Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 293 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

re as ee 1s Te od id g- P» Ww ey rb he ith. ar- igh : of lue ce, her , at. rds Stampede Steve. The third horseman was a roughly appareled tea mster. As they galloped to the point where the young scout sat his horse in waiting, the latter politely touched the brim of his sombrero, in salutation. All halted suddenly gazing at Steve in some surprise; the foreign-looking individual, with a decidedly supercilious stare. Tbe scout took not the slightest notice of this man, but addressed himself to the elderly gen- tleman. ‘‘[ believe I have the honor of speaking to Mr Dale?” he said, with an inquiring expression of face. ‘* Mister Dale?” said the dark-faced stranger, sneeringly, not giving time for that gentleman to reply; ‘if you would like to know this per- son’s business’’—turning to the old gentleman— ‘*Tll introduce you. This, sir,”—to Steve—‘ is Major Duncan Dale, a planter, and who is well known in Texas. ‘*‘ Now, who are you, and what is your busi- ness?” ‘*My business is not with you, sir; at least, not at present, however it may be recorded that our affairs are to be somewhat mixed hereafter, ‘* But, as to that, I do not know, neither do I care,” This was said in a tone that smacked slightly of contempt, and in the most off-hand manner. The swarthy face became darker, and the black eyes fairly snapped, seeming to emit sparks of fire. Steve, however, took not the slightest notice of this, but again spoke to the old planter. ‘*I beg your pardon, Major Dale,” he said, in an apologetic manner, ‘‘for having failed, through ignorance, to address you correctly. However, titles amount to but little in this part of Texas. ‘‘T am anxious, major, to relieve your mind in regard to your daughter, sol will at once announce the fact that | came to your camp in search of Miss Dale’s runaway horse,” ‘*You have? Oh, thank you!” exclaimed the old man with much feeling. ‘‘ Where is my child, and how came she to be thrown from her mustang?’ Upon the first mention of Dora’s name by the young scout, jealous fury shot from the black eyes of the gloomy-visaged stranger, and his teeth fairly ground with the intensity of his fiendish emotions. The teamster was looking earnestly at Steve, as if striving to recall where be had seen bim. : * ig Dale, your daughter is safe and un- harmed. She is waiting for her horse, about a half-mile from the river, on the opposite side from this point. ‘‘She had dismounted to pluck some flowers, and the mustang ran to camp.” ‘‘You have relieved my mind greatly,” said the major. ‘‘To whom do I owe my thanks for this kind attention to my daughter?’ “Tf itis my name you wish to know, Major Dale, it is Stephen Speed, at your service.” r Happy to form your acquaintance, Mr. Speed,” said the old gentleman warmly, as he spurred his horse forward and extended his hand, which was grasped by the young man in a hearty sbake. Then the major, in a somewhat embarrassed manner, turned to his swarthy companion, say- ing: é Allow me to make you acquainted with my friend, Count Biron Broquier, Mr. Speed. Mr. Speed, Count Broquier!” Steve merely glanced toward the count, and nodded his head carelessly, even this slight acknowledgment of the introduction being ac- corded him entirely out of consideration for the old major. The latter gazed at the count in the utmost wonder, having caught — of the fiendishly- contorted countenance of bis companion, ‘Your friend, the count, appears to be un- well, Ishould judge that he had a touch of the cholera, by his appearance. Perhaps it would be better for him to remain in camp, while we hasten to relieve Miss Dale from her lonely position.” Thus spoke Stampede Steve. It was evident to the young man, as he glanced out of the corner of his eye at the count, that the latter was only enabled to con- sar his rage by a most powerful effort of the will. In a scornful manner he asked: ‘Are you @ pbysician, sir, that you thus diagnose a man’s case by a mere glance into his ace The young scout made no reply, but dashed alon by the side of the major, who had pur- y spurred forward as he seemed to fear that the count would further insult Sreye. ‘Tl beg, Mr. Speed, that you will not mind my friend,” said Major Dale, in a low tone. “He is not accustomed to Texas ways, having but recently arrived from New Orleans, Be- =o. ees say, he is naturally of a morose on. ma beg leave to remark,” returned the young scout, “ that had it not been for my respect for you, major, I.should bave taken the stiffness out of his mustache and goatee, if nothing more; and I am very confident that, if he does aa. 5 not draw in his horns, figuratively speaking, in | infamous scoundrel; whom he believed to be a the way of looks and lip, I shall be under the painful necessity of putting him to soak insome convenient bog-hcle, and perhaps may have to perforate bis carcass a little, previous to the im- mersion,” The major stared into the face of the young man, in a pleading manner, and with some slight gesture of cauLion. t was clear that the old gentleman feared anything in the shape of an unpleasantness, and was desirous, above all things, to conciliate his ill-favored guest. CHAPTER VI. A TITLED ADVENTURER, Ir had been plainly evident to both Steve Speed and Major Dale, that Count Broquier had begun to see that he had met a far differ- ent person in the young scout, from what he had supposed, His insulting words and looks bad been met with utter disdain; in fact, they had seemed to amuse, rather than irritate the young man, and this maddened the count almost beyond endur- ance, Yet, he was forced to ‘‘ grin and bear it;” his grin, however, being more like the vengeful ex- pression of a murderous Apache brave, than aught else. The teamster, Bob Barr, although chiefly in- terested in inspecting the young scout, had at last detected the manifestations of enmity that —s so plainly shown by the count toward im. Various were the thoughts which flashed through the mind of our bero, in regard to the so- called count, and conclusions as quickly were formed, based upon the words and manner of the man in question. As at bis first glance, Steve decided that the swarthy individual was a deceptive and unprincipled villain; and he was not a little surprised at meeting such a uestionable character, in the company, and as the avowed friend of Dora Dale’s father, This surprise and wonder became still stronger, after hearing the count speak, and show his ungentlemanly character so plainly. It was beyond the power of Steve’s compre- hension, how such an intelligent, and evidently honorable man as Major Dale could fail to de- tect the real character of the man, with whom he appeared to be intimately associated. The: count could be read like a book. His very life was imprinted upon his face; and only to look upon it created strong aversion. Then his words were in consonance with his looks. Steve decided at once, that the man was not what he pretended tobe. The name of Count Biron Broquier, he felt, was assumed. There was a mystery connected with the ac- quaintance and apparent friendship between this man and Major Dale. That was very ap- parent. The major had shown evidences, and strong ones at that, that be did not wish Steve to notice the insulting words and manner of the count. Indeed, it almost appeared that the old man stood in fear of his swarthy associate; that the latter had some power over him, Reasoning upon all that he had observed, the young scout had arrived at the following con- clusions: First, that the self-styled count was simply a disreputable se1mp, who had, in some under- handed manner, gotten the major in his power. Secondly, that the count proposed to use all his power and influence upon Major Dale, for a certain purpose. This purpose, or object, was plain to the young man, and was of deep inter- est to him; so deep, indeed, that it caused Steve the utmost indignation, when he made up bis mind as to the character of the same. Stephen Speed knew nothing of the pecuniary affuirs of Major Dale; but appearances indica- ted that the old planter was well off in this world’s goods. iy major was wealthy, and had an only chil The object of the count was plain; it was to marry Dora Dale, and thus get possession of the wealth of the old major. Perbaps he, in his way, loved Dora, and had determined, if no other way promised success, that he would plot to place the father in such a position that he would be ruined, did he not sacrifice his cegiter. Steve believed that the count bad already to a certain extent, proceed- lot. Possibly this re- ed in erty bag, Cine this moval to the West was included in the villain- ous plan toward the accomplishment of this man’s object. The young scout, who had, in the early morn- ing, been free and independent, with neither care nor concern for his own future, or that of others, found bimself now so mix up in a labyrinth of other people’s affairs, that he was quite astounded. But it required only a little reflection to de- cide as to his future course, He loved Dora Dale. He would, never again, lose sight of her. He bad saved her from death, and he would now prevent her from being sacrificed to this slimy, | mates snake, whose head should be crushed, Stephen Speed made a mental vow that he would crush the snake himself. It caused a shudder of horror, to even think of the possibility of Dora’s being linked for life to such a cowardly cur as this self-styled count. | But, first, he must find out the nature of the ————————— influence which he seemed to exercise over the old major. Once this was done, he believed that all would be plain sailing. He would, therefore, now set out to “ trail” the count. If he could wia Dora Dale, the young scout felt that he would be the happiest man on earth. Thus it will be seen that our young friend found ample food for thought; but, as bas been mentioned, it occupied only a few flitting mo- ments for him to form his deductions as to the state of affairs with those whom he had so sud- denly and unexpectedly become associated. The count rode in the rear with the teamster, in sullen silence, a fact which proved plainiy that he had been cowed by the manner and words of Steve. He was one of those insolent beings who as- sume the airs of one who seeks a difficulty, and cares not for the consequences; but this was all bravado. However, Stampede Steve would never have gained the reputation of a skilled scout, had he not been gifted with keen perception; and he well knew tbat the brain of the count had been as busy as his own—that the swarthy Villain was plotting against him, and would, at any fananabhe time, assassinate bim without hesitation, if his own life was not in danger from such an attempt. Count Biron Broquier was an unscrupulous villain—so the scout decided—but the latter rather ee the situation in which he found himself. He would give the swarthy scoundrel ** plenty of rope,” and. without doubt, the count would hang himself, figuratively speaking, in a little time. Major Dale seemed to be troubled in mind by the conduct of his gloomy-looking friend, and the possibility of the latter and the young poean becoming engaged in a personal encoun- r Even Dora was for the time forgotten. The major, however, was not aware of the danger from which his daughter had escaped. But at length he aroused himself and asked: ‘‘ What were the circumstances, Mr. 8 connected with your meetin az you traveling up the river, on the south side ‘* No, major; I was going down-stream., The mustang had run quite a distance before I dis- covered your daughter. Have you been long encam at this ford, may I ask?” ‘* We have been here since yesterday at noon. The mules needed rest, and I thought it best to remain for a day or two. Do you reside in this vicinity ?” The scout laughed merrily, as he answered: ‘**T have no particular local habitation, major. I a 2 prairie roamer—ranger, scout, and guide, ‘*Indeed! Why, it is quite fortunate that we met—that is, if you are open for an engage- ment. I wish to secure a guide—one who is wel] acquainted with the lay of the land on the Leona, a branch of the Rio Frio, Have you ever scouted in that direction?” “Very f romper major.” Steve could hardly express his gratification. Here was an opening, which promised him the extreme pleasure of being near to, in fact in the company of, Dora Dale. He was thankful that the count was too far in the rear, to distin- guish the words of the old planter. _ Did that swarthy villain know of the major’s intention to engage Steve as guide, he migh did his power extend that far, prevent the ol gentleman from making any such arrangement. He made no immediste reply; and, at length, Major Dale again inquired: ** Are you at liberty at present, Mr. Speed?” ‘Tl am, sir!” ** And willing to guide my train?” ‘** Certainly, major; but, I give you fair warn- ing that the Indians are in the habit of raiding along the Rio Frio and the Leona.” ‘‘l apprehend no danger from the red-men,” was the response; ‘‘all I ask, is time to erect strong log dwellings. I have men enough with me to defend our proposed settlement. They are all well armed, and I have abundance of ammunition. I have decided to invest in the stock business, but shall not purchase any breed cattle until we are well settled.” ‘‘Then you are determined to locate on the Leona?’ ‘That is my objective point, Mr. Speed. I have reliable information in regard to its being an excellent grazing section. Is that the case?’ “It is; except in times of great drought, when stock would have to be driven to the northwestward, or die. However, it has now been several years since there has been a protrac- ted dry term.” ‘Then, as you are at liberty, and willing to | JOO EGOME <S my daughter? ¢ ° ¥ ; > z . al - 7 " - ' \ € 4 bal ‘| 3 | : ; a f = a °