Beadle's Dime Library No. 151 — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

“eo” - ee ee Es te ‘The Freebooters. ‘“‘ Tintorera!’’ a third voice said, with an inde- scribable accent of agony. Three tintoreras beset the swimmers and momen- tarily contracted the circle in which they held them, The danger was serious. ‘Forward, comrades,’’ the Jaguar said, in his calm and sympathetic voice, ‘‘swim gently and noiselessly; you know that these monsters are ai- most blind, and more than half deaf; they have not seen us. John Davis!” he added. ‘* Here!”’ the American answered. ** Where are you?”’ “*Tam the last but one on the right.”’ ** Good! — will take the second tintorera and I the first. nzi!’’ ‘* Lanzi has just disappeared,” a voice answere:|, ‘**Malediction!” said the Jaguar, “can he be dead? who shall attack the third tin rera?” ; ‘“* Do not trouble yourself, Jaguar,” the well-known voice of the half-breed answered, ‘‘ I am after it.” **Good! swim on, comrades, and leave us to cope with these monsters.” ; The conspirators continued to advance silently, al- though they redoubled their efforts. The Jaguar dived immediately and dashed toward the shark, which was swimming at a moderate depth, The chief and the monster were soon so near that the brown fins of the tintorera grazed the shoulder of the daring Texan, who saw the glassy eye of the shark, half covered by a membrane, fixed upon him with an expression of cold malignity. The Jaguar remounted to the ace of the water and clutched his r;at the same instant the monster's silve y was visible, as it opened its enormous mouth, armed with terrible teeth, close set as those of a harrow. The Jaguar drove in his dagger with all his ae ae ripped the belly for about one-third its length. ideous tintc- rera, wounded to death, gave an enormous bound, — bend beating the water, and then fell back eac. The Jaguar, half-blinded by the blood-stained wa- ter, and tossed about in the whirlpool it had caused in its flurry, did not regain his senses for more than a minute. At length, by a supreme effort, he re- turned to the surface, inhaled the fresh air, and stifled a ery of triumph on seeing near him the in- animate body of his foe the sport of the waves. Without stopping, he took an anxious glance around, ‘* It’s all over,” a voice said near him. “Ts that you, Linzi?” “It is,” the half-breed answered, in a voice as bat _ if he were on terra-firma. e , **The shark is dead.” ‘Now for the third, then. Where is John Davis? I do not see him.” ** Let us go and see,” , Not troubling themselves about their comrades, who were ras J toward land, the two lion-heart- ed men dashed to the American’s help. But all was gloomy and silent around them; in vain did they cross-question the darkness, nothing appeared, nei- ther man nor tintorera. “Can he be dead?’ the Jaguar muttered, in a hol- low voice. ‘Oh, I cannot think so,.’’ Lanzi answered, ‘‘ he is so brave and clever.” ** Suppose we hail him’ he may be wounded.” ** But we shall be heard from the fort.”” ** No, the wind is off shore.”’ " Help, help!” a voice shouted at the moment close by. “That is he,’ said the Jaguar: “here we are, John, so have courage.” And redoubling their efforts, they proceeded in the direction whence the cry for help had come, ** Help, help!” the voice repeated, with such an ex- pression of agony thatthe two men felt themselves shudder, although they were so inaccessible to fear. There is in the parting cry of agony of a strong man conquered of necessity, so poignant and crushing an expression, that it stirs the hearer to the depths of the soul. es e, courage!’ the two men repeated, re- doubling their already prodigious efforts, All at once they saw a black mass swirling at about a yard from them and thensink. The Jaguar imme- diately plunged and brought it to the surface; this mass, which they had been unable to discover in the darkness, was the body of John Davis. It was time for them to arrive; the American, findin himself conquered in the obstinate struggle he ha so long sustained against death, was sinking. Still, he had not entirely lost his senses; being held above water, he inhaled the fresh air, and was soon in a condition to answer the questions his comrades asked him. * Are you wounded?” said the Jaguar. as ’ ** What's the matter?”’ “I fancy shoulder-bone is put out; the monster, in dying, dealt me a blow with his tail which all but made me faint. Had it not been for ou, I was lost. But good-by, and thanks; lose no urther time with a man who is half dead.” ‘*We shall not abandon you if you do not abandon yourself, John. Lanzi and I, two powerful men,are ready to do everything to save you.” **We are too far from land.” * You are mistaken, we are almost touching it; a few more strokes and we shall find ground; let us ‘* Be it so, as you insist on it.” “Can you support yourself in the water by put- ting one hand on Lanzi’s shoulder and the other on mine?” “*T will try, brother.” ‘*Come on, then.”’ John Davis, er the horrible rete 4 he underwent, succeeded in do what the jaguar asked him, and all three then advanced toward the shore, which was, in truth, no great distance off, and, in spite of the darkness, its outline could be distinctly marked. But, in spite of ,all his courage, Davis's sufferings were so atrocious, that he felt his eyes grow dim and his strength all at once fail him, “No,” he said, “it is impossible;’’ and letting aaee the support that had hitherto kept him up, he sun ‘Cuerpo de Cristo!” the Jaguar exclaimed, with a sublime outburst of grief, *‘ I will save him or per- ish with him.” _ He plunged boldly, seized his friend by his black hair, and mounting again with him, held his head above water, while he swam gently with his right hand, Lanzi had in no way ee to oppose the heroic action of the chief of the Freebooters, but at the same time had not deserted him; he swam close to him, ready to come to his aid if needed. Fortunately for the Jaguar, the enormous mass of rock on which the fort was built, neutralized the effects of the wind, and produced a factitious calm which allowed the young man to reach with his precious burden the narrow tongue of land, where his comrades were already awaiting him, but on landing danger endured, the Jaguar hac etically, but once it was over, and his friend saved, se had been compelled to confess himself con- quered, and rolled on the sand with terror. The conspirators were terrified at the condition in which they saw their chief, for what could they do without him—what would become of them? Lanzi re- assured them by stating what had happened, and then ail crowded round the young man, and the American, whose condition was far more serious, since he had received an as As we have said, only a om and moral over- excitement had caused the r’s fainting fit. Thanks to the eager and intelligent attention of his comrades, he speedily regained his senses, and returned to full possession of his faculties. Time pressed, and oo act without delay if they did not wish to be surprised by the return of the tide. So soon as the J had recovered, his first care was to count his comrades; nine were missing. These nine men had died without ventin a cry or uttering a complaint; when fatigue crush them, they had sunk sooner than claim assistance which would probably have occasioned the loss of their comrades by compelling them to offer assistance, which would have exhausted their strength in a few moments. Great causes alone produce such acts of devotion. The conspirators were at the very foot of the rock, at the top o: which the fort was built. It was & great step made, but it was as nothing so long as the rock was nov escaladed, But how to attempt that feat on a dark night and with a coromuel which every moment blew with greater force, and threatened to hurl to destruction the man who was so rash as to venture to attempt such an ascent! Still, they must act, and the Jaguar did not hesi- tate. He had not risked his own life and that of his comrades to be arrested by any obstacle, whatever its nature might be; im ibilities themselves must not stay him, for, although he might be killed, he would not recoil an inch. Still the means he had at his disposal were extremely limited; he had but a silken cord about a hundred fathoms in length rolled round his body, and his comrades had no other weapons than their daggers. The persons who have read the early scenes of this story will doubtless remember the portrait we drew of the Jaguar. Although still very young, or at least appearing so, he joined exceptional strength to marvelous ee and skill; his adventurous character found delight in extraordinary things, and impossibilities alone offered any attraction to him. After reflecting fora few moments, he advised his comrades to lie down at the foot of the rock, lest they should be blown away by the coromuel, which was raging at the moment, passed two daggers through his belt, and began examining with the most scrupulous attention the rock he wished to at- tack, This granitic mass, whose base was bathed in the sea and beaten by the waves, had never been seri- ously investigated by any one, for who had any in- terest in such athing? The Jaguar alone, since the thought had occurred to him of carrying the fort by surprise, had, on several occasions and for hours to- ether, examined it with a telescope. Unluckily, through fear of exciting suspicions, he could only a gee it from a long distance, and hence many de- tails escaped his notice, as he perc2ived at once when he began a serious investigation. In fact, this rock, which at a distance seemed to form an almost perpendicular wall, was hollowed out at several points, and fissures had been opened by time—that great demolisher, which wears away the hardest granite. Though the ascent was ex- tremely difficult, it was not impossible; the Jaguar ge this certainty with a quick start of de- “It is all right, brothers,” he said to his comrades, “so take courage; now, { entertain firm hopes of success.”’ And he prepared to mount. Lanzi followed him. * Where are you going?”’ the Jaguar asked him. ‘With you,”’ the half-breed answered, laconically. “For what good? one man is sufficient for what I am coing to do.”’ ri Yes,” he answered; ‘‘ but two are better.” : Well, come on, then.”’ And then, turning to his attentive comrades, he added, ‘So soon as the rope cling on to it without fear.” ‘* Yes,”’ the conspirators said. The Jaguar then planted his dagger in a crevice above his head, and with the help of his ‘hands and feet, raised himself sufficiently to thrust in a second dagger above the first. The first step was taken; from dagger to dagger the Jaguar reached, in a few minutes, a or of platform about two square ards in width, where it was possible to draw breath. nzi arrived almost with him. ‘* Well,’’ said the latter, “this trip is rather amus- ing; it is only a pity that it is so dark.”’ ‘All the better, on the contrary,” the Jaguar re- plied, “* we need not fear a dizziness.” ‘By my faith, that is true,” said the half-breed, whe cared as little for a dizziness as he did fora grain of sand. They examined the spot where they were. It was a species of hollow, probably excavated by time in the sides of the rock. Unfortunately, over this hol- low the rock formed a he oe. rendering any further ascent impossible, tile the Jaguar was seeking on either side the means to continue his climb, the half-breed, thinking it useless to fatigue himself, sat down quietly in the crevice to shelter himself from the wind. The end of the hollow was covered by a thick cur- — — he fainted. Human strength has | limits which it cannot surpass; so long as the | | struggled ener- | | peared a narrow fissure, concealed the entrance to a oo EE EOE confiding delight of a man who is glad to rest him- self, if only for a moment, after his fatigue; but the shrubs gave way under his weight, and the half- breed fell down at his full length. **Hilloa!”’ he said, with that magnificent coolness which never deserted him, *‘ what's this?” *“ Will you be quiet?” the Jaguar exclaimed, as he hurried up, “or we shall be found out. What has happened to you?” “I do not know. Look for yourself.” The two men then advanced with outstretched arms, owing to the darkness. “Why, itisa grotto. Viva Dios!” the Jaguar ex- slakiaalt a moment later. ‘jt looks to me very like one," said the half-breed, with his old coolness. ° In fact, this excavation, which at a distance ap- natural grotto, completely masked by the shrubs which accident had planted there, and which an equally great accident had enabled the half-breed to discover. What was this ponsge “9% did it go up and down? and was it known to the garrison? Such were the questions which the adventurers asked themselves, and they naturally could not an- swer them. ‘* What shall we do?” Lanzi asked. “Por Dios! that is not difficult to guess,’ the Jag- uar replied; ‘‘ we will explore this cave.” “That is my opinion, ; but I think there is a matter of inquiry to do before that.”’ | ** What is it?” ** Whatever this cave may be, and no matter where it ends, it is certain that it will, at any rate, offer us an excellent shelter. Supposing, at any rate, as is possible, that we cannot succeed in effecting the as- ceut of the rock this night, we will hide ourselves here during to-morrow, and be ready to finish on the following night what we shall not have time to effect during the present one.” ‘** That is an excellent idea,’’ the J remarked, effect.” ‘** and we will immediately carry it in The young man unfastened the rope round his hips, and after securely attaching one end round a point of rock, and a stone to the other end) that the wind might not blow it about, he let it fall In a few minutes the rope stiffened—the conspirators wate on the beach had seized it. Ere long a man e his appearance, then a second, and so en till all reached the platform. As they arrived Lanzi sent them into the grotto. **And John Davis?” the Jaguar asked reproach- fully; ‘‘ have you abandoned him?” “Certainly not,” the conspirator who mounted last answered. ‘Upon leaving I was careful to put. the rope several times round his body, in spite of his objections. We only succeeded in overcomi his obstinacy by persuading him that the weight his body would keep the rope taut, and facilitate my ascent.” ‘Thank you,” said the Jaguar. ‘“ Now, lads, to work; we must not abandon our brother.” At the chief’s order, or rather entreaty,eight or ten men seized the rope, and the American was soon hoisted onto the platform. “What is the use of paring so much trouble about me?’ he said. “Ican be of no service to you; on the contrary, I shall only be in the way, and impede your operations. It would have been hotter to toe eft me to die; the rising tide would have formed my we te eet,” a The Jaguar made no answer, but had him con-* veyed into the grotto, where he was laid down on the ground. The young chief had collected his com- rades and explained to them how, by a providential accident; Lanzi, had discovered the entrance of the grotto. Still, it had not yet been explored, and it was of urgency to find out in what direction it ran. ** Unfortunately,”’ the young man added, “ the dark- sa is dense, and we have no means of procuring “Listen, Jaguar,” John Davis said,who had atten-_ Grely followed the chief's remarks “I will give you — e 9 “You!” the young man said with a start of de- light; ** but no, that is impossible.” ‘ spite of his sufferings the American attempted 0 smile. “What! you a wood-ranger,” he said, “did not think of that! and yet it is very simple. Just feel = in the right-hand pocket of my calzoneras, and take out a packet.” The wee hastily obeyed; he drew out a small parcel a wrap up in shagreen and tied with thread. “What does this parcel contain?’ he asked in | some curiosity. ‘*A dozen calcs, which I brought with me on the chance,”’ the American calmly replied. " “Candles! Viva Dios |*’ the young man exclaimed _ How’ delight; “that isa brilliantidea. You are an — invaiu ment later, ‘‘of what use will they be?” ‘To light us, of course. ye MR on tga he all our matches are damped by e sea, \ “Not mine. Do you imagine, Jaguar, that Tam by halves? Feel in the left-hand pocket of my zoneras, friend.’ The Jaguar did not allow the intimation to be re- the man to neglect any precautions, and do ara z-) peaked. He found a second parcel smaller than the — __ : st, equally | reserved from the wet, containing q gold mechero with its flint and steel. , ** Oh,” the young chief said, “now we are saved!’ “I hope so,” the American said, as he fell back on — | the ground, where he remained motionless, con- quered by pain. A few minutes later, four candles were d, and illumined the interior of the grotto, The con. spirators restrained with difficulty a ¢ of for, thanks to the precautions taken by Jobn Davis, “a the “ they were saved, but not in the sense meant by the Jaguar. This grotto extended a long distance; ine walls were lofty, and it seemed to ascend; but in the center Was an opening, stretching across about two- thirds of its width, and whose depth enor- mous; one step further into the interior o cavern, and the conspirators would have disappear- ed in the abyss. TF There are some dangers pangs of all human foresight, and which, th vat ve ut seven inches in length, fo oe eman, John. But," he added sadly a mo- > a f. the* oe which go beyond the Ed 2 reason, render the most intrepid man” __ tain of shrubs, against which Lanzi leaned | with the ' frozen with terror. These men, who for some hours - Ag eae athe comicbooks:com a a - ———— fe ' Jas. BE Lee Ae oe foes oy : nea ee ae t— % 7 9 Tea ¢