Beadle's Dime Library No. 151 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

. ae . = no ST his old comrade’s extraordinary emotion, the Jag- uar ran to the o , over which he bent down. John Davis was i ding on the top step. ‘* Well?” he asked. Come up, but do not make any ** All goes well. noise.” The four hundred Texans then rose one after the other from the vault. Each, as he came out of the trap, silently fell in. When all had entered the cor- ral, the Jaguar returned the slab toits place. Then returning his comrades, said in a low, but per- feetly distinct voice: “ Our retreat is now cut off; we must either con- quer or die.”’ The insurgents made no reply; but their eyes flashed such fire, that the Jaguar comprehended that they would not give way an inch. It was a moment of terrible suspense while White Scalper was forcing the door. “Forward!"’ the J shouted. All his comrades rushed after him with the irre- sistible force of a torrent that is bursting its dykes. Very different from the Texans, whose camp had been so easily invaded, the Mexicans were not asleep, but perfectly awake. By orders of the com- man so soon as he had left the hacienda the whole — got under arms,and fell in in the patio ready, if need was, to go immediately to the aid of the expeditionary corps. Still, the from expecting an attack, ———_ this manner, that the sudden apparition of this d of demons who seemed to have ascended from the infernal regions, caused them extraordinary surprise and terror, and d some time there was an inex- oy oe profiting by the te e ‘ofiting by the terror os ce caused, redoubled their efforts to ren- t ible for their enemies to offer any resistance. But, shut up as they were in a court without an outlet, the very impossibility of flight gave the Mexicans the necessary courage to rally and t courageously. It was at this moment that Colonel Melendez and the soldiers who followed him burst into the patio, and by their presence were on the point of restoring to their guy the victory which was slipping from them, Unfortunately, this success arrived too late; the Mexicans, surrounded by the Texans, were com- pelled, after a desperate tance and prodigies of — to lay down their arms, and surrender at dis- cretion. For the second time Don Juan Melendez was pris- oner to the J. . As on the first occasion, he was compelled to break his sword, conquered by fatality rather than by his fortunate enemy. The first care of the Jaguar, so soon as he was master of the fort, was to give strict orders that the should not be insulted. The conditions im- posed on the conquered by the chief of the Texan army were the same as he offered them at the outset. The Mexicans, persuaded that the Texans were no more than ha — men, were bly surprised at this lenity, which they were far from were so far ecting, and pledged themselves without hesita- ‘tion to observe snag anew d the conditions of the capitulation. The Mexican garrison was to leave the hacienda at daybreak. The preliminaries of the surrender had scarce been agreed on between the two leaders ere pierec- ing cries were suddenty heard from the building oc- ory by the women. Almost immediately the White Scalper, who had been lost out of sight dur- ing the excitement of the combat, emerged from these buildings bearing across his shoulders a wo- man whose long hair trailed on the ground. The old man’s eyes flashed,and foam came from his mouth. In wis right hand he brandished his rifle, which he held by the barrel, and fell back step by Step, likea tiger at bay, before those who tried in vain to bar his passage. “*My daughter!’’ Tranquil shrieked, as as rashed toward him, He had recognized Carmela; the poor child had fainted, and seemed dead. ‘The colonel and the Jaguar had also eee rere, the maiden, and by a common impulse h ed to her aid. The White Scalper, recoiling step ba step before the cloud of enemies that surrounded him, did not reply a word to the insults poured upon him. He laughed a dry and sh laugh, and whenever an assailant came too near him, he raised his terrible club, and the egeusens man rolled with a frac- tured skull on the ground. The hunters and the two young men, recognizing the a of striking this man without run- the risk of wounding er they wished to save, contented themselves with gradually contracting the circle round him, so as to drive him into a cor- ner of the court, where they would be enabled to seize him. But the ferocious old man foiled their calculations; he suddenly bounded forward, over- threw those who opposed his passage, and climbed with headlong speed up the steps leading to the platform. On reaching the latter, he turned once again to his startled enemies, burst into a hoarse laugh, ond lea over the oe into the river beari t oung of whom he not boomed his hold. ”, gir When the witnesses of this extraordinary act of folly had recovered from the stupor into which it threw them, and rushed on the platform, their anx- ious glances in vain interrogated the river—the waters had reassumed their ordinary limpidness. White Sealper had disappeared with the unhappy victim whom he had so audaciously carried off, CHAPTER XVI. THE CONSPIRATORS, We will momentarily quit the Indian border, on the skirt of which our story has hitherto and crossing at a leap over about two humired miles, beg the er to follow us to Gelveston, in the center of Texas, four months after the events we chronicled in our last chapter. Galveston is built on the small sandy islet of St. Lo which almost closes up the mouth of the Rio Trini At that time the houses were low, mostly built of wood, and surrounded by gardens planted with f t trees, which impregnated the atmos- phere with delicious odors. , * About four in the afternoon, at the moment when the sea breeze began to refresh the atmos- ere, Riktie Indian canoe, made of beech bark, left mainland, and vigorously impelled by two men supplied with wide sculls, prc toward the city and pulled alongside the Pe quay, which served at that time as the lan a So soon as the canoe was stationary, a third person, care- lessly in the stern-sheets, rose, looked round him as if to recognize the spot where he was; then, taking a spring, he landed on the quay. The canoe immediately turned round, though not a syl- — had been io 9 ee — the scullers and e passenger they had brought. Then the latter pulled his hat over his eyes, wrap- ped himself carefully in the folds of a wide zarape of Indian fabric and striking color, and proceeded hastily toward the center of the city. After a walk of afew minutes the stranger stopped in front of a house, whose comfortable a ‘ance and well- tended garden showed that it belonged to a person who, if not rich, was in easy circumstances. The door was ajar; the stranger pushed it, entered, and closed it r him; then, without any hesitation, like a man sure of what he was about, he crossed the garden, entered the mm of the house, turned to the right, and found himself in a room modestly, though comfortably furnished. On reaching this room the stranger fell into a but- acca with the air of atired man delighted to rest after a long journey, took off his zarape, which he laced on the equipal, threw his hat upon it, and en, when he had made himself comfortable, he rolled a husk cigarette, struck a light with a gold mechero he took from his pocket, lit his papelito, and was soon surrounded by a dense cloudof bluish and fragant smoke, which rose above his head and formed a species of halo. The stranger threw his body back, half closed his eyes, and fell into that gentile ecstasy which the Italians call the dolce far niente, the Turks, kie7, and for which we northerns, with our more powerful constitutions, have found no name, for the simple reason that we do not know it. The stranger had reached about the half of his second te when another person entered the room, man, who did not appear to take the slightest notiee of the previous arrival, behav however, precisely as he had done; he also took o his zarape, reclined on a bu and lit up a cigar- ette. Presently the garden sand creaked beneath the footsteps of a third visitor, followed immediate - ly by a fourth, and then by a fifth; in short, at the end of an hour twenty persons were assembled in this room, They all smoked witb apparent careless- ness, and since their arrival had not exchanged a syllable. Six o'clock struck from a clock standing on a side- board. The last stroke of the hour scarce ceased vibrating ere the company, as if by common agreement, threw away their cigars, and rose with a vivacity that certainly was little to be expected after their previous carelessness. At the same mo- ment a secret door opened in the wall, and a man appeared on the threshold. his man was tall, elegant, and aristocratic, and appeared to be young. A half-mask of velvet con- cealed the upper of his fage; as for his attire, it was exactly similar to that of the other persons in the room, but a brace of long pistols and a dagger were passed mee the girdle of red China cra which was wound tightly round his waist. At the appearance of the stranger a quiver ran, like an electric current, through the lines of visitors. The masked man, with head erect, arms crossed on his chest, aud body haughtily thrown back, gave his audience a glance, which could be seen flashing through the holes in the velvet. | ‘It is well,”’ he at length said, in a sonorous voice; “you are faithful to your promise, caballeros, not one of you have kept us waiting. This is the eighth time I have assembled you during the month, and each time I have found you equally prompt and a thanks, in the name of the country, cabal- eros.” _His auditors bowed silently, and the stranger con- tinued, after a slight pause— ‘Time presses, gentlemen; the situation is grow- ing with each moment more serious; to-day we have no longer to attempt an adventurous stroke; the hour has arrived to stake our heads resolutely in a glorious and decisive game. Are you ready?’ ** We are,” they all answered unanimously. “Reflect once more before pledging ourselves further,” the Mask continued, a thrilling voice ** this time, I repeat to you, we shall take the bull by the horns, and have a hand-to-hand fight with it; of one h chances, ninety-eight are against us. ’ ‘No matter,” the person who first entered the room said, haughtily; “if two chances are left us, they will be sufficient.’’ “Iexpected no less from you, John Davis,” the stranger said; ‘* you have ever been full of devotion and self-denial; but, perhaps, among our comrades some may not think as you do entirely. I do not re- gard this as a crime, for a man may love his country and yet not consent to sacrifice life to it without regret; still, I must have perfect confidence in those who follow me; they and I must have but one heart and one thought. t those, then, who feel a re- puenence tos in the task-we have to perform night withdraw. I know thatif prudence urges them to abstain this time, under circumstances less desperate I should find them ready to support me." There was a lengthened silence, and no one stirred ; at length the stranger said, with an expression of joy which he did not try to conceal: PA co Iwas not mistaken; you are brave fel- ows.”’ John Davis shrugged his shoulders. ‘By Heaven!"’ he said, ‘the trial was useless; you ought to have known long ago what we are.” “Certainly I knew it, but my honor commanded me to act as have done. Now, all is said; we shall succeed or perish together.” ‘*Very good; that is what I call speaking,”’ the ex- slave-dealer said, with a he laugh; * the partisans of Santa Anna must have to hold their own; for if I am not greatly mistaken, ere long we shall cut them into stirrup leathers.”’ At this moment a shrill whistle, although rather ae was heard; 4 second whistle, still nearer, re- ** Gentlemen,” the stranger said, “‘ we are warned of the, approach of an enemy; perhaps it is only a false alarm, still the interest of the cause we defend imperiously ordains prudence. Follow John Davis, ee while I receive the troublesome fellow who is intrud- ing on us.” Come,”’ said the American. The conspirators, for they were no other, displayed some hesitation, for they felt a repugnance to hide themselves. ‘** Leave me,”’ the stranger went on, “you must.”’ Ali bowed and left the room after John Davis by the secret door, which had offered passage to their chief, and which closed upon them without on: ing @ sign of its existence, as it was so carefully hid- den_in the wall. A third whistle, close by, was heard at this moment. ‘Yes, yes,"’ the chief said, with a smile, “ whoever you may be, you can come now; if you possessed the craft of the opossum and the eyes of theeagle I defy you to discover anything suspicious here.”’ He took off his mask, concealed his weapons, and lay back in a butacca. Almost immediately the doors opened, and a man appeared. It was Lanzi, the half- breed; he was aunened like the sailors of the port, with canvas trowsers drawn in round the a — shirt, with a blue turned-down collar, a white edging, and a tarpa hat. “ Well,” the chief asked, without turning, “ why did you warn us, Lanzi?" ‘It is highly necessary,'’ the other answered. “Is it serious, then?"’ “You shall padge for yourself. The governor is coming hither with several officers and a company of soldiers.” “*General Rubio?” se In person. 7 > os !* the conspirator said; “are we threat- ened with a domiciliary visit }"’ ‘You will soon know, for I hear him.” ‘““ Very good; we shall see what they want of us. In the mean while, take this mask and these weap- ons.” “The wea too?’ the other said in surprise. “ What s I do with them, That is not the way in which I must fight them at this moment. are.” Be off, here the The half-breed took the maskand pistols, pressed ng ‘ander garden gravel could now be heard. creaing e footsteps of several persons. At length the door of the saloon was thrown open, and the general entered, followed by four or ve —_ like himself, were in full dress. The general stopped on — the threshold, and took a pie glance around; the chief had risen, and was st motionless in the center of the apartment. General Rubio was a thorough man of the world. He bowed politely, and apologized for having thus entered the house without being announced; found all the doors open, and no servant had come up to him. “ These excuses are useless, caballero,’’ the young man auswered; “the Mexican government has for a long time accustomed us to its unceremonious way of behaving toward us; besides, the governor of the city has the A ong I presume, to enter any house when he thinks proper, and if he does not find the door open, to have it opened, either with a master-key or a crowbar.” ‘** Your remarks, caballero,’’ the general answered, * breathe an irritation that must be regretted. The state of effervescence in which Texas is at this moment would be more than sufficient to justify the unusual step I am taking with you.” “I know not to what you are pleased to allude, senor general,” the young man remarked, coldly; “it is possible that Texas may be in a state o effervescence, and the annoyances the government have put on it would completely justify this, but, as concerns myself, personally, I might perhaps have co, right to complain of seeing my house invaded by an armed force, without any previous summons, when nothing authorizes such an arbitrary measure.” * Are you quite sure, caballero, that I have not the — to act asl am doing? Do you consider your- self so free from suspicion that you really consido: aye arbi sae ae “IT repeat to you, caballero,” young man tinned; eacitie y, “that I do not at all cuderstatt? the ze you are addressing to me. I am o peaceable citizen; nothing in my conduct has, as far as I know, aroused the jealous solicitude of the gov- ernment, and if it pleases its agents to make mo undergo ill-deserved annoyance, it is not in m7 power to oppose it otherwise than b protestin’ energetically against the insult offered me. Yon have force on your side, general, so do as — think proper; I am alone here, and shall not a — any way to resist the measures you may proper to take.” * That language caballero, evidently comes from a man assured of his safety." “You are mistake man, unjustly insulted, “It may be so, but I shall not discuss the t with you. You will permit me, howeves, to re that fora man so justly indignant, and apparently solitary, you are very carefully guarded; for, if the house be empty, as you state, the environs were intrusted, by warning you sufficiently unexpected visits for you to take your precautions in consequence, and render it an easy matter to get rid in a twinkling of persons whose presence hefe might compromise you.” “Instead of speaking thus in enigmas, general, it would be better, perhaps, to have a clear explana- tion; then, knowing the charge brought against me, I might attempt to defend myself.” ‘Nothing is more easy, caballero; still, you will allow me to remark that we have been t to- gether for some time, and you have not yet offered me a chair.” : —. young chieftain gave the general an ironical nce. a Why should I employ toward you those con- ventional forms of politeness, general? From the, moment when, without my authority, and — my will, you introduced yourself into this ou should have considered yourself as quite at ome. Itis I, then, who am the stranger here, and in that position I am no longer to do the honors of this house.”’ * Caballero,” the general answered, with a move- ment of impatience, ‘‘I am grieved to find in you this stiffmess and determination to quarrel. ee by friends of yours, who, I must allow, ; orm admirably the commission with which t = rs) = aGOMmIiIchDoo “Ss ut he general ; it is that of a free | (E(o) Se -_ “arcu ASS RS WPL emis. ox > ee we YE