Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 442 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

Not only did these reasons influence the old scout, but he wished to reach the water without delay, in order that he might bathe Leon’s head, and, when the boy had revived, gain from him all the information that he might have to ive. : Big Foot was no little concerned, as well, in regard to the fate of Humpy, fearing that the poor deformed negro lad had been killed. He therefore hastened at once to the bank of the river, into which he urged his horse and forded, confident that the opposite side was sure and safe. He then lowered Leon to the ground, dis- mounted, and taking the youth in his arms, stepped to the edge of the water and began casting the cool liquid over the little fellow’s face and head. So solicitous, concerned, and pained was the great-hearted Wallace, when gazing upon the allid features of Leon La Grange, that he was ess on the alert, less watchful than usual. This was soon proven, when several Comanche braves came bounding from the undergrowth upon him before he could relinquish his hold upon little Leon and draw a weapon, The scout was, although a giant in size and strength, overpowered and bound, as was Leon. Then the bottom-timber resounded with whoops of victory and triumph again and again; for the savages had in their power their most dreaded enemy, the skillful and noted scout, Big Foot Wallace! CHAPTER X. BRINGING IN THE NEWS. Humpy the Hunchback lay senseless and bleeding in the bed of the wash-out, where he had been felled from his horse by the murderous blow of Bluff Bill. Fora long time, indeed, he appeared to have been killed, for not a groan escaped him, and his deformed body lay still and silent as a corpse. The beautiful mustang of little Leon had started in a fright up the gully, and into the timber; but the pony of Humpy had galloped down the wasn-out to the river, where it stood, quivering in every limb, gazing out over the waters; for through the river was the only escape, except by returning to the spot where the animal had been so terrified, as the sides of the immense ditch were steep and high—in fact, insurmountable. Eventually, however, the little negro rolled from side to side, and sighed heavily. Then he arose to a sitting posture, and, with wildly-staring eyes, gazed up and down the grim and silent, and now fast-darkening natural ex- cavation. It would have been evident to any observer that Humpy was in a dazed state, and unable to comprehend his condition. He could not even recall the near past. But he remained not long thus. Like a flash of light, the boy again beheld the scene he had last witnessed. He saw the hideous face of the strange horse- man, who, with uplifted revolver, urged his steed upon him. , The black boy knew that he had received a ter- rible blow, and he felt confident that his young master had come to harm through the same source. Who their assailant was, Humpy had no idea. One thing only, had been most plainly proved. He was a murderous and dangerous enemy. Where, now, was Leon? Who was the ruffian, in color and dress like a Mexican, but whose features were American? And where were the horses? Why, indeed, had he been stricken at all? He had no money or valuables, But then, neither had Leon. Was this man, who had assaulted him, the leader of the Greaser band that had chased him and his young master? And why had they pur- sued two boys, from whom they could expect no booty, except perhaps their arms and the ponies? Such were the thoughts of the poor little be- wildered dwarf. Then he sprung to his feet, and, knowing the river was near, staggered down the wash-out, where, to his great joy he discovered his mus- tang. The animal recognized its master, and trotted to his side as if rejoiced to see him, The boy patted the beast’s mnzzle, and then stoop- ing, bathed his bruised head, and washed the blood from his face. Humpy then braced himself, and resolved to seek his young master. Although small and deformed, the black boy was of great strength, and as quick of move- ment as a monkey. He found his knife and re- volver in his belt, undisturbed. This surprised him for itshowed clearly that plunder had not cc LL black boy, he saw three of the Mexicans, who had been the prime cause of the misfortunes of Leon and himself; and he witnessed, without much pity, the slaying of the worthless trio. ners, and customs of the savages, and knew that, from the fact that the Comanches did not give utterance to victorious whoops, they must be in- tending to search for other victims, whom they were desirous not to alarm. Judging thus, he reasoned, that should Leon fall into their hands, he would even then in the power of the Mexicans—as he had every reason to believe—he was liable to be taken by the reds, and tortured to death! dwarf to decide that the Indians, being on the opposite side of the stream, the bandits must be on the same side with himself; therefore he must proceed up the wash-out and carefully in- spect the timber. sprung nimbly into his saddle, and rode rapic ly up the excavation until he reached its ter- minus, which was in the midst of the bottom- timber. great danger, besides working at a disadvan- tage in his search for Leon, by pursuing his course mounted, he alighted, secured his steed to a limb, and darted toward the open south plain. the outlaw Mexicans were not speeding away on the back trail with their captive. timber, the boy halted, for he detected the approach of horsemen. must be the remnant of the band, who had been pursuing himself and his young master. Humpy to decide that he had been correct in his conclusions; for the Greasers passed suflicient- ] their character and identity. ever, greatly disappointed; for he could see nothing of little expected. who had knocked him from his horse was not with those who rode the saddle, was little life. where not thus sained, was pale as death, tensity of his Wallace, who dashed out from the thicket, and, in a moment’s time, shot two of the band dead, felled their leader to the ground, and sped away, | bearing Leon bounds. : had, in the nick of time, taken a hand in the tragic doings of the evening. Bluff Bill. been the motive of the ruffianly stranger. Had ———S Humpy, also, now knew that the leader of the that been so, his horse and arms would have | Greaser outlaws was a Texan in disguise. His been taken. Every moment increased the fearful anxiety and concern of the poor lad; and, when he reflect- ed that his ‘‘ Mars’ Leon” might be a captive to that cowardly miscreant and might even then be harshly treated by him, the young negro was nearly frantic with grief md rage. Had the | Comanches seen him at that moment, they might | well be seized with superstitious terror. It was when rendered thus despairing and fu- rious regarding Leon, and uncertain as to what | way he had best turn in search of his young master, that Humpy beheld, up the river, several Indians upon their plunging steeds. These were speeding along the edge of the high bank on the opposite side of the stream shooting their arrows downward into the water. There, to the surprise and exultation of the Humpy had learned much of the habits, man- be lost indeed; and, if he should be The tragic scene he had witnessed caused the Having come to this conclusion, lf Then, realizing that he would be in There he sought to assure himself that But, just before reaching the border of the These, he felt assured, It was then sufficiently light in the shades, for near his hiding-place for him to make out He was, how- LE LL LL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LL eon, as he had confidently | He was al o sure that the miscreant | ast him, Humpy glided softly along after these silent horsemen, positive that he would soon discover | some proofs of the fate, or whereabouts, of the one he sought. band, and was, in a very short time, greatly surprised by hearing a crashing among the bushes, followed by the voice of a man address- ing the Mexicans, who had at once halted. On he went, close following the Drawing nearer, Humpy recognized the form and face of the man who had assailed him. It was he who now confronted the band, and he was evidently their leader. In his arm, and sup con across the horn of on Humpy’s young master showed no signs of Hie face was streaked with blood, and, The little negro fairly trembled with the in- passions. : But the words spoken by Bluff Bill chained him to the spot. These proved to the black boy that the villain had an object in capturing Leon; and, when he spoke also of capturing ‘‘ the old man,” Humpy knew that Captain Leon was meant. He was paralyzed. But then came the most startling move of all. This was the sudden appearance of Big Foot La Grange in his arms: The little darky’s joy and exultation knew no He recognized the giant scout, who after Big Foot. | him as soon as possible, for the scout was hurry- voice had betrayed the fact. But why did this miscreant hold such enmity toward the captain and Leon? The little fellow lost no time, but hastened on He felt that he must overtake ing toward the river—toward greater dangers still—and must be ignorant of what there await- ed him, Big Foot Wallace bad only arrived at the bend that evening, and had come in quest of Leon, after leaving Francisco, and knew noth- ing indeed in regard to the near presence of the Comanches; unless he had been able to judge, by the words let fall by Bluff Bil], that the out- laws had been engaged in a fight with the red- men near at hand. The disappointment and concern of poor little Humpy may be imagined, when, upon running as fast as was in his power after getting a safe distance from the Mexicans, he reached the vicinity of the river, and failed to see anything of the scout; and that, although he had hear the sound made by Big Foot’s horse, but a min- ute previous. But, hesitating not, he proceeded down the decline to the river-bank, where he parted the bushes, and gazed over the stream, Then a sigh of relief escaped him, as he perceived the scout bathing the head of little Leon. This tableau chained the attention of the black boy fora moment. The next, his emotions of joy and gratitude were destined to be transform- ed. His fury and anguish hecame more intense and poignant than ever; for, while he gazed, he beheld, to his great horror, a number of hideous- ly painted braves hur] themselves upon Big Foot Wallace, and, notwithstanding the almost super- human struggles of the giant scout, bind him hand and foot! Frozen to the spot, Humpy’s very heart was torn and convulsed, when he saw his young master, who had been recovering under the min- istrationsof the old scout, now bound and rough- ly hurled beside bis recent rescuer. Then the red warriors stood erect, and gazed over the dark waters, as if they expected more vic- tims. This caused the negro youth to crouch still further back into the shades; but not in fear, for all fear was now banished from his mind. It had given place toa mad and consuming rage and hatred, which had transformed him into an avenging fury. Yet, the black boy felt that he must act with caution. Much, he knew, depended upon his skill and exertions, even the life of Captain Lem, for it was almost certain that the outlaws would pow hasten to the ranch, which would be at their mercy. The Indians, he felt positive, knew nothing of its location; otherwise they would have gone direct to the bend. It appeared to Humpy that, as he could not hope to rescue the old scout and Leon, or indeed aid them in any way, until the Comanches had given up their search for the Mexicans and gone into camp, duty led him back to the Bend Ranch, to warn his master of the approach of the outlaws, and give him all the particulars he could in regard to both red and yellow maraud- ers. They could then act together toward the res- cue of Leon and Big Foot. Thus decided, the deformed lad acted in ac- cordance. He made his way forthwith to the int at which he had left his horse. Then, fending the animal, with the greatest care, below the spot where the Indians were watching their captives, he mounted, and swam the pony across the river. Once upon the south side of the Rio Leona, and clear of the timber, Humpy rode at his ut- most speed, fairly flying over the trail to the swell of the bend. There, fording again, he found himself near the ranch. Securing the pony to a tree, he proceeded cau- tiously on foot, for he thought possibly the ban- dits had already reached the vicinity and might spring upon him at any moment, Soon, how- ever, he saw that the animals were all inside the corrals; and when be saw further that shutters and doors of the dwelling were secured, he knew that all was well so far, and that the scout had, by some means, warned Captain Lem. Humpy co: tinued to crawl cautiously toward the dwelling until quite near, when he arose and bounded forward, just as the door was thrown open by Francisco. The next moment Captain La Grange had clutched him, erying out: ‘“Where is Leon? Where is my boy? Speak, Humpy, or I'll shake the life out of you!” ike evele