Beadle's Dime Library No. 151 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

Se OF “ _ rose, and laced go fertile in resources, vil The Freebooters. was he to employ to soeive this certainty? how reach the tree, which ted violently with every gust? After ripe reflection, the American recog- nized the fact that he could never climb the tree alone; he therefore placed his hands funnelwise to his mouth, and gave the shout agreed on with his comrades, The latter drew up the reata, and after half an hour of unheard of fatigue, Davis found him- self again among his comrades. The Border Rifles crowded round him eagerly to ask the details of his fe gon ae which he hastened to give them, and which were received with shouts of joy by all. Then happened a thing which proves how great was the affection all these men bore their chief. Without exchanging a word, or coming to any agreement, obeying the same impulse, began descending the . ough the multiplicity of torches, which spread abroad sufficient light, and, before all, the skill of these men, accustomed since childhood to run about the forests and clamber up rocks and precipices in sport, this descent was effected without any further misfortunes to deplore, and the whole band was soon assembled at the spot whence the American had first discovered the nest of the white-headed eagle. All was in the same state as Davis left it; the two bodies were still motionless, and still intertwined. Were they dead, or only in a faint? Such was the question all persons asked themselves, and no one could answer it. All at once a loud noise was heard, and the bottom of the barranca was illumined bya number of torches. Ruperto’s party had arrived. Guided by the flashes they saw running along the sides of the precipice, the latter soon discovered the nest, and the truth was revealed to them. The arrival of Ruperto and his comrades was a great comfort to the Americans, for now nothing would be more easy than to reach the nest, Four powerful adventurers, armed with axes, glided along the side of the precipice to the foot of the tree, which they began felling with hurried strokes, w John Davis, and the men with him, threw their reatas round the top branches of the tree, and ually drew it toward them, The tree began gracefully bending, and at length lay on the side of e barranca, without receiving any serious shock. John nee s immediately entered the nest, and Sreuing knife from his belt, bent over the body of the J , and put the blade to the you man’s li here was a moment of profoun anxiety for these men; their silence was so com- pe that the beating of their hearts might be : They stood with their eyes obstinately fixed on the American, daring scarcely to breathe, and, as it were, hanging on his lips. At length John the knife near a torch; the blade was slightly tarnished. “He lives, brothers, he lives!’’ he shouted. At this news the Border Rifles broke out into @ howl of joy and happiness. The next point was to get the Jaguar out of the precipice, and let him down into the go We haye said that the two bodies were closely intertwined. The adven- turers felt but slender sympathy for Captain Me- lendez, they were not at all eager to assure them- selves whether he were dead or alive; and when the moment arrived to find means for conveying the body of their chief into the barranca, a very serious the ge discussion arose on the subject of the exican officer. The majority of the adventurers were of ae that the easiest way of se ting the two ies was by cutting off the Captain's and throwing his boay into the abyss, to serve . Those who were more ex- cited talked about stabb him at once, so as to make quite sure that he did not recover. Some even had seized their knives and machetes to carry — this resolution, but John Davis suddenly inter- ered, x !’* he shouted, eagerly “the Jaguar lives; he is our chief, so leave im to treat this man he thinks proper. Who knows whether the life of this — may not be more valuable to us than e adventurers were not easily induced to spare the captain, and adhered for a while to their pro- of stabbing him, after cutting off his arms. owing to the influence he entoyed with the band, Davis succeeded in making them listen to reason, and they began arranging how to get the bodies down. 7 CHAPTER IV. TWO ENEMIES. Turse bold explorers of the desert are picked men and powerfully built, kept constantly in movemen and each sacond into a contest with the ob- stacles that incessantly arise before them. No nape gd terrifies them, no difficulty arrests them; perils they brave, difficulties they surmount as if in sport; for, hurled by the divine will beyond the pale common law, their existence is only a succession of strange incidents and feverish adventures, which cause them to live a century in a few moments. The hesitation of the Border Rifles was short; for these half-savage men, an obstacle to be over- come could only prove a stimulus for their minds, The two wounded men securely fastened on cross-pieces of wood by reatas, were lot down in turn to the bottom of the precipice, and laid on the bank of a small stream, which ran noiselessly through this plain, fo the most ca- — windings. John Davis, fea some out- reak on the of his an co es, himself undertook to let the captain down,in order to be ce that no accident would happen to him. en the wounded men had been removed from the e’s nest, which had so miraculously saved adventurers glided along the cliff with address and rapidity,and the whole band was soon collected on the bank of the stream. As is Sreeny the case in a mountainous country, the m of the barranca was a rather wild Po sheltered between two lofty hills, which inclosed it Songer wbch, atthe apse win a gue tok piace Ww. a Le) w @ = great depth. e really f : eo Davis, without baneae deg moment, lavished on Sea eal ee Sct sen tare w o the same for e Mexican captalt, by the Aeridan's Urn the various ovente we have descrfbed, the procured torches, and, as if | whole night had slipped away, and the sun rose at the moment the adventurers completed their peril- ous descent, The prairie soon assumed a lively aspect, to which it certainly was not accustomed; the adventurers lit fires, erected jacals, and the camp was formed ina few minutes. Fora very lengthened period Davis's efforts to bring his friend to life remained sterile; still, the Jaguar had received no wound; he did not seem to have a limb broken; his synco resulted solely from the moral effect of his horrible fall. For all that, the American, far from giving in, re- doubled his care and attention, and at length saw his efforts crowned with success. The Jaguar made a weak movement, his lips parted as if he were about to speak, he raised his hand to his brow, gave a deep sigh, and partly opened his eyes, but closed poeta instantly, probably dazzled by the brilliant sun- ioht “ At length he is saved!”’ the American exclaimed, joyously. The adventurers surrounded their chief, anxiously watching his every movement. The young man soon opened his eyes again, and, helped by Davis, man- aged to situp. A slight patch of red was visible on his cheek-bones, but the rest of his face retained an ashen and cadaverous hue. He looked slowly round hin, and the absent expression of his glance - ually changed into a gleam of intelligence. *‘ Drink!”’ he muttered, in a hollow and inarticulate voice. John Davis uncorked his flask, bent over the wounded man and placed it to his lips. The latter drank eagerly for two or three minutes, and then stopped with a sigh of relief. ‘**T fancied I was dead,”’ he said. ‘By Heaven!’ John Davis remarked, ‘‘it was a close shave.” m 7 Captain Melendez still alive?”’ a ves,’ ‘“* What state is he in?” ‘** No, worse than your own.”’ ** All the better.”’ “Shall we hang him?”’’ Ruperto asked, still adher- ing to his notion. he Jaguar started, frowned, and then shouted with greater strength than he might be supposed to possess: “On your life, not a hair of his head must fall; you answer for him to me body for body.”’ And he added in a low voice, unintelligible by the hearers, “I swore it.” “"Tis a pity,” Ruperto went on. “I am certain that hanging a Mexican captain would have pro- duced an excellent effect through the country.” The Jaguar made a sign. * All right, all right,” the adventurer continued; “if it is not pleasant to you, we will say no more about it. No matter, that is a funny notion of yours,”’ “Enough,” the young man said; “I have given my CERCTeS oD ssi at’s enough. Don’t be angry, ca n, you will be obeyed,” OR Bart And Rnuperto went off, growling in his mustache, to see how the wounded man confided to his care was, about whom, we must do the worthy man the nt ce of saying, he bad hitherto but very slightly roubled himself. On approaching the spot where the captain was laid he could not restrain a cry of wig) ‘By Jupiter!" he said, “that’s a fellow who can boast of having a tough life, at any rate.” Either through the coolness of the morning breeze or some other cause, the captain had regained his senses, and was already sufficiently recovered to sit against the bole of a tree. ‘*Hilloh!’the adventurer exclaimed, as he came up. ‘* You seem better.” ‘* Yes," the officer answered, laconically. “You will soon be cured, I can see; still, I may tell you that you had a very narrow escape.”’ ‘here am I?” “Don’t you see? In asuperb prairie, on the bank of a limpid stream,” the adventurer replied, impu- dently. ‘*Let us have no insolence, fellow but answer my questions plainly.’ “It seems to me tobe a thing easy to guess, and a man need not be a sorcerer to recognize a Border- er’s camp.” “Then I am in the power of the bandits?” ‘** Rather so,’’ Ruperto replied, mockingly. “What is the name of the chief whose prisoner I am?’’ ae Th Jagua #9 “What!” the captain exclaimed in astonishment; “is he not dead?”’ “* Why should he be, since you are alive? What, that seems toannoy you, does it? Still1l must do you the justice of paying. that you did all that de- pended on yourself to kill him; and if he be alive, on the word of a man, you have not the least cause to reproach yourself.’ These words were accompanied by a sarcastic grin, which excited the captain’s anger to the high- est degree. ‘* Does your chief wish to impose a fresh torture on me,”’ he said, disdainfully, “‘ by sending you to in- sult me?” ' ‘You misunderstand his kindly intentions with reference to you; he ordered me to watch over your health, and offer you the most touching attentions, Ru answered, ironically. “Then leave me, forI do not want your help; I need not but repose. “As yin p ease, my pretty officer, settle matters as you proper. m the moment you refuse my assistance, I wash my hands of all that may happen, and withdraw; I am not so very desirous of your company as all that.”’ And after giving the captain a mocking bow, the adventurer turned on his heel and went off, mutter- What a pity the tain will not permit that ap ca not pe a charming young man to be hung. It would be done 60 easily.’ So soon as he was alone, Captain Melendez let his head fall on his hands, and tried to re-establish the balance in his mind and arrange his ideas, which the ogee he woeres nae utter ee whe aes — @ gradu yield a es of lethargy, the natural result of his fall, and soon fell into a deep sage é slept peacefully for several bours, nothing hap- pening disturb his repose; and when he awoke he ound himself quite a new man; the restorative sleep he had enjoyed had completely rested his nervous system, his strength had returned, and it was with an indescribable feeling of joy that he rose and walked a few steps on the prairie. He noticed, too, with a certain degree of pleasure, that the adven- turers left him at perfect liberty, and did not appear to pay any attention to him. uperto returned, but this time he had put off his mocking air, and carried some provisions in a basket. The adventurer offered them to the captain with rough politeness, in which, however, the desire to be agreeable was perceptible. The captain readily accepted the food, «nd ate with an appetite that sur- prised himself after so serious a fall. Well,” Ruperto remarked, “did I not tell you that you would be soon cured? it is just the same with the captain—he is as fresh as a floripondio, and was never better in his life.”’ “Tell me, my friend,” Don Juan answered, ‘ may I be allowed to speak with the chief?” “Very easily—the more so, as it seems that he has something to say to you.”’ ‘* Indeed?” ‘Yes, and he even ordered me to ask you if you would allow him an interview after dinner.”’ ‘*Most heartily; I am entirely at his orders; espe- cially,’ the captain added with a smile, “since 1 am his prisoner.” ‘That is true; well, eat quietly, and while you are doing so I will convey your me ir Hereupon Ruperto left the captain, who did not require the invitation to be repeated, but vigoror attacked the provisions placed before him. His meal was soon over, and he had been walking up and down for some time, when he saw the Jaguar approach. The two men bowed mens and examined each other for some moments with the greatest attention. Up to this moment they had hardly seen one an- other; their interview of the previous evening had taken place in the darkness, and then fought ob- stinately; but they had found no time to form mutual opinions as they now did with the infallible glance of men who are accustomed to judge in a second, persons with whom they have dealings. The Jaguar was the first to break the silence. ‘* You will excuse, caballero,’’ he said, “ the rusti- city of my reception; banished men have no other ~ ace save the dome of the forests that shelter em.’ The captain bowed. ‘‘I was far from expecting,” he said, ‘‘so much courtesy from—”’ He stopped, not daring to utter the word that rose: to his lips, through fear of offending the other. * From bandits, I suppose, captain?” the Jaguar replied, with asmile. ‘“ Oh, no denial, I know what we are called at Mexico. Yes, caballero, at the pre- sent day we are outlaws, border-ruffians, free- booters; to-morrow, perae, we shall be heroes and. saviors of a people; but so the world goes; but let us leave that. You wish to speak to me, I heard,” “Did you not also evince a desire, caballero, to have an interview with me?” | ““T did, captain; I have only one question toask you, though—will Aang romise me to answer it?” ‘**On my honor, if it be possible.”’ ‘ el ge reflected for a moment, and then con- nD . ** You hate me, I pi ne ne ‘* What makes you imagine that?” ‘*How dol know?” the Jaguar replied, with em- barrassment; “ a thousand reasons, as, for instance, the obstinacy with which you sought to take my life a few hours agone.”’ The captain drew himself up, and his face as- sumed a stern expression which it had not worn hitherto. “— aay you my word to be frank with you, ca- ballero,”’ he said. “*I thank you beforehand.” ** Between yourself and me, personally, no hatred can exist—at any rate, not on m e; 1 do not know you, Ionly saw you yesterday for the first time; never, to my ee have you come across my path before, hence I have no reason to hate you. But besides the man there is a soldier; as an of cer in the sexices army—”’ x Atte “Eno , ca n,”’ the young mans r- rupted him; P ou have told me all I pn er to know; political hatreds, however terrible they ma be, are not eternal. You do your duty as I believe I do mine—that is to say, as well as you possibly can, and to that I have no objection. nfortunately, in- stead of fighting side by side, we are in ite camps; perhaps, some day these unhappy dissen- sions will cease, and then, who knows whether we may not be friends?”’ ‘We are so already, cab w , aS he held out his hand to the Jaguar. The latter pressed it vigorously. “Let us each follow the road traced for us,” he said; “but if we defend a different cause, Jet us maintain, when the contest is raging, that esteem and friendship which two loyal enemies ought to feel, who have measured their swords and found them of equal length.”’ “2 Agreed,” said the captain. “One word more,” the J continued, ‘I oy ~ to your frankness by equal frankness.’” ak.” pi: presume that the question I asked surprised. ‘| confess it.”’ ** Well, I will tell you why I asked it.”’ “What good will that do?’ “T must; between us two henceforth there must be nothing hidden. In spite of the hatred I ought to _ for ro I he bee — oe erg a secret symapathy, w cannot explain, urges poh & revoul to you a secret on which the piness of my life depends.” “TI do not understand you, Caballero; the lan guage seems strange to me. Explain yourself in eaven’s name.” A feverish flush suddenly covered the Jaguar's face. ‘Listen, captain, if you only know me to-day for the first fea, pour name has been ringing in my ears for many months ‘ts The officer fixed an inquiring glamce on the young man. JOO Cc Ss Eom allero,” the captain said, | -