Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 256 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

\ 4 5 ' ‘ i ' ; : i | | — = ies Ie Se a ee ee ss —s = Sano a. + a ee = eS eee = et ~a@ “ - ee — = oa ee aE —— a . «+ a ae : 1 ; f “4 22 Double Dan, the Dastard. A sneering smile greeted the threat of Roy, but it was evident to all that the Mexican was much pleased at his success—that he preferred their gold to their blood—for, not only did he show this in his face, but by the alacrity of his movements and his quick-given orders in Span- ish, to his followers. The Texans were surprised at the rapidity with which matters were arranged, for in a very short space of time, two fresh horses were ‘quipped and held ready for the start—the young men, Drew and Gould, being cut free— while the bandit chief stood before Roy with writing materials. The right hand of our hero was released, Cap- tain Ray being served in the same manner, a bandit Ay we a revolver at the breast of each, while Antonio bade them draw up the or- ders for the money at once; the moon giving sufficient light for the purpose. Drew and Gould had their bruises attended to ani were also provided with provisions, and had their canteens filled with water, Then, as the papers were ready, they bade farewell to their (riends, promising to ride at full speed to the Rio Brazos, changing horses as was needed, and to bring the money or die.in the attempt. Although closely watched the meaning glance of the captain was understood by the two young men, who gave him an assuring look in return as they drove spurs and vanished from sight in the undergrowth, after Antonio had repeated bis directions concerning their return, and ex- plained the cousequences should tbey bring a aes to relieve the captives and destroy his nd, After the departure of Drew and Gould the bandits, with the exception of the necessary sentinels, rolled themselves in their serapes and were soon asleep; all the captives, except Roy and Captain Ray, falling forward in spite of their painful position, and sinking into slumber. Roy soon found himself the only man awake, except the bandit guard. Fatigue and priva- tion, drew a vail over their eyes, banishing all <onsciousness of worldly affairs—of agony, an- guish and grief. CHAPTER XXV. A SPY IN THE CAMP. ApovuT the same time that the two young lanters were pressing hard to overtake An- aio, just previous to the time when the latter fired his revolver to alarm his followers, a horseman was urging his fagged animal down the border of the timber line of the Rio Frio, on the north side of the same, and about one mile west of the bandit camp. This man was of powerful build, huge in stature, with broad shoulders, and apparently of great muscular pm jr, combined with sup- pleness and quickness of motion, He was clad in buckskin breeches, fringed deeply on the outer seams, and thrust into the legs of cowhide boots. A blue woolen shirt, open at the neck and with a flowing collar, around which was knotted loosely a large cotton kerchief; this, with a wide-brimmed black sombrero, made up his outfit, in the way of Saye A wide and stout belt about bis waist support- ed a brace of old style Colt’s army six-shooters and a bowie-knife, while a short muzzle-loading — es heavy caliber, hung at the horn of his saddle. The features of this burly borderer, for such his arms, garb, and general appearance pro- claimed him, were those of an honest, brave and fearless man, his mild blue eyes lending a win- ning look to his face that would at once assure trustworthiness, His bair was long, dark-brown and wavy, and his beard of the same color, but short. -Darting keen glances ahead, his right band clutching the breech of his rifle, the reins. in his left, thus ready for instant defense, down the margin of the Frio timber he proceeded, speak- ing low and cheering words to his horse. his man was none other than Big Foot Wal- lace, the most noted scout and ranger, Indian and Mexican fighter on the great South and Southwest borders, and it was most providential to our friends that he happened to be in the locality. And being there, it was most provi- dential that, as he approached, not aware of any *‘ humans” being in that section, our friends were the means of drawing bis attention to them, thus revealing the presence of bandits in the timber. For the revolver-shots would not have been fired by Antonio, neither would the latter have been on the Frio, had it not been for those whose trail we have for a time followed. And had not Big Foot Wallace been thus warned, he would, without doubt, have been shot dead by the sentinels near the camp, as bis horse was fagged and he intended camping when he reached that point. The giant scout, although ever on the alert, could not have detected the presence of any living thing in the ‘“‘open” chosen by the bandits as a camping-place, for they were too far from the edge of the timber for the slight sounds caused by the animals to be heard, es- pecially. by one riding his own horse. The exicans on guard would, besides, bave dis- covered him, their most dreaded enemy, and his useful life would have ended in a sudden and tragic manner. But it was ordained to be otherwise, for the two revolver reports, although nearly a mile away, reached bis keen ears, notwithstanding the breeze was westerly, blowing the sounds eastward, Big Foot quickly brought his horse to a halt, exclaiming to the animal, as much as to him- self: ‘‘ Hol’ up, ole boss! Jehossifat, ef thar ain’t some fun goin’ on, I’m a roarin’, ragin’ affer- davy bu’ster! Glide ’long easy-like, under ther shadders, ontil I kin git a squar’ peep et things.” As he said this he started the horse more un- der the branches and along beneath the same. ‘‘ Dang, an’ double-dang me, ef I doesn’t b’lieve thar’s somethin’ inter thet timber thet would ha’ bin sorter dangerous ter we-’uns ef wed sloshed ‘long without. gittin’ kinder worked up by thet shooter! For thet warn’t shot ter kill, but es a signal, 1’m dead sure an’ sartain. ‘‘ Ef that ain’t a Greaser a-gittin’ ter save his carkiss, | never see’d one; an’ thar’s two white men a-lungin’ arter him. Whoop! what's a-comin’ nex’? Thar’s *nother batch on ahindt. Six more white men, an’.one on ’em ridin’ es though be war tied ter his critter an’ didn’t like ter go. Whatin thunderation does this byar all mean? “Thar scoots ther Greaser inter ther bush an’ ther two white pilgrims hot arter him, Cuss my cats! es Ole Rock says, ef bit ain’t gittin’ interestin’, ef I hes gut a k seat. Reckon Ill hey ter take a hand in this game sooner er later.” At this moment the young planters disap- peared in the timber, and Big Foot again drew rein to listen. The two shots fired by them, as the lassoes caught the baffled pursuers of Anto- nio, sounded loud through the timber, ‘* Thar’s more’n one Greaser in kiver yun- der,” soliloquized the scout. ‘‘ Ther cuss what war chased would ha’ poneec his critter an’ tuck ’crost ther drink ef he hedn’t pards layin’ low, fer he know’d he war boun’ ter be kerral’d ef he lingered. ‘*T swan, ther t’others air jist a-humpin’ thar- selves; an’, ole hoss, Dll slip yer bridle, lariat er ter some saplin’ inside o’ kiver, whar thar’s ‘eed, an’ skute on ther sly down-crick, I must know what’s goin’ on er I'll bu’st my thinkin’- box.” Quickly the scout guided his horse into the timber, selecting a small ‘‘open” secure from observation where he tied his animal, and then stole stealthily, but rapidly, down-stream, keep- ing himself well in the thickets. ' Big Foot, with the cunning and silent move- ments of a red-man, approached the bandit camp until near enough to determine by the sounds produced by the many horses of the out- laws, the exact position of the encampment. He then climbed up into a huge tree, the thick foli- age ‘and drooping Spanish moss effectually con- cealing him after he had reached a distance half the hight of the tree. Thence he proceeded with great care from tree to tree on the interlocked limbs until directly at the margin of the ‘open ” in which was the bandit camp. Although prepared for a surprise of some nature, the giant scout was filled with amaze- ment when he discovered a large force of Mexi- can bandits at such a distance from the Rio Grande, and he saw that, had he not been warned by the sight of the two men chasing the lone Greaser, he would in all probability have been riddled with bullets, As a matter of course, Big Foot stood ready at all times to lend his aid to all whites against reds or yellows; but now he felt a much deeper interest in this party of white men, from know- ing that his own life had probably been saved by their appearing upon the Rio rio in the nick of time. Consequently, he was filled with vengeful fury when be saw _ the two youn planters lying apparently dead, the lassoes sti encircling them and binding their arms tight to their sides. And much more furious was he when he saw the disposition of the bandits, lassoes in hand, along each side of the camp, the sound of ap- proaching from east and west proving that the remainder of the party of whites had divided and were dashing into the bandit camp from both up and down the river. |. Big Foot hoped that the whites, although a few in numbers, would “ break brush ” with fin- ers on triggers, and pour a burtling hail of ead into the Greasers; but he well knew that the former were on strange ground, and could not be aware of the pepesnen of the Mexicans, or of the fate that had befallen their friends, Had he known before, how matters stood, as he saw the same now, he would have kept his saddle, joined the Texans, and charged the camp with them; but there was no time now for regrets and explanations. Hecould not even warn them of their danger, or assist them in the least, without betraying his presence, and being shot from the tree like a ’coon, Never, in all his varied experience, had the scout been in such a strange and perplexing tion; thus to crouch silently among the ranches, and witness, it was probable, the butchery of the whites by the Mexican horde below. Such was his excitement as the Texans crushed through the undergrowth nearer and nearer, that he could not contain himself. He drew his revolvers, resolved that many a Greaser’s life should pay the’ forfeit, for this cowardly ambuscading of half a dozen white men. But the sight that met his eyesso dazed Big Foot, and the Texans and Mexicans were so mingled together, as the former spurred into the camp, and the latter shot lassoes from all sides, that he held fire; and fortunate it was that he did. His eyes glared with admiration, as Roy laid two Greasers dead before being dragged from his horse; the keen eyes of the scout, and his knowledge of Mexican character preventing him from firing, as he became calmer, for he saw at once that it was the intention of the bandits to take the Texans alive, and that, for the present, they were safe. The actions and commands of Antonio, who was well known to Big Foot, in preventing his enraged followers from killing the whites, caused the watching scout to decide that there was something behind the scenes, which time would soon make plain to him. Thus he kept his position, and heard every word that passed; becoming in a little time, well informed as to the condition of affairs, Much relieved was he, when the two young planters arrived, and were sent for the ransom money; for Big Foot had believed them to be dead. The fearlessness and noble bearing of Roy Randolph impressed the scout greatly, and he was filled with sympathy for Captain Ray; vow- ing that he would dedicate his service to the rescue. of these Texans, who seemed to be strangers, and unaccustomed to the frontiers, These men bad lost their liberty, and perhaps their lives, in their endeavors to rescue a maiden from a villain who bad stolen her. This much was Pe: and also that the young girl had escaped from her abductor, when on the San Miguel; and he, the man Le Grand, was then searching for ber. If this maiden, Rosa Ray, was recaptured, her fate would be worse than death, for the mis- creant who had stolen her, and was now in search of her, had, it seemed, entered into a compact of some kind with the bandit chief, and was under bis protection. This settled it as to his degraded character, and Big Foot vowed that, not only should Rosa Ray be saved, and the dastard, who sought her ruin, hanged; but also that the Texans, now captive beneath his perch, should be freed, and the bandits made to curse the day that they en- camped on the Rio Frio, or set eyes on the coward Le Grand. Having made a mental “afferdavy” to this effect, Big Foot Wallace began to plan how he might most effectually carry out his sworn intentions, just as the sentinels were posted for the night, and the few remaining bandits lay down to their rest. CHAPTER XXVI. IN THE COILS OF THE SERPENT. Like a fiend of the night, sent forth to pounce upon innocence and virtue, and blast the fair and good with his poemncas breath, on up the San iguel galloped Louis Le Grand; spurring his steed without mercy, and clasping to his vile breast the form of the now unconscious Rosa Ray. The face of the poor girl was plainly marked by the soul-drawn anguish, despair, and terror that had convulsed her when, staggering over the plain toward the fast flying forms of those who were seeking her—those who were dearer to her than life itself—she had been stricken to insensibility by the exultant demon laugh of Le Grand, and her eyes again, though for an instant only, caught sight of his brutal and repulsive ace, There was then, no hope; and, with a prayer for death to release her, she sunk into the arms of death’s twin sister, insensibility. At times Le Grand glanced over the plain, to- ward the fast-flying wagon, and the pursuin men of the Brazos; and he cursed.and raved, because Antonio did not leave the wagon, take to his horse, and escape. For the miscreant well knew that his own future, the success of his plans, depended upon this Mexican, whom he had bribed to serve him, Should he now be taken, and tortured into a confession, Le Grand felt that there would be little hope of his escape with Rosa; for he dared not return toward ciy- ilization, his only safety henceforth being with the bandits of whom Antonio bad asserted him- By be the ae Grand, stin at fun us reasoning rand, Sli at fu reached a point where he thought he could ett safety, dash away from the timber, and out upon the plain toward the Rio Frio; on a paral- le Cele to am of ge ps ig ot a great length of time, after leaving the river did Le Grand gallop, when, to his ewaat relief and cere he saw the wagon come toa halt, and Antonio mount his horse; afterward lashing the mules onward. Then, as the bandit Gomicbooks (E (<0)