Beadle's Dime Library No. 151 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

~~. ee i The Freebooters. 15 ou astont tite: What reason t me here? I will tell you presently but first answer your third ques- tion—How I go ere?” “Tn truth,” the Jaguar exclaimed, ‘‘ that seems to me ext ary.” e extrao : “Not so extrao as you suppose; I might tell you that I am too old a hand on the prairies not to foil the most vi t sentries; but I prefer con- f the truth, as it will be more profitable to you. You have'this night confided the guard of the camp to Apache dogs, who, instead of watching, as themselves to do, are asleep at their they pledged sollvedeugniy that the first comer can enter | our lines as he thinks proper; and this is so true, hat scarce two hours back a party of eight went through the whole length of your camp, and en- tered the hacienda, tion from any one.’ thout encountering opposi- | me to offer to introduce you to the hacienda is quite personal, and in no way affects or concerns you.” ‘** But what can you offer me on the sin- cerity of your intentions?” The old ed a step forward, drew himself walk up to his hight, stam with an accent of su- preme majesty— | ‘*My word, the word of aman who, whatever may be said about him, has never failed'in what he owes himself; I swear to you on my honor, before that Gop in whose presence you and I will probably soon appear, that my intentions are pure and loyal, with- out any thought of treachery. Now, answer, what is your resolve?”’ Vhile uttering these words, the old man's attitude, gestures and face were imprinted with such nobility and grandeur that he seemed transfigured. In spite | of himself, the Jaguar was affected; he felt himself ‘Viva Dios!” the Jaguar exclaimed, turning livid | with passion; ‘‘canit possibly be so?” “Tl am the proof of it, 1 fancy,’’ the old man an- swered simply. — , The” young chief seized his hurried movement to rush out, strained him. “ What good will it do,” he said, ‘‘ to pick a quar- rel with your allies? it is an accomplished fact, so it is better to undergo the consequences. Still, let it serve you as a lesson to take better precautions an- other time.” **But these men who crossed the camp?’ the istols, and made a ut the stranger re- Jaguar said ly. “You have nothing to fear from them; they are poor devils of h who were probably seeking a re for the two women they brought with them.” * Two women?”’ ‘*- Yes, a white and an Indian; although they were dressed in male attire, I recognized them the more easily , because I have been watching them a long time.’ “Ah,” said the Jaguar thoughtfully, * do you know any of these hunters?’’ 7% one, who is, I believe, tigrero to the hacienda,” “Tran !’ the Jaguar exclaimed with an ex- spre meat possible to render. ; a) es. ‘*In that case, one of the females is his daughter Carmela.’ ‘“* Probably.”’ ni She is now, then, at the Larch-tree?’’ “Oh,” he burst out, “I must at all hazards carry that accursed hacienda.”’ “That is exactly what 1 came to propose to you,”’ the Scalper said quietly. The young man advanced a step. ** What do you say?’ he asked. ‘‘T say,’’ the old man replied in the same ton ‘“*that I have come to propose to you the capture o the hacienda.” ‘* You! it is impossible.”’ ** Why so?”’ halt ‘* Because,’’ the ~~ went on with tation, ‘‘the hacienda is well fortified: it is defended bya numerousand brave garrison, commanded by one of the best officers of the Mexican army, and for the seventeen days I have been arene walls, I have been unable, despite take one forward step.” ‘** All that is co . “ Well y , ‘*When force does not avail, stratagem must be ye x rs not that ous oO eo ‘Yes; but one must have the necessary means in his hands.” ese accursed my efforts, to _ “To seize the hacienda?” | ‘“*I will introduce you into the interior—the rest is your affair.”’ ‘Oh, once inside, I will not leave it again.” ‘* Then, you accept?” ‘*One moment.”’ _ ps you hesitate?”’ ae Re “~ ‘When I offer you an unexpected success?’ ‘For that very reason.”’ “T do not understand you.”’ “T will explain myself,”’ “ ra) 4 “It is not admissible that you have come to make such a for e, or that of the cause I ‘serve.’ : “Perhaps not.” “Let us deal frankly. Whatever your character may be, you have a manner of looking at thi ch rendecs a perfectly indifferent to the chances, good or , of the struggle going on at this moment in this unhappy country.” . “ You are quite correct.’ “AmTInot? You care little whether Texas be free or in slavery?” \ ‘*T admit it.”’ “You have, then,a reason for acting as you are now doing?” 4 always has a reason. ; acy good; well, Il wish to know that reason.” S suppose I refuse to tell it you?’’ ‘IT shall not accept your pro tion.”’ There was a moment's silence, which the old man interrupted— * ** oe —— eee “You are a suspicious and headstrong boy,” he | of said to him, ‘* who, vleme a false feeli nor, risks, losing an opportunity which you will probably never find again. “7 will run the risk; I wish to be frank with you; T ye know you from very ill reports; your reputa- tion ier the pretext of serving me, you may not be lay- ing a snare for me.”’ be old man’s (lush at these rude words, a nervous tremor agitated all his limbs; but, by a violent effort, he succeeded ; } | execrable, and nothing proves to me that, un- | | | this accent, which seemed to him to come straight from the heart. ‘““T accept,”’ he said, in a firm voice. “T expected it,” the old man replied; “in young and generous natures good feelings always find an echo. You will notrepent the confidence you give me.”* + ; , **Here is my hand,” the young man said, passion- ately; ‘““press it without fear, for it is that of a friend.”’ ‘* Thanks,’ the old man said,as a burning tear beaded on his eyelashes; ‘ that word repays me for much suffering and sorrow,” ‘* Now, explain your plan to me.” “T will do so in two words; but, ere we discuss the = we shall adopt, collect noiselessly three or four undred meh, so that we may be able to start imme- diately we have come to an understanding.”’ * You are right.”’ | “T need not advise you to be prudent; your men must assemble in the utmost silence. Take no red- skins with you, for they would be more injurious than useful. I am not desirous te be seen by them, for you know that I am their enemy.” pet not trouble yourself; I will act as you wish.’ | | The Jaguar went out, and remained away for about a quarter of an hour; during that time the White Scalper remained motionless in the center of the tent, leaning pensively on his rifie-barrel, the butt of which rested on the ground. Soon could be heard outside something like the imperceptible buzzing of bees in a hive. was the camp awakening. The Jaguar came in again. ‘* Now,” he d, “the order is given; within a quarter of an hour four hundred men will be under a bi “That is a longer period than I need for what I have to say to you; my plan is most simple, and if you follow it point for point, we shall enter the hacienda without striking a blow; listen to me at- tentively.”” The old man drew an equipal up to the table at which the Jaguar was handing. sat down, placed his rifle between his legs, and began— “*For very many years I have known the Larch- tree hacienda. Owing to events too long to tell you, and which would but slightly interest you, I was resident in it for nearly a year as major-domo. At that period the father of the present owner was still living, and for sundry reasons had the greatest con- fidence in me, You are aware that at the period of the conquest, when the Spaniards built these haci- endas, they made them fortresses rather than farm- houses, as they were compelled to defend themselves nearly daily aering’ the scgrace nes of the red-skins; now, you must know that in such a fortress there is a masked gate, a secret sallyport, which, if neces- sary, the garrison employ, either to receive rein- forcements or provisions, or to evacuate the place should it be too closely invested.”’ “Oh,” the Jaguar said, smiting his foreh “can the hacienda have one of these sallyports?’” “* Patience; let me go on.” “* But look,’ the young man objected, ‘‘ here is the detailed plan of the Larch-tree, made by a man whose family have lived there for three generations from father to son, and there is nothing of the sort marked on it.” | The old man gave a careless glance at the plan the young man showed him, ‘ “Because,” he replied, ‘‘the secret is generally known to the owner of the hacienda alone; but let meé finish.” “S$ , Speak.”’ “These sallyports, so useful at the time of the conquest, became eventually perfectly neglected, owing to the long peace that reigned in the country: then, by degrees, as they served no p se, the recollection of them was totally lost, and I am con- vinced that the majority of the hacienderos at the present day are ignorant of the existence of these secret gates in their habitation; the owner of the Larch-tree is one of the number.” How do you know? perhaps the gate is blocked up, or at least defended by a strong detach ment.”’ L oh man amiiled. ‘No,” he said, ‘‘ the gate is not sto nor is it guarded,” biped HODES > “ Are you certain?” ** Did I not tell the neighborhood for some days?” ‘*1 do not remember it.”’ “T wished to assure myself of the existence of this gate, which an accident led me to discover in former ays. o Well ‘] have sought it, found it, and opened it.” ‘Viva Dios!"’ the Jaguar shouted, joyfully; “in that case, the hacienda is ours,”’ ‘“*T believe so, unless a fatality or a miracle occur led away b e face was covered by a sudden | —-two things equally improbable.” ‘* But where is this gate situated?” ‘*As usual, at a spot where it is the most unlikely in mastering the emotion he experienced, and after | to suspect its existence. Look,” he added, bending t a few minutes, he replied in a calm voice, in which, | over the tempest runsa however, there ed some traces of that growled hoarsely in his heart: “T forgive you,” he said; ‘‘you had a right to to me as you did, and I cannot be angry with you. Time is slipping away, it is nearly one ir the m0) ; it will soon be too late to execute the bold plan ave formed; I will therefore only add one word—reflect before answering me, for on that an- swer my resolution depends. e motive that urges plan, ‘ the erg being builton a hight, s sk in the event of a lon ege of seeing its wells dry up—does it not?” re ** Yes.” “Ve . The river on this side runs along the 0 of the Shhh g which its as are bonnet “* Yes, yes,” s é young man, who was eager followin Pins indications made by the old man. r * Jude rightly,’’ he went on, “that on this side Cc the hacienda was impregnable, you contented your- ou that Ihave been prowling about | Same moment, and send blindly ag | self with estab ‘on the river-bank a few out- posts, intended to watch the enemy’s movements.”’ “Any flight on that side is et pees pa first — , Owing to the hight of the walls; and, next _— the river, which forms a natural trench.” ‘Well, the gate by which we shall enter is among those very rocks, almost on a level with the water; it opens into a natural grotto, the entrance of which is so-obstructed by creepers, that from the opposite bank it is impossible to suspect its existence. “ Atlength,” the J rexclaimed, “ this redoubt, which has hitherto n one of the links of the heavy chain riveted round Texas, will be to-morrow one of the most solid barriers of her independence, ! May Heaven be praised for permitting so brilliant a triumph to crown our efforts!” - ‘*T hope to see you master of the place before sun- ges) ; ‘““May Heaven hear you!” ‘‘ Now, we will start whenever you please.” ‘* At once, at once.” é piety They then left the tent. According to the Jaguar's orders, John Davis had roused four ances men, chosen from the boldest and most skillful fellows of the force. They were drawn up a few paces from the tent, motionless and silent, Their es, whose barrels were bronzed lest they might emit any de- nunciatory gleams in the moonbeams, were piled in front of them. | The officers formed a group apart. They were con- versing together in a low voice, with considerable animation, not at alkunderstanding the orders they had received, and not kno for what reason the: chief had them awakened. The Jaguar advanced toward them, and the officers fell back. The young map, followed by the Scalper, entered the : which at once closed up again. John Davis, on per- ceiving the old man, whom he at once r -. uttered a stifled cry of surprise. ‘* Caballeros,"’ the Jaguar said in a low voice, ‘“we are about to attempta surprise, which, if it succeed, will render us masters of the hacienda almost with- out a blow.” ‘ , A murmur of surprise ran round the circle. Oe person in whom I have the most entire confi- dence,” the Jaguar continued, “ has revealed to me the existence of a secret gate, not known to the gar- rison, which will give us access to the fort. Each of you will now take the command of hismen. Our march must be as silent as that of Indian warriors on the war-trail, You have understood me fully, so I count on your aid. In the event of separation, the watchword will be Terae y livertad. To your posts.” The circle was broken up, and each officer placed himself at the head of his men. John Davis then went up to the Jaguar, ‘*One word,’’ he said to him, bending to his ear to standing spon’. ‘“‘Do you know who that man is close to you?” ; ‘Yes; it is the White Scalper.”’ “And you trust to him?’’ ‘“* Entirely.” The American tossed his head. ‘* Take care,”’ he said. In his turn, the Jaguar shrugged his shouklers. ‘** You are mad,”’ he said, ‘* Well, that is possible,’’ John replied; ‘‘ but for all that, I will watch him.” “As you please.” ** Well, let us be off,”’ The American followed his chief, casting a part- ing look of suspicion on. the old man. e latter did not seem to trouble himself at all about this aside. Apparently indifferent to what went onaround m, he waited, quietly leaning on his rifle, till it pleased the Jaguar to give the command for depar- ture, At length, the word “march” ran from rank to rank, and the column started. | These men, the majority of whom were accus- tomed to long marches in the desert, placed their feet so BOGE On the ground, that they seemed to glide along like phantoms, so silent was march, t this moment, as if the sky wished to be on their sidé, an immense black cloud spread across heavens and interru the moonbeam tu t without transition. a deep cbeouriter ce that previously prevailed, and the ee thes ain bods ‘he a Wh te Bodipen fe) m y, the Jaguar, White and John Davis marched side by side. r ‘‘Bravo!’’ the young man muttered; “everything © favors us.”’ : %, ‘‘ Let us wait for the end,” the American growled, rome suspicions, wy gre dimi ‘ on con- rary were a en m moment to moment. Instead of ae the camp on the side of the hacienda, whose gloomy outline was descried, sinis- ter and menacing, on the top of the hill, the made the column take a long circuit, which sk the rear of the camp. The deepest silence prevailed on the plain, the camp and hacienda seemed asleep, leamed in the darkness, and it might fancied, on noticing’ so profound a calm, that the lain was deserted; but this factitious calm held a rible tempest, ready to burst forth at the first signal. These men, who walked on tip-toe, sounding the darkness around them, and with their finger p on the rifle-trigger, felt their hearts beat. with im- tience to come into collision with their enemies, t was a si coincidence, a strange fatality which caused the besiegers and besieged to attempt a double surprise at the same hour, almost at the ainst each other men who on either side advanced with the hope of certain success, and convinced that they were about not a light g | to surprise asleep the too confident enemy, whom | they burned to massacre. So soon as they had left the sg the insurgents drew near the river, whose banks, covered with thick bushes and aquatic plants, would have offered them, even in bright day, a.certain shelter fr the Mexicans. On coming within about half a of the intrenchments, the column halted; Sealper advanced alone a few yards, and then re- joined the Jaguar. ‘* We shall have to cross the river here,” he said; _ “there is a ford, ard the men will only be up to a in water.” 3 , giving the exam the old man into the of the river. Pithe others followed, 7 mediately, and, as the Scalper had announced, the water was only up to their waists. They passed threes in front, and closing up the ranks,so as to Goim eS (GOO) (E()