Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 154 — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

| ; : ‘ ' Ut ’ = ey a eee re ars ee ———————— a = = ee Slee ——s= —— >. — | . —— 3 ’ SS ES eC SE Se : => a 2 c= * = > - —_ * , Fad) be 28 ee $e aining a position from whence they could look down upon the little wakes, where they saw Black Lopez and Sanchez, the one-eyed, in con- sultation. They were too far distant to overhear the words spoken, but when they saw the two ruf- fians clasp hands, and heard Black Lopez sum- mon half’ a dozen of the one-eyed rascal’s men from below, they had no difficulty in divining - the truth, Still, they waited until eo saw ) Carmela torn away from her helpless lover, until they saw Sanchez and his men bearing Joaquin toward the path which led to the level, then they beat a hasty retreat, only pausing when they reached a point from whence they could number the force of the enemy, and see which way they headed. ‘* Nine besides old One-e e—only a mouthful for us!” said Serapio, coolly. ‘‘See! they are taking the back trail. Come!” Swiftly they ran, feeling sure that they would in time to intercept the enemy, who would now have no object for pressing their wearied borses hard, Besides, there was a short cut racticable to footmen, which greatly lessened. he distance. At intervals one or the other ran up to the crest of the ridge, to make sure that the enemy had not turned into another trail, but each time they were reassured. ** We are far enough now from the hill,” said Serapio, after nearly an hour’s racing. ‘‘Over yonder is a snug spot for an ambush. We can reach it and have time enough to catch breath before the rascals come up.” Five minutes later they were lying in am- bush at a point where the narrow trail abrupt- ly spread out into an oval-shaped space, feel- ing sure that here the enemy would close ranks. And the result justified their reasoning. From double file, the outlaws came together in a clump, and then, like the crack of doom, the revolvers of the two oe eg argypons opened fire, not a bullet being wasted, but each one claim- ing a life! CHAPTER XXVI. RANSOMED. Tue terrible execution which can be done b asingle man armed with revolvers, is well-nig incredible, despite the many illustrations given during the war for the Union, along the South- westtrn borders, It was this wonderful skill that rendered the guerrillas of Quantrell, Todd and Anderson such dreaded foes. Whether riding or standing, at a flying or stationary mark, they could plant each bullet within a hand’s breadth of the center, and seldom had to fire twice at the same mark. Their weapons would work as rapidly as the ticking of a watch. So it was when the two scalp-hunters rose in ambush and opened fire upon the astoundel outlaws having Joaquin Murieta in charge, So swiftly were their revolvers worked that the different reports were blended together in one roll, that ended almost as soon as it began—/for lack of living targets! The enemy were not given time to realize the terrible situation. Not one was given time to draw a weapon or make a single motion toward escape. In swift succession they were shot down, dead or dying, and almost before Joaquin Murieta could realize that an ambush was being apreng by those who were friendly to himself, was over.* With a ef of delight, Serapio leaped forward and caught the frightened horse to which the young S vnorian was bound, before it could take to flight. Miguel quickly cut his bonds, and lifting him to the ground, supported Lim until his benumbed limbs were capable of performing their office. ‘After all, Don Joaquin, it is not so bad to have friends within reach, in case of accidents, is it?” chuckled Serapio. ‘““Look out! to cover—somebody coming!” rumbled the giant, snatching a brace of revolv- ers from the nearest body and thrusting them into the hands of the young Sonorian. From up the pass came the trampling of iron- shod hoofs, proclaiming a streng force, whether friendly or inimical. Serapio cut two belts with his knife, and carried weapons and all with him as he leaped back to cover. Searcely had the three friends reached this, when the head of the column dashed into the oval space, abruptly drawing rein as they be- held the prancing horses and the dead men. It seemed the work of evil spirits—so swiftly had all occurred. Scarce a minute since the firing begav, and now ten stout men lay weltering in thcir olood, while naught was to be seen of the Slayers! Only fora moment. Joaquin recognized sev- eral of the horsemen, among them Don Luis *To those who may object to this incident as highly improbable, I would state that proof can be siven where one of Quantrell’s men waylaid and tilled nine Union soldiers in as many successive “hots with revolvers, before a single shot could be Cred in return.—B, ’ — —— Felix, and he shouted for his friends to hold their fire as he leaped into the open. It was a rash movement, for Don Luis in- stantly recognized him, and whipped forth his saber, crying: “Tis the foul assassin of my father! ’Tis Joaquin Murieta! Charge—and take him, dead or alive!” , ‘*Hold! or you’re a dead man!” screamed Serapio, and with ready revolvers the two scalp-hunters leaped out and placed themselves beside Joaquin. Involuntarily Don Luis recoiled, and his friends also held back. It was clear that these men had wrought the bloody work before them, and with such terrible evidence of their prowess, the hesitation on their part was but natural, ‘* You know me fora man of my word, Don Luis Felix,” added Serapio, more calmly. “I swear to you that Don Joaquin never committed the crime which you lay at his door. The real assassin has confessed, and is now in our power, Pledge your honor as a Spanish gentleman to give us time to prove this, and we will quietly surrender. Refuse—and you may take us as best you can—but best sae vone prayers first, for my first bullet will probe your brain,” The young Spaniard was not all evil, He could be both generous and just when not under the baneful influence of Don ‘Manuel Camplido. He had been kept in ignorance of the foul plot which his pretended friend had formed, and really believed that the account given by the treacherous escort was true in every particular. When his father, scalpless and otherwise terribly injured, was brought home and the black charges made against the oung Sonorian, he at once collected a gent oree and set out toavenge the dastardly dee and rescue his sister from the ravisher. He knew the scalp-hunters well, and for the first time a doubt of Joaquin Murieta’s guilt came into his mind. ‘*'You have my pledge, backed’ by that of these gentlemen,” he replied. ‘‘ Prove your words, and I will apologize to your friend. But if you fail, he dies the death befitting a foul assassin and kidnapper!” ‘ “T accept the alternative, Don Luis Felix,” said Joaquin, advancing with his revolvers reversed in his hands. ‘‘I charge Don Manuel Camplido with the crime, and will prove it by his own confession. These dead dogs were a part of his tools—ha!” he exclaimed as Sanchez the one-eyed uttered a hollow groan and strug- gled to a sitting posture. ‘‘ He can bear evi- dence. Quick! question him before he dies!” Don Luis turned pale as a ghost as he began to realize the fearful truth; but be leaped to the ground, and, supporting the dying wretch, de- manded from him the truth. ‘Tell all, and you may die in peace. Refuse, and I will tie you between four horses and drag youlimb from limb!” Bold enough when well, Sanchez, like the ma- jority of rascals, was cowed by the approach of death, and painfully gasped forth the truth, wholly exculpating the ycung Sonorian. Don Luis arose as the villain fell back, dead, and in a cold, constrained manner, asked Joa- quin’s pardon for his unjust. suspicions, ‘¢ Granted, senor,” was the quietresponse, ‘* A man might be excused for doubting his own brother on such evidence as was given you, But now your sister is held a captive for ransom by Black Lopez, formerly a servant on your es- tate. Heis not far from here, and his position isa strong one, but we are enough to carry is by storm—” 2 ‘* And so insure her death,” broke in Serapio. **Black Lopez would send a builet through ber brain, or sink a kmfe to her heart, before you could win your way up that bill.” “* Pay the price he demands, and then, when tho Senorita Felix is safe beyond his reach, we can take ample vengeance on the audacious ras- cal,” suggested one of the rancheroes. ‘*Trust to me, and you shall secure both the lady and revenge without risking a peso,” confidently declared Serapio. ‘Give me the three best hands with a pistol among you, and we six—adding Don Joaquin, Miguel and myself—will do the work.” ‘Your plan—quick!” demanded Don Luis. “Miguel and | know a secret trail by which we can reach the plateau where the villains are located. While we are doing this, let the rest of you ride forward and summon the rascals to a parley. It may be that they will be expect- ing you, if the sounds of our firing reached their ears, but even so, so much the better. Their whole attention will be given to the trail by which you must approach them. Show that you know where they are located, before they can spring an ambush upon you. State that ou surprised and killed these rascals, but that Banihal lived long enough to make full confes- sion. Pretend that you SY willing to ransom the lady—use any subterfuge to keep them in play until we can get in our work. At the first pistol shot from the hill, charge boldly in.” Rapidly the words were uttered, placing the matter in such a clear light tnat there was no need of asking questions. Don Luis at once declared that he would be Joaquin, the Saddle King. one of the three to accompany the scalp- hunters and Joaquin, but Serapio objected. ‘**‘You can aid us more surely in front, senor. The chief rascal will be more ready to parley with you than any other.” So it was finally decided. Serapio selected three men of whose skill with weapons he was satisfied, and then he led the way at a rapid ace to strike the rear of the hill on which Black ie z had formed his head-quarters. t was nearly the same trail which he and Miguel had already traversed over that day, and the present attempt equaled the first in its success. They paused under cover from whence they could look down upon the plateau. They could hear the loud, coarse voice of Black Lopez hail- ing their allies on the level below, but as he oc- cupied a position on the rock from whence Joa quin had been lured into the snare, his form was hidden from them. Only a few of the outlaws were in sight, and those near the entrance to the plateau. Car- mela was lving close by one of the huts, bound, butotherwise unguarded. Joaquin caugbt sight of her, and forgetting all else, rushed recklessly down the slope. He was instantly followed, but the noise un- avoidably made by such a hasty charge,attracted the attention of the enemy, and Sey anne gave the alarm, which brought Black Lopez rush- ing. to defend his prize. he two scalp-bunters discharged one shot each, but this was to give the signal for charg- ing to their allies, since aim was impracticable while plunging down such a steep. Joaquin reached the plateau first, and paused not until he gained the side of Carmela, who ut- tered his name with a sobbing cry of great joy. He steadied bimself for an instant and covered the hideons figure of Black Lopez. Straight home sped the Jead, and leaping high into the air with a wild-beast howl, the outlaw crashed heavily upon his face, dead ere his carcass touched the ground. Joaquin waited not to witness the result of his shot, but caught up the maiden and bounded away with her to a safe cover among the rocks. She was all in all to him, and her safety was his main care. But still he did not shirk the ight, when once satisfied that the enemy were all in front, Side by side the six men fought, their uner- ring revolvers cutting down the panic-stricken outlaws as they rushed into the level. After the first brief skirmish, the fight degenerated into a massacre. Taken so utterly ty surprise, be- tween two fires, their leader killed at the very outset, the outlaws were like a gang of terrified wolves, whom the hunters have closely sur- rounded. A few died snapping and snarling in desperation, but those were the exceptions. And in ten minutes after the first shot was fired, the end came. Don Luis clasped his sister to his breast with more real affection than he had shown her for many along day, but be was only coldly polite toward Joaquin Murieta, and the hearts of the lovers grew heavy as they realized that there were yet dark clouds still overhanging their pathway. Byers being put to death, the few wounded outlaws were forced to tell where their horses were bidden and their ill-gotten booty stored. Then the rude huts were fired, and the victorious cavalcade turned their faces toward the hidden home of the scalp-bunters. This was reached late in the afternoon, and Don Manuel Camplido dragged from his place of concealment by Serapio and Miguel, who ref permission for any one to bear them company. The wretched villain was nearly suffocated when lowered from the den by means of the ladder of skins, and his senses gave entirely away when he recognized Joaquin at liberty, beside Carmela Felix. He was bound upon a horse, then the caval- cade resumed their march toward the Felix rancho. CHAPTER XXVII. AN OMINOUS BRIDAL. Ir was late in the night succeeding that on which Carmela Felix was restored to the arms of her suffering father. For hours after that meeting he lay like one in a trance, and all who were permitted access to his bedside, feared that his spirit would leave its earthly tenement without another interval of consciousness, But then he seemed to rally, and insisted on hearing the whole story of the. tragedy and her subse- quent adventures from the lips of his caughters. hough the surgeon and the priests feared the worst from this indiscretion, Don Felix per- sisted in having his own way, just as he had done all his life, and they could only submit, Carmela, despite her great a at his pre- carious condition, could not help setting forth the conduct of her lover in the most favorable light, and her heart grew lighter asshe saw that tie words were not without the hoped-for re- sult, Don Felix was hot-tempered and very proud, Gom Ehoo Ss co