Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 154 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

2 = “a m2 8 a ee ee Per te ee Se, Fee pe == _ —= i, f eee ee —— 6 —— —- - + + Joaquin wrenched up his horse, drew one hand across his eyes as though to brush aside the bloody mist that seemed to obscure his vision then replaced his weapons with a harsh, forced ae ‘* You, is it, Tio Tomas? I verily believe I was dreaming in the saddle, and mistook your voice for that of— What is it you want? Why do you glance around so nervously ?” The manner of the old man was indeed pecu- liar. He shifted his position until he put the horseman between himself and the timber island where Joaquin had left Don Felix and Carmela, while his deep-sunken eyes roved nervously around them as though in momentary expectation of beholding some unwelcome sight, ‘Hist! don’t talk so loud, and keep your horse moving—edge toward yonder motte, where we can talk without being seen. Not too fast—I am not so young and supple as I once was, worse luck! though there’s a good dea] left of the old man yet, on a tight pinch— indeed there is!” Joaquin knew the old fellow well enough to feel sure that he was not acting thusin obedience to a mere whim, and once more his usual] self, he rode toward the clump of timber indicated, Tio Tomas keeping close to his side as though trying to hide from some evil eyes. hese two men had frequently met, and despite the ~— difference in their ages, a stron friendship had risen up between them, whic had steadily increased of late. If no one else, old Tio Tomas had noticed the frequent meeting of Joaquin and Carmela, and the knowing grin upon his frosty features showed that he was not without a shrewd suspicion of the truth. More than once, when the young Sonorian had failed to cross the trail of his charmer, the veteran set him aright with a seeming innocence that might easily have deceived a less close observer. As a natural consequence, the twain soon came +o a full understanding, and now, though Tio ‘Tomas was a retainer of the Felix rancho, Joa- quin hesitated not to obey. ** You know what happened back there in the motte, then?’ suddenly demanded Joaquin, darting a keen glance into the upturned face of the chattering veteran. ‘‘ You have been play- ing the spy upon me, Tio Tomas?” ‘ A spy—yes; but for, not on you,” came the quick response. ‘‘I saw the senorita enter, and then signal to you—-but I saw more than that. There were other spies—two of them—Pepe and Sanchez the one-eyed. I tried to warn you, but could not catch ate eye. You entered the glade, and I saw the one-eyed son-of-his-father- e- devil steal away and race back to the hacienda. I knew then that he was going to summon Don Felix—” “Yet ae lay low and suffered your young mistress to fall into the snare!” bitterly cried srs ee ‘1 did what I could, senor,” was the calm, al- most dignified response. ‘I am but an old man, weak and with my senses dulled, but I stole for- ward to warn you—and failed. Pepe—may the Seca. oe = ee pir rene of his ce, and that right s ily e@ cun- ning scoundrel must have had eyes in the back of his head, for he discovered my approach and leaping out on me from ambush, cracked my crown with a pistol butt before I could utter so much asa sound. And when | recovered my senses, Don Felix was already entering the motte.” ‘I ask your pardon, old friend,” and bend- ing over in the saddle, Joaquin grasped the veteran’s hand, ‘‘It was granted, senor, before you spoke,” was the simple response. ‘‘I know how to make allowances. 1 was once young, myself— young and in love with an angel who also had an unreasonable and hard-hearted father—” However interesting these reminiscences of a dead and gone past might have been to the gray- beard, Joaquin could not appreciate them at the present moment, and ruthlessly interrupted we Te Pepe th b epe the spy suspec your ‘purpose, he will be watching you ns 9 why this useless caution?” A hard, almost ferocious look came into the old man’s face, showing that the fires of his early days were not yet wholly ee se riened. ** Pepe the spy had keen eyes, and his tongue was nimble as that of a snake; but just: now he can neither see with the one nor speak with the other, When I left him, back yonder in the timber, he was quiet and harmless enough.” ‘*You killed the fellow?’ quickly demanded Murieta. “*I do not say that,” was the evasive reply. ‘The coward struck me unawares, and it is nd rule to pay — debts punctuall —least of all do I forget or forgive a blow. I saw Don Felix leading away his daughter—Sanchez of the oneeye did not return from the hacienda— but Pepe was still there. Before I left, he fell down—maybe he hurt himself, for Iam almost sure I caught the red gleam of blood as i turned away to hasten after you.” ith a short, hard laugh the old sinner con- cluded this significant recital. uin was little disturbed by it, for he knew that Pepe was evil enough to deserve any punishment, and _Jgaktiin, the: Sandie Fang his own affairs gave him ample food for thought and anxiety. 4*No one else saw mein the timber, and un- less I am seen in your company, senor, I can hardly be suspected of having any hand in the little accident that has befallen honest Pepe. And here is the cover—enter, senor; unless I mistake, I have something to say that will deep- ly interest you.” Joaquin rode into the timber, and as Tio Tomas seated himself on a fallen tree-trunk with the air of one whose budget cannot be shortly unfolded, the young Sonorian alighted and’ holding his horse y the bridle, seated him- self beside his old friend, ‘‘Tam an old man, senor, and many people imagine that I am in my dotage, but it is arely possible that they are the fools, not Tio Tomas.” ‘* No doubt, old friend, but I am pressed for | time,” a little impatiently interposed Joaquin. ‘*Some other time I will gladly listen to you— but now; you have something of importance to communicate?” ‘Tf you suffer me to follow my own trail— yes,” pettishly cried the veteran, ‘‘How can I m all clear, or you understand, unless I be- gin at the beginning? If I had been blind, could I have seen. how often you and the pretty little senorita met each other? If [ had been a fool, could I have reasoned out the truth—that Don Manuel Camplido stood in great danger of losing his bride—that you loved Carmela and Carmela loved you? Never mind,” with a de- precatory wave of the hand as Joaquin was about to . “You are in a great hurry. The oftener you interrupt me, the longer you will be detained. Let me hasten with what I have tosay. And then, it may be as well for me to be at my quarters before snake-Pepe is missed. ‘*‘T have wckse up several points of impor- tance since I saw you last. One was that Don Felix had learned of what was going on between you and Senorita Carmela, through the spies set to work by Don Camplido; but of that you have had sufficient proof. As to the other item, I must ask you to pardon what may seem im- pudence in me before I go further.” ‘“‘T believe you are my true friend, Tio Tomas, and pledge my word not to take offense at any- thing you may say.” ‘Good! now I can speak with a_ good grace. In ap ap place, do you love the Senorita Car- mela? “Better than life—better than aught else in the wide world!” was the impulsive response, and the ardent light which beamed from the young Sonorian’s eyes bore evidence to the truth of his words. ‘‘T knew it—you would be either more or less than mortal man if such was not the case—but it is always best to be sure, And unless I am purblind, the little lady is inclined to smile upon your suit? You have confessed your pas- sion; and she?” ‘“Only this evening, she uttered the words which | would gladly give my life to hear her breathe again!’ “You are easily satisfied—most men would rather live on in hopes of a still richer reward,” dryly commented Tio Tomas. “ But as I said before, I can make allowance—never mind: my love affairs are dead and gone, and [ll not trouble you to rake over the ashes with me, ‘*One more ureices did the senorita speak of the journey she is about to take?” ** No. at do you mean?” and Joaquin looked anxious. ‘‘That Don Felix, urged on by Don Camplido, has decided to put a safe distance between his daughter and the audacious young vaquero— meaning you, senor. No matter how 1 learned this, enough that my information may be de- nded upon. They set forth early in the morn- ing, with an armed escort, bound for the haci- enda of Don Felix’s sister, two days’ ride from here. Once immured there, you can imagine what little chance the dainty lady-bird will have of spreading her wings—or might imagine, had you ever seen that grim old griffin, her aunt—the saints forgive me if I do her wrong!” Joaquin sat like one benumbed by a sudden blow. Tio Tomas eyed him for a moment in silence, then leaned forward and touched his arm as he resumed, impressively ; “There is nothing so bad but what it might be worse, and though there is not one chance in a thousand for you, after Senorita Carmela is once behind those doors, until then, you hold your fate and hers in your own hands, if you are the brave, cool-headed man I think you.” ““What do you mean? Speak plainer,” mut- tered Joaquin, but with a growing light in his dark eyes that seemed to give Tio Tomas a peculiar satisfaction. “One moment, From the very first you reminded me of my Juanito—my only son, who was killed by the accursed Apaches when he was barely your age. In memory of him, I soon learned to love you, the more readily that I saw you were honest, brave and open-hearted. This is why I have taken such a deep interest in this love affair, and why I am now ready to play the traitor to my old master. But if I felt the faintest fear that you could ever provo un- grateful to her, I would rather cut off my right 7h hand than aid you. I know, too, that she loves you—that her heart is bound up in you, while she hates Camplido, whom they ould force her tomarry. That dog would break her heart in a month, and to cheat him is excuse enough for my playing Don Felix false.” ‘But your plan?” urged the impatient lover. ‘‘Is so simple that 1 wonder you have not thought of it yourself. You know the country well, There are plenty of snug spots along the trail where an ambush might be successfully laid. If well-timed, there need be no bloodshed. One swift rush and the victory is yours. One word to the lady—the mention of a holy padre—and she will not weep her eyes out. ou can find allies enough for the work, and to prevent un- ey consequences, you can rig them out as ndians, Now, senor, what think you of my little plot?” CHAPTER V. AN IRATE BROTHER. _JOAQUIN made no immediate reply, but sat in silence, one hand supporting his chin, a deep brooding look in his dark eyes. Tio Tomas watched him closely, a shade of disappointment. gradually deepening upon his weather-béaten countenance, Instead of this apathy, he had anticipated an eager enthusiasm that sbould earry all before it. “The project hardly seems to require so much thought,” he added, in a colder tone. “Yes or no, are both little words, and [easily spoken by a bold man who knows his own mind. ither the idea is a good one or a bad—” Joaquin roused himself with a faint smile at the injured tone in which the old man spoke. ““My answer would be quickly ry 4 old friend, were I only as rich in friends as you seem to think. The notice is very short, and besides yourself, I can only think of two men on whom I could depend to serve me in such a delicate job.” “You must not count on me,” hastily uttered the veteran. ‘I have put you on the trail which may or may not lead to your happiness, according to the use you make of the informa- tion, but Ican dono more. Iam olu—my days of cst folly are past. Besides, I am one of the escort detailed by Don Luis.” Joaquin interrupted him with a short laugh. ‘* Never fear, Tio Tomas, you have done your share. No matter how the affair ends, remem- ber that you have my gratitude for the good will you have shown. Good-by now, old friend. It may be forever, or it is barely possible that we may meet again when you least expect it.” A grim smile wrinkle and laid bare his toothless gums as he too arose from the log. His still meta fingers closed upon the young Sonorian’s hand in a firm gripe as he added: ““Don Luis is even more bitter against you than Don Felix, but from his choice of men for the escort, one could almost think him playing into your hand. With possibly one exception, he has selected the most cowardly and worth- less fellows on the whole estate. Sins shot, or a single good war-whoop from ambush, would put to flight all those whom terror did not kill outright.” ‘And 1 have not much to fear from that ex- ception,” said Joaquin, with a cordial band- shake. “I understand, But there is no time to waste if I am to accomplish aught. Good-by, once more. Some day I may be able to thank you for your kindness in a manner more agree- able to my wishes.” Vaulting into the saddle, he rode out of the timber, but scarcely had his horse made a dozen strides away from the cover, when Joaquin made a most disagreeable discovery, Out on the plain he espied a single horseman trotting along, bent far over in the saddle with eyes fixed upon the ground as though engaged in reading a trail. And a second glance con- vinced Joaquin that this was exactly what the horseman was doing; more, that he was lifting the very trail made only a few minutes before by himself and Tio Tomas. Shaiply drawing rein, Joaquin was about to return to the friendly cover, intending to pass through it and then ride rapidly away before his ruse was discovered, for he recognized the distant trailer and knew that his object in thus. seeking him could be no amicable one. But the thought came too late. The trailer raised his eyes, and, as though recognizing the young norian, he abandoned the tracks he bad Leen following and broke into a rapid gallop. For one moment Joaquin hesitated, mentally debating whether he should await the coming « f the horseman or wheel and rideaway. He knew the powers of the animal he | estrode, knew that he could easily distance the trailer, and pru- dence counseled him to do so; but then the red wale across his cheek smarted afresh, and a hard light flashed into his eyes. ‘“* He is her brother—let me remember that— but I will not run from him like a cur that fears the lash,” he muttered between his teeth, slack- ening his reins and riding quietly forward. ‘* Hold ! halt one moment, senor!” cried Don Luis, urging his horse to greater speed, as though fearing the young Sonorian intended t elude him by flight. the veteran’s face.’ Eomicboo (C S) Cc (@) mn - x