texas Trump to himself. ‘‘I must follow the red-skin. My game will be continually interrupted as long as that Comanche lives. But I must first attend to this serpent.” Then he turned to the captive in his clutches, and said. with a laugh: “Pm goin’ ter gratify yer curiosity, Flip- po. Ishall show you ther face of an old ac- quaintance,” The dwarf tried to keep calm, but betrayed his eagerness by a start. Still clutching him in a manner that preclud- - possbility of escape, Texas Trump started ck, Flippo had spoken in timo to save himself a terrible tumble through space, but a hard fate might yet be in store for him, He believed that Texas Trump intended to conduct him to Inez, yet he could not see the desperado’s motive for doing so. The llano sport carried his captive down the Spe trail that led among the rocks and stop- ped at last in a wild region which imagination could easily people with caves, Plunging into a narrow passage which was dark, Texas Trump halted suddenly and lit a match, He held the little light above his head while he advanced again, and after a while, came to another sudden halt, ‘}'ve fetched you an old acquaintance, Inez,” he said as a young girl came forward with a torch in her hand. ‘‘ Stick your torch in the wall an’ entertain him t*l I come back.” Pippo found Limself in the presence of Major ET Ralph’s ward, the woman he hated and the beautiful creature whose writing he had coun- terfeited with almost direful results, Toxas Trump was already gone, and he stood alone in the presence of Inez, of Hermosilla. ‘Ef I play this thing well, lll thank Texas for havin’ brought me hyer,” he chuckled to himself. ‘‘ I’m not at all hurt, I guess, The bul- let merely grazed my head an’ rendered me senseless for a few moments. It’s ther luckiest shot I ever saw. Thanks, Texas, Through your courtesy, I’ve found the rose of the hacienda. Inez who had already secured the torch in a crevice of the wall was gazing at the dwarf with eyes full of indignation, ‘** Don’t look at an old friend in that way,” said Flippo, advancing a step. ‘I play a in game ter get hyer, an’ all ter help you, nez. ‘*'To help me?—you?” was the response. Why not?” ‘*T would scorn help at your hands. You know how I despise you.” ‘*[’m sorry, but I’m not hyer ter talk about that,” said Flippo, with a wave of the hand. ‘“Efa plank war thrown ter me, a drownin’ man, I wouldn’t ask who threw it, I am hyer for business. You want ter go back ter Hermo- silla, ter ther i yeas ‘Does he live?” cried Inez, Springing upon the dwarf. alive from the flames?” ‘‘From what flames?’ asked the dwarf, as- tonished. ‘*Do you not know? Then you did not come from Hermosilla, Freedom is dear to me, Flip- po, but it cannot be accepted from the hand that offers it.” The dwarf almost recoiled a step. ‘* Here’s a pretty go,” he said. ‘‘ You prefer Texas Trump ter Hermosilla, Allright. Take ee ae ad tee iy pO ‘ . ; e step as if about to de but the next second the girl darted hts her ‘*Did they rescue hand closed on his arm. ‘*T more than suspect you of one of the most dastardly deeds Icanimagine,” she said, ‘‘ The lie Major Ralph found in my boudoir when he came back, emanated from your brain. Don’t deny it. Your countenance already betrays you. This is your 3 dibs for the scar m whip left on your face. Now, do you think I would accept liberty at your hands, viper? Not! I'd sooner dic in Texas mp’s clutches.” “Oh, you’re a stubborn one!” grinned the dwarf. ‘‘Mebbe you'd like to accept freedom from ther dead man playin’ Mazeppa ter-night somewhar on ther dlano.” ‘* What do you mean?” ‘‘Thet rouses yer, eh? Didn’t I see a hoss carryin’ a dead man across ther plains, an’ when I saw ther corpse, didn’t I know thet ther youngster would never see uncle Hugh ov Camp Coyote?” nez uttered a wild cry and dropped Flippo’s arm, ‘Heavens! you do not mean that the dead Mazeppa is Roy Berdan?” she exclaimed, ‘¢ Thet’s about it,” was the answer, Color left the girl’s face; she seemed about to reel and fall. “Ts it your work, Flippo?’ she suddenly cried, ‘Did you send him adrift on the llano in that terrible predicament?” ‘ Ta, 9? ‘* Whose work was it?” ‘T could guess,” laughed the dwarf, ‘¢ Texas Trump’s?” ‘‘Ther Border Rattlor’s,” ‘¢Was he dead?” asked Inez. ‘‘Didn’t I say I saw a corpse tied ter a hoss? Dead? Ov course! Now, won’t yer accept liberty from Flippo? Think ov ther hands thet hold yer. Ther youngster war yer friend, I know. Mebbe I’ve said an’ done things ag’ in’ yer, Inez, which, in cooler moments, ’'m willin’ ter take back. I curse yer whenever I see ther scar yer whip left, but thet doesn’t prevent me {rom helpin’ yer out 0’ this trap. A. short silence followed the dwarf’s appeal. Ho looked into the girl’s face and tried to guess her decision in advance. ‘Not at your hands,” she said firmly, ‘I shall never purchase freedom with coin of that sort.’ ‘“Ye’r’ durned independent!” blurted the dwarf hiseyes glittering like a serpent’s, ‘‘ hope Texas Trump will keep ther nippers on yer an’ make yer a poker-queen in some wild camp till yer hate yerself. Yes, I wrote ther letter ther major found, Itriledhim, ch? Thet war inre- turn for ther whippin’, Inez, “You_hev ter crush Flippo as ye’d crush a snake ter keep him under. With ther major dead an’ Roy Berdan scourin’ ther l7ano like a ghost, Texas Trump Eomicbooks (Ele)