Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 20 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

~ -—— a CHAPTER II, THE AMBUSCADE, ANOTHER band had entered the desert at the heels of the troop commanded by Red Cedar. | This, band, guided by Valentine Guillois, the Trail-Hunter, was composed of Curu- milla, the Indian chief, General Ibanez, Don Miguel Zarate, and his son, Don Pablo, These men were seeking vengeance. On reaching the Indian territory, Valen- tine Jooked inquiringly round him, and stop- ping his horse, turned to Don Miguel. “ Before going further,” he said, ‘‘I think we had better held a council, and settle a plan of campaign from which we will not de- viate.”’ | “ My friend,”’ Don Miguel answered, ‘‘ you know that all our hopes rest on you: act, therefore, as you think advisable.” “Good,” Valentine said; ‘“‘this is the hour when the heat compels all living crea- tures in the desert to seek shelter under the shade of the trees, so we will halt; the spot where we now are is admirably suited for a day’s bivouac,”’ c “Be it so,”’ the haciendero, answered, la- conieally. The horsemen, dismounted, and removed their horses” bits, so that the poor creatures might obtain a little nourishment by nib- bling the scanty and. parched , grass which grew on this ungrateful soil. 7 The spot was really admirably chosen: it was w large clearing traversed by one of those nameless streams which, intersect the prairie in eyery direction, and which, after a course Of a few miles. go to swell the rivers in which. they are lost, "A dense dome of foliage offered the travel. ers an indispensable shelter against the burn- ing rays.of a vertical sun. “Althoust it was about mid-day, the air in tiie clearing, refreshed by the exhalations of the streain, invited them to enjoy that day- sleep so well called the siesta. But the travelers had something more se- rious to attend to than sleep. As s00n as all the precautions were taken against any possible attack, Valentine sat corn at the foot of a tree, making his friends a sign to join him. The tirte whites immediately acquieseed, while Curumilla, according to his wont, went rifle in hand to the skirt of the clear- ing, to watch over the safety of all. Rtter a few moments’ reflection, Valentine took the word: | _*¥riends,”’ he said, ‘‘ the moment has ar- rived for a frank explanation: we are at present. on the enemy’s territory; the desert extends for more than two thousand miles around us. We shall have to fight not only with the white men or red-skins we meet on our road, but also contend with hunger, thirst, and wild beasts of every description. Do not try to give my words any other meaning than that I myself attach to them. You have known me a long time,. Don gu el, and the friendship I have vowed to fe . | , _ “T know it, and thank you,’’ Don Miguel said, gratefully. _ “In short,’’ Valentine continued, ‘‘no ob- stacle, of whatever nature it may be, will be werful ong to che¢k me in the mission have undertaken,” | ‘Lam convinced of it, my friend.’’ “Good; but I am an old wood-ranger; desert-life, with its privations and_ perils, is rfectly familiar to me; the, trail I am Spout to follow will be child’s play to me and the braye Indian, my companion,” . “What are you coming to?” Don Miguel interrupted him, anxiously, | ‘“To this,’’ the hunter frankly answered, “You, who are accustomed to a life of lax- ury and ease, will perchance not be able to endure the rude existence to which you are about to be condemned: in the first moment of grief you bravely rushed, without reflect- if, in pursuit of the abductors of your daughter, and without calculating the con- sequences of your deed.’’ * **That is true,’” Don Miguel murmured. , “It is, thereforé, my duty,’? Valentine went on, “‘to warn you: do not be afraid to withdraw; but be frank with me as I am with you: Curumilla and myself will suffice carry out the task we have undertaken, he Mexican frontier stretches out about en miles behind you; return to it, and ie ve to us, the care of restoring your child to you, if you do not feel capable of braving, without giving way, the innumerable dangers that menace us. A sick man, by delaying our pursuit, would not only render it impos- Sible for us to succeed, but might expose us all to the risk of being killed and scalped, Hence, reflect, eenioualy, my friend, aud putting away any question of self-esteem, give mean answer that allows me full liberty of action,” During this species of sermon, whose The Bandit at Bay. 0 See justice he recognized in his heart, Don Miguel had remained with his head bowed on his chest, and with frowning eyebrows. When Valentine ceased, the haciendero drew himself up and took the hunter’s hand, which he pressed warmly, as he said: ‘*My friend, what you have said to me it was your duty to say; your remarks do not at all offend me, because they were dictated by the friendship you bear me. The obser- vations you have made to me, I had already made to myself; but, whatever may happen my resolution is immovable. I shall no turn back till I have found my daughter again.’ ‘*T knew that such would be your reply, Don Miguel,’ the hunter said. ‘A father can not-consent to abandon his daughter in the hands of bandits, without attempting all means to deliver her; still, it was my duty to make the remark I did. Hence we will not speak about it again, but prepare on the spot to draw up our plans of action.” ‘*] am anxious to hear that,’ the General said, with a laugh. ‘*You will excuse me, General,” Valen- tine answered; ‘‘ but the war we carry on ie completely different from that of civilized people; in the desert, craft alone can tri- umph.”’ ‘Well, let us be crafty; I ask nothing better, especially as, with the slight forces we have at our disposal, I do not see how we could act otherwise.” “That is true,’ the hunter continued. ‘There are only five of us; but; believe me, five determined men are more danger- ous than might be supposed, and I soon hope to prove it to our enemies.” ‘* Well spoken, friend,” Don Miguel said, gladly. - ‘“' Those aecursed bandits shall soon realize that fact.” “We have,” Valentine continued, ‘allies who will second us valiantly wher the mo- ment arrives: the Comanche nation proudly calls itself the ‘Queen of the Prairies,’ and its warriors are terrible enemies. Unicorn will not fail us, with his tribe; and we have also a friend in the enemy’s camp in Eagle- wing, the Chief of the Coras.”’ ‘‘ What are’ you saying?” the Géneral gayly remarked. ‘“‘ Why, our success is in- sured.”’ » Valentine shook his head. ‘“No,” he said; ‘‘Red Cedar has allies too; the Pirates of the Prairies and the Apaches will join him, I feel convinced.” ~“ Perhaps 80,’? Don Miguel observed. “Doubt is not admissible under 'the ¢ir- cumstances; the scalp-hunter is too well used to a desert life not to try and get all the chances of success on his side.”’ “ But; if that happen, it will be a general war,’’ Don Miguel said. “ Dowbtless,’’ Valentine continned ; “that is what I wish to arrive at. Two days’ march from where we now are there is a Na- yajoe yillage ;, [have done some slight ser- vices to Yellow ‘Wolf, the principal chief; we must proceed to him before Red Cedar attempts to see him, and insure his alliance at all risks. The Navajoes are prudent and eourageous warriors.”’ “Do you not fear the consequences of this delay ?’’ ‘Once for all, comirades,’’ Valentine an- swered, “‘remember that in the country where we now are the straight line is ever the longest.” iT The three men bowed resignedly. “Yellow Wolf’s alliance is itdispensable to us: with his support it will be easy for us to—”’ The sudden appearance of Curumilla in- terrupted the hunter. at at is the matter now?” he asked m. “Listen!” the chief answered laconically. The four men anxiously stopped talking. “By Heavens!” Valentine said, as he fee A a % stiee is the matter now ?”’ ~ And followe 8 comrades, he stepped Into the thicket. > at: _ The Mexicans, whose senses were dulled had heard nothing at “he first moment; but the noise which ‘had strack the bunter’s practiced ear now reached them, : It was the furious galloping ‘of several horses, whose hoofs re-echoed on the groun® with a noise resembling that of dhtindar. Suddenly, ferocious yells were - heard, mingled with shots. | The five travelers, hidden behind trees peered out, and soon noticeda man mounted on a horse lathered with foam, who was pur- sued by some thirty mounted Indians. ~~ “To horse!’’ Valentine commanded in a low voice. ‘‘We can not let this man be assassinated.” . <— ‘‘Hem!’? the General muttered, “‘ we are playing a dangerous game, for they are nu- merous,” . ““Do-you not see that the man is of our own color?’ Valentine went on. ee ee ee —_ ee massacred In cold blood by those ferocious Indians.”’ In the meanwhile, the pursuers and pur- sued had come nearer the spot where the hunters were ambushed behind the trees. The man the Indians were 80 obstinately following drew himself up haughtily in his saddle, and, while galloping at full speed, turned from time to time to fire his rifle into the thick of his enemies. At each discharge a ‘yarrior fell; his com- rades then uttered feurful yells, and an- swered by a shower of arrows and bullets. But the stranger shook hfs head disdain- fully, and continued his career. ‘* Thatis a brave fellow!”’ the General said with admiration. “On my soul,” Don Pablo exclaimed, “it would be a pity to see him killed.”’ ‘We mustsave him,’’ Don Miguel could not refrain from saying. Valentine smiled gently. ‘*T will try it,” he said. ‘‘ To horse!”’ Each leaped into the saddle. *“*Now,’’ Valentine continued, “‘ remain invisible behind the shrubs. These Indians are Apaches; when they come within range, you will all fire without showing yourselves.’ Each set his rifle, and held it in readiness. There was a moment of supreme expecta- tion, and the hunters’ hearts beat violently, The Indians still approached, bowed over the necks of their panting steeds, brandish: ing their weapons furiously, and uttering at intervals their formidable war-cry. They came up at headlong speed, preced- éd about one hundred yards by the man they were pursuing, whom they must soon catch up, for his wearied horse stumbled eontinually, and was sensibly diminishing its speed, At length the stranger passed, in full ca- reer, the thicket which concealed those who were about to try a diversion in his favor, that might ruin them. ‘* Attention,’’ Valeutine commanded in a low voice. . The rifles were lowered on the Apa thes. ‘Aim carefully,” the Trail-Hunter added. “Every bullet must kill its man.” Aminute elapsed—a minute an age in ength. ‘Fire !”? the hunter suddenly shouted; fire now.” Five shots were discharged, and the same aumber of Apaches fell. CHAPTER III. THE UNKNOWN. On this unforeseen attack the Apaches ut- tered a yell of terror; but before they conld pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks, A mad terror then seized on the Indians, and they turned and fled in every direction ; ten minutes later they had disappeared. The hunters did not dream for a _ moment of pursuing, them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his com- trades’ bullets. At the same time he lassoed a riderless horse which passed a few paces from him, and then rejoined his friencs. “To what, tribe do. those dogs belong ?”’ Valentine asked him. ‘The Buffalo,” Curumilla made answer. “We were in luck’s way then,’’ the hunt- er went on; ‘‘ Stanapat, I believe, is the chief of the Buffalo tribe,”’ Curumilla nodded an assent; and after hobbling the horse he had Jassoed by the side of. the others, quietly seated himself on the river bank. | | gt . The stranger had been quite as much sur- rised as the Apaches by the unforeseen help. hat had so providentially arrived at the mo- ment when he believed himself hopelessly. lost. At the sound of the firing he checked his horse, and after a moment 8 hesitation, slowly nine d. back. | Valentine watched all his movements. The stranger, on reaching the thicket, dis- mounted, pulled back with a firm hand the brambles that barred his way, and boldly proceeded to the clearing where the hunters were.ambushed. TOS When he found himself in the presence of the Mexicans, he took off his hat and bow- ed courteously; the others politely re urned the salute. ee aE ae “Friends! he exclaimed, “I do not Knew who you are, but I thank you | neere- ly it your interference just now. I owe % is the Pat West,”’ Valentine answered obly, ‘fan. invisible ‘bond connects all the ndividuals of one color, who only form a Pen. *) ihe strangér aid, with a thought- “That is true,” said Don Miguel. ‘“ What- ful. accent, ‘‘it should be so; but un- ever happens, we must not allow him to be fortunately,” he added, shaking his head tn ‘ :. | | - = aie a ——— ena i = re — ah