Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 1102 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

~, a QF i Ct aoe + "t ‘You can get up! And with the word Blake released the alcalde, and resumed his seat. Old Bullicn rose slowly to his feet, consider- ably the worse for the brief encounter, and seated himself in his chair, gazing at Biake with an expression which plainly denoted that he did not know what to make of him. ‘¢ Now, then, father-in-law that is to be—” “Never!” growled the alcalde, angrily. ‘Wall, we won’t discuss the question now, | although you'll find that I’m going to have’ the girl after I have made a name for myself.” ‘‘Do you mean to say that you and she have come to an understanding unknown to me?” cried the alcalde. ‘*Oh, no; I never said a word to her on the subject in my life. I have confidence though, | that if I set out to vin her she will not be able to resist my persuasive ways; but i aought I | would speak to you on the subject firs¢.” ‘“T'll pever consent.” ‘‘ Well, I will have to get along without it then.” Blake rose to his feet. ‘There isn’t any bad blood between us, I | hope?” “Well, no,” the alcalde replied, slowly.; ‘* But. | if you come after my girl there will be.” You must not blame the moth if the light | | some of your warriors can take up this fight. attracts him; take care of yourself. So long!” And Blake departed. CHAPTER XXXIII. ENOUGH IS AS GOOD AS A FEAST. AND now we will transport the reader to the little sheltered glade up in the foot-hills where the Indians had pitched their camp, and where we introduced the old Apache chief, the Paint- ed Bean, and his four stalwart sons to his ac- uaintances. Luckily for the red chief, who had suffered so severely in the fight, a deputation of two warriors of Painted Bean’s band arrived in Santa Fé the next morning in search of the old chief. : They had come to tell him that as a new dis- position had been made of the troops in the neighborhood of the reservation of Pa'nted Bean’s band, there was a fine opportunity fora quiet raid upon the white settlers a hundred miles to the southward without much danger of detection. The braves arrived just in time to.carry their wounded brothers to the camp in tbe hills, the chances being good that they would not be ina condition to’ make the journey to the reserva- . tion for two or three weeks at the best. Dec Limberlegs made a visit to them every other day, and under his care the wounded men sdon improved. | Contrary to his first anticipation, none of the wounds threatened to prove dangerous, and he said, confidently : ‘‘ Within three weeks you will be able to travel, and inabout three months you will all fee] like yourselves again.” The old chief improved more rapidly than the rest, and soon a he could sit up and even move around a little. It was a bright moonlight night, and the Painted Bean sat on a rock, gazing downward over the valley, looking toward Santa Fé, but the town was too far away to be within the range of vision, although by day the smoke ris- ing from it could be plainly distinguished. ‘the two warriors had gone to Santa Fé in quest of supplies, the young braves were aslee in their skin wigwams, and the old chief, in soli- tude, was deep in meditation. A horseman came insight, coming up the trail from Santa Fé, and riding directly toward the camp. : The Painted Bean watched him attentively as e approac . ' eves the thought of the old warrior that the horseman was no stranger to him, and this sup- tion was correct, for as the rider drew near Chief of the Bloodsuckers—who had made the disastrously to the red-skins. The horseman rode into the camp and dis- mounted, the old chief perfectly passive all the wiThis was the first time that the stranger had made his appearance since the day when he had made the agreement with the savages. “Well, how gti te amc ge , chief 2’ the horseman asked, as ne upon 4 pro- ioctl rock, @ seri or so distant from where I ior sat. the old wevuch bad,” replied the Indian. ‘<'The scheme didn’t work worth a cent, eh?” ‘s No work.” bout ; 4 “ Mighty tony Oe about it, too,” observed stranger, mu ; . the The 1e ss seemed to have asuspicion that you red bucks meant mischief the moment you came The Stranger Sharp. 23 a al How in the name of all that is wonderful did he 'adoubt. I will arrange all the details myself, suspect that you had come to Santa Fé for the | and plot the thing out so carefully that it will purpose of looking after him? it?” ‘‘ No, the chief never opened his mouth,” the | and they wil! follow it faithfully.” savage replied. ‘‘Even my young braves did not know. [| came to see what the white chief was Lise so f | might know how to strike him,” ‘Ts the fellow a wizard, then, who can scent danger in the air?” Painted Bean shook his head; the conundrum ' was too much for him, and he promptly gave it up. ‘‘ The whole thing may be only accidental, but it is mighty strange, anyway.” ‘* Tt is strange,” responded the warrior, grave- Ys. Well, there isn’t any use crying over spilled milk,” the other remarked. ‘‘ When we miss fire, the only thing to be done is to put on fresh caps and try again.” ‘* Try again,” coincided the brave, ‘‘T don’t suppose that you wil! be in a condi- tion to do anything for some time.” The Indian shook his head. ‘©The Painted Bean will not be able to go on the war-path for many moons.” ‘But I suppose you can arrange if so that ‘* You have two more from the reservation here now, I understand,” ‘‘ Yes: two good braves,” ‘Don’t you think you can fix some plan so that these two warriors can succeed in taking this fellow by surprise—catch him, you know, so that he will not haye any chance for bis life? **Of course you are just hungry to revenge the death of your sons,” The old chief shook his head slowly and a sad look came into his dark eyes. ‘* My braves are nowin the Spirit Land—they chase the game in the happy hunting-grounds— it was their fate to die. ‘‘The chief will be lonely without them, but it will not be for — ‘¢ Soon the time come for him to sing his death-song, and then he will join them never to leave them again.” ‘¢ But first you must have revenge,” urged the other, craftily. te Evangel: And as the brave uttered the word he sheok his head. ‘‘ Yes; revenge on the man who slew them.” ‘‘ Tt cannot be,” replied the Painted Bean, de- cidedly. ‘And why not?” asked the other, surprised at the assertion. gh ee ‘‘This man’s medicine is too great—he is not a man: he is a devil—a white devil—and what red chief can fight a white man’s devil?” ‘¢ Oh, nonsense! there isn’t any such thing!” The aged warrior cast a contemptuous look at the speaker. ‘* It is easy to talk,” he said. ‘‘ If the tongue could kill, many warriors who now live would be dead.” ‘¢ This man is no more a devil than I am!” “Go fight him then.” : The other bit his lip; the counsel did not please him, ‘¢ There are reasons why I cannot mix myself up in this matter; but I am ba ore | to pay liber- aly to accomplish his death; but I did not ex- ect that you would attack him openly. I thou ht your game would be to take him at a Aleadrasitng’ and not give him a chance for his life.” ‘Not for all the yellow. stuff that was ever dug out of the earth would the Apache chief dare the power of the white devil again,” re- sponded the old savage, solemnly. +f Why, the fellow has taken all the steel out of you!” the other exclaimed in undisguised an- noyance. “His medicine is too great—the red brave does not live who can match it.” ‘Perhaps. these two warriors of yours ma be willing to risk it, provided they are we paid,” the stranger suggested. ‘No, no; they have heard how he beat the Painted Bean and his young braves and they will not dare,” So A bitter curse rose to the lips of the disguised man as he listened to this unwelcome intelli- gence, but with an effort he kept 1t back. ‘‘ How about the other scheme in regard to which I spoke—about carrying off the girl, you know? “Will your young men be willing to under- take that job? ‘“ Why not? Thatis as nothing compared to fighting this white devil.” “T wish you were well enough to look after the matter yourself.” The old chief shook his head. ‘**Tt will be many moons before the Painted eae ———ee ee - - _ = . —— | be sure to succeed if they obey my orders.” ‘You didn’t say anything to any one about | | and wise in council. ‘They are good braves, bojd on the war-ath ‘‘ You spall talk to them—lay out the trail, ‘*(Jo0d: that is what I want, and if they ¢o we cannot fail.” ‘* How soon?” ‘‘T cannot tell exactly, the time is not yet ripe, but soon it will be, and then I willlet you ‘““In the mean time you can talk the matter over with your young men, so that when 1 cue again everything will be understood.” ‘¢ The chief will do it.” The stranger rose and then vaulted into the saddle, ‘*T eannot tell bow soon I will come again, for it depends upon circumstances beyond my control, but it will not be many days, I fancy. So long!” And away the horseman went. When he gained the plain, his thoughts trans- lated themselves into words, ‘‘No further aid can be expected from the red- skins. The Bloodsuckers then must try their luck: but no open fight this time, though the odds are ten to one. ‘This accursed Blake must be ambushed and shot. down like a dog!” : And with this murderous design in his heart the horseman rode straight for Santa Fé. CHAPTER XXXIV. THE SECRET ASSASSIN. AND now we will allow old Father Time to wing his onward flight for a good seven days, before we again take up the thread of cur story. Nothing of interest to our readers has tran- spired during that time worthy of being detailed. at length. Blake had gone into business. He had purchased a half-interest ina genera! store kept by an enterprising Hebrew, one Moses Cohen, and a braud-new sign, Wor eg by the cunning hand of the Fresh of Frisco him- self, was affixed to the front of the building and bore the inscription: “COHEN & BLAKE. Goop Goops CHEAP FOR CASH.” This movement was the source of considerable wonderment to the townsmen, and Jimsonweec, taking ic upon himself to voice the general amazement, consulted the sport, ‘Say, Mr. Blake,” he took occasion to re- mark, taking advantage of what he considered a favorable opportunity to obtain the informa- tion which he sought, ** I know that it ain’t any of my business. but do you know there’s an aw- ful lot of talk around town about your buying an interest in this hyer store of Cohen, and they do say that the Jew cuss got considerably the best of the deal.” ‘‘Oh, there’s always somebody around to take such remarks,” the Fresh fat nme care- lessly. ‘* What Cohen asked and what i gave him is a matter that concerns only us two. “T don’t doubt that Cohen thinks he made @ good deal, for trade has picked up Stren edeage so he says, since I took a position behind the counter.” ‘*T don’t doubt that in the least, for thar was a good many in the town that wouldn't believe it was so, even when they heard it. They reck- oned that a man of your kidney would never be contented with storekeeping, and so they came to see for themselves.” “Thought I was too wild a bird to settle down, eh?” ‘‘- Yes, that is about the size of it.” ‘‘These wiseacres are not always correct. The truth of the matter is, I bought an interest in the store so as to settle down. ‘*T don’t want the town of Santa Fé to look upon mein the light of a sport only. I want them to consider me one of the sober business men of the place—a fellow who has settled down here to cast his lot with S=nta Fé and grow up with the town.” “Oh, yes, I see; but thar’sm heap sight more money for you in your sporting life.” “Yes, I shouldn’t be surprised, but I can take a hendina game of poker now and then, just for the fun of the thing, you know, and no one will have the right to make mouths at me. That is one of the odd things that we meet with in this life. ‘“Tf I depend upon card-playing to get me a living I am a gambler, and évery one looks askance at me. ‘‘Byen the very men that I Play with at night pass me by with an extremely cool nod if they happen to meet me in the street the next da ® There is a sort of a taint vpon me. Iam in ' “+ ~ > tl img . ae ° . . ae a a — eb Sn? an : -_- fe y € — : 4 4 » ’ a ¥ ‘ yy in wn.” Bean wi i ior in,” i Ores d the chief, with a nod. replied, F< conemeauame neal iatiati a Rea Sea a great degree a social pariah, and the world at 3a 4 He didn’t give youa chance to get in any ‘Well, I’m sorry for it, chief, but if these | large sais me, ny +" fine work, but he went dh immediately,” two young men of. yours are good warriors—” ‘“Butif I am a storekeeper, a tradesman, a a i “Yes, quick to the red-man to war. “None better in the Apache nation!” protest- | doctor or lawyer, I can play ards all night i “It isa mighty strange affair, and the more | ed the chief. _ long and bet es heavily as | like, and if if comes & I think about the matter the more I am puzzled. ‘They will be able to do the job then without ' to the knowledge of the set in which I move 1% ‘ a 4 +) 4 ~ é re 7 > ow " 7 Me r q { Pe be wt t- br,’ WAL ° : 1 | oe - : - i . : ~ Me a 4 Gee a an ake litte 2 : CT awe oe 4 a, Cp... ae Pee Wels Te . 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