Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 497 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

a - —— = al . ~ —s » . , ° - -_~ ——— —— . ‘ — ee Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 13 considered necessary, bound as he was, and in the midst of the Indian camp. The young girl fed him, for he was bound hand and foot, and she said: ‘*1]l come to-night, sir.” *‘ My child, the cnef, Mad Wolf, means to let me go, so I wish you to slip away, after all have gone to bed, and meet me at the canyon where I noticed five trees growing together as I came here.” ‘‘T know the place, sir.” ‘‘ Find out if you can where my horse is kept, and if you cannot do that, let me know where the red-skins keep their ponies, and we will se- cure a pair, and with the start we get we will get away from the Indians.” ‘¢T will be there, sir, and do all that I can to find out about your horse, for all the Indians are talking about the splendid animal.” Soon after little Ruth again left Buck to his thoughts, and eagerly he watched for the com- ing of night. At last the shadows deepened, and an hour after nightfall the village was lost in sleep. As a greater security against Buck’s escape, he had been more securely bound, but was left in the tepee without a guard, and at this he was greatly pleased, and supposed that he had to thank the chief for it. After awhile, when the minutes began to drag out to him like hours, he saw some one en- ter the tepee. ‘“Mv waite brother is awake?” asked a voice. ‘‘ You bet I am, chief.” “ He can go, but he must appear to untie his own bonds and get away. ‘‘ Here is a bow and arrows for him, as I can give him nothing else. “He is a great warrior, and, with the night to cover his trail, he can be far away when the sun comes.” ‘¢+- You are as kind as you can be, chief, and I thank you, for I know you would fare bad with your people if they knew what you did.” The chief had, in the mean while, unfastened his bonds, and Buck arose to his feet, feeling very lame and numb. ‘“T will leave my white brother now,” and the chief turned away. Buck stretched himself, rubbed his arms and legs to get up a circulation, and stepped out of the tepee. 6 The chief had gone, and all was still in the camp, excepting the yelping of an Indian dog. He quickly got ms bearings, and with his blanket wra pees about him, to look like an In- dian, he stalked along through the village and left it without meeting a single prowling red- D. He remembered the way he had been brought to the village, and hastened along as fast as his benumbed limbs could carry him, to the rendez- vous he had appointed with Ruth McNally, His own luck had been so good, that he feared he would not meet the girl there; but, as he reached the entrance to the canyon, he suddenly discovered her. “Oh, sir, 1 feared you would not come,” she said, as she grasped his hand, “Yes, I'm here all right, and [m awful glad you are. ‘* But what about the horses?” ‘*T’ve got your horse, sir.” “Do you mean it?’ eagerly said Buck. ‘* Yes, sir, the chief Mad Wolf had him tied up back of his tepee, and I took him, and another norse for me to ride. 6 And I got your rifle and belt of arms too, sir.’ ‘You are a daisy, little Miss McNally; but if old Mad Wolf don’t swear in choice Injun at this, I'll eat my boots: “ Why he'll think after he set me free I stole my horse from him.” . ‘Tt is your horse, sir, and in stealing the weapons I knew they were yours, rf Fre had them all hidden under a bear robe.” “You've got dead oodles of sense, little one, and no mistake. “ But don't let us stay here, for it’s far from healthy.” She led the way to where the horses were, and Buck gave an exclamation of delight, as he saw that the Roan King was also saddled and ‘* You got there too!” “Yes, sir, for they were near the horse,” , A small mustang was near Roan King, and and mounting, as soon as he had buckled on his 3 Buck Tayler started on the long trail to the Rangers’ camp. He pushed on, as fast as the little mustang iJ a | 4) 5 “es 1M he SE SA: od ds _ may OS ar ae” by Ruth could travel, and rode into the cump in the afternoon, just as Captain McNally had lighted his after-dinner pipe. One cry of joy, as he recognized his child, and the Ranger captain clasped her in his arms, while Buck hastened away to leave them alone together. When the young Texan’s story was told, it was no wonder that the Rangers cheered him and said that he was indeed entitled to be called King of Cowboys. CHAPTER XXIV. THE RANGER SPY. To show the Mexican Raiders of Don Rafael that they were constantly on the watch for them, the Rangers moved their camp to a situa- tion on the banks of the Rio Grande, The scenery was wild and picturesque, and from their camp they could see the Mexican sentinel cpp! fo kept on duty, on a cliff across the river, and each day Don Rafael was wont to appear and inspect the Rangers’ camp with his glass, for he was out of range of their rifles. Captain McNally was so overjoyed .at the re- turn of his daughter, that he determined to al- low no chance for her recapture, and so he took her with him to the town where her mother then was in a private asylum. He was gone but ten days, but when he re- turned his face wore a happy look, and he told his faithful Rangers how the sight of her child had brought back reason to the brain of Mrs. McNally, and the mother and child he had left together. He told his men also that there was a great deal of talk about Don Rafael’s raids into Texas, in the face of the Rangers, and said that they must arrange some plan to capture the daring Mexican outlaw. Many “gsm were talked over, for the captain said, with the getting back to the home of bis wife and daughter, he intended to give up his command :oon of the Rangers, and therefore wished to signal bis retirement by the capture of the outlaw chief. ‘Once Don Rafael is our prisoner, and his men will disperse,” he said. At last Buck said: ‘‘T have a plan, sir, if you will consent to it.” All eyes were turned upon the speaker. As Buck Taylor had a plan, all felt that it must be a daring one. **Out with it, Buck.” ‘‘ We are in full view of the Mexican sentinel on the other side of the river.” ‘* Yes, sir.” ‘* Every day, about at the same bour, Don Rafael rides up to the cliff, from his camp, and reviews our encampment.” ** He does.” ‘‘ Well, sir, we can always see him as he leaves the plain before he ascends to the cliff, and to-morrow, if you will have a guard set to rep¢ rt his coming, I will be ready for my little act, ** And what is that, Buck?” ‘It will be, sir, to pretend to have trouble with you in camp. ‘* We can appear to quarrel, you can start to- ward me, I will fire my revolver, you fall as though dead, and I make a rush for my horse, Roan Kimg, ‘The boys can open with their revolvers, as though firing at me, and I will ride straight for the river and—” ‘* But there is the chasm between you and the river, Buck.” “That's a part of my plan, sir.” ** Well.” ** | shall leap it.” i A chorus of “ ohs!” went up at this bold asser- ion. ‘* Leap that chasm, Buck?” ‘Yes, captain.” ‘* No horse can do it,” ‘‘Roan King can.” ‘“T know that he is a wonderful leaper, but—” ‘* You have seen him leap as far.” “Yes, but not over a chasm a hundred feet ‘‘T shall leap it, sir, never fear, for the Mexi- cans have camped right where we are many a time, and they know the chasm well, and how wide and deep it is. ‘‘ Of course they would not t any man to take such a leap for the pure fun of it, and it will add to the belief that I have killed you and am fying for mry life. ‘* { will then spring Roan King from the bank into the river, for it is only about ten feet, and Swim across. ‘‘Of course they will see all, and run to my aid, asthe boys must mount, head the chasm, and fire ee LL ———Ke« eee i at me as I swim across, only I insist upon not being hit. ‘‘T shall tell Don Rafael that I have killed you and seek to join bis band, ‘‘My hatred for you all shall be intense, and I will offer to arrange to lead his band upon your camp by a secret trail and surprise you, ‘*] will arrange with you, captain, just _ plan, and you can all keep on the alert eac night for it, until it comes off, for Pll fetch ’em in time. ‘Now, you know my little game, and [ll ge out and take a look at the chasm, to get the best spot to take the leap.” Captain McNally and his brother Rangers in vain tried to dissuade Buck Taylor from his dar- ing resolve. He was determined, and he felt sure that Dom Rafael and his band could be wiped out by just such a bold scheme. To go into the camp of the Mexicans and claim to be a deserter, he knew would cause his instant death as a spy. To appear to kill his captain, and escape by such a desperate leap, as over that frightful chasm, and then down into the river, be was as- sured would get for him the credit of having fled for his life. So it was arranged at last, when all saw that, Buck was determined to go into the camp of the- Raiders as a spy. CHAPTER XXV., THE LEAP. On the day set for Buck Taylor’s bold plot: to outwit the Raiders, he had Roan King in the finest condition. Back over the hill he had put on the saddle and bridlé with a nicety he had never before done, and every superfluous ounce of weight was taken off. Then Buck waited until the man on the watch reported that Don Rafael and four companions were crossing the plain toward the bill, where the Mexican sentinel stood. At once Buck pat ova to mount, and, at a signal did so, and came riding into cemp as though just returned from a scout. Captain McNally had started to cross the Rangers were lying about here and there, ap- parently enjoying the balmy day. The sentinel on the cliff was seen to be watch- ing the Ranger camp with his glass, and a few moments after Don Rafael and four other horse- men.appeared back on the hills, riding toward the cliff where the man on watch s ; Then the pantomime began among the Ran- gers. The captain seemed to beckon to Buck, who: eae iG and approached him, leading Roam ing. Then they appeared to be quarreling fiercely,, and the Rangers were seen to spring up and ap- proach them. Suddenly Buck Taylor drew a revolver and red. The captain also fired, but staggered back, and Buck gave another shot, Instantly the captain sunk to the ground, and turning quickly, saddle and darted away. At first he started, as though to dash down the valley; but Rangers ran out, as if to head him off, and he wheeled back, halted, and then headed for the cliff. river, Buck Taylor and Captain McNally were well known to the Mexicans, and they had no idea their benefit. Then they saw some of the Rangers run to the captain, who lay motionless, but so that he could see Buck’s desperate leap. They heard the popping of the revolvers, and saw Buck turn in his saddle and fire back in. “Then he settled himself in his saddle and headed for the chasm, ‘He can never make it,” cried Don Rafael in his excitement, stood looking at their g comrade as though spellbound. , Straight for the chasm went the gallant roan. Firm as a sack Buck sat, his hand upon the rein, and ready for the fearful leap. None knew better than did he the fearful risk he ran, and he nerved himself 'to it, He was but calm, and the reckless light so natural to bis eyes, shone'there. when almost upon it, he said to his horse: Cor ,00 laza of the camp at the same time,and the uck Taylor sprung into his: All this was seen from the cliff across the that a mimic tragedy was being enacted for Breathlessly all watched now, and the Rangers. y ‘ashi Nearer and nearer he drew to the chasm, and. i 9 . kh a 5 ¥ 4 A Sokal com