Beadle's Dime Library No. 151 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

a ; T eitered this house, my intentions with respect to ou were, not so hostile as you suppose; ut, since you force me to a clear and categori explaration, | am prepared to satisfy you, and prove to you that 1 am acquainted not only with your con- duct, but with the plans you entertain and are car- out, with a tenacity and boldness which, if I id not take care, would lead inevitably to their _ Speedy realization.” : and then you request me to ee soldiers; you surround my residence, carry his pre The youn vild eye at: him the danger with which he was menaced; but immediately regaining his presence of mind, and Bos hmm the fire of his glance, he replied, cooly— ¥ “I am listening to you, general.”’ The latter turned to his officers. *“*Do asi do, senores,”’ he said; as he sat down; “take seats, as this caballero refuses to offer them to us. As this friendly conversation may be pro- longed for some time yet, it is unnecessary that you should fatigue yourselves by listening to it standing.” The officers bowed, and seated themselves com- fortably on the butaccas with which the apartment was furnished. Then the general continued, after a few moments of reflection, d which the young man looked at him carelessly, while rolling a h cigarette: “ And in the first place, to proceed regularly, and prove to you ry — well = niet of all that con- cerns you,’’ he said, purpos g a stress on the words, *‘ I will begir by telling ou your name.” ‘In truth, general, you should have begun with ans the yo man said, negligently. * You are,” the general weut on, oe: the fa- mous chief whom the insurgents and Freebooters have christened the Jaguar.” “ Ah, ah!” he remarked, ironically, ‘‘ so you know amps governor?” “ And a good many more things, as you shall see.”’ “ Go on,” he said, as he threw himself back with the negligence of a friend on a visit. ; * After giving a pomtartad organization to your re- volt on the Indian border, by seizing the Larch-tree hacienda and allying yourself with certain Comanche and Apache tribes, you understood that, to succeed, ou must give up that guerrilla warfare, which I con- ess you had carried on for some time with consider- able success.”’ ** Thanks,’’ said the Jaguar, with an ironical bow. “You therefore intrust the temporary command of your bands to one of your comrades, and yourself come into the heart of Texas with your most faith- associates, in order to revolutionize the coast, and deal a great blow by seizing a seaport. Galves- ton, by its position at the mouth of the Trinidad river, is a strategical pent of the utmost importance for your 2 yy For two months past you have been concealed in this house, which you have made the head-quarters of your insurrection, and where you are making all the preparations for the audacious enterprise you wish to attempt. You have at your numerous emissaries and faithful conspira- tors; the ene of the United States supplies ou with abundance of arms and ammunition, which ou think you will soon have need of. Your meas- ures have been so well taken, and your machinations carried on with such great skill, you fancy yourself so nearly on the point of success, that hardly an hour back you convened here the principal members of yey party, in order to give them their final in- structions. Is it so? Am I correctly informed? Answer me, caballero.”’ “What would you have me answer, caballero,”’ the young man said, with a delightful smile, “ since ytthon — nfess that the Jaguar, th “Then you confess ou are the , the chief of the Freebooters!”’ : “Canarios, I should think so.”’ “You also allow that you came here with the in- tention of seizing the city?” - “TIncontestably,’’ thé other said, with an air of mockery; ‘it does not allow the shadow of a doubt.”’ ‘Take care,’’ the general remarked, dryly; “ it is a uch more serious matter than you seem to “What the deuce would you have me do, general? It is not my fault. You enter my house, without me notice, with a cro of officers and it b storm, tty jo worthy of anal 1, without showing me the sli nt. est scrap of paper authorizing you to act in t way, you tell me to my face that I am the chief of the bandits, a conspirator, and Lord knows what; prove it. On my faith! any other in my place would act as I am doing; like me, he would bow to the weight of so great a mili- tary force and such an entire conviction. All this seems to me so extraordinary and novel, that I am nning to doubt my own identity, and I ask my- if I have not been hitherto deceived in believing , Martin Gutierrez egonida, in the State of Sonora, and if Iam not, on the contrary, the ferocious Jaguar, of whom you speak to me, and for whom you do me the honor of taking me. I confess to you, general, that all this lexes me in the highest degree, and I should eel greatly obliged if you would kindly bring me to some settled conviction.” hen, caballero, up to the present you have been Sonn ine the general said; hastily. e Talha: baren laughing. . “ Cuerpo de Cristo!” he replied. ‘I should think so. What else could I do in the face of such accusa- tions? discuss them with you? You know as well as I do, general, that it is useless to attempt to over- throw - conviction. Instead of telling me that I am the Jaguar, prove, it to me, and then I will bow see the truth. That is very simple, it appears to “Very simple, indeed, caballero; I hope to be able soon to give you that certainty.” "; “Very good; but till then, I would observe that entered my house in a way contrary to law, the domicile of a citizen is inviolable, and that that — have done to-day, only a juez de lettras, do and when you have finished t with a legal warrant, was empowered to “ You would possibly be correct, caballero, if we lived in ordinary times: but at this moment such is no longer the case; the State is in a state of siege, the ranchero of Santa | expect some extrao man started, and a flash burst from his | direct insinuation, which revealed to | rr —- —— stents — Sst tary power has taken the place of the civjj ' danger presented itself. The eISTOOrSsST ate The Freebooters. authority, and alone has the right to command and have carried out those measures that relate to the maintenance of order.”’ The young man, while the general was speaking, had taken aside glanceatthe clock. When the gov- —— ceased he rose, and bowing ceremoniously, said: “To be brief, be kind enough, then, to explain to me categorically, and without further cireumlocu- tion, the motives for your presence in my house; we have been talking a long time, and I have not yet been able to read your intentions, I should, there- fore feel obliged by your making them Known to '™me without delay, as important business claims my presence abroad; and if you insist on staying here, 1 shall. be compelled to leave you to your- selves,”’ “Oh, oh! you change your tone; I faney, cabal- lero,’’ the general said, witha little irony. “1 will tell you the motives you desire to learn; as for your leaving the house without me or my sauction, which is the same thing, 1 fancy you would fina it rather difficult,’’ ‘* Which means, | presume, that you look upon me as a prisoner, general?” ‘ ‘* Nearly so, caballero. When your house has bee carefully searched, and we are convinced there is nothi suspicious in it, | may, perhaps, permit ou to be put aboard a ship which will you lar away from the territory of Ue Mexican Conted- eration.” ‘*What! without a warrant, by your mere will?’ , my mere will: yes, caballero.”’ ** Canarios, Senor general, I see that your ment bas preserved the healthy ae acme itions, and is deliciously arbitrary,’’ the Jaguar said, mock- ingly; “the only question is whether I shall’ volun- tary submit to such treatment.” ‘You must have already perceived that force is not on your side, at least for the present.” “Oh, general, when a man has right on his side, force can soon be found.”’ “Try it, then, caballero; but I warn you that it will be at your own risk and peril.” ‘**Then you will employ force to coerce a single, unarmed man in his own house?” ‘*That is my intention.” “Oh! if that be so, I thank you, for you leave me free to act.”’ : ‘Whatdo you mean*by that remark, caballero?”’ the general asked, with a frown. ‘What do you mean by yours, senor governor? I consider that all means are g to escape an ar- bitrary arrest, and that I shall employ them with- out the slightest hesitation.” * Pry it,’ the officer said, ironically. ‘When the moment for action arrives, I shall not wait for your permission to do so, general,” the Jaguar replied, with equal 8s. rcasm. though this. was the first time General Rubio and the Jaguar met, the Governor of Galveston had long been acq ted with the reputation of the man with whom he had to deal; he knew how fer- tile in resources his mind was,and the audacious temerity that formed the basis of his character. The tone in which the Jaguar uttered the last words caused the general a moment’s anxiety; but after taking a glance round him, he -was reassured. In fact, onines to the precautions taken by the old soldier, it seemed materially impossible that his sg ge med could escape, for he was alone, unarmed, a house surrounded by soldiers, and watched b several resolute officers; he, therefore, regarded h answer as bravado, and took no further notice of it. ‘IT absolve you beforehand,” he said disdainfully, ‘for any efforts you may make to escape.” “I thank you, general,” the Jaguar answered, with a ceremonious bow. ‘I expected nothing else from your courtesy; I make a note of your promise.”’ ‘“Be it so. Now, with your about to commence our —— visit. ‘Do so, general, pray do so; if you desire it, I will myself act as pens guide,” ‘“Inmy turn I thank you for this obliging offer, but I do not wish to put. your kindness to a trial; the more so,as I am thoroughly acquainted with this house.”’ ** Do you think so, general?”’ ‘** Judge for yourself.” The Jaguar bowed without replying, and care- lessly leant his elbow on the couch upon which the clock stood. ‘We will firat begin with this saloon,” the general continued. ‘You mean that you will finish with it,” the young man remarked, with an ironical smile, ‘* Let us look first at the secret door in that wall.” ‘What! you know it then?” ‘Tt seems so,’’. ) ‘Hang itall! you are better informed than I sup- posed,” | * You do not know all yet.”’ overn- permission we are isit 79 “Ll hope so; judging from the commencement, I nary discoveries.” ‘Perhaps so. Will you make the spring work yourself, caballero, or would you prefer my doing ity” “On my word, general, I confess that all this interests me so h y, that, until fresh orders, I desire to remain a simple spectator, in order not to trouble my pleasure.” This continued irony produced an involuntary impression on the pemerent the calm and_ coldly- mocking attitude of the young man troubled him in his heart; he feared a snare, without knowing when or how it would reveal itself, * Pay attention, caballero,’’ he said in a menacin tone to the Jaguar; ‘‘I know for a fact that when arrived you had a large party assembled here; on my entrance, your comrades fled by that door.”’ ‘That is true,” the young man said, with a nod of assent, “Take care,”’ assassins are. hidden behind that door, the blood shed will fall on your head.” “*General,’’ the Jaguar said seriously; ‘ press the spring, the goannas empty; I require no aid but > —_ to eliver myself from your clutches when proper. The governor no longer hesitated; he walked resolutely to the wall and pressed the spring ; his officers had followed him, ready to aid , if any aguar did not stir, | — ¢ The door opened, and displayed a long and com pletely-deserted corridor. “Well, general, have I kept my word?” the Jaguar Now, caballeros,”’ the general continued, addressing his officers; draw swords, and forward)” ‘‘One moment, if you please,” said the Jaguar. ‘What do you want, senor?” “You will remember that .J warned you would — your domiciliary visit with this room?” “* Well?” | ‘I will keep that second promise as I did the first.” At the same instant, and ere the general and hi officers could account for what was happening, they felt the flooring give way beneath the feet. and they rolled to the bottom of a vault, of slight > Sal . 7 : ‘* Yes, senor, I must concede it. ou depth, it is true, but buried in the most intense gloom. “A pleasant journey !”’ the Jaguar said with a laugh, as he closed the trap again. CHAPTER XVII. THE SPY. » WHILE these events were occurring, the sun had set, ' and night almost immediately sueceeded day. So _ goon as the Jaguar had closed the trap on his pris- ssn a | | | oners, he proceeded toward the masked door to rejoin his comrades, but a sound of footsteps be heard outside, made him change his» plans; he shut the door again, and returned to his old position to await the new-comer. The latter did not delay long. Although the night was too dark to allow the Jaguar to recognize his features, by the nee of his gold lace and the clank of his spurs and stee sce bbard om the pavement, he saw that he was once more in the presence of a Mexican officer high in command. At the end of a moment, however, the Jaguar's eyes, gifted possibly with that precious quality péssédeed - animals of the feline race, to see through the d ess, appeared to have recog- nized the ——— The young man frowned, and gave a start of pointment. | “Is there no one ere?’) the officer asked, as he stopped in the doorway with very excusable hesita- tion. ‘Who are Lae and what do you want?”’ the Jag- uar answered, disguising his voice. ‘That is a curious question,’’ the officer con- tinued, as he step forward with his hand on his saber-hilt; ‘first have this room lighted 7 which looks like a cutthroat’s den, and then we w i talk.” ‘It is not necessary for what we have to say to each other; you can leave your saber at rest; al- though this house is dark, it is no cutthroat den, as you seem to believe.” ‘** What has become of General Rubio and the offi- cers who accompanied him!” ‘‘Am I their keeper, Colonel Melendez?’’ the Jag- uar asked in a sarcastic tone. ‘““Who are you that appear to know me and an- swer so strangely ?”’ “ Perhaps a friend, vexed at seeing you here, and who would be glad were you elsewhere.” ‘A friend would not hide himself as you are doing.” “Why not, if circumstances compel him?”’ “4 truce to this exchange of puerile speeches; will you answer my question, yes or no?”’ ** Which question?’ ‘The one I asked you about the general.”’ “Suppose I sey’’ ‘*T shall know how to compel you.’’ ‘*That is haughty language, colonel.”’ ‘** Which I shall support by deeds.”’ ‘I do not think so; not that I doubt your Heaven forbid, forl have long known it.” ‘Well! what will prevent me?” ‘You have not the means to carry out your wishes.” J mney are easily found.”’ “es r > it. 7? While speaking the colonel had mechanically taken a couple of steps into the room. | “I shall soon return,’’ he said, as he laid his hand rao tanaed cule ed by a hoarse laugh, Th e Jaguar only answered by a . The door was closed, in vain did the colonel try to open it; it resisted all his efforts. “TI am your prisoner, then?” he said, addressing the young man, ‘ Perhaps so; it will depend on yourself.” ‘‘You wish me to fall into the same snare into which the general and his officers probably fell be- foreme. Try it, senor; still I warn you that lam on my guard, and will defend myself,’’ ‘* Your words are harsh, colonel. <8 gratuitously insult a man of whom, up to the present, you have no cause to complain, and whom you will regret having attacked when you know him. ' “Tell me the fate of my companions, and what your intentions are with regard to myself.” . ‘‘ My intentions are better than yours, colonel; for if you had me in yom power, as 1 have you in mine, it is probable that your gcoerey > hot. yourself pay dearly for t courage, would make me imprudence have committed; but enough of this; General Rubio and his officers are my prisoners, and you feel in your heart that Ican do what I please with you; withdraw the soldiers who surround my house ge me your word of hooor that no attempt shall »e made on me by the Mexican Government for four-and-twenty hours, and I will immediately re- store you all to liberty.’ ‘‘I know not who you are, senor; the conditions you wish to impose on me are those a conqueror os; offer to enemies reduced to impotence, ’ “ What else are you at this moment?” the young _ Iman interrupted, violently. | the general continued, “that if | | ‘Be it so: but I cannet take it on myself to ac- cept or decline these conditions, as the general alone has the right to form a determination and pledge word,” “Then, ask himself what his intentions are, and en?’ the colonel exclaimed, eager- he will answer you,” ieee Denes th: : y, as he moved a step forward. ‘It is of little consequence to you where he is, provided he hear and answer you; do not stir from where you are; one step further, and you are a dead man; what is your resolve?” “1 accept.’ ‘*In that case speak to him.” The Jaguar worked the spring that opened the — com (e Ss / GO : oe a * 7 oo a ’ * - ’ . se