Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 194 — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

: . 24: You know how I was brought to this pass and whose hand did the work. You know that Sheriff Roberts bas been my ally for years. He has in many cases pointed out the spoils ant I have gained them, after which he received a venerous share. Through all I have dealt fair- ly with him, even while my word might at any time have hurled him to ruin, The men of Mount Tabor thought him an angel when he ‘as a devil. I repeat, I have dealt fairly with Liu, but what has be done for me? He has given me the wound which is sapring my life away, and while I die like a wild beast in his lair, he thinks to go on in his brilliant career among his mle 3 friends. ‘Think you, Rolfe, that I will allow this?” “Tt is, indeed, hard.” ‘It would be if there was no redress, but there is. Lam going to Mount Tabor to hurl him from his proud position.” Excitement had given the robber fictitiou. stcength and his voice rung out more stronglys The face of his follower was grave, but he felt aed it was useless to oppose him in sucha Too, oa have warned you as to the result,” he salir * ‘*Can I hope for more if I go? Once in their hands I must either die or hang. When my story is told, the sooner death comes the better, bat Sreriff Roberts shall go down to the grave with me,” Rolfe said no more. His chief had but ex- pressed his own sentiments, and, as if could make a difference of only a few hours, it was, peraaps, best thut it should be so if Sau Anto- nio had the ha eg to withstand the journey. On this point the latter had no doubt. The excitement and his iron will would carry him through, and once in Mount Tabor his story could soon be told to Mayor James. Having arrived at a decision no time was lost. Two horses were secreted not far away, and he dispatched Rolfe to bring them to the but. When they came he managed to walk outside with the aid of his follower, but the latter had to lift him bodily into the saddle. Then Rolfe mounted and the journey was begun. San Antonio’s face was ghastly and if was evident that he suffered great pain, but no mur- mur escaped his lips and he kept his seat far b tter than had been expected. very motion while descending the mountain gave him great pain, but he shut his lips until his beard made one even vail and spoke no word to show it. When the plain was reached he breathed a sigh of relief, but even then he dared not at- tempt a pace faster than a walk. his ener- gies must be saved or he would die before the towa was reached. So he drank deeply from the flask of brandy and they went on slowly. Rolte watched closely to see that his leader did not grow faint and fall from his saddle, but while he watched he was not forgetful to himself. He bad more cause to fear a visit of Mount Tabor than San Antonio. So far as man could see, he was not menaced by speedy deuth like his chief, but if he fell into the hands of the villagers he might yet come to the rope’s end, . The thought was not pleasant, bat, knowing 5:1. Antonio as he did, he felt sure his old eap- tain would not ask him to dare such a peril and went unquestioningly on by his side. In this way they went slowly along the in- tervening distance and steadily approached the town, The wounded man still held out better than could have been expected, but Rolfe knew it was a fictitious strength which would vanish all at once when their destination was reached. They were getting too close to that destina- tion for Rolfe to feel comfortable. He watched closely on all sides, expecting every moment to see some foe spring up by the way, and his nervousness did not long escape San Antonio’s sharp eyes. The latter, however, had never in- tended to drag his faithful friend into danger, and as they emerged into the mountain road he palled up his horse. % We part here,” he calmly said. ‘Yes, here. Of course you must not go to the vill unless you want to swing, and lam so near I can now reach the place unaided.” ‘* But, captain—” ‘Not a word, Rolfe. Iknow your devotion, your goodness of heart, but this matter does not almit of a choice, There is but one way—you must now turn about and ride rapidly to safety. As for me I will goon to the town and do my work, Here, Rolfe, we, of course, part forever. ‘Your work under my bauner is done, and I am almost done with life. I part from you with regret, for you have been a good and true man, but the decrees of fate are inexorable. Com- rade, farewell!” San Antonio held out his hand, and Rolfe clasped it while tears rushed to his eyes. ‘** All good wishes for you, captain,” he said. ‘* You are my best friend on earth, and I would give my right arm to save you.” ** Useless, Rolfe, useless; but you can do one thing.” “Name i .” ‘* Promise to hunt down Abner Roberts if he escape. my vengeance.” , ‘I swear it, captain,” ‘““Good. Now, once more, farewell!” A warm pressure of the hand on the part of each, a heavy sigh from Rolfe, and the work was done. He wheeled his horse and rode away, not daring to look back, and the darkness had soon concealed him from view. San Antonio did not long watch him. He knew that only prompt action would take him to the village in time, for already he was faint and rpg fe and he must reach Mayor James be- fore he died. So he rode on down the road, and was near- ing the outskirts of Mount Tabor, when he saw two men approaching from the rear. They were on foot, but, at so good a Bnpe were they going, they stea ily gained, and he conceived the idea of asking their aid. He had begun to fear he might faint by the way, and they looked hardy and strong. He hailed them as they came up, and they promptly advanced to his side. They were strangers to him, but the reader has seen them often before—they were Pablo Diaz and Major Jones. ‘* Will we aid you?’ Diaz repeated, as San Antonio made known his request. ‘‘ Why, cer- tainly we will. How did you get hurt?” ‘‘A revolver did the work,” answered the chief, resting his hand on the Mexican’s shoul- der. ‘' You shall hear all at the village, but I am now too weak to talk.” ‘There is a good deal of shooting around here of late,” the representative of the Triad ob- served. ‘I suppose you have heard of Sheriff Roberts's little affair?” ‘* No; what is it?” ‘¢ He has done some wholesale murdering and skipped the town. There isa big search party out after him and he is likely to stretch hemp.” ‘Ts this so? ‘Tell me all about it.” Diaz obeyed and San Antonio listened atten- tively. Perhaps, after all, his sacrifice had been made in vain, but he would not turn back. Whatever was to be the end of Roberts, the Mount Taborites should know their idol as he was. They went slowly on, to and into the village, Diaz and the Major wholly unsuspicious of the fact that they had so renowned a robber in charge, and San Antonio not at all disposed to tell until the proper moment. As they passed they went within a few paces of a man who paused and looked at them fixedly, but they went their way without suspecting in what astate of wonder they left him. ‘‘Thunder!’ he muttered, ‘‘ what does all that mean? Why isSan Antonio, the outlaw, going to Mount Tabor? Judging from appear- ances, he is not a gap ee of those two men, but I cannot see why he sbould boldly seek the town. Perhaps he wants to confess before he dies, for it is evident his life-sands are about run out, Ah! there bas been a great change since Judge Austin and I fought the robber and his men that night. Then the judge was strong and well; now he isnear death’s door, So, too, is San Antonio, who was then in the flush of bis ower, I am the only one of the trio that is eft in good health.” The speaker stood like a statue and gazed after the three, but his thoughts were still busy. ‘“T have changed as much in that time at they, but not for the better. Then my hands were free from crime and I could look any man in the face. Now Lam a branded outlaw, with a price set upon my head, and I am not sure I shall ever be any more. Oh! what a bitter lot is mine, when fate pulls me in two ways as once, Now, however, the —— is over, and if I can to-night do the work | have marked out all may yet be be well. To-night I ride as an outlaw for the last time.” Casting aside all thought of outside matters, he strode on until he neared a grove of trees near the road, Entering, he went at once into utter darkness, but he knew the way well and did not pause until beside a spreading tree. Tnere a strong black horse was tied to a branch, and man and brute met affectionately. Then the former unrolled a package which had been secured to the saddle pummel, and a big hat and cloak lay beside him. He placed both upon his person in_ pro position, and then, to all appearances, Don Sombrero and his black horse stood side by side under the trees. Carefully the man looked to his weapons, his face stern and set; and then, swinging into his saddle, he rode from the grove. ‘‘ Once more, old boy,” he said, addressing the horse, ‘‘and then I hope our work will be ended. Let us look for our victim.” f And out into the night went the pair, horse and master, the hat and cloak conspicuous as ever. Don Sombrero was on his last ride! CHAPTER XXXVIIL DON SOMBRERO'S PLEDGE. At about the same time that the Triad began their work, Octavia Austin sat watcbing beside her brother’s bedside in the house. A great change had taken place in the judge’s appearance. Before his injury he had been strong, bardy and full-colored, but as he lay in bed, bis face was pale and there was every evl- dence of approaching dissolution, er Tw SL o ee =} -- Don Sombrero, the California Road Gent. ee ee ee Now that the first excitement was over, he was perfectly calm, and had it not been for Laura’s trouble, he would have had little regret to express. The physicians had probed ip vain for the ball, but it evidently mattered little where it wa-. From the moment Roberts fired the cowardly shot the result had been apparent, and be was awaiting the end bravely. He called to his sister after a long pause. ‘* Octavia,” he said, ‘I am going to ask of you what you will think a strange favor.” ‘* You have only to speak, Edwards,” she re- plied, caressing his hand, ** Are you brave?” ‘** 1 think so.” ‘* Dare you go to the acorn grove, with Dor- val for a guard?” “Tf you wish,” she answered, promptly, though plainly very much astonished, “*T do wish it, for there is something there which I wish to obtain, Go to the largest tree of the grove and dig two feet beneath the ground on the southern side. There you will find two articles, which I wish you to bring to “Tt shall be done,’ she said, arising. “I will call Viola to watch with you while I am absent.” ‘“No, no,” he said, quickly. ‘“‘I wish to be alone, and no one must know of your errand except Dorval.” She bowed to his will, though most unwill- ingly, and went in search of the man-of.-all- work, The latter made no objection when called upon, but like ber, he was surprised at the request. During his service with the family, he had never seen any sign that the judge ws insane or particularly eccentric, but this mis- sion seemed tinged with both elements. He secured a spade and lantern and they left the house, Passing through the gate, he relocked it behind them, and they wert on toward the grove. Octavia shivered as she followed the servant. The night was dark and gloomy, and their errand and the scene she had just left were not less so, The night venture was too obscure and uncanny for her liking. The grove was reached withoutadventure, aud the specified tree easily distinguished.” Then Dorval struck a light, and while Octavia beld the lantern, began his strange labor. After a few shovelfuls of earth bad been re- moved he plainly saw that he was digging where the dirt bad been recently disturbed. It lay too lightly for the state of nature, and he rapidly enlarged the excavation. ‘f am nearing the required depth,” he said. ‘‘ Work carefully, then, and examine every spadeful,” Octavia answered, deeply interested. A few minutes of silence ensued, and then Dorval began to hesitate. ‘‘T am below the required point and shovel- ing dirt which has never been disturbed be- fore,” be said. “Perhaps what we seek has been thrown to the surface unseen by us. Let us look over the earth already handled.” It was done, but not so much as a pebble was found, either there or where he afterward ug. He suddenly paused and looked Octavia in the face. ‘‘ There is nothing here,” he said. ‘‘ Perhaps we have mistaken the tree.” ‘‘ How can that be? This is by far the largest in the grove, and this dirt has surely been shoveled before.” ‘* How can we do now?” she blankly asked. ‘‘ Nothing. except to go back.” “Tt will be a great disappointment to my brother.” ‘“‘T don’t see any help for it. There is noth- ing here.” ‘Where can they have gone?” : ‘‘ Tf there was ever anything here, somebody has done the resurrection act ahead of us. It ne? maa been an outsider, or—the judge him- self, ‘‘ How could that be?’ ‘‘ Perbaps he isa somnambulist. It would be no stranger than that he should bury anything here.” They conversed for several minutes se a but, as they were powerless in the matter, finally decided to return to the judge. Perhaps, with more definite directions, they would be more successful. Leaving the grove, they started toward the house, but only a few yards had been traveled when Dorval suddenly paused and grasped his mistress’s arm, He had made a discovery, but she was not much behind him and both saw, a few paces away, a black horse upon which was sitting a man who wore a big hat and cloak which at once revealed bis identity. : : ‘Tt is Don Sombrero!” Dorval exclaimed. ‘Do not fear: I have a revolver and | fear no man living.” It was no vain boast, but Octavia scarcely heard him. Her gaze was on the road-agent, strange emotions were assailing her and she felt a curious mixture of fear and confidence, Pe Gomichoo (C Ss 4 (Xo) i 95 Cy Ww A OD OF re) m a =~ > 4 ot 6 i Ott hit oa ee Oe Aa‘ >. > =