Beadle's Dime Library, No. 261 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

a Then, before they could even turn, a hot blast of air as from a furnace swept over their heads carrying a shower of sparks and burning grass which scorched the backs of the two riders and their steed but was otherwise harmless, Some | were wafted to the center of the stream, or even to the opposite side, where, dropping on the grass dry as tinder, they kindled a new conflagration to sweep on in its dread career eastward, The two friends in the river were safe. And now they looked behind. Instead of the sublime spectacle of a burnin prairie, they saw only bare, hard ground, leve as a barn-floor, and covered with light, drifting Black Sam, the Prairie Thunderbolt. it atthe remembrance. ‘‘ Yon have not account- ed for him. Who is he? How comes he with you?” Sam, being on foot, had already crawled out of the water_upon the bank—now cooled from | the recent fiery tornado that bad swept over it. | He was a silent but attentive listener to the two men. He had taken in the ruse his comrade was playing and was watching the issue with | intense anxiety. ‘*Do you mean Samson here?’ cried the lieu- tenant in answer to Balboaz’s questions, ‘‘ Why, cap’n, he’s the best pard ye ever saw! Can’t be beat. Has almost the strength of his famous | namesake and can throw any two men in your | A FEARFUL ORDEAL. Ir was an impressive scene—that now going: on by the tranquil, moonlit stream on the sur-- face baked hard and bare of the burned prairie. Prominent were the forms of Richard Mcore: and the bandit-leader, mounted on their strangé- ly contrasted steeds, one jet-black, the other: white as snow. 8 Behind these two were grouped the eight if troopers, silent but interested spectators of this | singular transaction. To one side, but close to the lieutenant on bis: black mare, stood the negro Sam. Qa? And now Richard Moore to support the char- | CHAPTER VI. ~— ashes. band. I got him out of a bad scrape at San | acter of the desperado Texas Jim was called on: Thus gazing in wonderment on the scene so | Antonio, and in return he has rescued me from | to perform a feat which perhaps not one in ten: greatly changed, over which they had just | the sheriff's posse half a dozen times.” thous»nd could do suecessfully. The penalty inr strugg for life, a band was laid lightly on ‘‘T begin to believe your story, Senor Jim. | case of failure an mentous death in companys Moore’s shoulder, and a mild, girlish voice | But there is still a test with his faithful follower. must put you through. Pass that and your identity is settled beyond a doubt.” The brave lieutenant’s heart sunk within him; still he put a bold face on the matter, His practice with small arms had, it is true,. been considerable. In fact, wearied with the monotony of garrison life he had spent a por- tion of each day pees at difficult marks, and’ in skill surpassed all bis fellow-officets, said; ‘Senor, you have had a grand race with death, and have come off the wiuner. I saw it ail; it was magnificent!” ——— CHAPTER V. HERNAN BALBOAZ. RicHARD Moore turned to survey the speaker, He beheld, little to his surprise, the form of bis foremost pursuer of an hour before, mount- ed on the same snow-white steed. Under the dim rays of the moon he beheld a slender yet well-moided form clad in a gaudy Mexican costume—an open coat of velvet, dyed searlet and glittering with yellow buttons and ld braid; vest and trowsers of the same bril- ant hue, the latter slashed at the ends and half covering the slender, neatly-booted feet, resting lightly in the silver stirrups, A wide- brimmed sombrero half covered dark, curling hair that feil to the collar of bis velvet ridinz- coat. Underneath this gleamed a face of start- ling beauty and regularity of outline—of a pich olive tint, perfectly smooth and undimmed by the shadow of a beard. The eves, varying in color from a dark blue to a black, were ofa bril- liancy and depth indescribable, Such was one of those strange beings now and then met with who, like Cesar Borgia, to the most perfect beauty of form and face, unite a soul stained with the blackest crimes. Moore betrayed no surprise on being thus sud- ital ACCO3 by the splendidly -arrayed ban- t. “We have made a narrow escape,” be said, ** from the fire; but it seems only to fall into perhaps equal danger, if we may judge from your earnest pursuit of us a little while since.” The leader of the pursuers alluded to smiled —a Careless, yet meaning smile, and patted his horse’s flowing mane. — “* We shall settle that on better acquaintance, senor. Meantime, let us introduce ourselves— Iam Hernan Balboaz, somewhat celebrated as a dealer and speculator in cattle, Pray, who are you?” “ During the interval, short as it was, of this unfortunate encounter, Richard Moore had hit upon a clever ruse for evading the fate seeming- ly inevitable that th ned bim. His brief stay at Fort B——had made bim acquainted with a notorious character who went under the name of Texas Jim. By a lucky coi .cidence, this personage bore a somewhat renarkable persoaal resemblance to the lieutenant. His character as a noted desperado and rough— bold and unscrupulous, yet wearing on occa- sion the outward aspect of the gentleman, would render the acquaintaace acceptable toa man like Hernan Balboaz. Furtbermore, so far as Richard Moore's knowledge extended, ao previous acquaintance existed between the two outlaws. In the intercourse that follows between Moore and the bandit leader we behold the lieu- tenant in a new role. ‘* Hernan Balboaz?” he cried, as if overjoyed. **Do.I indeed bebold that renowned king of cattle-stealers? Shake, pard! The lions of the berder have met at last! ** But, senor, I know not the name,” “‘Ha! ha! I have some haif-dozen, Hernan. My first was James Robinson—my last you should know well—Jim Reynolds, alias Texas Jim.” ; The young lieutenant, although he had served no apprenticeship in the actor’s art, performed his part toperfection. His dress, a fine hunting- suit of deerskin, and the plentiful display of firearms, served admirably to support the as- sumed character; yet the the keen eyes of the bandit did not relax their searching gaze. He confinued, leaving the eatanded Fand -un- noticed; : mS _“‘ Why then did you ran away so fast when you saw us in chase?” ad ‘* A tender conscience gives light heels, cap’n —you should know that. How did I know but that you were a squad of military, or a drove of berders bent on running me down!” | * Would IT could put faith in you! But your negro—who made such a famous race with your horse—” the fairly-arched Jips parted in a smile Ay — as “Wa “Seems to me, cap’n, yer darned skeptical all to once. How do I know that yow are the real, bona fide Hernan Balboaz? I never saw that girl’s face of yours before and my word is about on a level as to veracity with yours.” ager the ironical, meaning smile curved the bandit’s lips. ‘The circumstances are returned, ‘* You are weak; Iam strong. Look down the river to where you see a grove on the furtber side. Tbere are quartered some ninety brave followers, ready to defend me to the death. You are defenseless. True, I seem just at this spot to be alone, and by a combined at- tack you and your black friend might easily overpower me. However, let me show you how foolish you would be in making the at- tempt.” He drew a short silver whistle from his bo- som, which hung suspended by a cord to bis neck, and blew a shrill blast resembling the cry of a night-hawk. Toe sound had not died away when out from the gicon that shrouded the banks on eitber side leaped the eight troopers—the same who had followed their bandit captain in the ped cbase across the prairie, They ranged them- selves in a semicircle about the lieutenant and his crafty foe, Moore saw how cunningly he and his com- rade had been entrapped. Still he préserved his bold exterior. ; , ‘* Your precautions are needless,” he said a little sarcastically. ‘‘1l assure you I had not the slightest idea of trying a tilt at arms with you.” ‘Possibly. Still I make it a point to be al- a “Well, for the test!” cried Moore impatient- ly. “I am willing to satisfy you in whatever is reasonable.” “Lat us adjourn to dry land first,” said Bal- boaz, in bigh glee. Taking the lead, he made his horse leap to tne bank, The rest followed bis example, the eight riders keeping respect- fully in the rear, * This is the test,” said the bandit, when they had all reined in their horses on the level rairie. ‘‘ You are re . Senor Jim, to be he best pistol-shot in all Texas, You acknow!l- edge the truth of this?” What could the lieutenant answer with those keen eyes reading his face? He guessed what was coming; but to go back on the reputation of the man he was personating—it would never do.” iy So he answered, without changing coun- tenance: ‘“‘T guess, cap’n, wi’ hout boastin’ I am a pret- ty good band with the revolver.” , “Then,” went on Balboaz, with a cruel smile, “‘asa proof of this you will, with your own revolver, at a distance of twelve paces, pick off the top button of your sable friend’s coat. It is of brass, and can be plainly seen in the moon- light. Remember, you are not to injure the darky, or pierce his clothing,” and still smil- ing, the bandit patted once more his charger’s snowy neck. , . Sam, the object of these remarks, had re- tained his position near the lieutenant, and so was fully conscious of the very prominent oh aa him in this new version of William e “‘Do it, Mars’ Jim! Do it,” hecried. ‘Yer knows you has hit a nicer mark many a time. I shall Be steady as a post.” ‘*Would you risk your life—end for me?” cried the soldier much moved. ‘No bv beaven, I shall not. Do your worst, Senor Balboaz, but such a risk a partner of mine shall never run, through me.” “Very affecting!” exclaimed Balboaz, sar- castically. ‘‘ What if I should say that both you and your negro shall be hung as spies unless you undergo the test?” ** You are a heartless fiend, Hernan Balbosz,” exclaimed the sorely-tried lientenant. His tormentor laughed—a low, sinister laugh. “Thank you for the compliment,” he said. “I shall try to deserve it. Meantime hasten your decision for it is growing late.” * : er [ = BT uite different,” he But this feat of shooting by moonlight a but ton from bis comrade’s coat at twelve paces, was, to say the least of it, entirely new, He could only succeed by a lucky chance:. The slightest divergence of aim to one side or’ the other would either cause a miss and its probably fatal consequences, or inflict a wound possibly mortal] on bis faithful friend Sam. Ix was the latter who put an end to kis per- plexity. “Do it I tell ye, Mars’ Jim. Don’ he say he kill us bofe if yer don’t? Now 1 amn’t jis’ ready to gib up de gbost yet, Mars’ Jim—not while der am sich a chance as dis fur kcepin’ cn top de un’. No, Mars’ Jim! So ye fis make up yer mind fur doin’ dat unbuttonin’ business or you’se ’sponsibie fur dis niggah’s death, shoah,’”” This aspect of the case had not struck the lieutenant before. Should be decline the test he would really sentence not only bimself but’ his fellow-scout to death, while a loop hole of es- cape—though confessedly narrow—yet lay open before them, Sam had declared his choice, so but one course was left for him to follow, ‘“Youeare really in earnest, Samson?’ he asked. ‘‘ Remember itis one chance out of a bundred that J bit the mark, and a good many more that I hit you.” Sam signified that be was in earnest, and fur~ thermore that he had not the slightest fear «f being burt by the lieutenant’s aim, " ‘*T will do it,” declared the latter, suddenly. ‘Step off the distance, Senor Balboaz, and may Heaven direct my aim.” The bandit captain had been watching with a complacent smile the menta’ torture of the lieutenant. At the last words he laughed glee- fully. ‘Ha! ha! A very appropriate prayer for a character like spat Phat pve yourself and your dark-skinned friend. However, it is well you bave decided at last; we sball now see whether you are the bona fide Texas Jim. Pedro, dis- mount. and step off twelve paces directly north.” ; The latter command was addressed to cne of the Mexican horseman, who immediately pro- ceeded 10 obey it, The twelve paces were stepped off over the baked soil that echoed back the Mexican’s foot- steps. Sam was bidden to station himself at the limit thus reached, He stcod witb his face to the east, The light of the moon shone directly agaiust him, bring- ing into plain view the polished brass buttons of his blue riding coat. e bad buttoned his coat up to bis chin, taking care to push the ends of a flannel comforter, worn about his neck, underneath, causing the top portion of bis gar- ment to protrude rather prominently. Sam, though be had expressed confidence in the lieutenant’s aim, was prudent. There he stood, stiff asa statue or a porte’ any otbervobject remarkable for stabilty. A little nervous it must be confessed, The Mexican, Pedro, had taken the precaution to tie his hands behind bim, Meanwhile, exactly twelve paces to the south, Richard Moore had dismounted ; and examining the pair of revolvers he wore, selected the most suitable for the trying experiment. By bis side still sat Balboaz, surveying the operatiors with his eternal smile, ‘Are you ready, Senor Jim? Take as long aim as you like. 1 shall ride on and observe its effects,” Thus said the Spaniard. He then touched his horse and rode onward, halting a few paces in front of Sam. : The lieutenant fs ready. He raises his revol- ver—a trusty weapon which has never once failed him—and takes aim at the small glitter- ing speck just visible beneath Sam’s chin. Ab, what emotions stir his heart at that crit- ical moment! What a temptation to turn the deadly weapon but an inch upon the crafty vil- lain so calmly watching the issue of the fearful test! t! But with iron nerve he steadies the aim upon ~~ that glittering po Pixs ags Ny LYE > (oye) ¥ +d é v? re were -%, on Sioa -< ee. i > Ve ‘ P —— <r we - 4 a? Te eCsisn* > ey | +. — L =