Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 442 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

iiss and crack of quirts, the snort and plunge of fright and pain-maddened mustangs, with the loud whoops and signal-yells of the savages and — Twin spurts of flame flashed from the deadly | out from their view. Hence the two traitors the appalled outcries of the bandits—all these | made up one continuous discordant din that was torturing to the ears. But with bated breath, and gazing in horrible anticipation over their shoulders, the outlaws forced their animals through the waters and up | the opposite bank, but three of them being in the stream when the braves dashed through the bushes upon the north bank of the river. These three Mexicans, knowing that their doom was sealed did they remain upon their horses, hurled themselves at once into the river and sunk heneath the surface, just as a score of feathered shafts cut the air and hurtled around and into the heads and necks of the swimming mustangs. These plunged for a moment fran- tically, and then sunk beneath the on-rolling waters. Their riders could not remain long beneath the surface; but, as they had swam with the current, they arose at such a distance as to pre- vent the Indians from obtaining sure shots, and, as the flight of arrows came, the Greasers again sunk. This caused the red-men to urge their beasts along the bank of the river, and thus, by the misfortune of these three members of the band, the remainder of the Greasers were given time to place some distance between themselves and the war-party. As may be presumed, the bandits did not spare horse-flesh, nor did they dare risk them- selves upon the south plain, but kept within the border of the timber for some distance; when suddenly, with an outcry of joy and relief, Bluff Bill rode out from a covert, and holding up little Leon to the view of his confederates, yelled out: ‘*Carajo! Ihave the boy! Now for the old man. Comeon! Curse those red devils; who would have thought of meeting them here? | How many of our brave pards have been shot? But, I see nine are absent. However, some of them may yet turn up like myself; but Pll bet none of them had as tight a squeeze as I’ve come through. ‘‘Hanged if I haven’t played bluff the whole time, and swept the board against the whole gang of red yelpers! and git, t’s head for the ranch, for there the Comanches will point, even if they don’t strike our trail and follow, ‘* We’re in a dangerous posish now, pards, but we'll scrouge through, I reckon. side dead sure, but I thought my last card had been flipped when that red in the front popped upon me, and gave his yelp. ‘* Come on! watch our chance to corral Cap’n Lem.” But we must git up | i Bluff Bill. tubes of his revolvers. oo a 5 tee mae ee — ~—-— + <—- ~ and spies believed that the band they were en- Down went the horse of Bluff Bill, the animal | deavoring to attract toward them were even . rearing in affright just in the nick of time to re- ceive in its brain the bullet which would other- wise have killed the plotting villain upon its back. Surely William La Grange seemed to bear a charmed life, seemed to be specially protected | by the cruel and wicked Fates, as far as his per- sonal safety was concerned. Two Mexicans fell from their frantically- bounding mustangs. Then, before the survivors could act or even think, Bluff Bill lay senseless from a blow delivered by the strange horseman with his revolver, and little Leon, clasped tight | and shielded from shot, was borne from their view—the rescuer «lisappearing in the shades as quickly as he made his appearance. A volley was sent after him, but a taunting laugh came in reply. | ‘“Carajo!” yelled the Greasers. ‘It is Hl Diablo, Big Foot Wallace!” CHAPTER VIII. THE OLD SCOUT ON THE ALERT. It has been mentioned that, at the time Leon and Humpy first perceived the horde of Mexi- cans dashing over the plains toward them, a single horseman was seen toward the east gallop- ing in the direction of the entrance to the big bend. This was none other than Big Foot Wallace, and the keen eyes of the old scout had detected the band of outlaws and also the two youths, The heart of Wallace was tortured greatly by this discovery; for, although such a long dis- tance away, he well knew that his little favorite, _Leon La Grange, and Humpy, who always ac- companied him, were the two who were nearest 'the timber, and also that they were in great Luck is on my | the La Grange ranch was situated, and | peril. Big Foot had seen that the band were Mexi- cans, and he well knew that such a number would not be together unless bent on mischief. He felt assured, as well, that they were a | party of the bandits of Cortina, bent upon some vengeful mission for their chief, and this thought caused him to recall the meeting of himself, Cap- tain Lem, and John Littleton with Juan Cortina, at Helena, and the oath of vengeance the arch- outlaw had sworn against his friend, the ranchero. were headed toward the swell of the bend where 3 ‘hich they could easily reach by crossing the river be- fore nightfall, the old scout became convinced Therefore, as the gang of Greasers | that Cortina was about to strike the long-— There is no time for talk. We'll | threatened blow upon Captain Lem, The belief of Big Foot in this connection was To say that the Mexicans were astounded at | strengthened, when he perceived that the band the appearance of their leader, would be putting it mid : for they had believed beyond doubt that he had been the first man to fall, as he had been in the lead. His escape to them was a mystery, and it was a deeper one still how he had effected the capture of Leon La Grange; thus accom- | lishing a great part of the object of their law- | ss expedition. The faces of the entire swarthy band were stamped with terror, and perfectly ashen; for they feared, more than aught else on earth, the tortures of the Comanches, They had halted their horses when Bluff Bill burst forth from the bushes, and their first thought had been that the Indians were again upon them; their relief was, therefore, great when they beheld their leader, and also to know that he had secured the boy from Bend Ranch—although there was not one among them who did not regret, of course, that he had not been the lucky person to win the re- ward. But the impressive silence that ruled the vicinity of the scene of their recent disastrous | meeting with the red-men was ominous of dan- gers for, even while they were thus halted, the | dians were stealthily making their’ way to- ward them. Consequently, no second order was needed to cause the bandits once more to ply ts and lash quirts; and, on the yellow marauders sped as bet shadows of the outer timber; for the evening was now upon them. But a faint red glow in the west marked the position which the sun had but recently occupied. But, scarce more than twenty rods had the outlaw band proceeded, when like a projectile from a catapult, out from the dark shades shot a horseman, who, with a far-sounding and ter- | | had spurred their horses at headlong rate toward the two youths, who had hastily mounted, and dashed toward the bottom-timber, The giant scout was greatly concerned, and could not at first decide what move to make in aid of hisfriends. He felt sure that the Greasers had not observed him, and that neither had the two boys. His hope was that Leon and Humpy would be able to distance their pursuers, as it was evi- | dent the mustangs of the Mexicans were some- what fagged by an all day’s march, Yet the slightest accident might place the lads in the pene of the outlaws, when possibly both might slain. What, then, was to be done? Big Foot was not one to remain long unde- cided under the most trying and puzzling com- bination of circumstances, and he at once drove spurs; deciding to warn the vaqueros, and or- der them to drive the herds up the bend, and into the corrals, at once, Indeed, he thought it strange that the herders had lingered to such a late hour, having such a distance-to drive; for the herds were within view, and appeared to be standing listlessly at the very entrance to the bend. But the scout soon discovered something which appeared stranger, and in fact suspicious. This was, the two Mexicans, Pablo and Garcia, _ seated upon their horses, just clear of the bend, ore, riding as fast as was possible in the | ' ' | | gazing up the river, and gesticulating energeti- cally; seemingly intent upon attracting the at- tention of the band of Greasers afar up the stream. Big Foot knew that the two herders could not have seen him. He became convinced, also, by their actions, | an’ Pll run in on him afore ther gin’ra | then riding direct to the river intending to cross the same, and hasten to the vicinity of the ranch by a nearer way; but placing themselves in a position more liable to discovery. It was plain, at any rate that Captain Lem had been having in his employ two of the out- laws, and Big Foot resolved that both the crencner gps villains should swing at a rope’s end, It had seemed strange to the scout that the band of Mexicans had given hot chase after Leon and the little darky; for, how could the Greasers have known who these youths were? The pursuit proved that the outlaws were not only aware of the location of the ranch, but that the bend was their objective point. Hither this, or they had recognized Leon as the nephew of Captain La Grange. In either case, they must have had their in- formation from Pedro and Garcia. It could not be otherwise. Thus reasoned the giant scout, and his eyes flashed while his grip upon the breech of his rifle tightened. He swept, with keen eyes, the vicinity of the herd, but could see no sign of Francisco. Where was the remaining vaquero, the only one of the trio who had an honest face, and who had, in many ways hitherto, proved himself a most faithful servant to Captain Lem, and devoted to his employer’s interests? Could it be that his miscreant companions had murdered him, in order to have no trouble in securing the herds, and to have one enemy less at the ranch in case of a fight? It did, indeed, appear so, and Wallace became more and more furious, more and more concern- ed for the safety of his friend’s life and property ; for, well the old scout knew that before help could be summoned from the nearest ranch, the yellow marauders would have ample time to do their worst, and put a safe distance between them and their plunder, and any who might pursue, Big Foot.was soon to be convinced that his conclusions had been but too accurate: for sud- denly, when he was within less than half a mile of the entrance to the bend, be was perceived by Pablo and Garcia, who, with frantic haste, plied spurs and quirts, and sped, as though the fiends were in close pursuit, into the timber So great was the dread that all lawless men, white, red, and yellow, had of the giant scout, and so keen was he in ferreting out crime, that the two rascally Greasers, believing he had dis- covered their perfidy and the intended descent upon the ranch, seeing him galloping toward them, came to the conclusion that they were doomed. They, therefore, sought escape by flight, not daring to risk remaining, and braving the matter out by feigning ignorance or inno- cence, On dashed Big foot, at terrific speed. He had formed his plans, and he knew that he must use great haste in carrying thesame out to a successful issue. He had no intention of pur- suing the two cowardly wretches, feeling posi- tive that he would eventually bring them to justice. | He sped directly toward the herd, and the animals darted for a few moments around in circles, huddling together, and then, with snerts of affright, started on a wild stampede toward the ranch and corrals. This was just what he had intended, and he yelled wildly, to hasten the mares onward by increasing their fright. But, all at once, he drew rein; for, bound hand and foot, and lying prone on the sward, almost beneath the hoofs of his horse, lay the missing herder, Francisco! With an ejaculation of surprise—although more relieved than anything else at finding: the vaquero alive—Big Foot sprung from his beast, cut loose the unfortunate Mexican, and yelled, as he remounted; ‘Run, Francisco! Run like the Old Boy to the ranch, and tell Senor La Grange I’m gone up ther drink arter Leon! Ther yaller skunks o’ Cortina air on ther rampage. “Yer needn’t stop ter palaver. I know who hit war what tied yer up, an’ I'll see that yer ties a rope ’round tha’r pesky necks ’fore soon. Dog gene ‘em! Ther cussed spies o’ perdition! “Skute, Francisco, an’ kerral ther stock! Tell ther ole man ter keep a stiff wpe up cussed- that they were not only well aware of the char- | ness commences; thet is, if I doesn’t git skuped acter of the band that was now approaching, | in outen ther damp.” rible yell that was most fnrious and vengeful in | but that they had been expecting them. Pablo and Garcia had evidently not seen Leon | haste. Then, without waiting for a reply= lhe intonation, dashed directly upon the dumfound- ed and appalled Greasers! | and Humpy, as a swell of the timber shut them The old scout rattled off these words in grea‘ spurred at terrific speed up along the edge of com cbool