Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 948 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

a pre wieowdiniies Buffalo Bill’s Snap-Shot. had heard much, and who was his hero, but whom he had never seen. There were four men in the room, which was large and furnished only with a table and chairs. He recognized old Senor Trego, gray, grizzled and stern looking, and sitting next to him was the man who had uttered the dire threat against Buffalo Bill. Wild Kid knew this man well, as a hanger-on about the settlement town, as El Monte wes called. He was called “Captain,” as it was said, upon his own authority, that he had once been an army officer, and he had an erect, military bearing, but a face that was evil, sinister aud cruel. His intimates called him “Panama,” and he was a desperate gambler and known to be a man-killer, for he had established such a reputation in El Monte and was greatly feared. The other two men in the room were, Wild Kid was sure, the game he was in search of. One was short, the other tall, and they were dressed as the two kidnappers had been. They were unmasked, now, and the youth recognized them as two more of El Monte’s tough citizens, known as Mus- tung Matt and Half Breed Jose. Nominally, they were cowboys, but they spent most of their time in gambling and idleness. The four men were within fifteen feet of the youth, some ten feet below him, and he could see them distinctly and hear all that they said. Fortunately, a vine half obs¢ured the window, giving shelter to his face as he peered through. Like men who were cautious, from be- ing in daily danger, the men talked in low tones, but each word Wild Kid heard. It was Panama who had made the threat against Buffalo Bill, and in re- sponse Don Trego, as he was continually called, asked: * Are you sure that he is alone, Senor Captain ?”’ “Yes, for he always travels that way, for I know him well.’ “You have seen him senor?” ** Do you see this scar on my foreheac * Yes, Senor Captain.” “Well, he gave me that, and he thought he had killed me, but I have as many lives as a cat and hold on well. “7 tell you that he has come to Texas on a secret mission, and if we do nol check his career right here, a number of us will stretch hemp, for I can pick out seores of men who are now dodging the gallows in El Monte alone, “What crime sent you hiding here, Don Trego, is none of my business, but I live here because I would die East, and Mus- tang Matt and Half-Breed Jose are about in my category. | “But Buffalo Bill is Chief of Scouts up at the line of forts in the Northwest, and he has left them on a mission which means death to more than one man. in El Monte.” before, then, 1?” CHAPTER VI. THE PLOT TO KILL. “Now, I got this letter by coach this morning, and it was just in time, for Buf- falo Bill has traveled fast. ‘‘ The letter is from a life-long pard, a soldier who is well trusted and a square man, but he owed me his life on more than one oecasion, and he did not care to see me hang, so when he overheard that the scout was coming to EK] Monte he decided to find out all he could and warn ame. ww — , ' P te : 4 ; ; sau Lares gh, Weed a Usa ale Were Sy Ape an ny SALA det Meo i. oes Ph ood +, a TAS He 1} - Aga 7 - wi iY Ws ey . 7, ree ‘ (age tee > “So he played eavesdropper, and heard enough to know that Buffalo Bill was on a special man-hunt: *T was not mentioned, for I am sup- posed to be dead, but he warned me, ‘* He heard Buffalo Bill go over with the general his intended trail to Texas, and the latter told him to stop here at this old mission one or two nights, and he might gleam some information about the £1! Monte settlement before going there. “So I came at once to post you, and blow my soul if the man is not here ahead of me, for when I saw him I could hardly believe my eyes, and lucky I am that he did not see me.” “I never allow my guests to see each other until I know it is proper, Senor Captain,” said the Don. “You are wise, Don; but tell me of Buffalo Bill’s coming.” “He came this afternoon, mounted upon a splendid animal, and with its match fol- lowing with a pack saddle. “He told me he was on his way to El Monte, but wanted to rest a day or two. and gave his name as Fred Williams, a government courier.” “Yes, his real name is William Freder- ick Cody, and he has twisted his Christian names to suit, for he dared not let it be known that he was Buffalo Btll; but J know him, and forewarned is being fore- armed, as he shall know to his cost.” “T am to consider, Senor Captain, what you say about the general telling him to stop here, at my mission. “Tt must be General Carr, who com- manded this district Some years ago, and knows of me and the mission, and so it would be bad for his courier to meet his death here.” “Bah! he has come here through an Indian country, and who could follow dis trail after a couple of days? “ Who would know that he ever reached here? “T tell you, Don, you are as deep in the mire as the rest of us, and when | got my soldier friend’s letter I came at once to you. *T was sure that with your aid, and your son Juan’s, we could easily cut short the career of Buffalo Bill; but here I find Mustang Matt and Half Breed Jose, two more to aid us, for they are of our kind, and so I say down the scout this very night. “*He’s got money, which goes to you, Don, his horses and traps Matt and Jose ean have to sell, and I claim only his life. ‘‘Now, Don Trego, do you intend to de- sert a pard in need?” “I’m not that kind, Senor Captain, but this man, Fred Williams, as he ealled himself to me, came here to claim my hospitality. “You say he is & man-hunter, and will kill you, and others, at Kl Monte. “ Self-preservation is the first law of na- ture, so as you know that he is. going there, you will be prepared for him and ean fight him, for all know what you are.” ‘ And you show your ignorance by not knowing what and who Buffalo Bill is. “Why, that man carries a charmed life, and no one dare face him, hoping to be on equal terms, for he is quicker than light- ning, his aim is as true as death, and he is Wholly devoid of fear. “No; trap him, and we can kill him, but attempt to face him and we will die, and he will go on his way serenely. “He is here in your home, and Matt and Jose here will help me, so you can stand aloof and let us do the work. “ Only tell us where you put him for the night, and we'll do the rest.” “Senor, I obey. He is at his supper. now, but he will sleep in the little meet- —_---— ing room off the old chapel, for there is where I put strangers. “The river runs under the window, just outside of the wall, and a body dropped into it would be quickly carried away. “You know the old mission well, Senor Captain, so make yourself at home, and with Senors Matt and Jose, breakfast with us, for I suppose the stranger will not be here,’’ ‘No, he will not.” ‘Spread your serapes here, if you wish to sleep, and Juan will care for your horses. ‘“ Good-night, senors,” and Don Carlos Trego left the room, and Panama and his: pards went on planning just how they would cut short the career of Buffalo Bill. CHAPTER VII. BUFFALO BILL. It was an hour before sunset when & horseman rode up to the gate of the ruined mission, where Don Trego made his home, amid the memories and the graves of by-gone generations. He was splendidly mounted, thorough- ly equipped, had a repeating rifle, Te- volvers and bowie, with a pack horse trot- ting obediently along behind him, and ¢ar- rying a well-stocked pack saddle, appar- ently for a long journey. The horseman was one who could not go unnoticed anywhere, for he was tall and, possesed an athletic and graceful form, while his dress partook of the fron- tiersman, With the top boots, bueékskin leggings, hunting shirt and _ broad- brimmed sombrero, The face of the horseman Was one to command.instant respect and admiration, for, added to its being a handsome one in a marked degree, it was stamped with in- domitable pluck, character and w-il, while his manner of addressing Carlos Trego, who met him at the massive doors leading into the plaza of the mission, was gentle and courteous. “Senor, do you speak English, for I have little faith in my Spanish?” he said, with a smile, recognizing at a glance that if the Don was an American he was of Spanish or Mexican birth. “IT speak English, and woula know how I could serve the senor?” “Ts this the old Mission del Monte?” ‘Tt is, senor, what is left of it.” “T was told by army officers who knew of its hospitality, if I came here and found Don Carlos Trego still the ran- chero, I would receive good treatment at his hands .,and I desire to rest for a day or two, after a long journey, and before continuing on to El Monte, the settlement some forty miles south of here, I believe.” “Your friends told you the truth, senor, for I have a good garden, fruit trees, do- inestiec fowl, with a well-supplied larder, and game for the shooting, fish for the vatching. “You are welcome; but may I ask the senor’s name?” * Prederick Williams, 4nd army courier is my present occupation. “T thank you, senor, and will look my- se'f to my horses.” The stranger Was shown where he could place his saddle and pack, in his room, one connected with the old chapel, and then led his horses to a bit of mead- ow land on the stream, where he staked them out. He found his room more like a prison than a chamber, but there was a cot, ta- ble and chair there, and he had no reason to complain. A youth of twenty, with a dark, hand- some face, was called by the Don and told to go off and catch some fish and kill a deer for supper, and then the Don showed a i