Beadle's Dime Library No. 309 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

’ ¥ — z Raybold, THE RATTLING RANGER; OR, Old Rocky’s Tough Campaign. \ BY ‘‘BUCKSKIN SAM,” (Major Sam S. Hall,) AUTHOR OF ‘KIT CARSON, JR,” ‘“‘BOWLDER BILL,” ‘‘ STAMPEDE STEVE,” ETC., ETC, CHAPTER I. PEARL OF THE PRAIRIE. ‘‘Do not have’ any anxiety on my account, papa, nor you either, Old Rocky; for I shall not rides beyond view of the wagons, unless it be to enter a bend of the river yonder, in search of a nice cosey place where we may encamp to- night.” | he was a beautiful maiden, who thus spoka, smiling back at her auditors as she touched her horse lightly with her riding-whip, causing the animal to bound over the prairie, with evident relief and pleasure at being allowed free rein and pace. The two horsemen seemed much concerned at the words of the maiden and her abrupt depar- ture, for each called aloud to ber in remon- strance; but she noticed them not. One of the men was, as she had intimated, the young girl’s father. His name was Prentiss Pemberton, commonly known as Colonel Pemberton, The other was ‘‘Old Rocky,” a noted ranger and scout, Both were men of about fifty years of age; the scout, from the life he had led, having the appearance of being much older than he really was. In the rear of the two horsemen was a line of ‘wagons, drawn by mules, six to each vehicle, These were freighted with the household goods of the colonel, and other effects, and he was now in search of a favorable point on the San Saba, where he proposed locating a ranch, A small herd of cattle and horses were being driven in the rear of the wagons by two Texans, also white men; it being evident, from their attire and general appearance, that they were accustomed to roughing it on the border.. Each wagon was covered by a canvas tilt, to protect the freight from rain and sun. The mules seem- ed weary, and showed marks of having been some time on the trail, as also did the wagons and harness, the last being patched and mended, while several of the wagons bad rudely made tongues, cut from saplings, to replace the ones that had been broken off while crossing streams, orin surmounting the steep and difficult banks of the same. Back between the train and the herd was a Dearborn a lt drawn by two mules, that now jogged along listlessly, the reins being tied around an iron brace, while lying upon the driver’s seat, and fast asleep, was a handsome youth of some fifteen years. A mattress, blankets, shawls and various feminine belongings were in the Dearborn, indi- cating that the maiden, whose words commence this chapter, occupied this conveyance at night, and when wearying of riding upon her horse during the day. This outfit was the train of Colonel Pember- ton, who like many other rancheros east of San Antonio, disposed of their homes, in order that they might seek the free ranges to the west and northwest of the Alamo City, just previous to the civil war. At that time the Upper Colorado andits tributaries were considered, and with good reason, the most favorable grazing: grounds on the American Continent, and although war- parties of Indians were liable to swoop down at any time, yet this fact did not prevent the ad- venturous Texans from locating at the more |. favorable places for stock-raising—many hun- dreds advancing upon the exposed border with their dear ones and all their worldly possessions each year. And notwithstanding the frequent massacres of these adventurous men and their families, in their new homes, or when en route, yet their places were fliled, the emigration in- creasing, in place of being diminished, Pearl Pemberton, the colonel’s pretty daugh- ter, was now sixteen years of age—just one ear older than Paul, her brother, the youth we ave mentioned as being asleep on the Dearborn —and these three made up the family, as Mrs. Pemberton, the wife and mother, had been dead for sume years. Pearl was a maiden of great loveliness, both of person and character, viva- cious, sprightly and h ppy asa bird. Her hair was dark-brown, long and wavy, and her long drooping lashes shaded her Jarge and lustrous brown eyes. : Her profile was Grecian in type, and expos- ure to wind and sun on this journey had slight- ly tanned ber fair face, but this only enhanced her fresh young beauty. She was attired in a neat riding-habit, with tight-fitting basque, and ber feet were incased in high-topped French boots. A wide-brimmed hat of straw, bedeck- ed with flowers now wilted by the sun, was Jheld upon her head in jaunty style by a ribbon Raybold, the Rattling Ranger. ee of rose color; while, free flying in the wind of her speed, flaunted the wealth of her silken tresses. Her horse was a clean-limbed half-breed, well marked for speed and endurance, and her saddle and bridle were bighly ornamented; while a belt of richly stamped leather supported a five-chambered Colt’s revolver and a small bowie-knife. A’lin all, maid and mustang pre- sented a very pretty picture, It must not be supposed that the guide whom Colonel Pemberton had secured had neglected to point out the dangers that might possibly spring upin tha path of the wagon-train, for Old Rocky bad done so frequently—in fact, be had rather exaggerated them, on account of bis anxiety in regard to Pearl, who, disregarding his advice, would persist in galloping away from the train on side trails whenever it suited her sweet will to do so, So frequent, however, had been this willful disobedience on her part—she laughing at the words of warning and anxious manner of the old scout, and pretending not to hear the cau- tions of her father—that both the men became much less concerned, and made fewer attempts to restrain her. Yet upon this particular occa- sion they seemed to have an unusual apprehen- sion, although neither of them could have ex- plained why they felt more anxious than ever before, unless it was from the fact thatthe San Saba was a favorite point of the Comanches and Apaches to camp, when on their way either up or down country, especially in the vicinity gust ehead of them, near the junction of the San Saba and Colorado. Old Rocky, the scout, was a most peculiar character—a typical scout of the olden time— to whom a trail which could not be distinguish- ed by unskilled eyes was plainer than the oe page of a book—literally so, for he new not how to read. He was of medium hight, bis shoulders slightly round, his features regular, his face somewhat wrinkled, and his skin deeply bronzed—nearly as dark, in fact, as that of the red foes, who so dreaded to hear his wild and vengeful yell. His hair, originally black, was now sprinkled with gray, as were also his whiskers and beet- Jing brows; while his piercing dark blue, almost black, eyes were deeply set. Tattered buckskin breeches, thrust into the tops of cowhide boots, a blue woolen shirt open at the neck and a bat- tered black sombrero, made up bis attire; he be- ing armed with the usual Colt’s navy revolvers, bowie and rifle, and having a canteen, blankets, malettos, lassoes, etc,, attached to bis saddle, The colonel was armed in the same manner, but clothed in a serviceable suit of homespun, of a butternut brown color. He was robust and powerful in build, with a fair, round face; ood-nature being betrayed in the expression of is mild blue eyes, An observer would have decided that the ranchero had, thus far, led a life comparatively free from grief and trouble; and indeed, the death of his wife had been the only serious loss he had ever experienced, On the other hand, in connection with the ap- pecranes of Old Rocky, one would at once now that the scout bad walked hand in hand with deadly dangers for years, and privation and hardsbips bad left their seal upon bissun and smoke-tanned face. His manner and glance of eye proved him accustomed toconstant peril, be being ever on the alert; while his wiry frame and nervous gaze and motion indicated that he ‘was not only of lightning-like movements, but sinewy, agile, and of great muscular strength, The horse of the old scout was lamein one cf its fore-legs, and appeared to be'old, it being as raw- boned as its rider, but still of quick movement and keen gaze. In fact, it was a most deceptive animal, being not only of great endurance, but fleet in speed, having egy times saved Old Rocky from capture or death, by ‘‘ makin’ hit’s huffs fly lively,” as the scout would put it, ‘Thar ain’t no use ter holler, curnil,” he now reasoned, as Pearl Pemberton galloped away; ‘¢ ver leetle gal air acbip o’ ther ole block, an’ air boun’ ter hev ber own way. She’s jist like yer- self in thet spect, fer I’ve bin reasonin’ with yer fer three suns not to meander furder west- ard, an’ still yer keeps on. I’m reckonin’ when yer hears bout a hunderd Curmanch, hellyuns g’in thar yelps, an’ lunge towards ther train, yer’ll ’member what this ole coon hev bin spit- tin’ out all erlong, an’ll wish yer had located furder down country. ‘Ef my nag warn’t so cussed limpy I’d skute et 7 at arter ther leetle gal, fer I jist sw’ar hit puckers my ole gizzard all up ter see her glide on ahead all erlone, when, fer all we-’uns knows thar may be some painted red piruts layin’ in ther bush, fer ter scoop her in. I hain’t see’d no sign, but I’m consider’ble worrited all ther same, though I’ll own I w’u’dn’t keer a snap ef Miss Pearl warn’t in ther outfit,” “She is entirely too venturesome, I know,” returned the colonel, with some anxiety in his face, ‘but, as you say, she has a will of her own, and laughs at our fears for her safety. For myself, I am perfectly satisfied with this section of the country—indeed, it surpasses my hopes and anticipations. ‘“The San Sabais more than it bas been repre- sented. There is no better range for stock in / a the world, I am confident; and I shall not go beyond the line of timber ahead. Don’t worry about Pearl. She will not ride beyond the river.” ‘Waal, I doesn’t reckon she will, curnil, seein’ hit’s only ’bout a hour ter sunset, an’ ther timmer air full a mile wide, ’sides being thick with underbrush; an’ es ter yer not keepin’ on furder, hit ’u’d be plum dang foolishness ter even cross beyond ther bottom. I'm inclinated ter ’vise yer ter skute down-stream ter ther Colorado, fer we’re purty nigh ther trail o’ war-parties goin’ down-country. ““T opines strongly thet we-’uns ain’t more’n a mile er two from ther ole Curmanch’ trail.” “We will inspect the country hereabouts to- morrow, Old Rocky, and see how tbe land lies. It may not be as favorable a place to establish a ranch where you propose, near the junction of the rivers,” For some time the old scout and the ranchero conversed in this strain. Meanwhile Pearl bad dr the bottom-timber, and bad disappeared ; ut the eyes of Old Rocky bad marked the exact spot where she had seemingly rounded a bend, and, the maiden being no longer within view, his anxiety and apprebension became greatly increased, and he urged bis borse for- ward regardless of the lameness of the beast. Colonel Pemberton soon decided, by the man- ner of the guide, that the latter was quite anxious; and, fearing Old Rocky bad observed indications of anger that menaced Pearl, he drove spurs and followed; but neither of them spoke a word, both gazing up and down the dark shades, and listening intently. Soon the scout reached the margin of the timber, where he drew rein, as did also the colonel. . For a moment all within the comparatively dark shades was still and silent as death, Then, from the direction of the river, shooting through the arches of the timber, and sounding most weird and startling, came a _ piercing shriek, prolonged, and expressive of deathly dread and borror. They knew that it came from Pearl! The beautiful girl was in some fearful dan- rer, A deep eg turst from Colonel Pemberton. Old Rocky gave one look into the eyes of the planter—a look of reproach, an expression of ‘‘T told you so,” then the scout’s face contorted with vengeful fury, as he clutched his rifle, and drove spurs—his horse, with a snort of surprise and pain, dashing into the dense shades, The colonel followed after, too paralyzed with anguish to speak. Barely had the pair gone ten yards into the undergrowth when the rattling discharge of re- volvers struck their ears, close following the sharp whip like report of a rifle, causing the agonized father to groan aloud, and then spur madly, crashing through the bushes, both being almost directly filled with wonder and relief by a rattling revolver fusilade. CHAPTER IL. RATTLER TO THE RESCUE, CoLONEL PEMBERTON had disposed of, and departed from bis ranch on the San Antonio some weeks previous to the time when we meet bim on the Rio San Saba; and it was about one month before their departure, that Pearl had met with an adventure, which was des- tined to onenie her thoughts and hopes. In short, she had met one who, at almost first sight, chained her admiration, and awakened a love that was pure and lasting. Pearl was a typical Texas happier than when upon a fleet horse, und dash- ing over the flower-bespangled prairie. So skilled was she in this respect, that she often rode some of the half-wild steeds that ranged near her home—lassoing them herself, and tak- ing great pride in subduing them at her will, any times had her father warned her against such needless dangers, and to avoid worrying him, she would ride quite a distance from her home, lasso a horse on the prairie change her equipments, leaving her own steed staked to grass, and then skim over the wide plain, in wild glee, until she was weary. It was during one of these reckless rides that she met with the adventure referred to—an ad- venture that brought her near to death, but resulted in the dawning of a new life, and one previously undreamed of by her, But, to ex- lain: After considerable trouble, on the occasion referred to, Pearl had at last cast her lasso noose over the head of a stperb inustang, and by a skillful management of her own animal, and a dexterous use of the slack of her lasso, had thrown her captive to the earth, Bounding to the sward, she had then sprung forward, and secured her kerchief about the eyes of her captive, before he could regain his feet, thus blinding the animal effectnely: After this it was not a very difficult task change the saddle and bridle from the one ani- mal tothe other. This done, Pearl sprung into the saddle, and leaning forward drew the hand- kerchief from the eyes of the trembling and af- frighted beast. : ; For a moment the mustang stood, shaking in irl, and never Eomicbooks f | 3 +... a