Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 442 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

i ee eS ee Bluff Bill. 5 His chin and mouth proclaimed great firmness, But there was no time for speculation upon and the glance of his eye indicated fearlessness | the unexpected appearance of strangers, where and bravery. He cut a comical figure, however, especially in the saddle, as the top of his head reached scarcely as high as the mustang’s ears and the only head-covering he wore was a re kerchief around his cranium, The Mexicans looked upon the deformed darky with feelings akin to superstition and dread. The animal Humpy bestrode, though small, was an equine beauty. It was a half-breed, hardy and fleet. That of Leon was larger, and with long, clean and slender limbs. It was a ‘‘pinto,” as the Mexicans call an animal that is diversified in color with spots and splashes. Among the Texans, this is termed a “ paint,” which means the same thing. ‘“ Heigh-ho!” exclaimed little Leon; “this is gay and festive. You wouldn’t catch me live in a cramped-up town again for any consideration. Give me the free life of the prairies every time, How is it with you, Humpy?” ** Golly, Mars’ Leon, Ts jes’ gay when I’s ‘long wid yeou, no odds whar it am—dat’s me fer sho’! But I kinder takes to de bottom, on ’count ob de *possum. Yah! yah!” The white boy joined in the laugh. ‘““That’s the nigger everywhere,” he said. ‘‘But, after all, possum ain’t bad eating—al- most equal to roast pig. Did you see Pablo, Garcia, and Francisco this morning?” ‘Yas; dey done gone down de bend wid de hosses, jes’ "bout daylight, Mars’ Leon.” ‘‘To be sure. I see the herd now. Francisco is always alone, though. He don’t appear to fancy those other fellows.” ‘‘Dat am whar his head’s level, Ireckon. Dis chile done got no use for dem. Dey is allus talk- in’ low ’tween darselves.” ‘*T don’t like the looks of them, either,” said Leon. ‘* However, they can’t run our herd of without leaving a broad plain trail. But, I say, shall we go up or down the river, Humpy?” ‘* Jes’ like you say, Mars’ Leon; but dar’s a heap mo’ game critters up creek,” ‘That settles it. Up we go, and we'll have a prime prairie dinner. You’ve got everything along, 1 suppose? All right! We’ll skirt around to the east, to avoid frightening the herd.” Away the youthful pair rode, passing within a quarter of a mile of the animals; the Greasers doffing their sombreros, in salutation, from a distance. Their ride was a somewhat extensive one. Leon shota fine young buck, just before noon, and also a turkey; and they repaired to the river-bank, where they built a fire, and cooked a meal that would have been enjoyed by an epicure. The afternoon was peu past when, after a siesta, they again took to the plain, shooting an- other buck, just before sunset. Barely had the twain secured the game to their saddles, when Humpy called out, pointing southward: ‘‘ Gor-a’mighty, Mars’ Leon, look dar! Dem Greasers ‘pears pintin’ fer we-’uns mighty art.” ‘‘Great Scott!” burst from the lips of little Leon, in astonishment. ‘‘But what a lot of them there are! Somany of them together must mean mischief. I’m afraid they know us, and intend us harm. ‘Cut loose the venison, Humpy, and mount ina hurry! We must make a short cut across the river, and strike for the ranch at the nearest point. They are bent on capturing us, I see. Come on. ur for life!” So saying, both sped at headlong rate toward the timber. It was little wonder that Leon La Grange thought the cavalcade was after him and his companion. They were now less than a quarter of a mile distant, and some thirty in number; and they plied quirt and spur, doubling the speed of their animals. At that short distance, the boys could see that their pursuers were Mexicans, and they felt no little concern for the safety of the ranch and stock. They were confident that they could themselves escape, for it Was apparent at a glance that the mustangs of the band were con- siderably jaded, as they galloped in a wavering and laborious manner. The animals of little Leon and Humpy, on the contrary, were comparatively fresh, Before dashing into the timber, the youth glanced down the same, and perceived a single horseman, riding rapidly toward the entrance of the bend. This man had evidently come from the direction of the Rio Grande, as had the horde of Greasers. Humpy also saw the lone rider, and both were puzzled as to who he could be. | so few had been seen since locating the ranch. The pair sped along a winding path through the undergrowth to the river, plunged their horses into the stream at once, and forded. They hesi- tated not for an instant, but spurred on for the north plain through the belt of woods ou the op- posite side of the stream, The crossing had greatly decreased the distance between them and their pursuers, as their prog- ress had been necessarily slow through the water, and they heard the crashing of the under- growth on the south bank as the Greasers dash- ed after them. But Leon and Humpy were screened by the bushes before the Mexicans plunged into the stream. It was some consolation to know that the out- laws would lose ground in fording, as they themselves had done. What would Leon La Grange have thougbt, had he known that bis miscreant uncle was leading the Greasers—that his object was to de- liver him into the hands of Cortina, the bandit, who would slay both brother and nephew? Then he, William La Grange, would inherit the for- tunes of both. Little Leon had upon a certain occasion, when the speakers believed him asleep, overheard Captain Lem and Big Foot Wallace talking of Bill La Grange in no complimentary terms; but he had refrained from ever inquiring of his un- cle in regard to their dissipated and reckless relative. But the two lads were now greatly excited by the turn affairs had taken. Never had they been in danger from any hu- man enemies before, and they had no fear of the beasts they so frequently encountered; conse- quently, strange emotions filled their minds, rincipally those of bewilderment and anx- iety, with reference to the safety of the ranch. Not a word spoke they, but pressed on. Not a shout or yell came from the pursuers, and this made the chase seem all the more im- »ressive to Little Leon and his dusky pard; the ig eyes of the latter bulging out in a strange manner, and his head being often jerked around to enable him to cast glances behind him, His young master rode in the lead, the path not per- mitting the two to ride abreast. But they were destined soon to meet with an- other and a most astounding surprise, and be This surprise was a terrible one. They had reached the outer margin of the timber. Leon, with a heavy sigh of relief, spurred Pinto, his horse, free from the undergrowth, but instantly he jerked the animal to its haunches, while from his pale lips came the ejaculation: ‘Great heavens! e are lost, Humpy! We are lost!” ‘Great Gor-a'’mighty !” This was the only utterance of the deformed African, but the words and the intonation of voice expressed much. What was it they saw? A horrible sight, indeed! Some three-score of Comanche braves, in all their horrid paraphernalia of savage war-paint, daubed and befeathered, their lances glittering in the light of the setting sun, their plumes flaunting and quirts flying, as they lashed their half-wild steeds in a course directly toward the pacety aed youths, ang not more than four hun- ed yards distant! CHAPTER VI. IN HIS POWER. Boru little Leon and Humpy knew that their lives depended upon immediate flight, back the way they had come, yet, for a moment, they sat upon their steeds incapable of motion or even thought. Death, behind and before them, it seemed: yet the death by torture was sure in their front, while it was possible that those in the rear might not seek their lives! There appeared, however, but the slightest rendered nearly demoralized by fright. j — hope of escape. None at all at first glance, but | young La Grange was not long in forming a plan for the attempt. He had taken in the entire situation. Could they not dart back into the | timber a short distance, then crash through the | thick undergrowth, leaving the path, and before | either the Mexicans or the Indians reached the | point where they had left it, be a safe distance from both? And would not the Comanches dash into the bottom-timber in pursuit? meeting between Greasers and red-men, and a fight, which would enable them to escape, be- sides lessening the number of the foes, who would doubtless attack the ranch. This would cause a | east obliged to quarter toward the stream, to avoid These thoughts flashed like lightning into the mind of little Leon, and we must concede that, under the circumstances, he displayed a re- markable amount of good sense and strategic talent. Instantly he whirled his horse about and dash- ed into the shades, crying out: ‘*Rollow me, Humpy! Keep close, or you will be killed! We may yet escape, but our lives hang by a hair.” The little negro made noresponse. His tongue seemed to be glued to the roof of his mouth, and he could not articulate a syllable. However, he kept close after his young mas- ter. Strange to relate, the Indians did not send out their whoops of exultation, as was customary with them upon discovering, when on the war- path, whites who seemed to be in their power. These whoops were given more to terrify those whom they wished to capture than aught else, thus rendering them untit for reasoning as to the best and most favorable means of escape. Possibly the silence of the savages was caused, on the present occasion, by their bebolding the elfish-looking negro boy, and their belief that poor Humpy was ‘‘ bad medicine.” But that silence was to prove favorable to them, and prove the death of others who might have escaped, had the fierce cries warned them of the approach of savage foes. Little Leon had not gone more than twent ards when he drove spurs deep, guiding his orse from the path, aa plunging through the network of thorny undergrowth. His strange attendant rode close in the rear, and both lis- tened intently for sounds from the direction of the river, whence they soon heard the Mexicans approaching at full speed. he sound of many hoofs upon the deeply- worn path which, though trampled hard, was moist and yielding, were to be sstaizily heard; as also was the dull tremble of the war-party of Comanches, as they urged their wild-eyed mus- tangs over the sward of the plain and toward the timber. By this time, Leon and Humpy were fifty yards from the path. It was evident that the Greasers had heard nothing of the approach of the war-party, The latter, also, were unaware of the presence of the Mexicans. From the fact that the path was so narrow and winding, only the first riders in the liue, after the red marauders entered the timber, could see each other. Therefore, neither part would be in a position to judge of the staleageti of the other. This ignorance would cause great confusion, but the white outlaws would, without doubt, be confident that the reds were in full force. They could not reasonably think otherwise. Little Leon, though greatly excited, thought of all this. Humpy was completely dazed. Soon they halted, and listened intently. They were wasting time, for they could have insured their escape by plunging on down thé river, assured that the attention of both parties of their deadly foes would be drawn, and held to each other for some time; yet, for their lives, they could not speed on. A strange, but most intense and deep influ- ence seemed to chain them to the spot. Not long had the youth thus to wait. Out shot a single war-whoop, most fierce and startling, quickly followed by the war-cries of Indians, who interpreted the signal whoop, and knew by it that the advance brave of their party had discovered others than the youthful mounted pair, then there came yells of amaze- ment and terror from the astounded Mexican scattering shots, and a terrific crashing an plunging of snorting mustangs through the dense chaparral. For a few moments, the fugitive youths listen- ed in great excitement, mingled with dread, to the Babel of sounds; then, becoming aware that the Indians had separated, and were dashing to- ward the river by other paths to intercept the Greasers—which movement greatly endangered their own safety—both Leon and Humpy drove spurs home, and, with pricked ears and snorts of affright, their ponies bounded through the bush es, in a course parallel with the river. Both youths knew that they had, by halting, greatly endangered their safety; for, the sounds _made by the Comanches proved that the latter i } were approaching the very point at which they had paused. Indeed, some of the red-men were east of them, and the two youngsters were the red foe, ; Meanwhile the din was terrific, the plungim into the river being distinctly heard by JNA bool C m