Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 256 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

~ ous, —-—-— ee being informed by the overseer, who rode in | and he frequently drinks from the same; bis hot haste up the river at the same time, that | skin red, and his face bloated, proving that not only had Rosa’s boat been found at a point | whisky is his favorite beverage, as well as that near to Le Grand’s plantation, but that the superintendent of the latter had left, with a train of wagons, in the early morning hours, immediately after Rosa had been abducted. He had taken with him—so it was said—the household effects and personal property of La Grand, Never were men more dumfounded and furi- They realized that, at the very time that they had met Williams, and bad received from him the startling inftlligence, Le Grand was on his way with his wagon _train—with Rosa doubtless, secreted in one of the vebicles—anc was now far away to the westward, going at all speed; while they had gone eastward in their search. However, it was some consolation to know the important facts gained through Williams; and, notwithstanding their fatigue and pros- tration, all partook of a hasty supper, and, with fresh horses, galloped on through the night. Captain Ray and Roy Randolph dared not even think of the two long days in which Le Grand had been hastening away, by a trail as yet unknown to them. If the Dastard had gone westward, toward San Antonio, he was now far beyond the Colorado, and near the Guadalupe. Had the train crossed the Colorado at Colum- bus, and the Guadalupe at Gonzales, they were positive that Le Grand would, from the latter town, proceed at once to San Axtonio, Here, we must leave these determined aven- gers, who followed the trail like bloodhounds; their apprehension in regard to Rosa Ray, urg- ing them to bend every energy, apne fatigue, hunger, and privation from sleep, an exchanging their fagged horses for fresh ones. Thus on, to save a beautiful maiden from a fate that was worse than death, and a broken- hearted father from despair and madness, The report of Williams, and the recorded meditated plans of Le Grand have shown the reader the true line of proceeding carried out by the miscreant, assassin, and abductor, Quite an amount of cotton was transported on some of the wagons to Columbus, and there dispcsed of; as were a number of borses and mules, furnishing in this way a considerable sum of money to Le Grand. The wretch was himself secreted in a wagon beneath his goods, when the train entered the town. The papers, which he had given to his superintendent, en- abled the latter to dispose of the cotton and anima!s, and to give bills of sale without sus- picion. Rosa, poor girl, nearer dead than alive, was also secreted in a wagon, safe from discovery; goods being piled at either end, nearly to the tilt. The gag had been removed on her promise to make no outcry, but was returned to her mouth, when about to enter a settlement, or near a ranch. The train, after crossing the Guadalupe, pro- ceeded across the prairies, avoiding any trav- eled trail or ranch; Le Grand seeking in every way toevade pursuit. He bribed a Mexican at Gonzales, to await the appearance of any pursuers or inquirers after -himself and his wagons; and then, to hasten, by a route men- tioned, to his employer, with intelligence of the character and number of those who were on his _ Thus we leave pursued and pursuers, to meet them again, far from the scenes in which they were actors—far from the Rio Brazos and Bend Plantation. CHAPTER XIX, DOUBLE DAN, THE sun is just at the western horizon line, shooting its sanguine, farewell rays upon prai- ris, chaparral, and woodland, darting arrows of light here and there through the Spanish moss, into a night camp in a small opening in the bottom timber of the Rio Medina, about two miles below Pleasanton Ford, Six mule wagons are drawn up ina line, on the outer side of the “open” from the river; the harness of the animals has been placed with great care upon the wagon tongues, and the musical sound of bells near at band indicates that the mules are in the mesquites, that stretch from the timber, over the plain toward San Antonio, some twelve miles away. A viilainous-looking white man, with travel- stained clothing, much the worse for wear, sits on a saddle near the wagons; while, some ty paces nearer the river, there is a fire, at which a negro is busy preparing the even- ing meal, his movements being hastened by the imperious orders and curses of the white man, our other negroes are busy mending broken harness, near the wagons, which are filled with plantation tools and house furniture. The white man is the superintendent and tool of Louis Le Grand; and his features prove bim to be a fitting associate for so dastardly an em? loyer. A ‘lask lies in the grass at the feet of Double Dan, +3 th worthy is called, probably from his moturic’y aS a double-dealer and double-face, T ' ee | of his employer. Double Dan is a man of large build, great strength, and brutal character; whicb last is proved by the terror of the negroes, as he poured volley after volley of the coarsest pro- fanity at them. He is evidently, just now, eagerly anxious for his supper, as the cook comes in for the largest share of the curses. However, Dan is doomed to wait longer than he dreams of before satis- fying his appetite. Not five minutes have the occupants of the camp been in the position we have described, when the tramp of galloping steeds and the whisking of bush and branch strike their ears. Double Dan sprung to his feet, placing his band on the butt of his revolver. But he has no time to draw his weapon, for a magnificent horse bounds snorting from the timber directly to his front, and upon the horse—his face the picture of fury and determination—sat Roy Randolph. He held in his band a cocked revolver, presented at the head of the ruffianly superintendent, whiie his voice rung out in clear tones that meant business: ‘*Up with your hands, Double Dan, or die in four tracks, Quick, or my bullet finds your rain!’ The red and bloated face of Dan became ghastly as he threw up his hands above his head, for he knew Roy Randolph too well to disobey him. The negrove sprung to their feet at the first sounds of Roy’s approach, but their counte- a ol a i ee a ne ae ee ee fea Double | Dan, : the Dastard. 17 they saw befvre them the tool and Anos pe ee Se ——— Se hances expressed no fear as they recognized | him. were there, for planter. ‘* Boys, get a lariat and bind Dan securely,” ordered Roy, addressing the slaves, ‘‘ Tie him fast to the hind wheel of tbe first wagon,” The blacks were dumfounded at this order, fearing death if they obeyed; but Roy again cried out; **Do as I bid you, without hesitation! Iam master here, and this scoundrel shall never abuse you again,” ‘*T reckon them’s my niggers, Roy Randolph,” said Dan, with a whining snarl, ‘* What in ther devil’s ther row? What does this hyer mean? [ ain’t no road-agent nor hoss thief !” ‘You're a great deal worse, Double Dan,” said our bero; ‘for they are generally daring men, and do their deeds openly, with their lives in their hands, and not in a sneaking and cow- ardiy way.” ‘*Seems ter me,” growled Dan, “ ye're a rushin’ biz, an’ll git yer buff inter hit, in deep. What ’thorerty yer gut ter run in ona peacerble cit’zen this yere way?) What yer gut ag’in’ me ?” This he said as the slaves bound him fast to the wagon-wheel, ** You emphasize the prgncn as though you were well aware that I had good and sufficient reasons to come down heavy on somebody,” said Roy, as he replaced his revolver. ‘‘When the parties arrive whom I wish to witness our confidential interview, then the mystery of this affair will be explained. Ah, here they come!” As Roy spoke, the sounds of several horse- men crashing through the bush on his trail, were heard, and the next moment Captain Ray and the ex comrades of Louis Le Grand spurred into the camp, All gave a glad cry as they recognized Roy Randolpb, who glanced sig- nificantly from them to the captive who was tied to the wheel. No sooner did the ae perceive Dan than he sprung from his saddle in a perfect fury and bounded toward the wagon, drawing his bowie knife as he ran, and fairly shrieki: ¢: * At last! At last we have him! Thank Heaven for this! Now, Double Dan, miscreant, dastard, where is my daughter? Speak quick, or, by the Eternal, [ll cleave you to the heart!” A quick gesture given by Roy to the negroes Just the ppt relief and gratification | hey aJl reverenced the young | caused them to spring forward and grasp the | bridles of the horses. Then our hero dismounted | and strode to the side of the captain, laying his hand on the arm of the old planter restrainingly. Captain Ray was indeed a dangerous man; andnowonder. For long weary days and sleep- less nights had they been on the trail, at times losing it; and then, to cap all, upon arriving at San Antonio, they had ascertained that some of the goods bad been removed from the wagons and sold by Double Dan, the men who assisted in unloading asserting that there was no woman with the train, nor no white man except Dan. his was readily believed by the pursuers, for only six wagons entered San Antonio, There were seven when they crossed the Guadalupe, consequently one had left the train at some point where the wheel-ruts wonld not be noticed. That this last contained Rosa Ray, and that Louis Le Grand accompanied the vebicle, all the pursuers were now positive. It may be readil aed term then, that they were furious, as well as being worn by privations, anxiety and de- ferred hope. Hence their almost ungovernable rage, when eer of Le Grand, who niust know well where Ray was; he having undoubtedly arranged to meet his employer—the trip to San Antonio be- ing made for the express purpose of leading the pursuers on a false trail. However, Double Dan, although probably ex- pecting to be overtaken, had not dreamed that the pursuers would dare treat him with violence, as they could not prove him to have known any- thing of the abducted maiden. When Captain Ray rushed, knife in hand, toward him, Double Dan trembled with the most abject terror; bis tongue refusing to artic- ulate the yall that sunk toa gurgling sound in his throat. Dan was the color of a corpse, not- withstanding the quantity of whisky in his sys- tem; and nor an eyer felt more relieved than he, when Roy sprung forward, arresting the arm of the captain, and at the same time calling out: ‘*Hold, Captain Ray! Do not strike a man when he is helplessly bound!” ‘“Good heavens! Do you call that thinga man, Roy Randolph?” burst forth the old plan- ter. ‘*He is lower than the brutes. A sneaking coyote is far above him. He is asnake in the grass, but Ill stop his crawling. I'll end it here!” ‘* Not now, captain!” insisted Roy, coolly and firmly. *‘ We bave ause for bim, as you will realize when you are less excited.” The other young men gathered near, all show- ing plainly their sentiments toward the captive. Since they had been on the trail, they bad re- frained from drink; and consequently, they had each day realized more fully the vileness of their former leader. They began to see that they had been led, step by step, lower and lower; that their minds had beat gradually corrupted by Le Grand, and that, bad not these late events occurred, they would probably bave themselves ended in some crime, which would have out- lawed them. The consciousness that they were now engaged in a just and good cause, created in them feel- ings of self-respect that were long strange to them, and they were all eager to risk life itself to save the unfortunate maiden, aud to assist the distracted fatherin bringing Lceuis Le Grand to punishment. Not one in the party was there, who bad not resolved to take part in the lynch- ing of the wretch; for be must die, or the lives of none of them would be safe, Thus it was, that Double Dan found himself in a most perilous position, and he now resolved to save his own miserable life by betraying his employer; indeed, there was no alternative, for be felt assured that be would be hanged like a dog, if he hesitated in the least to reveal what be knew. He now strove to find words to an- swer the demand of Captain Ray, and they came at last ina trembling voice; the youn lanters watching him with a look of scorn an oathing, the negroes bewildered, but rejoiced at the discomfiture of their tyrannical master, 8 Cap'n Ray,” spoke Dan, “I hain’t gut nothin’ ’gin’ yer, an’ I don't reckon yer kin fotch anythin’ crooked erg’in’ me. I kerried on Le Grand’s ranch, an’ gut my pay by takin’ his mules, an’ wagons, an’ niggers. Thet’s squar’, an’ I hes ther papers ter show fer’em, Es ter t’other matter, I sw’ar I c’u’dn’t say; but I hes my spicions thet Le Grand hes gut yer darter in ther wagon what be left ther train with, ’bout a day’s drive b’low San Antone.” ‘** You're a liar, and if you speak falsely to me again, Vill split your craven, coward heart! You saw wy daughter last night, before the wagon left the train.” ‘* How in ther devil did yer know that?’ Double Dan bad been thrown entirely eo guard, as Captain Ray had intended, captain’s assertion was without any unds whatever, but it chanced to “ hit the bull’s-eye,” and caused Dan to betray himself. ‘‘Now, Dan,” said Roy, “‘we have you! Don’t try another word of deception, or you go up. Weare desperate men, and we will Mtnaad no nonsense, Has Louis Le Grand in any way ill-treated Miss Rosa Ray, and where is he en- cemped now?” The cold muzzle of our hero’s revolver pressed the perspiring brow of Double Dan, as he asked these questions, causing the ruffian to crin and become more ghastly, bis limbs almost giy- ing way beneath him. Dan felt that hesitation or untruth would be his death-signal, and he burst out quickly: “Te Grand hain’t burted ther leetle gal, He's on ther squar’ dea] wi’ her, ’tendin’ ter Lev a priest pach ’em_tergether, They’re camped ter-night on ther San Miguel; or they sh’u’d be, es I war ter jine ’em ter morrer night.” ‘South or north of Pleasanton?’ asked Roy, quickly. ‘“No’th: "bout twenty mile from hyer; an’ I sw’ar I hopes yer'll choke Le Grand off this yearth, fer he'll blow my brains out fer blowin’ on him, I never went back on a pard afore.” ‘If you had chosen honest men for pards,” said Roy, ‘‘ there would have been no orersion.” Then turning, he addressed bimself to the young men: ‘Gentlemen, a ride of twenty miles wil) en- able us to release the young lady, relieving her (eOMME NOC KS (E(@) s a a oo PP Pe Cae Rh ee Pv