Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 181 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

tn eee CHAPTER XXXVIL. i A DANGEROUS RECOGNITION. HALTING only long enough at the hacienda to get another horse, Don Diablo pressed rapidly on, and drew his gaunt, yer animal up at the door ot the principal hotel in Vera just as thé sui rose above the watery horizon, Throwipa tha bridlg rein to @ servant in ing, he entered the hote, and asking tor a i room was assigned a pleasant one, as bis ap- arance was stich that the landlord desired to t him with the greatest respect, But hardly had Don Diablo gone to his cham- ber and brushed the dust of travel from his clothes, when there came a gentle knock at his door, and in obedience to his call to enter, he started at seeing a Mexicar lieutenant and a file of soldiers file in. ‘+ Well, sefior, what means this intrusion?’ he asked, haughtily, though he did not change color or move. “T beg orien sefior, if there is a mistake, but there isa man here who says he saw you ride up to the hotel, and recognized in you a very dangerous person,” politely answered the officer. é ‘Indeed! and what dangerous person am I said so much to resemble?” asked the chief, with @ sneer, ‘*Don Diablo, fhe Rover, sefior.” A laugh broke from the pirate’s lips, and without the slightest sign of anger or emotion "Ara very 6 ition I shou'd very dangerous recognition I shou'd say sefior officer, to be suspected of being that famous chief—a man with a rope around his OCK, . ‘But the same mistake has occurred before, in Hevana and in New Orleans.” ‘*¥ cannot say, sefior, that I believe you to be such; but your accuser is a wealthy ranchero, and a person of distinction, and rode in from his Pe. this morning and saw you on the road, ‘*‘ He says he was once your captive and paid you ransom.” ‘*'You mean the captive of the pirate Don Diablo, sefior, and paid him ransom.” ‘Yes, ardon me, if you are not the chief.” ‘Who is my accuser?” “IT am here, Don Diablo, to face you,” and into the room stepped a gray-haired Mexican caballero, with stern face and flashing eyes. Don Diablo at a glance recognized him as one he had once captured and severely treated, be- sides having mulcted him out of a most liberal ransom; but be gazed calmly into the face of his accuser, ard said, in his pleasant way: ‘* We have rever met before, sefior.” ‘* And Isay we have; I will swear that you are use Dia he lathe ot " our name, please, sefior. **Don Romero Carravas.” ** Well, Don Romero Carravas, I am happy to see that 7 have the appearance of a gen- tleman, for I shall hold you personally respon- sible for this insult.” ‘*- You will be hanged for piracy instead,” said the Mexican. ‘*You are mistaken, sefior; Iam Nevil Vane, an American gentleman, and I own a partner- ship in the Canova hacienda ten leagues from here, and from whence I have just come.” The Mexican officer seemed impressed with the idea that his countryman had made a mis- take, and so suggested. But Don Romero was firm, and said angrily: ‘*T suffered too much at the hands of that devil not to know him if I met him at the ends of the earth. ‘‘l make the charge that he is Don Diablo, the pirate, and I am ready to thke the conse- ‘‘Have you no proof, sefior, that you are ou say?” asked the officer, again stag- gered by the ess of the ranchero, “Oh yes.” ‘*Of course he has trumped-up to carry him out in his assertions, but they are false, false as—” Witha cher, Don Dit lo had confronted his accuser and his fist, driven into the Mexican’s face, checked his words, and sent him reeling into the corner of the room, Then turning to the officer he said with the utmost coolness: ‘ ‘‘Sefior lieutenant, to satisfy you that I speak the truth, please let one of your men go to the Barracks and ask for Major Fernando Navaro—” ‘* My chief!” said the surprised officer. “Yes, for I see you wear the uniform of his regiment. * Please let your soldier say to Major Navaro that his old friend, Nevil Vane, is here and in trouble, and if he recognizes me as being what I oh am, I suppose you will be satisfied?” “ More than satisfied, Sefior Vane,” responded the officer, fully impressed with the danger of doubting the gentleman’s word before him, af- ter having seen an exhibition of bis marvelous strength visited upon Don Romero, who had collected himself from the corner, and with his handkerchief was mopping the blood from his face, for the fist of the pirate bad left its mark? **Are you satisfied, Don Romero, if Major The Scarlet Sihoolor- Navaro recognizes the gentleman?” asked the officer, and the Mexican ranchero answered wee, “If he knew Major Navaro, why did he not prove I was wrong—” ‘‘As for your being satisfied or not, I care nothing, Sir Mexican. “T punished you for your insulting words, and if you do not steer clear of me while I am in your city it will be the worse for you,” and turning to the young officer the chief offered him a cigar to smoke while awaiting the return of the soldier, They had not very long to wait, for a firm step Was soon heard in the hall, and an officer entered clad in fwl uniform, and his dark, handsome face showing signs of having had no rest during the night past. : “Well, Lieutenant Sagarta, what means this sending for mef” asked Major Fernando Navaro sternly eS ate officer, e ane spperently hot seeing form of the chief. ‘*Don HMomero called at the Barracks, Sefior Major, for me to come with him and arrest a person he*recognized as Don Diablo! but as the gentleman sends for you there must be some mistake.” ‘*Yes, my dear Navaro, I have been taken for that curse of the sea, instead of Nevil Vane, as you know me to be,” and Don Diablo ad- vanced toward the Mexican. Major Navaro turned very quickly, and bad he not done so, his soldiers would have seen his face grow deadly pale; but without hesitation, though his voice was ‘hoarse, from an effort to be perfectl calm, he answered: “Yes indeed, I am delighted tovsee you, Vane, yet regret this unfortunate mistake, **My dear Don Romero there has been a fear- ful mistake on your part, for this gentleman isan American vhom I have known for years,” and Major Navaro shook hands most cordially with his old friend, while Don Romero began: ‘*T am indeed sorry—” ‘*T accept no apologies from you, sefior, and if you do not like the blow 1 gave you, or my tone, I can be found here at this hotel. “ You, Sefior Sagarta, I thank for your cour- The officer saluted and with his men followed the crestfallén Don Romero out of the room, and the two, the major and the pirate, were alone, + CHAPTER XXXVI, A PAIR OF VILLAINS. For some moments after the withdrawal of the soldiers and Don Romero the ranchero from the hotel room, where Don Diablo had so nearly met his just doom, the Mexican major and the pirate chief regarded each other in si- lence, The face of the former was black with pas- sion, and he stood like a tiger preparing to spring upon his prey The face of the Jatter was smiling, calm, reck- less and defiant, and he leaned a st the win- dow, quietly eee | his cigar. Atlast Don Diablo spoke, and his tones were strangely soft as he said: , ‘* You seem to belie what you said, my dear la bad and are not glad to see your old friend ane. ‘Reno Quesala, I have half a mind to give you over to the authorities,” hissed the major. ‘I: would be worth it, for, let me seé, Mexico offers half a hundred thousand pesos on my head; the Captain-General as much more, the United States is less liberal, yet as anxious to catch me, while England promises to pay as much as America, so that you would get by the transaction over one hundred and fifty thou- sand doll not to speak of the name of hav- ing captured Don Diablo.” ‘Oh, curse you!” ‘*Curses do me no more harm, my dear ma- jor, than do prey ers do me : ** Ropes, pow pes er and steel I shun, and I take big chances with them,” ‘In the name of Satan, why came you here?” ‘*On business.” ‘*Curse your business!” **T don’t say so.” ‘When di a ven come?” ‘*This morning.” ““ ow ’ “Get your spies to tell you.” “Tt was reported that your vessel was sunk,” ‘*T have lost several since last we met.” ‘* And that you were dead.” “That is a mistake.” ‘*T wish it was true,” ** Doubtless.” ‘¢ When do ycu leave here?” ‘When I accomplish what I came for.” “And boldly put up at a hotel?” “Why not?’ ‘Hundreds know you.” **Oh, no, not here.” ‘*Don Romero did.” ‘‘But you knowing me got me out of that scrape.” . fii not do it again.” ** Oh, yes, you will.” ‘Never!’ ** You lie,” “* Sefior!” “You know it.” ‘IT say I will not raise hand to save you.” ir . I believe you; if you nwa you would — raise hand to strike me in the ‘*T am no assassin, Quesala,” ‘You are worse.” ‘*Sefior,” “Oh, you do not make me tremble, Major Navaro, 80 be less dramatic and more rational.” “In Heaven’s name! your coming here will ruin me,” ‘* It need not.” ** But it will.” “Not if you behave yourself as a villain should,” fi ‘ Pil not hear such language even from your ps. “Oh, yes, you will; hold! toueh that sword- hiltagain, and, Fernando Navaro, it will be the worse for you.” With a muttered curse the Mexican dropped his hand from the sword-hilt, and said, almost, pleadingly: ‘i ‘or eaven’s sake, Quesala, leave this city. “Fernando Navaro, you know me as I do you, ‘*‘T came here to accomplish a cercain pur- and I shall do it. P “ When that is done I will leave, and not be- ore, ‘* And your coming will compromise me.” ‘* Not in t' e least.’ “Tt must.” ‘No, but if I get into trouble I shall call or you to help me out,” “T will not do it.” PN lt he ¢ a Spanish gall ot for the wealth of a is eon, ‘* But for old friendship’s sake you will; you stand high, none better, with the gone ree whi.e your being chief of the secret service has ven you secrets to hold in terrorem over the eads of your superior officers. ‘*You can take me around to the club, and introduce me to your friends as your dear friend from America, Nevil Vane, and all will be well.” .*T will not do it.” ‘You mean it?” aa Yes.” ‘* Beware!” ‘You cannot frighten me,” “Then I shall a make known that when the then Lieutenant Fernando Navaro went on a coast surveying ‘xpedition with three su- perior officers, and they were captured by pi- rates, and he alone bravely escaped, that he did so with the consent of the chief, Don Diablo, ee OTA T t his comrades eath, go up the ladder of promotion. ‘* And more, that the dashing Major Navaro feared See and petted by women, receiv wi oo ousand pesos for informing Don Dia- blo when the Mexican treasure-ship was to sail from Vera Cruz to Jamaica for arms and sup- plies to be purchased there. ** And more, my virtuous major, I will—” ‘Hold! von would not dare make these — against me, for you would be hanged, an ‘*T would lose my life to hang you, my dear Navaro, for 1 know you as youare.” - ‘‘ Rnough, we need not quarrel.” ‘That is just what I said.” ‘Keep clear of me, though—” ‘No, no; on the contrary you are going to show me Vera Cruz, its Beniilon its aafiek’ tend its dignitaries. ‘Now remain and breakfast with me, for it will have a good effect, as the news has doubt- less spread of your intimate friend being mis- taken for that monster Don Diablo. ‘* Come, let us go to breakfast, for I am hun- g ” The Mexican dared not refuse, and the two men went ther to their morning meal. And opposite to them sat two persons, one of na started when his eyes fell upon the ef, Tout one was Guy Stanho and his com- panion was Lieutenant Roger arburton, CHAPTER XXXIX, ON THE VERY VERGE. Wiru the utmost sang froid, Don Diablo and his fellow-villain, Major Fernando Navaro, k of their breakfast, those who saw them ittle dreaming the dark history that lay upon the life of each, and the red deeds that lay upon their souls. Yes, there was one who suspected one of the two. ; It was Guy wtaginen Knowing Don Diablo, from having met him the night of the capture of the schooner on the Florida coast, and seeing him at the Villa del Florida, he felt assured that the oo who sat so quietly near him was the chief, is suspicions he did not even make known to Lieutenant Warburton, who sat at his side, for having arrived in port, and delivered the schooner over to the authorities, the officers GOMIGIOOKS=GO Se ee Oe SS ee os = -2->, === — = SS. =<