Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 20 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

eg * 4h att + 3 | wt “a hh» : ‘i, ~ ° « 5 a Py - 4 & — i .- . : ‘& E . . it ition aie) ie. ne ee ee ene _ Shaw. remained on guard, while Valentfne, accompanied by the others, and Sunbeam returned to Dona Clara, whom anxiety had aroused. ‘‘ Here isa new friend I present to you,”’ the hunter said, we to the young In- dian, who stood timidly behind him. “Oh! I know her,” Dona Clara replied, as she embraced the girl, who was quite con- fused by these caresses, ‘But tell me, Sunbeam,” Valentine said, after the expiration of a moment, “how comes it that you arrived here ?”’ The Indian girl smiled haughtily. “Unicorn is agreat warrior,” she answer- ed; ‘“‘he has the glance of the eagle; he knows all that happens in the prairie; he saw the danger his brother, the great pale- face hunter, ran, and his heart trembled with sadness.’’ ** Yes,” Valentine said, ‘‘ the chief loves me. The Indian continued: “Unicorn sought a mode of coming to his brother's assistance; he was wandering along the river-bank when the fog supplied him with the means heso greatly desired: he placed Sunbeam in a canoe, ordered her to come, and she came with joy, laughing at the Apache dogs, whose mole eyes could not perceive her, when she passed in front of them,” ‘““Yes, it must be so,’’ Valentine said ; “but why did not the chief come himself with his warriozs, instead of sending you?” ‘*“Unicorn isa sachem,’’ the squaw answer- ed ; ‘‘heis wise and prudent as he is brave. The warriors had remained in the village; the chief was alone with Sunbeam.” “May heaven grant that your words be sincere, and that we may not have cause to repent having placed confidence in you,” Don Pablo said. ‘“‘Sunbeam is a Comanche woman,’’ the Indian replied, haughtily; ‘“‘her heart is red, and her tongue is not forked.” ‘“*T answer for her,’’ Dona Clara said, im- Ve ita! f: ‘*she would not deceive us.” ‘**T believe it,’’ Valentine said; “but, at any rate, we shall see. Thereis some honor among the red-skins; besides, we shall be prudent. Now, I presume, that, like myself, you are allanxious to quit this island. My advice is, that we should at once take adyan- tage of the canoe this young woman has brought us.” “It is trué, then,’’ Dona Clara said, joy- fully, as she sprung up. “Yes,” Valentine answered, “a magnifi- cent canoe, in which we shall be perfectly at our ease: and, better still, it is capitall foundin foodand ammunition, Still, 1 thin we should not do wrong by taking advan- tage of the fog to escape, without giving the Indians a chance of seeing us.” ‘* Be it so,’’ Don Pablo said; “ but once on firm ground, what road shall we follow, as we have no horses? Come, Sunbeam, can yo give us any advice on that head?” ‘*Listen,’”’ the young squaw said; ‘‘ the Apaches are preparing for a great expedi- tion. They have called under arms all their brethren; and more than three thousand warriors are traversing the prairie in every direction at thismoment. Their war-parties holdallthe paths. Two nations alone would not respond to the invitation of the Apaches ; they are the Comanches and the Navajoes. The villayes of my tribe are not far off, and I can try to lead you to them.” “Very good,” Don Pablo answered. “ ¥rom what you tell us, the river-banks are uarded. Going up the Gila in a canoe is mpossible, because within two hours we should be inevitably scalped. I am there- fore of opinion that we should proceed by the sbortest road to the nearest Comanche dr Navajoe village. But to do that, werequhe horses, for we must let no grass grow under our feet.”’ “Only one road is open,” Sunbeam said, 0 “* Which ?”’ Don Pablo asked. ‘“‘ The one tk at crosses the Apache camp.” “Hur !” Va entine muttered, ‘‘ that seems to me very da\igerous. We are only seven, and two of thém are women.’’ “That is true,” Eagle-wing remarked, who had hitherto been silent; ‘‘ but it is, at the same time, the road which offers the best chances of success.?’ ‘Let us hear your plan, then,’’ Valentine asked. ig “The Apaches,” the sachem went on are numerous; they believe us crushed and demoralized by the critical position in which weare. They will never suppose that five men have the audacity to enter their er 5 and their security is our strength.” **Yes, but horses! horses!’ site Hunter _ objecte ‘The Wacondah will provide them,” the chief replied. ‘“‘He never abandons brave men, who place their confidence in him,” AL let us trust in Heayen!” Valentine ‘The Bandit at Bay. ‘*T believe,’’ said Dona Clara, who had lis- tened to the conversation with deep aiten- tion, ‘* that the advice of our friend, the In- dian warrior, is good, and we ought to fol- low it.’’ Eagle-wing bowed, while asmile of satis- faction played over his face, ‘“* Let it be as you desire,”’ the hunter said, turning to the young Mexican girl; “‘ we will start without further delay.”’ Thecry of the jay was heard twice. ‘“*Hilloh!” he went on, “‘ what is going onnow? That is Shaw’s signal.’’ Everybody seized his weapon, and proceed- ed at full speed in the direction whence the signal came, Dona Clara and Sunbeam re- maining behind, concealed in a thicket. Though unable to guess the motive which had caused Sunbeam to act in the way she had done, Dona Clara had, however, under- stood at the first word, with that intuition whicli women possess, that Sunbeam was to be trusted—that in the present case she was acting under the impression of a good thought, and was entirely devoted to them for some reason or another. Hence she bestowed the most affection- ate caresses on her. Knowing, besides, the destre for rapine and the ayarice which are the foundation of the red-skin character generally, she took off a old bracelet she wore on her right arm, and astened it on the Indian’s, whose joy and happiness were raised to their acme by this pretty present, Seduced by this nnexpected munificence, although already devoted to Valentine by the services he had rendered her, she at- tached herself unreservedly to Dona Clara, ‘The pale virgin need not feel alarmed,’ she said in her soft and musical voice: ‘‘ she js my sister. I will save her, with the war- riors who accompany her.’’ ‘*Thanks,’’? Dona Clara answered, ‘‘ my sister is good; she is the wife of a great chief; I shall ever beher friend. *So soon as I have —. my father, I will make her presents far more valuable than this.’’ The young Indian clapped her dainty lit- tle hands, in sign of joy. “What is the matter there?’ Valentine asked on reaching Shaw, who, lying on the round with his rifle thrust forward seemed rying to pierce the darkness. ‘*On my honor, I do not know,” the lat- ter replied simply, ‘‘ but it seems as if some- thing extraordinary was going on around us. I see shadows moving about the river, but can distinguish nothing, owing to the fog; [hear dull sounds, and plashing in the water, and I fancy that the Indians are go- ing to attack us.’’ ‘ Yes,’’ Valentine muttered, as if speaking to himself, ‘‘ these are their favorite tactics. They like to surprise their enemies, so let -us look out for the canoe,”’ At this instant, a black mass pierced the fog, advancing slowly and noiselessly up to the island. ‘* Here they are,”’ Valentine said, in a low voice, ** Attention ! Do not let them land.” The hunters hid themselves behind the shrubs, Valentine was not mistaken: it was a raft loaded with Indian warriors coming up. So soon as the Apaches were only a few yards from the island, five shots were fired simultaneously, which spread death and dis- order among them. The Apaches believed they should surprise their enemies asleep, and were far from ex- pecting so rough a reception. Seeing their lans foiled, and that the enemy were ready or action, there was a momentary hesita- tion ; still, shame gained the victory over prudence, and they continued to ad- vance. This raft was the vanguard of some dozen others, still hidden in the fog, awaiting the result of the reconnoissance made by the first. If the hunters were awake, they had orders to return without attacking them, which they obeyed. The first raft had the same instructions, but it had either got into a current which ‘urged it on, or, as was more probable, the Indians wished to avenge their comrades, and ee consequently advanced. This time the word of command was given oy Valentine, and the Apaches landed with- out being disturbed. They all rushed forward brandishing their clubs, and utter their war-yell, but were received with clubbed rifles, felled or drown- ed, ere they had scarce time to walk acouple of paces on land. ‘* Now,” Valentine said coldly, “‘ we shall be quiet the whole night. I know the In- dians ; they will not recommence the attack. Don Pablo, be so good as to warn Dona » Clara: Shaw and the Coras warrior will get the canoe ready, and, if you think proper, we will start at once.”’ ; Curumilla had already prepared to pul the canoe into a more suitable spot for em- ‘barkation to barking than the mass of tall grass and shrubs in which it was concealed, but, as he was about to leap into it he fancied he saw that it was sensibly moving from the bank. Curumilla, much surprised, stepped into the river, in order to discover the cause of this unusual movement. The canoe was moving further and further, and was already three or four yards from the bank. Completely liberated from the reeds, it was cutting the current at right angles, with a continuous and regular movement, which proved that it was obeying some se- cret and intelligent influence. Curumilla, more and more surprised, but determined to know the truth, proceeded silently to the bow of the boat, and then all was explained. An end of rope, intended to tie up the canoe and prevent it from drifting, was hanging over; an Apache was holding this end between his teeth, and swimming vig- orouslyin the direction of the camp, drag- ging the canoe with him. ‘My brother is fatigued,’? Curumilla said, ironically; ‘“‘he must let me in my turn di- rect the canoe.” “QOuchi!’” the Indian exclaimed, in his alarm; and, Jetting loose the rope, he dived. Curumilla dived upon him. For some minutes the river was agitated by asubmarine shock, and then the two men reappeared on the surface. Curumilla held the Apache tightly by the throat. He then drew his knife, buried it twice in the Indian’s heart and lifted his sealp, and letting go of the corpse, which floated swiftly on the river, he leaped into the canoe, which during the short struggle had continued to drift, and brought it back ‘to the isle. “Hilloh!” Valentine said, laughing “‘ where on earth do you come from, chi ; I thought you were lost.”’ Without uttering a syllable, Curumilla showed him the scalp hanging from his girdle. ‘*Good,” said Valentine ; ‘‘ I comprehend; my brother is a great warrior, nothing ¢s- capes him.” he chief smiled proudly. The little pare ad collected; the em- ok place at once, and the men, each seizing a paddle, began crossing the river slowly and silently, thanks to fed milla’s precaution of muffling the paddles with leaves. The hearts of these men, brave as they were, palpitated with fear, for they did not hg dare belieye in the success of their ing project. ee CHAPTER XVII. INDIAN HOSPITALITY, Nor only was the attempt of the hunters to eseape not so desperate as the reader may be inclined to suppose, but, it even af- ‘forded, up to a certain point, great chances of success. The Apaches, when encamped in sight of an enemy, never keep watch, unless they form a weak detachment of warriors, and find themselves opposed to a far superior force; but even in that case these sentries are so careless that it is extremely easy to surprise them, which often happens, by the way, without rendering them any the more cautious. In the case of which we write, hardly a few miles from their pace a and having an effective strength of nearly eight hundred bold warriors, they could not suppose that five men, who had sought shelter in an island, without the means of quitting it, would attempt such a daring stroke. Hence, after their attempted surprise of the whites had failed, they returned to sleep, some round the fires, others in the tents erected by their wives, waiting patient- iy for the morrow to attack their foes from all sides at once, which offered a certain chance of success. In the meanwhile the hunters advanced toward the bank, concealed by the fog that enfolded them like a winding-sheet, and hid their movements from the eyes interested in spying them. In this way they arrived in sight of the fires, whose uncertain gleams became weaker and weaker, and they saw their enemies lying down asleep. Eagle-wing, at a hint from Sutnbeath, -steered the canoe to the foot of a rock, whose commanding mass stood about thirty feet over the river, and offered them under its flank a propitious shelter to disembark in security. So soon as they landed, the hunters took Indian file, and with their rifles ready, they stealthily marched toward the camp, stop- ping at intervals to look anxiously around them, or listen to any suspicivus sound,