Beadle's Dime Library No. 151 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

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The Wacondah breathes in his heart the words his lips utter: all the chiefs feel for him the respect he deserves.”’ he young man shook his head, as if protesting against such a mark of deference. ‘Since you in- sist,”’ he said, ‘*I will speak; but I will not give my opinion till I have heard that of this hun er, who is better acquainted with the desert than I am.”’ “Wah!” said Black-deer; ‘“‘the pale hunter is sf a advice must be good; a chief is listening to Thus compelled to explain his views, Tranquil had involuntarily to take part in the discussion; but he did not feel at all inclined to take on himself the responsibility of the heavy burden which Loyal Heart tried to throw off his own shoulders. After reflecting for some moments, he therefore at length decided on speaking, ‘The Comanches are the most terrible warriors of the prairie,” he said, ‘* no one must try to invade their hunting-grounds; if they make war with the Apaches, who are vagabonds and cowardly thieves they are in the right to do so; but for what go object would they interfere in th rrels of the le-faces? Whether Yoris or Long-knives, the whites ave ever been,at all times,and under all circumstan- ces, the obstinate enemies of the red-skins, killing wherever they may find them. When the ore are tearing each other asunder on the — o the Indians try to separate them? No. They say, let them fight it out—the more that fall, the fewer thieves and plunderers there will be in the desert. the red-skins the pale-faces are coyotes thirst- ing for blood. The’ Comanches should leave them to devour each other; whichever party triumphs, those who have been killed will be so many enemies the fewer for the Indians. This war between the oP gge has been going on for two years. Up the present the Comanches have remained neutral; why should they interfere now? How- ever great the advantages offered them may be, they will not be equivalent to a neutrality, which. will render them stronger and more dangerous in the sight of the whites. 1 have spoken.”’ **Yes,’’ Loyal Heart said, ‘you have spoken well, Tranquil. e opinion you have offered is the only one the Comanches ought to follow, and interfer- ence on their part would be an act of deplorable folly, which the sachems would soon regret having committed.”’ Black-deer had carefully listened to the Canadian’s speech, and it seneeret to have produced a certain impression on‘him; he listened in the same way to ae 8 Moers and when the latter had ceased speak- ing, the chief? remained thoughtful for a while, and then replied— **T am pleased with the words of my brothers, for they prove to me that I regarded the situation cor- rectly. I gave the council of the chiefs the same advice my brothers just offered. My brothers have spoken like wise men, I thank them.” “Tam gy Og support in council,”’ Loyal Heart remarked, “the opinions the white hunter has of- ef for they are the only ones which should pre- v “T think so too. Loyal Heart will accompany the chief to the callis of the nation?” “Tt is my intention tostart on my return to-mor- row; if my brother can wait till then, we will start together.’ I will wait.” **Good; to-morrow at daybreak we will follow the return trail in company.”’ The council was over, yet Tranquil tried Migge 3 to lain to himself how it was that Black-deer, whom he had left among the Snake Pawnees, could now be an influential chief of the Comanche nation; and the connection between Loyal Heart and the chicf rplexed him not a bit less. All these ideas ubled the hunter’s head, and he promised him- self on the first eh ae to ask Bl-ck-deer for the history of his life since their separation. As soon as Lanzi returned with the horses, the hunters and Carmela sat down to breakfast, waited on by Singing-bird, who performed her duties with extreme grace. CHAPTER VIII. : QUONIAM'S RETURN, Tue meal did not take long; each of the guests, busied with secret thoughts, ate quietly and silently. Tranquil, though he did not dare ask any questions of Black-deer or Loyal Heart, for all that, burned to learn by what concourse of extraordinary events these two men, who had started from my, ow ages A phage points, had eventually grown into suc close intimacy. Nor did he understand any better how a white man of a pure race, young, and who appeared to have received a certain education, had so complete! given up relations with men of his ideas, to adopt, as Loyal Heart had done,the mode of life of the red-skins, and become, as it were, a part of one of these nations, But the tiger-killer was too well acquainted with prairie manners to try and lead the conversation to a topic which might perhaps have displeased his | comrades. Carmela felt a great friendship for Singing-bird, —e young women, which vibrated harmoniously on the me: - the hunters, and brought a slight smile to eir A little before sunset the hunters returned, almost simultaneously, bending beneath the weight of the ame they had killed. Loyal Heart, moreover, had as a horse, which he brought in for Black-deer, who had not one, The sight of this animal caused the adventurers some alarm, and numerous con- peer It was not at all wild; it had allowed Loyal eart to approans it without difficulty, who made a prisoner of it almost without opposition. Moreover, and this increased the restlessness of its new own- ers, it was completely equipped in the Mexican fashion, Tranquil concluded from this, that the freebooters had attacked the conducta de plata, and the animal, whose rider had probably been killed, had escaped during the action. But which side had gained the ep i no one was able to conjecture, ftera rather lengthy discussion, it was at last agreed that soon as night had completely set in, Black-deer should go reconnoitering, while those who remained in the camp redoubled their vigilance, through fear of a surprise, either from the border ruffians or the Mexican soldiers, for although the ad- venturers were known to both parties, they justly feared the excesses to which they might give way in the intoxication of victory. This fear, correct perchance as far as the troops were concerned, was not at all so with the men com- manded by the Jaguar, and merely proved that the worst, and at thesame time most erroneous opinion was entertained of them. The sun was just disappearing behind the dense mass of lofty mountains that marked the horizon, when the hurried paces of a horse were heard a short distance off. The hunters seized their wonyoess and posted themselves behind the enormous boles of the sumach trees that surrounded them, in order to be ready for anyevent. At this moment the cry of the blue jay was repeated twice. “Take your places again at the fire,’’ Tranquil said, ‘‘ tis a friend.”’ In fact, a few moments later the branches cracked, the shrubs were smartly thrust aside, and Quoniam made his appearance. After nodding to the com- pany, he dismounted, and sat down by the side of the Panther-killer. * Well, gossip,'’ the latter asked him at once; ‘“‘what news have you?” ‘**Plenty,’’ he answered. ‘Then, isu pose you have been reconnoitering?”’ *T did not have the trouble to ask questions; I only required to listen in order to learn in an hour more news than I could have discovered in a year.” ‘*Oh, oh,” the Canadian, said, *‘eat something, compadre, and when your appetite is satisfied, you will tell us all you have learned.” ‘*I wish for nothing better, especially as there are sundry matters it is well for you to know.”’ ‘** Eat then without further delay, that you may be able to talk to us all the sooner.” The negro did not let the invitation be repeated, and began vigorously attacking the provisions which Loyal Heart spread onthe ground. The hunters were eager to hear the news of which 5 rene mes stated himself to be the bearer. Still, however eat their curiosity might be, they succeeded in iding it, and patiently waited till the negro had finished his meal. The latter ate with the proverbial rapidity of hunters, and bad finished in a twinkling. * Now Iam quite at your service,’ he said, as he wiped his mouth on the skirt of his hunting shirt; **and ready to answer all your questions.”’ ‘We have none to ask you,” Tranquil said; “we wish you to give us a short narrative of all that has hap ned to you.” * Yes, [ fancy that will be the best; in that way it will be clearer and more easy for you to show the conclusions you think the most suitable,” ‘* excellently reasoned, my friend; we are listen- ing to you,”’ ‘Do you know why [I left you?’’ Quoniam began. ‘* Yes, I was told, and Seve of it highly. ** All the better, ause I fancied for a moment that I did wrongin going without informing you, and I was on the point of returning. ‘*It is not a long ride from here to the Larch-tree hacienda; my _ horse is and covered the dis- tance in eight hours.”’ ‘‘ That was good me at ‘‘When I reached the Larch-tree, there was a great confusion at the hacienda. The peons and vaqueros collected in the patio were talk- ing and shouting all together, while the capataz, the Major-domo, and even the Signor Haciendero himself, pale and alarmed, were d stributing arms, raising barricades before the gates, placing cannon on their carriages—in short, ng all the precau- tions of men who expect an attack at any moment. It was impossible for me to make myself heard at first, for everybody was speaking at once—women crying, children screaming, and men swearing. At length, however, by going from one to the other uestioning this man and bullying that one, I learned that the conducta de plata, escorted by Captain Me- lendez, was attacked by the Border Rifles, or the Freebooters as is are now call and after a desperate fight all the Mexicans were killed.” Ah!" Tranquil exclaimed in stupor. ** All,” ee a repeated; “not one escaped; it must have been a frightful butchery.” ‘* Speak lower, my friend,” the hunter remarked, as he looked in the direction of the jacal, “* Carmela might hear you.” e regro gave a nod of assent, that he will not lay down arms till he has restored liberty to his country and driven the last Mexican beyond the frontier.’ ere was a moment of stupor among his audi- ence. “Is that all?’ Tranquil at length asked. ** Not yet,’’ Quoniam made answer. “Es , then, in Heaven’s name!¥ “This is the information I have picked up. Con- sidering that you would not be sorry to hear these important news as 8 as ible, I hastened to finish my business with the Capataz. I had some difficulty in finding him, as he was so busy; so soon as I got hold of him, instead of giving me the mone I asked him for, he answered me that I must be o at once, and tell you to come to the hacienda as soon as you could, for, under the circumstances, your presence there was indispensable,” ‘Hum!’ said Tranquil, without any further ex- planation of his thoughts. ‘** Seeing,” oniam went on, “that there was nothing more to expect of the Capataz, I took leave of him and remounted my horse; but Y in as I was leaving, a great noise was heard outsi e, and every- body rushed to the gates, uttering shouts of Joy. t seemed that General Don Jose ria Rubio, who commands the province, considers that the ition - ig: hacienda is a very important point to de- end,’ “Of course," Tranquil said; “‘ the Larch-tree com- mands the entrance of the valley, and, as long as it remains in the power of the Mexicans, insures the entry of their troops into the State.” “ That is it, though I do not remember the term bce) ars nee tor ‘Was it strategical position?” **' The very thing.”’ “Yes, the hacienda, built at the period of the con- quest, is a perfect fortress; its thick, battlemented walls, its situation on an elevation which cannot be commanded, and which on one side holds under its $3 the mountain and on the other the val- ey de los Almendrales, render it a point of the ut- most importance, which can only be carried by a regular siege.”’ “That is what everybody said down there; it seems, too; that such is General Rubio's opinion, for the cause of all the disturbance I heard was the ar- rival of a large body of troops commanded by a lieutenant-colonel, who had orders to shut himself up in the hacienda, and defend it to the last ex- tremity. “ ‘In that case war is declared.” **Of course.”’ <« ** Civil war,”’ 5 Wo ge oe continued oo esp “that is to say, the most odious and horrible of all; a war in which fathers fight against sons, brothers against brothers, in which friend and foe the same tongue. May God grant in his mercy that it be h ” “ “But how did you succeed in escaping from the hacienda after the arrival of the troops, Quoniam ?”’ Tranquil continued. “T saw that, if I amused myself by the uniform and fine appearance of the troops, when order was slightly restored, the gates would closed, and my hopes of escaping foiled for a or] time. Without sa me By word I dismounted, an leading my horse by the bridle, ges through the mob so cleverly, that I at length found myself out- side. I then leaped into the saddle an ushed straight ahead. was only just in time, I clare, for five minutes later all the gates were closed. ‘‘ And then you came straight here?’ ‘No; I did not come straight here; and yet it was not my inclination that prevented it, I assure 9 ‘* What happened, then?” ' ** You will see, for I have not finished yet.” *Go on, then; but be brief, if that is possible.” ‘* very man does what he can, and you have no right to ask more of him,” “That is true, speak as you think proper.”’ ‘*Never,’’ the negro continued, “did [I gallop in such good spirits; my horse stretched out, so that it was a pleasure to see; and it seemed as if the poor brute understood my impatience to Whee away from the hacienda, so fast did it race. is ride lasted thus, without interruption, for nearly five hours; at the end of that oe od I thought it advisable to grant my horse a few minutes’ rest, that it might regain its breath, for animals are like men precise- ly—if you overwork them, they break down all at once; and that would have happened to me had I not been careful to stop in time. I therefore allowed my horse to rest for two hours; then, after rubbin it down, I started again, but had not yet reache the end of my adventures. I had scarce oped an hour ae: eh ere I fell into a large party of horse- men, armed to the teeth, who sud emerged from a ravine, and surrounded me erel had even time enough to notice them. The meeting was any- thing but ble—the more so, as they did not appear at all well disposed toward me; and I do not exactly know how I should have got out of the hob- ble, had not one of the men thought proper to re- cognize me, though I do not remember ever to have met him before, and burst out, ‘ Why, it is a friend; ‘tis Quoniam, Tranquil’s comrade!’ I confess that this exclamation pleased me; aman may be brave, put there are circumstances in which he feels fright- pron and this is what happened to me at that mo- ment,” The hunters smiled at the negro’s simple frank- ness, but were careful not to interrupt him, as they felt instinctively that he had reached the most inter- esting point of his long and prolix narration. “At once,” the latter con.inued, “ the manner of — ; ‘* But,’’ he continued in a lower key, “‘ this victory “i. ae and so soon as the meal was ended, led her off to | was not very productive to the Borderers, for the | these men changed entirely; they became most Neale the jacal, where both began oe nye, In accor- | Mexicans had been careful to hurl the gold_they | polite and attentive, in proportion as they had been (1 fae ay dance th the arrangements the hunters had | carried into a barranca, whence it was impossible to | previagsly brutal. ‘Lead him to the command- a ae A made, Loyal Heart and Tranquil took their rifles, | get it out.”’ ant,’ one of them the others approved, and I ‘ > ape and entered the forest on op te sides, to goin “Well played, by Heaven!” the Canadian ex- | gave in, because resistance would have been folly. I Rey | | tof game. Black-deer and Lanzi remained be- | claimed; ‘* the captain is a brave fellow.” ollowed without any remark, the man whol me eae hind to protect the woman in the slightly probable “Was so, you mean,” said Quoniam. to their chief, tho inwardly c the wasps 44 Ti event of an attack. “That is true,’ the Canadian remarked sadly; | nest into whichI ha fallen, ortunately I had not 1) aa _ The two men, lying on the ground side by side, | “but go on, my friend.” fartogo, Can you guess, Tranquil, who this chief / glept or smoked with that apathy and careless indo- ‘This victory fired the mine; the whole of Texas | was to whom I was led? it ae lence peculiar to men who oe talking for the | has risen; the towns and pueblos are in full revolt, “The Jaguar,” the hunter answered. r | a sake of talking, and thus expending energy which | and the Mexicans are pursued like wild beasts.” ‘What!’ the negro exclaimed, in Aheernee, ar they may require at any moment. Several hours | “Is it so serious as that?” “have you guessed it? Well! I swear to you tha eit, passed away thus, nothing occurring to trouble the | _“ Much more than you suppose. The Jaguar is at | I did not suspect it in the least, and was greatly sur- (a calmness and silence that reigned over the bivouac, | this moment at the head of a real army; he has | prised at see ——— But I must do him the justice dye re except at intervals the joyous laughter of the two ! hoisted the flag of Texan independence, and sworn ' of saying that he received me very well; he ques- | ioe | / ‘ : | oe. ear | a sje | pi ee RIN ce comicbooks.con i ’ ; ¢ mare. . Wa . es gd ' | ’ is . ey ty ; T5583 aa Cit ely bowl iy a es ae es 2 Oe OAS ws See? ae fee