Beadle's Dime Library, No. 149 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

; be os » Cam peainos, wha, The Border Rifles. 11 the contrasts and harmonies of that puissant Nature whick can only be found there. Through the center of an immense plain, circled on all fies by the tall foliage of a virgin forest, there ran in capricious windings a sandy road, whose golden color contrasted harmoniously with the deep green of the grass and the silvery whiteness of a nar- row stream which the first beams of the sun caused to sparkle like a casket of jewels. Not far from the stream, and at about the middle of the plain, rose a white house with a veranda running round it, and a roof of red tiles. This house, prettily covered with creepers that almost hid its walls, was a Verta, or hostelry, built on the top of a small mount, It was reached by an imperceptible ascent, and, owing to its poaeen, commanded the immense and grand landsca Before t the door ba ae tee ttn us, icturesquel uped, and about twenty in number, a saddling their horses, while the arrieros were actively engaged in loading seven or eight mules. Along the road, and some paces from the venta, several horsemen, resembling black dots, could be seen just entering the forest to which we alluded, a forest which rose gradually, and was commanded by a girdle of lofty mountains, whose ed and bare crests were almost confounded with the azure of the sky. The door of the venta opened, and a young officer came out singing, accompanied by a stout and jolly- looking monk; after them a charming maiden of eighteen or nineteen, fair-haired and fragile, with blue eyes and golden hair, appeared on the thresh- old... **Come, come,” the captain said, for the young officer wore the marks of that grade, *‘ we have lost too much time already, so to horse.”’ ““Hum!” the monk growled, ““we have had hardly time to breakfast, why the deuce are you in sucha bh ca n? * Holy an the officer went on, with a laugh, ie if you prefer remaining, you are at liberty to do So. 7 ‘No, no, I will go with you,” the monk exclaimed, with a look of terror; “ caspita ’ Iwant to take ad- vantage of your escort.”’ ‘Then make haste, for I shall. give orders, to start within five minutes,”’ . PF The officer, after looking round the plain, gave his assistente orders to bring up his horse, and mounted with that grace peculiar to Mexican riders. The monk stifled a sigh of regret, probably thinking of the savory hospitality he was Jeaving, to run the risk of a long journey, and, aided by the arrieros, he content to lift himself onto a mule, whose loins gave way beneath the enormous load. _ * Ouf!” he muttered, ‘‘ here I am,”’ “To horse!” the officer commanded. The dragoons obeyed at once, and for a few sec- onds the clash of steel could be heard. The maiden, to whom we. have alluded, had hitherto stood yh a motionless in Re GOCE WAR. appar , sufferin om some secret agitation, a loging ow Ay, then anxiously at two or three ae posherpe against the wall of the venta, listlessly followed the movements of the party; but at the moment when the captain was about to give the order, to start, she resolutely went tip to him and offered a mechero, _ “Your cigarette is not lighted, sir,” she said, in a soft and melodious voice. “On my honor, ‘tis true,” he replied, and bending gallantly down to her, he returned her the mechero, saying: *‘ Thanks, my chee child.” he girl profited by this movement, which brought his f lose to hers, to whisper hurriedly: Take care!’ “What?” he said, as he looked fixedly at her. Without replying, she laid her finger on her rosy lips, and turning quickly away, ran back into the venta. The captain drew himself up, frowned savagely, and bent a threatening glance on the two or three fellows leaning against the wall, but he soon shook his head. “Bah!” he muttered, disdainfully, “they would not dare.” He then drew his saber, whose blade glistened daz- ly in the sunbeams, and placed himself at the of the troop. . ‘**Forward!”* he shouted. They started at once. The mules followed the bell of the Wena, and the dragoons collected around the recua, inclosing it in their midst. For a few minutes the Campesinos, who had been watching the departure of the troop, looked after it ee the winding road, then re-entered the venta one y one, . The girl was seated alone onan éqguipal, mpneptly busily sed in sewing; still through the almost impercep tremor that agitated her body, the flush on her brow, and the timid look she shot through her long eyelashes on the entrance of the Campesinos, it Was easy to read that the calmness she affected was far from her heart, and that, on the contrary, a secret fear tormented her. These Campesinos were three in number; they were men in the full vigor of life, with harshly h marked features, firm ces, and brusque and brutal manners. They wore the Mexican border costume, and were well armed. They sat down on a bench placed before a clumsi- ly-planed table, and one of them striking it sharply with his fist, turned to the girl and said roughly: “ Drink here.” ' Sue started, and raised her head quickl * What do you wish for, Caballeros?” ans said, * Mezcal.” , She rcse and hastened to serve them; the man who had spoken caught her by the dress at the moment she passed, *“ An instant, Carmela,”’ he said. * Let go my dress, Ruperto,”’ she replied, with a bait 6 il slight I-humor, “ you will tear it for me.” ‘Nonsense!’ he replied with a coarse laugh, “you must fancy me very awkward.” “No, but your manner does not please me.” = ot oh! you are not always so wild, my charm- ‘What do you mean?” she continued, with a _“No matter, I understand it; but that is not the tion just at present.” | question j ty a i's ee a - ¥ se “What is it, then?’ she asked with feigned sur- | constantl me have I not brought you the mezcal you or- | with w fered d “Yes, yes; but I have something to say to you.”’ ~ Well, say it quickly, and let me go.” “You are in @ great hurry to escape from me; are for the present you afraid lest your lover may surprise yowin con- | details versation with me?” Ruperto’s comrades ae laughing, and the maiden stood quite abashed. “T have no lover, Ruperto, and you know it ve well,” she answered with tears in her eyes; ‘it cruel of you to insult a defenseless girl.” ‘* Nonsense! I am not insulting you, Carmela; what harm is there in a pretty girl like you having a lover, if not two?” ‘Let me go,” she cri movement to free herself. ‘““Not before you have answered my question.” ‘** Ask it then, and let us have an end of this.”’ ‘‘ Well, my wild little maid, be good enough to re- peat to me what you whispared just now to that Bat age of a captain.” ey)? you suppose I said to him?”’ “That is the very point. Nina, I do not spppore what you said to bim, I merely wish you to me what it was.” ‘*Leave me alone, Ruperto, you only take a de- light in tormenting me,’ The Mexican looked at her searchingly. “Do not turn the conversation, my beauty,’’ he said AE “for the rg I ask you is serious,”’ “That is possible; but I have no answer to give rou.” me Because you know you have done wrong.”’ *“*T do not understand you.” “Of course not! Well, I will explain: myself; at , as she made an angry the compelled to give him a aig pe EAE however: he an not appear a ended. ° As for his character, the following scenes will make it sufficiently well known for us i to th entering into any ecigtaened CHAPTER XT. LOVE AND JEALOUSY. Tue first feeling of terror which had caused the three men to recoil at the appearance of the Jaguar, had gradually worn off; their effrontery, if not their courage, had returned on seeing the in- offensive manner of the man they had long been accustomed to fear. Ruperto, the biggest scoundrel of the three, was rst to regain coolness, and, reflecting that the man who caused them such terror was alone, and therefore could not have the force on his side, he walked resolutely toward him. ‘Rayo de Dios!’ he said, in a brutal voice, “let | that girl alone, for she deserves not only what has she replied in embarrassment; “‘what do bappened to her, but also the chastisement we are | about to inflict upon her at once.” SN the moment the officer was about to start, you said | x him, ‘Take care.’ Would you venture to deny ty"’ The girl turned pale. “Since you heard me,” she said, attempting to jest, “ why do you ask me?” The Campesinos had frowned on hearing Ru- perto’s accusation; the position was growing serious. *“Oh, oh!” one of them said, as he looked up; ‘did she reall y. say that?” 7 eee since I heard it,” Ruperto retorted brutally. The girl took a timid glance around, as if implor- ing an absent protector, ‘He is not there,”’ Ruperto remarked cruelly, “so it is of no use fookseng for him,” * Who?” she asked, hesitating between the shame of eo supposition andthe terror of her dangerous position. * He,’ he answered with a grin. “ Listen, Car- mela; several times already you have learned more of our business than we liked; I repeat to you the remark you made a minute ago to the captain, and try to profit by it; take care,” ‘Yes,”’ the second speaker said praca “for we might forget that you are only a ch d, and make you pay dearly for your sp DM . ** Nonsense,”’ the third said, who had hitherto con- tented himself with drinking, and taking no part in the conversation; “*the law must be equal for all; if ei has betrayed us, she must be punished.” “Well said, Bernardo,’’ Ruperto exclaimed, as he smote the table; “there are just enough of us to pronounce the sentence.” ; " ‘* Good heavens!” she screamed, as she freed her- self by a sudden effort from the grasp of the arm which had hitherto held her; “let me go, let me &o. c * Stay!” se shouted as he rose; “if you do not, some misfortune will happen.’ The three men rushed on the maiden, and the lat- ter, half wild with terror, sought in vain the door of the venta by which to escape. ‘ But, at the moment when the three men laid their rough and horny hands on her white and delicate shoulders, the door, whose hasp she had been un- able to lift in her terror, was thrown open, and a man on the threshold, 4 tis the matter here?” he asked in a harsh voice, as he cro his hands on his chest; and he stood motionless, looking round at the company. There was such menace in the voice of the new- comer, such a flash shot from his eyes, that the three terrified men fell back mechanically against me opposing wall, muttering—‘‘The Jaguar! ‘the var,’ “Save me! save me!" the maiden shrieked, as she rushed wildly toward him. ‘** Yes,” he said, in a deep voice; “ yes, I will save you, Carmela; woe to the man who causes a hair of ct i fall.” And softly raising her in his powerful arms, he laid her gently on a butacca, where Sho reclined ina half-fainting condition. | The man who appeared so suddenly was still very young, his ess face would have seemed that of a child, if his regular features, with their almost feminine. beauty, not been relieved by two large black eyes, which possessed a brilliancy and magnetic power that few men felt themselves ca- pable of enduring. precefal and elegant, and his He was tall, but chest was wide; his long hair, black as the raven’s t, which wing, fell in clusters beneath his vicuna was ornamented with a deep gold toquilla. He wore the brilliant and luxurious Mexican cos- tume; his calzoneras of violet velvet, open above the knee, and decorated witha profusion of carved gold buttons, displayed his shapely leg, elegantly im- prisoned in plaid silk stockings; his DADES, thrown over his shoulder, was bordered with a wide gold galoon, a girdle of white China crape confined his ips, and bore a pair of pistols and a sheathless machete, with a broad and glittering blade, passed through a ring of bronzed steel; an erican rifle, studded with silver ornaments, was slung over his shoulder, rs There was in the person of this man,still so young, an attraction so powerful, a dominating fire so strange, that it was impossible to see him without loving or hating him—so profound was the at aha sion he unconscio produced on all those, without exception, with whom chance brought into relation, . No one knew who he was, or whence he came; his very bame was unknown; and people had been i oe Se r=) ett Ps be oi. ee a te The young man started as if a snake had st him, and darted over his aay ta rae full of menace at the man who had add him, “Are you speaking to me in that way?’ he asked. “To whom else?” the other answered, resolutely, although in his heart he felt alarmed at the way which his question had been taken up. ** Ah!"’ was all the Jaguar said; and without adding another word, he walked slowly toward Ruperto, whom he held motionless beneath his fascinating glance, and who watched him come up with a terror that momentarily increased. On arriving about a yard from the Mexican the young man stopped. This scene, v § iee so simple, must, however, have possessed a terrible significance for the — for all bosoms were heaving, every brow was The Jaguar, with livid face, crisped features, eyes inflamed with blood, and brows frowning, thrust forth his arm to ‘seize Ruperto, who, overcome by terror, did not make a single movement to esca from ae clutch, which he knew, however, would bi mortal. | Suddenly Carmela bounded like a startled fawn, and cast herself between the two men. “Oh!” she shrieked, as she casped her hands; ‘have pity on him; do not kill him, in Heaven's name!” The young man’s face suddenly changed, and as- sumed an expression of ineffable gentleness. _“* Be it so!” he said; “since such is your wish, he shall not die; but he insulted you, Carmela, and must be punished, On your knees, villain!” he con- tinued, as he turned to Ruperto and pressed his hand heavily on his shoulder; “on your knees, and ask pardon of this angel.” spent sunk together beneath the weight of this iron ha in a timid voice— ‘** Pardon, pardon 1” ‘Enough,’ the Jaguar then said, with a terrible —— me and tl 3 your God for having es- caped this time again from my vengeance. n ths door Carmela’ oT The maiden obeyed. “ To horse!” the Jaguar continued; ‘*‘ go and wait for me at the Rio-Seco, aud mind not,one stirs before my arrival, under'penalty of death. Begone!” ethree men bowed their heads, and went out without reply; an instant later the gallop of their horses coul heard echoing on the sandy road. The two young people remained alone in the venta. The Jaguar sat down at the table where the men had been drinking a moment previously, his aa oht his hands, and seemed plunged in serious ought. :' Carmela looked at him with a mixture of timidity and fear, not daring to address him. At length, after a considerable period had elapsed the young man raised his head, him, as if suddenly aroused from sleep. ; “What, you remained here?” he sald to het. , “Yes,” she answered, softly. : “Thanks, Carmela—you are kind! you alone love me, when all else hate me.” . ‘* Have I not reason to do so?” The Jaguar smiled mournfu question by asking another, exes who do not wish to let their thoughts be read. , but answered this you and those scoundre made up her mind and confessed the warning she gave the captain of dragoons. tw her; “ your imprudence may phi hepa c serious coni- plications. Yet Idare not blame you; you area woman, and consequently ignorant of many thin Are you alone here?” ve Quite alone.”’ ‘4 ae imprudence! how can Tranquil leave you: 1s?” “His duties keep him at present at the Larch- tree Hacienda, where thereis going to be a grand hunt in a few days.” ‘Hum! at any rate, Quoniam ought to have re- mained with you.” : ‘He could not, for Tranquilrequired his help.” __ “The devil is in the business, as it seems,” he. said, in an ill-humored voice; “he must be mad thus to abandon a girl alone ina venta situated alone in the midst of such a desolate country, dur- ing whole weeks.” yt, “T was not alone, for Lanzi left wlth me.” “Ah! and what has become ab phe ‘A little before sunrise I sent him to kill a little game.” “A capital reason, and you have been left ex- to the coarse language and ill treatment of he first scoundrel who thought proper to /ou. % ‘LT did not think there was any danger.” nd, and fell at the maiden's feet murmuring d looked around e usual tactics of — “Now, tell me eel What happened between — The maiden seemed to hesitate for a moment, but “You were wrong,” the Jaguar said sternly te | > hrs ht wo “Af re re . fae ta? . P - ., Now, I trust you are undeceived."’ 4, ge - “Oh!” she cried, with a start of terror, “ that, 3 shall never ry go again, I swear to PM * - ie Good but I think I hear % ook ae, eee J IGOMIGDOOKS.cOmM SS en SE ie . 4 aa a tor . . aa