Beadle's Dime Library No. 415 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

| am 4 oe re * e. 4 -> Lo © a, es > ‘ . F - . rs hn te 16 ———— . * ‘ ‘= - . : : ? “ a s+ - ee ee with those stronger and more experienced than ‘ she, and Lopez caught her wrist and twisted the _ weapon away with one movement. She had played her last card and lost! ‘gies CHAPTER XIX. THE STRONG ARM OF A RED-MAN, Lopez laughed mockingly. ‘* You see it’s no use, senorita,” he observed. _ § *' We have things all onrown way, and are not r .!1 to be baffled. You may as well give in at once - and be sensible. no harm shall come to you. the commodore’s money. When he shells out enough so we can go to Mexico, and live the wh. Pad tt 7 » vest of our days in luxury, you can go free. BS Eh, Jose?” ott +) ‘** Caramba, yes; willingly.” oe “T will not go!” declared Barbara, spiritedly. ae ‘Pardon me, you will.” ea ** Not a step.” “ ; ** We shali compel you.” ee: ** Beware how you lay a hand upon me.” | ** Nonsense! There has been enough idle talk. __ First thing we know some one will come along and puta stop to the whole game. Lead out - our horses, Jose, and we will be off for the mor. Salis,” ad In the meanwhile Frazer the Fire-Eater had + mounted Jack Jet and ridden southward, He » ~=went in a very deliberate manner. Miss Nettle -__ ¢on had declined to have him accompany her to Don Esteban’s, and he did not want to incur her blame by appearing to follow her . He rode over the entire course without seeing This surprised him, for he had not expected _ She would remain but a few minutes. hen leaving Convent Rest he had taken notice of her _horse’s footprints. To settle a doubt he now ae. / _ dismounted and examined the soft road. ‘The result surprised him; he found the tracks - going north, as well as south, which indicated ee at she had returned. Yet he had not met her ‘mor was there a branch road by which she coul have gone. He rode slowly back, watching the _. footprints, ____ _He was a fair trailer, and when he reached the point where the Mexicans had come from ambush he saw marks of what had occurred there, The end of the north trail; the efforts _ ~~ made by Barbara’s horse to free himself; the tracks of the men, and those of the horses they had led from the bushes; all those signs were 4 Open to the Fire-Eater. ~The trail of the three horses led into the east- her. ern field. - _ Hot Heart looked in that direction. No one was visible. _ _ He looked further. Qn the crest of the rear bordering Shaker’s Timber three horses and their riders were thrown into prominent view, and he saw that ; one ' per oom Was a Wi iron More oe tt espite the distance, he recognized Bar- ihe Sod Nettleton. | -‘Therdiscovery startled him. If he read the signs of the road correctly she had been am- bushed there; a struggle had followed; and now - ghe was being conducted toward the wilds of Porcupine Ridge. “Ther’s foul play here!” he exclaimed; y “and Tl bet my life sheis being kidnapped. » ..-~« There are men enough around here to do such a | of work, and [ll bet she has fallen into i By George! I'll find out before I go ; e, | pete, Reining Jack Jet around, he rode into the field and began a rapid journey toward the east. The turee riders had disappeared from the crest - of the ridge, but he had their general course well in mind and rode on at a sharp pace, Jack Jet seemed to enter heartily i-to the _ 4vork, and he stretched out his shapely head gsthough impatient to cut down the kidnap- Res ners’ lead, a _ The field was soon passed and the ridge ascend- _ @d. Frazer paused on the top and looked carc- “- eee abead, Shaker’s Timber was ahead of him, but the occasional open patches offered ype that he might again sight the three riders, Ry sat there as long as he dared, for precious time was passing, but as he saw nomoreof them he was obliged to decide to go onas it was. _ Then he wa:ata loss. He was not enough of a _ trailer to ride rapidly and hold surely to the course, and if he made a blind dash of it be ' ‘might pass them, or go entirely in a wrong di- i ~~ ; * es hal | . 2u —s ‘ r. * ~ eS — hands. ” » ~ ° 7 OR abe ' e ‘tt on. “No; the only course was to take a pace at | which he could make sure of the trail and go as s > iar ate this, and soon found that the other riders nad gone in a direc ion as near due east |}. A ible. When this was decided he made better time and, choosing the most open way, | found tbat the others had done the same. _ ' —s«sJn due time he reached the further side of _ Shaker’s Timber. Still there was no sign of the pursued, They had passed the depression and entered the wood which covered Porcupine Ridge. wt E Speed now became impossible, and the Fire- ate ye dismounted and continued the way on x ym Jack Jet following after. The horse *, *-* ‘ . , > Se would go where he went like a dog. ; : Pa ee Hot Remember, I have said that . All we want is to get | ——_— eee eee. 2 — oe 7 rr ~ - 2 phe ye! re le =” Sw Aas th ee ee The trail was crooked beyond this point, for the first party had contined to ride their horses, and were obliged to twist about on account of the abrupt pitch of the land in many places, Frazer believed himself still gaining. The way became rougher as he went on, and had be not bad the trail to guide bim, he would have been puzzled how to get Jack Jct along in some places. The kidnappers apparently knew the way well, and it was his first visit there. He knew he must be nearing the top of the | lofty figure; it was Red ridge, and wondered where and when the scram- ble was toend. He wasin this frame of mind when he emerged from a thick group of tall trees and saw an interesting scene before him. There was a small, level space; then a bluff so Pe! e Detective Spy. the beautiful mistress of Coast Castle. Oh! for | of shooting the maddened horse! a rifle, that he might take the desperate chance But he bad not the weapon, and another hundred feet would take horse and rider tv a terrible death. But suddenly a new object crossed bis vision. From the cover of the rocks north of the level space sprung a human figure, which then rushed forward toward the flying horse. Frazer’s blood thrilled once more. Herecognized that massive, aguar, the Indian | chief! | steep as to be almost a cliff. At the top of the | latter he saw three horses and their riders mov- | ing slowly along. Two of thom he recognized at a glance, They were Barbara Nettleton and Lopez, the man who had tried to biow him up at Convent Rest in company with Griffith, One moment they were visible, and then a int of rock hid them from view. He had not en seen, They were almost within his grasp, but he must take the same zigzag course pursued by them. It would bea long task to scale the | though only a child was in his arms. The Fire-Eater saw his purpose, but would he succeed? The horse was dangerously near the chasm. Red Jaguar ran with bounds like those of the animal for which he was named. Frazer could see lofty determination’ on the dark face; he almost believed he could see the flash of the In- dian’s eyes and the play of his swelling nostrils. There was a moment of terrible suspense. Then Red Jaguar’s hand gras the run- away’s rein. What would be the result? Two steps the stalwart chief was driven back, | and then with resistless strength he forced the horse back on his haunches and held him as A moment ascent ahead of him, and Jack Jet could not go| more and Frazer was there; another moment p. He followed the trail at a run, and was pleased to find the half-circle much shorter than he had feared. Ina short time ho was at the top, Here the way was so open that he mounted and rode on. AJl the wild glory of Porcupine Ridge now burst upon him, It ended in asome- ' ; and the Mexicans’ ropes were cut away and Barbara was in the Fire-Eater’s arms. She did not faint. Her face was pale; she trembled; but the Nettleton blood remained true, and she even managed to smile aftera brief struggle with her weaker nature. ‘*Once more I owe my life to you,” she said, what level table of a a hundred acres, but | somewhat incoherently, for he had no revollee- in no place was it smooth. Tho sparse timber and underbrush were subordinate to the rocks, but rocks were everywhere and in the greatest possible confusion. It might have been the ruins of a city once peopled by giants, so varied were the positions of stones which were, in many cases, themselves regular, But Hot Heart had no eye for nature. He rode on along the gulch-like passage where led the trail. Luckily for him, the kidnappers had stopped to let their horses breathe, and as he turned a curve in the gulch he saw the trio a hundred yards ahead. The way was fairly level, and his resolution was quickly taken. If he had doubted before, the fact that Barbara’s arms were bound would have settled the question of whether she was a prisoner. Hot Heart’s eyes flashed, and he drewa revol- ver, gave Jack Jet the word, and dashed along the gulch. Unluckily for him, the ground was hard and stony, and Lopez suddenly looked back. Ono look explained the situation; the dreaded Fire-Kater was sweeping down upon them like an avalanche! Lopez saw that they had got to fight for it but theirs was not the fleeter horse-flesh, and prepared for the strugele with what courage he conld summon. He carried a rod he had cut coming up the hill to urge the horses on, and he now gave Barbara’s horse a savage blow, ac- companied by a yell, which sent the animal away at a mad galiop. Then both the Mexicans faced the Hermit. He came down upon them like the wind, and both parties prepared to do their best with re- voiver and bullet. The first to fire was Lopez. He thought he aimed well, but the bullet went wild. Then Jose tried his luck. Still no sue- cess, and still the terrible Fire-Eater held his fire and dashed on toward them. Jose’s heart failed him, and he wheeled his horse and tried torun. Then the Hermit fired for the first time, He pressed the trigger with- out seeming to take aim, but Jose flung up bis hands and fell from his horse in a heap. The Fire-Eater had opened the ball, and hoe did not let matters crazy. He fired again, an | Lopez uttered a howl and dropped his revolver. He bad a broken hand to remember Hot Heart by; but the latter was not done, He hept on, and, just as the Mexican tried to flee, struck him with the butt of his revolver and laid him beside Jose. He did not pause to see whether they arose; he bad other and more important business. Tbe manner in which Barbara had been car- ried away troubled him. Bound as she was sho could not — her horse, and there was no knowing what dangers might lay before her. She had already disappeared. He shot away in pursuit, and, as the little avenue again curved, saw a sight he never for- ot. Before him was an almost level space, free rom bush and stone, but ic ended twenty rods away in a broad, black chasm between rocks, And toward this chasm the startled horse was running, with Barbara sitting he.plessly upon his back! How deep the chasm was he could not tell, but a fall would undoubtedly be fatal, And Barbara could not as much as raise a hand to save herself. | Hot Heart was equally helpless; he was too — eee eee tion of a previous event of the kind. Neither was be inclined to take undue credit. ‘*Tt was another hand than mine which saved you,” be replied. ‘* Your preserver is yonder.” Barbara gently released herself from Frazer’s arms and looked at Red Jaguar. He had the once-rebellious horse entirely under control, and was gently caressing its neck. Barbara went forward and laid her hand on that of the chief. ‘*Red Jaguar, I owe my life to you,” she said, unusual feeling in her voice. ‘‘ Life is dear te the young, and you have saved me from a terri- ble death. May God bless you!” ‘*Daughter,” the chief replied, in his rich, strong voice, ‘I am repaid already. I have saved one I believe to be good and true, and she has shown me she is grateful,” ‘* Nothing can sufficiently reward bravery like yours.” ‘*T was in no danger.” **Oh! but you were. dragged over the brink of the c pled under my horse’s feet.” **The horse does not live who can master me in fair fight,” was the proud reply. ‘** When my You might have been , or tram- hand ison the rein, they feel the touch of a master. Letmenot boast like a Mexican though, for man would be weak but for the strength given by One who rules all men, be He the God of the whit@iman or the Indian. I am glad that my arm has between you and peril, daugh- ter, and I am sure I never did a better deed. There are few enong ine white people who have a face and form like Nettleton’s daughter.” CHAPTER XX, THE GATHERING STORM, ALL women like to be complimented, and Barbara looked at the chief with friendly eyes. ‘Thank you for your kind words,” she an- swered. ‘‘f am sure I could have found but few such stout defenders as Red Jaguar. His heart is brave, and his arm very strong.” Somewhat proudly the Indian sirethad forth bis hand. ** It is the arm of a warrior!” he replied. This was easy to Leliov’, for the powerful, yet well-shaped, member looked fit for any great deed, It was as strong as his heart. ro ae to reward you with more than words,” Barbara added. ‘ My father is rich and if you are in need of anyth ng, you will find his purse open and ready. You shall be paid, and well paid, in money.” Red Jaguar started back, ‘‘No,” he said, more quickly than usual. ‘I want nothing, and can take nothing from Net- tleton. It is enough if his deughter is saved; her gratitude is my reward. Let us speak of it no more.” Te turned to Frazer. | ‘There has been firing,” he added, “ What has happened?” ‘For one thing, I had a pte skirmish just beyond the point of rock; a little target prac- tice, which was of no consequence. Possibly, though, it would be well to see how my targets are getting along.” They went aloug the back-track, with Frazer leading Barbara’s horse, When they passed the curve they saw the Mexicans’ horses standing not far away, but Lopez and his friend were not to be seen. There was a possibility that they were hiding in the vicinity, waiting to get a cowardly shot; but when the chief heard that one of them bad been wounded, he followed the far away to do the least good, and though he red trail far enough to be convinced that they still kept on, his blood seemed to grow cold as_ had gone in earnest. he contemplated the almost inevitable fate of | The sun was at the zenith, and little time was Cc com — + Fa , « . 4 »¢ a ta