Beadle's Dime Library, No. 261 — page 24: what you’re looking at

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a 24 if you at last? How in the world did you come from that direction?” “By a secret passage, dear, of which this wonderful labyrinth is full, And now tell me— | } how have tg spent the hours alone in this | securing mules and horses for carrying away dungeon?” Ww - a Two days were spent by the soldiers and their commanders in the conquered strong- hold, This time was taken up in burying the dead, e said, as he led her to one of the | the plunder which had accumulated throug square blocks of stone, on which they seated | many yenrs of spoliation, and, lastly, in making themselves. “Do not asl me, It seems whole days since you left me—and the | firing and shouting overhead, More than once I would have rushed ont, daring everything, had 1 not promised you to stay. But you have not told me—heve you really conquered?” ‘Mv brave heroine,” answered Moore, ‘I can only say Balbonz is dead, and that the ban- dits will bardly make a strong fight without their leader.” Birdie looked up in astonishment. ‘*But the conflict is over,” she cried; *‘ the firine ceased some minutes since. Have you not been with them all the time?” ““No, Birdie; my fighting has been mostly underground.” ‘* Underground!” “Yes. I will explain all anothertime. Now ‘we mu-t really rejoin our friends, They will be uneasy concerning us,” Sam and the Indian bad already joined them, and cll four started to leave the apartment, CHAPTER XL. CONCLUSION, On reaching the upper corridor after ascend- ing the secret stairway, our three friend could scarcely realize that it was the same scene they had quitted a few hours before, Not a bandit was visible, save the bodies of those slain, and of these the floor was being rapidly cleared by parties of soldiers, hese by their talk and gestures showed pee on which side victory had declared her- self. Those who belonged to the garrison at Fort B——. ran up with eagei shouts of welcome on aecing Richard Moore and Sam, Fiom theso he soon learnod that complote success had crowned the efforts of the" soldiers, The party of bandits who had opposed the squad of fiftv, coming by way of the secrot staircase after Balboaz had lef them, lost heart before the stubborn resistance of tho men in blus, and after a few feeble efforts, gave way in comp!cte disorder. : They fled through the passage in the moun- train that led to the other cliff. Here, instead « . aid from their comradés who had been lef': there, they found themselves called upon to-re- pel a vigorous attempt to ascend the path inthe side of the cliff, which was being made the rest of the soldiers under the command of Col- onel Harrison. A combined attack in front and rear was too much for the banditti. Under a desperate lead- er like Balboaz, they might bave fought to the last ex'remity. But the mysterious absence of their chief dampened their be asp completely. Colonel Harrison succeeded in forcing bis way to the top of the cliff, and capturing the cannon ploced there for sweeping the narrow path, Then the survivors of the once terrible band threw away their arms and cried for quarter. They were rapidly secured, the arms gather- ed, and the prisoners shut up in two of the storm chambers. Tnis the lieutenant learned from the men, and his joy was great on seeing his perilous mission so suc ully accomplished, He was now eager to meet his superior in command, and, with Birdie Lester’ on bis arm, he hastened out upon the open summit of the cliff, followed by Sam and the Indian, What was bis surprise to find there not only the colonel, but major Lester. Atsight of her father, Birdie Lester uttered a cry of joy and rushed into his arms. | “ Birdie!” ** Father!” We will uot lingersover that meeting. It was no discredit to the lieutenant or to those around that they should turn aside from the scene with moist eyes. | int * The major had fully recovered from the hurts re eived while defending bis home from the savage assault of the raiders. As be held his daughter before him, while he ‘gazed joyfully into the beautiful features, he said, turning to Richard Moore: ** And it is to you I owe this happiness?” ‘“‘ Not more so,” answered he, pointing to Sam and the Indian, “ than to those two brave com- rades who have shared with me every baat ‘* Heaven will reward you all three, for I can- -not. Nevertheless, if Richard Lester can ever be of use to you, call upon him without fear; for life itself is a small offering for the joy of this moment,” and he kissed the white forehead of his daughter almost reverently. Moore bad next to undergo the ordeal of the colonel’s praises and congratulations. He turned these off as skillfully as he could, and to the innumerable questions gave a fairly succinct account of his many adventures on © Mexican ground, | | well-kept lawn beautifully adorned of eotton and reparations for removing the vast treasure of It was an awful suspense, Scntebinsn: which had rested so long in the mysterious underground vault. ontezuma had hinted his intention of pre- senting a large part of bis treasure to the Jieu- tenant. » Black Sam, the Prairie Thunderbolt. | The latter would not listen to any such sug- | gestion. upon the treasure of the Mexican kings, and he | could not persuade himself to accept even a portion of it as a bonus. The Indian did not press the point but took another plan for effecting his object. At the end of the two days, the whole party of soldiers escorting the captured bandits left the mountain stronghold. A long string of mules conveyed the baggage and plunder of every sort. To add to the trinmph of the soldiers the hoardéed riches of Balboez bimself had been found, cleverly hidden, in his bedchamber. A portion of this was distributed among the sol- diers, Mexican and American. The greatcr part, however, was aiterward divided out among the stockmen aud herders who had lost most heavily by. recen’ forays. The body of Balboa was first examined by Colonel Harrison and the Mexican commande7; and, when fully identified was committed to the deep waters of the Bottomless Pool—a fit- ting grave. he treasure-chamber in the anderground temple was opened and closed for the last time in removing the vast store of silver, and gold, and sacred vessels. The Indian bade a last farewell to the gods of his ancestors, and not without a silent tear turned to join his fortunes thenceforth with his friend ahd preserver Richard Moore. This treasure was also packed on the backs of the mules, as no other conveyance would serve through the rough mountain ways. As they had nothing further to apprehend from robbers, they proceeded without fear. Three days’ steady march brought the little rty of Americans to the Rio Grande, The oxican division had parted from them after clearing the mountains, taking the prisoners in charge till they should reach Chihuahua, where they would receive their proper deserts. We will not attempt to describe the scene that attended Birdie Lester’s restoration to her home. The mother sobbed and laughed by turns. While the little bevy of sisters and younger brothers crowded around as if they could not see enough of the restored one. Richard Moore came in for a full share of the thanks and general rejoicing. He, Sam, and Montezuma spent afull week with the bospita- ble family, during which the lieutenant failed not to his suit with the fair girl he had aided in rescuing. : We need not <e suit prospered, and that the signs of a wedding in the near future were propitious, One year later. Sailing along the Gulf coast of Southwestern Texas, one of the most fertile spots on the con- tinent, and in the best of climates, one sees among the low, verandaed plantation-bouses scattered here and there, one larger and more pretentious than most of its kind embosomed in a grove of magnolia, orange and pecan trees. A broad veranda runs the whole length of each side — inviting from its coolness. Pin broad, ith ‘trees and shrubs slopes down to a bright, sandy beach. To the rear are orchards of fig, lemon, orange, peach and other pin oS fruits, besides vine- yards of peter A red, or white s. Fields cane finish t w in the distance, This isthe home of Richard Moo once Birdie Lester. The plantation is the gift of Montezuma, who cleverly outwitted the lieutenant’s scruples by deeding it in fee simple to his wife. Even then the young scout would only occupy it on condition thatthe wonderful Indian should piake his home with them as long as he lived. The condition was accepted. Sam is also a member of this fortunate house- hold in the post of general overseer. Montezuma, with thé aid of his more experi- and wife, | | ——— ee Ee eee ee enced friend invested bis vast fortune in good, | stable securities. A prominent museum in New York purchased the curious antique vessels— almost a fortune in themselves, Thus we leave our friend Richard Moore, safely harbored for life in his delightful home, surrounded by friends—no speck to mar bis happiness or shadow his supreme Content; yet often in the midst of his joy he recalls with almost a shudder the perils and thrilling escapes aa Np while hunting down Balboaz the n e THE END. s . 16 t Wo wusy “O ; He argued that he had not the slightest claim | 161 Tae WoLves or New York eee —+* “ —— ———2 Beadle’s Dime Library. 150 Ex Rupio Bravo, THE KING OF THE SwoRD- MEN. By Col. Thomas Hoyer Monstery. .. . 10c. 151 Tux FreeBoorers. 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