Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 293 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

7 ,™ " ooo Pk, ot A Ay equipments, and staked their horses. As they had food in their saddle bags, they made a hasty meal, after everything had been ex: plained to Bill, by Lije. When Bill mentioned the fact that there were but three men of the searching-party, all told; then Broquier and Lije were greatly amazed, and cursed them- selves for not having hidden in the undergrowth, shot the scout, the major, and their comrade, and then sped away with Dora Dale. All this would have been easy. Bill Bowers was even more furious, for he re- membered the rough usage he had received from every member of the party. But regrets were now useless, and they at once set about planning toward the assassination of Stampede Steve, and then hurrying up the marriage between Broquier and Dora, or the abduction of the maiden, the robbing of the train, and the murder of the major, should their ei PT plot fail. Both Broquier and Lije explained their wan- derings and experiences since they had been separated, and the three now formed acompact, to be true to each other, and to have their re- venge upon Steve, the Scout. ‘* Now, to business,’ said the count; *‘ and, in the first place, do you know of any outlaw band beyond the San Antonio? We must have a strong force. I don’t care whether they are Mexicans or white bandits, so long as our work is om peer ‘* We'll let them have the wagons, freight and mules; that is, all except a part of the lading of one wagon, which we must remove secretly be- fore the attack, and ‘cache.’ There isa box of gold, which I think we will appropriate; be- sides, we shall stipulate that the girl belongs to me. Do you understand?” ‘ ‘How much, does yer calkerlate, air in ther ox?” : I can’t say; but it’s a fortune for each of us!” ‘* Dog-gone my heart!” now put in Bill; ‘‘ ef I wouldn’t like ter bev a grip onter thet ole cuss’s throat, what throttled me! Hit ‘u’d be more satisfac’ than ther money.” ‘“‘An’ Satan burn me,” said Lije, “ef I wouldn’t ruther git a grip onter ther hellyun what slung me inter ther Guadalupe, than stick a thousand pesos inter my pouch!’ **Don’t fret, pards,” said Broquier; ‘‘ neither of you has as much reason to hate that infernal scout as Ihave, The first moment I set eyes on him, I knew he was fated to be a thorn in my side, or be my death, ‘| knew that be would read me through and through, and do all he could to balk my plans. I felt be was to be the man who would gaze into my eyes when I was gasping out my last breath; and, by heavens! my experience with him since has not been such as to weaken that impression. But, I have sworn, not only to carry out my plans, but to have his life!” “But what air our first move?’ inquired Lasso Lije. ‘*I shall return to the camp, and keep with the train. You, boys, must go at once to the Frio, and, if possible, get assistance of the right sort. ‘*Keep an eve open for our arrival, and meet me one mile below the camp, wherever it may be. “Then we'll be ready for some kind of biz, on the ee. If I can work the marriage- racket, l’ll co it, for there’s a preacher in the outfit. If I do, the train is ours, and the girl is mine. The gold we'll divide. Then burrah for a merry life in Mexico!” ‘*Thet’s all bunk; but we’uns must ’member thar’s some danger Oo our gittin’ choked off in ther rangement, Thus spoke Bill, as he caressed his neck, which bore the plain marks of the old planter’s terrible grip. a Both Broquier and Lije laughed, more to cheer their pard than aught else: but this only enraged him the more. The count then urged the others to depart at once, as they were in a “aigorous position. “But, dang bit, Dick,” said Lije,in a per- plexed and apprehensive voice and manner, ‘ they mought take a notion to hang you up ter dry, when yer glides inter ther camp!” | ‘Pll risk that,” was the respouse. ‘‘I have a plan already arranged to outwit them, and throw off suspicion. They don’t know that I have been down the river at all. The cuss that threw me into the stream, so t know me from Adam. It was too dark there. : “Tl make them believe that I have been blundering around below the ford, searching for the girl. Don’t fret about me, but start at once.” And start, the two ruffians did, for they feared discovery; and with but little more talk in regard to the proposed arrangements. With a sbake all_ around, and mutual vows repeated, Bill and Lije disappeared, and the count turned his steps toward the river. After proceeding some distance in deep thougbt, he felt fora book in his side pocket. This he jerked out nervously, and with an expression of fiendish triumph upon bis face, he walked along he did not notice that is at ee Oe ery ' . - - * es oe ae > ee : « a w~ ’ P Stampede Steve. — Oe ——. - i — emmy maa << CO a paper fell from the book and fluttered into the grass. On Broquier went, examining documents and letters, one after another, for some time; his swarthy face becoming darker and more furious, until at length be sunk to a sitting pos- ture: his features. becoming ashen, as he once | paper be had lost bad been found; and that more went carefully over the papers. Then he sprung to bis feet, crying out, in fury. Lost! Curses on the luck—lost! In the fiend’s name, where could I have dropped it? “Did I leave it among my effects, in the wagon? Hell and furies! I am an idiot, to be so careless, ‘* What would be my chances, if that cursed scout should find that dccument? It would seal my doom at once, for he would see through my scheme. One can’t fool him, like that weak- minded o]d major. ‘‘By heavens, this is terribly unfortunate! I wouldn’t have parted with that paper, for which I have worked and plotted for two ears—not for a small fortune! And now, it is ost! ‘But, by the eternal, I’ll win the game with- out it; besides gaining my revenge! I must lay fine now, er must be humble, and even awn upon those I hate and despise. *‘ Anything, to win a wife, and a fortune? By Jove, let me think—tbink, and plan!” Then, gaining a thicket, from which be could command a view of those who were in search of Dora Dale, should they return to the camp, Broquier lay crouched within it; forming schemes, and studying as to the most plausible manner, in which to account for his absence, in the first place, and then, in what manner be had best conduct himself for the present. Thus he remained, until he discovered, to his intense fury, the major, with Steve Speed, Bob Barr, and Dora; all approaching the ford. He must hasten now, and join them as soon ssible after their return. he entrance of the arch-villain into camp, shortly afterward, has been already described. CHAPTER XX, ONLY WAITING. Apout two weeks from tbe day of the re- turn of Major Dale and his party to the wagon- train on the Rio Guadalupe, found them within view of the ribbon of timber that marked the course of the Rio Frio, near its confluence with the Rio Leona. But little of interest to the reader, had oc- curred on the trip from the Guadalupe. Count Broquier remained, the greater part of the time, in the wagon that bad been allotted to his use; for, he well knew that be could not see the familiar footing on which the young scout was with the major and his daughter, and control his rage. But the wretch comforted himself, with an- ticipations of the sweet revenge that was com- ing. At first bis feelings of insane hatred were so torturing, that, more than once, he resolved to steal upon Steve Speed, when he slept, and lunge a knife into his heart. His cowardice, owever, providentially prevented the would- be assassin from attempting the life of the man he so feared and hated. Well did Broquier know that, did he fail to kill the scout at one blow, bis own life would pay the forfeit; and, even did he succeed in slaying him, all the evidence would point to- ward bim, and he would be lynched at once, did he not escape. Consequently, the count held himself aloof; but this proceeding on his part, so entirely un- like bis previous conduct, caused every one in the company to suspect that all was not rigbt. It appeared to Steve, that the miscreant must have strong hopes from what he expected his confederates to accomplish; otherwise he would not be thus calm, and apparently uncon- cerned. ( Only once bad Broquier sought a private in- terview with Major Dale; when he reminded the old planter, that the time agreed upon for bis final decision in regard to the proposed mar- riage had expired, and that he did not propose to be trifled with any longer. He also asserted, that he proposed to shoot the young scout, if he did not keep his place, and refrain from asso- ciating on such intimate terms with his promis- ed wife. To all this, the major made no reply. He merely gazed, in a hopeless manner, at Broquier. Doubly infuriated, the count now swore that, did not the old man compel his daughter to marry him, upon reaching the Leona, be would denounce bim as an assassin, produce another man who had been a witness to the murder, and also furnish the major’s own written ac- knowledgment of the crime. Still, Major Dale heard the villain in silence. ‘‘T repeat,” snarled Broquier, with flashing eyes; ‘I repeat, that I will furnish evidence, in our own hand-writimg, that will hang you like a dog! Do you hear? Do you forget that you are in my power?” ‘I recollect having given you a paper, but IL forget the nature of its contents,” returned the old planter, still in the same quiet manner, i 17 ‘‘Please allow me to examineit. I told you at the time that I could not control my child’s heart.” Had a bomb-shell exploded at his feet, the count would not bave been more startled. At once it flashed through his mind, that the ajor Dale had gained possession of it, and de- stroyed it, In no other way could the miscreant account for the old man’s indifference to bis threats. “ What the devil has come over you?” he de- manded. “ You are trifling with me, and it is all through that infernal scout! But Pll let you know that I shall bold you to your bargain. ‘‘T have you under my thumb, and I defy Steve Speed. I’ll have his blood, for interfering with my affairs!” Hardly had these words passed Broquier’s lips, when he felt himself clutecbed by belt and collar, and then he flew through the air, over a clump of bushes, and into a slimy water-hole, There, half submerged, the ruffian remained, listening intently, but no sound caught his ear. team es free of the slime and mud, into the bushes, his teeth grating together, he peered through the branches, but not a soul was Within view. But Broquier knew that his assailant had been none other than Steve, the Scout. The miscreant was murderously mad; his thirst for revenge being more intensified, be- cause he was at that time, powerless to act. And why was it, that the major bad been so cool and unconcerned during that interview. The reason was, that Steve Speed, unable to bear tbe sight of the old man in bis mental agony, bad resolved that he would attempt to cheer him to relieve bis overburdened brain, Seeking an interview with Major Dale, one night when the latter, unable to sleep, was sit- ting beside the camp-fire, the scout said, in a low voice: ‘‘ Major, I want a few words with you. Any one, with half an eye, can see that you havea heavy load upon your mind, ‘‘In a somewhat strange manner I have be- come acquainted with the nature of your trou- ble.’ The old man trembled, and Steve continued. ‘‘You may rest assured, Major Dale, that I am in this matter, the best friend you have on earth. I do not even except your daughter for it is not in her power to do for you what I intend to do. ‘‘ At our first interview, I knew that villain, Broquier, whose former cognomen was ‘ ae Dick,’ bad, in some manner, gotten you in wer. ‘‘T saw that he intended to marry Miss Dora by fair means, or foul; and I swore that it should never be, if I could prevent it. “That was why | accepted your offer to en- age me as guide; influenced, however, by other circumstances, of which we need not, at present, speak, ‘‘T was, and am confident, that the hold this wretch has upon you, is of no i lg ge what- ever. He is, evidently, the author of a plot, which has succeeded in placing you, seemingly, . in bis power. 1% ‘‘ But, Iam confident that it was a plot,and y ; Pea * that you are innocent of all that he would have ou think he can prove, That you have been tll me and despairing under all this, has been made tive to me; and that, in a most provi- dential manner. Here is your acknowledgment ie and weakness, which I wish you to read, and then burn before my eyes.” te Stephen Speed then produced the document he had found on Broquier’s trail, a. The major clutched the paper with trembling re glanced over it, and then thrust it intothe re, iy His face, as now revealed by the flame of the burning paper was ghastly; and he stared atthe young scout, witb a look of superstitioushorror, “There,” exclaimed the latter, “that is de~ stroyed! And don’t you everbeweakenoughto — ~*~ 4 of . i 4 + “. bra 4* ‘ bd c ? ‘- write another of the same character, no matter — what may be the consequence of your refu ‘‘Don’t bave the slightest concern in regard — to this matter, for all will be well. re would have been a dead man long since, bad I — not sworn to wring from him a confession of _ his perfidy to you. I shall yetaccomplisbit. “Surely, major, you never thought of yield- ing to this miscreant’s demands! Do you not ~ know, that his persecution of you would end only in death? Why have you not shot bim,as | he deserved?” pas: “ He had a confederate,” said the old planter, _ in a hoarse and gasping voice. ‘‘Bothof them have sworn that if one comesto harm the other a 5 : ie o 4 : a q? 2) oS “ ll it % * will reveal all, and prove that bis friend was ~ slain by me, to prevent my secret from being known,” ed ‘Just so,” said Steve; ‘and, if lam not atly mistaken, 1 can, within a very short — ime, put my band on that confederate; and it | shall fall so strongly, when I do, that be will ‘peach’ on his pard. Major Dale, the two — outlaws who abducted you daughter, were in — the company of Broquier later on. One of | them was an old associate of his, known as ~ ; re comic