Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 104 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

Montezuma, the Merciless. - +! 608.2 a was no mistaking the wards, as he replied mOwWwly; **Senor, were I not in Mexico, and you were to make the offer vou do, I would hurl you from yonder window to the plaza below.” The eyes of Don Felipe fairly blazed, but he asked in a ep even voice: ‘Wherein is my offense, Senor Merlino?” “I branded you as a cheat at cards, senor, vome nights since, and you wear my mark in your hand, and will to your grave. Were I to wlect a second, it would be a gentleman.” “We will not quarrel, Senor Merlino; at least until after your affair with Colonel Gua- rena; then if you care to further entertain yourself during your stay in Vera Cruz, I am at your service wholly.” ‘If I meet you, Don Felipe Cosala, the Monte Prince, it will be to kick you from my path as I would a dog.” ““A dog, even if he be a skulking cur, will often bite, senor,” smiled Don Felipe. **One must run those risks, senor. aught more to say?” “IT would ask if you cared to dispose of the magnificent jewels you bad the other evening— the ring, anchor and necklace?” ‘*You forget the dirk—perhaps you did not take a fancy to that?” and Merle smiled in a a the one addressed could not but under- stand. “Yes, I admired the dirk immensely; would you part with that too?” ‘* You certainly deserve to have two of the ar- ticles, senor?” The gambler’s eyes sparkled. Was Merle going to offer to sell them to him? He had asked the question to see if Merle still had the articles with him, or had gotten rid of them during his absence, for, now that he had returned, he thought he saw the motive that had carried him away from Vera Cruz—to Have you lace his treasures out of danger, should harm | fall him in his duel. ** Which two?” he asked, Piopaaniy. “The necklace—to han you with; and the dirk—in your craven heart.’ The reply took the Monte Prince for once off nie guard, and he sprung to his feet, his face in a fury. “ Maldito!” he hissed forth; but at once he be- | M came cool, and smiling, said: “We will not quarrel, Senor Merlino.” “So it seems; you are a cur that takes man a kick without biting, Senor Cosala; your hide is } unpervious to stings, is it not?” Unless I so will, senor; one must keep cor in this warm climate.” You prorkepe Ba os 2 to think so.” re ‘“‘And youre my services as your sec i, Senor Merlino?” “ Assuredly; but if you are on the field, and } consider yourself hurt at my words to-njzht, I will waive your not being a gentlemp's, and willingly have an idea you are an old eneny of mine; your face comes up to me as conneo’ sd in some scene of deviltry 1 have witnesse? A the past, and it would give me pleasure -send a bullet through your brain, or run e sword through your coward heart; won’t op” ri me, hey?’ “Your words shall not ‘4 forgotten, Senor Merlino. You know an ‘4 saying—Un cabello haze sombra.’” (“se least hair makes a shadow.) ‘* So be it, senor. Adios.” “‘ Buenas noches, Senor Merlino!” and with a smile the Monte Prince left the room. ‘He means to meet me; he is not the man to take my insults calmly. “Then I will avenge those who fell by his hand that night so long ago, and which comes vividly back to me now, ‘I believe I am getting revengeful.” — Merle left his room for a walk in the CHAPTER V. THE DUELLO. Upon the afternoon of the day appointed for the duel between Merle and Colonel Vistal Guarena, a small third person in the stern-sheets, was rowing slowly along the beach below that frowning | and most formidable-looking structure known as the Castle San Juan de Uloa, and which sup- om to be impregnable fort, gained for Vera ! the rather high-sounding title of the Iron fiate of Mexico. It certainly proved a gateway yor our forces in the war between the United tates and the land of the Montezumas. Having reached a point half a mile below the ustle the boat rowed shoreward, and the one i the stern-sheets sprung out upon the beach. ‘“ Wait for me until the sun has been down 1alf an hour; then, if 1 do not come, return without me.” “ &i, Senor Caballero,” said one of the boat- men, and touching his sombrero at the fee given him, he added: “he caballero is most generous; gracias.” The person addressed turned and walked away, bearing a bundle under his arm. A walk of a few hundred paces brought him to a small thicket in which stood ana hut, going to ruin, and now deserted. ive you satisfaction, for, so” chow, I } boat, with two oarsmen and a }: ome —— ee Eee eee eee Throwing down his bundle hé leant against a tree, and with folded arms toward the west where the sun was near its setting, and pil ing up mountains of gold and silver in the es, Presently the clatter of hoofs reached his ears, and two men dashed up to the hacienda, both well mounted. Merle, for it was that personage, saluted them with a cold bow, while he said, quietly: “* Mas vale tarde que nunca, senores.” (Bet ter late than never, my lords—or sirs.) ‘We were detained, senor,” shortly said the Monte Prince, as the two dismounted. ‘* And the Senor Juarez?” asked Merle turn- ing to Colonel Guarena. ‘Is otherwise engaged—Don Felipe will act for me.” ‘“‘Then we ma ter between us. “Unless you offer me an apology, senor, for your insult.” ‘‘T came not here, Colonel Guarena, to offer an apology! I appealed to you, believing you to be a brave man, to aid me in exposing this Man as a scoundrel, and you refused,and the inference was that you were a coward or his ally; such, in spite of your high rank, I believe you to be.” Merle spoke with calm firmness, and the face of the Mexican officer flushed, while he replied: ther * Phe then desire that it shall be war be- _ tween us?’ ‘Guerra al cuchillo, senor,” (war to the knife, sir,) said Merle, with intense distinctness. | he two friends glanced at each other, and, as ‘they had done several times before, turned their gaze in the direction from whence they had come. ‘*Do you expect others, Senor Colonel?” asked Merle, noticing their look. : My servant, yes, senor, with my sword.” "You wear it at your side, Colonel Guare- ‘True; but not my dueling blade.” ‘“*T have a pair of rapiers here—they are just _ alike; and you can have your choice,” and Merle drew from a buck-skin covering two real Damas- cus blades. ‘“‘T prefer to wait for my own weapon, Senor rriino.” ‘And Ihave no time to dance attendance on ou, Colonel Guarena. I am here at great per- _* onal inconvenience to give you a chance to run me through, as a satisfaction for an insult I , hurled in your teeth, and if you care not to meet me [ will return.” ‘*Do you fear to remain, senor!” _ ““Tamalone, senor,and youaretwo. I fear no | man, yet I am ina land where treachery is con- | sidered an art, and it behooves me to upon my A ' “*“Will you meet me, or shall I bid you “Col “ 1G f d spok olonel Guarena ste orward an eto ' the Monte Prince: wads ake ‘* What shall I do?’ he asked, in a low tone. ‘You are the best swordsman in the army; _meet him with his rapiers, but don’t hurt him; _ disarm him, and then we can make him prison- | er ) as well at once settle the mat- | “ If you do not cross weapons he will return, _ and our work will be all to do over again, for he is suspicious now.” ‘* Senor Merlino, as my servant is backward, | I will use one of your rapiers, as it matters little ‘to me what weapon I run you through with,” ‘said Colonel Guarena, haughtily. | “You are confident, senor; take your choice,” |} and Merle held the two weapons toward his enemy. “IT am confident, senor, because I feel my | power to prove op thee; 5 “It may be so, Colonel Guarena, but—” “But what, senor?” as Merle paused. ** But—I doubt it.” _. “Yet I repeat it, Senor Merlino, I can be taught nothing with the sw ord,” said Colonel na, in that pompous tone of boastfulness ' Often used by Mexicans, and he placed himself , in tion. said pointedly, as he took rle smiled, and | his stand: _ “Gl sabio muda concio, il nescio nos.” (A : — 7 sometimes changes his opinion, a fool _ never. , _ The reply infuriated Vistal Guarena and he _ began the attack with a savage oath upon his . lips, and an angry light in his eyes, | '_ From the very first he beat Merle back with his fierce thrusts, but the calm smile never left , the face of the man who was then already doomed. With an admiring glance the Monte Prince , followed the every move of the combatants, | Bay ing several times to Merle: _ “* You are a superb swordsman, senor, to hold | your own for an instant against Colonel Gua- rena. Merle made no reply; but suddenly chan _ from the ve 6 the offensive bo the in. eu surprise of both his antagonist and Don elipe. Now he seemed to enter with spirit into the mubat, while before he had evidently been Playing with the Mexican. 5 “‘Sainted Virgin! boy, he will kill you!” cried the now alarmed Monte Prince, as Merle's swordsmanship became simply superb in every motion, and he drove the now pallid and really oh prong Mexican back over the ground he ust won. - God! Vistal, beware!” again shouted Don Felipe, pressing nearer and with his un- wounded arm thrust into his bosom. Instantly a skillful maneuver of Merle’s brought him so that his antagonist’s back was toward the Monte Prince, while he faced him; he had seen the act of the gambler, and shouted: ‘Don Felipe, drop your hand to your side or I will shoot you down!” As Merle spoke, he quickly drew a silver- aga dueling pistol with his disengaged and. He seemed tc hold the eye of the Monte Prince and Colonel Guarena too, gam- bler obeyed, now as deadly pale as was the Mexican officer, who fought with the despera- tion of despair, for*he well knew his life was at ec Wy had been taught something in swords- manship. *; Aid me, or he will kill me!” suddenly cried Colonel Guarena, losing all nerve, and as he spoke there was heard the sound of hoof-strokes. The Monte Prince turned quickly in the di- rection of the sound, but a cry from Colonel Guarena caused him to spring to his side. Merle had run him through the body. ‘‘Sainted Maria! he has killed me!” —— the wounded man, as the Monte Prince lowered him to the ground. Wiping the stain from his rapier, Merle faced the Monte Prince: “Senor, I am at your service now.” As he oe, a score of Lanceros dashed up te wing rein in a circle round the dis- party. “‘Seize that murderer, Senor Juaree!” yelled the Monte Prince, in tones of thunder. A score of lances pointed at the breast of Merle—resistance was vain, and without a word he surrendered himself a prisoner... _ Had he known what was to follow, he would have died then and there, with his rapier in hand, rather than lay down his arms and expect mercy from his captors. CHAPTER VIL. BLOOD-MONEY, Ir was with no little surprise depicted upon his face that Major Real Juarez—for the young man had been promoted to the rank formerly held by Vistal Guarena—gazed upon the scene before him in the gathering twilight. “Your tardiness, Major Juarez, has caused this. Now, make al] amends in your power,” sternly commanded the Monte Prince. ‘* My delay was unavoidable, Don Felipe: the Senora Guarena demanded my presence as I was about to leave the castle; important dis- —. had arrived from the Capital—is the vernor* severely wounded?’ and he bent oa Vistal Guarena, who was breathing heavi- y. “‘ Desperately so, I fear. I have stanched the bleeding as well as is in my power, and I wish you to have him borne with all haste to the castle. I will look after this prisoner,” and the Monte Prince turned toward Merle. “Senor, for the present you are a prisoner, and must submit to being ironed.” Merle made no reply, and his wrists were at once encircled by the chains. ** Now, senor, we will mount and ride on: lease take this horse,” ard the steed of Colonel uarena was led up. Merle quickly mounted, with the aid of the Monte Prince, who then — into his saddle, and followed by a dagen nceros, they rode cae Behind them followed Major Juarez with the wounded Governor, borne upon the lances of the soldiers. When Merle found himself in the saddle, his first impulse was to dash away, and ride, ironed as he was, into Vera Cruz. But a second thought convinced him that as a stranger he would have no influence there to counteract the power of the Castle’s Governor and that of the Monte Prince, who he now knew was all powerful. If he appealed to the United States Consul at Vera Cruz it would have to be in his proper rson of Merle Gienville, and under that name e was already outlawed by his Government, and a price set upon his hea No; he must accept the alternative and trust to luck for escape. By his side rode the Monte Prince, a smile = on his face, and behind came the Lanceros, th lances in rest. In a short while they drew rein u the h, where a small boat awaited; it was the intention of the wary gambler to enter the cas- tle by the sea entrance. Entering the boat, in which sat two oarsmen in the castle uniform, the Monte Prince and his prisoner were rowed rapidly away, the Lan- *The cemmandant of the Castle San Juan de Uloa is mere properly called the Governor, no mat may be his military rank.—Tax 4 ter what COMIEDOOKSGE (C (E(0)