Beadle's Dime Library No. 151 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

Lh all ‘their submission; when that period is e roebooters. = eo who commands them, can on be Be mates by me as traitors and fosterers of re ** We care little, colonel, Ba me manne you give us, or the manner in which you regard our acts. We have taken up arms to render our country independ- ent, and ae lay them down till that noble task is accomplish ese are the proposals I think it my duty oe oir. you.’ ‘I cannot and will not treat with rebels,’’ the colonel said, clearly and distinctly. “You will act as you please, colonel; but human- ity pk att. you to avoid loodshed, if ‘possible, and your duty imperiously commands you to listen to what I have to — to you.” ‘* Be it so, caballero, ‘ will listen to you, and then will see what answer I have to give you; but I must ask you to be brief.”’ The Jaguar leaned the point of his saber on the ope and giving @ clear and piercing glance at Mexican staff, he continued in a loud, firm, and accentuated veice: “IT, the Coemnnnes Sonnet of the Liberating Army of Texas, summon ty a colonel in the ser- vice of the Mexican Republic, whose sovereiguty we no longer rec , to surrender to us this Larch- tree hacienda, o which you entitle yourself the gov- gee and which you hold without right or reason. If, within twenty-four hours, the said hacienda is put into our hands, with all it contains, guns, am- munition, material of war,and otherwise, the gar- rison will quit the place with the honors of war, under arms, with drums and fifes playing. Then, after laying down their the garrison will be free to retire to the interior of Texas, after maki oath that during a year and a day they will no serve in Texas against the Liberating Army.”’ ** Have b- patience. the colonel asked, with ill- disguised im nce ** Not vet," tl the Jaguar coldly answered. **T must ask you to make haste.”’ On seeing these two men exchange savage glances, and in such a hostile tion face to face no one would have supposed that they were fond of each other, and groaned in their hearts at the . ro ful part fate compelled them to play ea eir will. The truth was, that in one military fanat- icism, in the other an ardent love of his country imposed silence on every other feeling, an only permitted them to listen ene the most im- oa ous of all—the sentiment of duty. The Jaguar, Spe! calm and firm, continued in the same reso- te accent: against my expectations, these conditions are esincahlt and the place obstinately defends itself, the Army of Liberation will immediately invest it, carry on the siege with all the vigor of which it is capable, and when the hacienda is captured, it will undergo the fate of towns taken b assault; the arrison will be decimated, and remain prisoners till ager ‘i et th lonel lied, ironical] ie 1 ” the colonel rep ronically ; however harsh these conditions may be, we pre- fer them to the former; and if the fate of arms be- tray us, we will endure without complaint the law of the conquerors.’ The J bowed ceremoniously. “1 have only to withdraw, * he said. ‘One moment,” the colonel said. “You have ex- To hear to me ) your conditions, so it is now your turn oh “What Sondttioke can you have to offer us, since you refuse to surrender? **You shall hear.”’ The colonel looked round him with a glance of as- surance; then, crossing his arms on his chest, and drawing himself up with the air of sovereign con- tempt for those who surrounded him, began speak- ing ” a sharp and sarcastic voice: I,” he said, “Don Juan de Melendez de Gongora, colonel in the service of the Mexican Republic, con- sidering that the majority of the individuals assem- bled at this moment at the foot of my walls are poor ignorant men, whom bad exam “A and bad counse have led into a revolt, which detest in their hearts—for I know that the Mo can Government has ever been just, kind, and paternal to them; considering, moreover, that yO ly the fear of the severe chastisement which hey have deserved their culpable conduct keeps them, — “te desire an will, in the ranks of the rebe mx ot ing the prerogative given me by my title o we ernor of a first-class fortress, and a field o in the Mexican army, I promise them, that “it they immediately lay down their arms, and, as a proof of sincere repentance, surrender to me the chiefs who deceived them and led them into re- volt—I promise them, I repeat, a complete par- don and oblivion of the faults they may have com- mitted up to to-day, but only on this condition. They have till sunse ‘of the present day to “an ssed, they will be regarded as inveterate rebels, an treated as to ae is to say, hanged without trial, after their identity has Den proved, and de rived in their last moments of the consolations of religion, as being unworthy of them. As for the chiefs, as traitors, they will be shot in the back, and their bodies fastened by the feet on gibbets, where they remain as food for birds of prey, and serve as an example to those who may venture in their track. Reflect, then, and repent, for such are the sole ponditions you, will obtain’ of me. And now, caballeros,”’ turning to his officers, “‘ we fog Bhan ts to the tort, as we have nothing more to o here. His hearers had listened with increasing surprise to this strange address, uttered in a tone of sarcasm and haughty contempt, which had filled the hearts of the Jaguar's comrades with gall, while the Mexi- — officers looked at each other with a laugh. By as the Jaguar im silence on his comrades, ase wet respectf y to the colonel. “Your will be done,”’ Y he said to him. “God will judge, between us; the blood shed will fall on your ~ “T accept the res “yee ht the commandant remarked, disdainfu “We will figh than "the Jaguar exclaimed, en- ' thusiastically. va patria, vica la Indepen- dencia |" "This ery, repeated by his comrades, was heard in the camp, and taken up with extraordinary enthu- siasm by his com mrades * Viva Mejice/" the ‘colonel said. Se — He then retired, followed by his officers. On his side, 4 Jaguar returned to his cam , resolved to attempt a vigorous hand-stroke on @ place. On both sides preparations were made for the impla- cable struggle that was about to between members of the same family Be. Udren of the same soil; a homicidal and fearful struggle, a hun- dred-fold more terrible than a foreign war! CHAPTER XIIL THE SLEGE, Waite all this was rs on, the hunters, as we pan noped pease tee = ae gh so on as the es ppeared. en was clear, and th Fag coe: marched in Indian file, that is to say, one after the other; still through a prudential motive, Carmela was placed pillion-wise behind Tranquil, while Singing-bird rode with Black-deer. he Canadian had whispered a few words to pias and Quoniam, upon which the two men, with- oul replying, dug their spurs in and started at a Ba hen you have ladies with you,"’ Tranquil said, with a laugh to Loyal Heart, ‘‘it is necessary to take precautions.,"’ The hunter, however, did not ask him for an explanation, and the four men continued their march in silence. During the whole night nothing occurred to disturb their rg me § the Apaches kept — word faithfully, really withdrawn. ranquil had not for a 59 doubted the prom- t times the hunter turned to the maiden, and sl her with ill-disguised anxiety if she felt fa- tigued, but Carmela constantly replied in the nega- tive. A few minutes before , he bent down to her for the last time. ’* he said; ‘‘ we shall soon arrive.” The girl attempted to smile, but this long night spent on horseback had crushed oh she could = even find the courage to answer ted w she, and Tranquil, anxious for “his d daughter, hurried on. Stillin the sunbeams, whose warmth caressed her, the maiden felt new-born, her courage returned, and she drew herself up with a sigh of relief. The journey, then, became more gay; for each, on this much-desired appearance of 7 Open forgotten his fatigue and the 6 emotions of th oe night. Two hours later they reached the base hill, half-way up which was a natural grotto. at friends are expecting us there,’’ said Tran- q A few moments later, the little band entered the tto on Toone the without leaving any traces of ts nee This grotto, like many others in that coun th several entrances, and through is Sei larity it often served as a refuge to the ee rs, who, bei thoroughly bonvermant with all ts windings, could easily escape from the search of enemies who might have followed their trail. It was divided Poo several compart- ments, without visible communication with each other, ‘and formeda species of maze, which ran with inextricable windings under the wh whole of. the hill. On the prairie the name of the Jaguar's grotto had been given it. The two hunters, sent forward by the Canadian, were seated by an enormous fire of heather, and eg roasting a magnificent haunch of venison, as ey silently smoked their pipes. Although they must have been waiting a long time for their friends, on the arrival of Tranquil and his comrades they contented themselves with a slight bow, and did not evince the slightest desire to know what had oc- curred since their departure, for these men had lived so long on the desert that they had grown to assume all the Indian habits. Tranquil led the two females into a grotto a considerable distance from the ‘Bore one, he said, in a gentle whisper, ‘‘ you must speak as little as possible, and as low as you can, for you never know what neighbors you may have: pay t attention to this piece of advice, for your ety depends on it. If you require me, or have an inclinetion to join us, you know where wy ee and itisan easy matter for you to come; 3; good His daughter causes him by the arm for vo. ment, and a in his ear. He bowedin reply, and went out hen the two females found them- selves alone, their first impulse was to :all into each other’s arms, This first emotion past, they lay on the ground with that feeling of comfort which is ex- perienced when you have sighed during a long pe- riod for a rest, the want of which you Frenauil ce. feel. At the niga of about an hour, turned. * Are we ng to start et acita in?”’ whee asked, hurriedly, wine an ill-disgui . “On t 5 contrite t dibear tonto bere till sun- se ‘* Heaven be praised |” the maiden exclaimed. “‘Thave come to tell you that breakfast is ready, and that we are only awaiting your presence to be- gin our meal,” “Kat without us, my dear papa,” Carmela an- oo “at in «fl moment we have more need of mi if pou i lik BT i b h h eep if you like; ave bro t you, owever, male eee which I must ask oe +4 put on,” What, father, dress ourselves as men?’ Carmela said in surprise, and with a slight repugnance. “You must, child—it is indispensable.” “In that case I will obey you, father." ** Thank — my daughter.”’ The hunter withdrew> and the two es, gg oe soon fellasleep. Their’ sleep lasted fi Nees the sun was inning to sink beneath the horizon, when they awoke, he ape recovered from their fatigue. Carmela, rosy, felt no effects of the lo sicaniadeeians of the preceding night; and the Ind dian girl, stronger, or more hardened, had not suffered so much as her companion. The twogir's then began, while chattering and laughing to 2 pare everything necessary for the disguise the h ter had recommended them ‘‘Let us begin our toilet,’ Carmela said gayly to Singirg-bird. At the moment when they were removing their dresses, they heard the noise of footsteps near them and varned like two startled fawns, thinking that was coming to see whether they were ake yet but a couple of oat ae distinctly pro- etn cause them to listen, ond stand quivering with emotion, surprise, and cu — y. “My brother has been a long time,"’ the voice had J ith 7 any oO unlucky.” - him."’ possess ming to the first ence. lace.” portant.” “Thanks!” : ———_—_— — -—- said, which seemed to belong to a man standing scarce three paces from them; “ I have been expect- ing him for two hours.” By Heaven, chief, your remark is perfectly cor- rect; tant it was impossible for me to come sooner,’ another person mediately answered, whose eigner.” pronounced accent proved to be a for- “My brother will speak without loss of time.” t is what I intend doing.” At this moment Tranquil came up. The you women laid the fore-finger on their lips, recomme ing silence; the hunter understood what this meant and advanced on tip-toe to oF eneeei denea. secon er continu that, in accordance with the , you should join his army 4 to the present that has been impossible." “* Blue-fox !” Tranqui] muttered. ‘ tD- warn you that he accuses you of breach of ait tering o This eve picked wa e chief is wrong; a sachem is not a chat- woman who knows not what he says. I shall join him with two hundred ors.’ ‘* We shall see, chief."’ ““At the first song of the maukawis, the Apache wT All the bother. ‘The dapeet ts 'gaemahil *“*All the better e ar is pre ga ge eral assault on the poms rt, and only awaits your arrival to give the signal of attack ae to my brother that the Apaches will not ‘Those confounded Mexicans fight like demons; the man who commands them seems to have gal- vanized them, they second him so well. There was nly one good officer in the aya y army, and we are obliged to against him. is really most “The chief of the Yoris is not invulnerable. The arrows of the Apaches are long—they will kill “‘Nonsense,’’ the other said ill- Room enige EG “this man seems to have a charm that Kentuckian rifles are wonde true, and So marksmen a far from common skill: but ne bullet can hit him.”’ “ While com this grotto, Blue-fox raised the scalp of a re weg hen of the Yoris.” "ant speaker observed with indiffer- Here it is; this man was the bearer of a neck- * A letter, b nik heavens!” the other exclaimed anx- : have you done with it? You have “ee estroyed it, I trust!’ “No, the chief has kept it.” “You a! ‘d well. Show it to me, perhaps it is im- “Wah! it is some medicine of the ec a chief does not want it; my brother can take it.” There was a moment’s silence, during which the hearts of the three hearers might have been heard beating in unison, so — was their anxiety. ‘““By Jove!” the white man suddenly burst out; ” as “posed addressed to ‘Colonel Don Juan Melendez pliner 5 Commandant of the Larch-tree, by ubio. You were in luck’s way, chief. Are oom ‘anes that the bearer of this letter i is dead?"’ “It was’ Blue-fox who killed him.’ “In that case I feel confident, for I can trust to you. Now, this is what you must do; so soon as—” But while s ng thus, the two men had with- drawn, and the sound of their voices was lost in the distance, so that it was impossible to hear ie ter- mination of the sentence, or guess its pu The two women turned round. Trang had dis- : peared, and they were again alone. Carmela, r listening to this strange conversation, of which euckaees allowed her to catch a few fragments, had fallen into a profound reverie, which her companion, with that sense of propriety innate io Indians, was careful not to disturb. In the meanwhile, time slipped away, the gloom gl denser in the grotto, for night ha " set in; the wo pong women, afraid fog wage 4 ge in the ob- scu SB preparing join their companio waar the y beard sound of footsteps, and Tran. quil entered, What!" he said to them, “not ready yet? Make haste to put on your e attire, for every PR girls * not Stession eu to be nes gre Ded isappeared in an a ent, and re- turned a few rH Rey om , cirely’ dimeuieed. ““Good,"’ the Canadian said, after examining them for a moment; “we are go going to try and enter the 7, -tree hacienda. Now follow me, and be pru- en The eight persons left the grotto, gliding along in tng darned ie Pa orton. oO one, ess ee riment, can imagine what a night-march on the dane thon you are afraid each moment of falling into the ands of invisible enemies, who watch you behind every bush. Tranquil had placed himself at the head of the little party, who marched in Indian file, at times stooping to the gro go get Be on his hands and knees, or crawling on stomach so as to avoid notice. Donna Carmela, in spite of the extraordinary dif- ficulties she had to surmount, advanced with ad- mirable co , hever complaining, and enduring, without seem z to notice them, the scratches of sae roots and brambles, which lacerated her hands, and caused her co suffering. After three hours of tic efforts in following Tranquil’s trail, the latter stopped, and bade them look around them. They raised their heads, and found themselves in the camp of the Texan insurgents, All around them, in the moonbeams, they could see the elon- ated shadows of Indian Sentatem, leaning on their ong lances, motionless uestrian statues, who were watching over the safety of their pale-face brothers. The young women * felt a thrill of terror run over their persons at this sight, which was not of a nature to reassure them. te gags ~ sets, Ge i keep very bad mos ne oO lace sent fri righten the enemy. On this pt <d on, as they knew very well they had no sortie to ‘ prehend (* the partof the Larch-tree garrison, the sentinels were GOmicbooks 13 co