Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 293 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

Stampede Steve. 3 gelic being whom he had saved from a terrible | Springing from Dora’s side to his horse, he death. | exclaimed, as he bounded into bis saddle: Steve Speed was overcome with feelings such | ‘‘Forgive me, Miss Dora! But, really, I as be had never before experienced. could not resist the temptation. I have been He could bardly believe his senses. He seem- | rude, and bave more than canceled all your ed to have become another man, tt rough the un- | imagined indebtedness. I go now to lasso your dreamed-of happiness of the moment, horse, and lead the animal to you, All this was in an iustant, as the young scout | ‘‘ Please remain in or near the moffe until I A blue woolen shirt, with wide collar loosely confined at the neck by a black kerchief, and a black wide-brimmed sombrero, made up his semi-Mexican costume, A brace of revolvers, Colt’s army size, and a hue bowie, were in scabbards at his belt, while a Soarp’s carbine bung at his saddle-born. His equipments were of the best workman- | ship, and in everything, he had the air and manner of a prairie reamer, if not a skilled scout. Strongly marked for endurance, as well as | speed, was the animal he rode; a beauty, and | its every movement, grace, fire, and vim. The borse was a dark bay, with an abundant mane and tail of wavy hair; its forelock hang- ing, when not at speed, below its eyes, which were large, and unusually expressive, Such was Stephen Speed, a well known ran- ger and scout of West Texas, a little more than twenty years ago. He was commonly called Steve, or Steve the Scout; and, by some, Stampede Steve, from the fact that he was a-headlong rider, and skilled in stampeding herds of mustangs into trap-cor- rals, on the upper Rio Nueces, or elsewhere. A perfect type of a daring Texas scout was Steve; and, as he discovered the on-plunging, maddened steer, with the tell-tale lasso about its neck, which explained its fury, he immedi- ately coiled and adjusted the loop of his own lariat. As thus described, man and mustang presented a sight to rivet the gaze and admira- tion of any observer. Erect sat Ste¥e in his saddle, the slack of his lasso coiled over his left arm, the end of it being attached to his saddle-horn. Tbus prepared, he gave a slight hiss, and his noble, well-trained horse shot forward, toward the northern side of the little motte, which hid Dora Dale from the young scout’s view. Well he knew that, mad- dened as the brute was, it would not remain long in the clump of oaks into which it had so frantically dashed; and his intention was to spur out from behind the motte, upon the rea pearance of the animal, and lasso it. He would then regain the rope from its neck, and hold it until those who were probably in chase should come up. But a most astounding surprise awaited Steve, and instantly changed his plans. First, as be reached the little motte toward the river, from behind it bounded a beautiful black horse, saddled and bridled, the animal speeding headlong witb snorts of affright. Instantly the young scout dropped the lasso coil over the horn of his saddle, clutched his carbine, and springing to the ground, bounded around the motte to a position that com- manded a view of its eastern side. There he stood, bewildered at the sight of the terrified maiden. Never before had he beheld such angelic beauty and grace. Pallid as a corpse she stood, unconscious of the presence of the young man, who for the moment was rendered as power- less as herself by her unearthly loveliness and fearful danger. At once it flashed upon him that he was too late; and, indeed, be would have been, had not the steer halted to bellow madly and tear up the sod in a challenge to conflict. Not an instant longer did the amazement of the young man delay him. Up went his weapon to his shoulder, and he glanced over the i aa life of the maiden depended upon his skill. The beast was broadside to him, and conse- quently to shoot it through the brain was im- possible. Besides, to render such a shot as he was obliged to make more difficult, the maddened brute was plunging onward toward its intended victim as the scout took aim. Like a man of iron stood Steve, every nerve and muscle rigid, and his carbine as steady as if held in a vise. A moment after, the weapon belched fire and was burled to the earth, as the young man jerked his revolver and bounded forward, ejaculating loudly: “Thank God! Thank God!” The bullet hod done its work well. The bags black brute had been pierced through the vitals. As Dora Dale threw up her arms and sbrieked, the young scout gave vent to his tortured feel- ings in a deep groan; but as Steve lifted the senseless maiden, he perceived that the horns of the slain beast had not injured her—that sbe had only swooned, : In the whirl of agonizing emotions that had ruled him as be rusbed forward, Steve at first feared that bis sense of sight had deceived him, and that the young girl bad been killed, These first startling emotions baving been banished, he strode toward the clump of oaks and looked toward the south for any sign of the pursuers of the steer be had just shot. Seeing no indications of being intruded upon, his handsome face assumed an expression of relief, which soon changed to the most intense admirati se — ee ee strode toward the motte; the sight of his borse, standing at the edge of the undergrowth, recall- ing him to the actual realities, and the duties of the moment, Detaching his canteen from his saddle with crushed down all other considerations, and in- clinations, Steve would, doubtless, not have striven to hasten the recovery of his fair charge; as, in his heart, he feared that, upon returning | to consciousness, she would merely thank him | for the service he had rendered, and vanish for- | ever from his sight and life. Feelings, such as be had never before even | dreamed of possessing, had somewhat demoral- ized the mind of the young scout; and, to end his misgivings and forebodings, he placed the | canteen nozzle between the lips of the senseless girl, and allowed a tiny stream to run into ber mouth, Casting the vessel aside, Steve quickly clasped Dora’s wrist, detecting a faint puisation. n, the fair girl uttered a faint moan, and ber face | became stamped with horror; indicating that, with returning consciousness, ber brain still re. tained the terrible picture last photographed upon if, A sbudder convulsed her fair form, and, in place of slowly opening her eyes, and gradually realizing the near past, all seemed to be recalled in an instant, except the last act in the tragic drama. With a piercing cry of horror, her eyes flashed open, ber arms were thrown up- ward, and were clasped about the neck of her preserver. Then, as suddenly realizing that she had been saved, she threw herself backward from the Mtnty bea and gazed into his face, in the ut- most bewilderment. Both were too much over- come to speak; but Steve, perceiving that his fair charge was in a most embarrassing posi- tion. quickly arose, as he exclaimed; ‘*Pardon me, miss! But you recovered so suddenly and Une POPSET that you quite startled me, [Lam vot much accustomed to the society of your s*x, and was completely upset by your being in u faint.” he young man politely raised his sombrero, as he first tits Death the latter, for a mo- ment, gazing in some confusion into bis hand- some faee, and then glancing at the dead steer, and tbe bay horse which stood near them. That roving glance made all plain to the fair girl, and she me, at cnce, her own impul- sive, innocent self, Taking both hands of the young scout in hers, she returned, in words that were full of feeling. ‘*T cannot thank you, as 1 ought! You have preserved me from a horrible death, and I shall pray for you to my dying day. ‘*Ob, sir, 1 cannot express my gratitude in words! My father must know, and thank you. We must be friends always, Heaven has brought us together in a most strange manner, and one most fortunate for me. ‘“My name is Dora Dale, and I shall ever bear this eventful day in mind. Never, never shall [ forget you, or cease to pray for your happiness!’ apidly and earnestly were these words spoken, while the emotions that prompted them were mirrored in her beautiful eyes. The scout replied: : ‘Prayers from your Do ae Miss Dale, can scarce fail to be answered. But you overrate my slight service; and, please do not again thank me for an act which has given me more happiness, in a few brief moments, than I ever had dreamt of experiencing. “T am but a rough scout of the plains, but I feel much more civilized, and bave more respect for myself, since I have been enabled to render you a service. But I bave not introdyced my- self. Iam yours to command, Stephen Speed!” He said this while clasping Dora’s hands, and gazing into her face, which flushed, and her eyes dropped, at the unmistakable and ardent adoration which was betrayed by his glances. rent were ber own emotions, To say that she was surprised at meeting with one so noble, handsome, and brave—far above any whom she had ever before seen, as she mentally admitted—would be but faintly to express her feelings. She was not only as- tonished, but was proud and happy to owe her life to him, ‘“ And, Mr. Speed, I am your most sincere friend, now and forever!” she returned, im- pulsively. The young man quickly clasped her to his bosom, and imprinted a basty kiss upon ber brow. For his life he could not resist the im- pulse that caused bim to be thus demonstra- tive; but the next instant he regretted it, and ! a rr mm me et a return,” Waving bis hand gracefully in a parting salutation, Steve drove spurs, and shot towurd the bottom-timber; bis heart cheered, and filled with joy unbounded, as Dora kissed her hand one hand, he seated bimself upon the sward, | with Dora still in his arms, and gently bathed | ber head. Had not his anxiety and sympathy | to him, without any manifestation of baving been offended at the liberty he had so rashly taken. CHAPTER III. FROM ONE DANGER TO ANOTHER, STEVE, the Scout, had scarce vanished from the view of Dora Dale when the latter regretted much that she bad. not prevented bis departure; for she well knew that Nero had galloped to and forded the river, dashing, in his Fright, into her father’s camp. The arrival of the mustang, she was aware, would cause a great excitement, and her father would be appret ensive in regard to her safety... From the appearance of the horse they would know that she was on the opposite side of the river from the camp, and a search would be at once instituted. They would, doubtless, meet the young scout, who would explain matters ; but they would insist upon accompanying Steve back to the motte, ) This would prevent her from seeing the young man alone, for the present at least, which was far from pleasing to Dora; for after be bad gone, she had thought of a hundred and one things to say andaskof him. And there was still another reason. She feared that bis services to her would not be appreciated by at least one person in her father’s camp; indeed, more than this, that the individual of whom we sball hereafter speak might insult Steve, and thus cause serious trouble, Allin all, the maiden was ill at ease, especi- ally as she had received a terrible shock, she having been torn from the very jaws of death in a horrible form, and her terror drowned in oblivion only to return to consciousness to be transformed into the utmost gratitude, anda longing admiration toward her rescuer. lt required but a short time, however, for Dora to come to a conclusion in ropand to the nature of the emotions that ruled ber, as she gazed after the fast galloping scout, who sat his horse likea centaur. These thoughts found expression in words. ‘‘ How bandsome, how graceful he is} Oh! why did I allow bim to leave?” ora Dale was forced to acknowledge to her- self, without much effort or reascning, that she had met one who was more, or wouid be more, than all others to her ; in fact that she had met her fate. Had Steve been less outspoken in regard to bis own feelings whicb bad pleased her greatly, it would have been all the same. She felt as- sured that she had been betrayed by look and act and bh, so greatly and favorably bad she been impressed by bim and his services. _ Consequently, his words could not be out of place, under the circumstances. Most certainly there had been little felt by either toward the other, that had been plainly revealed by word or look. Since she bad sprung from her mustang to pluck the flowers, although but little time bad passed, events most startling and bewildering bad occurred: and the half-dazed maiden press-d her hands to her forehead and then gianced back, with ashudder, at the huge brute hat had so recently been plunging madly to- ward her, threatening her life. A change bad come upon her life in that. brief time. A thick curtain seemed to have been torn from before her mind’s eye, revealing brilliant possibilities in the future. The birds seemed to sing more sweetly, the flowers appeared more brilliant, and threw out, on the morning air, a more agreeable perfume, But, each moment in d the uneasiness of Dora’s mind, in regard to Steve's departure; ber regret, that she had not peerensee bim from setting out, becoming doubled. Little did she dream that she would have still deeper cause for this regret. She was soon to realize that the apprehensions and regrets she had entertained were as naught, compared with a peril which would cause her to pray, from ber inmost soul, for the young scout’s return, to rescue her from a fate far Mi than being gored to death by the furious ast Dora seated herself in the margin of the busbes that bordered the mofte. There she re- mained thinking, ber mind filled with wonder at her strange emotions; reviewing the slightest lance and movement of her preserver, and wly repeating to herself his words. on. U oad breast lay hers; within his | hastened to apologize, in his orig aud pecu- And little less ap n bis arm now rested that fair head; bis Had any one told ber, an bour previous, that embrace was the form of the unknown an-' liar manner. she would, under any circumstances, speak as . ott “ | a3 ie sae | Comicbooks.com “ef _— ,. | ae ae ew F