Beadle's Dime Library, No. 149 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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The Border Rifles. 21 The monk fixed a terrified look on the strange man, not knowing what to say to him, or the means he should employ to reach his heart. *“* Who are you then?” he asked him, rather for the sake of saying something than in the hope of an an- swer. “Who I am?” he said, with an ironical smile, “vou would like to know. Very geod, listenin your turn; I have only a few words to say, but they will ice the blood in your veins with terror; Iam the man called the White Scalper, the Pitiless one!" The menk tottered back a few paces, and clasped his hands with an effort. ‘‘Oh, my God!” he exclaimed, frenziedly, “‘I am | | duced no other result than that of enabling him to lost !"’ At this moment the hoot of an owl was heard a short distance off. The hunter started. ‘‘Some one was listening to us!"’ he exclaimed and rushed rapidly to the side whence the signal | came, while the monk, half dead with terror, fell = his knees, and addressed a fervent prayer to eaven. CHAPTER XXIII. THE WHITE SCALPER. We must now stop our story for a little while, in order to give the reader certain details about the strange man whom we introduced in our previous chapter, details doubtless very incomplete, but still ind nsable to the proper comprehension of facts that have to follow. If, instead of telling a true story, we were invent- ing a romance, we should certainly guard ourselves against introducing into our narrative persons like the one we have to deal with now; unhappily, we are constrained to follow the line ready traced be- fore us, and depict our characters as they are, as they existed, and as the majority still exist. A few years before the period at which the first part of our story begins, a rumor, at first dull, but which soon attained a certain degree of consistency and a great notoriety in the vast deserts of Texas, arose almost suddenly, icing with fear the Indios Bravos, and the adventurers of every description who continually wander about these vast solitudes. It was stated that a man, apparently white, had been for some time on the desert, pursuing the red- skins, against whom he seemed to have declared an obstinate war. Acta of horrible cruelty and extra- ordinary boldness were narrated about this man, who was said to be always alone; wherever he met Indians, no matter their number, he attacked them; those who into his power were scalped, an their hearte torn out, and in order that it might be known that they had fallen under his blows, he made on their stomach a wide incision, im the sha of across. At times this implacable ememy of the red race glided into their villages, fred them during the nigh SOa On ware sae ee Senet = frigh tehery, ta who came in his way; women, children, and on, gloomy redressor of wrongs, however, did _ cr Coane, eae ie ~ hatred— - em Ra wo all the bold border ruffians aceustomed to live at the nse of society had a rude account to settle with ; but the latter he did mot scalp, but mere- ly contented himself with fastening them securely - agen badd condemned them to die of hun- ger, become the prey of wild beaate. During the first years, the adventurers and red- skins, drawn together by the f of a common danger, had several times banded to put an ond to this ferocious enemy, bind him, and imflict the law of retaliation on him; but he seemed to be protected by a charm which enabled him to escape all the snares laid for him, and circumvent all the ambuscades formed on his road. It was impossible to catch him; his movements were 60 rapid and un ted, that he often appeared at considerable ces from the spot where he was awaited, and where he had been seen shortly before. ae to the Indians and adventurers, he was invulnerable; bullets and men, he made no ex- arrows ed from his chest; and soon, through the continued fortune that accompanied all his en s man became a subject of uni- versa) terror on the prairie; his enemies, convinced that all they might attempt against prove useless, gave up a struggle which they re- yarded as waged against a superior power. The strangest legends were current about him; every one feared him as a maleficent spirit; the Indians named him X/ein-Stomann, or the White Scalper, and the adventurers designated him among them- selves by the epithet of Pitiless. These two gees as we roe ot justly given S this man, with whom murder an auranes seeme the supreme enjoyment, such pleasure did he find in f his victitms quivering beneath his blood- red hand, and tearing the heart out of their bosom, hence his mere name, uttered in a whisper, filled the bravest with horror. But who was this man? Whence did he come? What fearful a had cast him into the fear- ful mode of life he led No one could answer these questions. This indi- vidual was a horrifying enigma, which no person could solve. as he one of those monstrous organizations, Naeeser beneath the envelop of man, containa tiger's Or, else, a soul ulcerated by a frightful misfor- tune, all whose faculties are directed to one object, "seth these hypotheses were equally ponsiole these hy were y . . haps both were true, per till, as every medal has its reverse, and man is not perfect in either good or evil, this individual had at times gleams, not of pity, but Ag of fatigue when blood mounted to his gorge, choked him. an’ rendered him a little less erdfel, a little less implaca- ble, almost human, ina word. But thease moments were brief, these attacks, as he called them himself, very rare; nature regained the upper hand almost at once, and he became only the more terrible, be- cause he had been so near growing com onat-. This was all known about this individual at the moment when we brought him on the st in so singular a fashion. The assistance he had ven the monk was socontrary to all his habits, that he must have been suffering at the moment from one of his best atcacks, to have consented not only to give such eager attention to one of his fellows, but also to waste so much time in listening to his lamentations and entreaties. To finish the information we. have to give about this person, we will add that no one knew whether he had a permanent abode; he was not known to have any woman to love, or any follower; he had ever been seen alone; and during the ten years he had roamed the desert in every direction, his coun- tenance had undergone no change; he had ever the same appearance of old age and strength, the same long and white beard, and the same wrinkled face. As we have said, the Scalper rushed into the chap- arral to discover who had given the signal] that star- tled him; his researches were minute, but they pro- discover that he was not mistaken, and that a SPY hidden in the bushes had really seen all that too place in the clearing, and heard all that was said. Quitting the trunk of the tree behind which he was sheltered, he then boldly walked a few paces corey and stopped almost in the center of the clearing. ‘** Where are you, you who are speaking?" he asked in a loud and firm voice; “are you af of letting yourself be seen?” $$ -- oe “| fear nothing,’’ the squatter replied. *“S.uow yourself, then, that I may know you again,’’ John said fae Thus challenged, the Scalper came up within two paces of the hunter. "ere lam,”’ he said, “ what do you want of me?”’ Davis let the horse come up without making any movement to avoid it. “Ab,” he said, “I am notsorry to have had a look | at you.”’ Blue-fox, after summoning his comrades, cautious- | ly retired, convinced that if he fell into the hands of the Scalper, he would be lost in spite of all his courage. The latter returned thoughtfully to the side of the monk, whose praying still went on, and had as- sumed such proportions that it threatened to be- come interminable. The Scalper looked for a moment at the Fray, an ironical smile playing round his pale lips the while and then gave him a hearty blow with the butt of his rifle between the shoulders. ‘**Get up!” he said, roughly. The monk fell on his bands, and remained motion- less. Believing that the other intended to kill him, he resigned himself to his fate, and awaited the death-blow which, in his opinion, he must speedily receive. **Come, get up, you devil of a monk!” the Scalper went on; “have you not mumbled paternosters enough?’ Fray Antonio gently raised his head; a gleam of hope returned to him. “Forgive me, excellency,”’ he replied; “‘I have finished; I am now at your orders; whatdo you de- sire of me?”’ And he quickly sprung up, for there was some- thing in the other's eye which told him that dis- obedience would lead to unpleasant resulte. “Thatis well, scoundrel! Youseem to me as fit to pull a trigger as to say a prayer. your rifle, for the moment has arrived for you to fight like a man, unless you wish to be killed like a dog."’ The monk took a tened glance around. “ Excellency,”’ he 8 mered, with great hesita- tion, “‘ is it necessary that I should fight?"’ “Yes, if you wish to keep a whole skin; if you do not, why, you can remain quiet.” ‘ But — o there is another mode?!" ‘** Flight, for instance,"' he said, instauati ’ ** Try it,’ the ether replied, with a grin. Saute The monk, encouraged by this semi-concession, continued, with slightly increased boldnese— ‘You have a very herso," ‘“*Is it moty"’ ‘Magnificent,’ Fray Antonie went on, enthusias- ry Ng nef “e would not be vexed if I let yeu mount it, to fy more He gry ehy"’ P le = de net think that,'’ he said, with a gesture of en “Enough!” the Scalper roughly interrupted; “think of yourself, for your enemies are coming." With one bound he was in the saddle, m his horse curvet, and hid himself behind the enormous stem of the mahogany tree. Fray Antonio, areused by the approach of danger, quickly seized his rifle, and also got behind the tree. At the same moment a rather loud rustling was heard in the bushes, which then parted, and several. men appeared. They were about fifteen in number, and Apache warriors; in the midst of them were Blue-fox, John Daris, and his com ons. Blue-fox, tho e had never found himself face to face with the White Scalper, had often heard him spoken of, both by Indians and hunters; hence, when he heard him prenounce his name, an inde- scribable agony contracted his heart, as he thought of all the cruelty to which his brothers had been vic- tims from this man; and the thought of seizing him occurred to him. He hastened to give the signal Ss with the hunters, and rushing through the c with the velocity characteristic of Indians went tothe sp.t where his warriors were waiting, and bade them follow him. On his return, he met the two hunters who had heard the signal, and were hurrying to his we In a few words Blue-fox explained to them what was occurring. To tell the truth, we must co~ fess that this confidence, far from exciting the warriors and hunters, singularly lowered their ardor, by re- vealing to them that they were about to expose themselves to a terrible danger, by contending with & man who was the more dangerous because no weapon could strike him; and those who had hither- to dared to assail him, had ever fallen victims to their temerity. Still, it was too late to recoil, and flight was im- possible; the warriors, therefore, determined to push on, though much against the — As for the two hunters, if they did not completely share in the blind credulity of their comrades, and their superstitious fears, this fight was far from pleasing them. Still, restrained by the shame of abandoning men to whem they fancied themselves superior in intelligence, and even in courage, they resolved to follow them. ‘* Excellency !"’ the monk exelaimed in a lamenta- ble voice, when he saw the Indians appear, ‘do not abandon me.” “No, if you do not abanden yourself, scoundrel!” the Scalper answered. On reaching the skirt of the clearing, the Apaches, following their usual tactics, sheltered themselves behind trees, so that this confined clearing, in which sO many men were on the point of beginning an ob- stinate struggle, seemed absolutely deserted. There was amoment of silence and hesitation. The Scalper at length decided on being the first to k speak. ** Halloh!"’ he cried, “‘ what do you want here?” Blue-fox was going to answer, but Jobn Davis pre- vented him. ** Leave him to me,” he said. “Is that all you have to say to me?’’ the other asked gruffly. ** Hang it, you are in a tremendous hurry! giveme time to breathe, at any rate.” “A truce to jests, which may cost you dearly; tell me at once what your proposals are—I have no time to lose in idle talk.”’ ‘How the deuce do you know that I have pro- posals to make to you?’ “Would you have come here without!” ‘And I presume that you are acquainted witk these proposals ?”’ ‘It is ble.” si - that case what answer do you give me?” aa one.” ** What, none!” “5 ae attacking you.” “Oh, oh, you have a tough job before you; there are eighteen of us, do you know that?” ‘*] do not care for your numbers. If there were a hundred of you, I would attack br all the same.” ‘‘By Heaven! for the rarity of the fact, I should be curious to see the combat of one against twenty.” “You will do so ere oy And, while saying this Scalper pulled his horse sev paces. “One moment, hang it,"’ the hunter exclaimed y; “let me say a word to you.” * My Ras “Will you surrender?”’ “ Whatr"’ “Task you if you will surrender?" “ Nonsense," the Scalper exclaimed with a gm “you aremad. I surrender! it is you who will have to ask mercy ere long." - ae not mere it, — if og eee mes." **Oome, return our shelter,” Scalper said with « of hie shoulders; “i de mot wish to kill you def ossly.”’ ** All the worse for you, then,"’ the hunter said; “I have warned yeu homorably, new I wash my hands of it; get out of it ag yen can." “Thanks,” th a answered ws “but I am net yot im so bad a state as you fancy.’ John Davis centented himself with shrugging his and returned coy ea sheiter in the forest, w Yankee The nd 2 Agen. ge hima; a was well aware a great num of p09 Ep pn Me | bim and watched over his move- ry he remained firm aud motionless in the center e clearing. **Hola!"' he shouted im a mocking voice, “‘ you ral- lant Apaches, who hide yourselves like rabbite in the shrubs, must I come and smoke you outof your holes in order to make you show yeurselves! on, if you do not wish me to belleve you old coward- frightened squaws.”’ These insulting words raised to the highest pitch the exasperation of the ——_ warriors, whe re- plied by a prolonged yell of fury. * brothers allow themselves any longer to be m by a single man!’ Blue-fox exclaimed; “ our cow Ce@ Causes strength. Let us rush with the speed of the hurricane on this genius of evil; he cannot resist the shock of so reno warriors. Forward, brothers, forward! To us be the honor of having crushed the implacable fue of our race."’ And uttering his war-cry which his comrades re- peated the valiant chief rushed u the Scalper, resolutely brandishing his rifle over head; all the warriors followed him. The awaited them without ; but so soon as he saw them within reach, drawing in the reins, and preke knees, he made his noble stud leap into the thick of the Indians. Seizing his rifle by barrel, and Ts. like a club, he began smiting to the right an with a on and 7 that had something supernatu about them. Then a frightful medley commenoed; the Indians rushed on this man, who, being a skillful h made his stced Fe through th curvets, and by the rapidity of his movements pre- or the enemy leaping on his bridle and stopping The two hunters at first remained quiet, con- vinced that it was impossible for.a single man even to resist for a few momenta such pumerous and brave foes; but they soon perceived, to their at amazement, that they were mistaken; severa) In- dians were wee Ss ed on the ground, their skulis split by the Scalper's terrible club, all whose METS Penk te began changing th e hun cn ng their opinion a to the result of the fight, and wished to om their? comrades, but their rifle« were useless to r ne in the continued changes of the scene of action, and their bullets might as easily have struck friead as foe; hence they threw away their drew their knives, anc hurried to the assistance of the Apaches, who were elready beginning to give way. Blue-fox, dangerously wounded, was lying in a state of insensibility. The warriors, still on their legs, were beginning to think of a retreat, and eaci- ing anxious glanees behind them. The Scalper «till fought with the same fury, mock- ine and insulting his enemies; his arm rose and fell with the regularity of a pendulum. “Ah, ab!’’ he exclaimed, on noticing the hunters; “so you want your share. Come on, come on.” The latter did not allow it to be repeated, but rushed wildly upon him. But they CONIC. IJOO0KS.cCOM