Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 525 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

**T dunno,” was the sullen reply. ‘“‘ Well, I could force you to know, if I took harsh measures; but I think he will take warn- ing when he knows that you have left the coun- try. ‘** Does yer mean for us ter leave that way?” and Nick Rawlings pointed toward the ground. ‘it is the way that you should leave, after being guilty of the crimes you have. ‘** But we are going to be merciful,” and then the scouts turned on toward the Ranchero’s Rest, while Red Wolf and Scraps were told to o to the two nearest ranches and ask the people to come to the ruin the next morning, It was late that mght when Red Wolf and Scraps returned, and their report was that the rancheros and their cowboys would be on hand at the time appointed. That night the cowboys rested uneasily, for they felt assured that the gathering the next morning would be to hang them. In their coward hearts they feared death, and their wicked lives came before them to smite their conscience with the full of their iniquity. The party camped at the river, and the next morning rose up bright and early, and Scraps soon had a good breakfast prepared, which was also given to the prisoners, But they had lost their appetites, and they turned livid with fear when they beheld a party of horsemen acvancing ata gallop toward the timber. {t was aranchero and half a dozen of his men, Soon after another ranchero and two cow- boys arrived, and Night Hawk at once said: ‘Gentlemen, I have here four men who dis- grace the name of cowboy. ‘*They were guilty of intended murder, and they came here to avenge themselves upon this colored man and his Indian friend, because my brother and myself would not let them hang them for a crime which Scraps and Red Wolf had nsver committed, ‘* You see this ruin? ‘Well. they were with a party that came here a few nights ago and this is the result, while the cattle wererun off from the ranch and driven across the border.” ‘* Hang ’em!” shouted a voice. ‘* String ’em up!” **Up with ’em!” Such were the cries that went up from the crowd. But Night Hawk was perfectly calm, and said: ‘* No, 1 do not intend that they shall hang, at least now. ‘But [ called you together to hear me tell them that they have got to get out of this coun- try with all speed. “The Rio Grande is not very far away, and there are friends there awaiting them, ‘Tf they ever return to this country again, on any pretense, show them no mercy, for they will come but to rob and murder, ‘Neither my brother or myself, Scraps or Red Wolf will be merciful another time. ** Unbind them, Scraps, and let them go.” ** Better hang ’em now and save trouble an- other time,” said a cowboy. ‘‘ No, they go free now; but we have given them warning. : ‘*Don’t take life without good cause, gentle- men; but if they return you will have cause. “ Are they ready, Scraps?” Yas, sah,” ‘Men, mount and be off, and forget not the warning.” Not a word did they utter, but putting spurs to their horses they dashed away amid the jeers _. Of their earnest companions, and they took the ‘nearest trail to the Rio Grande. Soon after the rancheros and the cowboys de- 2 ie after thanking the Buekskin Brothers | or having trailed the traitors to earth. : “ Well, Scraps, what do you and Red Wolf | intend to do now?” asked Broncho Bill, as the four were left alone together. . ray cu I don’t know.” ell, what do you say to going with us?’ asked Night Hawk. : Even Red Wolt’s almost bronze face shoved rae at this, and sc it was decided that Red olf and Scraps stould join the Buckskin Brothers, _ And thus it was, long after that, they were, as the reader will remember, with Night Hawk and Broncho Bill on some mysterious service which caused them to find a camp in the ruin of the Old Mission, which had been avoided by hunters, cowboys and Indians as the abode of spovks, a) a ats Prismninisiated tae lace That the Pha: ‘was caught b a lariat by Broncho Bill, the } ; _ = Wr a. é . - ~ é . : P -< i ya rm ¥ »! 4 r oP ee ot | cba *. - ? . J 8 i re * “e LBL LL—CCLL LLL te —_—__--——__ --- —_ — - _- —_—__ ----eer “ in a voice that was no longer tilled f poder: | a) Brothers in Buckskin. | reader will also recall, and now the thread of my story will be taken up once more at the old ruined Mission. CHAPTER XXII. THE CAMP IN THE RUIN, WHEN Scraps approached the spot where George and Will Powell stood, conversing with the strange inhabitant of the old ruin, he was certainly in great trepidation, He had taken to flight in actual belief that he would find a ghost riding behind him before he went very fur. Plunging across the ford, he had set off over the prairie at a pace which threatened to dis- tance even a spirit pursuer, But Scraps was an odd character. He was superstitious, as are all of his race, and in fact about half the white race are, also, only they won’t admit it. But Scraps was daring to a degree of reck- lessness, as has been seen, if he did not have - mn what he supposed was from the spirit and. He had found it very hard to muster up courage to go after the remains of his master and bring them back to be buried near the ruin. Had it been any one else, Scraps never would have gone. But when he saw the phantom barring their way to the ruined mission, it was too much for him, and he was off like a shot. He dared not at first glance behind him. But after going a short distance, and finding that neither the Comanche nor the scouts were following him, he felt ashamed and drew rein. Then he mustered up courage and looked be- hind him, No ghost was upon his saddle-crupper. He glanced back toward the ruin. ‘ Not a sound greeted his ears, not a soul did e sec. W bat had become of the scouts and of Red Wolf? Had the ghosts gobbled them up? Scraps buped not but feared so, Then he made up bis mind that what others could face he should not be afraid of, and so he decided to move back upon the ruin, Just then he heard a heavy splashing of water toward the river. ‘**Dat hain’t no ghost, I reckons,” he mut- tered. But he came to a halt, for he had been moy- ing slowly back toward the river Soon he heard hoof-beats, and a moment after a horseman appeared in sight. He was not robed in white, did not ride a snowy horse, and so Scraps stood his ground. ** It’s Red Wolf,” he said, after a while. ** Ho, black chief,” called out Red Wolf, who always honored Scraps with that title, greatly to his delight, ‘* Yes, red chief, I’m right here.” The Comanche diew rein by the side of the negro and said: White chief say come.” ** And the gbosteses?” ** Woman!’ ‘What! a woman’s ghosteses?” +) cone hes ai no spirit!” 1!" an craps brightened up, but th asked dubiously: ° > ma GN ‘‘Ts you sart’in "bout dat, Red Wolf?” ‘* Comanche talk straight,” ‘* Pil go with you,” and considerably ashamed of himself for having decamped with such haste, Scraps made up for it by riding back in a run at the fort for duty. 4 3 ‘I hain’t skeered no more now, missus, and ef Scraps kin sarve yer, jist call on him,” The woman now told the scouts where to find a good camping-place, and a fire was built in the chapel, so as not tobe seen at a distance should red-skin or hunter be passing near, and Scraps set to work to get sepper. The surroundings certainly were gloomy with graves about them of the massacre pecple who had dwelt there long before, and with the old ruins sheltering them; but the scouts allowed nothing to dampen their spirits, and talked pleasantly with the woman, who, at oy request, came and joined them before the e. As the firelight fell upon her they saw that her form was slender and graceful, and her long black hair fell in loose waves far below her waist, But about her head, and drawn over her face she wore a Spanish vail which completely hid every feature excepting her large, glorious eyes, As she said nothing of who she was, the scouts wouid not question her; but hoped to see her face when supper was announced. But she declined any food, saying that she had eaten her frugal meal before their ar- rival, Soon after she arose, said she would see them in the morning, and with a bow she glided away. Scraps did not sleep well that night, but dreamed of spooks and goblins, He wanted to see that ruinin the daylight, before he would feel content, As for Red Wolf, with his usual indifference to circumstances and surroundings, he rolled himself in his blanket and was soon fast asleep, while the scouts rested with no dread of being disturbed in that gloomy place. The morning found Scraps up at break of day, and all were, when they looked about them, more pleased with their surroundings. There was a vast quantity of grass, which had not been fed over by cattle, and it was the very place for a.secret camp, There were springs about in the woods, trick- ling away in tiny streams down to the river, and the old ruin loomed up better and more in- viting by daylight. A spot was chosen for a camp, and a cabin of small logs was quickly built, the scouis prefer- ring it to the ruin to sleep in, The strange occupant of the old chapel a peared by daylight, but still wore her vail, which shielded her face, Her little room in the chapel] was not an un- pleasant one, and she told the scouts that she had come there on horseback and accompanied by one person who had brought her certain articles to make her as comfortable as she could be in the wild, solitary life she led. Who that one person was she did not say, nor was she asked. Her attire was coarse, yet neat, and both Night Hawk and Broncho Bill wondered at the strange mystery Which had caused her to seek a refuge in tuat drear spot, with no companion- ship about her. ‘hat which had brought the scouts to seek the ruin, was a desire to occupy a position conveni- ent to the Rio Grande, and from whence they could spy out certain movements of outlaws, who were committing at times Certain depreda- tions upon Texan rancheros and settlers, Since they had driven the four cowboys away from Ranchero’s Rest, with a warning never to return, they had not been again seen upon ) é . a eo we i Z . - ——————— _- 4 . ’ ~ a ot ger ete gy ge ow ge 8 Oe ae , ; a to the ford. Texan soil. Me _ 2 . ia Soon after be halted by the river, but he had For some time after this all bad gone well, 4. Shee ss approached it very slowly, and Giant Saul had disappeared mysteriously Agees~ = ‘** Well, Scraps, the spirit that haunts this old | from the haunts which liad known him. £3 . =i ik river is this lady who seems to have met with There were thcse who asserted that Giant _ | aH some misfortune, and I wish you to treat her | Saul, Nick Rawlings, Sim Lucas and the others 3 CT RRS ee most kindly, and neither you nor Red Wolf, in | whom the scouts lied so promptly exiled, had : Pee, any way, even refer to her being here,” said | joined the band of Cowboy Pira es under San Eovbsini on Night uwk, Cruz, 2 bold and merciless Mexican, who waged pate 2" tJ ‘* No, Massa George: but I hain’t skeert ef | war against Texas for bothrevengeand goldit = = fie yer sure the lady bain’t no sperret,” Scraps | was said. ( ee ie said, cautiously and in a whisper. As to whether the five cowboys had jeined ;; : aes The brothers laughed at Scraps’ wish to be | San Cruz or not, no preot could be given. PS Tie. sure, and Broncho Bill said: But, after a reason of comp rative rest from bite r ‘Tf you will speak and reassure, Scraps, raids along the Rio Gvende irontier, Suudenly ae lady, am sure he will do all in’his’ power for | once more the Cone hi = bad srartea upon the : “te ie. ; war-path, aud the Cowboy Piates agalu begay . a ans t he thinks me their raids into Texan territory. eo! MOE. 3 #2 and thatis what I ha ueraded © The scouts had been dwelling ab their own Bids eS ae for, that both white men and red-skins and thither both Ked Wolf and Scraps v4 SO believe me and shun this ruin. Sa ecompanied them, and mest useful did they SOR Sy Me dread an thing,” and the woman to the | But with the Stirring up ¢ new troubles eGR Le t .o sconts, while Scra dismounte Toles eae, both Night Hawk and Broncho Bill had reported ee ae ats ke - * «we Be. Ps - moe a) :. > ei - * “~ “ey 7 ‘ ° oi a ll F - ¥ mo “>, P “2” > é - . 4 "i 1 mj 4 a . . 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