Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 202 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

— , Cactus Jack, the Giant Guide. New Mexico were not bonest if they did have white skins, and it would be well to watch these fellows for a time. CHAPTER Ii. A MYSTERIOUS TRAGEDY. ZEKE BOZEMAN touched the giant’s arm. ‘* What is tbat on ther ground?” he asked. The youuger man looked and saw a dark bundle near the men, but, in the darkness, it was impossible to tell what it was. He shook his wend in silence, but Zeke’s voice had been tinged with suspicion, and both began to sus- pect that some nefarious scheme was afoot. The conversation of the strangers began to assume the air of a controversy, and it became evident that one was opposing the will of the other twa. Cactus Jack tried in vain to dis- tinguish some of their words, but only the murmur reached their ears. Finally, he who was in the minority turned abruptly away, laid his hand on one of the horses and vaulted into the saddle. “Where are you going?’ one of his com- panions asked, in a louder voice. ‘‘ Anywhere, to get away from here. I'll take no part in such work, for it is beyond my ealiber. If you will go on, I'll not op you, but, remember, I wash my hands of the whole affair.” He turned his horse down the barranca, and rode past the niche without looking back. The concealed guides saw a long beard under his slouched hat, but even had they known him well it would bave been hard to recognize him. As he receded, the two who remained spoke together earnestly for a moment, and then seized upon the bundle as though to hurriedly perform some work. Evidently they acted against some considerable weight, but na | moved in concert, and the bundle was lifted, swung back, then forward, after which a sullen splash followed as it was flung into the pool. Cactus Jack caught his comrade’s arm m a crushing grasp. Hehad caught sight of a white face in the darkness, the face of a buman being, and his blood fairly leaped through his veins as he comprebended the purpose of the strangers. The elder scout was equally affected, for a shiver passed over his stout frame. The dark deed, the night of equal darkness, the black and frowning rocks—all made a somber ahd uncanny pic! ure, No wonder the third assassin had become couscience-stricken and fled; no wonder the remaining two, as soon as their work was done, turned to their horses, mounted and dashed down the barranca at a gallop. Bozeman tried in vain to scan their faces as they passed the niche, but a sudden movement on the part of Cactus Jack diverted bis atten- tion from the pair. The young giant dropped his rifle as though it had been red-hot, and darted toward the pool, The dark surface was once more placid and unruffiled—its strange legacy had been com- pletely swallowed. With rapid movements he tore off his outer ony we but just then Bozeman confronted m. ‘* Be you goin’ in?” the mountaineer asked. ‘* Yes,” was the terse reply. ‘*Do you know ther kind o’ a place you would enter? Thar may be a quicksand at ther bot- reach to me. tom, or—” ‘“Bah! don't I'll go in if the whole bottom falls through.” Bozeman said no more, nor was time given him. Almost in a twinkling Cactus Jack had stripped for the work, and this done he did not long hesitate. There was a splash and he dis- appeared in the pool. The elder man looked after him dubiously. Probably he would encounter no danger, but, somehow, Zeke’s mind was affected by the cir- cumstance, ‘‘Durn ther luck! why didn’t I think ter tie a lasso ter his weest? It would have pulled him in ef trouble had come, an’ I hev a suspicion thar pirate om a : He stared gloomily at the pool, but, sooner than he had dared hope, the surface was broken and the head of Cactus Jack appeared. One or two strokes of his arm took him to the edge, —- Zeke gave bis aid and pulled him to land. Nor was this all; on ore arm the giant bore the same dark bundle before seen, and the mountaineer uttered a cry as he laid it on the sand. ‘* A woman, by ther Etarneal!” “Don’t stop to talk; I fear she is past our aid, but we must try to resuscitate ber,” said Jack, who was none the worse for bis bath. ‘Easy es mud. She ain’t b’en in thar long enough ter burt ber, an’ ef she was alive at ther start, we’ll soon bev ber breathbin’ ag’in.” They bent over her together and tore away a blanket in which she was wrapped. Then they saw that her hands were bound and a gag in her mouth, but these were soon torn vom & | cians, Men of their experience are good phy and, regardless of all around them, they worked with zeal for the next few minutes. ‘Thar, leave her alone now,” said Bozeman, at length. esy she will be all right in a jiffy.” “She is young and handsome,” said Cactus | Jack, looking at the pale face. ‘* My old eyes ain’t so sharp, but [ll take your word for it. her yit.” ‘‘Bah! do you take me for a milksop? I leave love to the lords of civilization. None of | it for the tornado of the Mimbres. Besides, [ should pity the woman who cottoned on to me. I’m a cactus tree, sixty. feet tall, and ail thorns.” ‘““What do you make out o’ this affair, any- yore the mountaineer asked, more thought- | u ly. ‘*‘Nothing. Do you?’ ‘*No. Ican’t see why anybody should want ter kill this lump o’ female prittiness.” ‘*She will probably explain when she re- covers.” ‘*We were durned thick-beads ter let them critters go. We had’em right in our grup, an’ we stood like stuns an’ let ’em slip out.” ‘We made a mighty big blunder; I'll admit that. Maybe this girl can’t tell who they were; in which case they may not go unpunished. Shoot me if I don’t kill every one of them, if I getachance. I'll make ’em think a paraly vic shock is waltzing up and down their spine.’ ‘Sh! Didn’t ther gal sigh?’ They turned toward the unknown, but she was lying perfectly still. Cactus Jack bent over her for a moment, and then looked up quickly. ‘*She breathes, Boze. Wait a bit longer, and she will be all right.” Both were busy with their thoughts for some time, but they were interrupted by an undis- putable sigh, and turned to see ber eyes wide open and her gaze fixed full upon them. **Don’t be alarmed, miss,” said the giant, quickly. ‘‘ Those who would have done you mischief are gone, and you are with friends who will back you against all New Mexico. I’m Cactus Jack, of the Mimbres, and nobody ever knew me to play the ruffian.” Evidently his voice reassured her, for the wild look in her eyes partially died out, and she made an effort to arise. He gave her his hand, and she sat upright. *“ Where are they?” she asked. ** Gone somewhere; I don’t know where.” ‘‘T was thrown in water—’ she began, with a shudder. ‘Yes, but we saw them do it, and took a hand in the game. You needn’t bave any fur- ther fear, for we can lick all New Mexico in a free fight.” ‘*Tell me what has happened, please,” she quietly said. The- guide obeyed, and, as he possessed a graphic power of description when fully in ear- nest, the story lost nothing by the telling. She made no interruptions, but sat almost like a statue, though Bozeman, with eyes naturally keen, suspected that she felt more keenly than she appeared to do. “They intended to kill me,” she said, when Cactus Jack had finished. ‘**They certainly did, miss.” ** Did you recognize them?” *“ No, they were strangers to me; but I sup- pose you know who they are.” sé No.” ** You don’t?” ** No, sir.” “Then what was their motive?” ‘“*T can not say.” ** Ef you was ter tell us whar you was seized, marm,” said Zeke, ‘‘ it might throw some light on ther sittervation. Di you belong ter an emigrant-train?’ The girl gazed steadily into the darkness for a full minute before answering. They could not read her face in the darkness, buf, to the mountaineer, she seemed like one bending un- der a heavy load, and he grew perplexed. ‘*My kind friends,” she said, at length, “ it may be ungrateful in me, after what you have done, but circumstances are such that I can not now tell you anything. I will frankly confess that, though I do not know who were the men who tried to drown me, I can not doubt the source of the scheme to destroy me. I know my enemy, but I can not tell you.” Cactus Jack grew amazed, ** Lord love ye, miss, I hope ye ain’t afraid to trust us,” he exclaimed, ‘*T assure you I am not, but I must remain silent just the same.” ‘That is not right. This outrage must not go unpunished. You have only to put us on the track and we will make those scoundrels wish they had never been born.” ‘*They may wish so, as it is,” she answered, in a voice which had a hard inflection, despite its calmness. ‘‘ Ef I size ther matter right,” said Bozeman, | ‘* you intend ter take vengeance inter your own hands.” ‘* You are right, sir.” ** Don’t do it, miss,” cried Cactus Jack. “ You are Only a woman, and you need help in the work, while you can’t find two better lieuten- ‘* We've did all we kin, an’ I proph- | Mebbe you'll lose your heart over | battle is one which I can fight better than ttt CTt)tHttHtrCtCHZ_iitirCrtCrCeUEZ_t[H[HéiEiE iu <<< — "Tl vn lhe Si i ants anywhere than us. Don’t hesitate, but just say the word and we ere in your service | all the way tbr ugh. I con't admire a man who makes war on a wom'n, and when I take to the war-trail, I generally make the dry bones rattle.” ‘‘T thank you most sincerely, sir, but my you,” Sae arose as she spoke and improved the arrangement of ter clothing. She was wet through, but in that climate there is no dangrr of thus taking cold. The men watched her closely. Cactus Jack with the impatience of bis fiery nature, and his companion mere soberly. ‘*] ain’t the man to chuck in my help where it ain’t needed,” said Jack, a little resentfully, “but I would like to pulverize those skunks. Really, miss, I don’t see the need of all this mystery you throw about the affair.” hey were standing face to face, and even then, though he had often boasted of bis indif- ference toward women, he noticed that she was very fair to look upon, but ber face was grave and her manner earnest, as she replied: ‘lam sorry that I cannot explain. If it was any ordinary case, 1 would confide in you, even if [ was compelled to refuse your aid, but, be- lieve me, it would never do for me to tell my secret,” Zeke Bozeman saw two things plainly: first, that the girl would not tell under any condi- tion, and secondly, that she was in a far deeper trouble than her quiet manner weuld indicate. Such being the case, he wished to save her from further anroyance. ‘*©’ course we don’t want ter intrude on yer private effairs, marm. Our only object was ter aid ye ef yer need it, but ye say yer don’t, an’ we are parfectly willin’ ter abide by what yer say. Ain’t that so, Jack?’ The giant hesitated for a moment; his obsti- nacy was struggling with better impulses, but he battled down the feeling and heartily an- swered: ‘‘Certain it is so. Yes, miss, Boze has ex- pressed the whole business and there ain’t any need of further words. Act your own pleasure and we are satisfied. I hope, however, that you'll allow us to see you safely to some more civilized place than this.” ° ‘‘My plans are not yet fully formed, but I will remain at your —_ to-night, if you are willing, and we will talk further in the morn- ing.” They opposed her will no longer, but neither of them deemed it safe to remain near the pool, so the camp was broken and they went a mile further down the barranca. There a suitable spot was found and they prepared to pass the remainder of the night in quiet. Both of the men needed sleep, but it would not be wise to leave the camp unguarded, so their horses were placed at the most exposed point to do picket duty. Strange guards were they, but their sagacity bad been more than once tested, and no one could enter the camp without causing an aJarm. Again the guides sought their blankets, after having seenthe girl comfortably situated, and were soon avleep. The remaining hours of night soon passed, and it was broad daylight when Cactus Jeck opened his eyes. As usual, he awoke with his mind yr taf clear, and his first thought was of the mysterious girl. He looked for her but she was not visible. | The recess in which they had encamped was quiet and peaceful. Bozeman slumbered on his blankets and the horses were caressing each other in brute fashion at the entrance, but the girl was missing. The giant strode from the recess and the bar- ranca lay open to bis gaze for half a mile in each direction. Still, it contained no sign of life, human or otherwise. ** What does it mean?” Cactus Jack asked himself the question and then strode abruptly toward where his com- panion lay. As he went, hiseyes became sud- denly fixed upon a scratching in the sand which ily resolved itself into words, made by a + te doubtless, and these words were as ollows : ‘*Have no fearfor me. Iam going ey alone, but [am well able to care for myself. My blessings © ever rest upon you,”’ He was stil! gazing at the message when the voice of Bozeman uroused him. The elder man bad awakened and was wondering why Cactus Jack was staring so steadily at the sand. Explanations were soon made, after which came a conference. They were filled with ap- prehension at the thought of a feeble woman alone and unmounted on the plain, but she had rejected their proffered aid before, and, reluc- tantly, thev decided to abandon all connection with ber affairs. ‘ ‘‘Mebbe ther case ain’t so very desprit. Her home may be less than a mileaway,” said Boze- man. ‘‘Ig may be so, though I am dubious. Let that te as it may, we will leave her alone, as she wishes, and push on to the fort.” comichboo S|