Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 293 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

. a ‘ . : . 2 PS Pia - 6) -* ; r+ 4 < Ue St be we te J hit’s a big jump down ter de water. But dar’s @ wash-out dis side, what I done druv de mules down ter drink et.” “Good; I'm glad you told me. Go to your mess, Jim, and YTreport after supper to Bob Barr,” said the scout, turning away. ‘Thank yer, Mars’ Steve!’ Touching his greasy hat, in parting saluta- tion, the negro hastened to join his comrades, who were within a separate circle of fires near the neck of the bend. Steve then ordered a tent to be pitched with- in the circle of wagons, for the use of Dora; as he intended to explore the country beyond the Frio, and up the Leona, before proceeding in that direction with the train. It was probable that they would not make another move for two or three days, as the young scout now considered matters. He little dreamed of what was destined to take place before that time. CHAPTER XXTI. WHEN SHALL WE THREE MEET AGAIN? WHEN the negro teamster had left the lone camp of Count Broquier, the latter strode back and forth in the small clear space, with- in which he had his wagon drawn, like a mad- m an. He had watched Jim keenly and suspiciously, as if he believed the negro would dart into some thicket, and there crouch and spy on bis move- ments, Treacherous himself, he believed that every one was plotting against him. Although the distance from the wagon to the verge of the timber was considerable, the villain tore through the undergrowth to that point, and gazed in the direction of the main camp. All within his view were intent upon the care of the animals, and none appeared to look in bis direction. ' For a long time the count thus watched them, until he became enraged at the seeming indiffer- ence with which his departure had been re- garded. Noone paid the slightest attention to his withdrawal. All this was torture to the vain and conceited ruffian, and he now pictured them as speaking of the relief they experienced in having the Jonah of the expedition removed. At the thought of the joy of Steve and Dora, the miscreant clutched at the branches near him, stamped bis heels into the sward, and ground his teeth in impotent rage. ore like an insane man he acted than one gifted with reason, Then, suddenly thinking of the agreement between him and his two confed- erates, he whirled about and gazed down the river. He could see for a mile along the border of the timber, as the river swept northerly. As Broquier reasoned that bis allies ought to have been on the lookout and discovered the train, and also his departure from it, he became still more infuriated, As it was, he now stood alone, and with a longing for revenge, which he could not hope to carry out unless he had con- siderable force to assist him. He bad expected to meet that help upon reaching the Rio Frio, but there was not the slightest indication of the presence of ey and Bill, with their outlaw companions. In ex- planation of this came now a suspicion, a very strong | ti considering the source— this traitor to all except himself and his own interests. Lije and Bill had become frightened. Did they, when they left him, have any in- tention of assisting him? It was doubtful. Was not Lije doubtful in re ises made ever being fulfilled succeed in capturing the train Did they really believe him, when he told them of the large amount of money in the train? Was it not possible that they both believed he was only intending to use them as tools, and cast them aside unrewarded when all that he wished was accomplished ? As he had failed to make pt his promises to Lasso Lije in an affair which was the rag er | of this, it seemed reasonable that Lije shoal doubt his sincerity now. . It was quite yatural for such a traitorous scoundrel to reason thus; and he eventually concluded that he had been most ovérwhelm- ingly beaten in the wagon-train, and also de- graded and disgraced. Such a conclusion, or even suspicions toward it, was terrible to the miscreant to contemplate. He felt that his very life depended upon his success during the next forty-eight bours; in- deed, that he would rather dic than not effect his purpose, and fulfill his oft-repeated oaths of vengeance. Thrice desperate and maddened, Broquier re- turned, in a headlong rush, to the wagon, and knocked loose the cover of a box containing bottles of brandy. This bad been his only con- solation when cooped up in his wagon, and it now served to give him more confidence, caus- ing him to resolve at once upon a search of the bottom-timber in the neighborhood of the at which he had ordered Bill and Lije to meet ard to the prom- . , even did they SUSE point Stampede Steve. This was a mile below the main camp. The sun was resting its lower disk upon the horizon line, as the count came to this decision: but he could not see that luminary, as the heavy timber and dense undergrowth shut out all view from the west. Hence it was twilight beneath the trees, and, in the undergrowth, quite dismal, and indeed almost dark. Broquier was a coward, as his character has proved; but so intense was his fury and disap- pointment, that not once had be entertained a ay ns of personal danger—not for a moment did he realize that he was in a section of the border where wild beasts and wilder men might, at any time, pounce upon him. He was now continually on the watch; his eyes flashing keen glances in all directions; but this was occasioned by his suspicions in regard to some of the people of the train being acting as spies upon him. Having resolved to keep his appointment, he now, with a flask of brandy in his pocket, stole from the wagon, not even taking his rifle with him. He dared not leave the timber, and advance along the border of the same, for fear the herders might discover him, and some of them follow to ascertain his object. he progress of Broquier through the under- growth was necessarily slow; and, when it ap- peared to him that he had gone down the river fully a mile from the train, he crawled to the border of the timber to ascertain if such was the fact, but found that he could not be more than half that distance. Then he returned, and continued on his course. He had about concluded that he would go no further, but would return to the wagon; for he had come to the belief that he was in danger of losing his life, for the shrieks of panthers were sending the cold chills through his veins. To his horror, he now felt himself fallin through the bushes; having, evidently, steppe into some gully, formed by the waters on the lain having flowed into the river in time of eavy rains. Down Broquier went, the bushes scratching ae and curses, loud and deep, bursting from is lips. As he fell, he felt himself clutched, a heavy sae! upon him, and a blanket thrown over his vad, So shaken up by the fall was he fthat the breath was completely knocked out of him, The situation was horrible! At any instant, be felt, a knife might be plunged into him, and his body be left to be gnawed by wild beasts, in that lonely gully! This was but fora moment, but it seemed a long time to him. Then he heard voices, in burried conversation, He had closed bis eyes, but when he now opened them—the blanket being removed—he was blinded by the light of a torch, held directly in his face. Then a familiar laugh sounded, followed by a voice. ‘*Satan tortur’ me, Lije, ef hit ain’t Dusky Dick! Dang’d ef he bain’t lunged onter we-’uns without sendin’ his keerd, er knockin’ at ther door!” ‘“Dog-gone my heart ef hit hain’t Dick, sure tie !’ was the exclamation of Lasso ije. ‘*Caramba !” said another; ‘‘he is the man we were to meet, is he?” So agreeably surprised was the count, that he could not articulate a word. Both Bill and Lije sped him by an arm, and lifted him to his feet, the latter saying: ‘What's ther difficult’? with yer, Dick? An’ when did yer ’rove? Shake yerself tergether, an’ 'splain things. We-uns struck this byer locate, bout a half-hour ago, an’ war jist hev- in’a lay-down. Why didn’t yer holler, when yer see’d us? “Yer mought ha’ got hashed, comin’ in thet-a-way: an’ yer war mighty nigh hit, I sw’ar!” ‘*Satan burn me ef he warn’t!” agreed Bill. “Boys, I didn’t know you were here. didn’t see you, as you may know by the scare I got; but this is the best sight I have seen for years, “I was afraid you wouldn’t come. The train is encamped a mile from here, up the stream. I came to look for you, and was about to return. I see you have found some good boys to help us. ‘The very devil has been to pay. That scout has everything his own way, and I have had to keep in my wagon the entire trip, to avoid killing him, or having him kill me. “ve got my wagon out of the train, and am camped by myself, a quarter of a mile from the main camp. They’re suspicious, and we must lie low, Here, introduce me to your pards, and let us all take a drink!” As Broquier said this, he pulled his brandy- flask from his pocket; and the band betrayed their liking for the liquor, more than for the man. The fact was, that the count’s blunderin manner of lighting in among the outlaws, an his manifest possess the gang greatly in his favor, ) * s >, t.* ‘ . * ew ; . on - ? x S 4 ey’ * Ln ¥< tee _ ee OW. Seite Ales Met eee 2 ~ iat aes « Wee Ye 2 3 f »" — & RN eee rror, were not calculated to pre- 19 *‘Satan tortur’ an’ etarnally torment ther bull lav-out, Dick!” said Lasso Lije, with a scowl of rage and hate. “I ‘low, though I hain’t raked es many boyees up es I calkerlated on, we kin scrouge out ther ducats, an’ ther leetle gal, sides wipin’ out thet condemned cuss, Stampede Steve!” Here Broquier passed the bottle, “Thankee! I don’t keer ef I does errigate: an’ Bill Bowers, he’s jist sp’ilin’ fora drink, ’m * dead sure!” . Lije, as he finished his remarks, stepped for- ward, and Broquier extended the brandy bottle to his pard. At that instant a spurt of fire shot from the dark shades above them, followed by a loud and deafening report that echoed startlingly in the gully, and the brandy flask was shattered into a bundred pieces, flying in the faces of i those who were nearest the count, and cutting into their flesh! ag Broquier gave vent to a shriek of mingled ’ terror and agony, bolding high in air his hand, 4 from which, hanging by a shred of flesh, was d his thumb, which had been severed by the bul-~ let that had shattered the bottle. oer All was now confusion and excitement. Instantly every man sprung up the gully, and around an abrupt bend of the same, into the darkness, Lije and Bill dragging the count i along with them, while all were cursing, and uttering low, but deep ejaculations of appre- hension and amazement, ; But silent as death were the shades above and around them. | we Not the slightest sound was there. — <" Naught met the ears of the eager listenersto indicate the position, the flight, or the advance of the stranger marksman. . CHAPTER XXIII. “oe PREPARING FOR THE ATTACK. ‘*DoG-GONE ther luck!” hissed Lije; “ this hyer looks dang’d dub’ous, ter start with, Dick, — I b’lieve yer hev sp’iled ther bull bizby yer blunderin’ ’roun’. er ain’t wo’th shucks on ther scout an’ yer never will be!” “s ‘Curses on the-man who fired that shot!” said Broquier, in his pain and fury; “and you Lije, shut up your mouth! What are you all — standing herefor? Are’you afraid of onemanf “Tf I was not hit, ’'d follow bim. It was Steve Speed, I'd bet my life! He’s just play- ing with me, Lije—I feel it! I'mdoomed tobe ~— shot to pieces by him yet. Tllserveasatarget for him to practice at, if we don’t turn the tables on him pretty soon. Te ‘‘Run, some of you, and cut him off! Strike for the border of the timber, and run like deer, for a quarter .of a mile. Then form a line to the river, and lie in wait for him!” ‘am ‘‘Dang, an double dang my heart, ef we doesn’t do our bestest ter corral him!” said Bill, ‘* Lije, stay with Dick, er skute up-stream with him toward ther wagon!” | ae 4 ‘‘There’s some brandy in my wagon,” said the count; “‘the cuss shall not cheat usoutof = that! ane i. Lasso Lije, as well as he could underthecir- cumstances, bound up the wounded hand of © Broquier; both repairing to the glowing coals, at the dying camp-fire, for the purpose; as they were confident that the unknown lurker had vanished as soon as he had pulled trigger, ‘*'Yer'll make a r show o’ shootin’ now,” = said Lije, to his pard. *‘ Hit’s yourright th "Bent an’ hit’s clean gone. I hed tercut herloose, an’ —— sling heraway. Ther bone’s ragged, an’ bit’ : be lierble ter multiplication this hot weather.” * al “Mortification, you mean! Confound you, why don’t you say something encouraging, in- stead of trying to make me feel worse!’ . ‘Ther bes’ thing yer kin do, Dick, air ter skute fer ther wagon, git some brandy, an” pour onter bit.” cae “ More likely you want a chance to pone ile ha some down your infernal throat! Hang it! F shall go insane.” SS Osa “Treckon ye’re gittin’ thet-a-way now,”re- marked Lije; ‘‘ but bit won’t do. Yer hain’t a. got no sense ter spar’ lately; an’’speshly now, — when yer wants hit most. ea oS «, “I tell yer, pard, thet wagon, an’ mules must be gut cross ther river ‘fore mornin’ er ther « bull biz air bu’sted. Hit airour best bolt. = = “Ther Greasers must be dead sure o’some- thin’. Ef one er two icy shooted, t’otbers ‘Il stompede, sure es shootin’, ef yer doesn’tkeep ‘em well primed wi’ brandy !” ee ‘“How are we to move the wagon?’ asked Broquier. CRT eee “Wekin sock some greasy raw-bide’roun? — ther bub-pins an’ heels ter stop ther squeakin’, an’ glideeasy down-stream, ‘longside o’ ther tim- = Tr. Pas a: ‘Ther guard ‘l] not see us—I’ll bet on thet! . ‘‘Good! I should never have thought of that. — But, by Heavens! I shall go mad with pain. If | the boys could only capture that scout, l’d tor- “ * . * » ine - 2 - * > see A ‘ i an * | - i it. * «to “Who are these Mexicans? Can you depend — “They’re all ther wo'’stest sort o’ yaller devils,” was reply; ‘an’ ef yer gits thar mad up, they'll fig t like Satan. hey ain’t — — “comicboo