Beadle's Dime Library, No. 261 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

om - * In peaceful slumber passed .the first hours of the night. But they were destined to be disturbed, and that seriously, ere another morn. The stoppage of the two scouts at the inn had not been unobserved by Gomez and his Indian comrade, When they imagined all secure and their destined victims buried in sleep, they applied for admittance at the rude door of the shanty. They were allowed to enter after some recon- noitering on the part of the two inmates--were immediately recognized ana an understanding, agreeable to both sides, arrived at. The two menials of Balboaz were in bigh glee at the exvellent opportunity of carrying out their important mission, “You must go carefully,” said the old Mexi- can, ‘‘They’re cunning as foxes. We tried to drug ’em but failed,” ‘All right,” said Gomez, ‘‘ You may count onus. But how are we to get to ’em?” “They have fastened the door,” answered the pleasant-voiced host, *‘ but there is a trap- door under one of the beds.” ‘‘Good! How shall we finish ’em Creeping Fox—knife or pistol?” ‘‘ Knife,” answered the Apache laconically. The landlord soon had a small ladder set up in one corner of the room, He pointed up. ‘‘ There,” said he, ‘‘is the opening.” Gomez ascended first, followed by the Indian. They are stealthy as cats in their movements, The trap-door was lowered. It is a thrilling moment to the villainous couple below, Slowly, stealthily, Gomez’s lean form disap- pears through the dark opening. f The Indian follows even more stealthily. — They are both in the chamber of the sleeping scouts, Are they sleeping? i The bearts of the cowardly landlord and his wife beat a regular tattoo in their bosoms, Suddenly the crack of a revolver sounds forth from the room above with startling loudness, succeeded by the noise of a furious struggle. CHAPTER XXVIII. A SUDDEN VICTORY. PROBABLY the two brave scouts had never weathered a greater peril than that encoun- tered on this night. é They were accustomed to danger in all its shapes and forms, but in their previous adven- tures they bad been awake and with all their wits about them. Now, after forty-eight hours’ constant strain and excitement they were just recruiting their exhausted powers in a deep refreshing slumber: and this is the moment chosen My the two mid- night assassins Gomez and the Indian to steal in upon them with the deadliest purpose in their hearts, They had actually, as we bave seen, gained an entrance through the trap door that opened beneath Sam’s bed, The deep breathing of the sleeper was plainly heard by Gomez as he crawled from beneat the bed, The Mexican smiled to himself at what he fancied would prove an easy task, He stepped softly, the ready knife in his hand, to the side of . he sleeping lieutenant. What instinct is it that warns us even in the deepest slumber, of a,strange presence—par- eclar) y if that presence be a hostile one? That such an instinct exists thousands who will read this will testify. The mysterious cur- rents, attractive and repulsive, that flow be- tween man and man, belong to the phenomena of a yet unexplored science. Some such instinct it was that caused Richard “Moore in the midst of a profound slumber to suddenly open his eyes just in time to behold the dark form and upraised knife of Gomez the Mexican! To spring up and grapple with the treacher- ous assailant was the work of a moment. At the same instant, almost, Sam, awakened by the noise, grasped a revolver already cocked from beneath his pillow and let drive at the In- dian, Creeping Fox, who had just emerged from beneath the bed. . At such close range if wculd have been re- markable if Sam’s ball had missed. As it was the Indian received it full on the backbone which was broken as if it were rotten wood rendering him hors de-combat at once and for- ever, Meantime the struggle between Richard and the Mexican did not remain long doubtful. ‘The latter was no match in wrestling with the former, whose college training now served him to good purpose, and he soon measured his length upon the floor, the knife which he still clutched, rendered useless by the strong grasp of the lieutenant. Sam, coming to his assistance, the conquered Mexican by the aid of sundry pieces of bed- cord was soon reduced to a state of helpless- ‘ness, Then the two friends drew back to recover breath. Toe lieutenant’s eyes fell upon the dead In- TR et Be | Fox. “You killed him?’ he asked of Sam. * What am it?” ‘It strikes me as foolbardy to venture any nearer Balboaz’s head-quarters in this dress. As you saw to-night, we ave watched, and liable to attack at any moment. We have not a friend within fifty miles. Something must be done to equalize affairs.” ‘* But what am we to do?’ reiterated Sam. ** We must disguise ourselves.” te How ” ‘**T shall turn Indian, and you must be trans- formed to a white man.” . ‘*Great Jerusalem!” exclaimed Sam. ‘“ Yer wouldn’t make me enny uglier dan I is al- ready?” “Hal ba! You think printing your skin white will make you uglier? Every man to his tastes—but I advise you to overcome your prejudice this time if you value a safe skin, whether white or black,” A light was then struck in the darkened room, and the work of disguising themselves was commenced forthwith. A pouch contain- ing paints, mixed of different clays, and brushes was found attached to the dead Indian’s girdle. This greatly assisted them, and in the course of balf an hour, by aiding each other, the task was Virtually complete, Richard Moore was equipped in the full dress of an Apache warrior, moccasins, tunic, feathers and all—even the features of the dead Indian had been skillfully imitated by Sam, The latter, with some difficulty, was in like manner painted into the likeness of a white »erson of distinction. It was really comical to ehold the change effected in Sam’s personality by a deft application of the brusb. emerged from Richard Moore's skillful hands he might readily have been taken for some Wall street banker arrived to stoutness and middle- age; or some portly Congressman, grown heavy froin digesting the weighty affairs of the nation, Only the requisite broadcloth and starched linen were wanting. The Mexican who lay bound and gagged upon the floor during these proceedings was divested of bat and coat. The broad sombrero effectually bid Sam’s hair, which might other- wise have betrayed him. Having thus effectually disguised themselves, the two scouts next considered what disposition should be made of Gomez. To leave him in the mountain-inn would be the same'as granting him freedom; as the old couple who inhabited it would hardly fail to release him at the first opportunity. They finally resolved to take him forth to some Obscure point in the forest and bind him to a tree, furnishing him food and water till some chance hunter might rescue him, It would have served his purpose much more effectually to slay the Mexican outright; but the lieutenant ohfected to so barbarous a mea- sure with abhorrence, ‘ They withdrew the clothes-press from before their door and bore Gomez between them to the floor below. This they found deserted. Their cowardly host and bis delectable wife bad fled on the first sign that the struggle above was doubtful. They marched Gomez about a mile into the wilderness, unbinding bis feet for that purpose; and there left him tied securel¥ to a sapling. His hands were partly. free, to reach the food and drink brought from the inn. ‘ Then they returned, to find their horses un- disturbed in a rude shed attached to the inn. They rode boldly forward along the narrow, rocky trail that led to Balboaz’s stronghold. It was by no means their object, however, to hy ride) directly into the lion’s den. It small, obscure vale must be found for them. selves and horses in the mountains, not too far from their enemy, and yet far enough for con- cealment and safety. Such a hiding-place was found after some search not more than two miles from whére they had discovered Balboaz to have fixed his head-quarters. The vale was snugly sheltered on near! every side by towering cliffs and shaggy forest. Best of all a clear spring bubbled forth at the foot of one of the cliffs, whose water running off ina small stream, furnished moisture to the tall, green grass—making delightful pasture for the horses, This was to be used as a base of operations. Here the two friends rested in pleasant security nearly the whole of the following day. Toward night Richard Moore ventured forth in his disguise, and as we have seen, successfully entered the brigands’ stronghold, and succeeded once more in freeing the tortured Montezuma from his cruel captor. He did not know, however, of the latter’s plunge into the “ Bottomless Pool.” He had left immediately after performing the clever feat, knowing that were his agenc therein discovered his life would not be wort a moment’s purchase, As it was he made a narrow escape, am, the Prairie Thunder ** Sartin.” ‘*To the victor belong the spoils, I have an idea.” When he | } | | sa (o bed planned between them that some | wrote in pencil: a Gomez Montezuma, from a second horrible torture.’ i had been found some time after he had been tied up, by the host of the mountaininn. He made all baste on foot to bear the ill tidings to his chief. Hence the meeting at the foot of the steep road hewn in the cliff. Richard Moore's daring stood him in good stead here as on other occasions. Presenting a pistol at the demoral- ized Mexican, he said; ‘* Pass on, but if you dare to look back, or call an alerm until I am out of sight, J will shoot you down as I would a wild beast.. Beware!” With which words he walked on calmly, The Mexican was already completely unnerved by his recent defeatand capture. The superior moral power and bearing of the lieutenant held complete sway over him until in the presence of his master-spirit Balboaz. Such was the Mexican’s tale, somewhat ex- parided into our own narrative style. ‘5 Balboaz’s only remark at tke conclusion was vis: ‘* All this only proves, Gomez, that you are no match for those fellows. Since you and Creep- ing Fox have failed I myself will enter the lists,” CHAPTER XXIX, A USEFUL ALLY. Wuern Richard Moore left the mountain stronghold he made straight for the little valley where he bad left Sam and the horses, His first object was to adopt some new disguise for the one he now wore was no longer of any service, but rather the contrary, At one point of tho route he would pass with- in balf a mile of a road connecting the towns in the plains below with the silver mines further up. He resolved to pay a visit to this road and await whatever chance might offer for effecting his object. Having reached the road—if that could be called a road which was not more than a mule- path—he sat down upon a stone by the wayside and patiently waited. Not many minutes passed ere a stout,simple- looking native made bis appearance, evident] ro from the mines asa heavy leathern pouc anging from bis belt indicated. Our bero accosted him, and at once made known bis business, whieb was no other than to effect a transfer of clothing. The simple looking miner at first stared in be- wilderment at such a proposal coming from one dressed in the picturesque but scanty garb of an Apache warrior, he lieutenant soon made matters clear and the miner was finally persuaded into the belief that it would be a fine Pe to appear among bis cronies dressed a la Apache especially when gpa t by a handsome douceur of two shining gold eagles. ‘ The transfer was made then and there, all except the leathern pouch which the miner was careful enough to retain, ‘““What town are you making for?” asked Moore, when he had finished dressing bimself in the miner’s clothes, ‘Santa Clara,” - : ey lieutenant gave a slight gesture of sur- prise. That was the name of the place where Colonel Harrison bad agreed to bave ready on emer- gency a body of men, partly from the garrison at Fort B——, partly Mexican t » who were to combine for making a decisive attack on Balboaz and bis men. Richard Moore reflected that it was now six days since he had crossed the boundary into Mexican territory, affording ample time for the colonel to be at the appointed place with the troops, If this was so, he could not bave a better op- pha the sent for sending a mes- to Colonel Harrison. e tore a leaf from his note-book, and hastily ‘Have trailed the game to bis last cover. Be ready to move within two days at least. Hope to have good news by that time. Birdie Lester ra a captive. ours, R. Folding the leaf carefully, he directed iy and handed it to the miner. ‘*Take that,” he said, ‘to the commander of the American troops in Santa Clara—Colonel Harrison, trouble.” | Then enjoining — him strict . secrecy, Richard Moore, in his rough miner’s garb, turned once more toward bis little retreat the mountains, He arrived shortly after nightfall, Sam, who was keeping guard, was nearly on the point of ng at one who seemed to bim an intruder into their biding-place. voice of the lieutenant stop ‘6 Sam partner?” As Pet ‘Jerusalem! it am you, sartin; but who'd ‘a’ known you in that rig?” him *“* Never mind the rig, Sam. Necessity is the _ ; "i mother of invention. My first disguise played out Lrg I —_ fairly got used served one good purpose. ‘** What war dat ~s ‘It enabled me to free our Indian fri nd, He will reward you for your. ~ in ra But the well-known | you wouldn’t shoot your own to it; but it. Gomic | * books:com + i ; % * “4 a 3 4 : he + —— vy + a £ x, .f + >» s :