Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 154 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

« Fa ~ then Holy Mother of Merey! the mere thought causes my brain to ree! like that of a drunken man!” He paid no attention to the course his horse Joaquin, the Saddle } was following, even wheu b.s brain grew cooler | and his thoughts more co.l’cted. He weighing the momentous problem ard consider- ing the chances for and against its success, Finally a long-drawn sigh parted his lips as he drew himself erect and gathered up the reins ig his hand. ‘lt is too late now, even if there was ever a hope. At best I could only count on two sure ‘ lties, and even they may be absent on a hunt. With their aid I might succeed, but the proud old don would pee! resist such a small force, and there would be bloodshed. No, I will have atience and make one more attempt to gain his consent openly. After that—well, time enough to conjure up a_ remedy when the dis- ease is fairly indicated. Ha! this will never do!” Joaquin drew rein abruptly as his horse tossed its head and neighed shrilly, a quick response coming back from the gloom ahead, which the rising of the full moon was just beginning to dissipate. In an instant the cobwebs were brushed from his brain, and he was once more the cool, steel-nerved adventurer, equal to any and all emergencies. A single rapid glance over his surroundings showed him what had occurred. Left to its own guidance, the horse he bestrode had made the best of its way back to its familiar quarters and that answering neigh had come from its fellow in one of Don Manuel’s corrals. Joaquin was in no mood just then for further fighting, and trusting that the neigh of his horse had not excited attention, he wheoled and rode away over the plain until the rancho and corrals belonging to his enemy were hidden from view. Finally he drew rein and dismounted, after a moment's hesitation. It was a barren, desolate spot. Not a building, not a tree nor even a bush were in sight, while the sandy soil afford- ed sustenance to but a scanty growth of grass. ‘Truly a cheerless bed-chamber!” he mutter- ed, with a short, hard laugh. ‘‘But I can ‘rest here more eg than under a roof-tree to- night. Camplido has too many unscrupulous tools, and hates me too bitterly for a bed to. be a bealthy sleeping place for me justnow.” . Tt was not the first time by many that the young centaur had waterless and ay ae a soucht repose upon the hard earth, and with | vwsophical cheerfulness he staked out his ures to graz on the seanty herbage, then rolled i.imself in his bianket and lay down with his saddle for a pillow. But sleep was tardy in vis- iting his eyelids that night. He had so much matter for thought—so many events of moment had occurred that day. From what has been placed before the reader, the general drift of his —E may easily be Pi ees na Se) weariness of body conquered his busy brain, and Joaquin sunk into a profound sleep that would have lasted until daydawn, had he not been awakened by the loud, ' startled snort and quick pk of his horse’s hoofs. Instantly he was wide awake, every sense on the full alert, cool and ready for any emergency, thanks to his early training in the school of danger. He did not leap to his feet, made no conspicuous move; only one hand glided to the butt of his revolver while his eyes from under his broad sombrero roved keenly around him, A heavy cloud was or sailing across ee face of the moon, but the light emitted by the twinkling stars was sufficient for him tosee that Camplido’s horse stood near him, its proud head erect, its distended nostrils quivering as though it scented danger in the air. Besides. this, naught else could Joaquin discover unless— What was yonder dimly outlined shadow lying close to the earth’s surface? He could recall no natural obstacle which had been there before he lay down to sleep—his cunning enemies were upon him! oh ‘ Searcely had this, thought fashioned itself when it was dissipated by a long-drawn, lugu- brious howl that came from the shadow, and J wg tensely strained muscles relaxed. ‘Bah! ’tis nothing more than a prowling wolf who thought to catch my good horse napping,” he muttered, but the ous animal snorted again, and as it tossed its head, Joaquin saw that only a fragment of its lasso dangled from its neck. Still he thought not of danger to himself, believing that the wolf in eager | the horse had caused it to break away, and he arose to cure the animal lest he be left afoot, ‘he frightened creature started back at his . pproach, and Joaquin followed, speaking softly aud soothingly, intent only on recovering his mount. He saw not that the pretended wolf suddenly arose erect and sprung into rapid action—suspected nothing of the peril that threatened until, with an ominous whish, the noose of a lasso settled fairly around him, and with great force he was hurled to the ground! tS Rate a“ a man like yonavin Mupiete wor i an. emergency, and scarcely had his bd ‘touched the earth before his keen knife flashed forth from its sheath and described a swift circle around his head. Then camea was | y so, Jose spo Are 4G SP —_— eo ronounce the words that make us one. sharp twang as the taut cord was severed, and an angry cry came from the gloom beyond. Joaquin leaped to his feet like a rinther, and faced in the direction from whence came the cry, but as he did so, heard a horse’s hoofs thumping upon the sandy soil, and caught a glimpse of a horseman dashing straight for him, with the apparent intention of riding him down. He felt for a revolver as he faced this new foe, but before he could draw it, the deadly coils of another lasso fell about him, and with a yell of demoniac triumph the horseman wheeled and dashed away over the sandy plain. © Again the young Sonorian was hurled to the earth, but this time both arms were pinned close to his sides, and he was helpless, The noose tightened around his body until it seemed as though he was being cut in two, then he felt himself dragged swiftly over the ground at the heels of the flying horse—after which came insensibility. But it was not the intention of his enemies to kill him then and thus, and ere the horse had taken a dozen leaps, its rider drew rein, but still kept the rope taut, one hand grasping the rope much asa fisherman fingers his line when he In obedience to his shout, the man who had so well played the part of a wolf, came running up and pounced upon the senseless body. ‘‘T have him safe—slacken the rope!” be cried out. ‘*Careful!” warned Pedro Canales, “ He is cunning as a fox and stronger than a mad bull !” “He is quiet enough now, never fear,” brutal- ly laughed the other, as he arose from disarm- ing the luckless Sonorian. ‘Not dead? If we haye so botched the job, you may carry the news to the captain, for 11 not venture within reach of his arm until he has first blown off steam!” Canales rode up and alighted, bending over Joaquin with an anxiety not at all assumed. But this lasted only a moment. Laughing fe- rociously he produced a pair of handcuffs and rolling the body over on its face, fastened the oung Sonorian’s hands bebind his back. * Allis well so far,” he uttered, arising and’ rudely rolling Joaquin over with his foot. ** We'll get him safe under cover‘and soon finger the reward Don Manuel offered for this game chicken. Go you and catch the master’s horse, feels a fish nosing the bait. As he spoke, Joaquin recovered his senses, and with an elastic bound regained his feet, but the noose of the lasso was still around his body, and leaping lightly backward, Pedro Ca- nales gave a vigorous jerk to the rope, throwing Murieta heavily forward upon his face. ' The next instant a heavy foot was set upon Joa- quin’s neck, and the villain cried: “Lie still, you dog! Attempt to rise and I will grind your face into the sand until there remains but little of the beauty you are so proud of, °T y—tis mine now! You took me unawares, and lashed me like hagow scopy Pond I swore revenge then, though it took a. Ap Bala ho I did not think my opportunity would come so soon. But now —how do you relish a good dose of the medicine you dealt ont to me so tga oh As he spoke the heavy rawhide quirt hissed "Twas your turn through the air and fell with s ng force u Murieta’s shoulders. A muffled howl of fry came from the youn Sonorian as he strugg to free himself, but Pedro Canales only bore the more heavily upon his neck, and plied the with all the force of his strong arm, laughing, cursing and railing all in the same breath. Had he been left to wreak his furious hatred unchecked, the chances are that Joaquin would have died like a slave beneath the las , but Jose came running up with the horse, and grasped the arm of bis ferocious comrade. . you crazy, man?’ he cried, angrily. ‘* The master said it would be double pay if we brought him in alive. I have an interest in this Job, and unless you let up, I'll slipa knife be- ween your ribs—you hear?” Reluctantly the ruffian held his hand and re- moved his foot from the neck of the v a Despite the terrible punishment he had received, Joaquin was not disabled, nor was his fie: irit subdued. Rolling over, his eyes bevel like living coals in the clear moonlight as he glared defiantly up at his tormentor. ‘‘ Better make an end of the job while you have me foul, Pedro Canales!” he grated, his voice husky with the furious hatred that tore his heart. ‘‘ Once free, I swear never to know rest until I have hunted you down, made you suffer a death for every blow you dealt me!’ The ruffian laughed insolently as he pe the sole of one dirty boot upon the lips of the vaquero. ‘*'You will never be more free than you are at this moment, dog! Death’s seal is already ped on your forehead, and yoo can ima the nature of the doom in store for you when I say that Don Manuel Camplido hired us to capture you—that he is now awaiting your coming. After he has satisfied his revenge, we poor devils will have little to dread from your vengeance.” “Too much talk,” testily interposed Juse. ‘tight and the enemies p 11 * We haven’t got him to the rancho yet, and the deyvit only knows how much may happen between now and then.” ‘Bah! not even Satan himself can loosen my grip on the dog!” growled Canales, but none the ess he set about making preparations for the journey with his captive. He changed the noose of the lasso from around Joaquin’s body to his throat, then kicked bim‘rudely in the side. ‘*Get up, dog, unless you prefer being dragged to the rancho by the neck, Ha! your spirit is colt ?” he laughed mockingly as Murieta arose to his feet. Joaquin made no reply, and he lowered the lids ot his eyes to conceal the fire of deadly hatred that burned therein. He was wise enough to see that any present attempt to resist would only render his case more desperate, and though, at that moment, he would joyfully have given his own life in exchange for that of Pedro Canales, he did not care to make the sac- rifice without the faintest hope of reward. Jose watched the movements of his comrade with an air of disapproval that soon found ut- terance in words. ‘“There is a spare horse—better tie him in the saddle. It will be safer that way, and we will be the sooner at the rancho,” ‘The cursed hound shall never cross saddle again!” declared Pedro Canales with an ugly oath, ‘‘ He shall walk to his doom—and like a condemned slave, a noose about his throat, led at my horse’s tail, Troned and unarmed, what can he do? Butif you still have fears, ride at his heels. What I have said I mean, and all roucan say will not alter wap PB 09 ny Se the urly ruffian growled as he leaped into the saddle, Knowing that further expostulation would be worse than useless, Jose, riding his own ani- mal and leading the horse Joaquin had taken from Don Manuel Camplido, followed on in the rear of his truculent comrade, keenly watching the captive. : Canales shortened the lasso until Joaquin was forced to <a close to his horse’s bots to avoid being choked, and rode on toward the Camplido rancho, jeering his captive, uttariga all the insults so foul a mind could conceive, now and then brutally jerking the lasso with + be ag lread h frenzy b oaquin was already wrought to b the treatment he had received, and at length Pouaee “doy ne insolence ia sea “i ollec powers, Joaquin uttered o pow ire ee = Sree ci d beast 9 and eap ) ‘d he astride the horse behind the Vephadded reniet . : Joaquin’s hands were helpless, but he fastened his strong teeth upon the throat of his brutal tormentor, making them meet in the flesh. The startled horse made a sidelong leap that un- seated its double burden, then dashed away over the plain. Snarling like some mad_ beast, Joaquin blind- ly tore at the throat of his enemy, who was screaming for help and Maing Regt to beat off his assailant, when the | ed and tore them asunder, The oh t ny ‘ ° norian was - gged over the pinin by the noose aroun his throat! CHAPTER X. . . CAMPLIDO TRIUMPHANT. JOSE, in common with more than one of those who had affected to scorn and look down upon the rather self-sufficient young vaquero, underwent a considerable change of opinicn when he heard how Joaquin Murieta had de- feated Don Manuel Camplido, and then “held ° the fort” against the others. Not that he hated Joaquin less, but respected his personal prowess more. When Pedro Canales refused to make all sure by binding their prisoner in his saddle, Jose resolved not to lose his share of the reward through any carelessness or over-confidence, and rode close behind Joaquin, bis lasso coiled peels, fOr instant use in case an emergency oO ; For all that, he was taken nearly as much by cape as was Pedro Canaan, when as aap made his wonderful leap and assailed th: ¢ brutal rascal, For a moment he was too amaz<| to think of eon a band in defense of his con.- rade, but when they two fell to the ground t: - gether and the horse dashed away, he instant) y realized the risk he ran of 1 Peed Ole half of his share of the reward offered by Dou Manuel Camplido for the production of Joaquin . Murieta, a living captive. His urs struck deep as he urged his horse forward, not to the rescue of Pedro Canali « who sent forth wild screams for aid ist tho human tiger whose strong teeth were tearing: « t, but heading straight for the 1 - mustang. For he knew that one end: f the | was fastened to the. p f tl saddle vere by Pedro’ fe ee ile the ard still encircled the throat. of th youny ) Proaptiy ad he ac the lasso was drawn ucked violently apart before the noose of his own lariat settled fairly over the head of the runaway. JOOKS cio) S@LMUIC