Beadle's Dime Library, No. 149 — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

A , trust to the tracks whi - the hunters know by experience that once lost in EE The Border Rifles. he sent off scouts ahead, and on the flanks of the , permission I will follow the example of our com- troops, to explore the neighborhood, and be assured that the road was free, and no danger to be appre- hended; in a word, he had taken most scrupulously all the measures een dictated, in order to guarantee the safety of the journey. | | The guide, who was an impassive witness of all | self by the captain’s side, who withdrew to make these precautions, on whose behalf they were taken with so much ostentation, appeared to approve of them, and even drew attention to the skill the bor- der- have in gliding through bushes and grass without leaving traces, and the care the scouts must devote to the accomplishment of the mission intrusted to them. The further the conducta advanced in the direc- tion of the mountains, the more difficult and dan- erent the march became; the trees, at first scat- red over a large space, became _imperceptibl closer, and at last formed a dense forest, throug which, at certain spots, they were compelled to cut their with ax, o to the masses of cree rs intertwined in each o er, and forming an inexisicable le; then again, there were rather wide streams cult of approach, which the horses and mules were obliged ford in the midst of iguanas and alligators, having frequently the water up to their girths, The immense dome of verdure under which the caravan painfully advanced, utterly hid the sky, and only allowed a few sunbeams to filter through the fol'age, which was not sufficient entirely to sipate the gloom which prevails almost constantly in the forests, even at mid-day. Euro who are only uainted with the forests of the old world, cannot form even a remote | idea of those immense oceans of verdure which in America are called virgin forests. There the trees form a compact mass, for they are so entwined in each other, and fastened to- ed a how pment ne whieh wind 43 eir stems 23, PD ng in the ground to rise again like the pipes of an ense organ, or forming capricious curves, as they rise and de- sscend incessantly amid tufts of the te called Spanish beard, which falls from ends of the branches of all the trees: the soil, covered with de- tritus of every sort, and humus formed of trees that have died of old is hidden beneath a thick grass several feet in hig t. The trees, nearly all of the same species, offer so little variety, that each of them seems only a repetition of the o These forests are crossed in all directions by meer formed centuries agone by the feet of wild ts, and leading to their mysterious watering- places; here and there beneath the foliage are stag- nant marshes, over which myriads of musketoes buzz, and from which dense vapors rise that fill the forest with gloom; reptiles insects of all sorts crawl on the und, while the cries of birds and the hoarse calls of the wild beasts, form a formid- able concert which the echoes of the lagoons repeat. The most hardened wood-rangers enter in tremor the virgin forests, for it is almost impossible to find one's way with certainty, and it isfar from safe to cross and are confounded; one of these a gee unless a miracle supervene, they must perish within the walls formed by the tall grass and the curtain of lianas, without hope of being hel or saved by any living being of their own species. It was a virgin forest the caravan entered af this moment. The guide pushed on, without the least hesitation, appearing perfectly sure of the road he followed, contenting himself by giving at lengthened intervals a glance to the right or left, but not once checking the pace of his horse. It was nearly midday; the heat was growing sti- ing, the horses and men, who had been on the march since four in the morning. along almost im- practicable roads, were exhausted with fatigue, and imperiously a few hours’ rest, which was in- dispensable before proceeding further, captain resolved to let the IOP Cesap in one of those vast clearings, so many of which are found in these parts, and are forme by the fall of trees overthrown by a hurricane dead of old age, The command to halt was given. Thesoldiers and arrieros gave a sigh of relief, and stopped at once, The captain, whose eyes were acciden fixed Fe oie brow: sill feeling he was watched, action on row; still, ew the man at once recov ape asclt pretended to share the general joy, and dismounted. The horses and mules were unsaddled, that they might browse freely on the young tree shoots and the grass that grew abundantly on the ground. The soldiers enjoyed their frugal meal, and lay down on their serepes to sleep. the individuals composing the caravan Ere lo were slumbering, with the exception of two, the ca and the guide. bably each of them was troubled by thoughts a serious to drive away sleep, and keep them awake, when all wanted to repose, A few paces from the clearing, some monstrous iguanas were lying in the sun, wallowing in the —_e. mud ofa stream whose waters ran with a slight murmur through the obstacles of every de- scription that im its course. me nee of in- ares = the a the ee buzzing of eir wings; squirre ga irom branch to branch; the birds, hidden beneath the f were singing c , and here and there above the tall grass might seen the elegant head and be eyes of a deer or an ashata, which suddenly rushed beneath the covert with a low of terror. But the two men were too much occupied with be: thoughts to notice what was going on around em. The captain raised his head at the very moment when the guide had fixed on him a glance of strange meaning; co at being thus taken unawares, he tried to deceive the officer by speaking to him— old-fashioned tactics, however, by which the latter was not duped. halt is a bee day, excellency,” he said, with a non- chalan , ‘* Yes,”’ the tain answered, laconically. ° bo you not foul any inclination for sleep?" ‘ oO. ’ ‘For my part, I feel my eyelids extraordinarily heavy, aad my eyos close against my will; with your and take a few moments of that refreshing sleep they seem to enjoy so greatly.”’ ‘** One incment—I have something to me to “Very goud,”’ he said, with an air of the u indifference. He rose, stifling a sigh of ou.” t, and seated him- room for him under the protecting shadow of the large tree which stretched out above his head its giant arms, loaded with vines and § beard, “We are about to talk seriously,”’ the captain went on, “As you please.”’ “Can you be frank?” “What?” the soldier said, thrown off his guard by the suddenness of the question. ** Or, if Phe prefer it, can you be honest?”’ “ That depends.” e cap looked at him. ** Will you answer my questions?”’ **T do not know.,”’ ** What do you say?” € Listen, excellency,’’ the guide said, with a sim- ple look, “ my mother, worthy woman that she w always recommended me to distrust two sorts o oe for she said, first attack your purse, peop e, borrowers and with considerable sense, : the others your secrets.’ ’ “Then you have a secret?” ** Not the least in the world.” **Then what do you fear?”’ “Not much, it is true. Well, question me, excel- lency, and I will try to answer you.”’ The Mexican peasant, the 0 or Civilized In- ,»hasag deal of the Norman t about him, in so far as it is impossible to ob from him a positive answer to any question asked him, The captain was compelled to be satisfied with the guide's half promise, so he went on: * Who are you?’ “ I?” . The guide began laugh! e e an laughing. ‘** You can see plainly enough,” he said. The captain shook his head. ““I do not ask what you appear to be, but what you are.” ‘“* Why, senor, what man can answer for himself, and know positively who he is?” ‘* Listen, scoundrel,’’ the captain. continued, in a menacing tone, ‘“*I do not mean to lose my time in following you through all the stories you may think iy : invent. er my questions plainly, or, if not—’ “Tf not?” the guide wry pera interrupted him. “IT blow out your brains like a dog’s!"’ he replied = he drew a pistol from his belt, and hastily cocked t. The soldier’s eye flashed fire, but his features re- mained impassive, and not a muscle of his face stirred. wn Oh, oh, senor captain,’’ he said, in a somber voice, ** you have a singular way of questioning your friends,’ ** Who assures me that you are a friend? I do not know you,” **That is true, but you know the person who sent me to you; that person is your chief.as he is mine. I obeyed him by coming to find you, as you ought toobey him by following the orders he bas given ou.” ~ Yes, but those orders were sent me through ou.” ** What matter?” “Who guarantees that the dispatch you have brought me was really handed to you?”’ *“Caramba, captain, what you say is anything but + aga to me,” the guide replied with an offended ook, ‘I know it; unhappily we live at a time when it is so difficult to distinguish friends from foes, that I cannot take too many precautions to avoid falling into asnare; Iam intrusted by Government with a very delicate mission, and must therefore behave - great reserve toward persons who are strangers oO me.’ ** You are right, captain; hence, in spite of the of- fensive nature of your suspicions, I will not feel af- fronted by what you say, for exceptional positions require exceptional measures, Still, I will strive by my conduct to prove to you how mistaken you are.” ‘Ishall be glad if Iam mistaken; but take care. If I perceive anything doubtful, either in your ac- tions or your words, I shall not hesitate to blow out your brains. Now that you are warned, itis your place to act in accordance.” “Very good, captain, I willrun therisk.. Whatever happens, feel certain that my conscience will ab- solve me, for I shall have acted for the best.”’ This was said with an air of frankness which, in spite of his suspicions, had its effect on the captain. We shall see,” he said; “‘ shall we soon get out of this infernal forest in which we now are?” _“* We have only two hours’ march left; at sunset we shall the persons who are awaiting us.” ; eaven grant it!’ the captain muttered, ge bho selaiet gi ae i : 7, as you have not t t pro to answer any of the yee I asked yo Fou mntat not feel ofiended if I do not let you out of sight from this mo- 4 and keep you by my side when we start Bagg ‘You can do as you please, captain; you have the power, if not the right, on your side, and I am com- pelled to yield to your > “Very good, now you can sleep if you think r Pe Phen you have nothing more to say to me?” “ Nothing.” ‘In that case I will avail myself of the permission you are kind enough to grant me, and try to make up for lost time.” The soldier then rose, easing a long we, walked a few paces off, lay down on aroun an seemed within a few minutes plunged in deep sleep. The captain remained awake, e conversation he had held with his guide only increased his anx- iety, by proving to him that this man concealed great cunning eneath an abrupt and trivial map- ner. ‘In fact, he had not answered one of the ques- tions asked him, and after a few minutes had succeeded in making the captain turn from the of- fensive to the defensive, by giving him speciously ee justice of saying, have not at all degenerated; 25 logical arguments to which the officer was unable to raise any objection. Don Juan was, therefore, at this moment in the ———_ | worst temper‘ man of honor can be in, who is dis- most | satisfied with himself and oth ers, convinced _ that he was in the right, but compelled, to a certain extent, to allow himself in the wrong. The soldiers, as generally happens in such cases, suffered from their chief's ill-temper; for the officer, afraid of adding the darkness to the evil chances he fancied he had against him, and not at all desir- ous to surprised by night in the inextricable windings of the foreset, cut the halt short much sooner than he would have done under different cir- cumstances. At about two o'clock Pp. mu, he ordered the boot and saddle to be sounded, and gave the word to start. The greatest heat of the day had passed over, the sun being more oblique, had lost a great deal of their power, and the march was continued under conditions comparatively better than those which preceded it. As he had warned him, the captain intimated to the guide that he was to ride by his side, and, so far as was possible, did not let him out of sight fora second. The latter did not appear at all trovbled by this annoying inquisition; he rode along quite as gayly as heretofore, smoking his husk tte, and whistling fragments of jarabes between his ; The forest gradually began to grow clearer, the openings became more pumerous, and the eye em- braced a wider horizon; all led to the sumption that they would soon reach the limits of the covert. Still, the rising slightly on both sides and the path the Foon ae followed grew more and more hollow, in proportion as it advanced. “ Are we alread poe eg the spurs of the moun- as tains?’ the ca “Oh, no, not yet,”’ the 6 answered. ‘Still we soon be between two hills?” “Yes, but of no hight.” “* That is true; still, if I am not mistaken, we shall have to pass through a defile." ‘** Yes, but of no great length.”’ “ You should have warned me of it.” “That I might have sent some scouts ahead.”’ “ That is true, but there is still time to do soif you like; the persons who are waiting for us are at the end of that gorge.” “Then we have arrived?”’ “Very nearly so.” * Let us p on in that case." “lam quite Sp" AP They went on; at once the guide stopped. “Hilloh!” he said, “look over there, captain; is not ome a musket-barrel glistening in the sun- The captain sharky turned his eyes in the direc- tion indicated by the soldier. At the same moment a frightful discha burst forth from either side of the way, and a shower of bullets poured on the conducta, fore the captain, ferocious at this shsmeful treachery, could draw a pistol from his belt, he rolled on the ground, d down by his horse, which had a right through its heart, The guide had disap ‘d,and it was impossible to discover how he had escaped. : CHAPTER XXVIII. JOHN DAVIS. Joun Davis, the ex-slave-dealer, had too powerful nerves for the scenes he had witnessed this day, and in which he had even played a very active and dan- gerne part, to leave any durable impressions on his mind. After quitting Blue-fox, he galloped on for some Gime in we wep kee: Wy he yield = AaB cs Ns ar; but ually he yie "to thoughts, and his horse, understanding with that irable instinct which distinguishes these noble animals, that its rider was paying no attention to it, grad- ually reduced its pace, passing from the gallop to a trot, and then to a foot-pace, walking with its head down, and snapping at a few blades of grass as it John Davis was considerably perplexed by the conduct of one of the persons with whom accident had brought him in contact on this morning, so fer- tile in events of every description. The person who had the privilege of arousing the American's ‘atten- tion to no eminent degree was the White Scalper. The heroic struggle sustained by this man alone against a swarm of obstinate ene his herculean gia dg: Bg skill with which he managed his horse —all strange man seemed to him to border on the marvelous. Du bivouac watches on the prairie he had fre- quently heard the most extraordinary and exagger- ated stories told about this hunter by the gm with a terror, the reason of which he tomprehended now that he had seen the man; for this individual who at weapons directed against his chest, and ever emerged safe and sound from the combats hee in, seemed rather a demon than a apes ng to humanity. John Davis felt him udder at ee this thought, and congratu- lated himself in ha so miraculously escaped the incurred in his encounter with the Sealper. had e will mention, in passing, that no e in the world are more superstitious than the Reeth Ameri- Gane, Foie is. easy so Betts hesctone nation—a pe tig ns ‘s ~ neous com- posite of all races pong i the old werld; seen ee the re wancnyighiv es prey races arrived in ca, "baggage not on his vices and ns, but Bila ofeed oral tte oe perstitions, which are the wildest, most absurd and uerile possible. This was the more easily effected, Cootene the mass of emigrants, who have at various periods sought refuge in America, was composed of people for the most part devoid of all , or even of a semblance of education; from this point of view, the North Americans, we must do them — they are at the present day at least as ignorant and brutal ay their pe ong tis easy to imagine the e number of } s about sorcerers and cantons Ul are se a gr North America. These legends preserved by tradi- tion, passing from mouth to mouth, and with time JOO eGom cS (e (E(0)