Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 154 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

. 4 ee hoe ea oe ee ane Se ae eS Se ee - = — . Po oes ros ~ 18 = a Ce eR Am horses of the lot, and cutting the lariat of the nearest, he led it cautiously back to where he bad left the saddles and bridles. Equipping the animal rapidly, be fastened it and then re- turned for the other. ! Now as before, Tio Tomas experienced but little difficulty in securing the animal he had chosen, and was soon on bis way back to where he had left the first horse. But there a most disagreeable surprise awaited him. As be stooped over for the saddle, a man rose from behind a bowlder just ahead of him, and cried aloud: ‘* Hold! who the foul fiend are you, and what are you after?” As though a hidden spring had been touched, the veteran rose erect. He saw that the man held a leveled revolver, pointed straight at his brain. But despite this, he flashed forth his knife, and with a howl of fury, lea upon his antagonist, just as the pistol exploded. 7 CHAPTER XVI. A TONGUELESS MAZEPPA. Tro Tomas felt more like a wild beast than a human being when he leaped upon the man _who had so suddenly and unexpectedly risen between him and safety, just as he felt that the goal was as good as won. He did not pause to recognize the fellow, or even to make sure that he was a member of the gang under Gaspard. He saw the leveled revolver, heard the per- emptory challenge uttered in a tone of voice that could not help reaching the ears of those who might still be awake around the camp- fire, and a mad thirst for blood such as he had never before experienced came over him. A howl of rage anda snarling curse broke from him as he leaped like a ther upon the man. The bright glare of the exploding pistol blinded him, and he was dimly conscious of a stinging pain somewhere about his head, but just then a bullet through the brain could hard- ly have checked his mad ferocity in time to save the man. Swift as the lightning’s flash fell and rose and fell again the gleaming steel. Fiercer than ever snarled the veteran gam- busino as he felt that his oo was sinkin deep down into the seat of life. Again an again be struck, his a guided only by in- stinct, for the glare of burning powder still blinded his eyes. He even laughed aloud—a laugh even more blood-curdling than his cry of mad rage—as he heard his antagonist oe. ing aloud for help. For the time being Tio Tomas was a madman, forgetting Carmela and her peril, alike with that which menaced him- self. The loud challenge was heard by the camp guard, and the closely-following pistol-shot rought each one of the ern upon their feet, and then a swift rush carried them to mee the death-struggle was still raging in all i y: The keenest eye could not readily detect friend from foe as the two men, both blood- covered and dusty, rolled over and over at their feet, but Gaspard called out: “Lay hold and drag them apart, so we can tell which is which!” He set the example himself, and strong hands were fastened upon the feet of the two men, and they were dragged forcibly oe". **Mercy—for the love of !” huskily rat- tled the one whom Gaspard held, and a ery of wonder parted the salteadore’s lips. ‘* Antone—what the devil does all this mean?” But no answer came to his question. The man—one of the most trusted of all his band— lay like one dead, blood oozing from a dozen wounds. Those whose gripe had fastened upon Tio Tomas found their task far less easy. Despite the disadvantage at which he was held, he fought like a demon, howling and cursing with fury, ceasing. only when his head was dashed violently against a corner of the bowlder. Knocked senseless, his skull almost fractured, the old man lay a quivering heap at the feet of his captors. ‘* Who have you there, Diego—Cenobio?” de- eee Gaspard, arising from beside his fol- ower. “The devil himself, judging from the way he kicked and fought!” growled one of the men ad- dressed, nursing an ugly gash in his thigh, ‘‘ An old man from his white hair—more than that, I can’t say.” Gaspard bent over and wound his fingers in the white hair, raising the head until the vet- eran’s face was exposed to the bright moon- ight. For a moment the mingled blood and Girt confused the outlaw, but then a sounding curse burst from his lips as he recognized the old gambusino, “Tio Tomas! what brought him here? I saw him fall to our shots, and believed him killed back yonder where we ambushed Don Felix. Who was it told me they saw him dead where he had crawled in the bushes?’ _No auswer came to this fierce question, and Gaspard did not press it just then. ‘‘ Bring them both over to the fire. All but five men come with me, four to ¢ these car- casses and one to watch the girl. ere may be others hovering around us. Scatter and Joaquin, the Saddle King. search every foot of cover. Kill or capture every living being you find who don’t belong to our ‘ , Gaspard was not one to spare himself or his men when he believed there was good cause for exertion, and in less than five minutes more the whole vicinity of the camp was under strict surveillance, which ceased only when he was satisfied that Tio Tomas had made the venture alone, or else that his accomplices had saved themselves by speedy tp ut one startling discovery was made, and, when Gaspard sound- ed the recall, the party bore back to the camp- fire with them the ghastly corpse of Perico, the horse guard. Gaspard was in a white heat, nor was his rage at all appeased by what he saw as he returned to camp. Carmela Felix had waited the result of Tio Tomas’s bold venture with what patience she could summon. So full of hope had been the old man’s words, that when the wild alarm rere J out, rousing the sleeping ladrones, she was fairly stunned, only recovering her senses when she saw two men rudely dragging her old ser- vant up to the fire. e saw his white hair gleam red in the rays of the freshened fire, and forgetting self, all save the misfortune of the Mae ap who had been reduced to this sad plight solely by his devotion to her, she arose and hastened to his side, unheeding the amazement of the outlaws at weer | her limbs at liberty. Tenderly she wiped the blood and dust from the face of Tio Tomas, then raised his,head and sternly bade them hand her some water. If there was any hesitation, it was only momen- ppl for there was a glittering light in her dark eyes that compelled obedience. Gently Carmela bathed the old man’s face and head. She found a gash that laid bare the skull just above the right ear, which marked the track of the shot fired by Antone. Without a tremor she probed the hurt with her white finger, then gave a sigh of relief as she satisfied herself that the skull had escaped being frac- tured. With a faint groan, Tio Tomas unclosed his eyes. He seeme unable to comprehend the sit- uation, and there was a dull, vacant light in his eyes-when Carmela spoke to him. This was the sight that Gaspard saw when he returned to the camp, and his pent-up rage broke bonds in a fierce oath as he strode for- ward and placed a heavy hand upon the maiden’s shoulder. “You free! who dared set you at liberty without my orders?” Either a sound . oy Boies, be the fomsie: tary cry of pain which his rude grasp force from Carmela’ lips, acted like magic upon the veteran gambusino, and a wild yell of fury broke from his lungs as he leaped erect and sprung at the throat of the salteadore, But now the old man had to deal with one to whom at his best he was but a child in compari- son, and weakened by all that he had so recent- ly undergone, he was quickly beaten back. A fonts effort forced him to the ground, then, with a ferocious laugh Gaspard knelt upon bis chest and raised his murderous knife to cleave his heart. - But the blow fell not then. Gaspard’s men stood by, rather enjoying the scene, and not offering to prevent the impending tragedy, but Carmela with a cry of oe HY snatched up a blazing brand and dealt the lad- rone ocienarsertings “sy blow upon the wrist that temporarily disabled bim and knocked the knife out of his hand. A murmur ran around the group, for they well knew the satanic temper of their superior when once fairely aroused, and they. expected he would bitterly avenge the blow thus dealt. He leaped swiftly to his feet, but instead of curses, a short, mocking laugh was all as he ee the glowing sparks from his hand and wrist. ‘‘A thousand thanks, senorita, for recallin me to my senses, though I very much doubt i ‘Lio Tomas will thank you when he learns all. A knife-thrust, if given by a strong and experi- enced hand, makes a short and easy death—too merciful a doom for this rascal, who has killed two brave fellows, either one of whom was worth ten thousand such as he.” ‘He was acting in my behalf,” said Carmela with outward firmness, but with a dreadful sinking at her heart as she listened to his malig- nant tones, ‘The sin, if sin there be, is mine, since Tio Tomas only obeyed orders. If any one must be punished, let it fall upon me.” ‘“Don Manuel Camplido will know how to deal with you on his return, never fear, lady,” was the meaning reply. ‘‘ You are beyond my jurisdiction, but not so this old fool. Ha! he set you free—he was stealing horses for your es- cape? I overlooked that for the moment, but he shall answer for it with the rest.” “Spare him—see!” and Carmela sunk upon her knees before the smiling villain. ‘‘I do what I would scorn for myself—I kneel and beg you to spare his life.” ‘You only waste your breath, lady,” was the cold response. ‘‘He has slain two men—he must die,” Until now the man who had foiled Tio Tomas even as success seemed assured, lay like one dead, but as Ga d spoke, he raised himself on one elbow, and faintly pasped: “T demand—the law ‘of the band—to name penalty.” He was unable to say more, and bis head fell back, a small quantity of frothy blood oozing through his tightly clinched teeth. But his meaning was per Bey Mgt) to his comrades, ‘You hear, lady! his is one of the nm ost sacred laws we have, and has yet to be bre} en for the first time. Were Tio Tomas my brotl:r I could do nothing to save him, now that Au- tone has spoken.” But Carmela was not yet conquered. She arose to her feet as Gasperd uttered this fiat the movement bringing her close to him, anc before he could suspect her desperate purpose she snatched a revolver frcm his belt, cocked and thrust it almost against his breast. ‘Spare his life or yours is forfeited, villain!” she cried sternly, and Gsspard knew that she was in deadly earnest. ‘Swear on the holy cross that he may leave this camp, alive and un- harmed, with weapons ard on horseback, or you die the death your dastardly crimes have de- served a thousand-fold!” There was no one within aim’s-length cf Car. melasave Gaspard himself.and none knew fetter than he that the desperate girl would slay him at the first move any of his men made to rescue him. Never before had he stcod nearer death than at that moment, yet he never quailed, never even changed color. Instead, a low, mel- low laugh parted his bearded lips. ‘“*T admire your pluck, little lady, but it will avail you sar 2 Unfortunately for your plans, you have taken the wrong pistol—one that has not been reloaded since the fight.” ‘‘Bah! do uot think to deceive me by such a shallow trick, Take the oath I dictate, and at once, or you die!’’ cried Carmela, but her face grew a shade paler at his words, and keen-eyed Gaspard did not overlook this point in his fa- vor. “*I? you doubt my word, pull the trigger and see—ha!” Carmela was convinced, and her hand trem- bled as she felt that she had played her last card, only to lose. Quick as thought Gaspard swept her hand aside, knocking the pisto] from her grasp. As the weapon struck the ground it exploded! ith a diabolical laugh of exultation, Gas- pard clasped her in his arms, holding her safe despite her struggles. ‘* Next time do not despise even the advise of anenemy, my little spitfire! Had you tried tle trigger, as I bade you, I would now be bait for the buzzards. As it is—Diego, take her and bind her hands and feet. She is too full of mis- chief to be allowed even so much liberty.” For the moment the maiden’s proud spirit seemed utterly broken, for she made not the slightest resistance when Gaspard turned hLir over to the care of the young Mexican. ‘Now Antone, your turn. Can you speak?” ‘‘ Brandy!” faintly gasped the dying outlaw. Without a word, Gaspard held a flask if liquor to his lips, and the wounded man neariy drained its contents ere he relinquished his hey . As so often seek in similar cases, ihe fiery liquor lent the dying man a factitious strength; acting with wonderful quickness, tut neither he nor his comrades were deceived by what their rough experience had enabled them to frequently note, and he spoke with feverish impatience as Gaspard propped him up against a roll of blankets: : : Quick! I must see him punished before I die —haste! ‘** As soon as you name the penalty, it shall be inflicted.” “ Bring my horse—it is hot and high-spirited enough, The son-of-a-devil wanted a ride, and he shall have it!” uttered Antone with a hollow laugh that sounded truly diabolical. — Gaspard frowned, and glanced swiftly over the circle of faces. They, too, were shadowed, and their ores sought each other with the same doubt that filled those of their leader. ‘*Do you hesitate?’ cried Antone, with re- markable energy fora dying man. ‘You dare not! The law is sacred—one and all you are solemnly sworn to abide by it!” ‘We have not yet refused,” coldly responded Gaspard. ‘Go on and finish what you have to say. What is the punishment you demand fcr your death?” ‘* You shall bind the rascal upon the bare Fr vir of my horse, his head to its tail. You will b.in:i the horse, and put a spine of cactus under it- tail, then turn it loose. “You forget one point in the very law you a «ap to,” said Gaspard, with a cold smiic. “It expressly states that mo person shail de- mand a penalty that, in being executed, sha)! seriously endanger the lives or lfberty of avy of his loyal comrades.” “ “Nor do I ask it—” impulsively cried An- tone. only to be interrupted by his superior. “Tio Tomas is no chicken, no fool, but a tough, bard-headed and cool- rascal. Such men do not die easy. True, on a blind horse, and bound in the manner you say, he would not have more than one chance in a hundred ef a ; Eomicbdooks (E (0) ¥