Beadle's Dime Library No. 309 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

to know that $ step to meet the being who, by that first glance, had made him her slave for life. He had indeed met his fate! Of this he felt fully assured by the strange and overpowering emotions that ruled him, and he firmly believed that all had been decreed by the Fates—that he had been guided, at the mo- ment of all moments, to the rescue of the fair girl before him. Pearl advanced hesitatingly, her form trem- bling and her lips apart. For the first time in her young life sbe was speechless from her emo- tions, so new and strange were they, The man before her was a veritable prince of the prairies—one of nature’s noblemen. Such the fair Pearl decided was her rescuer at the first glance, and she, as well as he had done, realized on tbe instant that she had met one whom she would be proud to love and reverence—she, the proud and daring princess of the plain, over which she so oft had galloped, had at last met the one before whom she bowed. When his daughter stepped forward, the col- onel, believing that she would, in a most proper and appropriate manner, thank the stranger, decided to delay his own expressions of grati- tude for a moment longer; be therefore strode to the brink of the barranca, and bending for- ward, peered down into the depths upon the dark and shapeless mass far below—all that re- mained of the handsome black mustang, 80 re- cently full of life and fire. A shudder ran through his frame as he thought of what might have been. This movement of Colonel Pemberton was a most timely one, for it occurred at the moment that both t»e ranger and the maiden were standing facing each other, specchless and_mo- tionless. It was but a moment, however. Both threw off the embarrassment that ruled them at the same instant, and advancing toward each other, the young man said quickly, in a rich though slightly tremulous voice: ‘‘ My dear young lady, I beg you will not tax yourself by any attempts at conversation at present, for you have received a terrible shock, and I fear that you are now suffering from the effects of my lasso, Permit me to say that I admire your great fortitude under the fearful strain you have experienced. “T may certainly fe myself to this ex- tent without your thinking me rude, and too familiar on our extremely brief acquaint- ance,” The open and winning manner cf the ranger, although be expressed himself so formally, placed Pearl in a much less embarrassing posi- tion, and she extended both her hands, as she replied: ‘Thanks, very much ”—this with a glance which spoke volumes—‘‘ thanks for your kind solicitude! I expected as mu¢h from one who has placed me so deeply in his debt. “Words are but tame to express my grati- tude to the one who preserved me from a terri- ble death. My name is Pearl Pemberton.” ‘**And I,” returned the young man, ‘‘am known as the ‘ Rattling Ranger,’ or Raybold, the Rattler, which nicknames have been thrust upon me, my real name being Reginald ney bold. But, Miss em oor thanks are entirely uncalled for. Itis I who ought to thank you, for thus having made it possible for me to do yyou aservice, Your words and presence make me the happiest man in the Lone Star State. ‘“‘T see your father approaching,” he contin- ued, ‘ ef I should advise your returning at once to your home, and attending to the inju- ries which I am positive you must have re- ceived. ‘“ Colonel Pemberton ”"—turning to the ranch- ero—''I am pleased to meet yourse'f and daughter. I have known you for some time by reputation, and I trust our friendship, so strangely formed, may bo a lasting one. No”— interrupting the colonel, who was about to speak—‘‘ do not mention my service in the way of further thanks, “Ttis enone of pleasure and self-gratulation have been privileged to be the means of saving Miss Pemberton from death in the barranca. Please do not speak of it again. ““Your hand, sir!” exclaimed the ranchero. *“You have done me the greatest service that one man could do another. More than life to me is the life of my daughter—she and my son being all who are left to me in this world; and I would be less than human did I not, to the full extent of words and: acts, manifest my ratitude to one whom I shall, unto my dying ay, be proud to call my friend!” ‘This is none other than Rayhbold, the Rat- tling Ranger, papa,” put in Pearl, ‘You know we bave beard so much of him.” “Cau it be ible?’ exclaimed the colonel, again clasping the hand of the young man; “I am, indeed, proud to know you, Mr. Raybold, and I would rather owe you thanks and friend- sbip than any man | can call to mind.” “Thanks! But let us change the subject if Oe please. Colonel, we are inconsiderate. ou must return to your home at once. You know that your daughter requires attention; that my cruel lasso must have made a very painful impression upon her waist and arms, although she bore it with Indian-like fortitude. ‘Miss Pearl, allow me to assist you to mount my horse?” ‘‘ And you?” chorused the father and daugh- ter. ‘*T will walk by the side of my steed, and will trespass for an hour or so upon your hospit- ality, until I learn the extent of Miss Pember- ton’s hurts.” a ‘‘Rattler, my friend, never speak of trespass- ing. From this on my home is yours!” ‘‘T thank you, colonel,” said the ranger, as he assisted the maiden to his saddle: ber fea- tures but slightly betraying the pain she suf- fered—a pain which became more torturing, as her excitement became lessened. And, by the side of his horse, the young ranger walked along, conversing with Pearl; their eyes at times meeting in glances that in- tensified the new-born love in the hearts of both. All Eka toward Pemberton Ranch the heart of the father being too full of joy and gratitude to speak as they thus journeyed. Pear! Pemberton was transformed. Her whole being was changed, from a free and care- less maiden into a loving and _ considerate woman, opening to her a possible life, that was heavenly even in the contemplation. For she could not think otherwise tban that this band- some and gallant ranger and herself had been brought together for their mutual good and happiness, CHAPTER IV. THE COMANCHE’S SWOOP. Our three friends reached the ranch in due time, the maiden not appearing to have suffered greatly from the rough experiences she had undergone. Sbe was at once taken in charge by the housekeeper, and her injuries attended to; Paul asserting, when be heard of thelivid marks that had been left by the rope, that his sis‘'er had good cause to remember Rattler, the Ranger. The welcome the latter had received from Paul Pemberton was exceedingly friendly, for the boy had often heard of the exploits of the ranger on the frontier, in battling both outlaws and red men, As the latter bad, at that time, no particular call for his services, he was easily prevailed upon to remain at the ranch for some days; the maiden frequently being in his com- pany. We need hardly say that the pair be- yh each day more and more dear to each other. Paul and Rattler made Jae ash hunting and fishing-trips, while the colonel and the ranger spent the evenings talking over the fine pros- pects for stock-raising, at different points west of San Antonio, At this time, Colonel Pember- ton had disposed of his ranch, and was intend- ing soon to establish a new home on the fron- tier. He had already half decided to proceed west- ward as far as the Rio San Saba, and although Rattler pronounced it the most favorable place for stock-raising, he asserted that it would be imprudent for any one to locate on that river for some years to come; recommending instead a point on the Rio Llano, in the vicinity of Fort Mason. Much was said on this topic by both, but the colonel was naturally headstrong, and was un- willing to change his mind, In this way time passed at Pemberton Ranch, the ranger bein unable to tear himself away from the beautifu girl whom he had rescued, and whom he loved with all the strength of his nature. But this, to Riybold a pleasant and most happy summer dream, was doomed to end very suddenly, for he was recalled to his duty by a report of outlaw outrages near Fort Clark. e had been on detached service, carrying dispatches, previous to his providential meeting with Pearl Pemberton. In two months more the command of the rangers, to which he had attached bimself for reasons to be shown, would be disbanded, and then he promised himself much pleasure in again meeting with the Pem- bertons, when all were either en route for the Rio Llano, or had arrived at that point. He pleaded with both Paul and Pearl, to use all their influence toward inducing their father to abandon his idea of settling on thea San Saba, where dangers from the Indians were great; many Texans who had settled there having been, together with their families, massacred within the year. The colonel had grown to regard Raybold al- most as a son, holding him in high regard, and although he could not help perceiving that his idolized daughter and the young ranger were in love with each other, he made no objections. He had every confidence in this gallant stran- er, of whose previous history nothing was own to him. When the youthful pair parted they were lighted lovers, and Raybold left Pemberton nch with the heartfelt prayers of the Pearl of the Prairie following Lim. For some days after the young man’s depar- ture all were quite despondent at the ranch, for bis very presence had been a constant cheer to them; he being the great object of their atten- tions, and the life of the party. But this 4 Raybold, the Rattling Ranger. despondency was banished by bright hcpes for the future, Pearl was now enxious to leave the old home, whereas previously she had battled bravely against its disposal. Now, however, she felt that the handsome ranger would meet them on the border, would then ask her hand of her father, and would establish a home for her in that vicinity. Having thus, in a@ measure, explained the reasons for our friends being upon the far fron- tier, and their hopes for the future, we will next take up their trail at a time when the colonel found good cause to regret, from bis in- most soul, not having taken the advice of Ray- bold, and that of the guide he had secured at. San Antonio. The outfit, as we have seen, arrived in the yi- cinity of the San Saba, Colone] Pemberton in- sisting upon settling on that stream, Pearl had become more and more light-hearted as they bad proceeded on their journey, for she believed that every mile they passed cver brought her nearer to Rattler the Ranger; and ber daring solitary gallops when the San Saba was ap- proached, had been made in the hope of meet- ce ee the one who ruled her heart so entirely, ld Rocky, the guide, bad informed her that the command to which the young ranger served as scout had disbanded at Fort Belknap; the young ranger would therefore probably reach the San Saba about the same time as the train. But the young man would hardly ex- pect them to be there, after his baving advised the colonel so strongly against it; especially as. war-parties of Comanches had recently driven back many settlers from up the Colorado and Brazos, the border being besides infested with outlaws of the worst description. We have mentioned the fact of Pearl’s having started off in a joyous mood toward the timber- line that marked the course of the San Saha, She little dreamed of the borrors in store for her, little thought of the wild and savege and bloodthirsty fiends who were then lurking with- in those dense shades, Old Rocky had asserted that it was quite a distance from the border of the timber to the river, and, generally speaking, in that particu- lar section it was so; but, as it happened, at the point to which Pearl guided her horse, there was a cove in the woods, which appeered to in- dicate that it was formed by a bend in the timber. The fact was, however, that the inner por- tion of this cove-like opening in the towering wood was quite near to the river, which was more shallow at that point than elsewhere, af- fording a crossing-place for wild beasts or trav- elers, The opposite side was in exact contrast, the north bank being high cliffs, broken by dark fissures, ravines, and gulches, all hidden from view by the heavy timber. Directly in front of the crossing spoken of, the approach to which had evidently epee fre- quently used by Indians in large mounted war- arties, there was a break in the bigh bank, Ris had the appearance of a buge rent caused by some powerful convulsion of Nature, and extended away from the river in a crooked course. The scene was as wild and rugged as. could well be imagined. Pearl Pemberton drew her horse to a halt, uttering a low exclamation of surprise, so dif- ferent was the further side of the stream from that upon which she had halted. Her horse, however, was not to be restrained; but persisted in drinking the cool, slow-flowing waters; it therefore plunged into the stream, which, as has been said, was at that point quite sballow. Pearl slackened the reins, and gazed across the stream, and upon the wild scene beyond, wiih feelings not entirely devoid of apprehension; although not a living object was within view, all around being silent, except the ripple of the stream, : But a very sbort time the young girl thus sat, while a cold chill, a nameless dread, crept over: her, which was most unaccountable, and not unlike the feeling experienced by some when they suddenly discover a huge serpent in their ath. . Her cheeks paled, and she was about to whirl. her horse about, and return toward the wagon- train, which sbe felt sure would encamp in the cove, when suddenly her eye caught a moving object ahead, One flashing glance sufficed, and then Pearl, with a glad cry of joy, urged her horse on through the stream to the opposite side. Some: half-way across the river had ber steed waded,, when into full view, around a huge bowlder that lay in the bed of the gorge, dashed none other than tre Rampant Ranger—the man of all men she had hoped and prayed to meet! The young man gazed for a moment bewild- ered, and then drove spurs, dashing toward the ford; but only to bebold, the next instant, the: scene transform into one that stayed the blood in bis veins, causing bim to jerk his revolvers, and with set teeth, to dash at terrific speed. down the bed of the gulch. And no wonder was it, for, the very moment: that Pearl had urged her herse forward, and. had passed around the big rock, a dozen paint daubed, feather-bedizened Comanches darted. from the bushes, some springing afar out into ‘ EGOMIEc cS (Xo) a a * — dle 5