Beadle's Dime Library, No. 149 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

*. - “ ’ WU a 2 / iM ms s — wv ad i] - 7 / (a i f = _ = > = ey 7 2 Bis Ca UR BT eR. 84 ee he Ew Rs * , J ee eg ee ee Se s q 4 e a ’ Rendipees-qespaee=- snes ne EE EE os negro, | to notice either his grimaces or pag diy, Ge “you did not see the little one to- — | NS, no, I have swered. an e Canadian sighed. “T ought to have gone myself,” he went on; ‘ the not seen her for two days,” the is very solitary there, ially now that war let loose on this side the adventurers and border-ruffians.”’ ** Nonsense | Carmela has beak and nails; she would not hesitate to defend herself if insulted.” **Confusion |" the Canadian exclaimed, as he clutched his rifle, ‘‘if one of those Malvados dared to say a word—’ *Do not trouble yourself thus, Tranquil; you know very well that if any one ventured to insult the Querida Nina, she would not want for defenders, es, Lauzi never leaves her for a moment, and you are aware how faithful he is.”’ “ Yes,"’ the hunter muttered, ‘ but Lanzi is only a ‘man after “You drive me to desperation with the ideas which $0 unreasona et into your head,”’ “*T love the i Quoniam." “Hang it, and I love her too, the little darling! ‘Well, if you like, after we have killed the jaguar, we will go to the Potrero—does that suit you?” “Itisa way from here.”’ ‘Nonsense! three hours’ ride at the most. By the by, Tr ,do you know that it is cold? and Iam frozen; cursed animal! I wonder what it is doing at this moment; I daresay it is amusing itself with wandering about instead of 5 8 t here.” “To be ed, eh?"’ Tranquil said, with a smile. Bg it all! perhaps it suspects what we have in ‘or it.”’ “That is le, for these confounded animals are pn em 4 ee een am colt is quivering—it scented some . + ry A turned his Raa ** No, not yet,” he said. “We have a night of it,’ the negro muttered, with an ill-tempered look. “You will ever be the same, Quoniam—impatient and semen en Whatever I may tell you, you obstinately refuse to understand me; how many tones have I repeated to you that the jaguar is one the most animals in existence? although we are to windward, I feel convinced it has scented us, It is prowling cunningly around us, and afraid to come near us; as you say, it is wandering about without any apearens object."’ “Hum! do you it will carry on that game much longer?’ ** No, because it must be beginning to grow thirsty; three feelings are struggling in it at this moment— hunger, thirst, and fear; fear will prove the weakes — may be assured; and it is only a question o a,’ **Tcan see it; for nearly four hours we have been on the watch.” ** Patience; the worst is over, and we shall soon have ry) news, I feel assured.” ‘‘May Heaven hear you, for I am dying of cold; is it a large animal?”’ “* Yes, oe are wide, but, if I am not greatly mistaken, it has paired.” **Do you think so?" “I could almost bet it; it is impossible for a single to do so much mischief in less than a week; what Don Hilario told me, it seems that ten h of the Ganada have disap "hh “In that ange oniam said, rubbing his hands gleefully, ‘‘ we shall have a fine hunt.” “ is what I suppose; and it must have whelps to come so near the enda.”’ At this moment a hoarse bellowing, bearing some slight resemblance to the miauling of a cat, troubled the profound silence of the desert. “There is its first cry,"’ said Quoniam. “Tt is still a long way off.” ** Oh, it will soon come nearer." “Not yet; it is not after us at this moment.” **Who else, then?’’ * Listen ” Asimilar cry to the first, but comin opposite side, burst forth at this moment. “Did I not tell Hp Bi the Canadian continued, dike baer Cin that it h “T did not doubt it. If you do not know the habits of tigers, who should?” The poor colt had risen; it was trembling all over, half dead with terror, and with its head buried be- tween its front legs, it was standing up and uttering little plaintive cries. in !? Quoniam said, ‘poor innocent brute, it understands that it is lost."’ “*T hope not.” “ The jaguar will strangle it.” ** Yes, if we do not kill the brute first.”’ ** By Jabus!”’ the negro said, **I confess I should not be sorry if that wretched colt escaped." “It will do so,” the hunter answered; ‘I have chosen it for Carmela.” ** Nonsense! then why did you bring it here?’’ **To make it used to the tiger.”’ ** Well, that is an idea! then I need not look any longer over there?”’ **No, only think of the jaguar which will come on your right, while I take charge of the other.”’ at’s ’ Two other louder roars burst forth almost simul- ‘* The st is thirsty,’ Tranquil remarked; ‘its auger is aroused, and it is coming nearer.”’ “Good! shall we get ready?” * Wait a while, our enemies are hesitating; err from the have not yet reached that xysm of rage whic makes them forget all prudence rf cat negro, who had risen, sat down again philoso- Pp y- A few minutes passed thus. At intervals the night breeze, laden with uncertain rumor, ‘ over the hunters’ heads, and was lost in the dis- tance like a sigh. They were calm and motionless, with the eye fixed on a the ear open to the mysterious noises of the desert, the finger on the rifle-trigger, ready at the first signal to face the still invisible foe, whose pe oe and imminent attack they, however, in- vely divined. acill ‘ak once ‘the, Cenadiem started, aad: stooped e **Oh!” he said, as he rose with marksof terrible anxiety, ‘‘ what is taking in the forest?”’ a | roar of the tiger burst forth like a clap of under. A horrible shriek responded to it, and the wild llop of a horse was heard, approaching at head- ng speed. _ “Quick! quick!’ T uil shouted, ‘‘some one is in danger of death—the tiger is on his trail.” The two hunters rushed intrepidly in the direction of the roars. The whole forest seemed quivering; nameless sounds issued from the hidden lairs, resembling at one moment mocking laughter, at another cries of oO ony, “Tho hoarse aieting of the jaguars went on unin- terruptedly, The gallop of the horses which the hunters heard at first seemed multiplied and issuing from opposite points. The ting hunters still ran on in a straight line boun bg en ravines and morasses with wonderfu speed; the terror they felt forthe strangers whom they wished to help gave them wings. Suddenly a shriek of agony, louder and more de- the former was heard a short distance off. “Oh!” Tranquil shouted in a paroxysm of mad- ness, “it is she! it is Carmela!” And, bounding like a wild he rushed for- ward, followed by Quoniam, who, during the whole wild race, had never left him a hair’s-breadth. Suddenly a deadly silence fell over the desert— every noise, every rumor, ceased as if by enchant- ment, and nothing could be heard save the panting of the hunters, who still ran on. A furious roar uttered by the tigers burst forth; a crashing of branches agitated an adjoining thicket and an enormous mass, bounding rom the top of the tree, passed over the Canadian’s head and disa peared; at the same instant a flash burst thro the gloom and a shot was heard, answered almost immediately by a roar of agony and a shriek of hor- ror, ™ Nina, courage!"’ a masculine voice ex- claimed, a pe bei p> ee tewte off, *‘ you are saved!”’ The hunters, by a supreme effort of their will, in- creased their speed, which was already incredible, and at length entered the scene of action. A strange and terrible sight then offered itself to their horror-stricken gaze. Ina small clearing a fainting woman was stretched out on the ground, by the side of a ripped-up horse, which was struggling in the final convulsions. P cy female was motionless, and appeared to be e Two young tigers, crouching like cats, fixed their ardent eyes upon her, and were —ae to attack her; afew paces further on a wounded tiger was writhing on the ground with horrid roars, and try- ing to leap on a man, who, with one knee on the penn’ with his left arm enveloped in the numerous olds of a zarape, and the right armed with a long machete, was resolutely awaiting its attack. Behind the man, @ horse, with outstretched neck, smoking nostrils and laid-back ears, was y goige with terror, while a second tiger, posted on the largest branch of a larch tree, fixed its burning glances on the dismounted rider, while lashing the air with its tail, and uttering hoarse miauls. What we have taken so long to describe, the hunters saw at a glance; quick as fgntning the bold adventurers selected their parts, with a look of sub- lime sim wan While uo m leaped on the tiger cubs, and seiz- ing them by the scurf, hed their brains out ainst a rock, Tranquil shouldered his rifle, and killed the tigress at the moment when she was leap- ing on the horseman, Then turning with marvelous speed he killed the second tiger with the butt of his rifle, and laid it stiffat his feet. ‘*Ah!"’ the hunter said, with a feeling of pride, as he rested his rifle on the ground, and wiped his fore- head, which was bathed in a Sse ge mig a “She lives!” Quoniam shouted, who understood what agony his friend’s exclamation contained; ‘* fear alone made her faint, but she is otherwise un- hurt,”’ The hunter slowly took off his cap, and raised his eyes to heaven, “Thanks, oh God!" he murmured, with an accent of gratitude impossible to render. In the mean while, the horseman, so miraculously saved by Tranquil, had walked up to him. sad do the same for you, some day,”’ he said, as he held out his hand. “It is I who am your debtor,” the hunter an- swered, frankly; ‘had it not beea for your sublime devotion, I should have arrived too late.”’ ‘**] have done no more than another in my place," ‘*Perhaps so. Your name, brother?” “Loyal Heart, Yours?” * Tranquil. We are friends for life and death.” yh accept, brother. And now let us attend to this poor girl. The two men shook hands for a second time, and went up to Carmela, on whom Quoniam was lavish- ing. every imaginable attention, though unable to re- ca fallen. While Tranquil and Loyal Heart took the negro’s lace, the latter hastily collected a few dried ranches and lit a fire. After a few minutes, “however, Carmela faintly opened her hy and was soon sufficiently recovered to explain the cause of her presence in the forest, instead of being quietly asleep in the Venta del Pos- trero, This story, which, in consequence of the maiden’s weakness, and the poignant emotions she had en- dured, it took her several hours to complete, we - tell the reader in a few words in the next chap- CHAPTER XVIII. IANZI. CARMELA watched for a long time the Jaguar's ir- regular ride across the country, and when he at length peared in the distance, in a clump of my trees, she sadly bowed her head and re-entered he venta slowly and pensively. “He hates him,’ she murmured, in a low, agitated | at this moment in giving their her from the profound faint into which she had votes: “he hates him. Will he be willing to save e fell into an equi and for some minutes re- ed ed ina my tr At she raised her ; a feverish flush cov- ered her face, and her soft eyes seemed to emit es. “I will save him!” she exclaimed with supreme resolution. After this exclamation she rose, and walking hur- rong across the room, opened the door leading into e corral. ‘** Lanzi!’’ she cried. “Nina!” the half-breed replied, who was engaged ble h bel ging t lady. hich, , e horses belon o the yo , which were under his special charge. per ‘**Come here.” “*T will be with youin a moment,” Five minutes later at the most he appeared in the doorway. | ‘** What do you want, senorita?” he said, with that calm obsequiousness habitual to servants who are spoiled by heir masters; ‘I am very busy at this moment.” “That is possible, my good Lanzi,"’ she answered, sony i but what I have to say to you admits of no elay.”’ “Oh, oh,”’ he said, in a spantly suppressed tone, ss nae e matter, ange ~ “Nothing very extraordinary, my good man; everything in the venta is regular as usual. But I have a service to ask of you.”’ Speak, senorita; you know thatI am devoted to ou,’ “Tt is growing late, and it is probable that no tra- bi = ene at the nents sear. of * e -breed raised his head, and mentally cal- culated the tion of the sun. “I do not believe that any travelers will arrive to- day,’’ he at length said, “for it is nearly four o'clock; they ht come for all that. = ay Nothing eads to the suppvosition."’ ** Nothing, a pens seno ee “Well, I wish you to shut up the venta.” “Shut up the venta! What for?" “*T will tell you.” o ¥ it really very important?"’ a ery.’ **Speak, then, Nina, I am all ears." The maiden gave the half-breed, who was stand- ing in front of her, a long and searching ev her elbow gracef on the table, said, q e y—"’ “Tam anxious, Lanzi.” “Anxious? What about?” “At my father’s long absence.” ** Why, he was here y four days back.” “He never left me alone so long before.” “Still,” the half-breed remarked, scratching his head with an embarrassed air— “In a word,’’ she interrupted him resolutely, “I am anxious about my father, and wish to see him. You will close the venta, saddle the horses, and we will go to the Larch-tree hacienda; it is not far, and we shall be back in four or five heurs,"’ ‘That will make it very late." “The greater reason to start at once,” 4 Seill....’’ “No remarks; do asI order you—I insist on it.” e half- bowed without replying, for he knew that when his young mistress spoke thus he must obey. The maiden walked forward a step, laid her white and delicate hand on the half-breed’s shoulder, and putting her lovely face close to his, she added, with FE 3 e smile which made the poor fellow start w oy— “Do not be vexed at my whim, my kind Lanzi, but I am suffering.”’ ‘‘Be vexed with you, Nina!’ the half-breed an- swered, with a significant shrug of his shoulders; “why, do you not know that I would go into the fire for you? much more, then, would I satisfy your slightest wish.” e then began carefully parriceeine the doors and windows of the venta, after which he proceed- ed to the corral to saddle the horses, while Carmela, suffering from nervous impatience, changed her attire for other clothes more convenient for the journey she designed, for she had deceived the oid cheat It was not Tranquil she wished to find. But Heaven had decreed that the plan she revolved in her pretty head should not succeed. At the moment when she re-entered the sitting- room, fully dressed and ready to start, Lanzi ap- peared in the doorway of the corral with extreme agitation displayed in his face, Carmela ran up to him eagerly, fancying that he had hurt himself. ** What is the matter with you?’’ she asked him, or : ‘* We are lost!’ he replied, in a hollow voice, as he looked about him in terror. ‘Lost !’’ she exclaimed, turning pallid as a corpse; ‘‘ what do you mean?” The half-breed laid a finger on his li silence, made her a sign to follow h noiselessly into the co Carmela followed him. The corral was inclosed with a plank wall about six feet high; Lanzi went up to a spot where a wide cleft allowed a prospect of the plain, ‘** Look,” he said to his mistress. ae girl obeyed, and laid her face against the plank. Night was beginning to fall and a denser shadow was each moment invading the plain. Still, the ob- scurity was not great enough to prevent ela pa cS about two hundred yards away, a nuu- merous party of horsemen coming at full speed in the direction of the venta. A glance sufficed the maiden to perceive that these horsemen were Indios Bravos. The warriors, more than fifty in number, were in their full war paint; and, as they bent over the necks of their horses, which were as untamable as them selves, they brandished their long over their heads with an air of deflance. “These are Apaches,’’ Carmela exclaimed, as she recoiled in terror. ‘‘How comes it that they have reached this place before we are warned of their ar- The half-breed shook his head sadly. to command , and glided com JOO oa Ns rl ; ; '* _——