Beadle's Dime Library, No. 149 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

Pan 3.45 al Tre *< rm ——— a yt See ors oar © > ss ey — se ee Oe eee >. - ani NE Pe —_—_— a — ee — * -~ee . . _ AM ght 4 Oy x : Se SS 2 gs 2G ae tra2 Oe De Ma al * + ~ Sie re a os a - —— —— = - re + ee ee ee - mingled one with the other, have necessa- becoming rily been hightened in a country where the grand aspect of nature renders the mind prone to reverie and melan oF Hence Jo vis, though he flattered himself he was a strong-minded man, did not fail, like all his coun en, to a strong dose of credulity; and man, who would not have recoiled at the sight of several muskets pointed at his breast, felt himself shiver with fear at the sound of a leaf falling at night on his shoulder. Moreover, so soon as the idea occurred to John Davis that the White Scalper was a demon, or, at the very least, a sorcerer, it got hold of him, and this supposition straightway became an article of belief with him. Naturally, he found himself at once relieved by this discovery; his ideas returned to their usual current, and the anxiety that occu- pied his mind pom | opt as if by enchantment; enceforth his opinion was formed about this man, and, if accident 7 brought them face to face, he would know how to behave to him. Happy at having at length found this solution, he gayly raised his head, and took a long, searching ge aon him at the landscape he was riding through. He was nearly in the center of a vast rolling prairie, covered with , and with a few nex of mahogany and pine trees scattered here and there. Suddenly he rose in his aye laced his hand as a shade over his eyes, and looked attentively. About half a mile from the spot where he had halted, and a little to the right, that is to say, exact- ly in the direction he intended to follow himself, he noticed a thin column of smoke, which rose from the middle of a thicket of aloe and jarch trees. On the desert, smoke seen by the wayside always furnishes ample matter for reflection. Smoke generally rises from a fire round which several persons are seated, Now man, in this more unfortunate than the wild beast, fears before all else on the prairie meeting with his fellow-man, for he may wager a hundred to one that the man he meets will prove an enemy. Still, John Davis, after ripe consideration, resolved to push on toward the fire: since morning he had been fas , hunger was beginning to prick him, and in addition he felt excessively fatigued; he therefore inspected his weapons with the most scru- sulous attention, so as to be able to have recourse o them if necessary, and dig ng. We spur into his horse’s flank, he went on bo ward the smoke, while carefully watching the neighborhood for fear of a surprise. At the end of ten minutes he reached his destina- tion; but, when fifty yards from the clump of trees, he checked the speed of his horse, and laid his rifle across the saddle-bow; his face lost the anxious ex- pression which had covered it, and he advanced to- ward the fire with a smile on his lips, and the most friendly air ble. In the midst of a thick clump of trees, whose pro- tecting shade offered a comicrtable shelter to a weary traveler, a man dressed in the costume of a Mexican oon was lazily seated in front of a fire, over which meat was cooking, while himself smoked a husk cigarette. A long lance decorated with its guidon leaned against a larch tree close to him, and a completely harnessed horse, from which the bit had, however, been removed, was peaceabl nibbling at the tree shoots and the tender p e grass. This man seemed to be twenty-seven or twenty- SW ealall sharp anda, abd thectier Gage of kieekin small s eyes, and the copper tinge o denoted his Indian o . He had for a long time seen the horseman Contig toward his camp, but he appeared to attach bu slight importance to it, and quickly went on smok- ing and watching the cooking of his meal, not takin any further precaution the unforeseen visi- tor than assuring himself that his saber came easily out of its scabbard. When he was only a few paces from the soldier, John Davis stopped and raised his hand to his hat. “* Ave Maria purissima!”’ he said. “Sin peccado coneebida!” the dragoon answered, imitating the American's gesture. ‘* Santas tardes!’’ the new-comer went on. “Dios las dea V. buenas!” the other immediately answered. ‘ F Brad Ms These necessary formulas 0 ex- hausted, the ice was broken, and the acquaintance “Dismount, caballero,” the dragoon said; “the hes and Bs Lie pot cect wth ve hari imento, which I think you will like, if 0 CO Fo RT iaitatidit: dilial our on, - tere the Lnotean answered with a smile; “the more readily because I confess to you that I am liter- and, moreover, exhausted with fa- ” , Carrai! in t case I congratulate myself on the fortunate accident that oat our , 50 am going The American at once got off the bit, and the noble animal in itely j nion, while its master fell to the ground by the n’s side, with a sigh of satisfaction. ‘* You seem to have made a long ride, caballero?”’ the soldier said. “Yes,” the American answered, ‘‘I have been on horseback me ten hours, not to mention that I spent the morning a ‘ Cristo! you have had hard work of it.”’ Fou Fane Bay 90 Wann Boy ae an un- ‘ Ny his horse, removed oined ie ee word of a hunter, I never such ato ‘You are a hunter?” «A thie profession the soldier said with a sigh ‘ @ n,” , n one too,” a you regret ity” “I can understand that. : Once a man has tasted the joys of desert life, he always wishes to return to “ Alas, that is true.” “Why did you give it up then, since you liked _it.so much?” The Border Rifles. ** Ah, Vip Al the soldier said; ‘‘through love.” “a o you mean?” “Yes, a child with whom I was so foolish as to fall in love, and who prions me to enlist.” “Yes, and [had scarce put on my uniform, when she told me she was mistaken about me; that, thus dressed, I was much uglier than she could have sup- posed ; in short, she left me in the lurch to run after an arriero.”’ The American could not refrain from laughing at this singular story. **Tt is sad, is it not?’’ the soldier continued. “Very sad,”” John Davis answered, trying in vain to we his gravity. “What would you have?” the soldier added loomily; “‘the world is only one huge deception. ut,» he added with a sudden change of his tone, ‘*I fancy our dinner is ready—I smell something which warns me that it is time to take off the pot.” As John Davis had naturally no objection to offer to this resolution of the soldier, the latter at once carried it iuto effect; the pot was taken off the fire and placed before the two guests, who began such a vigorous attack, that it was soon empty, in spite of its decent ca acity. ‘ is excellent meal was washed down with a few mouthfuls of Catalonian refino, with which the soldier appeared Sn be” Ge All was terminated with the indispensable cigar- ette, that obligato complement of every Hispano- American meal, and the two men, revived by the good food with which they had lined their stomachs, were soon in an excellent condition to open their hearts to each other. “You seem to me aman of caution, caballero,” the American remarked, as he puffed out an im- mense mouthful of smoke a of which came from his mouth, and part from his nostrils. “Itis areminiscence of my old bunter’s trade. Soldiers generally are not nearly so careful as I am.” “The more I observe you,” John Davis went on, ‘‘the more extraordinary does it appear to me that you should have consented to take up a profession 80 badly paid as that of a soldier.”’ ‘*What would you have? it is fatality, and then the impossibility of pease Fe) uniform to the deuce. However, I hope to be made a Cato before the year’s out.”’ “That is a fine position, as I have heard; the pay must be good.” “Tt would not be bad, if we received it.”’ “What do you mean?” “Tt seems that the government is not rich.” “Then, you give it credit?” ‘* We are obliged to do so.”’ “Hang it! but forgive me for prs all these questions, which must appear to He discreet,”’ “Not at all; we are talking as friends.” ‘“* How do you live?” “Well, we have.casualties.” “What may they be?’’ ‘**Do you not know?” ** Indeed, I do not.” “T will explain.” “You will cause me pleasure,” me ditions. = “T will not take long then; let me hear your con- ey are simple.” **Tell me them for all that.” “Look at me carefully; do you not recognize me?” *‘On my honor, I do not.” ‘That proves to me that 1 have a better memory ou.”’ than you. “It is possible,” **T recognize you.” “You may have seen me somewhere.” ' “ Very likely; but that is of little consequence; the main point is that I should know who you are.” “ Oh, a simple hunter.” “Yes, and an intimate friend of the Jaguar.” “What!” the hunter exclaimed with a start of ea ‘**Do not be frightened at such a trifle; answer me simply; is it so or not?” “Tt is true; I do not see why I should hide the fact from you.” “You would bé wrong if you did. Where is the Jaguar at this moment?” — “IT do not know.”’ “That is to say; you will not tell me.” ‘You have guessed it.” “*Good. Could you tell me, if I wished you to lead me to him?’ “T see no reason to prevent it, if the affair is worth your while.” “Have I not told you that it related to millions?” “You did, but you did not prove it.” * And _ wish me to give you that proof?” ‘** Nothing else.”’ “ That is rather difficult.” ** No, it is not.” ec How so?’ , “Hang it, I am a good fellow; I only want to cover my responsibility; show me the letter, I ask no more.” . ‘And that will satisfy you?” “Yes, because I know the general’s handwrit- in 38 a Oh, in that case, itis all right,” and drawing a large envelope from his breast, he said as he showed it abi’ American, though without loosing his hold, The latter looked at it acme feb some minutes. “It is really the general’s dwriting,’’ the sol- dier continued “Yes.” ‘** Now, do you consent to lead me to the Jaguar?” ** Whenever you like.” © ** At once then.” ** Very good.” The two men rose by mutual agreement, put the bits in their horses’ mouths, leaped into their sad- dies, and left at a gallop the spot which for several hours had afforded them such pleasant shade. CHAPTER XXIX. THE BARGAIN. Tue two adventurers rode Bayly side by side, tell- e ing one another the news 0 desert; that is to say, hunting exploits, and skirmishes with the In- ‘*Sometimes our captain or general intrusts us | dians, and conversing about the litical events with a mission.” which for some months past had attained a certain een f ood,”” gravity and alarming importance for the Mexican “This mission is paid for separately; the more vernment. age ine it is, the larger the amount.’ But, while thus talking, asking each other ques- ** Still on credit?” tions, the answers to which they did not wait te “No, hang it; in advance,” hear, their conversation had no other object save to A eme L tter. And have you many of these con the secret preoccupation that agitated missions?”’ em. ‘“* Frequently, especially during a pronunciamen- In their previous discussion, each had tried to to.”’ over-reach the other, ep far to draw out secrets, the se yom but for nearly a year no general has pro- | hunter maneuvring to the soldier to an act of nounced.” treachery, the latter asking no better than to sell “ Unluckily.” himself, and acting in accordance with his wishes; ~ then sou are quite dry?’ ae Sane =a that psf — found them- “No UN selves 0 orce each obtain - on ve peng) cop ce! wnt = wanted “ oy ctoe ave one a momen S was no longer the question with them; “ Well paid?” like all crafty men, success, fistead of rege ing “Decently.”” them, had given birth in their minds to a multitude ** Would there be any harm in asking how much?” | of suspicions. John Davis asked himself what “Not at all; I have received twenty-five ounces.” | cause led the dragoon to betray his party so “Cristo! that is anice sum. The mission must be | easily, without stipula beforehand for impor- a dangerous one to be paid so highly.” tant advan for : “It is not without peril.”’ For everyt is for in America, and infamy ‘“‘Hum! in that case take care.” sa : “Thank you, but Irun no heavy risk; I have only his side, the found that the hunter put to deliver a letter.” ' faith in his very easily, and in spite of “Tt is true that a letter—” the American care- | his comrade’s affectionate manner, the nearer he remarked. a ed the camp of the border rifles, the more “Oh! this one is more important than you fancy | his uneasiness increased; for he was beginning to ” fear lest he had gone head-first into a snare, and had ‘* Nonsense!” trusted too imprudently to a man whose reputation “On my honor it is, for it concerns some millions | was far from re him. of ” : Such was the state of mind in Which the two men “What is that you say?” John Davis exclaimed | stood to each other scarce an hour after leaving the Wiehice his cacetine With the toldter, the iimsde hed | "adil each, pas tea tid i ae prehensions in h ce mee soldier, unter each care a ons in his quiet worked to get him to reveal the reason that | heart; nothing was visible on exterior; on the rought him into these parts, for the presence of a | contrary, they redoubled their politeness and ob- dragoon on the desert seemed to him queer, | sequiousness toward each other, behaving rather and for reason; hence it was with plea: like brothers delighted to have met after a ng se sure that he saw him fall into the trap set for 4 aration, than as‘men who two hours previously spoke “Yes,” the soldier continued, * eral Rubio, | er for the first time. whose I am, has sent me as an express to meet Captain Melendez, who at this moment is escorting a conducta de p ” - po ou m that really?’ “ ynot tell you that I have the letter about me?’ “ That'is true; but for what purpose does the gen- eral write to the captain?” The soldier looked for a moment ly at the hunter, and then sudd “Will you play fair?’ he him full in the face. . The hunter smiled. : “Gcod,”’ the soldier continued; “I see that we can understand one another.” “Why not? those are the conditions that suit ca balleros, “Then, Sys play fair?” os tyou would like to know the contents of this letter.” u, is ‘ ‘‘Through simple curiosity, I swear to you.”’ “ Of course! Preis assured of that. Well, it only depends on yourself to know them,” him, as he looked | 7 EEE EEETEE EE ne ee a e sun had set about an hour, dark when they came within a shoe di by Mitel ihe ‘i b rehboting’t bo coe Blox Na ing themselves with we se rg = e surrounding objects, and im- ting on the ru scenery cf the prairie a stam up of savage m ; ‘We have arrived,” the hunter said, as he stopped his horse and turned to his companion; “no one haz secures us; you can still turn back without any ear of pursuit; what is your decision?” ‘Canarios! comrade,’ the soldier guerereil shrug- ging his shoulders with a disdainful air; ‘I have not come so far to shiver at ee ance of the camp, and allow me to remark, ’ all the respect. a that your remark appears to me singular e ’ “T owed it to myself to make a oat knows whether you may not m¢ ous step > u are g todays I run the risk; my det n bee ed is unchangeable, So let us push on, in Heaven g name.” Geom Eboo 1 <S te a