Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 442 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

12 war-party, with the exception of the guards, had been attracted by the firing of the bandits at the ranch, and had hastened in that direc- tion. Then the glances of the pair fell upon the bound forms of Big Foot Wallace and little Leon, on the west side of the open. At once, Humpy decided as to the proper manner of action, and also that they must go about it forthwith. He held a brief and whis- ie consultation with Francisco, explaining 1is plan. They would be obliged to act upon it before the dance ended, or their mission might prove fruitless; and only death be the consequence to themselves and the captives. What the boy proposed was, to make a cir- cuit amid the undergrowth to the west side of the camp, craw! cautiously to the captives, and cut them free; then, with revolver ready, he would yive a silent signal to Francisco, who would open fire upon the Indians from his covert, while Humpy shot down those who rushed toward him and the captives. This seemed not only the best scheme that could be put in operation, but it appeared easy of performance; and Francisco urged the negro boy to hasten in carrying out his portion of the game, The dwarf stole quickly and silently on his mission, The Indians still kept up their spasmodic hop and bound, whirling at times with brandished weapons, in mock battle. Big Foot and Leon had long lain silent; the latter having no hope whatever, and thinking only of his poor uncle at the ranch, with none to stand by im in the defense of his home ex- cept, possibly, the faithful Francisco. The old scout was in no enviable frame of mind, as may be supposed; for he well knew that his life and that of the youth hung bya frail hair—that the savages, upon returning from Bend Ranch, would torture them both! Thus situated, and entertaining such thoughts, the reader can but faintly imagine the emotions of the two captives, when they beheld the de- formed body of Humpy crouching over them, and felt their bonds part beneath his keen knife. But there was no time for words, and the negro boy at once sprung erect, giving a quick and pe- culiar gesture. The liberated scout and youth sprung to a sitting posture, shooting glances at the dancing Indians, and then at the uncouth figure before them. The little darky was actually hideous in his fury, as he leveled his revolver. He gave the signal agreed upon. The next moment, the spiteful crack of the herder’s revolver sounded on the air, followed by a wild death-yell from one of the red-men. Another, and another shot, indeed a fusilade, followed; as the savages rushed in fright and terror, from the edge of the timber toward the middle of the camp. The firing came from two points—from Humpy and Francisco—until the last of the Comanche guard fell writhing in death. Then, with a wild whoop, Big Foot Wallace sprung to his feet, and seized the hand of his dusky deliverer, as he yelled: “Rah! ’Rah! ’Rah! *Rah fer Humpy, ther whitest little nig in Texas!” Then, as Francisco stepped forward: ‘‘Rah fer ther whitest Mex’ in ’Meriker! Whooper-de-whoop! What did I tell yer, Leon? Didn’t I bid yer keep a stiff upper lip, an’ tell yer hit would be a long time afore mornin’?” Little Leon could not speak his gratitude. As before, he had but one thought. ‘*My uncle—do not tell me that they have slain him!” ‘* Senor Lemuello is near, and well, but for his great anxiety,” replied the vaquero. Then, pointing to the two Mexicans, ncw dead, he continued: ‘* Senor Lem was with us, he saw these, thought they were his friend and his nephew, and he fainted.” Then all the circumstances connected with the raid upon the ranch by the Greasers, the aban- donment of the same, and the search for the captives, was told the scout and Leon, in as few words as possible. This done, they hastened to the side of Captain La Grange, the little darky going ahead, and ywnbinding his master, who was still unconscious. Water was procured, and the old ranchero was soon partially revived. He was dazed and bewildered, his brain having been soshocked that it was some time before he fully realized that he saw before him the two whom he had never again expected to meet in this life. ilis joy knew no bounds. He cared not if the ranch was destroyed, and | : Bluff Bill. his horses and cattle stolen, as long as his idol- ized boy was spared and restored to him. But there was little time to indulge in senti- ment, explanation, or talk of any kind, except that which bore on the business in hand; for our friends determined to destroy all the erty of the red-skins, and they knew that the war-party was liable to return at any time. Saddles, blankets, and provisions were piled tangs that had been left in the camp, except such as they required, were cut loose and stam- peded. Big Foot was bent upon gathering his ‘‘ crop of ha’r.” In other words, he scalped the slain Indians. All was now ready for departure. The old scout was so fortunate as to find his revolvers and belt, concealed in a roll of blank- ets, and Leon’s‘us well; consequently, the little party was increased to five. They then sped from the camp, crossed the river, passed on to the south plain, and galloped along the border of the timber toward the entrance of the big bend—perhaps, also, toward the same death, which they had several times evaded only by a ** scratch.” CHAPTER XIV. MISFORTUNES COME NOT SINGLY. AFTER the escape of Big Foot Wallace, with the unconscious form of little Leon in his arms, the gang of Greasers broke out in ejaculations of vexation and profanity. ‘** Carajo '” ‘* Santa Maria !” ‘* Hl diablo, Big Foot Wallace!” Such were the outcries on all sides. Two of their number oF mortally wounded. They had lost nine in the conflict with the Comanches, and but nine now remained; their leader, who might also be dead, making but half a score in all, The bandits were infuri- ated, and also greatly terrified and demoralized ; for they had reason to believe that the Indians were on their trail. Consequently, Bluff Bill was at once thrown across the saddle in front of one of his men, and the remnant of the band dashed away, leaving their two dying comrades, There being no one competent to command, should they be attacked, their anxiety was very great; but Bluff Bill was a hard man to kill, and soon after they had started, his curses were heard, not loud but deep. A halt was then made, and he was assisted to a natural position. After taking a long swallow from a ask of mescal which was handed him, he pmo around upon his swarthy followers, and asked: * Where is that boy, and the man who struck me? ‘‘The man was Big Foot Wallace, Capitan Bill, and he took the young senor away,” an- swered one of the band. ‘* Why didn’t you shoot the cuss?” ‘‘We all fired,” returned the same bandit, ‘‘but he escaped. He is one diablo. He shot Pedro and Pernales, Both are dying, or dead.” ‘* Then we are but ten?” ‘‘ Weare twelve, Capitan Bill!” was shouted from the dark shades; and out burst Pablo and Garcia, the two spies from Bend Ranch. ‘* Viva !” burst from the band, in chorus. ‘‘ Good boys!” said Bluff Bill. ‘* You come in the nick of time. What news from the bend?” The two traitors had only to report the ar- rival at the ranch, as they supposed, of the old scout, but alone. This relieved greatly the outlaws, for they had feared he had a force with him. ‘‘There are none except Senor Lem and Francisco at the ranch,” asserted Pablo; ‘and we can kill them, and drive away the horses, before the Comanches discover the ‘sign’ that will betray the locate of the casa and corrals, which will not be before morning.” ‘“You’re right,” replied their leader; ‘‘ but we don’t want to kill Captain Lem. He is Cortina’s meat, and besides I don’t fancy dis- pee my own brother. Curses on that Big oot Wallace! Had it not been for him, we would have the youngster, and then we would have had the game in our own hands, But Pll not go back until I’ve accomplished my object.” ‘* Vamonos! We'll drive all the stock away. If you have lost your comrades, at least it dou- bles your winnings.” ‘‘ Where’s the black devil?” inquired Pablo. ‘‘T split his head when I captured Leon,” re- plied Bluff Bill. ‘But are you sure he’s dead, capitan? His skull is hard to split.” prop- in a heap, and the same set on fire; and the mus- | | ‘‘ Don’t fret about him; I laid him out cold. The Comanches will have to nose around until morning, and by that time we shall have got in our work. Loads of doubloons for all who recross the Grande with Bluff Bill; but, remem- ber we go not without Captain Lem and Leon. Vamonos !” ‘* Viva el capitan! Viva Cortina! Viva Mexico!” 0 eee SSS | | | NO SS SS eee | — — | The outlaws drove spurs, dashed out free from the timber, and sped down-stream toward the big bend, anticipating an easy victory in every- thing except the recapture of Leon, which ap- peared as yet difficult. However, Bluff Bill reasoned that, owing to the presence of the Indians, Big Foot would proceed with ‘the youth to the bend, and then fall easily and naturally into their hands; for he intended to capture the ranch, and station a spy to watch the west plain for the approach of the giant scout. Pablo and Garcia rode, one on each side of Captain Bill, communicating to him all that they knew of the state of affairs at Bend Ranch. But for the arrival of Big Foot, the spies ex- plained that they would have driven the herds up the river and out upon the plain, under cover of the darkness. Bluff Bill cursed the Indians and the old scout, but swore he would not be balked by either of them. On the swarthy horde galloped, turning into and up the bend toward the ranch, their horses covered with fcam and panting laboriously. This worried the Mexicans, for they saw that, should they be pursued by the Comanches, they could not escape by flight. Their captain ban- ished their fears, however, by promising them fresh mounts within the ‘hour; as they could choose animals from the corrals that would bear them with ease to Mexico beyond the possibility of being overtaken. Soon they reached the timber, and stealing si- lently through the same, beheld the corrals fill- ed with hardy horses and mules in good trim, Here, secure from view, the bandits dismount- ed, and reconnoitered the ranch. The next moment Bluff Bill uttered an cath of fury, for his eye had lighted upon Humpy, the negro boy, whcm he believed slain by his own hand. The little darky was crawling to- ward the dwelling which, as he had expected, was tightly closed. Knowing how superstitious his followers were, Bill did not report to them the presence of the deformed youth. However, they saw him as he sprung into the door of the dwelling. The order was given to fire, but it came too late to kill Humpy. The reader already knows how Captain Lem and Francisco, retreating by the rear exit, reached the woods in safety, accompanied by the dwarf. But before the dwelling was deserted one of the perfidious spies was struck by a bullet and another outlaw had an arm broked from the fusilade fired by Francisco before the escape was effected. The bandits remained behind the trees for some time, greatly infuriated atthe fix in which they found themselves, for they feared to expose themselves after losing so many of their number. Bluff Bill was on nettles, for he dared not risk his men either in an advance or a retreat. His cowardly nature caused him to tremble at the pe ee sound. he silence, so deep and impressive, filled the superstitious Mexicans with dread and forebod- ings, and their leader felt that some move must be made, or all would be lost. He dispatched one of the band across the river, to watch the plain, and report if any one approached from up the river. Then he got the outlaws together by a signal, and ordered fresh horses to be lassoed from the corrals, and equipped. This move gave, as he intended, the Greasers more confidence. After this a volley was fired at the cabin, and a demand made upon the occupants to surrender, but silence reigned. This maddened the miscreant yet more, and he gave orders that some of his men should break in the door, the others shooting through the loop-holes at the same time. It was no easy matter to get the bandits to obey this order, but they at length agreed, An improvised battering-ram was brought to bear upon the door, at the same moment that a volley of bullets struck the log walls. Not a sound came from within. Not a human being was to be seen. The Mexicans were now more alarmed than ever. They thought it strange that no shot had been fired from the dwelling since the first rapid volley when they arrived. Bluff Bill began to suspect that possibly his intended victims had co choo =