Beadle's New York Dime Library, Vol. II, No. 15 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

** I should feel obliged by you lending me yours.”’ ‘*Good! My brother shall see.”’ Eagle -head glided along the ground, and Louis imitated him: in this way they en- tered the thicket. After about a quarter of an hour the Indian stopped. “* Let my brother look,’’ he said. They were in asmall clearing, formed in the midst of an inextricable medley of branches and shrubs, completed by a profu- sion of leaves so artistically interlaced, that without close scrutiny it would be impossible to suspect the existence of this hiding-place. Belluumeur and the two Mexicans were philosophically smoking while awaiting the return of the envoy. “You are welcome,’’ the Canadian said, 60 800n as he caught sight of him. ‘* How do you like our camp?’ Charming, is it not? Eayle-head discovered it. These de- vils of Indians have a peculiar talent for forming an ambuseade. We are as safe bere ast Quebec Cathedral.” During this flood of words, to which he only responded by a hearty pressure of the hand, Louis had comfortably seated himself by the side of his companions, and began to do honor, with excellent appetite, to the provisions they had put aside for him. * But where are the horses ?”” he asked. “ Here, two paces from us; not to be found by any one save ourselves,” “Very good. We shall probably need them soon.” When Louis had finished eating he de- scribed fully the way in which he had car- ried out his mission. ‘€ All that is very good,” Belhumeur said, when he had ended his report. ‘I believe that we can henceforth feel assured about the safety of our countrymen, especially with the help of the forty peons, who will take the enemy between two fires.”’ “ Yes, but where shall they be concealed?” , ‘¢ Leave that to Eagle-head, The chief paows this country thoroughly; he has 1unted in it for along time. Lam certain he will find a suitable place for the Mexicans. What do you say, chief?’ “ Tt is easy to hide one’s self in the prai- re,” the chief answered laconically. ** Yes,”? Don Martial remarked, ‘ but there is one thing you forget.” , What ?”’ **] live on the frontier, and have long been accustomed to Indian tactics. The Apaches will arrive, preseded by a cur- tain of smoke; the plain will soon be on! one vast sheet of flame, in the midst o which we shall struggle in vain, and which will end by swallowing us up, if we do not take the proper precautions.’ ‘That is true: it is a serious matter, Unfortunately, I only see one way of es- caping from the danger, and that is, by making off.’’ ‘‘ Let the pale-faces listen,’’ Eagle-head observed. ‘The Rio Gila, like all other large rivers, brings down with it dead trees, at times in such quantities that at certain spots they completely block up the passage; in time these trees press aguinst each other, and their branches become entwined; then rass grows, to cement them more firmly gether; the sand and earth are piled u gradually on these immense rafts, which a a distance resemble islands, until a storm comes as a flood, which breaks up the raft, and bears it away.” ‘Yes, [know that. I have seen frequent instances of it, chief,’’ Belhuméur said, “I understand all the advantages your idea possesses for us; but, unhappily, Ido not see how it will be possible for us to curry it out,” ‘In the simplest way. The Indian’s eye is good; he sees every thing within two bow-shots of him. Above the great lodge of the pale-faces, did not my brother notice an islet about fifty yards almost from the bank ?”” ‘¢ What you say is quite correct,’ Belhu- meur exclaimed; ‘Ican cal) the island to mind now.”’ “ From the position it oceupies there will be nothing to apprehend from fire,” Louis remarked. “If itis large enough to hold us all it will be extremely useful as an ad- vanced post.” ‘* We have not. a moment to lose: we must take possession of it at once, and when. we are certain that it offers all we want we will lead the peons to it.”’ ‘“ Let us start, then, without further de- lay,’’ the Tiger-Slayer said as he rose. The others imitated him, and the five men left the clearing. After fetching their horses they proceeded toward the island under the guidance of Eagle-head. 3 The Indian chief aad not deceived them. With that infallible glance his countrymen possess, he had at once formed a correct opinion of the spot he so cleverly selected. ‘There was another consideration highly ad- te ina The Tiger-Slayer. vantageous for the adventurers—a thick line of mangroves bordered the river's edge, and advanced sufficiently far into the stream to diminish the distance separating the isle from the mainland, while forming a natural defense for men concealed in the tall grass ; for it was perfectly impossible that the In- dians could hide themselves in the mangroves to hurass their enemies, who, on the other hand, could do them considerable mischief. This islet (we will retain the name, though it was really only a raft) was covered with a close, strong herbage, about two yards in hight, in the midst of which men and horses completely disappeared. When the recon- noissance was enced, Belbumeur and the two Mexicans installed. themselves in the center, while Louis and Eagle-head returned to the bank to go and meet Blas and the peons. Don Martial did not care to accompany them. 8o near the colony he was afraid of being recognized by Don Sylva, and preferred to maintain, as long as he could, an incogni- to necessary for the ulterior success of his plans, Louis, after making him the offer to accompany them, pressed him no further, and appeared to accept his refusal without any discussion. The truth was, that the count felt, without being able to explain it, a species of repulsion for this man, whose cautious manner and continual hesitation had ill-disposed him in his favor. Eagle-head and Louis, certain that the Black Bear had really retired with his de- tachment, and left no spies on the prairie, thought it annecessary to let the Mexicans take a long and wearisome ride before lead- ing them to the hiding-place ; consequently they hid themselves in theshrubs at the end of the isthmus to watch their exit, and lead them straight to the spot. In the meanwhile the news Don Louis bad carried to the colony had turned every thing topsy-turvy. Although, since the first foundation of the hacienda, the Indians had constantly tried to harass the French, the various attempts they made had been unim- portant, and this was really the first time they would have a serious contest with their ferocious enemies. The Count de Lorailles had with him about two hundred Dauph’yeers, who had come from Valparaiso and the other Pacific ports, which are always crowded with ad venturers of every description. These worthy people wereasingular mixture of alt the nationalities peopling the two hemi spheres, although the French supplied the largest number. Half bandits, half soldiers these men put the utmost faith in the chief they had freely chosen. The news of the attack premeditated by the Apaches was received by the garrison with shouts of joy and enthusiasm. It was an amusement for these adventurers to ex- change shots, or rub the rust off a little, as they said in their picturesque language. As soon as the defensive preparations were made the count left the details to his two lieutenants, two old soldiers, on whom he believed he could depend; then he thought of Blas Vasquez and his peons, In the probable event that the Indians had left spies round the colony, they must be per- suaded that this band bad really retired. For that purpose several mules were laden with provisions, as if for a long ee > then Blas, well instructed, put himself at the head of the squadron, and left the colony, rifle on thigh. | The count, Don Sylva, and the other in- habitants followed the party with an interest easy to see eae ready to help them if attacked. But iéthing stirred in the prai- rie; the calm and silence continued to pre- vail, and the Mexicans soon disappeared in the tall grass. “T can not at all understand the Indian tac- tics,” Don Sylva muttered, thoughtfuliy. “As they have allowed that party to pass so quietly, they must be planning some trick which offers a good prospect of success.” ‘We shall soon know,” the count re- lied; “ besides, we are ready to receive hem. Tam only sorry that Dona Anita should be here; not that she runs the slight- est risk, but the sound of the contest may terrify her.” “Oh, no,” the lady said, who came from the house at this moment; “ fear nothing of that nature for me. I am a true Mexican, and not one of your Parisian dames, whom the slightest thing causes to faint.” After uttering these words with that haughty and Eonely contemptuous ac- cept women know so well to employ toa man they do not love, Dona Anita passed before the count without deigning him a 9 took her father’s arm. The Frenchman made no reply: but bow- ed as if he did not understand the epigram launched at him. He intended to have an explanation with his betrothed at a later ate; for though he did not love her, as of- a ten happens in such cases, he did not par- : dre _ don her being loved vy another, and es pecially for regarding him with indiffer- ence; but the events which bad burried on with stich rapidity during the last two days had hitherto prevented him asking this im- portant interview of the dona, The haciendero’s daughter was an Anda- lusian from head to foot, all fire and passion, only sent da the precipitate movements of her heart. Loving with all the strength of her soul, safe-guarded by her love for Don Martial, she had judged the Count de Lorailles coolly, and guessed the speculator under the garb of the gentleman; hence she made up her miad at once to render it an impossibility ever to become his wife. To commence an overt struggle with her father —she knew, too well to risk it, the old Spanish blood that boiled in his veins. As much Indian as she was Spaniard, Anita chose stratagem, that terrible woman's weapon, which renders her so dangerous. Blas Vasquez, the capataz, had seen the birth of Dona Anita: his wife had been her nurse—that is, he was devoted to the youn girl, and on asign from her he would have pledged his soul to the demon. When Don Louis visited the hacienda the young lady was considerably curious as to he motive of his visit. After the French man’s departure she coolly asked for infor- mation from the capataz, who saw no harm in giving it toher, the more so because every one in the colony would soon know the news the count brought. The only thing no one could know, and which Dona Anita guessed with that heart-instinet which never de- ceives, was the presence of the Tiger-Slayer among the hunters ambushed in the vicinity of the hacienda. On leaving her at Guaymas, Don Martial had said that he would constantly watch over her, and save her from the fate with which she was menaced. After that, it was plain that he must have followed her. Had he done so (which she did not for amo- ment doubt), he must certainly be among the brave men who at that moment were de- voting themselves to save her, while seek- ng to protect the colony. ‘he logic of the heart is the only species that is positive and never deceives. We have seen that Dona Anita, enlightened by assion, reasoned justly. When the girl iad drawn from the capataz the information she desired: ‘*Don Blas,”’ she said to him, “ it is prob- able that if the colony is attacked, after the services you will be able to render, ind when my father no longer wants you and your men, that you will receive orders to return to Guaymas.”’ ‘“’Tis probable, certainly, sefiora,’’ the worthy man answered. “Tn that case you will have no objection to do me a service?’ she went on, looking at him with her most fascinating smile. ** You know, senorita, that 1 would throw myself into the fire for you. What can I do to oblige you ?”’ “Oh! a very easy mattér. You know,” she said, lightly, ** that for a very long time [ have wished to have two jaguar-skins as a carpet for my bedroom ?”” ‘*No,”? he replied, simply; “I was not aware of it.’ “Ah! well, I tell it you now; will youget them for me }” **As soon as [am my own master again you can depend on me.’ ‘* 1 do not wish you to expose your life to satisfy a whim. A renowned tiger-hunter arrived at Guaymas a few days back.” ** Don Martial Asuzena ?’’ he quickly in- terrupted her. ‘* Do you know him ?”’ ** Who does not know the Tigrero ?”” ‘“Well, [ heard that he has brought back from his last hunt on the western prairies some magnificent jaguar-skins, which, I have no doubt, he would be willing to sellat a fair price.” «Tam certain of it.’ ‘‘ Here,” she said, drawing @ small, care- fully-sealed note from her bosom, ‘is a let- ter which you will a to this man. I de- scribe in it the way in which I should like to have the skins pre , and the price I am willing to give. Here is the money,’’ she added, as she handed him a purse; “ you will arrange the matter for me?” : “Can you doubt it?” “No, nyfriend. But stay, one word more, Do not say any thing to my father. You know how kind be is; he would want to make me a present of them, and I wish to pay for the skins out of my own purse.”’ The a began ae at the joke. The worthy man was deligh at sh ng 8 secret, however slight it — be, with his darling child, as he called his young mis- tress. “Tt is settled,” he said; “T will be dumb.”’ ae girl gave him a friendly nod and with- ———E—————— one os . aE NS)