Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 241 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

“oe J ~ *. —————— — —" _ plundered the ranch, vr . task to get at the bottom facts. reason, it is deemed best to give a synopsis of what those questions brought to light. The attack of the Rustlers had been made on the evening of the night last past, and found the cowboys, as well as the inmates of the Debonay rancho, wholly unsuspecting anything of the sort, So cunningly laid were the plans of Spit- fire Saul, so complete his precautions against their miscarriage, that success was insured before a blow was dealt. With several chosen men, he gained entrance to the house, and without a word of warning, the two maidens and Pierre Debonay were seized and bound, the young man being knocked senseless by a blow from a pistol-butt as he tried to interfere. When his senses began to return, he felt an intense heat and overpowering smoke, from which he knew that the outlaws must have plundered the ranch and then set it on fire, leav- mag bins to perish in the flames, e crawled to the door, and finding it fastened, turned to the window, and managed to dash away the shutter, throwing himself outside, The fresh air revived him, and by the growing light of the blazing outbuildings, he saw Spit- fire Saul and a number of men gathered around the three captives, on the point of riding away. The sight of his relatives in such peril—worse than instant death, as be declared, with a fierce curse—lent him strength to draw a pistol, and he fired at King Saul. The lead missed its in- tended victim, however, and killed the man beside him. Like an echo, came a return shot from the outlaw chief, and feeling as though a mountain had fallen upon his head, Lucien Debonay drop to the ground. As one in a dream, he realized that Spitfire Saul was firing other shots et him as be Jay helpless, and then his senses fled once more. The scorching of the roaring flames restored him to partial consciousness, and he could just remember dragging himself painfully away from the burning buildings. Beyond that, all was a blank, until the clattering of horses’ hoofs awoke him, and he recognized the Rangers, as detailed. His voice grew stronger and his excitement increased with every sentence. His eyes glit- tered with an insane fury, as he leaped to his feet, crying: “You have heard of that demon—you know that he holds that innocent girl in his power— a Jamb in the bloody jaws of a hyena!—yet you linger here, like idiots, cowards! You pretend to love her,” turnipg upon Genteel Guy, with a savage snarl of mingled rage, hate and scorn; “yet you make no effort to save her from a fate a thousand fold worse than death! Out upon ye all for craven dastards! If there’s a spark of manhood about you, follow me!” He turned and darted toward the nearest horse, leaping upon its back, aad using bis bared knife as a spur, thundered away over the prairie at break-neck meee An indignant yell burst from the lips of the Ranger who beheld his good horse thus uncere- moniously appropriated, and instinctively his rifle leaped to bis shoulder. ‘‘ Hold! Van Dorn!” cried Boyd, leaping for- ward and knocking up the muzzle of the weapon, just in time to save the youtb. ‘*He’s mad —driven crazy by the loss of his friends!” ‘‘Mount and follow!” grated Genteel Guy, starting toward his horse. ‘‘A boy like that shall not outdo me—” Feather-foot darted before him, muttering a few hasty words that caused the excited man to pause. ‘*Mebbe so dat all play-trick. Mebbe so he try mek you foller, den King Saul open mout’ an’ swaller you too. He snake like he brud- der, Talk-talk. Me tell you, chuck-up, dat so!” “Be a man, Guy,” muttered Mark Boyd, grasping his arm with friendly force. ‘ Look at the horses. How much more work can they stand, without rest and food? That silly coot will race his horse to death, inside of ten miles. We'll see him coming beck, or overtuke him, when we are fit for traveling. Besides, Fc atser- foot may be right. He may be playing a part to mislead us, and give Spitfire Saul time to get clear away, or else lead us intoan ambush. You hear what Feather-foot says: and we know that he came here with Windy Jess, who called him his brother.” ‘*We save plenty time, by wait,” added the Indian. ‘‘ Me mek plenty cuss to dat, you tink swear mek word stronger, You wait, let hoss it strong; den l’eather-foot show you whar King aul hide. We go slow, den jump him indark, Kick stuffin’ out bull shebang, bet you, sweet ole socks!” Though reluctantly, Genteel Guy was forced to acknowledge that his friends had truth and reason on their side, and he smothered his insane longing to be at work, as best he might. ollecting such forage as had escaped the geveral destruction, it was placed before the horses, together with water, and then the Ran- gers thoroughly scourcd the ground, once more, trying to decipher all sign, learning the number of the raiders as the different trails spoke, and settling their probable course after they had / , a 4 For that | ee eee tee LL ALLL LL LLL LL_ LLL LL LL LLL LL LL LLL LL LLL A “x ee ee It was while they were thus engaged, that two horsemen were seen approaching, from directly | opposite directions, their mounts bearing traces of long and hard driving. They were eagerly met, and still more eager- _ly questioned by Genteel Guy and Lieutenant Boyd, whose hopes went down to zero again, as they listened to the tales told by the men. Spitfire Saul had indeed made a clean sweep, | not only of the Debonay ranch, but of all those | adjoining his range. Not one had been spared, though only this had suffered from fire as well as robbery. A number of men had been killed, in trying to save the stock under their care, and almost every head of horns and hoofs had been run off. These men had struck out for assistance, while theit fellows took up the trail of the Rust- lers, all of which headed toward the Rio Grande. They begged the Rangers to aid them but when Mark Boyd told how the head devil of all this trouble, bad carried off the ladies, they said no more, but rode away to do what lay in their power. And then, as the shades of evening began to descend, the Rangers took saddle, and led by Feather-foot, rode rapidly away from the scene of desolation, heading for the desert sink. CHAPTER XXI. GIVING A LIFE FOR LOVE. THRicge four-and-twenty hours had _ elapsed since the well-planned raid of Spitfire Saul and his Rustlers on the Debonay ranch, and now, at almost the same hour of the evening that he had burst upon them in their peaceful home, three of the four who were then together sat in gloomy silence, awaiting—what? Around them were rough rock walls, Above, a ragged roof of thesame. Below, an uneven floor of mingled stone and dirt. The place was damp and chilly, despite the bright fire which crackled in one corner of the phe Ng nda a ga apartment, and close before which the ranchero and his two daughters now sat on a few hides and skins. From the center of the roof hung an oil Jamp, while several can- dles were stuck in the little niches with which the side walls were so thickly studded. Yet there was a gloom over all, beyond the power of light to banish. ierre Debonay bid his face between his hands, fastened by manacles at the wrist. Ora, pale and haggard, sat close to Lucille, holding her band, but neither broke the silence. What could they say? Their hopes and fears had been thoroughly discussed, over and over again, since the King of the Rustlers brought them here, and bade them ponder well their situa- tion, “Study it over well,” he had said, with a low, meaning laugh, ‘‘If you can see the faintest hope of escaping through your own wits, or the coming of your friends, cling to it, and bid me defiance. Jf not—if you become convinced that the game is wholly in my hands, then weigh your lives, and put a price upon them. I will come for a look at your figures, in good time. If there is not too great a disparity between your estimate of your value and mine, we will join bands and call ita bargain. Until then, peace and contentment dwell with you!” Though he knew that his stock was gone, that Spitfire Saul would never let go until he had been bled of every remaining dollar, Pierre Debonay was not grieving on that score. Ever resent was the vision of the body of his long- ost son, falling with a gasping cry, before the unerring aim of King Saul, Found, only to be lost. Dead, murdered before his very eyes, and he all powerless to aid or save. : A moan of bitter agony broke from his lips, as his gray hairs were bowed still lower, and the two maidens interchanged looks of sad despair. Yet they said nothing. Past experience told them that any attempt at consolation or of offered sympathy, was worse than useless, They could only sit in silence and suffer in see- ing him suffer. ut Pierre Debonay was fated to be inter- rupted from another quarter, that evening, and a quick footfall rung out on the floor, attracting the attention of the women first. Glancing hastily toward the entrance to the little cavern-sapartment, they beheld the tall athletic figure of Spitfire Saul, neatly dresse in broadcloth and spotless linen, bowing polite- ly, a bland smile upon his handsome features, ‘‘Your humble servant, ladies—and yonrs likewise, Mr. Debonay,” be added, as the ranch- ero dropped bis manacled hands and turned quickly at the soundof his voice. “ I sincerely trust that you have not grown impatient at my long absence. I would have been bere long ago only I have had important work to perform, which I hardly cared to intrust to other hands; in sbort, ’ve been laying false trails for the ben- efit of your friends.” ‘For which you will bave to pay the price, together with all the rest of your rascality and crimes!” boldly cried Lucille, shielding Ora in her arms as the little woman trembled and turned still paler with fear and Joathing. ‘“* With you by my side, as a loving partner, sweet one, I can look forward to even that without flincbin a “You come to propose terms for cur ran- Spitfire Saul, King of the Rustler 27 - a —————— rd S. | —— ——_— som,” hastily interposed Pierre Debonay, the old dread returning with doubled force as he heard these mocking, yet significant words. ‘* There is no occasion in wasting breath in idle bickerings. You have the upper hand now, and we can only submit to your exactions, Name your price, and if it is within my power of meeting, rest assured there will be no bag- jing.” ou our tongue wags mighty freely, old fel- low,” and as he spoke, something like a frown darkened the brows of the outlaw. “If I were inclined to be suspicious, I would say that yon were giving me dirt for my hospitality!” ““ Why play so transparent a part?” retorted the ranchero. ‘* We all know what you are, and what you are aiming at; en outlaw, play- ing fora big stake of money. You are Spitfire Saul, outlaw, thief, road-agent, cuttbroat—any- thing that will bring you ill-gotten gains. cS) are your captives, unable to fight, powerless to flee, our only hope lying in ransom. Come to the point, then, and say in plain terms what amount of money do you demand in return for our freedom ?” Spitfire Saul smiled grimly. “You state the case with remarkable clear- ness, my good fellow, as far as you g0; but you haven't got to the bottom of the business, ‘** What am I to infer from that?” ‘That I am not only willing, but really anx- ious to ransom you. As you say, I have swept away your stock, every hoof and horn, and they are safe enough on the other side of the big river by this time. That being the case, I can afford to be lenient with you.” ‘Which means, in round figures?’ dryly ask- ed Debonay. ‘* A drafton your banker for twenty thousand dollars,” ‘* And when that is cashed?” eagerly. ‘You can say farewell to these ladies, and go your own way, tail. on-end, if you choose.” Pierre Debonay stared into the face of the outlaw, with widely distended eyes, his cheeks turning aon pale as he read there a confir- mation of those terrible words. ‘You don’t mean—you can’t mean—that sum is for allof us, of course?” he faltered, the words almost choking him. ‘For all that your boots hold, no more. Bah!” cried the King of the Rustlers, his blue eyes all aglow with an unholy passion as he gloated over the beautiful faces of bis trembling captives. ‘‘ Are you fool enough to dream even for an instant, that I would open my hand when once it had closed upon such charm ng creatures as those two? That money could buy them? Then you are a purblind fool, indeed!” ‘But you promised—” faltered the dazed ranchero. ‘That I would accept a reasonable ransom for you—and I still stand to that offer. You may go, when twenty thousand dollars are paid into my hand, and the devil may go with you for good luck, for all I care! ut you go alone.” ‘“‘T'll die, first!” passionately cried Debonay. “Not with my consent,” laughed the King of the Rustlers, ‘*After the cash is paid, I don’t think I'd raise =~ serious objections, even though death did rob me of a twice-fold father- in-law. Doubtless my charming brides would on me for the sad loss—eh, my nightin- gales Ora sbrunk still further away, but Lucille confronted him with a burning glance of hatred and loathing. “With knife or pistol, you cowardly assas- sin !’ ‘*Hard words, my precious, but you will find tenderer terms for use, ere long. I've a most captivating way about me, where the fair sex is concerned, though it may sound a little like boasting to say so, and I warrant that you will not only forget those evil thoughts, but coo oe as a sucking dove, within a week of our ridgal, ‘ ‘As for you, listen,” and he turned sharply upon the ranchero, who was shivering with ex- cess of impotent rage, as he heard this insolent speech, “I waste mighty few words, when it comes to dealing with those of my own sex. speak once for all, and never take the trouble to warn twice. * You will write out a check on your banker for twenty thousand dollars, payable to bearer, I will give it to a tried and trusty fellow. I will wait just one week for his return with the cash. If he comes, allright. You will be set at liberty, to go whither your will dictates. You can raise & Company of troops to hunt me out, if you think the project will pay. I will ask no pledges whatever of you, when once the cash is counted ov r. “On the other hand, if you refuse to write the check; if aught happens to my runner, and he fails to return on time; if the ransom money is not paid over by the last day of grace—I arerely swear that I will hang you like a fa) ¥ ** Begin your foul work at once!” desperate] cried the rancbero. ‘‘I will not give one do lar, unless these two poor girls are included in the terms!” EE7—— & « : ral ~ . . he milecbooks