Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 239 — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

28 The Tonkaway soon saw that about the same distance was maintained between his foes and bis own party, as at the first; although the Apaches had some advantage, in the quarter- ing course which they traveled. He knew that, unless some accident occurred in bis party, the Concho could be reached in time to dash through the timber, proceed up on the north side of the same, and thus secure a_hiding- place before sunset. Not only this; but he had every reason to expect Single-Eyo and Lionel, if not troops from Camp Johnston, to be at the Concho near its head-waters, for their evening rest, previous to proceeding on toward Horse-Head Crossing. We will now leave the faithful Tonkaway, lashing his own and the horses of Lieutenant Warrington and Winnie toward the Rio Con- cho: the Apaches, afar off, in a frenzy of mur- derous fury, also lashing their panting mus- tangs after their hated foe and their recen’ captives, We leave them so, for there are those speeding toward the same point on the Concho from tbe north that have our sym- pathy. They are leading characters in our drama, and are now galloping down the Concho; while still another party of horsemen staal through the timber, along the banks of the stream, also toward its source, seeming to fear detection. Though each of these three parties is igno- rant of the presence of the others, all are bent upon the same mission—the rescue of Winnie and her uncle, and vengeance upon the Apaches. On galloped Turtle and his white friends, the latter becoming fainter and fainter, and both clinging to their saddles with desperate grip and bringing all their fortitude and strength of will to the front; for the Tonk- away had been forced, by their protests against maintaining such speed, to bid them look toward the Rio Pecos. That glance was sufficient to put an end to their further complaints. Their apprehensions were great until Turtle assured them that did they strive to control themselves and bear up until the timber ahead was reached he wou'd promise them safety. He asserted that the Apaches had not gained a half-mile since he bad first seen them, notwithstanding their favorable position in the chase; it being a matter of im- possibility for the red demons to cut them off from the Concbo. Now, as the winding, snake-like line of tim- ber in their front grew more and more dis- tinct, and the glances of the poor sufferers ’ proved the words of their guide to be true, both became imbued with hope, relief, and Joy. Winnie recalled the assertion that Single- Eye and Lionel were on the trail, and she hoped—oh, so earnestly!—that the latter was indeed fast approaching the Concho upon its opposite side where the trail led. The keen eyes of Turtle scanned the plain to the north, as well as to the south, along the timber line; but no indications of the presence of human beings could be discover. On sprung the three borses under the lash of the Tonkaway’'s quirt, foam flying from their mouths on all sides, over the prairie grass and flowers, until they could distinguish one tree from another. Tbe Concho timber was but a short distance in their front, and little dreamed they that danger lurked even there in the green shades, And thus we will leave them to inspect those / parties to whom allusion has already been made, On the opposite side of the Rio Concho from the point toward which our three friends are approaching, and about the samelistance from the timber which hides all the plain toward the Pecos from their view—also urging their horses % to their greatest possible speed—come Single- | Eye and Lionel Lacrosse, / The latter has no hat, it having been lost at the desperate fight at the ford, and his long wavy hair flies wild and free in the breeze cre- ated by bis speed. His handsome face is pale as death. His dark-brown eyes are staring ? with intense concern toward the timber, and at ! times up and down the same, asif expecting to -eatch a view of the red foes that have borne Winnie Warrington to a horrible fate. ' The old scout, however, has asserted, and he himself knows, that long ere this the Apaches are on the south side of the Rio Pecos, and that the condition of their animals is such that a LL The Terrible Tric : their tracks, Lionel, from necessity, has agreed to balt in the timber; but, nevertheless, be hopes to see the form of a red foe, some lingerer on the trail, that be may vent his ungovernable thirst for revenge, Single-Eye has often closed his solitary optic as he drove spurs into the flanks of Skip-lively to evade the wondering end reproachful look of his steed at the unusual cruelty of its master, who, as he at times catches that glance un- awares, cries out, in a voice of blended pity and remorse: “Skip, dang my cats ef I kin belp hit! We- ’uns bes gut ter git Winnie an’ ther lootenant outen ther scrape what they’s in, er flop down on ther trail, turn over, an’ make a glide inter kingdom come. ‘* Ef ver’ll keep yer vim up, Skip, an’ skute ther bestest yer kin toward the Pecos, I hope I'll be blind ef I doesn’t git a glass eye fer yer when I nex’ strike San Antone, Then yer’l! hev ther best 0’ me, an’ kin put on hefty airs.” In this strain the old scout went on, but the mind of Lionel was in such a state of intense anguish that he seemed not to hear him, even when addressed directly by him. Not one thought of the “ Blackbirds” bad entered the minds of either Lionel or Single- Eye since starting on the trail, their whole de- termination being that they would reach the Pecos. Neither did they waste a thought in connection with the troops, as they bad decided at the ford, when passing, tbat no patrol from Camp Johnston would discover the proofs of the massacre until too late to overtake Lone Wolf before the latter reached bis stronghold, Thus on dashed Lionel and the scout, des- tined to enter the timber on the westerly side of the Concho at the same time that Turtle und the rescued captives darted into it on the east- erly side, the belt of timber being here very narrow, and the stream but a little brook, Had these two parties pointed a short half- mile further up the stream, both would have ridden directly into the camp of a detachment of the U. S. Second Cavalry, which bad been dispatched immediately toward the Rio Pecos upon the commandant of Camp Johnston being informed of the massacre. A bend in the Concho hid the plain toward the Pecos from their view. This prevented them from discovering the fugitives flying be fore the Apaches; and the condition of them: selves and horses demanding immediate atten- tion, no scout bad been sent around the bend, there being no probability that any Indians were on the north side of the Pecos, This detachment had passed down the Concho, on its eastern side, and parallel with it; but, had their line of march been half a mile fur- ther from the timber, they would bave struck a trail that would have amazed them, causing them to basten on in place of encamping, for it was that of the “ Blackbirds.” The trail was fresh, not more than a couple of hours having passed since tbe outlaws had gal- loped up toward the head-waters of the Rio Concho, And, within the timber, at the very point that Turtle, Winnie and the lieutenant were approaching on one side, and Lionel Lacrosse aod Single-Eye on the other, were encamped this horde of desperate outlaws and deserters under Captain Blackbird, who, insanely anx- ious to get Winnie Warrington in bis power, bad induced his followers to proceed in the di- rection of Mexico; which, indeed, was the only sure refuge for them. Once there, be promised to lead them on forays, that would bring untold gold and sup- plies to their new rendezvous, which he pro- posed establishing in the Apache Mountains; trusting to future movements and develop- ments to give him an opportunity to attack the war-party of Lone Wolf, and get Winnie into his power. This he believed could be accomplished on the Rio Pecos, where the Apaches would doubtless halt for rest, and to recruit their horses. Tbus, by a strange combination of circum- stances, all the surviving parties who had been connected with the horrible occurrences pear the confluence of the Concho and Colorado Rivers, were now being drawn by fate toward each other again. The avengers of the massacred soldiers, also were near at hand, but would not bave proved of any service to those who most needed their protection, had not one of their number, whi!’ staking his horse to grass, a little beyond the f — halt must be made, or they will fall dead in bend, discovered the approaching Apaches, and given the alarm, This brought all to “boots and saddles” without a bugle note; and caused spurs to dash deep, as the gallant boys of the Second Cavairy drew sabers, and stole through the timber up- stream, to surprise or ambush the fast nearing red murderers of their comrades, And all were ignorant of the presence of the ‘* Blackbirds,” the scouts, or the rescued officer and his niece, the ‘* Angel of the Army.” CHAPTER XXX. GREEK MEETS GREEK. NEVER did cool green shades appear more like paradise than did the timber of the Rio Concho to Lieutenant Warrington and poor Winnie, both nearly ready to fall from their staggering steeds when they reached it. During the latter part of the race, it was apparent to the fugitives that the Apaches bad gained upon them, This was so; for Turtle felt confident that he could proceed up or down within the timber until dark without being discovered. Consequently, they hed not proceeded in the mad gallop of the first part of the race, as they drew nearer the dark timber. The “ Blackbirds,” knowing tbe dangers by which they are encompassed—the hands of both red and white men being against them— did not dare stake their horses or show them- selves; but secured the animals here and there in cover, where a small opening offered suffi- cient grass, Their equipments were all piled within a clear space, of something like a quarter of an acre in extent, and near the stream. All had yet some liquor left in their canteens and flasks, besides a supply of provisions in their saddle-bags. This they bad collected from boxes and casks that had been blown from the cabin in the explosion, and had been saved from the flames, They were now reclining in all mavner of positions on the sward, or against trees and banks; their guns lying bere and there, showing by this the general con- fusion and absence of sentinels, and that Cap- tain Blackbird, in the present condition of his affairs, dared not attempt strict discipline. Eating and drinking, arguing and cursing, their faces red and bloated, and their eyes bloodshot; this, and the strange mingling of rags and fice garments—pno two costumes being alike—caused the outlaw horde to appear most peculiar, fantastic and brutal, Evolving plans for the future in bis unscru- pulous and depraved mind, Captain Blackbird lay upon the ground; and it was this position that enabled him to detect the rumbling tramp of the borses of our three friends as they ap- proached the timber. Thinking, however, that they might belong to some of his own men, be arose carelessly, and passed toward the eastern border of the timber; not wishing to create an alarm without good cause, When the bandit chief reached a point from which be could look out over the plain, bis sur- prise was great, to see an Indian, a U. 8. offi- cer, and a female approaching at all the speed their fagged animals could maintain. To Blackbird it appeared that the Indian must be in pursuit of the two whites; and thoughts of Winnie Warrington now came into his mind, the presence of the officer strangely exciting bim. , As be gazed, the bead of the female appeared above the ears of her horse, and then one glance was sufficient. Captain Blackbird saw before him the very maiden who ruled his thoughts; her golden hair flying in the breeze, her face upturned as if in prayer. He saw nothing more. Had he looked beyond, over the plain, the Apache war party would have met his astonished view, He waited but a moment, seeing th :t bis long- coveted prize was speeding directly toward him. Bounding back among his followers, he cried out: ‘‘ Jump and speed, boys! Never mind your rifles. There’s game coming right into our camp. Lock sharp, and don’t let those who gallop in bere get away from us!” By a sweep of his arms, the outlaw cbief in- dicated a series of positions for his men to oc- cupy, forming a half-circle between their camp and the edge of the timber; while he himself tok a central position. The next moment there followed a crashing of undergrowth, mingled with the lsbored — tramp and heavy breathing of horses, and Lieutenant Warrington and his niece, while comirebooks Tie —E —