Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 442 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

* Leona, for two-thirds o G c _? 4 : ‘ ~ e tt ‘ - i” “s : 7 a, » « ‘tg « va oe a ee eee O_o ooo eilher side, extending at some points near its confluence with the ifrio fully a half-mile from each bank. The slowly moving waters are screened from the sun by the thickly inter- iwined branches, which stretch out on each side, protecting the element that nourished their roots from the evaporating power of the sun, and preventing the pellucid waters from becom- ing insipid and unfit to cool and refresh the parched throats of man and beast. Trees, moss, and vines seem to have formed a fraternal compact to shield in a loving manner the waters of the Leona, as well as most of the smmaler streams of Texas, which may appropri- ately be called the Italy of America. And in no portion of the Lone Star State could a prairie-roamer find more favorable or beautiful camping-grounds, more brilliant or fragrant flowers, more game or fish, or better grazing-grouud for his prized steed, than on the outer borders of the Leona timber, in the natural openings amid the shades, or at some points along the banks clear of the dense under- growth. Glorious summer wilds they are, with their pure air! There one may realize what life is, and how grand and free it is to live that life on the plains, with free circling lasso, trusty rifle, and bounding mustang. Did you break from the timber of the Leona at any point where the stream was of sufficient magnitude to be termed a river, a score or less of years ago, you would, gentle reader, have be- held, as the sun arose, a sight that would render a hunter nearly insane with delight. Deer and antelope, in small herds, could be seen scattered here and there as far as the eye could reach, up and down the stream, and between those | animals and the shades, numberless flocks of wild turkeys. Nor was the air without its feathered beauties, for the whistling quail, the linnct, the soaring lark, the Carolina dove, and the enrapturing mocking bird, besides many other species of the yonges family, flew on every side; while, back in the shades, the fluttering of wings amid the dense foliage betrayed the presence of birds that preferred the bottom-timber to the bright and sunlit prairie, A resident of Texas could tell plainly by the different varieties of vines and cacti that he was not far from the Rio Grande. He would know that he was near the impassable chaparrals of the Bravo from the dense and luxuriant growth which everywhere surrounded him. ° Those who write of chaparrals, north of Red river, know very little of what a chaparral really is. But, within the bottom-timber of the Rio Leona, as has been mentioned, are openings here and there, besides clear spaces entirely free from undergrowth, along the banks of the stream, These oases afforded beautiful camping-places, ' and at night, when the horses are brought in from the outer plain for security, the animals may be tethered, where, during the night, they may crop the wild rye which there grows ric and rank, , This description of the coun to-day, with the exception that the mustangs and much of the game have disappeared, and ranches are more or less thickly located on both sides of the river, all danger from roving bands of Indians or Mexicans being Jong since passed. But, at the time of which we write, war-parties of Comanches often went within a few miles of the city of San Antonio, massacring the people who had established themselves on the Rio Medina, The point to which we shall draw the reader’s attention is some ten miles from the confluence of the Leona with the Frio, where the former stream makes a wide sweep to the northwest, curving around to the eastward. It is about a hundred miles, ina direct line, from this bend due south to Eagle Pass, on the Rio Grande, but from the latter point going north toward the this distance, it is any- thing but a safe section for the traveler. And outside of the dangers to be apprehended from savages and lawless Greasers, there is but little grass and a poor chance to obtain water. However, one who has passed much of his life in the extreme south and southwest, and on the western border of the Lone Star State gets ac- customed to privations, the mere name of which would discourage a stranger. The bend of the Leona river, to which allusion has been made, is quite extensive, the stream taking an abrupt turn to the northwest, as if to join its waters with those of the Frio by the nearest route; then, seeming to have abandoned this idea, and ina wide curve sweeping around and returning to a pvint in line with its previous ee will serve for |- < - * 5 ie . + > 4 eee : ar” » is - ~~ ft ea - . * Ne a, oF Po ; y at tng é “er*'9~ : . . course. And that entire bend is covered with a rich carpet of luxuriant grass, mingled with buffalo clover, and bespangled with flora of every conceivable hue and fragrance. Any one, with an eye to the future, would see fireside. end true affection between that which existed between uncle, Captain Lem strove, by every means in his ittle Leon and his in this a most eligible spot at which to locate, | power, to make his orphan nephew happy, and although quite dangerous, being exposed, not | to banish from the youth’s mind the only to the marauding Comanches, Apaches, and other hostile tribes, but also to the merci- less bandits of Mexico, whose raids were most disastrous to the rancheros on the Nueces, and along the Rio Grande on the American side. Juan Cortina, the bandit king, was even now on the eve of invading Texas, with an army of the most desperate and lawless ladrones and escaped peons and ex-bandits; and he was to prove to the Texans that all past raids into their territory had been mere play—that they had been tame and insignificant in comparison with the devastation and death he would, and did, spread broadcast up and down the Rio Bravo! And the beautiful, but dangerous, point on the border, which we have described, had been at this time pre-empted, or located—a substan- tial dwelling erected, and stock purchased and driven to the range within the bend, by those who will be active characters in our story. CHAPTER II. CAPTAIN LEM. THE land within the big bend of the Leona, so nearly inclosed by the stream and its wide belt of bottom-timber, had been purchased, but a few months previous to the time referred to, by Captain Lemuel La Grange, a man who had been a resident of Texas ever since the war be- tween the United States and Mexico. He had, in fact, participated in that struggle, and in consequence was hated by all the Mexicans who knew of it. ! Previous to removing to the Leona, Captain La Grange had resided on the Nueces, but a short distance from the town of Oakville, where he had quite an extensive ranch; and, upon re- moving, he had driven a portion of his stock of cattle and horses to his new home He was commonly known and addressed as ‘*Cap’n Lem,” and was an out and out Texan in manner, dress, and language, although hav- ing a fair education. oO one, however, to hear him talk, would have believed that the captain had ver seen the inside of a school-house, for he used freely and habitually the slang and clip- pen words of the average Texan of the time. ut, even the best educated people, theré and then, as a rule ignored grammar and correct pronunciation, the style of talk around them having become contagious. Captain Lem was an old bachelor, yet for all that, and in spite of the fact that he was clearly on the western side of fifty, he was of a jovial nature, and was universally likedr He was full six feet in hight, and strongly built, very powerful, and quick immotion when there was need of activity. His hair and beard were long and gray, and his full, round face had avery pleasant expression, except when he was angry. ie. always went attired in the usual Texan style; his coarse breeches, thrust into strong boots, which were never without spurs, and wearing, besides, a blue woolen shirt and wide- brimmed hat. His arms were a huge Colt’s re- volver and bowie-knife, the pistol being one of the first hundred manufactured by the inventor, having been made for the company of rangers commanded by the celebrated Jack Hays. These weapons created a revolution in border war methods, and dumfounded the hostile In- dians, who could not comprehend how a pistol could be fired without reloading. Being a man of nearly two hundred pounds avoirdupois, and forced to be in the saddle much of the time, Lemuel La Grange kept some half- dozen of the strongest and hardiest half-breed horses for his own special use. As ma posed, a man of the old ranchero’s disposition would not care to live alqne; but he had only one companion in his home. This was his nephew, a youth of fifteen, the son of a brother who had fallen a victim to yel- low fever at Corpus Christi. The boy’s mother had also died of that Southern scourge soon after, leaving him, at ten years of age, an orphan. owever, the lad had made his way to his uncle Lem, when the latter bad resided near Oakville, and had been welcomed by him, and treated with every kindness. Indeed, the old soldier never remembered having been so re- oiced and happy as upon the day that Leon La range—or little Leon, as the boy soon came to be generally called—arrived to cheer his life and , ; Dn Oy te, a + . ‘ ‘s Fe ee ea ly eae ee ee one in lef conse- quent upon the loss of his parents. nd he suc- ceeded. Leon La Grange became, within six months, the gayest and most joyous youth on the Rio Nueces. Almost constantly in the saddle, the boy’s rides at the *‘ round-ups ” in the fall of the year, and during the corraling and branding in the spring, when all were accustomed to camp out for some time, were his great delight; and he was never happier than when coursing over the prairies, or dashing recklessly amid the live-oaks upon his fleet pony. Yet the captain did not neglect to teach his nephew, during the evenings when they were at home, and he took care to furnish him with all the useful books that could be obtained, Although small of stature, and somewhat femi- nine in appearance, Leon’s form was symmetri- cal and well-knit, and he was quite strong, and as quick in motion as a flash. He was inclined to be somewhat of a dandy in dress, and, on this account, would have been a subject for ridicule, had he not been so popular. Even the roughest and most careless as to dress and general appearance could overlook the extreme neatness of little Leon, and the richness of his costume, when they saw his remarkable skill with the pistol and the lasso, and his perfect horsemanship, to say nothing of his reckless bravery. The old ranchero was very proud of his nephew, and was never so contented and happy as when in his company. Except this nephew, who had been left well provided for financially, Captain Lem had no other relative. but a rascally and dissipated brother, and he did not even know whether this man was still alive. Indeed, he hoped the con- trary, for the miserable fellow had sworn re- venge on Lem at their last meeting, because he bad been refused a loan of money which he de- manded., ; The ranchero had made his will, bequeathing everything to little Leon, careless as to the ex- istence or non-existence of his brother. Well he knew that should he die, the black sheep of the family, if alive, would infallibly turn. up and hasten toclaim his ee. as next of kin; and, upon ascertaining that be had been defrauded by Leon, would wreak vengeance on the boy, and should he succeed in ae Nam ago out of the way, would thus become heir to both fortunes, which would make the worthless ad- venturer a very wealthy man. And Bill La Grange was cne who would not hesitate to commit murder, when money was to be made by it. This Captain Lem well knew, and it was a cause of great worry and concern to him. Another circumstance which gave the old soldier more or less anxiety, was the fact that a terrible revenge had been sworn upon him, and by the most vindictive and dangerous wretch that Oe oe other that Juan N. Cortina, the outlaw, the ranch of whose mother was not far from the home of Captain Lem. Cortina had escaped from Texas into Mexico to avoid arrest and executicn, and had, it was reported, begun to organize a bandit horde for the purpose of invading the Lone Star State on a plundering and murdering expedition. Since this report had reached the ears of Captain La Grange, the latter had been more apprehensive of danger to himself and property than his locks betrayed; but little Leon knew nothing of the enmity between his uncle and Cortina. : The cause of that enmity will be explained later on. : Nearly every one, not only in the towns but in the ranches between the Rio Grande and be sup- | Nueces, knew Juan Cortina as boy and man— knew him to be most daring, desperate and re- vengeful; one who laughed at the law, and glo- ried in shedding the blood of the detested Tex- anos, who had been the direct means of taking a big slice of territory from Mexico, and the cause of the death of many thousands of his — countrymen. : He-himself had been born in Texas after the Mexican war; but, entertaining intense hatred — toward the Americans who had conquered his country and slain his people, he lost no oppor- tunity of manifesting it. Sheriff of Brownsville, he escaped across the Bravo, leaving fourteen indictments against him for murder, All this Lemuel La Grange well knew, and being thoroughly acquainted with the character ” ” at -" a # a.» es ¢ ne, “ an rs ion Seldom was there known such deep outh and man as » é ~ a & tthe = ” % is -~ =. al! af. » = a + . le, Bevhia shot dead the "“Eomicbooks.c . uf A Aan ¥ ~— pe died ms ¢< » . §*§Je ~~ i a - eo - . — — o tae et xe. yA Pe i ia en: wt e clefes Sh ~% ” nT + > é a >. ~~ oe | ~ $3 "a4 7 < mY * al Kor - + ~ ¥