Beadle's Dime Library, No. 261 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

cil ‘‘ What!” exclaimed Sam, ‘‘am ce squares- red-ckin dat eber breathed really free an’ at libin’?” **[ know not whether he got clear away or not. lam certain, though, he is too keen-witted to fall alive into Balboaz’s hands,” “An? what ob Miss Birdie—de purtiest gal in Texas?” The lieutenant shook his head sadly. ‘*My stay was too short to do anything in that direction. 1 did not even get sight of er. ‘* When is yer goin’ to commence work?” “This very night.” “c How ” ‘* We must first hunt for some other mode of access to the mountain fortress than the regular one.” “You will not try to enter openly then?” ‘No. Balboaz has been warned of our presence. It would be folly to venture on another ruse like the first.” ‘Does yer think anudder entrance can be found?’ “It seemsimpossible. Yet it will be no harm to try.” It was now growing late, and*amid the shadows of the cliffs intense darkvess reigned. The two friends concluded it was time to break up their interview, and proceed to active work, Being already thoroughly armed, they made no other preparation than to take a basty bite of food, and a draught of water, sufficient to strengthen them for their perilous under- taking. A rapid walk of half an bour through the | rugged fastuesses of the mountain brought _ Black Sam, the Prairie Thunderbolt. ! of the person before them, they cried as with one voice: ‘‘It is the Indian! It’s Montezuma!” Weapons were immediately replaced and a hearty greeting, which we will not attempt to describe, took place. ‘** And how did you escape?” at length asked the lieutenant, **] leaped into the ‘ Bottomless Pool.’ ” Mbt ‘Bottomless Pool!’ I do not under- stand. ‘*T outwitted the fools finely. Little do they imagine the mysteries amid which they bave lived so many years.” ‘** But your escape—I cannot understand it,” persisted the lieutenant, ‘*The explanation would take up too much time at present,” said Montezuma, ‘‘if you still persist in the object that brought you here.” **To find a way to the top of the cliffs Yes, I confess that is what we have been working for to-night.” ‘‘It may be easier than you think, Follow me, and I may assist you in a way you have not dreamed,”’ The Indian turned with the words and, cross- ing the stream, stepped to the base of the cl ff where it was washed by the descending shower of water. Directly behind this dense, misty shower, the cliff was completely hid by a most luxuriant mass of vegetation descending into the waters of the shallow pool. CHAPTER XXX IN THE BOSOM OF THE MOUNTAIN. THE Indian, the two scouts being directly be- them to the small, meadow-like expanse, from | bind bim, suddenly stooped and pulled aside, as which towered boldly up the twin cliffs with their flat summits on which was planted, seem- ingly unapproachable, the bandits’ camp. The two friends took a long look at the black, gigantic shapes rising up before.them. Gould they surmount those perpendicular walls? ° lt seemed a bopeless task, yet with stout hearts they set about bunting for some yet un- discovered pathway. They started directly at the base of the main mountain on the north, and skirted the foot of the projecting cliffs outward to the ae: Their progress at first was slow, from the many rocks and bowlders scattered around. Nothing but the perpendicular face of the —_ greeted their anxious search for some rods, Weeds and tangled vines covered portions of the cliff. But even had a venturous climber committed himself to such a frail 5 oa they would either have failed before he had reached half-way, or his physical powers would have utterly Oe out. Thus they mepienes the foot of the first ledge completely, till they reached the base of the mountain directly opposite. where they had first started, their hopes waning as they pro- ceeded. : B2lfore them loomed the other cliff, more steep and forbidding than the first. Now and then, sounding far up, came the cry of the sentinel as he tramp bis beat, showing that Balboaz observed military precautions in his isolated camp. The place where Richard Moore and his com- anions halted to rest was one peculiarly invit- g from the soft turf that spread for some ards around, and which received nourishment macontinual misty shower that fell from some unknown point in the cliff above, This falling shower had gradually worn itself a deep basin at the foot of the cliff, from which it ran off in a gurgling stream—a pleasant sound to the thirsty, toil-worn scouts, ‘* Well, Sam, we have a barder task than we thought,’ said the lieutenant, rising from his knees, after taking a drink of the cool, dark waters at his feet. “Sartin—it am de hardest nut to crack I eber see’d.” ‘Would that our old friend, Montezuma, ~were here; he, if uny man, could show us a way. ° o Hist!” said Sam; **T heard de bushes ryst- lin’ ober dere—shoah’s yer’ libin.” Ricbard Moore looked in the direction indi- As he did so the tall form of a man became dimly discernible through the darkness. - i febens!” whispered Sam, “ we’ll be discov- ered. m The lieutenant grasped his knife.and shrunk back into the dense shadows of the cliff. He was anxious, yet determined. A discov- ery in their present situation could hardly be otherwise than fatal. Still the tall, dark form approached with the same rhythmical step. He stepped across the narrow rivulet and paused within three feet of our friends. By reaching out they could have touched bim. But during his approach the two scouts had kept their gaze intently fixed upon him. First doubt, then wonderment possessed their minds, until, when they could no longer doubt the tall, sleader furm, the noble bead, the erect bearing | if it were on hinges, a portion of the thica, mat- ted growth. ** Enter,” he said laconically. Looking within, the two men beheld to their surprise a hollow space, which seemed to ex- tend back into the cliff; but so dense was the darkness that they hesitated to obey the Indian’s command, ** Enter,” he repeated; ‘‘we shall strike a light as soon as we are allin and the entrance is closed against any intrusive gaze.” They entered without further parley, and were agreeably surprised by stepping upon what seemed solid rock. Montezuma followed immediately, letting the dense curtain fall to behind him. All three stood in intense darkness. The Indian from some hidden crevice pro- duced a pine fagot, the end covered with some dark, pitecby substance, which when lighted gave out a clear, luminous flame. The light flashed around on 4 small semi- circular «avity. The wall and floor looked like hard, baked clay. The side by which they had entered appeared a living mass of green, the drops of water gleaming through like so many diamynds, The two scouts gazed about them with won- derment. ‘IT see no way to get further,” said Richard Moore. **T will soon show you a way,” said Monte- zuma, flashing the light upward against the re which was only a few inches above his éad, t 4 te He pressed the torch against a certain point. With a slight creaking sound a small square section slid back, revealing an opening just large enough to admit the passage of a well- grown man. The Indian first drew himself up into the un- known darkness above, after handing the torch to th+ lieutenant, Next the lighted torch was handed through. Then, with the aid of Montezuma, the two friends also ascended through the narrow open- ing. The trap-door, which was operated by a secret spring, was closed to beveath their feet, gi they were inclosed on all sides by solid wocek. The traces left on the hard stone, now bem- ming them in, showed plainly that this strange passage was of artificial origin, The small landing-place in which they stood was just large enough to give standing-room for the three men. In front rose a flight of stone steps, between merry walls and disappearing in the darkness above, Montezuma started up the long flight, fol- lowed by Richard Moore and Sam, who con- templated the mysteries around them in awe and silence. Up! up! up—they went, till their limbs be- gan to totter under them, and the steep ascent seemed endless. : Now and then Moore fancied he saw the out- line of a door in the blank stone wall, which possibly led to chambers and mysterious vaults, unopened since their ancient builders, the Az- tees, had deserted them. At last the Indian came to a halt. F He had reached another small landing, the walls sernnay barring all further progress. Not a sign of a door appeared on the smooth face of the stone. Montezuma seemed thorouzhly =k the exits and entrances of the wonuerfu! !aby- rinth. Pressing a certain point in the face of the wall’ art of the smoothly-chiseled stone swung noise-- essly back, “Tread softly,” said the Indian, ‘‘ we have now left the secret portion of these passages, and are in the corridor that leads to the cham- bers of Balboaz.” He took the precaution, first, to close the: secret door behind him, and so nicely was it fitted in the stone wall that not the slightest race remained of its existence, hundreds of times, without ever a hint entering his mind as to the mysterious passage that ledi to the very heart of bis stronghold, When the three friends left this passage the roceeded with great care, Montezuma. still, eading with the lighted torch, for they knew not how near the inhabited rooms might be. They were soon enlightened on this point by hearing the sound of voices, which seemed to. come from some chamber close at hand. On hearing these sounds, which warned them: that some at least of their enemies were yet avon the three men stepped forward stealth- i y. The Indian blew out his toreb. At the putting out of the torch, a small ra of light was seen coming through the key-hole ot a door, Montezuma now gave way to the lieutenant as he was the one most nearly concerned in the. rescue of Birdie Lester. The latter stepped softly forward and kneel- ing down placed his ear to the key-hole. The voices bad ceased a moment but now re~ commenced. The principal speaker he FECOg™ nized at once by his voice as no other than Ba boaz The other voice was that of a young woman—the fair captive, Birdie Lester, The heart of the brave lieutenant thrilled with emotion as he thus realized how near he was to the beautiful girl for whom he would. have given life itself. Anger soon displaced all other feelings as he listened to the dialogue between the crue! Span- iard and bis victim. They had evidently been speaking for some time for Balboaz was saying in taunting words: ‘‘So you think your handsome soldier will rescue you?” “T not eign think it, I know it, so long as life is his,” was the brave reply. “VYouare positive, mia cara, But you will be disappointed. You are as secure bere a& though you were in the bowels of the earth.” “What is your object in making a prisoner of me?’ ‘Hal ha! can you ask that after all my de- votion?” . “Is itmoney? If so, my father will give all he possesses for my return,” ‘Really, my dear, I fancied your intuitions much keener. Is it ible you do not conceive why I went to the trouble of bringing you all the way from Texas?” Birdie Lester remained silent, ‘‘Then I will tell you,” said Balboaz passion- ately, “it was to make you my wife,” ‘Heaven preserve me from such a fate,’ moaned the girl. The Spaniard laughed sardonically, ‘‘ Heaven is a poor defender. It has never yet seriously interfered with my purposes.” “Tt will now—if never before. ‘‘ We shall see. Meantime I have come to prepare you fora little ceremony which must take place this very night.” * What ceremony ?’ asked the girl in trembling tones. Too well she feared what reply would fall from the bandit’s lips. ‘‘Our marriage. The priest is ready and only awaits my summons.” . ‘Oh, have mercy, Balboaz! You cannot have the heart to force me into such a union!” ‘*Ha! am I so repulsive then?” said Balboaz, stung by her words. ‘‘ Perbaps my person does not suit your dainty taste?” The bandit, with true Spanish vanity, thought, by calling attent’on to his personal beauty, which was truly remarkable, to advance his suit. He was disappointed if he expected any reply from the persecuted maiden. — ad ‘“‘ Very well,” he said, “ willing or unwilling you are mine. So prepare yourself while I go for the priest and witnesses.” With the words he advanced toward the door. Meantime, our bero, who had heard every word of the above dialogue, had arranged @ feasible plan with bis companions, They all three retreated and concealed them- selves in the darkness of the corridor as the bandit chief left Birdie Lester’s chamber. Balboaz peapiadt 4 locked the door behind him —but left the key in the door. Had he taken it with him be would probably, before going far, have had to surrender it. As it was he was allowed to go free. ‘¢‘Now is our time,” whispered the lieutenant, Fcomicbooks.co ria? t% $f: Sl dis ‘ « ea In fact Balboaz himself bad passed that door :