Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 20 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

—— = — ‘** Because,’’ the other answered, ‘'as soon as you have departed, I shall go and visit the Indian villages: when the moment ar- rives, we must know where to meet.” " Yes, but how is it to be managed ?”’ ‘“ Shaw will accompany you.” A flash of joy passed into the young man’s: eye, although his face remained unmoyed. ‘*So soon as you have found the trail Shaw, who knows = hiding-places, will be sent off by youto advise me, and he will find me, whereyer I may be.” “'Yes,”’ the squatter’s son said, laconically. Valentine examined him for a moment at- tentively, and then turned to Bloodson: “We it so,’’ he said; ‘‘he shall come, I am greatly mistaken, or this young man has a greater interest than we suppose in the success of our plans; and we can trust en- tirely to him,”’ Shaw lowered his eyes with a blush. ‘And now,” Bloodson said, “it is late: we have hardly four hours of night left. believe that we have come to a perfect un- derstinding, and that we shall do well to “sleep. “We do not know what the morrow reserves for us,’’ ‘“Yes, let us sleep,’ Valentine said, ‘‘for Lintend starting at sunrise.” ‘Will your horses be rested ?”’ “Let them rest, forwe do not want them ; a trail can only be properly followed On foot.” ~ | ““You are right; a man on foot can pass anywhere,” fter exchanging a few more words, each rose to go and throw himself upon a pile of at Sct | ~ Don Miguel’ seized Valentine’s hand and clutched it firmly, as he said, with tears in his eyes: | ~~ “#riend, restore me my daughter.” “T will do so,” the hunter said, “‘ or die.” ‘The haciendero went away a few paces, but. then hurriedly returned to Valentine. ~~ © Watch over my son,’’ he said in a chok- lng voice, : ~ *Po not be alarmed, my friend,’’ the ‘hunter answered... Don Miguel warmly pressed the hunter’s hand; uttered a sigh, audretired. _~ A few moments later, and all were sound asleep in the Teocali, with the exception of the sentries that watched over the common eafety. . CHAPTER X, THE WHITE GAZELLE. ~ “Rep CEDAR’s eoponipn was too adyan- tageous for the Pirates to hesitate about ac- sig rr it. his was the reason : ~~ -Forsome years past a man had appeared on the prairies, at the head of fifty or sixty eompanions, and had waged such a rude war -on the adventurers or vee? that it had be- ‘come almost impossible to carry on their old trade with impunity. ~ On his private authority, this man had constituted himself the defender of the ‘caravans that crossed the desert, and protec- Of the trappers and hunters, whom they ‘no longer dared plunder, through fear of be- ‘ing attacked by this unknown redresser of “grievances. This existence was growing insupportable, ‘and an end must be put to it. Unfortunate- ‘ly the means had hitherto failed the Pirates to deal.a heavy blow, and free themselves ‘from the crushing yoke, Bloodson bowed The New York Library. ' ‘them r.. Hence they did not hesitate, — _aig, we have seen, toaccept Red Cedar’s pro- position, .. These-‘men had been acquainted with. the | bandit for several years: he had, indeed been their chief for some time; but at tha period they were still civilized brigands, if we may employ that expression when speak- _ing of such fellows, prowling along the fron- tiers of the American Union, assaulting iso- farms, and plundering and killing the defenseless inhabitants. ¢ _ This band, which was at that time com- ‘posed of, about. fifty, was gradually driven ey 9) “ve desert, where Bloodson, who t em like wid beasts, had decima- , sd them so thoroughly in many a fight, that the band, now reduced to. only ten persons, a was literally at, bay, and) eompelled to liye oe thes produce of the chase, o the rare oe- caslone or er stepts ered by oes Lia elers, whom their unluek r bro into ticity of tho Pirate jai sa As they were perfectly concealed by the tian arbtey wore, the few iravelers who es them faneied they had been plun- dered by red-skins, This disguise caused their security, and allowed them to go at times and sell the produce of their plunder Maths seapors towns. fey! e have said that the bandit band wag composed of ten men, but we were incor- rect; for one of them was a woman, .- There was a strange anomaly in this crea- a —————— _—- —- ——— ture, scarce twenty yoars of age, with deli- eate features, a tall and lithe form, living among these ruffians whom she ruled over with all the force of a vast mind, indomita- ble courage,and an iron will. : The brigands had asuperstitious adoration for her which they could not exactly account for: obeying her slightest. caprices without & murmur, and readyto let themselves be killed at the least sigu from her rosy fingers, She was, as it were, their palladium. The irl was perfectly well aware of the uncon- rolled power she exercised oyer her terri- ble guardians, and abused it constantly, while they never attempted resistance. The Indians themselves, seduced by the grace, vivacity, ands mpathetic charms of he young creature, had christened her the White Gazelle: a name harmonizing so well with her character, that she was known by no other. She wore a fanciful costume. of extraordi- nary wildness and eccentricity, which was admirably suited to the gentle, though de- ts and slightly dreamy expression of her ace, : , It was composed of loose Turkish trow- sers, made of Indian cashmere, fastened at the knees with diamond garters; while boots of stamped deer-hide protected. her leg, and imprisoned her little foot. were fastened heavy gold Mexican spurs; double-barreled pistols and a dagger were passed through her China crape git e, which confined her delicate waist. jacket. of violet velvet, buttoned over the bosom with a profusion of diamonds, displayed her ex- quisite bust. A brilliant-hued Navajoe za- rape, fastened at the neck with a clasp of rubies, served as her cloak, and a Panama hat of extreme fineness, decorated with an eayle-plume, covered her head, while allow- ing tresses of jet-black hair to fall in disor- der on her neck, and which, had they not been bound by a ribbon, would have trailed on the ground. This girl was asleep when Red Cedar en- tered the cavern, and the pirates were. ac- customed to. do nothing without her assent. ‘“Red Cedar is a man in whom we can place entire confidence,’ Pedro Sandoval said, as he summed up the affair, ‘‘ but we can not give him an answer till we have con- sulted the Nina.”’ ‘* That is true,” a second confirmed him— “ hence, as any discussion will be useless, [ think the best thing we can do, is to follow Red Cedar’s example, and go to rest,”’ * Powerfully reasoned,’’ said one of the bandits, called Orson—a little man with ig- noble features, gray eyes, and a mouth ex- penne from ear to ear, while anghing 80 as to display two rows of white teeth, w de and sharp as those of.a wild beast; ‘‘so shall I say good-night.”’ he other Pirates did the same, and ina few minutes the deepest silence prevailed.in the grotto, whose inhabitants, secure in the strength of their position, slept penceneny. At daybreak Red Cedar opened his eyes and rose from the hard bed on which he h rested, in order to stretch his limbs, and. re- store the circulation of the blood. “Up already!’ Sandoval said, as he emerged, cigarette in mouth, from one of thes ab ova was not so attractive as to keep me longer,’ Red Cedar, answered with a Smile. - Bah!’ the other said, ‘‘’tis the fortune of war.”’ .. i. ‘Therefore I do not complain about it,’ the squatter continued, drawing his. com- radé to the entrance of the grotto, ‘* And now gosslD, answer me, you pisgee : what do you think of my proposal ou have. had time for reflection, I suppose 7? “Tt did. not require much reflection to see that it was a good bargain,’’ "You accept,’ Red Cedar, said, with,a “Tf LT were to be master, I should. not make the slightest difficulty ; but—”’ ~ “ Hang it, there is a but,’ ‘You know very well there always is one, t joyey cz “Thats true; and what is the but?” .., ‘Oh, less than nothing; we must merely -suomit the question to the Nina,”’ That is true; I did not think of that.’’ . “Yon see now.” ? 3 **Cristo! She will accept.” “T am certain of it.. Still, we must dey it before: her,’’ ‘ “Of: course. Stay, comrade, I prefer you should undertake it: while you are doling ib, dem and kill some game for br t, Does that suit you , ‘Very well.’ ie ( **Goud-by for the present, then.” .. Red Cedar threw his rile over his shoulder and left the grotto, whistling to his dog. _ Sandoval, when left alone, prepared to dis- charge his commission, while saying to him- self in an aside: ‘¢ That devil of a Red Cedar is always the movement of joy. To, her heels_ same, as timid as heused to be: that results from not having been used to the society of ladies.”’ ‘‘Good-morning, Sandovyal,’’ a gentle and melodious voice breathed in his ear. And the White Gazelle tapped the shoulder Pt the old bandit, while smiling kindly on im. The girl was really a beautiful creature. She wore the costume we just now describ- ed; but she hel@ in her hand a rifle, damas- cened with silver. Sandoval gazed on her for a moment with profound admiration, and then ‘answered in a trembling voice: *‘Good-morning, child; did you havea good night ?”’ “J could not have had a better; I feel in glorious spirits this morning.” , ‘ All the better, dear giri, all the better: for I have to present you to an old comrade, who ardently desires to see you again.”’ ““T know whom you are alluding to, fath- er,’ the girl replied. ‘1 was not asleep last night when he arrived, and even suppos- ing I had been so the noise you made would haye awakened me,”’ ‘¢ You heard our conversation then ?”’ ‘‘ From one end to the other.” ‘¢ And what is your advice ?”’ “ Before answering, tell me who are the people we are to attack,” | : Do you not know ?”’ ‘No; since I ask you.” ‘‘ Tang ity they are Americans, I believe.” ‘‘ But what sort of Americans ?” if ‘‘T did not. inquire into such details ; te ‘me all Americans: are alike; and .provided they are attacked, I ask for nothing more.’’ ‘That is possible, old father,’’ the girl answered, with a little pout; * but I make tt grand difference between them.” ‘I do not exactly see the use of it.”’ ‘‘T am free to think as I please, I suppose,” sbe interrupted him, as she stampedher foot impatiently. [iy Fe > ‘ Yes, my child, yes-do not be angry, 1 entreat you.”’ | 7 “Very good; but pay attention to what 1 am going to tell you. Red Cedaris aman on whem Ido not put the slightest trust, He is ever accustomed to pursue a glooay Object, Which escapes his partners; they only serye him as a cat’ s-paw in all his undertak- ings; and he abandons them porn 8g 60's00n. as they are of no further use to him. Thé affair Red Cedar proposes to you is mag nificent at the firstglance: but, on reflect- ing, far from offering us prefits, it may bring a multitude of annoyances Op us, and bring us into a wasp’s nest, whence we can not ara pal »“*Then, your opinion is to decline?” **T do not say that; but I wish to know what you intend doing, and what our chances of suecess are |’ During this conversation, the other band- its had left their cells and ranged themselves round the speakers, whose discussion. they followed with the deepest interest. ‘‘On my word, my dear child, 1 do not know what answer to make you. Last eve- ning Red Cedar spoke to me of the affair, aud itappeared to us grand; butif it does not please you we w pire it os ill not mention it again; and that’s allabout it.”’ ‘‘That is how you always are, Sandoval; it is. impossible to discuss any point with ou. Atthe slightest objection offered you are up; and will notJlisten to the reason which may be given to ‘rows to o“Jam-notso, my child; Lonly state facts, However, here is Red Cedar; have it out with him,’ vf j ** That will not take long,” the girl answer- ed; and turning to the squatter, who enter- ed the grotto, bearing on his shoulders a magnificent elk he had shot, and which he threw on the ground, she said: } vo 188 “ Answer me a single question, Red Ce- “ Twenty, if it be agreeable to you, charm- ing Gazelle,’ the bandit said, with a con- strained smile, which rendered him hideous: ‘* No, one will be seem Who are the ople yoware engaged wi or Pees Mexican family,” tart Jig ‘“T want to know their name.” iT *T will tell it you. Itis the Zarate fam ily, one of the most influential in New Mex- Oo 4 ‘ ,; ie At this answer a vivid flush ran over ‘the = face, and she displayed marks of pro- ound emotion. nicl ‘I also propose,” the bandit continued, whose nofice this flush had not eseaped, “to finish with that demon, Bloodson, on whom we have somany insults to avenge.” “Good !”’ she said with increasing emotion) The astounded brigands: gazed anxi é on the girl. iy OFS 2 ee SenTt - At length, by a violent effort, the Gazelle suceceded in re-assuming an airof coolness; and, addressing the Pirates, said to them, in @ voice whose accent revealed a great’ inter- nal agitation: ta