Beadle's Dime Library, No. 149 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

——- ee chief, buried themselves in the forest and Clearing where such terrible events had occurred, and f back into silence and solitude. CHAPTER XXvV. AN EXPLANATION. « Lrke all men the greater portion of whose life is spent in the desert, the Jaguar was gifted with excessive prudence joined to extreme circumspec- tion. Though still very young, his life had been com- posed of such strange incidents, he had been an actor in such extraordinary scenes, that from an early age he had grown accustomed to shut up his emotions in his heart, and preserve on his coun- tenance, whatever he might see or experience, that marble-like stoicism which characterizes the Indians, and which the latter have converted into such a tremendous weapon against their enemies. On hearing Tranquil’s voice all at once so close to him, the young man gave a start, frowned, and ask- ed himself mentally how it was that the hunter came to find him thus in his camp, and what reason was owerful enough to impel him to do so; the more so, Peestiae his intimacy with the Canadian, ever sub- ect to intermittences, was at this moment on terms, ar from amicable, if not completely hostile. Still the young man, in whom the feeling of honor spoke loudly, and whom the steps taken by Tran- quil flatte more than he cared to let any one sce concealed the apprehensions that agitated him, an walked quickly, and with a smile on his lips, to meet the hunter. The latter was not alone; Loyal Heart accom- panied him. The Canadian’s manner was reserved, and his face was covered by a cloud of sorrow. “You are welcome to my camp, hunter,”’ the Jaguar said, kindly, as he offered his hand. “Thank you,” the Canadian answered laconically, not touching the proffered hand. **T am glad to see you,” the young man went on, without any display of annoyance; “‘ what accident has brought you in this direction?” “My comrade and I have been hunting for a long time; fatigue is crushing us, and the smoke of your camp attracted us.” yv The Jaguar pretended to ee as gospel this clumsy evasion of a man who justly prided himself as being the healthiest and strongest wood-ranger of the desert. ‘*Come, then, and take’a seat at my camp-fire, and be good enough to regard everything here as belong- ing to you, and aet in accordance with it,”’ Phe Canadian bowed, but made no answer, and with Loyal Heart followed the hunter who preceded them, and guided them through the mazes of the camp. On reaching .the fire, on which the young man threw a few handfuls of dry wood, the hunters sat down on buffalo skulls placed there as seats, and then, without breaking the silence, filled their pipes and began smoking. The Jaguar imitated them. Those white men who traverse the prairie, and whose life is spent in hunting or trapping on these vast solitudes, have unconsciously assumed most of the habits and customs of the red-skins, with whom the exigencies of their position bring them constant- ly into contact. ; A thing worthy of remark is the tendency of civil- ized men to return to savage life, and the faciiity with which hunters, born for the most partin the great centers of population, forget their habits of — — ee EEE EE EE eee ee Ne Eee comfort, surrender the customs of towns, and re- | nounce the usages by which they were governed during the earlier part of their life, in order to adopt the manners, and even the habits, of the red-skins. Many of these hunters carry this so far, that the greatest compliment which can be paid them is to pretend to take them for Indian warriors. We must confess that, per contra, the red-skins are not at all jealous of our civilization, in which they take but slight interest, and that those whom accident or commercial reasons carry to cities, and by such we mean cities like New York or New Or- leans, these Indians, we say, far from being astound- ed at what they. see, look around them with glances of pity, not understanding how men can voluntarily consent to shut themselves up in the smoky cages called houses, and expend their life in ungrateful toil, instead of living in the open air among the vast solitudes, hunting the buffalo, bear and jaguar under the immediate eye of Heaven. ee Are the savages completely wrong in thinking so? is their reason false? e do not believe it. Desert life possesses, for the man whose heart is still open enough to comprehend its moving inci- dents, intoxicating delights which can only be expe- rienced there, and which the mathematically ruled customs of towns cannot at all cause to be forgotten if they have once been tasted. According to the principles of Indian etiquette on matters of politeness, no question must be addressed to strangers who sit down at the camp-fire, until they are pleased to begin the conversation. In an Tndian’s wigwam a guest is regarded as sent by the Great Spirit; he is sacred to thé man he visits as Jong as he thinks proper to remain with him, even if he be his mortalenemy. _ The Jaguar, thorou conversant with red-skin customs, remained silently by the side of his gnests smoking and thinking, and waiting patiently till they decided on speak ng At length, after a considerable lapse of time, Tran- quil shook the ashes from his pipe on his thumb- nail, and turned to the young man. “You did not expect me, I fancy?” he said, ~ “T did not,’ the other answered; “ still be assured that the visit, though unexpected, is not less agree- able to me.” The hunter curled his lip in a singular fashion, “Who knows?” he muttered, answering his own thoughts rather than the Jaguar's remark; “ per. noe yes, perhaps np; man’s heart_ is a mysterious a ee _ undecipherable book, in which only madmen | sy +? they can read.” “It is not so with me, hunter, as you know from rience.” e Canadian shook his head. “You are still young; the heart to which you refer is still unknown to yourself; in the short, | your existence has passed through, the wind of pas- ic. »? \ . The Border Rifles. ee eee oe eee Oe eee —— ou and bowed you sion has not yet blown over down before its powerful impetus; wait, in order to reply with ce ty, until you have loved and suf- fered; when you have bravely sustained the shock, and resisted the hurricane of youth, it will be time for you to speak.” ese words were uttered with a stern accent, but there was no bitterness about them. “You are harsh to me, to-day, Tranquil,” the young man answered sorrowfully; ‘* how have I sunk your esteem? what reprehensible act have I done?” ‘*None—at any rate, it pleases me to believe so; but I fear that soon—”’ He stopped and shook his head jogenrep in & = Finish the sentence,”’ the young man quickly ex- claimed. ‘For what end?’ he answered; ‘“‘who am I that I should impose on you a line of conduct which you would probably despise, and advice which would prove unwelcome? It is better to be silent.” * Tranquil!’’ the young man said, with an emotion he could not master, “‘for a long time we have known each other, you are aware of the esteem and respect I hold you in, so speak; whatever you have to say, however rude your reproaches may be, I will listen to you, I swear it,” “Nonsense; forget what I said to you; I was wrong to think of meddling in your affairs; on the oelgaodp aman should only think about himself, so et us say no more,”’ The Jaguar gave him a long and profound glance. ** Be it so,"* he answered; “‘we will say no more about it.”’ He rose and walked afew yards in agitation, then he brusquely returned to the hunter. ‘**Pardon me,”’ he said, “ for not having thought of offering you refreshment, but breakfast time has now arrived. I trust that your comrade and your- self will do me the honor of sharing my frugal meal.”’ While speaking thus, the Jaguar bent on the Canadian a most meaning glance. Tranquil hesitated for a second. “This morning at sunrise,’ he then said, “*my friend and myself ate, just before entering your camp.”’ “I was sure of it,’ the younz man burst out. **Oh, oh! now my doubts are clearcd up; you re- fuse water and salt at my fire, hunter.” ““T? but you forget that—" *“Oh!”’ he interrupted, passionately, “‘no denial, Tranquil; do not seek for pretexts unworthy of yourself and me; you are too honest and sincere a man. not to be frank, cuerpo de Cristo! likewise, ‘ou know the law of the prairies; a man will not oreak his fast with an enemy. Now, if you still have in your heart a single spark of that kindly feeling you entertained toward mé at another ativan , explain yourself clearly, and without any eating round the bush—TI insist on it.” The Canadian seemed to reflect for a few mo- ments, and then suddenly exclaimed, with great resolution— ‘Indeed, you are right, Jaguar; it is better to have an explanation like honest hunters, than try to deceive each other like red-skins; and besides, no man is infallible. Imay be mistaken as well as another, and Heaven is my witness that I should like it to be so.” “Tam listening to you, and on my honor, if the reproaches you make are well founded, I will recognize it.”’ “Good!” the hunter said, in a more friendly tone than he had hitherto eniployed; “‘you speak like a man; but, perhaps,’’ he added, pointing to Loyal Heart, who discreetly made a move to withdraw, “you would prefer our interview being private?” “On the contrary,” the Jaguar answered, eager- ly, ‘this hunter is your friend; I hope he will soon pe mine, and I do not wish to have any secrets from im.” “I desire ardently for my part,’’ Loyal Heart said, with a bow, * that the shicht cloud that has arisen between you and Tranquil may be dispersed like the vapor driven away by the morning breeze, in order that I may become better acquainted with OU; As you wish it, I will jisten to your conversa- on “Thanks, caballero. Now speak, Tranquil, I am ready to listen to the charges you fancy you have to wats against me.”’ ‘ Unluckily,” said Tranquil, “ the strange life you have led since your arrival in these parts gives oc- casion for the most unfavorable surmises; you have formed a band of adventurers and border-ruffians, outlawed by society, and living completely beyond the ordinary path of civilized 20ples.”” “ Are we prairie-hunters and wood-rangers obliged to obey all the paltry exigencies of cities?” “Yes, up to a certain point; that is to say, we are not allowed to place ourselves in open revolt against the institutions of men who, though we have sepa- rated from them, are bo less our brothers, and to whom we continue to belong by our color, religion, origin, and the family ties which attach us to them, and which we have been unable to break.” “ Be it so, ladmitto a certain extent the justice of your reasoning; but even supposing that the men I command are really bandits, border-ruffians as you call them, do you know from what motives po 9d act? Can you bring any accusation against them?” “Patience, [have not finished yet.” “Goon, then.” | ‘Next, in addition to this band, of which you are the ostensible chief, you have contracted alliances with the red-skins, the Apaches among others, the most impudent plunderers on the prairie; is that . so?” ‘‘¥es, and no, my friend; in the sense that the alliance you charge Ine with never existed until the present hour: bnt this mérning it was probably con- cluded by two of my friends with Blue-fox, one of the most renowned Apache chiefs.” “Tum! that is an unlucky coincidence.” “Why so?” wi you aware what your new allies did last D g ) : i “How should I? since Ido not know where they are, and have not even received the official report of the treaty being made.”’ * Well, I will tell you; they attacked the Venta del period | Potrero and burned it to the ground.” The Jaguar’s savage eye emitted a flash of fury; ’ iJ ‘ e —— i | | ao he bounded to his feet, and convulsively seized his e. “By Heaven!" he shouted, loudly, “have they done that?”’ . “They did; and it is supposed at your instiza- on.”’ The Jaguar shrugged his shoulders disdai : “For what object?” he said. “ But oy mela, what has become of her?" ‘** She is saved, thank Heaven!” bre pee mes cs ghgy a sigh of relief. ** And you ev such infamy on my part?” he asked, reproachfully. ., 3 ‘I do not believe it now,” the hunter replied. “Thanks, thanks! but, by Heaven! the demons shall pay dearly, I Swear, for the crime they have committed; now go on." ‘“ Unluckily, if you have exculpated yourself from my first accusation, I doubt whether you will be able to do so with the second.” “You can tell me it, at any rate.”’ ‘‘A conducta de plata, commanded by Captain Melendez, is on the road for Mexico. ”’ The young man gave aslight start. ‘I know it,” he said, shortly. The hunter gave him an inquirin ‘*They say—”’ tation. J “ They say,” the Jaguar interrupted him, “that I am following the conducta, and when the propitious moment arrives, 1 mean to attack it at the head of my bandits, and carry off the money; that is the story?” py “ They are right,” the young man answered, cold- ly; ‘that is really my intention; what next?” Tranquil started in surprise and indignation at this cynical answer. “Oh!” he exclaimed, in great grief, ‘‘ what is said of you is true, then? You are really a bandit?” he young man smiled bitterly. ‘* Perhaps I am,” he said, ina ne voice; **Tran- quil, your age is double mine; your experience is great; why do you judge rashly on appearances?”’ ‘What! appearances! have you not confessed it yourself?” * Yes, I have.” ““Then you meditate a robbery?’ ‘““A robbery!” he exclaimed, blushing with in- dignation, but at once recovering himself, he added, “it is true, you are bound to suppose that,” ‘What other name can be given to so infamous a deed?”’ the hunter exclaimed, violently. The Jaguar raised his head quickly as if he in- tended to answer, but his lips remained dumb. Tranquil looked at him for a moment withmiingled ity and tenderness, and then turned to eart, ‘*‘Come, my friend,’ he said, ‘‘ we have remained here only too long.” “Stay! the young man exclaimed, ‘‘ do not con- demn me thus; I repeat to you that you are igno- rant of the motives through whichI act.” honorable; I see no other than pillage and mur- vant “Oh!” the young man exclaimed, as he buried his face sorrowfully in his hands, : ‘* Let us go,”’ Tranquil repeated. Loyal sieart had watched this strange tively and coldly. ~ ‘A moment,” he said; then, slipping forward, he laid his hand on the Jaguar's shoulder. The latter raised his head. ‘What do you want.of me?’ he asked: ‘‘ Listen to me, caballero,’’ Loyal Heart answered in a deep voice; “lL. know not. why, but a secret foreboding tells me that your conduct is not so in- famous as everything leads us to suppose, and some day you will ) ears e yourself in the sight of all,” **Oh! were it but possible for me to scene atten-. - 4°? ‘‘How long do you believe that you will be com- . pelled to remain silent?” ‘How do I know? that depends on circumstances independent of my will.”’ Sra %: ng cannot fix a period?” 2 “Tt is possible; I have taken an oath, and am bound to keep it.”’ ; “Good: then promise me only one thing.”’ ** What is it?” . ‘To make no attempt on the life of Captain Mel- encez.”’ The Jaguar hesitated, “Well?” Loyal Heart went on. - i Senet prety eine to save it.”’ ‘Thanks!’ then, turning to Tran who stood mctionless by his side, he ts a quil, ‘‘Take your place again, brother, and breakfast with this caballiero, I answer for him body for body; | if in two months from this day he does not give you | a satisfactory explanation of his conduct. I who am bound by an oath, will reveal to you this mystery which appears, and really is, inexplicable for ou.” The Jaguar started, and gave Loyal Heart a: searching glance, which produced no effect, how- ever, on the hunter’s indifferently placid face. The Canadian hesitated for a few mements, but length took his place again by the fire muttering— “In two months, be it so; and .be added in an aside, ** but till then I will watch him.” CHAPTER XXVIL. THE EXPRESS, CAPTAIN MELENDEZ Was anxious to pass through the dangerous defile near which the conducta had bivouacked; he knew how great was the responsi- bility he had taken on bimself in accepting the com- mand of the escort, and did not wish, in the event of any misfortune happening, that a charge of care- ances or negligence could be brought against The sum conveyed by the recua ef mules was im- portant. The Mexican government, ever forced to expedients to procure money, was impatiently ex- pecting it; the captain did ‘not conceal from bim-. self that the whole roi simone i / of an attack would be mercilessly thrown on him, and that he would have to endure all the consequences, w hat- ever might be the results of an encounter with the border rifles. Hence his anxiety and alarm increased with every moment, the evident treachery of Fray Antcn’o only hightened his mich by ing Lim omicbooks g glance. he went on, with considerable hesi- Loyal © 5 ‘Whatever these motives may be, they cannot be a permitted to-explain it, and a \ — , ey * “i 2.63 ~Lah < soa -_ Os ) xh, o ? .