Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 202 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

& CHAPTER ITI. THE FRONTIER POST. Ir lacked two bours of midday when the bor- derers approached the settlement of Black Bend. Nestling at an elbow of the Rio Mimbres, it lay somewhat below the level of the plain and they paused to look before going further. The first object to meet the vision of a stranger was the flag of stars and stripes which floated from the fort before mentioned, and after that one’s gaze would naturally fall on the smaller dwellings scattered in a line from east to west. The Bend was reckoned a first class town for New Mexico, and yet it contained only about two-score cabins, small, and dingy concerns at that, and an equally meager population. All -of the ‘‘city” was not visible from thaf point, however; its life and energy were derived from the gold dug near at hand, and in the midst of the mines was an offshot of the town proper, a place familiarly called the “ Lower Bend ” and inhabited oniy by the users of pick and cradle. It was a place of more freedom than the main part of the town, which was kept quiet and or- derly by the presence of the soldicrs; for though the veteran miner has little awe for the wearers of the blue they know they are well enough in their place and possessed authority, so the Bend made itapoint to glory in their government st. Fort Black, it was then called, but it as since been given a more resounding name, and by that name it is still known to the wear- ers of the blue. All this the guides saw as they looked from the upper plain—the irregular fronted adobe houses, the fort, the mountains to the southwest where the gold-diggers labored, and Zeke Boze- man looked with interest because it was his first glimpse of Black Bend. ‘What is that big house jest outside ther town?’ the mountaineer asked. ‘Tt is the ranch of a big-bug from the East, a ilgrim who used to be a professor in some col- ege, they say. Hecame td New Mexico with his family, a year ago, to study the botany and mineralogy of the country.” ‘* Ther what?’ Bozeman asked, blankly. ‘The science of plants and rocks.” The mountaineer still looked puzzled, but he said no more and allowed his gaze to wander to the more distant mountains. ‘‘Itis there they dig gold,” said Cactus Jack. ‘(Tf it hadn’t been for the mines, the fort would never have been built.” ‘‘Are ther sojers ther gold-diggers?’ Zeke asked, dryly. ‘No, but they were sent here to keep awa the Apaches, who were inclined to resent gold- digging near their reservation. The fort was first built, and then those miserable adobe shanties sprung up.” “Umph! Let us go on.” They advanced for a hundred yards and were passing out of an arroyo which took them to the lower plain when the sound of horses’ feet was followed by a glitter of polished bayo- nets as ascore of United States soldiers rode into view almost at their own horses’ noses. No phantoms of the prairie were they, but flesh and blood wearers of the biue, undoubt- ediy from Fort Black, and their martial ap- pearancs showed that even in that remote place their dignity had not been allowed to relax. At sichtof the guides, some one cried ‘* Halt!” Tue little band promptly paused, curiously eving the strangers, while he who had ken deliberately separated himself from the others and rode a little forward. : His uniform was that of a sergeant, and his appearance that of a veteran soldier. His hair and beard were considerably tinged with gray, but his form was still erect and massive, and he sat in his saddle as though under review by the commander-in-chief. ‘Who goes there?” hé stiffly asked, severely eying the guides. ‘‘A pair of wild men from Apacheland, the king of the Minbres and the grizzly-tamer from Boz:man Pass,” Cactus Jack promptly an- swered. The soldier looked vexed, but he was used to the extravagant langttage of the West, and bore it with considerable patience. ‘* What are your names?” ‘‘Z%oke Bozaman and Cactus Jack.” ‘* Cactus Jack?” : ‘Tne identicle critter. Ever bear of him?” ‘“‘T have heard of a guide and scout of that ” “Pm that man. Vm pretty well known round here by the old settlers, Ask any one from Austin to Yuma, from the City of Mexico to Deadwood, and they will tell you of Cactus Jack, the red-skins’ terror, and the death-shot of the Mimbres ”’ , The employee of United Sam hated a boaster, but he had heard so much good of the young giant that he patiently swallowed his disgust. ‘* Where are you last from?” ‘*Up there, where the Apache sleeps between raids and the vulture whets bis beak ’gainst a coming feast.” The guide pointed northwest. ‘* Are you going to the town?” * We reckoned we would.” Cactus Jack did not relish all this questioning, a KKK / quit beans,” the ee | like to tutor him ou the Apache plains a bit.” Cactus Jack, the Giant Guide. but he always made a point of humoring men in government blue, for the reason that he be- lieved in law and order. Moreover, both he and Zeke needed ammunition. ‘“You will be welcome at the fort, sir. As you are doubtless aware, the entire garrison was changed a few weeks ago, and it was only vesterday the commander told me that if I heard the sccut and guide, Cactus Jack, was in town to let him know.” ‘‘ He shall see the eater of raw beef and mes- giant condescendingly said. * What is bis name?’ ‘*Captain Albert Brigham.” ** And yours?” _ ‘Sergeant Springer, of the regular army, sir. The speaker, sitting grimly in his saddle, seemed like a frowning statue, but, somehow, he seemed a little like Zeke Bozeman, and Jack was not over-critical. Little more needed to be said, and the ser- geant put his command in motion with syste- matic regularity and rode on toward the town with the guides by his s de. They talked amicably as they went, and Cactus Jack grew more and more boastful, but not one of his speeches brought a smile to the soldier’s face. He was made of no mean clay, but was a soldier such as Napoleon would glad- ly have enlisted in his ‘Old Guard.” If ser- eant Springer’s word was correct, a soldier’s uty was to fight, not laugh. ntering the collection of houses, they went on toward the fort, but the young giant’s eyes were on the largest of the adobe buildings, and the sudden appearance of a corpulent figure in the doorway brought a stentorian shout from his capacious lungs. ' Then he spurred forward, paused at the door, bent and bodily lifted the fat m:m from his threshold to the saddle, all the while shouting a bombastic welcome, Some of the soldiers secretly smiled. The fat man was a Dutchman named Hans Some- thing-or-other, his house was a tavern, and they did not blame the guide for bis ebullition of joy. Itis well to have the good-will of those who are to cater to the demands’ of our stomachs. Sergeant Springer again looked disgusted, but he pa ag halted his men and awaited like a grim statue for Cactus Jack to ry in them. t was over at last; the guide had shaken the fat man’s hands until his arms ached, hugged him with grizzly-like fervor and poured re- sounding eloquence into his ears—all of which was on. fs borne by sagacious Hans—and then he rode back to the troop. ‘Hal Boze, old boy,” he said, ‘‘did you see that? I’ve touched the heart of the best cook from Galveston to Prescott, and we'll live like lords. Mr. Sojer, 1am ready. Lead on to the forum.” The sergeant bowed stiffly and they resumed their way. ‘Fort Black” lay before them, but it was no grim and frowning fortress, no tower of strength against which cannon balls would fall in vain; only a collection of adobe buildings, plain in every way, but plentiful enough to fur- nish room for quarters for the officers, the har- rack, hospital and store-house, while a stockade near at hand gave abiding-place to the horses. All was neat and clean, all scrupulously sys- tematic, but the post seemed almost a mockery, And such it would have been in civilized parts of the world, but, where it was, established only to give shelter to the men who were sent to overawe the hostile Indians, it was all-sufli- cient. Such was the fort, but those who were that day to meet within its limits for the first time, little knew the strange experience the future had in store for them. Sergeant Springer halted his little command at a respectful distance from the officers’ quar- ters, watching each man with a hawk-like pei and then he alighted and marched in- side. ‘“I don’t admire this overly much,” said Cactus Jack, to his fellow guide. ‘‘ This petty officer may be a hero and a statesman, but he piles on too much crowbar for this clime. Id ‘* Let him simmer, boyee, let him simmer,” said Bozeman, placidly. ‘‘ You hate a scout who slights his beesness, an’ this sojer is only livin’ up ter his creed,” It was logic the giant could not well dispute, and he calmly waited for Springer to reappear. When be came he stiffly said that Captain Brigham would see them inside, adding that their horses should be properly cared for. ‘Don’t worry about them,” said Bozeman, hastily. ‘‘They won’t stir a huff. Let ’em alone till we come out, mister.” ‘‘It shall be as you say,” was the prompt answer. The guides entered the door indicated. They saw a small, scantily-furnished room with only one occupant, a handsome voung man seated at a table, but be arose quickly as they entered. ‘You are the scouts Cactus Jack and Zeke Bozeman, | suppose,” he pleasantly said. -_——. ‘‘ That's our size,” the giant answered, ‘“Tam glad to see you; in fact, I have been wishing for the event for some time. You see the name of Cactus Jack is pretty well known along the Mimbres.” ‘Tt couldn’t well be otherwise. You see, I’ve tramped over every foot of New Mexican soil, and even the prairie dogs bark my name when 1 pass,” The soldier smiled. ‘Such is fame. Well, as you have suspected, I am the present commander of this post. My name is Brigham. Be seated, gentlemen, and we will talk further.” The officer had introduced himself with re- markable modesty, but both the scouts conld see be was more than an ordinary man. He was young for the position he held, being less than thirty, but he looked every inch the soldier and seemed one born to command, He had a finely rounded, erect figure, with strong arms and large hands, while the head poised easily above his broad shoulders was indicative of rare intelligence. It was the face, however, that told the most. Its deep bror ze added new manliness to his undeniable gocd. looks, and while a heavy mustache concealed his mouth it did not bide the resolute jaws or general air of resolution spread all over his face, It was a strong, commanding face, and the gray eyes were firm and steady, but there was in them a latent look of kindliness which showed that be had not forgotten to be humane in his trade of warfare, Wild and boastful as was Cactus Jack, he felt a little awed in the presence of this strong- faced soldier, and he was shrewd enough to know he had never gained such honors as were his without real merit. ‘* This second gentleman is not known to me by reputation,” Captain Brigham said, looking at Zke. ‘* Don’t call me thet, cap’n,” said Bezeman, hastily. ‘‘Up in Montana, whar I stick my picket-pin, we don’t hev sech things. Im only aman, but ) trust I’m a squar’ one, an’ what [ lack in polish 1 kin make up in a tussle with ther grizzlies,” ‘*He’s my pard from the word go,” added Jack; ‘as true a man es ever looked along a rifle-barrel and a perfect Norther in a fight.” ‘*Good. That’s the kind of men | want around Black Bend while I hold the ribbons. Are you «ngaged now?” ‘* Not any.” ** Do you want work?” ‘That depends on the kind.” ‘*] suppose you have heard of the Black Masks?” ‘*Can’t say Lhave. What are they?” “A band of gold robbers who have sprung into existence near the Bend,” ‘Ts that so?” ’ ‘*No doubt of it. They have been working for the last four months, having begun opera- tions before I took charge; but 1t was only half that time back that we discovered the robbers to be aregular band. Of course their game is the gold around here to invite their cupidity. First and last, they have secured quite a sum from the miners, sometimes waylaying them, and some- times going into their quarters. I have tried to discover their identity, but soldiers are not the roper persons to do such work, as they carry heir business open to the eye wherever their buttons are seen. We have no clew as yet.” ‘* What’s your idea?’ “T can only surmise that the robbers are wholly unknown to us and live somewhere in the hills. Of course they are not Apaches, and oom men of the pa apse not of such material, whatever their faults. ‘‘ You called ’em the Black Masks. Why was that?” “A fancy of mine. You see, they all weer masks, and those who bave met them would never recognize them afterward. They have not done any killing up to the present time, but. the will is in them if I don’t greatly mistake,” ‘¢ We'll have to look into this, Boze,” the giant said. ‘‘Durned ef we,don’t, Ihate a p’ison snake who will rob a miner or trapper 0’ his honest, ains.”’ | ‘It was for just this thing I wanted to see Cactus Jack,” the captain declared. “I have settled down to the conclusion that one good scout would do more good: than all my soldiers, and a handseme reward will be paid whoever © brings the gang to justice.” | ‘We ere those very critters,” said Cactus Jack. “It’s right in my line of business, and you can trust me and Boze to ferret ont the whole business. I never fail in what I under- take.” “Then you may consider yourselves in my service until you have finished a thorough trial.” ‘+ We'll do our best.” said Bozeman. ‘‘ Rave you a stopping-place?” ‘‘Sartin!” cried Cactus Jack, ‘*Old Dutch Hans and I are too good friends to have me think of another place. He keeps good feed Hans does.” 900 ‘ —. m “CO C S | ug in the hills—there is nothing else . ¥ _—