Beadle's Dime Library No. 151 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

. ae tioned me about a good many matters, which I an- swered as well as I could—where I came from, what was doing at the hacienda, where I was going, and sO On. short, he conversed with me for more than an hour; then, doubtless, satisfied with the in- formation I had given him, he left me free to con- tinue my journey, and an his own. It seems pono is going straight to the Larch-tree ha- cienda.”’ ‘* Does he intend to lay siege to it?”’ “That is his intention, I believe; but, although he is at the head of nearly twelve hundred determined bandits, I do not think his nails, and those of his comrades, will be hard enough to dig a hole in such stout walls.” “That isin Gop’s hands. Have you finished your narrative ?”’ ; ‘Not yet. Before restoring me to liberty, the Jaguar ie uired after you and Dona Carmela with considerable interest. Then he wrote a few words on a piece of paper, which he handed me, with a recommendation to be sure and give it you so soon as I rejoined you.” “Good Heaven !’’ Tranquil exclaimed, in agitation, ‘‘and you have delayed so long in executing your commission!” “Was I not obliged to tell you first what had har - pease to me? But there is no time lost, for here !: he e” € 8a, th oniam drew a paper frorr Le et, ony) tered to Tranquil, who almost t.°t itout of hishands. The negro, convinced that he h out his commission excellently, did not at all comprehend the hunter’s impatience; he looked at for a moment with an air of amaze- ment, then shrugged his shoulders almost imper- ce tibly, filled his pipe, and began smo ; he hunter Pew oe mr the paper; he turned it over and over in his hands with an air of embar- rassment, taking a side-glance every now and then at Loyal Heart, who had drawn a burning log from the fire, and now held it within reading distance, for night had completely set in. This went on for some minutes; at length, o Heart understanding the reason of the hunter's esitation, resolved on speak- ing to him. : ‘ Well,” he said, with a smile, “what does your friend J. write?”’ ‘*Hum!”’ said the hunter. ‘*Perhaps,” the other continu written that you cannot make out permit me, I will try.”’ The Canadian looked at him. The young man’s face was calm; nothing evidenced t he hada thought of making fun of the hunter. The latter snook his head several times, and then burst into a hearty laugh. - Dauce take all false shame!"’ he said, as he gave him theletter, “Why should I not confess that I cannot read? A man whose life has been spent in the desert ought not to fear confe an ignorance which can have nothing dishonoring for him. Kead read my lad, and let us know what our doubtful friend wishes.” And he took the log from the young man’s hands. Loyal Heart took a rapid glance at wwe paper. “The letter is laconic,” he said, “ but explcit, Listen: “«The Jaguar has kept his word. Of all the Mex- icans who accompanied the conducta, only one is alive free and unwounded—Captain Don Melendez de @ongora. ‘Will the friends of the Jaguar have a pinion of him?” “Is all?’ Tranquil asked. “ y ” “Well,” the hunter exclaimed, ‘“‘ people may say as they please, but, by Heaven! the Jaguar is a fine fellow.’ ; Pe he not, father?’’a gentle voice murmured in his ear. Tranquil started at this remark, and turned sharply round Oaroaela was by hisside, calm and smiling. CHAPTER IX. HOSPITALITY. We have said that night had fallen for some time and it was quite dark under covert. In the biack ky a chaos of clouds, laden with the electric pe ater Re heavily along. Not a star glistened in the vault of heaven; an au breeze whistled Seg ——— the trees, and at each blast covered ground with a shower of dead leaves. The news by niam had auginented the tendency of the hunters to melancholy; hence the conversation round the fire, ordinarily gay and careless, was sad and short, ale, continued Carmela alone, lively as a nig : in a low voice her conversation wi Singing Bind, co “itis so badly scrawl. If you while warm sagen tae the night was cold, not noticing the s side-glances which the oo at times gave her. At a es ee oniam were sepesing | a slight was heard in the Suube The bun sud torn from their secret thoughts, raised their heads quickly. The horses had stop rangers, accustom prairie, know and a mistake; ‘Some one is pro round us,’’ Loyal Heart muttered, in a voice not above a breath. * A spy, of course,” said ‘ “Spy or no, the man who is approaching is cer- ee ee oa toy vide pine hy bs syte arm to ene Pa teni paar hi watt arm; “ @ poor the desert, who needs hel = “It may be so,”’ re after a mo- ~_— ; reflection; “at any rate, we shall soon ow.’ aureemrancaner anes a “Go sereat the man, and esk bim what he wants; that is all.’’ “Take care, father.” ~Of what, my child?” The Freebooters. “Suppose this man were one of the bandits who traverse the desert ?”’ ** And he were to kill you?”’ The Canadian shrugged his shoulders. “Kill me, girl, nonsense! Reassure yourself, my child; whoever the man may be, he not see me unless I deem it necessary. Solet me alone.” The maiden tried once more to prevent his de- arture, but the Canadian would listen to nothing. Freei himself gently from Carmela’s affectionate clutch, he plaka tp his rifle and disappeared in the chaparral with so light and well-measured a step, that he seemed rather to be gliding on a cloud than walking on the grass of the clearing. So soon as he reached the center of the thicket, from which the ill-omened sound he had heard came, the hunter, ignorant as he was as to how many ene- mies he had to deal with, redoubled his prudence and recautions; after a hesitation which only a ew seconds, he lay down on the ground, and an ently crawling through the grass, without produc- hes slightest rustling sound. We will now return to the monk, whom we left proceeding toward the hunters’ bivouac, accom nied by Blue-fox. The Apache chief, after gi him the instructions he aia best adapted to in- spire him with a wholesome terror, and compel him to serve his ery: left him alone, and disappeared so suddenly that the monk could not guess in what direction he had gone. When he was alone, Fray Ambrosio took a timid glance around him; his mind was lexed, for he could not conceal from himself how delicate and difficult of accomplish- ment was the mission with which the chief had in- trusted him, especially when oe with a man so chopent and well versed in Indian tricks as the Tiger- killer. Aftera moment’s deliberation the monk resolutely entered the covert, guiding himself by the light of the fire asa beacon. For some minutes he went on at a tolerable pace, but gradually as he approached, his alarm returned; he remembered the rough cor- rection Captain Melendez had administered him, and this time he feared even worse, O20 was now so near the bivouac that any backsliding would be useless. For the purpose of granting himself a few minutes’ further respite, he dismounted and fastened his horse to a tree with ex- treme slowness; then, having no further plausible pretext to offer himself for delaying his arrival among the wages he decided on starting again, employing the most minute precautions not to be paroeen too soon, through fear of receiving a bul- et in his chest, before he had time for an plana- tion with the persons he visited at so awkward an an hour, But Fray Ambrosio, unluckily for himself, was ex- tremely o ; he walked heavily, and like a man accustomed to tread the pavement of a town; more- over, the ht was extremely dark, which prevented him seei wo yards ahead; and he could only pro- gress with outstretched hands, soem st at each step, and running against every obstacle that came across his path. Hence he did not go far ere he aroused the persons he desired so much to surprise, and whose practiced ear, constantly on the watch, had at once noticed the unusualsound which he had himself not noticed. Fray Antonio, extremely satisfied with his er of progression, and congratulating himself his heart at having suceeeded so well in conceng himself, grew bolder and bolder, and to f almost entirely reassured, when suddenly he uttered a slight cry of terror, and sto as if his feet had been rooted in the ground. had felt a heavy hand laid on his shoulder. The monk began trembling all over, though not daring to turn his head to the right or left, for he wasperewcied in his heart that last hour had “ Hilloh, Senor Padre, what are you doing in the Sena at such an hour?” a hoarse voice then said to m But Fray Antonio was unable to answer; terror had rendered him deaf and blind. “Are you dumb?’ the voice went on a minute after in a friendly tone. ‘Come, come, it is not wise to traverse the desert at so late an hour.”’ The monk did not reply. ‘“* Deuce take me,”’ the other exclaimed, “if terror has not rendered him, idiotic. Come, bestir your- self, canarios.”’ And he began shaking him vigorously. ‘Eh, what?” the monk said, in whom a species of reaction was beginning to take place, **Oome, there is some progress; you speak, hence ou are not dead,” Tranquil went on, 40 ously, for t was he who had so cruelly frighten he monk; ‘follow me, you must be frozen; don't let us re- And, his arm through the monk’s, he led him away. The latter followed him passively and mechanically, not able yet to understand what was happening to him, but still beginning to regain a sm : Pes of courage. In a few minutes they reac ‘** Ah!"’ Carmela exclaimed in surprise; ‘‘ Fray An- tonio! by what accident is he here, when he started with the conducta 9”? This remark m the hunter prick his ears; he examined the monk attentively, and then compelled him to sit down by the fire. ‘I trust that the good father will pen to us what has happened to him,” he muttere ng however, has an end m this world; and the monk for some time past had seeme destined to with the greatest rapidity and ost with- transition, from the extremest terror to the most complete security. When he was a little warmed, the contunon produped in his gery A ~ sudden meeting wi e hunter gradually yie the cordial reception given him, and Carmela’s gen- tle voice bre plessantiy on his ear, completely re-es the ce of his mind, and dismissed the mournful apprehensions that or penned J oo **Do you feel better, holy father?’’ Carm Meg hecmall Yuma you, Tam. now quite 6$ ? - rf) am now domnieetatle.” vile “All the better. Will “No, I thank you, for tite. ” ou eat?” have not the least appe- rm ee —_—-_—_——_- . —--—_— CC _—_ “0 _—n—n— nn —n—n—X—=™=_00 TT i eee A NN Re a ee O. = Perhaps you are thirsty, Fray Antonio; if so, here is a bota of refino,” said tinal! ae he offered him a skin more than half full of the comforting liquid. The monk permitted himself to be persuaded sufficiently to prove that he was no lover of ardent spirits; then he allowed himself to be convinced, and se the bota, drank a hearty draught of the generous fluid. This libation restored him all his coolness and presence of mind. “There,”’ he said, as he turned the bota to the half-b , and gave vent to a sigh of relief; ‘*Heaven preserve me; were the Evil One to come ee now in pees I feel capable of holding my own j m 7” “Ah, ah,” said Tranquil; “it seems, my good father, as if you were now completely restored to the gente of your intellectual! faculties.” ees es, and I will give you the proof whenever you ” Nee “Hang it, you challenge me. I did not dare cross-question you before; but, as it is so, I will no longer hesitate.” , ‘What do you wish to know?” “A very simple matter; howit is that a monk finds himself at such an hour alone in the heart of the desert?”’ “Nonsense,” Fray Antonio said, gayly. ‘* Who told you that I was alone?” “Nobody, but I suppose so.” “Do not make any suppositions, brother, for you would be mistaken.’ ** Indeed !"’ **’Yes, as I have the honor of telling you.”” “Still, when I met you, you were alone.” “Granted,” “The others were further off, that’s all.” ‘What others?” “The persons who accompanied me.” * Ah! and who are they?’ “That is the question— Nonsense!” he & minute after, as if holding a conversation himself; “the most disadvantageous reports are current about me. I am accused of a number of bad actions; suppose I were to Gy ang do a good one, that might change my luck. Who knows whether I may not be rewarded at a later date? At “| rate, here goes.” ranqeil and his comrades listened in extreme surprise to the monologue of the monk, not know- ing exactly what to think of this man, half- inclined to deem him mad. The latter perceived the impression he produced on his hearers. *'Listen,”’ he said in a stern voice and with a slight frown; ‘form what opinion of me you like; that is a matter of ee aa: to me; still, I do not wish it to be said that I requited your cordial hospitality by odious treachery. : ‘What do you mean?” Tranquil exclaimed. | “Listen to me. I uttered the word treachery, and perhaps I was wrong, for nothing proves to me that it is so; still, all sorts of reason sop ine tO ed to force suppose that it is nothing else Fons me into Cea peeee, ad yo Ps Preys. “Explain yourself; you enigmas, and it is frapcesibte to understand you.” ‘Yo u are right, sol will’ be clear; which of you . gentlemen bears the name of Tranquil?” “Tt is I.” “Ve .. Owing to certain circumstan the of which would not at all interest you, i unluckily fell into the hands of the Apaches.” / ‘ Apaches!” Tran exclaimed, in su *“*Good Lord, yes,”’ the monk continu assure you that when J found myself in < I did not feel at all comfortable. Still, I was wr to be alarmed; far from inventing for me one those atrocious tortures which they mercil in- flict on the whites who are so unhappy as to becc their prisoners, they treated me on the co oa with Sree ge 5) ogee man a aha gabe | Tran a scrutinizing glance on monk's lacid ieee _ p . ‘For what purpose did they that?” he asked, with a sus cides accent. . “Ah,” Fray Antonio went on, “that I could rot eon though I am perhaps to sus- pec AL The hearers bent toward the speaker with an ex- pression of impatient curiosity. “This evening,” the monk went on, “the chief of the red-skins himself accompanied me to within a short distance of your bivouac; on coming in sight of Ph a fire he pointed it out to me, sa , Go and sit down at that brasero. You will tell the New pale hunter that one of his oldest and dearest riends desires to see him.’ Then he left me, 2 ocd the most horrible threats if I did not obey him at once. You know the rest.” Tranquil and his comrades regarded each other in amazement, but without exchanging a word. There wae a rather try cmecvne BB 1 at length ook on express aloud the tho each iainhhhet = “*Tis a trap,” he said. 7 Sop" Loyal Heart remarked; “‘ but for what pur- ‘“ How do I know?” the Canadian muttered. “You said, Fray Se the young man cc~- tinued, add the monk, “that you suspcci. | the motives of Apaches’ titi ment of you?” ““I did say so,” he replied. ‘Let us know that suspicion.” “It was to me by the conduct of the ns, and by the snare they laid for you; tis evident to me chat the Apache chief hobiw, if ou consent to grant the interview he , to profit y your absence to carry of Dona Carmela.” * me off!” the maiden exclaimed, with a start of horror, surprised and alarmed at once ad this conclusion, which she was far from antici ing. ‘The red-skins are very fond of white women,” the monk continued, coolly; ‘‘ most of the ineur- sions they make into our are undertaken ee purpose of carrying off captives of that “Oh!” Carmela exclaimed, with an accent of in- domitable resolution, ‘I would sooner die than be- come the slave of one of those ferociqus demons.” Tranguil shook his head en OR he monk’s — su tion appears to me correct e said. a a . e more so,” : ATLon con firr Eomichbookssco “~~ * \ ‘,