Beadle's Dime Library No. 151 — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

The Freebooters. 29 Master Lovel did not lose his heart under these critical circumstances; ins of rushing into the medley, he ambushed his men behind a clump of Peru and mahogany trees that stood a short distance off, and prepared with perfect coolness to make a diversion in favor of his comrades when the favor- able moment arrived. The Texans, with their backs to a rock, not ten yards from the sea, were fighting desperately against animmense number of enemies. A minute later, and all would have been over, but suddenly the cry of “‘ Forward! Zevas y Libertad!” was rai in the rear of the Mexicans, accompanied by a tremendous noise and a deadly discharge, almost at point-blank range, scattered terror and disorder through their ranks. It was Master Lovel effecting his diversion, in order to save his captain, or his adopted son, as he called him in his simple devotion, The Mexicans, who already believed themselves victors, were terrified at this unforeseen attack which, owing to the vigor with which it was carri out, they supposed to be made by a considerable body of nas terrible Freebooters, commanded bythe Ja- , whose reputation was already immense in the ~ ranks of the American army. Persuaded that the Texans had landed in force, and had only given way in order to make them fall more surely into thé trap, they hesitated, fell back in their turn, and finally being seized with a panic terror which their officers Sonia not succeed in mastering, they broke and fled in all directions, throwing their arms away. | The Texans, revived by the providential arrival of the old sailor, and excited by their captain’s voice, redoubled their efforts. Tranquil tied a handker- chief round his thigh, and supported by Quoniam, who, during the action, had not left him for an in- stant, he retreated to the boats, leading Carmela, and followed by the captain and his brave sailors. The latter, like lions at bay, turned at each instant to dash with axes and bayonets at the few soldiers their officers had at = succeeded in rallying, but who did not venture to press too closely the ter- rible adversaries, whom, since the beginning of the action, they had learned to appreciate and conse- quently to fear. Still fighting, the sailors at length reached the boats prepared for their reception. Captain John- son ordered the wounded to be placed in the launch, and getting into the other boat with Tranquil, oniam, and the sound men, he put off from the ore, towing the boat that served as an ambulance. This daring retreat, effected under the enemy's fire, was carried out with admirable precision and skill. One part of the crew of the pinnace fired at the Mexicans who lined the beach, while the other rtion pulled vigorously in the direction of the long the coast cenmenere in the fog, the shouts of the enemy became less distinct, the shots ceased, the lights flashing on the shore died out one after the other, and all grew silent again. *“‘Ah!"’ the captain said with a sigh of relief, as he offered his hand to Master Lovel, ‘“‘ without you, fa- ther, we were lost.”’ ‘*Aha!"’ the old sailor answered with a hearty grin, and rubbing his hands joyously, “I suspected atif you had a secret from me, it was because you meditated some act of folly, so that is why I came after you." The captain merely replied to his worthy mate's remark by a fresh squeeze of the hand. ela, with her hands clasped and eyes raised above, was ap ea fervently, while returning thanks to Heaven or her miraculous deliverance. “ This is the girl you have saved," Tranquil said; ‘it is to you I owe the recovery of my daughter, and I shall not forget it, captain.”’ “* Nonsense, old hunter," the captain said, — ingly “I only sent the promise I made you; did I no ledge myse to help you, even at the risk of my fe? ‘And you were uncommonly near losing your stake,’’ Master Lovel observed, “ After all, though,” he added gallantly, *“‘ though [am no connoisseur, I can perfectly understand a man risking his skin to board so neata corvette,” This sally restored the gayety of the sailors, which the grave events that occurred had temporarily d ted. ize we really out of danger, father?’’ the maiden asked with a shudder of fear, which she was unable to conceal. 2 “Yes, my child; keep your spirits up,” the hun- ter answered, * we are now in safety.” At this very moment, the sailors, as if wishing to confirm the Ganadian's assurance, or perhaps with the wish to mock the enemies they had so barely eee app struck up one of those cadenced so which serve to mark time, and the words of whic each repeats, as he lays out on his oars. Master Lovel, after turning and returning several times the enormous quid that swelled his right cheek, made a signal to the crew of the pinnace, and struck up in a rough voice, a stanza, which all repeated in chorus after " song, which was as interminable as a sailor's yarn, would, in all probability, have lasted much longer, if the captain had not suddenly or- dered silence by an imperious gesture. “Is a new danger ae, us?’’ Tranquil in- quired anxiously. P . “Perhaps so,” the captain replied, who had for cone time been scanning the horizon with a frown- row. R What do you mean?”’ the hunter asked. “Look!” the captain said, extending his hand in the direction of the fishing village, to which we be- ener e tily took up the night-glass as u en ; a dozen large boats, crowded with sondietes tere leaving a small creek, and p out to sea. iar Water was lumpy, the breeze blew strongly, and the over- crowded long boat advanced but slowly, as it was opt to tow the pinnace. The peril which the fancied they had escaped, burst out again in a dif- ferent shape, and this time assumed terrific proportions, for the Mexicans were rapidly ap- proaching, and would soon be within ot. The brig, whose tall masts were ble, was, it ig true, only two cables’ length, at the most, from the fie boats, but the few men left on board were not sufficient to make the requisite maneuvers to the brig to help ite effectually. w with each The moment more eritical, and Sprung up. ' | 2 wate he said, ‘‘ the ten best swimmers amo J ou will jump into the sea, and go to the ship wit me 9 ** Captain,’’ the hunter exclaimed, ‘‘ what do you Dropere doing ?’’ “To save you,” he simply answered, as he pre- pared to carry out his pn **Oh, oh,” ter Lovel said hastily, ‘‘I will not allow such an act of madness.”’ ‘* Silence, sir,’ the captain interrupted him rudely. ‘“*T am the sole commander.” ‘* But you are wounded!” the master objected. In fact, Captain Johnson had received an ax stroke, which laid open his right shoulder. ** Silence! I tell you. I allow no remark.” The old sailor bowed his head, and wiped away a tear. After squeezing the hunter’s hand, the cap- tain and his ten sailors leaped boldly into the sea and disappeared in the darkness. At the news o _ but, unfortunately, he had miscalculate fresh danger, Carmela had fallen, completely over- | _ over them with a hollow and ill-omened sound. whelmed, in the bottom of the boat. Master Lovel, leaning out, tried to discover his chief. Heavy tears | coursed down his bronzed cheeks, and all his limbs were agitated by a convulsive quivering. cans approached nearer and nearer; they were al- ready close enough for the number of their boats to be distinguished, and a schooner was already leaving the creek, and coming up under press canvas, to insure the success of the attack. The Mexi- | | the brig. Quoniam reappeared, the worthy negro | At this moment a mournful cry, desperate as the | _ enough to try and rise. last shriek of a dying man, came over the waters = terrified all the men whom no danger coul affect. 4 ‘‘Oh, the unhappy man!’ Tranquil cried, as he rose and made a move to leap overboard. But Lovel seized him by the waist-belt, and in spite of his resistance, compelled him to sit down again. ‘* What are you about?” he asked him. * Well,”’ Tranquil replied, “ I want to pay my debt to your captain; he risked his life for me, and I am going in return to risk mine to save him.” **Good!”’ the master exclaimed, “‘ by Heaven! you area man. But keep quiet; that doesn’t concern you; itis my business,”’ And ere Tranquil had time to answer him, he prnges into the waves. The captain had presumed much on his strength, he was hardly in the water ere his wound caused him intolerable suffer- ing, and his arm was paralyzed. With that tenacity wh On hearing these words the r rushed furi- ously on his enemy. The latter did not make a movement to avoid him; on the contrary, he seized him in his powerful arms, and tried to throw him down, while stabbing him in the loins with his dag- ger. These two men, with flashing eyes and foam- ing lips, animated by an implacable hatred, inter- twined breast to breast, face to face, each trying to kill his adversary, caring little to live provided that his enemy died, resembled two wild beasts deter- mined to destroy each other. Texans and Mexicans had ceased fighting as if by common accord, and remained horrified spectators of this atrocious combat. At length the adian, who had been severely wounded before, fell, drag- ging his enemy down with lim. The latter uttered a yell of triumph, which was soon converted into a groan of despair; Quoniam rushed madly u = _ 8 - tance, and they both fell into the sea, which closed The Mexicans, deprived of their chief, now only thought of flight, and rushed in mad rder to their boats; a moment later, they had all quitted was dripping with water. He tottered a few and fell by the side of Tranquil, to whom Carmela and the captain were paying the most assiduous at- tention, and who was beginning to recover his sen- ses. A few minutes later the hunter felt strong ‘Well!’ he asked Quoniam, ‘is he dead?” ; ‘I believe so,” the negro replied; “ look here,”’ he | added, as he offered him a small object he held if | his hand, ** What is it?’ the hunter asked. Queniam shook his head mournfully. ‘*Look at . fethatt tentively regarded th f After having attentiv reg the negro for an instant, whose features expressed singular despond- ency, strange in a man of this stamp, he asked him | in alarm— | | | ch formed the basis of his character, he tried to | contend against the pain, and overcome it, but nature ad proved more powerful than his will and energy, a dizziness had come over his sight, and he felt him- self slowly sinking. At this moment he uttered that | Canadian uttered a cry of to which Lovel had responded | ge ery for hel flying to his aid. Ten minutes passed, minutes of agony, during which the persons who remained in the boat scarce dared to breathe. “Courage, my Jads,"’ the panting voice of Lovel was suddenly heard saying, *‘ he is saved!”’ The sailors burst into a shout of joy, and laying on oars, redoubled their efforts. <A frightful dis- charge answered them, and the balls flattened against the sides of the pinnace and dashed up the water around. The Mexicans, who had come with- in range, opened a terrible fire on the Texans, but the latter did not reply. A dull noise was heard, followed by cries of de- spair and imprecations, and a black mass passed to windward of the long boat. It was the brig comin to the assistance of its crew, and in passing it sun and dispersed the enemy's boats. : When she set foot on the deck of the brig, Car- mela, at len succumbing to her emotions, lost her senses. quil raised her in his arms, and, aided by Quoniam and the captain, carried her hast- ily down to the cabin, * Captain ” a sailor shouted, as he rushed after him, “the Mexicans, the Mexicans!” While the Texans were e in taking their wounded aboard, feeling convinced that the Mexican boats had been all, or at any rate, the majority of them, sunk by the brig, they had not dreamed of watching an enemy — sup crushed. The lat- ter had cleverly eee by negligence to rally and collect neath the bows of the brig, had boldly boarded her, by climbing up the main-chains, the sprit-sails, and any yore they had been able te seize. Fortunately, Master Lovel had the board- ing-nettings triced up on the previous eve , and through this wise precaution on the part of the old sailor, the desperate surprise of the Mexicans did not meet with the success they Peete gr 3 from it. The Texans, obeying the voice of their captain, took up their weapons n and rushed on the Mexicans, who were Nene ee Sse sss y all but masters of the | fore-part of the ship. Tranquil, Quoniam, Captain | Johnson, and Lovel, armed with axes, had flown to the front rank, and by their example excited the | crew to do their duty were 4 There, on a limited | e space of ten square yards at fearful naval combats without order or tactics be- gan, in which rage and brutal strength represent science. A horrible struggle, a fearful carnage, with pikes, axes, and cutlasses; a struggle in which each wound is mortal, and which recalls those hide- ous combats of the worst days of the middle ages, when brute strength alone was the law. The White Scalper had never before fought with such obstinacy, rious at the loss of the prey he had so audaciously carried off, half mad with rage, he seemed to m tiply f, rushing incessantly with savage yells into the densest seeking Carmela, and longing to had so bravely seemed for a moment to smile on SS. bringing most, one of those had | | the man who | der to settle definitely the way in which he must be- torn her from him. Accident | have under such seri ** Are you seriously wounded!” The negro shook his head. “No,” he said, “‘I am not wounded.”’ ‘‘ What is the matter, then?” “Take this,’’ he said, stretc his arm out a second time, ‘‘take this and you will know.” | Astonished at this singular persistence, Tranquil stretched out his arm, too. ‘“* Give it here," he said. Quoniam handed him an article which he seemed anxious to conceal from the persons present; the oO rise on it, “Where did you find this?’ he asked ; “When I rushed on that man, I know not how it was, but this chain and the articles attached to it were placed, as it were, inmy hand. WhenlI fel! in- to the sea, I cling to the chain; there it is, do what you please with it.” Tranquil, after again examining the mysterious object, concealed it in his chest, and gave vent to a rofound sigh, All at once, Carmela started up in orror, “Oh, look, look, father!’ she shrieked, “ woe, woe, we are lost!"’ ‘ The hunter started at the sound of the girl’s voice, and his eyes filled with tears. ‘What is the matter?” he asked in a weak voice, “The matter is,” the captain said rudely, “ that unless a miracle tak«s place, we are really this time, as Dona Carmela says.’ ; And he pointed to some thirty armed boats, which were pulling up and converging round the brig, so as to inclose it in a circle, whence it would be im- possible for it to escape. 4 ‘Oh! fate is against us!’’ Carmela exclaimed in e “Gop will not abandon us thus!” ‘We are saved!’’ Master Lovel shouted: “ we are saved! Look, look! the boats are tu back !”’ The crew burst into a shout of joy triumph; in the beams of the sun, the Liter tud corvetie could be seen passing through Galveston straits, bardly two cannon-shots’ distance from the brig. The Mexicau boats pulled at full speed in the direc- tion of land, and soon all had ppeared, The apy down to the corvette, and both returned tot later. The two we had scarce let their anchor fall ere a boat came alongside the Se wt the fort, con- taining the Jaguar and E) Alferez. The prisoners had been handed over to the Jaguar, who, while or- dering them to be closely watched, thought it advis- able to let them move freely about the fortress. _ The success of the two hazardous ex tempted by the Texans had given the cause they de- fended a great impulse. In afew hours the revolt become a revolution, and the insurgent chiefs men whose existence must henceforth be recog | The Jaguar desired to push matters on actively, and wished to profit by the probable discouragement of the Mexicans to secure the surrender of the town: without a blow, if it were possible, ; In his conversation with Colonel Melendez, the young chief had purposely startled him with the news of the success of the two expeditions, caleu- lating for the success of future operations on the stupor General Rubio would experience on being tola of them. But ere undertaking an desired a conference with his friends, ous eS oma as not at all anxious to assume the nsibili spair. ‘“No, it is impossible,” Tranquil said quickly; —e eir old anchorage, which they reached an hour _ peditions at- | rad Ed he was 7 agae tyofthe"™ w him suddenly face to face with the ca ‘ undertaking that might be formed. This was act- “) “Now for my turn,” he exclaimed with aferocious | ing not only with prudence, but also with a shout of joy. -denial, espec the way in which he The captain raised his ax. had behaved since the commencement of h ras “No, no!" said Tran as he threw himself hur- | ties, and the high position he had attained among = rledly before him; “‘t ctim is reserved for me; | his party. Crem S I must kill this human-faced tiger. Besides,” he But as the heart of even the purest and mosthon- added, with a “it ig my profession to kill wild | orable man is never exempt from those weaknesses beasts, and one net me." inherent in human nature, the Jaguar, though ~e Fn WE White Scalper said, “it is really fatality | haps not daring to avow it to h had ee which brings you once more face to face with me. | motive that urged him to go the brig so : Well, be itso! I will settle with you first.” This motive, of a thoroughly private na- Os “It is you who will die, villain!’’ the Canadian re- plied. ‘ you carried off my daughter and fan- cied you well concealed, you’ But I was on our trail: for the last three months I have been fol- owing you step by step, and watching for the favor- alle moment for vengeance." was the d t of the expedition attempted son and Tranquil against the rancho o deck, ere, without returning the salutes Gomichboo <S esire to learn as 8000 as possible the . pea Hence, the yo man had searce the . Ages. ofthis friende -~ ‘ Sey . oe | * + "7 = S