Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 497 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

f —— eee SEEN de 7 : oe ee ar — yeast . - vel ’ Thay / df : hes Fr 4 ‘ he We 4 oe 4 pa) He had seen them from the hills, far out on the prairie, the dark mass being visible in the moon- light, for he had caught sight of them with his field-giass, a legacy from the Gambler Ranger. Buck knew that the trail they were on skirted the hills and led to the Rio Grande, a couple of miles away. So the Rangers, not needed to guard the passes of the valley, where the captured stock was corraled, were called to arms and lay in wait for their foes. Don Rafael had crossed the Rio Grande at a ford some miles above, aud just at the hour of Sunset. He had gone with full force, nearly a hundred men, and be meant to strike the settlements on the Texan border. He had sent a spy ahead, who was to meet him at a given point and let him know just where the Kangers were, for the Don had reason to fear that wild Texan band. The man met him, and the report he made was by no means good tidings. He reported that the Texan Rangers, three- gcore strong, had gone toward the Rio Grande that very night. The Comanches had fallen back to their strongholds, so the Texans could hardly be on their trail. Don Rafael was a very shrewd man and an able commander, though a cruel foe. He at once decided that the Rangers had gone into Mexican territory. He knew that his acts had often been threat- ened with retaliation, and his spy, Rodriguez —or ih other words Roddy Armstrong—had told him that Captain McNally anticipated a raid upon his camp. The Texans then had, he supposed, gone upon their raid. Not knowing that Armstrong was dead, and having arranged with him, as the reader has geen, a plan to ambush and destroy the Rangers, he docided to postpone his raid and hasten back to Mexican territory, hoping at the same time that he would not ‘be too late. So, without the suspicion of an ambush, and believing the Rangers then over on Mexican territory, Don. Rafael aud his Raiders came along at a gallop, heading for the Rio Grande. The trail led close in around the hills, and, as the Mexicans, riding two abreast, and stretched out for a long distance, came on at a canter, the head of the line was allowed to pass, the more surely to damage the entire force. As the center reached the spot where the Texans waited, all mounted and with revolvers in hand, a loud voice broke the silence with two words: ‘‘ Rangers charge!” A wild yell in chorus from forty throats,-a wsnorting of steeds, the thunder of hoofs, and ‘then the rattle of revolvers. The Mexican line recoiled like a frightened drove of sheep, and many saddies were emptied ere the Raiders began to form for resistance. With his men in trouble, Don Rafael boldly charged back, a score of men behind him, and rushed upon the Rangers. | : But the shot was met with a withering fire, the Raiders swayed back, and their line being ‘cut in two,.and many a man and horse down, they became panic-stricken and took to mad Aight. Af ter them dashed the victorious Texans, and the music of revolvers mingled with the thunder of hoofs, the shouts of the combatants, and the neighing and snorting of horses in one grand chorus. " Over the moonlit plains dashed pursued and ursuers, and into the Rio Grande were driven the flying Raiders, and all who reached the river were not destined to get across, while many who had started out with merciless and murderous ‘intent, found graves upon Texan soil. It was a grand victory for the Rangers, and the heart of the young Cowboy King beat with leasure as he rode into camp, and heard Cap- tain McNally say: | “Buck, my daring comrade, we owe our and success to you!” With nothing to fear from the Raiders, the Texan Rangers took their time in reaching the settlements, where the horses and cattle they ‘Rad captured were given to the settlers for a wminal sum, as was the wont of these brave de- “fenders of the frontier, and the booty was dis- tributed among those who claimed it, whether ‘honestly or not, for much that was valuable had ‘been taken from the border settlements by the wed Raiders of the Rio Grande. But# it soon became known that Don Rafael, «vith his usual good luck, bad escaped with about hhalf of his command, and finding his retreat de- } " i. q's eer ays se Li >= ‘ mie , - * 4 s 7 v “2 Dy ‘f A " PY $ elif 4 y he we A. Gf es" ne meaty | - 1, t")s f ,._* » é e > f ‘ uv a » € . L ere rh * er ee > P ‘eh , wee ‘phe wn 7 tile ae tt “e, » [i a oe Lhe ditptin tei 4 a 2) hs bs stroyed, his men slain and cattle, horses and booty carried off, he vowed a fearful revenge. From that day he became a worse terror on the Texan border than ever, and, allying him- self with the Comanches, he began a little war against the Rangers. On their part the Rangers felt that they must wipe out their foe, and Captain McNally chang- ed his camping-ground from the Rangers’ Ranch to a spot upon the Rio Grande, and at once be- | cun a struggle for victory between the Texan defenders and the Mexican outlaws that was | known as the War of the Avengers, and bitter and merciless was the fight for mastery. CHAPTER XXII. ENTRAPPED, Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. LN hh CHAPTER XXIII, COMANCHE FRIENDSHIP. WHEN the morning dawned in the Comanche village, Buck Taylor found that he was an ob- | ject of great curiosity among the squaws and children. He did not like the attention he received by any means, for th "Vy 3 lapped his face, pulled his hair, and abused bim shamefully. But he took the abuse with the air of a stoic. Among the children his eyes suddenly fel upon one whom a glance was sufficient to shoy was not a red-skin. Her face was darkly bronzed from exposure, but there was no Indian blood in ber veins, DurinG the war for revenge, between the | Rangers and the Raiders, no man won greater fame as a daring scout than did Buck ‘Taylor. Many a lone scout did he go on, and through all he kept up his record as ** boss of ’em all,” us old Mack Hastings was wont to put it. The Rangers not only held their own, but they changed their camp to a point near the Rio Grande, and beat back both Mexican outlaws and Comanches whenever they sought to devas- tate Texan territory. Upon one occasion Buck Taylor met with an adventure that well nigh ended his career as ‘King of the Cowboys.” It is with the marked incidents of the life of this daring cowboy that I would deal, for the minor deeds are by far toa numerous, and this one should be told as he came out of it with un- stinted praise. He was on a lonely scout, and his desire was to capture a Mexican spy who he knew was wont to frequently carry tidings across the river to Don Rafael. He had halted one night in a small ravine, and, being very tired had taken to his blankets after a cold supper, for he did not care to build a fire. Hardly had he gotten asleep when dark forms appeared upon every side of him, and with terrific yells half a hundred red-skins rush- ed upon him, They had seen him approaching the hills, and had hidden to ambush him. It was night when he reached his camping place, so he saw no trails, and he suspected no danger, other than the peril he knew surrounded him for being in that part of the country, Just then he had not thought of Indians, not expecting a raiding party to be in that locality. uck was surprised, as might be supposed, but, though awakened from his sound sleep, he arose in his might and a desperate battle began. He got in but a couple of shots, and then, like a pack of wolves they were upon him. They could have made a pin cushion of him, with their arrows, had they wished, but they knew their deadly foe and wanted him alive for their future pleasure. His gigantic strength made hima hard man to handle, even after they had him in their grasp. But at last they succeeded in bearing him to the ground and binding him with lariats until he loo’.ed like a mummy, all wrapped up as he was with ropes from head to feet. It was a very long and sad night for Buck that he passed; but the Indians were upat dawn and the march to their village in the mountains was begun, : Roan King was mounted by the chief of the band, while Buck was tied on the back of the sorriest-looking mustang in the party. That night the band reached their camp, and it was a strong one, situated in the very midst of the,mountains, and as formidable as a pale-face fort. The Indian village was wild with joy at the capture of one of their foes, a Texan Ranger, and one whom they knew but too well for Buck’s peace of mind. He was taken to the strong tepee of the village, and a guard was placed over him,/while he was told that his career of usefulness was at an end. Buck did not believe it. He was not one to lose hope, until there was no ray of hope. He felt sore after his hard struggle, and from being bound; but he was unhurt, and could he a a chance he meant to make a strong fight for ife. With. a mercy he had not expected they re- leased him of about half his bonds, though he was still bound too thoroughly to see any chance of getting away by his own exertions. | _- He was surely entrapped, and as he said him- self. in his light-hearted way: ‘* They’ve got me dead to rights.” at ‘ * | bs . p 4 Ny a" Buck felt well assured, She was about twelve years of age, and’ as® pretty as a picture. Her dress was of the wild and picturesque character of the people among whom she dwelt, and she seemed to have an influence over the children she was with. She came up to Buck in a timid kind of way, and gazing sadly at him, said in English: ‘*T feel sorry for you, sir, for they will kill you.” ‘ ‘Are you a captive of the Indians?’ Buck asked. ‘‘ Yas. sir: I have been here for a long time it seems to me, and they treat me kindly. ‘ Butithen 1 am a ebild.” ‘‘ What is your name?” ‘*Ruth MeNally, sir, was my old name, but I am called here ‘Snow Flower.’ ” : Buck started, and gazed fixedly at the girl. Then he asked: ‘*De you remember when you were brought here?” : ‘Oh, yes, sir! I can never forget it.” ** Tell me of it.” ‘‘My father was away from home, and the Comanches came there and killed our cowboy defenders, and shot my little brother, because he struck an Indian warrior with his hatchet. ‘They spared me and took me with them, and I have been here ever since; but 1 am not happy, for I do not know if mother and father are alive.” ‘Ves, my child, they are both alive, and 1 saw your father not three days ago, ‘* ! belong to his company of Rangers. ‘“‘ But we must not talk any more now; but if you can come here to-night and get me free of these bonds, and will find out where my weapons and horse are, [ think I can be able to take you to your home.” * Oh, sir—” the girl’s words were checked by a warning look from Buck, and soon after she turned away. ‘* T would give my right arm to take that little girl back to her father,’ mused Buck, and he at once began to plot and plan for escape. Late in the afternoon Buck saw a tall chief approaching. As he drew near bim he thought he recognized one he had seen. before, ‘* It’s my old, broken-leg pard,” he muttered, ‘‘ My white brother is in trouble,” said the chief as he halted near the prisoner, ‘‘T’m in hard luck, chief, I admit.” ‘‘ My brother was good to me one time,” ‘‘Don’t mention it,” said Buck in his light- hearted way. “My braves say that my white brother must die,” ‘‘ Oh, yes, they intend to roast me.” ‘No, my white brother mustrlive. ” “So I think.” ‘‘ Was good to me, so I will be good to im.” ‘fo you mean it, chief?” mF Mad Wolf speaks with straighttongue.” ‘You are about the first red-skin I ever met that did,” muttered Buck, ‘¢ Mad Wolf wants his white brother to become red-skin brave.” Buck shook his head. ‘‘ Marry red-skin squaw; be great chief.” ‘No, I will not turn red-skin.” ‘¢ Must not die.” ‘No, but I won't turn red-skin.” ‘*Then Mad Wolf save his white brother to- night. * Will let him go,” ‘*Mad Wolf, if you do this for me, Ill do ag much for you another time.” ** Good!” “Mad Wolf will come before mcon-rise,” and the red-skin turned away. “’Phat means ten o'clock,” muttered Buck, Then he lay there in the tepee, waiting and plotting, until the little captive girl came with some food for him, It was the first that he had had, and Mad Wolf had sent her. There was no guard over him, for none was PM ee ~ = +. = — er See