Beadle's Dime Library, No. 261 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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‘ i - _. Ere they could reach the stone landing a not only expose herself to danger, but that anx- Black Sam, the Prairie Thunderbolt. But to this the lieutenant would not agree. All three watched the hours glide by, as best they could, till rescue should arrive in the shape of Montezuma with the soldiers. Their last hope was anchored in the sagacity and courage of the Indian. The arrangements provided for their comfort were few, but sufficient. For bedding they had a plentiful supply of buffalo-robes and other skins, which Montezama pointed out before be left. During the night Sam and the lieutenant slept in the outer room, effectually guarding their companion against any danger from without. Birdie Lester was allowed sole possession of the smaller chamber, save when she chose to invite the two brave scouts to share her solitude, f The closet containing food and water which the Indian had so opportunely provided, proved to be a bonanz. to the little party. Without it ea prospects would bave been indeed hope- ess, They had dried venison, corn-bread in flat cakes after the Indian fashjon, wild honey, and water all stored in deep earthen jars, of curious patterns, specimens of that antique pottery still found among old Az-ec ruins. The little party limited themselves to a cer- tain portion each day, not knowing to what ex- tent their enforced stay might be prolonged. Light they also had wneuever needed, a few of the same chemically-prepared torches used by the Indian being found in one corner of the inner chamber, These various articles being on hand so op- portunely almost persuaded them that Monte- zuunt had made special preparations for their visit. But as this was scarcely possible, they concluded that he was accustomed to spend part of bis time, perhaps weeks therein, — The evening of the third day at last came round, and our friends bad not yet received the slightest sign of help from the outer world. The time had seemed interminable. Had it not been for the lieutenant’s watch, which he kept wound, it would have seemed two weeks instead of only sixty bours. They had just finished a frugal supper and all three fell to discussing the situation in a hope- , less manner, Sam was more downcast than either the lieu- tenant or Birdie Lester. ‘‘It am my opinion,” said he, breaking in on the general current of talk, ‘‘dat de Indian war only anksbus fur his own safety.” ‘Why, Sam,” said Birdie, ‘‘ how can you say that of one who has risked his very life to save us?’ “Sam,” said the lieutenant, ‘‘if I didnit know that you are actually k vg against your own inward convictions, | would say you deserve a good thrasbing.” ‘But it am a fact,” persisted Sam; ‘‘ why habn’t we got word orsign from him since be went off?” : ‘It is bardly time, yet,” replied Richard Moore, ‘Even if he succeeded in getting off, which I doubt much, it would take him a day to reach Santa Clara on a fleet horse, and fully two days to returv with the soldiers.” Birdie Lester looked up joyfully. “Then we may expect them to arrive and attack the stronghold some time to-night?” she asked, eagerly, 3 ‘“*I hope so; indeed I fully expect it, vided only Montezuma got off successfully.” These words roused the spirits of all three, and full of hope, they resolved to sit up into the small bh urs. Sam and our hero got their weapons in readi- ness for instant fight when necessary. The mere idea that rescte was to arrive that night so excited their minds that they gave no thought as to what they should do if they were diseppointed, Fortunately, they were not disappointed. The minute-hand of Moore’s gold chronometer pointed a quarter to twelve when a series of ‘ells mingled with the clash of steel, came from low, and roused them like the peal of a tocsin, pro- CHAPTER XXXV. A NIGHT ATTACK. | THosE stirring sounds of ‘strife infused new life into the veins of the two waiting men. Sam’s depression vanished like raagic; and in the excitement of the moment he gave a wild ‘hurrah ” that echoed dangerously loud through the vaulted chambers. f “Sam, you will destroy all by your impru- dence,” said Moore. ‘‘ sw’ar to grashus, Mars’ Moore, I couldn’t help it.” > They now quitted the limits of the two chambers and stood on the steep stairway. The sounds of conflict below rose Jouder than ever for a moment, then as rapidly ceased. The two men became intensely anxious as to the issue of the eonflict. Moore at length could control his curiosity no lohger, and, followed by Sam, hastily de- _ $cended the steps ; . “ art Pe eo C * a , : a. ay oo GG eee eee eee eee ee eee es ———— faint noise arrested their steps, and, as they bent forward, they saw the secret entrance in the stone flooring glide softly back. The next instant the head of a man appeared through the opening. Sam-almost gave vent to another ery of joy as well as amazement as he distinguished the straight black bair and bronze features of Montezuma. The Indian, with an agile spring, came up through the opening and stood, tal] and calmly erect before the two friends, Moore ran forward with the eagerness of a school-boy to greet his faithful rescuer. ‘* Best of friends! you have kept your word and we shall owe our lives to you. The soldiers — how many have you?” ‘Fully a bundred.” ** Not all here?” ‘Half are guarding the main entrance—the road hewn into the cliff. Fifty are in the room below securing their prisoners.” “You overcame the guard without any trouble?’ ‘Not thé slightest. They take me for a ghost. My sudden appearance so frightened them that they had not the least thought of re- sistance.” By this time the soldiers began to come up through the narrow opening. This division had been assigned altogether to Montezuma’s leadership, that they might take the bandits completely by surprise by coming upon them through the secret stairway. ° The alarm had already been given to those on the cliffs above, and guns were fired and shouts exchanged ina manner that showed more be- wilderment than real knowledge of the situa- tion. “Faster,” said Montezuma to the men; ‘‘ we must reach the private rooms of Balboaz before he has time to arrange too good a trap for us,” The soldiers came pouring up. In many Richard Moore was delighted to recognize his old comrades at Fort . A silent band- clasp was bis greeting, but bis my glance ex- pressed more than words. As for the men themselves, on once more seeing their favorites, Sam arid the lieutenant, they would have sent =) a shout to shake the very walls had not silence been a prime necessity in their present undert.king. ; ‘What will you do with the prisoners be- low?” asked the Hentensut of Montezuma. ‘They are well secured,” was the answer. ‘* Besides, I have left five well-armed men to guard them.” By this time some forty odd men had passed through the narrow aperture in the landing, and were crowded, Indian file, far up the stair- case. Montezuma, the lieutenant and Sam were at their head. The word was passed along in a whisper to advance, and with slow, measured step they commenced the long, winding ascent, The Indian had not neglected to provide torches, which shed a strange, grotesque light over the long line of blue-coats, a When they reached the door which led into the two chambers that had_ served so long as a harbor of refuge, Richard Moore ealled a halt, for he could not pass on without acquairting Birdie with the fortunate change in their affairs, He found her already standing ag within the door, where she had been eagerly listening to the sounds of their approach. \ ** Birdie, we are saved!” was Moore’s exclam- ation, as he caught sight of the fair face flushed with joy, ‘*Montezuma bas proved our good angel, and we are prepared to annibilate Bal- boaz and his men.” The revulsion from long suspense and_ terror was great for the tender-h-arted girl, and she burst into tears, But like a porreabing spring shower they van- ished .as quickly as they came, aud she looked up, her blue eyes shining through the pearly rops. ‘* What do I not owe to you and your noble friend! Heaven bas indeed blest me with strong and brave hearts in my sorest need!” ‘*Montezuma deserves all your gratitude,” said the lieutenant, ‘‘ But for him our defense would have been indeed feeble.” “True,” said Birdie, extending one small hand to the Indian; “‘ bis is the merit of action, yours of patient inaction when you might have escaped by deserting a helpless girl.” The Indian took the band so graciously ex- tended, and lifted it to his lips as if it were something precious. He spoke no word, but his dark eye; said plainly enough that beart and soul were devoted to the service of the fair girl before bim, ‘* And now, Birdie,” said the lieutenant, “‘ we must hasten on, for our tesk is by no means fin. ished but just begun. Remain yet an hour in these rooms until all danger is past. You may rely on my instant return when the bandits are conquered,” “But the suspense—the loneliness,” began Birdie. “I cannot bear it.” Richard Moore interrupted her playfully. He told her that her presence among them would 52 t."Fe _— et 24 21 iety on her account would seriously interfere with bis own and his friends’ actions. The lat- ter argument prevailed, and she was persuaded to cling yet a little to the rooms that had go long sheltered her. After she had disappeared within and the stone wicket was securely closed behind her, the line of soldiers resumed the slow, winding ascent, They reached the upper landing without fur- ther interruption—that is, a few of the fore- most, including Montezuma and the two scouts, ) the space was too narrow to hold them all. Here the Indian bade those around him staud aside, while he opened the secret door that was to admit them into the corridor without, ° He did this, suspecting that Balboaz had made preperations outside for giving a warm reception to any one making his appearance from that quarter. He stationed bimself on one side against the wall, then stretching forth his band pressed the hidden spring. The door flaw open, and at the same instant: - almost a blinding flash and roar, followed by a storm of leaden hail, poured through the open-~ ing. Owing to the Indian’s precautions this suddem volley injured no one; and the bullets, flatten- ing themselves against the stone vault, dropped harmlessly on the soldiers’ beads, as they crouched on the staircase. Toen bofore the explosion had yet died away,, Montezuma, Sam and the lieutenant dashed through the opening, followed by the rest of the men in order. The space was too narrow to use their rifles, and dropping these the soldiers went to work with ee and pistol. They had an easy victory. After their first volley the bandits, who were: only a small part of the band stationed there by Balboaz, instead of strieks and cries from the wounded and slain saw tall, stalwart men come Poe through, headed by the gaunt form of: ontezuma, The appearance of the latter had more effect: than the charge of the soldiers. ‘The ghost! the ghost!” they. cried, and drop- ping their carbines, fled pell-mell down the cor- ridor, CHAPTER XXXVI. A DESPERATE LEAP. As the bandits fled down the corridor the sol- _ diers rushed after them in swift pursuit, In the excitement of the struggle the three leaders, Montezuma, Sam and the lieutenant, ran at full speed, and were separated by some distance from those following. This had brought them almost to the entrance that led to the open plateau witbout. The three friends were busy dealing out havoc among the crowded mass of fugitives when a cry from Sam caused them to look bebind, nstead of the soldiers, whot they 5 Sa to see, the form of Baljboaz appeared directly in their rear, at the bead of a fresh party of bandits, who had rusbed into the corridor from a side entrance, just in time to cut off Monte- zuma and the two scouts from their support. It was a perilous momeut for the three friends. Sam gare himself up for lost. The lieutenant said ai: xiously: ‘“We are surrounded — between two fires. How are we to rejoin our friends?’ Montezuma replied as calmly as though every moment was not a Sa with peril. ‘The men led b Iboaz are brave, Those before us are cowards and poltroons, We must cut our way through the latter to the plateau without.” He had scarce finished when the shrill voice of Balboez @vas beard above the tumult: “There it is, my men! Fire—and cense not until it is down! Now to test of what flesh bis Ghostship is made.” : He leveled a revolver straight at the Indian’s ead. But Montezuma was quicker than he, Like a flash he seized one of tle fleeing men, and whirled him around in time to receive the deadly missile. s : Instead of the Indian Balboaz shot one of his own men. “Quick!” now exclaimed Montezuma. ‘‘Gath- er all your strength. We must make a grand charge through aj] this rabble,” A scene of wildest confusion now reigned im that darkened corridor. What torches the men had carried in the first — place had been knocked down and trampled out. Only the faint ravs of the moon lit up asmal) space in front of the entrance, Amid this darkness the curious circumstance was presented of four distinct parties arrayed against each other, and struggling each for the victory. Furthest to the rear, and in complete dark- ness, were the fifty odd soldiers, who bad’ arranged themselves in a compact body, and were bravely trying to force a passage with the _ phen an 3 : gains ese Ralhasz’s | are) m iGbooksxco