Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 256 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

| ‘ — -_ Double Dan, the Dastard. At this moment Dan, who had approached | his brain, had not bis brutal and cowardly | he was forced to hear, and which we will recor d, It is unnecessary for us to enter into any rticular description of the young men who! threw up his hands in amazement; then, sud- ay upon the sward in the encampment, with | aan b recovering his presence of mind, he one exception. He who appeared to be the leading spirit of the party, was of medium hight, and thin in flesh, but showed evidence of great strength and quick movemen s. His bair was dark as midnight, as were his brows, lashes, mustache, and imperial. So, also, were his deep-set, treacherous eyes, that rolled nervously about in a suspicious manner, His skin was swarthy, and, in short, bis gen- eral appearance was repelling, and calculated to create aversion in the mind of an acute ob- server, He was clad in a rich hunting-costume, and bis arms were highly ornamented with silver filagree work; his dissolute companions evi- dently looking up to him as a superior, The whisky-flask, which was passed around the circle, was returned to the young man we have flescribed, who drank again, saying, in a surly, and indignant voice, to the negro who was busy at the camp-fire: **Here, you Dan, pass my canteen, will you? And, if you haven’t filled it with fresh water, skip lively and doso. Do you think 1 am going to burn the skin off my throat with this infer- nal le liquor, and nothing to wash it down with?” ‘Fo’ de Lor’, Mars’ Louis,” explained the slave, in evident fear, ‘‘1 dove disremembered dat wata’! Dar’s sich a befty ’mount fer ole Dan ter do dat he’s sorter fluscated.” The canteen lay within reach of ‘ Mars’ Louis,” and the old negro hastened to the river, filled itand returned as if life depended upon his haste. Feigning to be strangling, Louis Le Grand for such was the young man’s name, clutched the canteen and drank quickly. He tben hurled a billet of deadwood at the retreating negro, striking the slave a powerful blow in the back, and causing the poor cld fellow to bound jn the air and utter a howl of mingled pain and appre- hension, proving that he had good reason to fear his brutal master. A chorus of laughter burst from the lips of the young men which seemed greatly to please their ruffianly leader, who, a moment after, arose to a sitting posture, crying out, as if come important thought had suddenly struck bim: ‘** Boys, now I think of it, we can’t be more than five miles above Bend Plantation, and that brings to mind tbe fact that I have resolved to form the acquaintance of Miss Rosa Ray, whose old man has forbidden her associating with the young gents of the neighborhood. The girls say she isa Bay one and pretty as a pink, which, of course, is not one-half what she merits, or they wouldn’t admit that much. Rosa is a great catch, for the old captain is well- fixed and she is his only child. I tell you, boys, I’m going for her the first chance that opens.” “ And you'll slip up on the game, Louis,” as- serted one of his companions. ‘ The old Cap is a rager as far as Rosa is concerned, and. she is full of fire and vim and good solid sense.” ‘* Have you seen her, Jim?” asked Louis. ‘‘Yes, She has visited our ranch. My sis is a clivm of bers, and I will say bonestly, Rusa Ray is the prettiest girl on the Brazos.”’ *T'll back you on that,” putin another, ‘‘She’s an angel, you bet, and I'll wager my horse inst a jackass-rabbit that she takes no no- ce of you, Louis, if you push your acquain- tance, which, by the way, is the only way you ean gain bers.” ‘‘ Boys, you don’t know me yet, I see,” said Le Grand, stroking his chin with an air of proud superiority. ** When I set my mind onan object, Lam bound to carry it out, if the devil himself stood in my path. Vl bet you each a bundred dollars against ten thatd’il not only in- troduce myself to Rosa Ray at the Bend, within a week, but I shall be on intimate terms with her. . ‘‘T admit, however, that I propose to.accom- plish my object without the old Cap. being aware of wha’ is going on. There's a ¢hance, pards, for a to make a small stake, or to lose a smaller, if you feel so inclined.” ‘‘T take that bet,” said Jim, quickly. “And I! And 1! And J,” ran around the cir- cle, “ Allright!” said Le Grand, drawing an ac- count book from his pocket, and writing in if, rapidl ; , userd it, boys. I have you all foul, I'll win that bet, or die trying.” ‘* When do you make your first advance upon Castle Ray, or the Princess Ray, I should say rather?” asked Jim. ‘‘Never you mind when,” replied Louis, ‘‘I said I'd be on intimate terms with Rosa within a week. It’s none of your business how or when I proceed, provided. I prove at the end of it that the little maiden who - lived so secluded a life, will meet me as a friend on the bank of the Brazos. You shall all view our meeting from the opposite side, and then decide whether I have won or lost my wager,” | the bank of the cove where the young man lay in the boat, in search of wood for the camp-fire, quickly bent to the earth, hoping, from the bottom of his honest heart, that he had not been noticed—for the old negro recognized, in the occupant of the boat, one whom he revered exceedingly. But, at the very moment of discovery, the young man had fallen into a slumber, induced by fatigue and heat, and his reclining position. Previous to this, however, he had heard the words of Louis Le Grand, and had fought against somnolence, but without avail. Old Dan’s movements, although quickly sup- pressed, had been observed by his master, who cried out: ‘What in the devil is the row with my nigger?” At the same moment he sprung to his feet and stalked silently forward toward the cove. Old Dan was muttering to himself, as he glided along in a half-bent position, picking up sticks. Louis La Grand soon reached bis slave, when the latter continued bis labor, not appearing to observe him, Le Grand peered through the branches, bis band upon bis revolver. Suddenly he caught sight of the sleeping man in the boat, and his face at once contorted with rage and hatred; the latter toward the sleeper, the first toward the slave. At this moment the companions of Louis ‘reached the side of the latter, when he raised a hand in gesture for them to halt, and gavea low hiss of caution. One look satisfied Le Grand that the sleeper was in a deep slumber—that it was no sham— and his features changed their expression to one of exultation as he said in a hoarse whis- ers ** Boys, this is most fortunate. There sleeps my worst enemy—Leroy Randolph, the only man on the Brazos whom 1 cannot look in the eye, the only man who creates a feeling akin to fear in my heart, and who assumes the airs of a superior. You all know bow he met me in the duello, LTinsulted him, I admit, and [( did not believe be had the ‘sand’ to face me at fifteen paces, because he professed to be averse to dueling. I forced him into a meeting, and he humiliated me, as you all know. ‘*T fired before the word, and missed him, and then he had me at his mercy; but, in a fury, | raised my revolver for a second shot. Then he fired, cutting off my finger, and de- rpying, my aim, and so the duello was decided ‘ off.’ ut I haven't forgotten that day. I swore revenge, and now is my time. *‘Retire from this spot, boys, as I wish no witnesses. I shall not murder him; only turn him adrift on the Brazos, without oars.” He said this last, as he saw that his words had produced horror among his companions. The eyes of Louis Le Grand blazed with fran- tic fury andacraving for revenge as he clutehed bis revolver and gazed threateningly upon his craven comrades, Fearing for their lives, without a word of remonstrance they stalked toward the opEnnite side of the camp and dis- appeared in the undergrowth, leaving old Dan by the fire, his form trembling from head to foot, and his eyes sticking out in terror as he gazed toward. his master. The latter, with a diabolical expression on his face, shook his fist menacingly at the poor old negro, who seemed chained to the spot, incapable of movement. Only for a moment did Louis Le Grand stand thus. Then he sunk from view, stealing down the bank of the cove, to the boat and its sleep-_ ing occupant. | ith movements, silent and cautious as those of a panther, Louis Le Grand removed the oars from the boat, and slipped the young man’s rifle over into the water, the same sinking in- stantly from view; he then, with tke atest care, severed the rope, and pushed the skiff out slowly from the cove into the river. Havin socom ished this, the miscreant gained the upper ank, and gazed out over the waters; his face exultant and fiendish in ex- pression, as he saw the boat glide swiftly down the Rio Brazos in mid-channel, on toward the Mexican Gulf! _ The handsome face of Leroy Randolph was just discernible, resting upon the pillowed prow, | As the boat disappeared around a bend, Le Grand half whirled in his tracks, and gazed with the ferocity. of some maddened, half- starved beast of prey toward the camp; gazed but @ moment at his slave, who, with ashen face, and quivering. form, his startled eyes fixed upon the point where he had last seen the anys ng the swift current, stood frozen in bis racks, The sight_maddened his master. With a fierce ‘oath, Le Grand sprung forward, seized a billet of wood, and whirling ‘fin the air, brought it down with terrific foree upon the head of his Ba ‘ith a groan of a and terror r old Dan dropped to the earth like a toe, ‘aonsblecs: bis gray wool mingling with the ashes of the camp-fire, which would soon have burned into 3 master given him a kick, that sent him away from the coals and flame. CHAPTER III, ROY AND ROSA, “LuLu! O-o-oh, Lulu!” Thus called out Rosa Ray, as sk » sprung from the window of her music room out upon the veranda, an hour or so previous to the scenes detailed as having occurred up the Brazos at | the bunting-camp of Louis Le Grand. Then, as the cry left her lips, there came in a far different tone of voice—one that was blend- ed with a half shriek of fright—an answering call from a distance. Rose burst into a merry, peal of laughter, saying, as soon as her mirt subsided: , **Oh, dear! aunt Roxie, I didn’t know you were here. I was calling Lulu, Have you seen my little fawn?’ Miss Roxanna Ray, the maiden sister of the captain, who had been in a half-dozing’ state, sprung upright in dread affright as her niece bounded from the window, calling out loudly the name of her pet. Then, as the young girl gave her apology and explanation, the lady re- turned: ‘“My dear Rosa! I do most sincerely hope that you will be more lady-like and circumspect _in your manner and actions as you grow older, [have requested you often of late to be less eee rT ——-— — ‘auntie; but I must te rude. Why, you gave mea terrible fright, and I shall suffer from one of my nervous headaches in consequence, *T had been reading an account, in the San Antonio Herald, of an Indian massacre on the Medina river, and was dreaming of the horrible particulars when your outcry—which appeared to me to be the war-whoop of the Comanches— burst on my ears. Please step into my room and bring me my camphor.” Rosa stood fcr a moment gazing into her aunt’s face, from which the traces of fright had not yet disappeared, her eyes expressing the ut- most amusement; then, unable to control the mirth produced by the good lady’s look of ter- ror, she darted back through the window, al- most shrieking with Jaughter, which sounded through the mansion, gradually dying down to a musical ripple, and again bursting forth un- controllably. She delayed her return with the camphor, endeavoring, with all her er of will, to suppress her mirth; but the ludicrous- ness of the situation was too much, and Rosa was forced to appear before aunt Roxie in a state of most humiliating embarrassment, for she really loved her relative, and was far from wishing to displease her or burt ber re However, the Jaughter of the young girl was contagious, and, before she had returned, aunt Roxie had herself seen the funny side of the picture, and ber usually sedate countenance was wreathed with smiles. This greatly relieved Rosa, but brought about anotber burst of laugh- ter. “Laugh, child! Laugh!” said her aunt. “I do not blame you for it. It was certainly most ridiculous to imagine your cry to be an Indian war-whoop.” | ** And not very Saget peng! to me, either, 1 papa, so he can enjoy the joke. Ido wish you could have seen your- self in a mirror as you started up with that look of terror. I know I should have been forced to laugh, even had real bona fide war- whoops sounded at the moment through the Bend. © But here is your camphor. I hope you don’t feel faint?” , i" “You gave me quite a shock, Rosa, but I shall soon be myself again, The revulsion in my feelings, from fright to mirth, has caused a favorable reaction. I did fear a rush of blood to my brain, Whereare you going, pg wml “Down to the’ landing, auntie. bh! here comes Lulu, searching fér me,” yn Rosa gave a low bird- like whistle, and a beautiful spotted fawn sprung to her side; rub- bing its graceful bead and neck against her hand, its large violet eyes gazing lovingly up into her face in a yearning manner, -°~ | Stooping down the fair girl caressed the love- ly creature for a moment, and then continued, in rapid speech: ‘Don’t send for me, aunt Roxie, for I to read in my bammock until I fall asleep. A two hours’ stesta after finishing my story will be quite refreshing. I have my lessons perfect. I am really sorry I awoke you, auntie, but I hope you will finish gos 7 now, without be- reams. ing scaJped in your y-by, aunt Roxie! Come, Luin!” Thus speaking, Rosa ng from the piazza and down along the sandy path toward the mag- nolias and the river bottom, without waiting for “ig reply or suggestion from her relative, Lulu, the fawn, bounding by her side. A few moments after our heroine was re- clining in her hammock beneath thé cool shades, the dreamy swaying of the same and the ripple of the waters below being conducive to sleep. And but a short interval after fastening her eyes upon the prin page when her lids drooped, her long lashes lay motionless upon her fair rosy cheeks, her red lips parted and her bosom rose and fell regularly. Gomme JOOKS co