Beadle's Dime Library, No. 261 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

-_ ‘then a single sharp report rings out upon the ‘night air. A hush like that of death reigns for a moment over the scattered group. in another instant the light smoke has cleared ‘away, and lo! the young lieutenant, his nerves all unstrung after the fearful strain, beholds Sam standing erect and uninjured. With a cry of jvy he hastens up. The Mexican horsemen, almost bursting with curiosity, Hock around, Sim was the first to speak: ‘*Hurrah, Mars’ Jim! I knowed you'd do it. Yer shaved dat dar button off clean as a whistle.” Moore could not-speak for arminute, the relief was so sudden and immense. One of the Mexicans had Wismounted and was searching for the button. A ory soon announced its discovery, a few yards in.advance of Sam’s stand-point. , At sigbt of the brass button, ashred of blue «cloth still clinging to it, even those swarthy «cat ls raiders sent up a shout of:applause. Balboaz now advanced on his white steed and at bis command the button was banded to him. He looked at it a moment and:observed the -sniall dent in one side showing tbat it had been dit squarelv, and was torn from its fastening as meatly as Sam had so expressively said, ‘*Let me congratulate you, Senor Jim,” he said, turning to the bogus Jim. ‘You have woth made an extraordinary shot and fully con- “~vinced me that I was wrong in doubting you. or the latter I beg your pardon and'hope that ‘you will forget this unpleasant affair in-our future friendship.” With which po ite apology he extended one slender white hand, smooth and polished as amarble, It went sorely against the grain with the “young officer to take the proffered hand after “what bad passed; but policy overruled passion sand the two shook hands, *““And now, senor,” continued Balboaz, hold- ing up the button, “Laskaslight favor. May IT keep this brass button asa memento of our first meeting? 16 will always recall to me the most perfect shot Lever witnessed,” ev ou must ask Samson there,” replied the Jieutenant, smiling faintly. ‘‘ The perii was all ‘his and the butten is rigbtly his property.” Balboaz repeated his request to the negro. **T has no 'bjections,” wus Sam’s reply. “ All ‘the same,” he added to himself, ‘‘I’sa boun’ to hab dat button ’n’ your heart’s blood wid it, Misto’ Hernan Bilboes!” CHAPTER VII. MOORE PLAYS DETECTIVE. THE paruy turned to the river, led by Bal- boaz, who now treated the new acquaintance as courteously as though’ no unpleasant affair had occurred, ‘He even made one of his followers dismount rand give place to Sam, which was not done “without much fierce though inaudible mutter- ‘ing on the part of the Mexican thus summarily “treated, . Thus, Moore and the bandit chief in front, ‘the rest following in the rear, the whole proces- sion recrossed the river and turned down- stream to the camp of the cattle-raiders a few wods below, As hinted a few chapters back, the band of ‘raiders had driven their cattle into the river on ‘the approach of the prairie fire, and had them- selves taken refuge in the same convenient ‘shelter. After the passage of the flames they ‘drove the herd out on the eastern benk and en- -rcamped in the small grove of peach and willow- trees bordering the stream. These groves, like little oases, are scattered at ‘wide intervals over the fertile prairies of South- western Texas. Strangely enough each grove wiil consist but of a single species—either plum, ‘peach, pecan or live-oak, The e beneath the tree is entirely free from bushes or under- growth and covered with the most delightfully green sward imoginable, In he summer and autumn easons the tired wanderer over these boundless plains hails the leafy oasis as a veri- table paradiso where ..¢ can lie in the cool shade and regale himself with luscious fruits unstint- ly. . Such a spot had the cattle-raiders found and ‘now desecrated with their presence, The band—more than three-fourths of them— ‘were Apache Indians, The rest a motley col- lection of ruffians from all ciimes and countries; around the two meu, whom they at first took to be re ie Their He cried to them in Spanish: ‘‘ Friends, this is Texas Jim, of whom you ! low. have all heard, and bis black partner, Samson, whose great strength will make him quite an addition to the band.” Sam had already dismounted, and as he was | standing by his horse, watching with much | curiosity the savage faces around him, an enor- mously big Indian stepped up and without cere- mony extended one huge paw in token of | amity. ‘Ugh! big man!—shake.” These were his words, uttered in a hoarse, guttural voice. Sam grasped the proffered hand and Squeezed it. The savage u‘tered a howl of pain and with- drew his hand, the fingers nearly crushed. ‘‘ What you holler so for, red-skin?’ laughed Sam. ‘f You’ve no mo’ grit dan a squaw.” This remark excited the Indian’s ire to boiling- oint. With a series of ughs, be aimed a right- ander at Sam that might have felled an ox, but the black Hercules caught the blow on his right arm, and with his left sent in a counter- blow that landed full on the Apache’s chest. The blow resounded as if from a drum and the ugh that came from that Indian was immense. Before he could recover, Sam, concentratin his immense strength in bis right arm, delivere a blow straight between the eyes. The result’ was astounding even to himself, for over went the red-skin asif from a rocket, His head touched the ground once, then, turn- ing a complete somersault, his big feet striking with great force into the stomach of a Spaniard standing by, The Spaniard yelled and Sree erey with his hands on bis organ of digestion. Tqe In- dian lay for afew moments motionless, then slowly rose to a standing position. ‘*Ugh! ugh! No use fight black-man.—Got thunderbolt in him arm,” and he retired to bis blanket, . Tais by-plav served to raise greatly in the es- timation of the band of Indians and outlaws the two new additions to their nunfber. Among all rude and savage races there is nothing that excites applause so quickly as a remarkable ex- hibition of physical force. The bandit chief had watched the contest of the negro and Indian with a smile of amuse- ment on bis countenance. He now turned to Lieutenant Moore, ‘You did not boast, senor, when you said you possessed the best of comrades. Your Sam- son is really an acquisition. Would that I had a few such in my band.’ ‘You could not persuade me to part with Samson, particularly after the events of this night,” was Moore’s reply. *] would not askit. I value your feelings too highly,” was the courteous reply. For all that Hernan Balboaz had resolved to rank Sam among the number of his followers, ** Will you share my tent to-night? It is at our service,” said Balboaz as the two reached he centér of the grove and halted before the small white tent. ‘Tf it does not incommode you,” replied the soldier. ‘* Not in the least.” The two entered. Richard Moore looked and was somewhat astonished at the manner in which the tent was furnished. , A silver lamp swung from the center, castin a mild light around the interior. Its rays fe upon asmall camp-bed of elegantly wrought iron, which could be taken apart or put to- gether at a moment’s notice. A rug of brilliant design almost covered the assy sward that formed the floor of the tent. wo or three folding-chairs scattered around a small table in the center, completed the furni- ture, A number of ee pistols, and slender stilettoes, the favorite wea- pon of the treacherous Spaniard, hung around the sides of the white canvas. **You sea [ am a man of luxurious tastes, Senor Jim,” said the Creole, as he noted the lieutenant’s glance. ‘‘It is unfortunate or the noted Hernan Balboaz might have been a quite different character. ‘** Make yourself at home,” he added, waving him to a camp-stool. ‘‘You will excuse me a few minutes as J must hunt up my lieutenant and give him a few commands,” eader soon enlightened them. } 1 ’ that lay against the trunk of an immense wil- ras 5 Se . ———__—- + —___ amid the scattere 1 groups of Indians and half- breeds evidently in search of the lieutenant. Balboaz seated bimself upon a prostrate log he shadow was almost impenetrable. There he waited patiently the approach of | his subordinate. Once and once only he looked behind hi.n into the dense shadows of the giove as if © slight noise had attracted him. . Whether or no be bad heard anything, be dismissed the idea for he still retained his seat upon the log. Yet strange to _ an observer close enough to distinguish his features would have seen a queer smile flickering on the firmly arched lips, The lieutenant eame—a short, low-browed man of rough exterior. After the first greetings, the chief gave his orders; “Pedro, you will start in two hours for the San Juan crossing-place. We have tarried long enough—by to-morrow’s eve we must be on Mexican ground,” ‘* Won’t that be too soon, cap’n? .The cattle are dead-tired,” “Two hours’ rest will put them \in good trim.” : Richard Moore had heard enough. He crept from his ene bebind the huge willow, whose shadow had so effectually shielded him, and made all baste back to the tent, CHAPTER VIIL A BOLD PUSH FOR LIBERTY. WHEN Richard Moore reached the tent he lost no time in pulling on his boots, and seating him- self on a camp-stool, be looked around for some mode of whiling away the time till the bandit captain’s return. ; is eye fell upon a leather-bound volume lying on the small table in the center of the canvas-walled chumber. He took it up, and found it to be a copy of Don Quixote in the original, M ** The fellow has some literary taste,” thought the lieutenant as he opened the book. As he idly turned the leaves his eyes fell upon three lines written in Spanish on a fly-leaf: ‘To HERNAN BALBOAZ ON HIS 14TH BIRTHDAY, From his Father S. MApry, Mexico, 1859.” pas. was the last ling that interested the sol- ier, In San Mapimi the famous bandit chief had been born and raised, and near San Mapimi lay most probably his secret head-quarters some- where in the recesses of the great Sierra range at the foot of which the town lay. The book itself no longer interested the lieu- tenant. He restored it to its former position on the table, while he gave himself up toreflections © as to what he should do next. ' The point at which the band would cross the Rio Grande with their stolen cattle, into Mexi- co, was known to him. All that remained was to get word as quickly as possible to Colonel Harrison who had prom- to lead a pee of the garrison from Fort B—— to a point on the river not far off. Should be get to bim in time they would be able to place themselves in such a position as to completely subdue the band of cattle-raiders with their stolen herds. He fancied, however, there would be some difficulty in escaping from Balboaz so abruptly without exciting that person’s suspicions, The latter at length returned and was greeted by Moore with these words: ‘*I must give you news very disagreeable to myself, captain.” ** What is it?” ‘‘T must be in Presidio to-morrow at nine precisely. I had forgotten it totally; your pursuit of me so disarranged my thoughts.’ “Ts it an appointment? ‘Yes, and a very important one.” ** Well, senor, I shall not interfere with your arrangements in the least. But I must ask you one favor.” ‘* What is that?” ‘‘ Allow me to retain your man Samson a da or so with me. I give you my word he shall be returned.” “ native Mexicans, half-breeds, a few Chinese, He bowed and with a quick, light step left the Moore at once suspected the purpose of his 4 eee EE EEE EO ee etc, tent. : cunning acquaintance, and was on guard. dS There was but one hut, set in the very center | Hardly had he disappeared through the can- ‘*For what would you want Samson— id. for Me of the grove. vas opening than a sudden change transformed | so short a time?” | i ame id: This was set apart for the chief, Balboaz, the tieutenant’s features. ‘“Can you ask? He has the strength of any el P The rest simply cast themselves along the ““The time has come,” he muttered softly, | three men in the band, andso long as I am on ry) this dangerous soil every mancounts. Of course i. reen sward beneath the trees, here untouched his ¢ I expect his aid in the event of a fight.” re and withdrawing his heavy cavalry boots he fo!- 3: eS ‘by the fire that all around had wrought devas- lowed stealthily in the rear of the bandit cap- ¢ a! “ ; omen 4 ¥ 7 - ‘a? fae i S. \tation. tain. The lieutenant knew this was merely a cloak | EP. A part were detached to guard the cattle out- With a step perfectly noiseless on the grassy | for some other design and was resolved not to : ee _ :side the grove, carpeting he followed him beneath the dense | forsake his faithful follower. a | Th was int» this mixed assembly cf outcasts of | sb» dow of the trees. “Tam sorry to refuse vou, Hernan; but ag aa ee vev ry grede of savagery and crime that the Balboaz had not proceeded far when he met | Samson and I are inseparable after this night’s i, tgs ‘two scouts were about to be introduced. one of his subordinates, a Mexican. occurrences,” Ri ea tele As Balboaz and bis two friends ) enteredthe | To him he spoke a few words in a low voice | _Balboaz looked disappointed, / He said sarcas- i =F een strove, a throng of Indians and others crowded ‘ and the man darted off through the grove, ' tically: , v