Beadle's Dime Library No. 151 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

The Freebooters. 11 “Do you see nothing?”’ **On my honor, no,” **Not even those flocks of herons and flamingos flying in large circles, and uttering shrill cries which you can hear from here?’’ * Certainly I see birds; but what have they in com- mon—”’ * Colonel,’’ the major-domo rape pe him, turn- ing and drawing himself - to his f hight; * pre- pare to defend yourself; the enemy is there.’ ‘* What—the ge he you are mad, Don Felix; a Je in the last gleams of day, the plain is'de- ser " “Colonel, before becoming major-domo at the Larch-tree hacienda, I was a wood-ranzer for fifteen pone: the desert is to me a book, every page of which can peruse. Watch the timid flight of those birds, notice the numberless flocks which are constantly joining those we first perceived; those birds, driven from their nests, are flying hap-hazard before an enemy who will soon appear. at enemy is the in- surgent army, whose masges will soon be visible to us, robably pe i by fire.”’ ‘Rayo de Dios, Don Felix,’ the colonel suddenly exclaimed; “ you are right, look there!”’ A red line, momentarily growing wider, suddenly appeared on. the extreme verge of the horizon. * Did the flight of the birds deceive us?’ the ma- jor-domo asked. “Forgive me, friend, a very excusable ignorance, but we have not a moment to lose.” They went down at once; five minutes later the defenders of the hacienda lined the tops of the walls, and ambushed themselves behind the exterior in- trenchments. The Texan army, now plainly visible, was deploying on the plains in heavy columns, CHAPTER XI. A METAMORPHOSIS, WE must now go back for some days, and return to the encampment of the hunters whom we left in a most awkward position, watched by the vigilant eye of the Apaches, and compelled to trust temporarily to a Antonio, that is to say, to\a man for whom, in his heart, not one of them felt the slight* est sympathy. Still, had it been possible to read the monk’s mind, their opinion about him would proba- bly have been completely changed. A revolution had taken place in this man’s mind, and he had been unconsciously overcome by that in- fluence which upright natures ever exert over those which have not yet been entirely spoiled. However whatever was the cause of the shemre which had taken place almost suddenly in the monk’s ideas, we are bound to state that it was sincere, and that Fray Antonio — intended to serve his new friends, whatever the consequences ht be to himself. men the desert life he accustomed, thro led to discover with a certain of skill the true feelings of ns with whom accident brought him in contact, thought it his duty to appear to trust, under present circumstances, entirely on the monk, though he might not give perfect credence to his _ protestations of devotion. ‘*We have,” Tranquil said, “to cheat the cheater, ‘and play at diamond cut diamond with him; you understand me?” i . Go on. “Very Return to Blue-fox.” **What?’’ ** Are you afraid?” “Not exactly; but I fancy he may proceed to ex- tremities with me.”’ ‘* That is a risk to be run."’ hy A be it so,’’ he exclaimed, resolutely, **I will run it,” The Canadian looked fixedly at him. ‘That will do,’’ he said to him, “‘Here, take these, and, at any rate,if you are attacked, you will not die unay e3 And he put a brace of pistols in his hand. The ined them monk exam for a moment, turning them over so as to assure that were in state, then he hid them under his gown with a of joy. ‘‘T fear nothing uow,”’ hesaid; “Iam going.” ** Still I must lain to you—"’ “For what se?’ the monk inte ted him. “I will tell Blue- -— that you — to “ an interview with him; "but, as you do not care go alone to his a hee seeing him without witnesses in the middle of prairie. “That will do, and you will bring him with you to the a Seiad is be waiting.’ , ry, at any rate.”’ “That is what I mean.” ** But where will you wait for him?”’ “‘On the skirt of the forest. Keep a few paces from the chief, not before or behind, but on his 7 hand, if possible.” I understand.” After u these words the monk rose and walked awa th a quick and firm step. The Can- adian looked after him for some time. **Is he a traitor?” he muttered. **I do not think so,”’ Loyal Heart answered. ‘‘May Heaven grant it! “ What is your plan?” “It is simple; we can only triumph over the ene- mies who surroundus ~ m> hence, that is cape from these red demons at all ” Thatis true. But, when we have succeeded in throwing them out, where shall we go?”’ “We must not dream, in the present excited state of the country, of making a long across the » desert with two females; it: be court tain ruin.” “ That is true; but what can we do?” * Itis my intention to proceed to the Larch-tree hacienda, There, bfancy, my daughter will obtain the best protection for the present.”’ ‘Permit me to remind you that yourself refused to have recourse to that. “That is true; hence I only resolve on it when ina fix. As for you—" “Oh, I accompany you,”’ Loyal Heart quickly him Pent? rthed -Cluadiaw -bocclaimed, »-wrharniy: “Still, in spite of all the pleasure your generous of- fer Scoeeiens me, I cannot accept it.” “ 9 “Because the nation which has adopted you claims your help, and you cannot refuse it.”’ ee excuses, ““ No,’’ the chief said, distinctly; “‘I will pot leave my le friends in d "3 “By Jove!" Tran exclaimed joyously, “as it is so, we shall have some fun; hang it all, if five re- solute and well-armed men cannot get the best of a hundred Apaches. Listen to me, comrades: while I go ostensibly to the meeting I have granted Blue- fox, follow me in Indian file, and be ready to appear directly I give you the signal by imitating the cry of the mocking-bird.”’ +s All h b | he eset and Quoniam, will watch over Car- ‘* We will all watch over her, friend, trust to us,” “Sranedi gees aa rades a parting f ll, nqu ave his comrades a ng farewe threw his rifie over his shoulder, and left the en- campment. He had hardly disappeared ere the hunters lay down on the ground, and crawled on his trail, Carmela guided by Singing-bird forming the rear guard, The maiden felt an involuntary shud- der run over her limbs as she entered the forest. This night march terrified her, and suggested gloomy forebodings, which she feared tosee realized at every step. In the meanwhile Fray Antonio continued his meme and soon emerged from the forest. Far rom his resolution being shaken, the nearer he. drew to the Apaches he felt it, on the contrary, be- come firmer. The monk was rto prove to the hunters that he was worthy the confidence they placed in him. Fray Antonio had gone hardly five hundred yards from the forest, when a man suddenly emerged from a thicket and barred his p he monk sup- pressed with difficulty a cry of terror at this unex- apparition, and started back. But immedi- ately ning his cooln he prepared to sustain the terrible contest that doubtless menaced him, for he had recognized Blue-fox at the first glance. The chief examined him in silence, fixing on him his deep black eye with an epee of _suspicion which did not escape the mon a M — has been a long time,’’ he at length sa. y: TF could not be any quicker,"’ the monk answered. ‘*Wah! my father returns alone; the great pale voneae was afraid; he did not accompany my ather,’ ‘* You are mistaken, chief; the man you call the great pale hunter, and whom I call quil, was not af and did not refuse to accompany me.” ‘*Och! Blue-fox is a sachem; ‘his eye pierces the thickest darkness; though he may look he sees noth- “That is probably because you do not look in the ht direction, that’s all.” ~ father will explain. \ Blue-fox desires to know how as friend: carried out the mission the sa chem confided. to him.”’ ‘* I took tho best advantage possible of my meetin with the hunter, in order to carry out the orders pars os fathe > will pard I nly In “My er on me, lam only a poor In- dian without brains; things must be repeated to me several times before I can understand them, Will the great pale hunter come?” “Yes. I left him over there, at the verge of the forest. Heis waiting for the chief.” Blue-fox at this remark, and fixed on the monk a glance which seemed to read the most secret thoughts of his heart. Ps y did he not accompany my father here?’ he said. The monk assumed the most simple look possible. “On my faith, Ido not know,’ he answered; “‘ but of what consequence is it?’’ “It is pleasanter to converse on the prairie.” * Do 7 think so? Well, it is ble. For my eed mw see any difference ween here and re. This was said with such apparent carelessness, that, in spite of all his craft, the chief was deceived. bn @ great pale hunter come alone?”’ “*No,”’ Fray Antonio rep boldly. “If that be so, Blue-fox will not go.”’ ya se of reflecting?, The father has : e use o e fat deceived his red friend.” “The hunter could not come alone.” ““ Why not?’’ | ** Because he did not wish to leave in the forest the girl who po him.” The Indian's face su brightened, and assum- ed an expression of ex cunning. “Wah!” he said, ‘‘and no other person but the roe pale virgin accompanies the hunter?’ “No. It seems that the other white warriors who were With him lefthim at daybreak.”’ st Does my father know where they are gone?”’ ‘Idid not inquire. That does not concern me. Every man has enough business of his own without tro himself about that of others,”’ “ My father is.a wise man.” The monk made.no _ - to this com oda” hy nan bananas naar wo . y fy oO answ sO ’ and with such well- frankness, that the In- dian, whose secret thoughts the Mexican’s answers flattered, felt all his suspicions. v: and weat, head down, into the snare so adroitly laid -for him, u Och!” he said, “Blue-fox will see his friend. o father can return to the camp of the Apache warriors.” , ‘‘ No, thank you, chief,” the monk answered, reso- lutely, “*I preter with people of my. own Blue-fox reflected for an instant, and then-re- pas with an ironical smile playing round his thin ent. Mt Good; my father is right. He can follow me, then.” “It is evident,” the monk thought to himself, ‘that this accursed is devising some treach- ery. But I will wa , and at the slightest sus- fog he Ley nae emg I will blow out his br like the ut he ay these reflections to himself, and fol- lowed the chief with an easy and pertecy indif- ferent air. In the moonbeams, which allowed ob- jects to be distinguished for a considerable distance, “It will wait; besides, Black-deer will make my they soon perceived, on the extreme verge of the fore:t, the dark outline of a man leaning on a rifle. {| Snele the chief said, ‘we must make ourselves own.”’ “* That need not trouble you. I takeit on myself to warn the hunter when the time arrives,”’ ‘*Good,’’ the Indian muttered, and they continued to advance, Blue-fox, though he placed confidence in his com- nion, only advanced, however, with extreme cau- ion and prudence, examining the shrubs, and even the smallest tufts of grass,as if assuring himself that they concealed no enemy. But, with the ex- ception of the man they perceived before them, the place seemed eoaaase in profound solitude; all was calm and motionless; no unusual sound troubled the silence. ‘*Let us stop here,” said Fray Antonio, ‘it would be imprudent for us to advance further without an- nouncing ourselves, although the hunter has prob- ably wie me us already; for, as you chief, he not made the htest move.’ “ That is true, but it is as well to be cautious,”’ the other replied. ; They stopped at about twenty yards from the covert, where Fray Antonio placed his hands funnel- wise on either his mouth, and shouted at the full extent of his lungs: ‘** Hilloh! Tranquil, is that you?” ‘*‘Who calls me?’ the latter immediately an- swered. ‘“‘I—Fray Antonio. I am accompanied by the per- son you are »cting.”’ * Advance without fear,’’ Tranquil replied: ‘‘Those who seek me without any intention of treachery have nothing to fear from me.” The monk turned to the Apache chief. “ What shall we do?” he asked him. ‘*Go on,”’ the latter replied, laconically. The distance which separated them from the hunter was soon covered, and the Mexican becom- ing an impromptu master of the ceremonies, resented the two men to each other. The sachem k a searching glance around him. ‘*T do not see the young pale girl,”’ he said. “Did you wish tos to her or to me?” the Canadian answered dry ‘*{ am ready to listen to you. What have you to say to.me?”’ The Indian frowned; his suspicions were return- ing; he gave a menacing glance at the monk, who, obeying the advice given him, had insensibly with- drawn a few steps, and was preparing to be an ap ntly calm witness of the coming scene. S A after an internal conflict of some seconds, the sachem succeeded in masteri the wrath that agitated him, and assumed an and confiding countenance. “TI only wished to speak to my brother,’’ he replied, in an insinuating voice; ‘ Blue-fox has for ov hia desired to see, again the face of a end.”’ “Tf it were really as the chief says,’ the hunter continued, ‘‘nothing could have been more easy. Many days have sueceeded one to the other, man years have been swallowed up in the immense gulf ope since the period when, y and of called Blue-fox my friend. At bat period he had a Pawnee heart, but now that has plucked it from his bosom, to exchange it: for an apace msm. = Le ertime longer.”’ a ‘The great hunter pale-faces is severe to his red brother," the Indian answered, with feigned humility. | What matter theda .— unter finds again his nd of the olden me?” | x The Canadian smiled disdainfully as he shrugged his shoulders, x I an old woman, to be deceived smooth words of a forked tongue?” he said. fox is dead; my eyes only see here an chief, that is to say, an enemy.”’ | ‘* Let my brother remove the skin from his heart: he will recognize a friend,’’ the Indian continued, still in a honeyed voice, aidnenidinantanat felt impatient at such cynical ence, **& truce to fine whose sincerity I do fakdaguameiciad te carry camp datetime ew my , at the head of his warriors attacked the calli in which she dwelt, and which is now reduced to ashes?” ‘‘My brother has heard the mocking-bird w in his ear, and put faith in its falsehoods; mocker is a chattering and lying bird.”’ “You are more ttering and lying than the mocker,”* Tranquil ex as he . violently stamped the butt of his rifleon the ground. *‘For — the last time I repeat to you that I regard yon not as a friend, but as an enemy. Now, we have noth- ing more to say to One another, so let us for this unpleasant conference has ines agulontades too a The took a piercing glance around him, and his eye sparkled Sectaean | **We will not part thus,’’ he said, as he: walked two or three steps nearer the hunter, who. still ae motionless. The bashes mers ae e movement, while ecting the m perfect condone. As for Fray Antonio, through certain signs that do not deceive men accustomed to Indian tricks, he was a : w e the “pariect indifference to the interview of which he was witness, he had cer ee drawn the pis- tels from under his and held them chaleell in his hand, ready to y them at thedirst alarm. a situation was: oe ! aoearan’: betwoa the twospeakers; eac paring for ug- gle, alt h the. fasebiwere still cals: and: thelr: voices gentle. rn aris ‘Yes,’ Tranquil continued, without displaying the slightest emotion, ‘‘we will part. thus eiel, and may Heaven grant that we may never find ourselves face to face again.”’ ) oust ; ‘Before separating, the hunter will answer one u n. ; by ‘**] will not, for this conversation has lasted too long ue x Farewell!” . And he fell back a . The sachem stretched forth his arm to stop Read word! ‘‘] will not,’’ the Canadian replied. “Then die, miserable dog of a paleface,” the “S COMIIEVO'O that have passed; . b the : io} Blue- (E(o) eT tA a tt ttl tg ee agenesis