Beadle's Dime Library, No. 261 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

| — | ter’s eldest daughter. widalasso. Arterward dey haulel me intoa boat so quick | hadu’s time to think—” “ Well,” ssid the colonei, as Sam paused. ‘Wal, dey bud ime boun’ ’n’ helpless as a log ’n’ so ‘ele meé afore Cap’n Hernan as dey calls him.” ‘‘ And this captain—” ‘Up ’n’ tole me as how he had played a cleber trick on de lieutenant ’n’me. How he knew all de time as we were army scouts—or spies, ’ca’se he bad seen me only a month ago on de Uppo Grande, an’ foun’ out who I am.” “That wasa misfortune. So the Texas Jim ruse was a failure?” E “ A spoilt egg entirely. Do it war no fault ob de lieutenant’s. He played his part to per- fecsbun. If only I hedn’t went on dat unlucky trail!” ‘‘T blame neither of you,” said the colonel, avely. ‘You were unlucky, that was all. hat else did he say?” ‘* How be hab taken a fancy to yer bumble sarvent cause [had de strength ’n’ grit. ’N’ how he war goin’ to train me to knock ober his ene- mies ’stead ob bis frien’s; do he might train till doomsday for de matta ob dat.” The colonel smiled. ‘No fear of your fidelity, Sam.” ‘‘Den he say how he send off Lieutenant Moore wid a false report so as to put de regulars on a wrong scent.” “That he has done too successfully. Was that all?” “ Shoah, dat am all hesed. De rest war do- in’, De whole band were roused—hosses sad- dled—’n’ de march begun. I wur strapped to dis animile yer see me on—wid my hands tied ahipd me. Two big Injuns on both sides holdin’ de bridle. Not much chance fur to run away, kurnel?” The colonel nodded. ‘So we rode mighty slow till we got to Les- ter’s late dis evenin’. Den dey halted. De captain wid four ob his best men enters de house, Nearly all de rest war gallopin’ aroun’ de kuntrv gathberin’ in cattle, ‘« A)l dis time I war thinkin’ ob gettin’ loose. Nearly de whole journey I kept up a sly twist- in’ an’ pullin’ at de cords aroun’ my wrists. ‘‘ Dem ‘ar cords war awful tight, ’n’ wuss yet dem red-skins took a look at ’em ebery ‘alf hour. Den I bad to play ’possum. “By 'n’ by dem cords begun to loosen, but I kept mighty quiet till we reached der Lester ranch. Dere de Injuns became ’sited ’n’ looked as though they wanted bad to take a sbare in de rumpus dereselbes. ‘*T watched my chances. All to once a shrill cry dat struck me to de marrow it war so de- spairin’-like sounded from de bouse. Dat cr ’tracted de Injuns, Dey turned dere heads away to listen. “Dat wer’ all I wanted, I giv’ a pow’ful pull an’ off went dem cords in asecond. Fore you could count ten 1 upset dem red-skins from dere hosses an’ was Off like a flash, ‘*T giv’ a shouc an’ away I went like de wind, but not afore I saw dat Bilboes comin’ from de house wid de purtiest dark-haired girl in his arms, ’n’ Major Lester lyin’ cross de do’-sill wid his bead bleedin’. ‘* De rest ob de band war scattered, so [ got a mile away ’fore dey missed me. They tried to ketch me, but giv’ it up. So yer see I’m here, kurnel, sound as a nut,” As Sam finished, Moore broke in with: ‘* You have heard all, colonel, It is disgrace- ful. To be tricked in this manner—I deserve to be cashiered,” ‘‘Not a bit of it,” said the colonel, kindly. “You did the very best in your power. Many, even trained scouts, would not have acted so shrewdly. It was only an unlucky accident that turned the tables on you.” “Thank you, said the lieutenant, deeply moved, ‘‘Though your words do not remove my opinion of my lack of common-sense, they encourage me to ask of you one favor.” “It is granted, for I_know you would ask nothing unreasonable. What is the favor?” ‘This: that you commission Sam and myself to run down this villain to his most secret den. To seek out bis head-quarters, and, at the proper moment, “ith the aid of your troops, surprise him and his band and sweep them from the face of the earth.” : ‘* You undertake a great responsibility,” an- swered the colonel reflectively. ‘Have you considered that you work on Mexican ground when probably every other man is bis ally and confederate? You have witnessed one peaniplo of the man’s cunning; are you willing to enter the lists again?” “ Trust me, colonel—I mean to employ all the time, energy, and brain I possess in the enter- prise. Thovgh duped once it will only render me the more cautious next time,” “Good! I see you have the rizht metal in you. I know of no two men in the State I would rather send on sucha mission. Besides, there is a lady in the case, which should incite you to greater effort.” ‘“* A lady—who?”’ ‘You heard Sam refer to her—Major Les- They say she is a most beautiful girl, and this villainous Creole, like je LLL LLL LAR LL LLL LL te, tliat, tt i — Black Sam, the Prairie Thunderbolt. his hidden caste,” “Lester! Lester!” repeated the lieutenant, slowly. ‘Why, 1 knew a family of that name in South Carolina.” **] know nothing of them, save that his name is Major Richard Lester, and that he has been here a little over two years.” ** Richard Lester!” again exclaimed the young man, excitedly. ‘‘Why, I was named after him, and I and Birdie, his eldest daughter, were playmates,” ‘Possibly they are the same. Though it is strange that you should know nothing of their emigrating to this State.” ‘Not at all. Remember, I spent four years at West Point. When I returned they had dis- appeared. And now I remember, there was a faint rumor that they had removed to Texas, Oh, if it is the same, and it is his daughter that villain has stolen!” ? There is hardly a doubt, if what you say is true. The young soldier drew himself up to bis full six feet, and his fine eyes glowed with resolu- tion, as he said: “ [f it is true, colonel, Heaven itself has chosen mé for this undertaking. It is a necessity that must. be accomplished. Life—health—all that is dear to man’s happiness shall be exhausted until Birdie Lester is freed from that accursed bandit’s grasp.” CHAPTER XL MONTEZUMA, THE INDIAN, ‘*Br careful, Sam!” ‘*Sartin, L is careful; but dese rocks do beat all fur rollin’,” ‘Thank Heaven, we're at the top! Lay low, Sam, I heard voices,” whispered the young offi- cer. ' ‘“‘An’ I see sights—Jerusalem! but just look there!” Our two friends had trailed Balboaz and his cattle-raiders thus far-into the mountains of Northern Mexico, Immediately after the severe disappointment at San Juan, and the news of the fresh outrage on Major Lester’s family, he, in company with the faithful Sam, had set out on his self-im- posed mission. He had arranged with Colonel Harrison that the latter should follow after a short interval, and combining with the Mexican troops make a clean sweep of the bandiiti in their rocky fastnesses. There was much preliminary work to be done first, and which be and Sam must do alone. The mission became to him doubly solemn and even sacred when he learned, as he did for cer- tain, on visiting the stricken family, that the fair girl so abruptly torn from parents and household ties, was really bis friend and play- mate of bygone years—Birdie Lester! After offering all the consolation in his power to the sorrowful and anxious parents, to whom his sudden appearance seemed providential, he | Spanish: crossed the river, and once,.more on Mexican ground, took up the trail of his wily foe. Together the two scouts, well-mounted and ———— EE 7 the robber-knights of old, has borne her off to | that their enemies were directly in front though her knew not the exact locality. , he road they had traversed was become a mere bridle-path, and at this point wound around a steep ridge. On one hand the side, sloping down into a deep ravine, was thickly clothed witb trees, ferns and semi-tropical vegetation. The other rose, at a very abrupt angle to the hight of nearly a hundred yards, he slope was nearly destitute of vegetation, and covered with loose stone, . This rKige the two scouts bad agreed to as- cena io order to gain a favorable outlook upon the other side, After some acpaolting the two had reached the wished-for point, where ensued the short colloquy quoted above. At Sam’s exclamation, which was spoken in a guarded tone, Ricbard Moore glanced in the di- rection indicated. The sight that met his gaze was both strange and perplexing. First, a narrow glade through which flowed a clear, sparkling rivulet, clothed on either side with grass so green that it rejoiced the eye to gaze upon it, In this glade were encamped what remained of the band of raiders, The horses were grazing delightedty off the fresh grass; while a rude supper was being dis- cussed by their masters, But it was not this that drew the gaze of the two scouts, ¢ Ina grove to the left screened by the thick branches from the view of the rest of the band, but visible to the two friends another scene was being enacted. Balboaz and four of bis chief, subordinates, native Mexicans, were standing around a man of peculiar mien and aspect, bis man’s bands were tied bebind him. .He was tall in stature, and stood straight as a,palm- tree. His skin was of a bright, coppery hue, even more so than belongs, in general, to the Indian race, There was not a particle of redundant flesh on his tall, erect frame. Atfirst.sight he seemed not to possess more than ordinary muscular strength, Yet the four Mexicans watched bisevery move- ment with what seemed foolish caution. The Indian regarded his captors with a cold, contemptuous yet strangely dignified look, The grove in which these six characters stood was almost directly beneath the point occupied by Richard Moore and Sam. ' The words exchanged in the little clump of trees were faintly but distinctly heard through e still evening air. Balboaz apoke just as they had settled. them- selves in a] gan | position, ibe you still refuse?” he said, addressing the ndian, ~~ He spoke in a threatening tone. The Indian merely nodded, He did not deign a more definite answer, ‘*‘ Do you not prefer life to the possession of this paltry secret?” This time the answer came in good, plain “You call it a paltry secret, senor—thon why are you so. anxious to obtain it?’ |. Balboaz was silenced for a moment—but only lentifully provided with fire arn s, crossed the | 4 moment. ertile belt of prairie-land sk.riing the Rio Grande, The well-defined trail soon led them into higher and more barren ground, sparsely cov- ered with vegetation. Then the trail began to scatter. Balboaz was too cautious to travel far with so unusual a stock of cattle. No less than three different parties separa from the main body, taking roads that led to the chief market-towns of the interior. division taking away a considerable portion of the original herd, By the time they reached the outer spurs of the great Sierra Madre range the band of raid- ers was reduced to but half its original num- bers, and nearly all the stolen cattle were dis- posed of. One less trained to shrewd reflection than Richard Moore migat have been apd abso by these frequent off-shoots from the ma of the enemy. But always the straight trail led to the mountains, that branching off to the thickly-settled plains of the interior. He quickly concluded that the former would be the choice of the bandit chief, since he would naturally choose the most secret and remote uarters in which to secure bis test prize— the beautiful Birdie Lester; so he clung to the straight course, and on the evening of the third day had penetrated some distance into the mountains. As yet they had not come within sight of the bandits, Not but they might bave secomplished it with ease long before, but they had considered it too hazardous on the level plains. Now the ne Mais of the ground rendered it comparatively safe, Sam and the lieutenant had just bitched their horses in a deep ravine amid a sheltered group of the broad-leafed magnolia. They also con- cealed their rifles in a hollow log close by. This operation was caused by the knowledge Each; the tent and. fetch a rope, thin bu ‘* Because to me it would be of the greatest use—to you it is none.” And what sort of use? The base luxury of a robber and spendthrift.” ‘“* Basely or not—use it I shall; as you will find to your cost,” s_, . The bandit’s manner now changed entirely, . He spoke to the four Mexicans in a tone of ted command, ‘* Pedro, unbind the prisoner, Gonuz, run to . strong. We'll show this c»pperhead Montezuma that Spaniards now as of old know how to conquer a stubborn will.” The tyrant’s orders were quickly obeyed, The Indian’s bonds were cut and the rope soon appeared. The cruel intention of Balboaz became but too apparent. At bis orders the rope was tied about the thumb of the Indian; the other end was flun across a stout Jimb of the tree b neath whi they stood, Three men then grasped the loose end, and, with a united pull drew tbe unfortu- nate man clear of the ground. ‘* Now, bang there!” was the exclamation of this human fiend when these operations were completed: ‘‘ Hang there, until you see fit to alter your resolution and reveal the secret;” ‘Those who have never experienced the human torture to whieh the Indian was jected, can form no conception of if The suspension of one’s .whe the single joint of th " cruciating pain, c rhe rack, There the Indiar ‘een, twen minutes. Still not altered his fix contemptuous smile, ‘**Can we stand this?’ asked Moore, above, of m, “No, sah. Dis niggah sha’n’t—not anoder second,” . “Now for my marksmanship, Sam,” and the (EOMANIElOOO KS @