Beadle's Dime Library, No. 261 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

22 and cutting them off from their leaders, fresh force, consisting entirely of Mexicans, who had just returned that evening from dis- posing of the large herd of stolen cattle. They | had also brought the product of their spoil, in | the shape of a large sum of money, A portion of this Balboaz had distributed equally among the men. The rest be added to | a secret, hoard, which already amounted to an | immense sum, ' Incited by the money, as well as by a natural | courage superior to that of the Indians and | half-breeds, these men attacked the secret inva- | ders of their stronghold with a ferocity that | bade fair to make the struggle doubtful. | While the main body of this force kept the 4 soldiers in check, Balboaz himself, detaching a | half-dozen, turned his attention to the Indian. He bad seen the tall, familiar form in the moonlight, and the forms of bis men fleeing ter- rified before it. At once the conviction forced itself upon bim that as long as that mysterious form stalked | uninjured emid bis foes, any effective defense | on the part of the superstitious bandits was hopeless, The fresh addition to his forces were as yct unacquainted with the strange story of Monte- zuma’s death and subsequent reappearance. Hence his shout and the firing of the pistol | revealed to them for the first tims that the In- dian was the special object of Balboaz’s ven- geance. | It will be remembered that Richard Moore | and Sam were still disguised—the one as a miner the other as a white man. Hence Balboaz did not include them in his savage order, in obedience to which immedi- | oe | | | ately after the report of their leader’s pistol, se directed their guns in a concentrated aim at the form of Montezuma. | But at that moment, when probably the In- } dian’s life was in ereeier Jeopardy than it had | ever been, himself, Sam, and the lieutenant . made a’ grand rush right into the midst of the confused crowd struggling to get into the | open air. Those men probably thought a tornado had ‘burst upon them, . : The lesen and activity of Montezuma were ‘wonderfal. With no weapon but a long knife of exquisite temper, his tireless arm darted here, there, and every where, warding off every blow aimed at himself, and dealtng destruction on his enemies, : By his side ran the lieutenant holding his | straight military sword before him, and woe to ber who opposed themselves to its sharp point, ~ But Sam’s mode of forcing a passage was the most novel if not the most graceful, . | Pulling a stout, fur cap down upon his thick ) skull be lowered his head like a well-drilled buck, after first scanning the route before him. _ “Then clinching bis fists and summoning all his immense strength, he darted right between Montezuma and the lieutenant, and charged | full into the mass of bandits. A eonnon-ball could bardly have cleared a path with more precision or in quicker time, The amazed banditti fell to the right and left like leaves before a strong wind, Wherever Sam’s head struck there was howling and lamentation. On—over falling bodies, amid shrill yells and a very Babel of curses he went like a resistless avalanche. In less than five seconds he had passed through the entrance and was out in the open air beyond ‘the skirts of the sorely-used crowd of bandits. On turning he gave a ringing shout. His two companions were right behind him. Richard Moore and the Indian had stopped their own efforts in wonderment on seeing Sam rush in between them, When they saw the marvelous s ss of bis charge, laughing, they lost no time if followin at bis heels, and warded off many a blow aime . at Sam that might have seriously checked his progress. | | | So rapid had been their rush out of the cor- ridor, that not until they were fairly outside | and beynnd their enemies did Balboaz give or- a ders for pursuit. “ After them,” he shouted in a voice thrilled | with rage: . * These words were addressed to the Indians ro and half-breeds, who were already exaspera | by the manner in which the three men had dashed through them. ‘ihe words of their leader aroused them, and arranging themselves in some order, they dashed after the three men who were in plain view un- der the moonlight, fifty yards away. Moore and Sam were led even now how they should escape the howling band at their ee — ———— ve xP > The Indian turned tothem, All three were = / “m0w running. ; San you trust me?” he asked. “A strange question,” said the lieutenant, “after all you have done for us—” ap ‘““Dar’s whar dis niggah am ‘greed, ebery or . time,” said Sam, . os Then,” said Montezuma, impressively, “ fol- ~ l themselves, taking them completely by surprise As the Indian had hinted, these men were a | low me wherever I may go even if it is into the ‘Bottomless Pool’ itself. Your lives will be safe there. If we stay here we are doomed.” ‘* But—” began the lieutenant aghast. ‘* There must be no delay,” whispered the In- dian. ‘Quick! your promise. The enemy are almost on us,” “Then I promise,” said Richard Moore. ‘* At the worst death one way is as good as an- other.” Sam gave in his promise, rather doubtfully. By this time they had reached the pool and close behind them they heard the shouts of their ursuers, A rattling discharge of musketry rought the leaden hail about theirears. Above all the voice of the implacable Balboaz rose triumphant. Death seemed to lie on either hand for the two scouts. CHAPTER XXXVILI. THE BOTTOMLESS POOL, ‘‘ Wr have have them, my mén. let them escape now if they can.” It was Balboaz whq shouted forth these words a3 he saw the three friends balt on the brink of the shadowed pool. He and bis men were only a rod away, and it behooved the three fugitives to act quickly. **Now,” tried Montezuma, poising himself for the leap, ‘“‘remember your promise. Follow straight after me. Pause not an instant if you value life and fortune.” With the words he threw his arms above his head, and giving a loud yell of defiance, plunged like an experienced diver into the dark, forbid- ding waters. : Richard Moore, though possessing more than ordinary nerve, shuddered as he saw the Indian disappear beneath the calm surface. Bat remembering his erated he breathed a silent praver for protection, and imitating the action of Montezuma, he also ‘plunged into the deep basin, diving almost at the heels of the In- dian. ** Whar Mars’ Richard goes, dere I is, shoah,” said Sam, and, without an instant’s hesitation launched his bulky frame in the wake of bis two companions. : : The three friends had followed each other in such swift succession that to those pursuing the three acts seemed as one, Balboaz, on seeing bis prey escape him a third timé in such mysterious fashion was beside him- self with rage. He bad now reached the brink of the pool and stood in the same spot occupied a ‘moment be- fore by the three fugitives. Ashe gazed down upon the calm, waveless surface of the mysterious pool, he eould scarce- ly realize that three mortal forms ‘bad just plunged into its depths. The mystery maddened hi and the men around were astonished to see him cast off his long Spanish cloak and lift his armsas if in turn to take the daring leap. > ‘Surely you will not follow them?’ exclaimed one of the Mexicans. ‘* Diablo ! but I will,” was the fierce reply. “Think youl am to be outwitted in my own stronghold by a cursed Indian?” With the words he also plunged into the Bot- tomless Pool. The men around shuddered and drew back as they heard the loud splash. Then they glanced once more into the water, and when no sign of their chief appeared on the surface they shook their heads solemnly. *““ Mad—stark mad,” said one. ““T say he was bewitched—enchanted, and we had better move away from here if we would not meat the same fate,” said another. All agreed to this, and bastened with all speed from the dreaded spot. Meantime we must take our readers beneath the surface. Imagine the Indian diving deep down be- neath the dark waters, Richard Moore at his heels and immediately behind the latter, Sam. .- Down, down they went, and the two latter were beginning to think they would never rise, when suddenly they seemed to pass directly under a dark wall of rock that terminated just over their heads. 5 Then they rose rapidly but strange to say in complete darkness. At last Moore and Sam find themselves at the surface and esch draws a long, deep breath after their exhausting dive. But by such darkness are ‘they surrounded that it is impossible for them to distinguish each other. This embarrassment is put an end to by the Indian, for they hear a sound as of flint and steel struck together and immediately the: c- after a broad ray of light from a torch dis- perses the darkness. ‘ . This "welcome light discloses the form of Montezuma himself standing on a small, rocky ledge, and looking round the lieutenant finds that the water in which be still floats is a round clear pool like that on the other side of the stone partition only much smaller and roofed in from the outer world by a vaulted arch of stone, Carambo, Black Sam, the Prairie Thunderbolt. | ee nn “Climb out,” said Montezuma, ‘‘ the water is too cold for a longer bath than necessary.” The lieutenant began to realize the truth of this and lost no time in clambering up on the rocky ledge or shelf that served to bound the dark pool on that side. Sam also soon made his way to dry land, when he commenced shaking himself vigorously like a cat out of water. ‘*Beats all creation, this do!” was the ex- clamation as he gezed first at the little pool from which be had just emerged and then at the cavern-like apartment in which he found himself, ‘* Hist!” exclaimed Montezuma; ‘if 1’m not mistaken, some one has followed us.” He flashed the light uvon the calm surface of the pool. ‘‘Ha! he comes,” be cried, as at that moment the head of Balbosaz appeared above the surface. ‘* Welcome! son of the Evil One, the Sun God has called you to your fate.” Balboaz uttered a fierce shout of defiance and sprung out upon the ledge in front of the three men. ‘* Ha, Montezuma! I have trailed you to your lair at last. You are no ghost, but either you or I shall be one before we leave this place.” He drew his sword which he had not discard- ed in bis venturesome. plungeinto the unknown. Advancing, he made a fierce lunge at Monte- zuma, The latter skillfully avoided the stroke and was about to draw his long bunting-knife in self-defense, when Moore stepped in between. ‘“Try your skill at fence on me,” hesaid, draw- ing his own sword. ‘*The Indian has only his knife and is unequally matched.” ** Diablo! and who may ycu be?” inquired Ba)boaz, gezing savagely at the intruder. “You should know me well, having been twice your guest. I am Ricbard Moore in the service of the United States army.” Balboaz gazed in mute astonishment at tte face before bim. ‘ ‘‘ By all the saints—it is the American scout. The man who has clung to my heels like a sleuth-hound. Deatb! but l owe you much.” ‘You now have a fine opportunity to cancel the debt,” said the lieutenant, smilingly finger- ing his sword-blade. ** Diablo! but I will, senor,” and Balboaz put himself in position for a regular set-to. ‘*If you really intend a duel,” said Monte- zuma, “let us step back a piece from the water.” The Indian still bore the lighted torch and as they advanced further into the mysterious cav- ern, Richard Moore had time to survey its nat- ural af reer The floor they walked on was as levelasa city pavement, in some places covered with a gravelly formation. It wes about five yards wide, the vaulted roof springing to a hight varying from fifteen to thirty feet. Along one side, skirting tbe vertical wall, ran a stream of water, an outlet of the pool, and which disap- eared with a pleasant sound in the darkness. hese walls.) wherever smooth enough, were covered with panels of arabesque figures carved aa the quaint, hieroglyphic style of “Aztec art. On the other side tall, gigantic forms loomed up at intervals on pedestals of granite. From these and other curious features, the lieutenant guessed that this had been used by the ancient Mexicans 4s a temple of worship. A mysterious awe pervaded the place, which affected all four, even to Sam and the bandit leader who pre- served an unusual silence. Some twenty yards had thus been traversed when the Indian halted ata point where the wall to the left, turning, formed an angle, leav- ing on the right an Sci | just wide enough for the stream to pass through, : In this angle, towered a statue, far surpassing the rest in magnitude, It was seated on a mas- sive throne carved from the native rock. As the rays from the Indian’s toreb fell upon the broad features they shone like burnished gold. A crescent of silver rays surmounted the mas- sive head, sending forth with each movement of the torch, beams of eres light.. The right arm was outstretched, bolding a massive stone hammer. ; Montezuma first prostrated bimself in the act of worship, then rising, said: ‘Here, neath the eye of the Sun-God—decide your fates.” CHAPTER XXXVIII. THE DUEL IN THE UNDERGROUND TEMPLE. ‘‘Have done with your mummery,” said Balboaz, contemptuously. ‘‘What care I for this image in stone As he said the words he struck the statue rudely with the back of his sword, Montezuma’s eyes flashed with rage. He looked as though he expected the poceeanens offender to be struck to the earth for his te- merity. 7 However, he said no word but stationed the combatants so that Richard Moore should face the statue; while the bandit leader stood direct- lv beneath the outstretcbed arm and the huge stone hammer. on Sam was commissioned to stand a little to one side and hold tke lighted torch that its rays comicbooks