Beadle's Dime Library, No. 261 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

aa -7> re Wee , i 16 © +e a ware. \“bether purposely or not, he advanced between Balboaz and his victim. A long buf- falo-robe was flung over one arm. He bent his head respectfully, then bending forward he whispered a few words into the bandit chief’s ear. The latter, already angry at being so long baffled, glanced furiously at the Indian and cried: “Back to your place! mean by interrupting me at such a time? Did I not tell you to reserve your news till later?” would leap to bear our success,” ‘No matte. Out of iny way till I finish this wretched Montezuma. I will torture him to the death but what | worm the secret from bis stubborn breast.” The Apache i agate resumed his position in the background. But he bad accomplished his purpose, During the brief moment he had stood be- tween Montezuma and the leader of the bandits pet a knife in bis right hand, under the riendly concealment of the buffalo-robe be had deftly cut the cords binding the left hand of the suffering Indian. So quickly had the movement been performed that not even the Mexican, Gavara, perceived it. When the Apache, who had acted so singular- ly in behalf of Montezuma, withdrew bis hand, it no longer held the knife. That was grasped in the left band of Montezuma. The latter, so soon as he perceived = pene of freedom open before him, manifested as on a former occasion, a surprising promptitude in taking advantage of it. The agony he was enduring seemed to spur him to ten-fold activity. Thus, as soon as he grasped the friendly knife and just as the Apache stepped back, he severed the remaining cords, leaped from the terrible instrument, and es the startled Gavara rushed forward to secure him, finished the work by plunging the knife into the Mexican’s breast. The next moment he sprung past Balboaz and through the open door, Balboaz bad been dazed for a moment by this ie and almost miraculous change of af- rs. The sight of the Indian escaping acted as a reviver. ‘ After him!” he cried, as he himself dashed forward at full speed. ‘‘ Diablo! the ver fiends are against me,” he muttered to himself, as he tried hard to gain on the fleeing Montezu- ma; ‘this is the third time he has escaped me.” The Indian, after ee from the room, turned directly toward the entrance that open- ed upon the broad ledge extending some hun- dreds of yards beyond. ' When thoce pursuing saw him take tbis course they laughed derisively, for they knew that nothing short of the birds of the air could de- scend from it to the valley below. On which- ever side Montezuma might turn naught but a precipice reaching sheer down hundredsof feet, awaited him, ¢ “Take it easy,” said Balboaz, laughing, and settling down to a walk, ‘the fool will onl prolong his sufferings a few more hours. He cannot escape us.” As Montezuma turned and saw that his pur- suers were slowly sauntering after him, he Hiei to himself, and also altered his pace to a walk. In this manner they proceeded till the Indian at last stood on the brink of the deep basin in ‘vhich shone darkly clear the waters of what was known as the ‘* Bottomless Pool.” Here he paused and turned defiantly on his pursuers, like a noble stag at bay. The latter were not more then twenty yards away when Balboaz shouted: - ‘Ah, Montezuma! you see how useless your efforts are. What I have set my heart on must be mine. Only reveal the secret of the treasure and you are free to go where you please.” ‘“‘ Your words are wasted, Balboaz—bandit— stealer of cattle—torturer of the defenseless! ‘Your barbarous arts are as useless against me as the idle wind. ‘You wish the buried treasures of the Montezumas””’ ‘‘ Yes, and, diablo! I intend to bave them,” was the fierce reply, and aeeneg, eek ge signal Balboaz and the two Mexicans rushed forward - to seize bim. Montezuma re'reated one step and cried: “Dare to follow me, Balboaz, and you shall ' behold treasures greater than your paltry ima- gination ever conceived.” Then, shaking his fist defiantly at the bandit leader, who was almost upon him, he turned and leaped into the ‘‘ Bottomless Pool.” Acry of astonishment broke from the two Mexicans and they rushed forward to gaze into the fathomless waters which the Indian had chosen for his grave. Anxiously they look for his reappearance, but not a ripple disturbed the smooth surface of the _ poo, after the commotion created by his first plunge bad subsided. ‘Holy saints!” exclaimed one of the Mex- icans, ‘‘ he has gone down like lead.” Balboaz was mad with rage, Black Sam, the Pra Diablo! what do you | | dressed. cepeemenreenieeetetipeiepritnetng iti eittte=eee==meeties ns et ete a ee LL SL SL ee TN ————_SS ee ee ox “Curses! ten thousand curses on the whole affair! ever—the only link by which I could reach the countless treasures of the Montezumas.” He paused a moment, exhausted by passion. Then he turned suddenly upon his nearest subordinate: ‘* How did he get loose? How did he cut bis bonds—bound hand and foot as be was’ How did he get bold of a knife?’ These questions he | bissed forth without a moment’s pause. ‘You did; but Creeping Fox thought you | ‘*Itis alla mystery,” answered the one ad- ‘‘Tt all oceurred after that Indian, Creeping Fox, spoke to you.” ‘* Ah, I remember—the wily scoundrel! If T find he has had a hand in this I'll flay him alive. Some one fetch him into the torture- chamber.” It was thus the bare, desolate-looking room that contained the rack was called, It will be seen that Balboaz was a fit descend- ant of his ancestors, the soldiers of the Inquisi- tion. At the sudden and startling escape of Monte- zuma, his attention had been entirely diverted from the Apache, Creeping Fox. Hence, not until his name was mentioned did he guess that he might have had some share in the transaction. Meantime he returned to the torture-cham- er. The Mexican he had dispatched soon reap- peared, but alone. s ‘* Well?’ said Balboaz, interrogatively. “Creeping Fox is not to befound. One of the men over at the camp says he saw him de- scending to the valley not five minutes ago.” “That settles it,” cried the chief, jumping up. ‘There is some deviltry at work. It has wormed itself into our most secret stronghold, and by all the saints in the calendar, I believe those American scouts have turned up again!” He had scarcely ceased when a tap on the door sounded, and immediately after entered omen, without hat or coat, and almost shoe- ess, Balboaz sprung forward to meet him. “Quick!” he cried; ‘did you meet, as you came up, an Indian dressed like Creeping Fox?” a did. He is no more Creeping Fox than I am. ‘*Then why in the name of all that’s wonder- ful did you let him go?” ‘* Because,” said Gomez, “I'd as lief tackle a grizzly as that map.” ** Whois he?” ‘“No other than Richard Moore, the fellow that’s followed us clear from Texas,” CHAPTER XXVII. GOMEZ'S TALE. THE renowned leader of outlaws and cattle- stealers could not restrain a sudden backward movement at mention of Richard Moore's name, That name had come to have a dread signifi- cance for bim. He remained silent a moment, with frowning brow, then he said emphatically : ‘By Heavens, zen are right! Now that I re- call his form and gesture as he spoke to me, I am astonished that I did not recognize him. But who would have looked for him under the guise of an Apache?” ‘*Who would have looked for him in any guise here, in the very heart of his enemy’s most secret stronghold?’ There was a latent irony in the Mexican’s words which the keen-witted Balboaz was quick to detect. ‘‘ An} you,” he retorted flercely—“ I left you with special orders to shadow this man—to trail him inctssantly, to destroy bim—him and his negro mate. How have you executed the com- mission?’ Before the embarrassed Gomez could reply, he went on: ‘* Now you return alone, half-naked, and coolly announce to me that you have just passed this man—the man you were ordered to ut out of the way—and have let him go unin. ured. How happens it that he has entered our camp ahead of you? How ree it that he wears the clothes of Creeping Fox! Where is the real Creeping Fox, tbe Indian I left with you? Gomez quailed before the fierce manner of his questioner. He answered in a tone sufficiently humble: ‘* T confess, captain, I have been beaten and outwitted. But if you will hear my tale through you will grant that no one in the band could ave come off any better.” . Balboaz gave a grumbling assent, and the Mexican commenced the narrative of his ad- ventures, the substance of which is as follows: When Gomez and the Indian Creeping Fox were left behind at the little valley, they had concealed themselves among the rocks, for they were certain that the two scouts would not fail to revisit the vacant camp. In this hope they were not disappointed. The 5 ¢ irie Thunderbolt. Why didn’t I guess that he was going | to destroy himself? Now the link is gone for- | ———— — lieutenant and Sam, after carefully reconnoi- tering the ground, rode boldly in with the first. rays of the morning sun. After examining the tracks of the horses, they immediately followed on the trai] of Bal- boaz and bis men. : They betrayed by no backward look the fear of being followed. Gomez and his companion acted with great caution, _ They followed the two scouts for some miles: into the mountains without exciting the slight- est suspicion. It was late in the evening when Richard Moore and Sam arrived at a small mountain inn. The inn, or rather shanty, was a rude, flat- roofed structure built of logs, the numerous crevices plastered shut with ‘* dobbin.” Moore knew he was running considerable risk in thus seeking food and shelter at a place so near Balboaz’s head-quarters. But the constant strain of the preceding night and day had proved too much even for the stal- wart lieutenant and Sam’s iron frame. They were both dead-tired and half-starved. But rest was the first imperative need, and al! that they asked the gray-baired, beetle-browed host was for a cup of strong coffee and beds. Contrary to their expectations, they were: treated very politely. While the coffee was preparing under the deft hands of a meager-looking female of the Mexican type—probably the landiord’s wife— the two men were seated on rude cane-chairs in the best room. The old man was very loquacious. His lon life had furnished bim a plentiful supply o experiences, new and interesting to the two. scouts, Moore bad studied human nature too careful- ly to be altogether deceived by the old man’s. riendly manner. Every now and then, from the midst of the stream of rude Spanish, a question would pop- ap regarding the names, object and destination of his guests, The negro Sam maintained a respectful si- ence, The lieutenant answered guardedly. In the midst of their talk the coffee came in, a square-shaped board serving as a waiter, e odorous smell that saluted their nostrils. was very appetizing. Moore, however, was not so innocent as to swallow it down, and no questions asked. He put the ng to the brim, to his lips, and slightly tasted it, ; ‘It tastes bitter,” he said, making a wry ace, The negro shrewdly imitated his example and the cups were left undrained. The sharp-featured hostess commenced volu-. bly detending the merits of her coffee, ‘*Perbaps,” broke in Richard Moore, “ the cups were not carefully wasbed. I will empty these and clean them, after which we will test the good qualities of your coffee again. Or,” he added, ** you may drink what is in the cups: yourselves if you fancy the taste.” This offer was very promptly declined. Moore then went to the door, emptied the cups; tben rinsed them carefully at a rude wash- stand; and lastly, filled them himself from the rude stone vessel in which the coffee was steam- ing. fie and Sam then drank the fragrant beverage without hesitation. It refreshed them wonderfully, and, without further delay, they asked to be shown to their~ beds. Had the old Mexican and his wife been in- nocent, inoffensive persons, the behavior of our- hero as recorded above would seem extremely rude, As it happened, however, bis stspicions had hit the truth. The coffee had been drugged, end had they drank it their sleep that night would probably have lasted into eternity. The voluble old man was wo longer voluble. He saw that his two guests were altogether “too fly,” and, assuming a cool, offended man- ner, he conducted them in silence to the room above. The two scouts had all their weapons with them. As they entered the low-ceilinged room oeey deposited their rifles in convenient reach against the wall; their revolvers they placed be- neath their pillows, and dressed as they were they flung themselves upon the two s, that stood separated by a narrow space at one end of the room. They had no further fear of their two un- canny hosts below. Since the drug bad failed the two old pecple would scarcely attempt to plunder two resolute and well-armed men: Be- sides they pad carefully fastened the door by pushing a large dressing-case against it. The only other entrance was a small window direct- ly between their beds. A nail soon secured this ci or hag! considered themselves safe for the night. They had scarcely touched the hard mat- tresses, which, to their wearied frames were like downy couches, when they fell into the deep» slumber of exhaustion.. ; Sonn od gar