Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 154 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

——— + = oo Pin > | they kept their places upon the wall. they are one and ell founded on fact. J. E. B., Jr. & consent, and the devil will gain an ally below the penalty at the “your | will set your | This at the loss of one on earth! Re I dictate. Speak clearly, or lisping tongue forever free with a bullet, is m ast warning. Are you ready? Manuel Camplido, ex-captain of lancers, which sition, through arrant cowardice on the field of battle, I was obliged to resign or be cashiered, confess myself a crayen scoundrel and treacherous villain. I confess that I hired Pedro Canales to play this foul trick, in the hopes of escaping defeat at the hands of | J Pee, Murieta, my master and better in every sha In a hoarse voice that told how terribly every word wrenched his heart-strings, Cam- plid began this enforced confessfon, but as oaguin proceeded, the villain’s voice grew more husky, and the last words, in praise of his bitterly hated rival, refused to pass his throat. The shame and ignominy thus thrust upon Sli lent him a desperate sort of nerve, and flashing forth his poniard, he urged his chafing horse upon the young Sonorian, Joaquin never flinched, but his revolver cracked sharply, and a howl of mingled pain and despair broke from the lips of the villain, as he felt the steel shattered by the wonderfully accurate bullet, and even the useless hilt torn from his hand. The next instant he was seized by the foot and hurled headlong hn the ground, while Joa- quin leaped swiftl n the horse, his revol- vers once more rea e. or use, as he turned to- ward the excited retainers and sternly cried: +. Reeady, there! you have no concern in this quarrel, and if you crowd upon me, the results be upon your own heads.” Universally as they hate dthe young Sonorian not one among the crowd was eager for martyr- dom, and like a row of parti-colored buzzards, Get up, dog!” cried Joaquin, turning con- teroptuou y to Camplido who, half-stunned, still groveled upon the ground beside the sense- less vaquero, ‘‘You have forfeited your life a dozen times over, and I have sworn to exact * Few names stand out in more lurid light on the blood-stained es of Western history than does that of gcegnn nriota. It is indelibly written in crimson let that cover the Golden State from one end to the other. It is still breathed with curses, deep and bitter, by those whose friends and rela- tives of a former eration were fated to cross the trail of the “* blood-drin mouster;”’ but it was a wise inted. that declared the devil is never so black as has been written concern the robber chief cand hi his — loits after he began career 0 blood in the Californian mines—much that had a foundation on truth, still more that was idle rumor if not deliberate fabrication. But the early life of Joaquin Murieta has remained untouched, though the writer of this has long had impo age documents in his possession which throw oraek subject. In addition, he eae known ren en who were nally acquainted with the Sonorian; one who ug, an the *“ pay-dirt”’ that Joaquin washed on the Stanislaus river, before the y brand of Cain was set upon his brow; an- other who rode with Captain Love on the death trail that ended in the decapitation of the great outlaw; a third who was born and reared within a day’ Sride of the Murieta ranch, and who never of recalling the boyish exploits of his daring playmate.t When rthe true history of Joaquin Murieta shall be written, it will be shown that he was the victim of a remar fatality—a chain of disasters and mis- fortunes that would have wrecked nine hundred and ninety-nine men out of every thousand. Those who knew him as a boy ese nis a purer hearted lad seta drew the breath ceeecqniens ¢ faults bundance of animal spirits, a love of nad & quick temper. He was noted for his truthf Minees. a land Wiere a lie is thought no sin tru Para eon is aught to be gained by telling one. He would wade through fire and water to serve a friend, and even as a boy, was remarkable for the rever- — he showed for all who wore the garb of his mo- er Joaquin Murieta was born in the capital of Sonora, in Mexico, on the 19th day of June, 1829, of well-to- do parents, who gave him a fair education for that time and country. Two old gam/usinos, or gold- hunters, were pensioners at the rancho, and to their tales of marvelous adventures in the then nearly un- known regions of Texas, may be, in part at least, attributed the fact of Joaquin’s running away from liome when he had scarcely entered his ‘teens. Al- ready a good shot and fine rider, the little Sonorian made the best of his way into Texas, and there fell in with the men for admiration of whom he was fated more than once to draw steel. He ae ane hunted with the Americans; he learned ir and all that they could teach him of prairie ne Indian fighting; he envied their skill with rifle re pistol, nor did he rest content until he could hold his own emg sabe ta with both. He made flying trips to his cm yen and could not content himself ay Jree men had given him a en OPE distaste tanta fot the de- graded race hanging aro e rancho, and one more he would ride away to join the comrades he loved and res He was in when the war for independence segan, and he po a ps side by side with his erican friends, Still only a boy, he fairly earned his title of manhood, and on one occasion General Sam ht upon oo ree several ple, but tion with _t From this, it will be seen that I am not writing ether at random. While no absolute ree for every incident sancmnd in this, and Sther volumes which may follow, I can honestly affirm that but for once I will break my oath. I will not Y deer ace my manhood by shedding the blood of wan a dastardly craven.” Weak and trembling, thoroughly unnerved, Manuel Camplido arose and stood before his conqueror with downcast looks. Truly, he had received a lesson which he would never forget, and a convulsive tremor ran over him from head to foot, as his rival uttered a low, mocking laugh. ‘* A miserable slave you are in looks, even as in heart. I give you your life, because, when this day’s work spreads far and wide,as it surely will, lite will be a far greater curse to you than death. Whenever you dare attempt to flaunt = borrowed plumes again in the presence of rave men or fair woman, some scornful tongue will whisper the name of the poor boy over whom you tried to ride rough-shod, and then, as you shirk away, you will bitterly curse the cowardliness that will not suffer you to take the | life that is only a living shame and a burden. For this I spare you; no ot through pity. ** Now climb over that wall, and go to where your saddle lies. Attempt to slink away, and I swear to follow and flog you with a whip until there are more stripes upon your body than there are hairs on your head, Go!” Thoroughly cowed, the ex-captain of lancers obeyed without a word, while Joaquin, laugh- ing shrilly, urged his newly a pure horse into a swift aston: circling over the level ground for a minute, then wheeling and racing at full speed along the edge of the barranca. Like a winged —— the noble creature rose at the wall, leap- it neatly, then raced up to where Cam lido, a en and owncast, s beside his saddle. The young Senorian leaped lightly to the ground. ‘**'You killed my horse, I take yours in re- turn. Saddle and bridle him, dog of a slave! Lively, now!” Never a word spoke ey ido as he obeyed, and the retainers watched the strange scene in open-eyed amazement. When all was arranged, Joaquin vaulted into the saddle and A pears omen ene 5 up the reins, saying: Houston publicly ethereal ite oBNIAGnted hikh'dn thp battle). With only « him on the battle- field just won, For one who has been granted an impartial view of both sides of the case, there is a strong tempta- tion to linger over the early and innocent days of Joaquin Murieta, but the story I have set out to nar- rae presses its claims. ine! was also engaged in the war between the United States and Mexico, but here the records are less clear and satisfactory. It is known that he anys 9 9 for his adopted country, shoulder to shoulder with his old niger} of the Texan war; beyond this, all is obscure, until Joaquin returned home after peace was declared. The wild, adventurous life he had led, unfitted Joaquin for the monotonous routine of the retired stock farm, and ere — he was once more a wan- derer, bringing u the City of Mexico, where a chance display o his really ot a OED | attracted the attention of General Santa Anna, ways noted for his love of equestrianism, who gave the young Sonorian a situation in his own house- hold Joaquin soon wearied of city life and its stately ceremonials, and by his own request was transferred to the hacienda where the opening of this story finds him. His new situation did not prove to be a bed of roses, The young Sonorian held a high opinion of himself and accomplishments, nor was be at all backward in letting this be known among his com- rades. He considered himself their superior, and scrupled not to say as much in plain words, Onl the almost miraculous skill which he displayed wit all weapons, his great strength and active tireless- ness, kept the more envious from disputing his pre- tensions at the r’s point. As it was, Joaquin soon found himself shunned and set apart from the rest. He would fe ae J have grown sick of such a ree’ had not a fortunate chance thrown him into the | ny of a being who was destined to shed upon his} fe both sunshine and shadow—a fair young Rx named Carmela F the daughter of Carillo Feli a proud Spaniard of the true sangre azw, owner of 2 a large | cattle farm which adjoined the Santa Anna esta One better calculated to captivate the heart of a te uin than this beautiful young azon, could imagined, and there was a spice of ro- mance thei fh first. meeting that strongly predis- posed them for what followed. While riding one day, nearly a month before the date on which this story opens, Joaquin found Car- mela afootin the midst of an excited a of half- bot cattle. An infuriated bull was making mad plunges at her, and though the maiden nimbly Piuded his blind rushes, left alone she must soon have succumbed to fatigue. Joaquin clove his way through the crowded mass, suok a bullet through the crazy animal's brain raised the maiden in his arms and with his stout whip, fought their way outside to safety. Not = then did a word pass between them, but Joaquin cot eyes, and they told him never before had eld such a marvelof beauty and perfection in a and form, torn orice a her a and blood- stained her hands, one which still grasped a slender dagger. The ip Be Bo: her adventure may be briefly sum- for a pleasure ride, Carmela, as she | va fe done before, the leader of | the ate some mischance her horse was overthrown, ts am she recovered her footing, the angry bull w upon her, the snorting herd swiftly closing around them, rende flight impossible. Her horse was Pl Ug with roken leg. Death seemed inevitable, but Carmela came of - — fighting race, and ker native courage did not | esert her J oaquin, the Saddle King. “One last word, dog: Ispare your life now, but beware the next time! At the first at- tempt to use your fangs on me, you die! This is the only warning I will give you.” He did not notice the ugly fire in Camplido’s eye, or he would not have turned his back so carelessly. While crossing the wall, Camplido had received a revolver from one of the va- queros, and now drawing it, fired full at the brain of the young Sonorian., But his nerves were shaken, and Joaquin only felt_the wind of the bullet as it grazed hischeek, Instantly turning, his revolver 5 and Camplido, without ery or groan, fell heavily upon his face. CHAPTER IIL JOAQUIN AND HIS LADY LOVE, As the double report split the air, Joaquin’s enemies made a rush toward him, only to pause ain and crowd behind each other as he turned. his still smoking revolver upon them. “Keep your distance, gentlemen!” he said, menacingly. ‘* Don’t crowd to your own fune- ral. I’m growing tired of being baited, and when I bite, I'll make my teeth meet in the flesh!” Once more the crowd was held at bay by a single man, and as he read the evidence of bis power as given by the pale cheeks and cring- ing forms, Joaquin’s rage quickly died away, giving place to a sort of contemptuous pleasure. ‘“‘ Gentlemen, we are fellow-servants no longer. From this hour 1 am a free man. Live on as cowards live, if you prefer, licking the dust from the feet of such contemptible scoundrels as this Manuel Camplido—I have served my smc Tell him, when he recovers, that I have ed his life yet once more, because I prefer his living to hear and realize the full extent of his disgrace. Adios, senores !” With a mocking bow and low sweep of his sombrero, the young Sonorian headed his horse for the wall, lea it, and then away over the plain like the winged bird of the desert.* Joaquin Murieta rodé ayy ee | away from the scene of his SEE APRA TDG, SOY IRES, 14 PORE Nine vim, but his t shines ab no With only a frail d r tin taced the monster, and as it low aren ite horns to impale her form, she leaped to one side, at the same time bend- ing low and striking full at the eyes of the bull. Her aim was true, and the sight of one eye destroy- ed. More furious than ever, the routing animal again charged—again she eluded him, and once more the swift, dextrously-handled blade did ii. work. — blinded though it now wa seemed guided by instinct, and the intrepid maide: must soon have fallen a victim to its fury, liad not Joaquin providentially appeared upon the scene. Proud and self-assured oes he was, when Joaquin learned the name of the maiden, he felt somewhat abashed and ill at ease. Carillo Felix was then a power in the land, fabulously rich and yr” uted the proudest of the proud. And yet, | after escorting Carmela home, Joaquin admitted to himself that he was over head and ears in love, ra mentally registered a vow that he would win her for his bride, or descend to the grave unwedded. He knew that Don Felix wou scorn the idea of an alliance with a simple om uero, whose only for- tune was his 4 good horse, but in his dreams that night were visions of a saoatilighs elopement, and th the sun he arose, far more confident than when he lay down. That day he showed far more cordiality toward the la. his fellow v had some than ever before, and as his adventure had somehow leaked out, Joaquin learned far more than was agreeable to him about Carmela and her affairs; among other items of news that she was then betrothed to Don Manuel 1 Camplido,ex-cap- tain of Pgs a frequent visitor at the Santa Anna en Though they had never come into actual contact. thanks to their widely different stations in life, Joaquin had from the first disliked the arrogaut don, and now felt that he fairly bated him. The knowledge of her betrothal, lent Jo a. desperate sort of courage, and he watched osely for an opportunity to meet the fair maiden who had 2 hopelessly enslaved hims That opportunity came y, and after it others, until the young ‘couple fell into the habit of meeting somewhere on the wide am nearly every day; but as yet no word of love had been openly spoken, though after each pE arting, Joaquin would resolve that the next meet- : g enous Ae : nd pret he knew the worst—until e 8 ardent passion Septen with hin, Pp and besought her Not many of these interviews had taken place be- fore Joaquin was warned of breakers ead, by Don Camplido’s rudely interrupting them and car- in Carmela away with him, The young Sonorian d have resented the insulting words promptly, onty for a besee ioe look in the eyes of the mai- den, who knew that her proud father's would be terrible should the whole truth be brought to his ears through a collision between the twortrals. The ensuing days were full of plotting and coun- ter-plotting. By means of f cunning g spies, Camplido learned that there was substantial foundation for his suspicions, that these meetings between his be- trothed and the humble vaquero were far too fre- quent to be wholly the result of chance. He could truly panish coe er . be me Se 3 ‘7 oe m of remedy the anno evil, by placing his hired assassin at work. But was not blind, even if in love, and on both occasions ap the secret attempts upon his life wringing a full confession from the lips of the second With these points understood, the reader can re comprehend the motives which brought _ the rivals into personal collision, as already recorded vat ae Ouse | cS (E | in these pages. Gomichboo (E(e)