Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 154 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

| J oaquin, the Saddle King. ———. ———————s a ee who were thrown into confusion by his sudden | to make all sure, he plucked a few green leaves ‘‘Coward and assassin! your race is well- SS = ge Se 7 == ——— eS en ~ SSS— = Oe OTe ee Oe ere eee eee - - ——~ > =a ee ee eee - = -e- SSS Ee See eee ——- —— — ai el a = “ah Es Sa a SS . = — onset. Ah! could the stubborn traducers of the one ex-captain of lancers only have be- eld him then, looking like a hero, a a a There was a brief hesitation on the part of the savages, but then, as though they felt assured that this foolhardy man must be heavily sup- ported, they relinquished the prey their fingers were already closing upon and wheeled their animals in apeesy flight. More loudly shouts Camplido, and more furi- ously he urges on his horse in desperate pursuit. His weapons are still exploding, and now one, now another of the rearmost savages utters a yell of pain as they reel in their seats and bend heavily over upon the necks of their horses. Faster fall the heavy quirts of the fugitives, urging their ponies to swifter flight, but nearer draws the dread pursuer, and louder shouts the self-cunstituted avenger. It is a pity that there are no eyes to note and admire this wonderful exhibition of prowess and yailantry, but Carmela Felix just then had no thoughts for aught else than her father, whose bleeding and dust-covered head was rest- ing upon her lap. He had not spoken nor moved voluntarily since that terrible fall. Carmela could detect no pulse, no heart-throb, yet she would not believe him dead, and the twain formed a piteous tableau as she caressed him, brokenly uttering his name amid her sobs. Thus she sat when Don Manuel Camplido re- linquished the pursuit and more leisurely re- traced his steps. In silence he approached her, dismounted and stood by her side. His face was pale and hard set. There was an uneasy, restless light in his dark eyes, and despite his strongly exerted will, there was a perceptible tremor in his voice as he addressed the griev- ing maiden. ‘If you would suffer me to inspect his in- juries, dear Carmela. It may be that he is only stunned by the fall, but itis ly possible that he has received serious Pt Nah er which may prove fatal if not immediately attended to.” At the first sound of his voice the maiden shivered as though an icy cold blast had struck her, cowering and shrinking away from Don Manuel Camplido, with a look of un- utterable horror and aversion upon her Bi face, But this was only for a moment. Then she gently raised the blood-stained head from her lap, lowering it to the ground with almost reverential care. There was a strange look ujfon her face as she arose, which Don uel did not like, and he hastened to say: ‘*Dear senorita, words fail to express my sorrow. If I had only arrived a few moments sooner—” . “Stop, Don Manuel Camplido!” cried Car- mela, her voice sounding harsh and strangely unnatural. ‘‘ Do not add lies and foul hypocrisy to your crime—” ° _ In turn he interrupted her, but she would not listen, Sharply her open palm came in contact with his lips, and he staggered back as though some strong man had struck him, **Dog—liar—cowardly assassin! I saw you rise up in ambush to complete the foul work of your hired murderers. I saw at what you were aiming, and with your shot my poor father fell. His blood is upon your soul, but as far as New worthless life can repay, [swear to avenge im—now and thus!” Swift as thought, a slender, keen-pointed dag- er leaped from her bosom and sought a sheat his—driven by an arm nerved with the fury of ee gl But her words had told Camplido that he was discovered, and in a measure prepared him for the d te assault. By a swift, sidelong twist of his body, he eluded the steel, and be- fore Carmela could ps the blow, his fingers closed a her wrist and” the weapon was wrested from her fingers. Are you mad, girl?’ he cried, sternly, his other arm winding itself about her waist, and holding her helpless, despite her frantic strug- gles. ‘‘ Would you slay your best friend—the only one that stands between you and the soul- sickening fate that awaits all of your sex that are unfortunate enough to fall into their power alive?” Carmela made no reply. Her muscles re- laxed and she sunk a lifeless weight upon his arms. Her overtaxed nerves had given way, and for the first time in her life, she fainted out- right. Por one moment Camplido gazed down upon her pale face, the look of a veritable demon in his eyes, then his burning lips covered her face with hot, lustful kisses. At that moment the r girl was in horrible aad but then the vil- ain uttered a short laugh and gently lowered her form to the ground. He was sure of his prey now, and would not brush the bloom off a ) prematurely. tily searching her, Don Camplido satisfied himself that she was wholly unarmed, havin lost her revolver after emptying it during tha _ mad face So life. “ 7 Arising, he proceeded scrape together a little pile: of dried twigs and grass, then ee amatch. The fire burned steadily and ost without smoke. Camplido knew that keen eyes would be on the look-out for this signal, but and cast them on the blaze. Instantly the smoke darkened, and when the column floated upward for a few moments, he stamped out the remnant of fire. Until now, the renegade had paid no partic- ular attention to Don Felix, who looked so corpse-like that the idea of his still living had never once occurred to the assassin. But now he moved to where the old man lay, and ‘bend- ing over him, examined the body. A low, grat- ing curse burst from his lips as he started back, for he could distinctly feel the veteran’s heart throbbing beneath his hand. Mechanically one hand fell upon the knife at his belt, and an ugly look crept into his eyes as he cast a swift glanee around him, his pointed teeth revealed wolfishly. There was no one in sight save Carmela, and she had not yet re- covered her senses. ay the deadly weapon slid from its sheath, and then hung suspended above the heart of the old man. But only fora moment; then Camplido rose erect witha low laugh. Rah! the old fool is nearly dead—he, may never recover his consciousness, but if he should one of those fellows will not scruple to blow out the vital spark. And then—I would like him to know how I avenge myself. Ha! she is stir- ring.” With a faint moan, Carmela opened her eyes and made a motion to arige, but Don Camplido reached her side in time to frustrate the at- tempt. ** You must not exert yourself—you have been ill, my dear,” he said, clasping her hands in his and holding them firmly. ‘‘I have done all that is possible at present, and have summoned aid. Be patient as possible till it comes.” ‘The wretches whom you hired to do. this foul deed, no doubt,” bitterly commented Car- mela, all her courage returning. ‘*Then you insist on believing me in league with them?” *‘T know it. I saw you aim at my father and he fell at yourshot. But even if I could disbelieve my eyesight, yet I would none the less know that those painted demons were your friends and allies. Doubly branded coward that the whole world knows you, you would never have dared charge upon a real enemy so boldly—” io Sharply the hand of the enraged villain came in contact with her mocking lips. Not that he meant to strike her, only to check the words that struck home to his black heart, but Carme- la believed the contrary, and the insult lent her strength sufficient to avenge if. Wresting her hands free, she snatched a re- volver from his belt, thrust it fairly against his bosom, raising the hammer and ling the er almost at the same motion. But fate was against her here, also... The hammer fell, but the cap failed to explode, and before she could turn the cylinder again, Camplido wrenched the weapon from her grasp. His face was livid and ghastly as that of a corpse, while he trembled in every fiber, so thoroughly unnerved was he by his narrow es- cape from death. At that moment, had she been fairly herself, Carmela might have made her escape. A coward clear through, save where the odds were overwhelmingly on his side, Manuel Camplido could have nm over- come by a child at that instant. But Carmela would not desert her father, oven to save her- self; and as a feeble moan broke from his blood- fringed lips, she flew to his side. ; Don Manuel Camplido was thus given time to recover his natural assurance, and with a moody frown stood watching the maiden in her vain attempts to restore Don Felix to consciousness. ‘“Water—bring me some water, as you hope for mercy hereafter!” cried Carmela, turning her head. ‘‘ Water, or he will die!” - A harsh, insulting laugh broke from the mer- ciless villain. ‘*' You can pray now that you need my help. Before, curses were good enough. Call me dear Manuel—say that you love me—and the water is yours, my rosebud!” * Aid thus purchased would kill, not cure; and he would curse me for so debasing myself, ¥ spiritedly retorted Carmela. Camplido laughed, but took a leathern water bottle From where it hung from his saddle, and handed it to the maiden. ‘‘-You are only wasting your pains, but have our will. The old tleman has ridden his ast race on earth. He will never open eyes, never even recognize your voice— Mee And you are his murderer!” cried Carmela, chokingly, as she bathed her father’s pale brow. ‘Have it your own way, tnd ird.. After all, why should I deny it? A solemn compact was made—he broke it. There was only one way to secure my rights, and that course I am following. 1 would have wooed and won you fairly, but you were obstinate. From the I swore you should be mine, and mine you sha b e! A glad cry broke from the maiden’s lips, and she half pron to her feet as the clatter of horses’ hoofs became audible. A strange i swept over her face—a glow that spoke of both | hope and vengeance, © nigh run, for those men will avenge our wron ? So ss she a but then broke off with a heart sick and sore, for instead of displaying fear or attempting to seek safety in flight, Don Manuel laughed meckingly, and she knew that he spoke the truth when he declared them his friends. +f a to them, and see to whom they will turn before giving you an answer. At one word from my lips, those men would tear you limb from limb, and never change color. y will is theirs, my word their law! Carmela made no reply, but once more re- newed her efforts to restore ber father. Satis- fied that she would make no attempt at escape which would necessitate the abandonment of her helpless parent, Camplido turned to the body of horsemen. T ney were fewer in number than he had ex- pected, and some.of them bore traces of freshly inflicted wounds. A frown darkened his brow as he addressed the leader of the band. **Did those cursed fools show fight—” “Only the don and the lady—between them they laid out four of our number, and gave some others a few love tokens, as you can see,” grimly replied the fellow, himself nursing a badly gashed arm. ‘‘ We were taken by. sur- rise, for who would have thought such an old ellow had itin him? I would as soon tackle a full wn jaguar with my naked hands!” ** He is past giving us any more trouble, but all through it is a bad piece of work. Those whom he killed must be disposed of with care. If one of their carcasses should be unearthed, there would be fhe devil to pay! Even as it is, suspicion may point at my door, and if one of my men be recognized—you understand?” ‘I will fix it so that their own mothers could not recognize them, senor. Remember that my own throat is in danger. But about the senorita?” ‘ ‘‘That is my affair. Be sure I will never loosen my grasp until I am certain that she will never lisp the truth. As for the old man—hbe is not quite dead yet. I don’t believe he could recover even with the most tender of care, but even if he should, it would not damage our case, since he had seen none of us save in dis- ise. ‘* You bave not said all you wish,” dryly ut- tered the outlaw, who had been watching Don Camplido closely while he spoke, and noted his peculiar uneasiness. ‘‘ You know—they are supposed to have been waylaid by the Indians?’ muttered the rene- gade, still unable to utter his devilish meaning lain words, Gaspard laughed low, almost insolently. | | ae pan a sai fo pe. here s ul aes a é loose join the evidence, en ke trifle of hair? one takes life, what matters a Tis onl turning barber for the nonce!” Don mplido could not refrain from shud- dering as he turned away from the cold-blooded raptabt and yet the latter was the superior of the twain, for he at least possessed courage, Carmela was still devoting her whole atten- tion to her father, and Camplido knew that she would not quietly submit to be removed, so he called two of the men aside and gave them their instructions in a whisper. A moment later a blanket was thrown over the head of the maiden from behind, and then, despite her struggles, her hands and feet were bound. Don Manuel Camplido mounted bis horse and received the helpless maiden in his arms, then rode away. Gas ordered his men to follow, while he lingered behind to carry out the orders Don Camplido had feared to audibly utter, Almost immediately he took saddle and rode off after the rest. As he overtook the head villain, he smiled imly and for answer to the unspoken question, sli htly opened his shirt. roll of blood-dabbled white hair was re- vealed. CHAPTER IX, CAUGHT NAPPING. AFTER reading the arrogant young niard, Don Luis Felix, a lesson that he would not be likely to forget as long as he drew the breath of life, Joaquin Murieta rode swiftly away from. the spot through the gathering twilight. His brain was whirling and confused by the conflicting thoughts born of the swift-following events of that afternoon. The voice of the cunning i gg still rung in his ears. His pulse beat high, his blood leaped more rapidly pines his veins as he drew a mental pikture of the bliss hinted at by old Tio Tomas, “Tt could be done—one bold stroke, and heaven would. be within grasp!” fell almost unconsciously as he bared his fevered brow to the cool night air. ‘‘ Carmela might frown for a moment at first, but then she understood all —when she realized that in_ boldness lay our only hope of bliss here on earth, then she would relent and smile upon me again. FOREN. we would flee to tye nearest holy padre, would listen with a favorable ear to our story, and MMIELOOOLKS (GO) (C