Beadle's Dime Library No. 151 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

Ce i ttl eR * Still tives, irresistibl _——- om. = ——~— ee 6 fully to the spot where his friends were camping. The latter were awaiting him anxiously, and Car- mela especially was suffering from a terrible uneasi- It was a strange fact, which women alone can explain, that the maiden, perhaps unconsciously, entertained toward the Jaguar and Captain Melen- dez feelings which she was afraid to analyze, but which led her to take an equal interest in the fate of those two men, and fear a collision between them whatever the result might have proved. But for all that, it is certain that if she had been obliged to ex- lain the reason which impelled her to act thus, she would have been unable to answer; and had any- body told her that she loved one or the other, she would have energetically protested, under the honest conviction that she spoke the truth. ill, she felt herself, perhaps from different mo- attracted toward them, Was it frien Who can an- Swer? Tranquil found his friends comfortably located in a narrow clearing, near a fire, over which their next meal was cooking. Carmela, a little apart, ques- tioned with an impatient glance the path by which she knew the hunter must arrive. So soon as she reeived him, she uttered a suppressed cry of de- and made a movement to run and meet him; but she checked herself with a flush, Jet her head droop, and concealed herself timidly behind a clump of floripondios. Tranquil peacef dismounted, took the bridle off his horse, which he sent with a friendly slap on the croup to join its comrades, and then sat down by the side of Loyal Heart. * Ouf!’’ he said, *‘here I am, back again, and not without difficulty.” “Did you run any dangers?” Loyal Heart asked, hip, or was it love? erly. ee Not at all; on the contrary, the Jaguar received me, as he was bound to do, that is, as a friend; and I have only to complain of his courtesy; besides, we have known each other too long for it to be oth- ‘Carmela had softly come up to the hunter; she suddenly bent her graceful head down to him, and offered him her forehead to kiss. **Good-day, father,’’ she said, demurely, * you have already returned?” * Already !’’ Tranquil answered, as he kissed her and hed; ‘‘hang it, girl, it seems as if my ab- sence not appear to you long.” . on me, father, I did not mean that,’ she said, in t confusion, oy did you mean, then, my child?”’ **Oh, nothing.” “Yes you did, you little rogue! But you cannot deceive me, with all your tricks; I am too old a fox to be taken in by a girl.” “ You are unkind, father,” she answered, with a pout, “you always give a false meaning to what I say.’ ‘ x Only think of that, senorita! well, do not be ina passion, I have brought you good news.” “Do you mean it?’’ she said, clasping her hands ; y Would you doubt my word?”’ * Oh, no, father.” * Very good, so now sit down by my side and n. “Speak k, father,” she exclaimed eagerly, as she took the seat allotted her. You seem to take great interest in Captain Me- lenget, may child?”’ “I, father!” she exclaimed with a start of sur- -% raving Mh I fancy a young lady must feel a lively interest in a person, to take such a step for his sake as you have done.” he maiden became serious. **Father,’’ she said a moment later with that little, resolute tone spoilt children know so well how to assume; “I could not tell you why I acted as I did; I swear that it was against my will, I was mad; the thought that the captain and the Jaguar were about to engage in a mortal combat, made me chill at heart; and yet I assure you, now that I am cool, I question myself in vain to discover the reason which ‘ged me to intercede with you to prevent that com- The hunter shook his head. “All that is not clear, Nina,” he replied; ‘‘I do not at all understand your arguments. Hang it! I nly a poor wood-ranger, possessing no more am o Aeorntng than I have drawn from the great scenes of nature constantly have before my eyes, and a wo- man’s heart is to me a closed book, in which I could not decipher a line. Still, girl, believe me, take and do not play imprudently with weapons whose strength and mechanism you are ignorant of; h the antelope be so light and active when it is leaping from rock to rock on the verge of precipices the moment arrives when it grows giddy, its hea turns, and it rolls into the abyss—I have often seen similiar catastrophes in the forests. Take care, my girl, take care, and believe in the old hunter’s expe- rience.”’ Carmela pensively leaned her blushing brow on the _ Canadian’s shoulder, and lifted to him her large blue eyes full of tears, “Tam suffering, father,”’ she murmured sadly. *“Good Heavens! my child, you are suffering, and did not tell me—are you ill?” he exclaimed anxiously : how imprudent it was of you to be out in the desert by night.” “You are mistaken, father,’’ she replied with a faint smile; ‘‘I am not ill, it is not that,” ** What is it then?” “I do not know, but my heart is contracted, my bosom is oppressed. Oh, I am very unhappy!” And hiding her head in her hands, she burst into tears. Tranquil looked at her for a moment with an astonishmen pam with terror. i COD, Cre ie "he at length exclaimed, as he smote his head, passionately. ‘“‘Oh, whatever has been done to her, that she should weep thus?” There was a silence of some minutes’ duration when the conversation seemed to take a confidential turn. Loyal Heart and Lanzi rose quietly, and soon disappeared in the chaparral. Tranqnil and the ng one of those co oO on w are so terrible because so concentrated; ado the girl, he fancied in his simple ignorance, that it was a eens et LS ar . ——- The Freebooters. og trig. it, through the coarse- re) he who, without ness and frivolity manner, rendered her un- happy, and he accused himself in his heart for not having secured her that calm and pleasant life he had dreamed for her. “Forgive me, my child,” he said to her with emotion; “‘forgive me for being the involuntary cause of your aati | You must not be angry with me, for really it is no fault of mine; I have always lived alone in the desert, and never learned how to treat natures so frail as those of women, but henceforth I will watch myself. You will have no reason to reproach me again. I promise you I will do all you wish, my darling child—well, does that satisfy you?”’ By a sudden reaction, the maiden wiped away her tears, and, bursti into a joyous laugh, threw her arms round the hunter’s neck, and kissed him repeatedly. “It is you who should pardon me, father,” she said in her Wwheedling voice, ‘‘for I seem to take anor gaa in tormenting you, who are so kind to me; did not know what I was saying just now; I am not unhappy, I do not suffer, lam quite happy, and love you dearly, my good father; I only love you.” Tranquil looked at her in alarm; he could not understand these sudden changes of humor, whose cause ¢scaped him. “Good heavens!’ he exclaimed, clasping his hands in terror, “ my daughter is mad!”’ At this exclamation, the laughing girl's gayet was augmented. The silvery sound of her laugh would have made a nightings e die of envy. ‘*Tam not mad, father,” she said; **I was so just now when I spoke to you in the way I did, but now the crisis has passed; forgive me and think no more about it,”’ “Hum!” the hunter muttered, as be raised his eyes to heaven in great embarrassment, ‘‘I desire eg more, Nina; but 1 am no further on than I was before, and on my word, I understand nothing of what is passing through your mind.” “What matter, so long as I love you, father? All girls are so, and no importance must be attached to heir caprices.”’ “Good, good, it. must be so since you say it, little one. But forall that, I suffered terribly; your words rent my heart.”’ Carmela lovingly kissed him. ‘* And the Jaguar?”’ she asked, “All is arranged; the captain has nothing to fear from him.” “Oh, the Jaguar has a noble heart; if he has at his word, he may be trusted.” ‘He has given it me.” “Thanks, father. Well, now that all is arranged according to our wishes—”’ “Your wishes?’’ the hunter interrupted. “Mine or yours, father—is that not the same thing?” ** That is true, I was wrong—go on.” “Well, I say, call your friends, who are walking about close by, I suppose, and let me eat, for I am dying of hunger.”’ “Are you?” he said, eagerly. “Indeed Iam; but I was ashamed to tell you,” “In that case you will not have long to wait.”’ The Canadian whistled, and the two men, who probably only awaited this signal, made their ap- pearance at once. The venison was removed from the fire, laid on a leaf,and all seated themselves comfortably. ‘“* Hilloh!” Tranquil said all at once, “‘ why, where is Quoniam?”’ ‘*He left us shortly after your departure,’’ Loyal Heart made answer, “to go tothe Larch-tree haci- enda, as he told us.’ ' “ All right, I did not think of that; Iam not anx- ious about my old comrade, for he will manage to mg 7 , ; Py Each then began eat with ‘good appetite, and troubled themselves no further about the negro’s absence. During the hunter’s meal the sun had set and night invaded the forest. Carmela, exhausted by the various events of this day, retired almost imme- diately to a light jacal of leaves which Loyal Heart had built for her. The maiden needed to restore or- der in her ideas, and take a few hours’ rest, the pri- vation from which had over-excited her nervous system, and caused the crisis which had fallen on her a few hours np ge & When they were alone, the hunters laid in a stock of dead wood, which would keep the fire in all night, then, after throwing on some handfuls of dry branches, they sat down in Indian fashion, that is to say, with their back to the flame, so that their eyes might not be dazzled by the light, and they could distinguish in the gloom the arrival of any unwel- come guest, man or wild beast. When this precau- tion had been taken, and the rifles laid within hand- reach, they lit their pipes and smoked silently. The night was cold and clear; a profusion of light flashed from the millions of stars that studded the dark olive sky, and the moon ae on the earth her silvery rays which imparted a fantastic appear- ance to objects. The atmosphere was so pure and transparent that the eye could distinguish, as in bright day, the surrounding landscape. Several hours passed thus, when one of the three men, thought of taking that rest which was so necessary after the fatigues of the day. “Who will keep watch to-night?’ Lanzi at length asked, as he passed the stem of his pipe through his belt; ** we are surrounded by people among whom it is wise to take precautions.’ “That is true,’ said Loyal Heart; ‘‘do you sleep, and I will watch for all.” “One moment,” the Canadian said; ‘‘if sleep does not too greatly overpower you, Lanzi, we will profit by Carmela’s absence to hold a council. The situa- tion in which we are is intolerable for a girl, and we must make up our minds to some course at once. Unluckily, I know not what to do, and your ideas will hardly suffice, I fear, to get me out of my em- nent,” “Tl am at your orders, Tranquil,’’ Lanzi answered; “let us hold a council, and I will make up for it by ere faster.”’ ‘* Speak, my friend,”’ said Loyal Heart. The hunter reflected for a moment, and then con- ued— ‘* Life is rough in the desert for delicate natures; we men, accustomed to fatigue, and hardened to at : ’ OM and Ss oP ae a “a: gam # ls “ps * ; 7. é io? ? . oar ry Tr ‘ei : ; - i “A . «& hn oft rivations, not only support it without thinking of It, but even find delight ~ it,” dangers that men such as we can bear, it would be unjust and cruel to inflict on a woman—a maiden who has hardly emerged from childhood, and whose life has hitherto exempt from care, priva- _ tions, or fatigue of any description.” es,’ Lanzi supported him. “That is the very point,’’ Tranquil continued ; ‘though it will cost me a pang to part with her, Car- mela can no longer remain with us.”’ “Tt would kill her,”’ said Loyal Heart. wa ees not take long, poor little darling,’ Lanzi pouted. ‘* Yes; but to whom can I trust her now that the venta is destroyed?” ‘It is a difficult point,’ Lanzi observed. ““Stay,’’ said Loyal Heart, “ are you not tigrero to the Larch-tree hacienda?” i. O08.” ‘*There you have it,’ the half-breed exclaimed. es gly a good idea, It would not have occurred me,” . ‘* What idea?” the Canadian asked. ‘The master of the hacienda,’’ Loyal Heart con- ete, ‘‘will not refuse to receive Carmela in his 10use,”’ The hunter shook his head in denial. ‘‘ No, no,’” he said, ‘if I once asked the favor of him, 1 feel cae he would consent; but it cannot be.”’ e yr?’ *“Because the owner of the Larch-tree is not the man we need to protect a girl.” ‘**Hum!"’ Loyal Heart said, *‘ our situation is grow- ing more complicated, for 1 know nobody else who would take charge of her.” ‘Nor I either, and that is what vexes me, Listen!’’ Loyal Heart suddenly exclaimed, ‘‘I do not know Heaven pardon me, where my head was that I did. not think of it at once. Do not be alarmed; I know somebody.”’ ** Speak, speak.”’ ‘*Come,”’ the half breed said aside, ‘this Loyal wien is really a capital fellow, for he is full of good deas.”’ ‘*For reasons too long to tell you at this moment, but which I will confide to you some day,” the young man continued, ‘‘I am not alone in the desert, or my mother and an old servant of my family live about three hundred miles from where we now are with a tribe of Comanches, whose chief adopted me a few years back. My mother is kind, she loves me madly, and will be delighted to treat your charming child as a daughter. She will watch over her, and give her those maternal attentions mien only a@ woman can offer, especially when that woman is really a mother, and constantly trembles for the safety of a son to whom she has sacrificed everything. Every month, on the same day, I abandon the chase, mount my mustang, and, trav- ersing the desert with the speed of an arrow, I go and see my mother, with whoa I remain for some time among the tribe. This is about the period when I am wont to proceed to the village; so, will ou let me guide you there? Coming with me, the . i and my mother will,’ ndians will receive hey yenzy thank you for confiding your daughter to her.” ‘‘Loyal Heart,” the Canadian answered, with emotion, “your offer is that of an honest, oe man. I accept it as frankly as you make it; by the side of your mother my daughter will be happy, and she will have ringer J tofear. Thanks.” ‘Loyal Heart,” the half-breed said, eagerly, ‘I know not who gave pe the name you bear; but canarios, he was well acquainted with you, I de- clare.” The two men smiled at Lanzi’s outbreak. ‘Now, that is settled,” he continued, you want me no longer, I suppose? If so, good-night; my eyelids prick as if they were full of thorns.” He wrapped himself carefully in his zarape, stretched himself on the ground, and a minute later was fast asleep. ** When do we start?’ the Canadian asked. “The road is a long one,’’ Loyal Heart answered. ‘“We have more than three hundred miles to ride: Carmela is exhausted by the fatigue she has endured for some time past, and perhaps it would be well to grant her a day or two of rest to regain strength.” ‘“Yes, you are right; this journey, which would be as nothing to us, is enormous for a girl; let us remain here.a couple of days—the camp is good, and the spot well selected. There is nothing to. hurry us; it is better to act Pipa age in onder the we may not have at a later date to regret. precipita- tion, which may prove fatal to her whom we desire so greatly to protect.” ‘‘ During the time we spend here our horses will regain their fire and vigor, and we can profit by the rest to fet some provisions together.’ ‘“Well said, brother; that is settled; in two days we will set out, and Ihope that Heaven will be so merciful as bo oon us to reach our journey’s end safe and sound,” “Heaven will not turn may be sure.” ‘Tam well aware of that,’’ the Canadian answered, with that simple faith which characterized hims:, ‘hence you see me quite happy. You cannot im- ne how anxious I feel, an chad an immense ser- vice you have just rendered me.” “Do not speak about that, for are we not sworn: friends?” “No matter,I must thank you once more, my heart is so full that it must overflow; but now that we understand each other thoroughly, go and sleep my Spores night is drawing on apace, and you must need rest,”’ ‘**On the eng got | you must lie down, for do you not ramember I said I would keep watch?” sé 10, no.’ ** But you must be tired to death.” “T? Nonsense; I havea body of iron and nerves of steel; weariness has noyeffect on me.’ Still, my friend, human strength, however great it may be, has its limit, beyond which it cannot go.” “That is possible. I not discuss that b esgemens with you, but merely limit myself to “sy feo hat joy has robbed me of sleep. Iamas wide awake as an opossum, and in vain should I try to close my eyes, o, I pose doing so, while you, who are nat will sleep,” against us, brother, you. urally calmer, Mm (é cS t is true,”’ Loyal Heart observed: ‘ but the . uire to reflect a little on all this, and I pro- » 900 ? : =" Ps (E(©) a y * “ . , @(@) ‘| | P| | 4 | SFT | rs : 7 oe ‘3h Cm => 7. Se —— _ . - — — te, —