Beadle's Dime Library No. 417: Tucson Tom — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

14 brave whom Tom had chased and finally slain. Now the ranger saw him draw a pistol. Was he getting ready for fight? The answer came speedily but in a way that took the Texan by surprise and at the same time filled him with consternation. As the wretch drew this weapon, he aimed it at the young girl She was only a dozen feet away, and his object was, beyond all doubt, murder. He knew why Cortina sought her. That worthy had forgotten the pain of his wounded arm, and stood upon the border of the trees watching this strange drama with an interest that glued his eyes on those cen- tral figures. If the Mexican would only carry out his fell purpose, Cortina felt that his object would be accomplished, and hence it was he held his breath as he looked upon the scene. | The man’s weapon cracked! Dancing Feather no longer sat upon her mustang. Had she been struck? The bullet was sent by a murderous hand that did not often miss its mark. Cortina had seen the true state of affairs, and let fall a string of oaths. The girl had resorted to an Apache trick, which she had carried out almost if not quite as well as it might have been done by the original owner of the mustang on which she Was mounted. She had vanished over the side of the steed with an adroitness that Tom never forgot. It relieved his mind instantly of the load that had oppressed it. At the same time he was ready for busi- ness. The Mexican realized, even as he pressed the trigger, that he had been cheated of his intended prey, and uttering a cry like the snarl of an enraged wolf, he turned his at- tention to snatching out his machete, He was undoubtedly a fool. The death of the young irl could not pos- sibly do him any good if his own life was bound to be sacrificed immediately after. In his confusion he did not see this, the one idea in his mind being the order he had received from his leader to mete out death to the Priestess of the Sun, no matter where or under what circumstances they met her. During this interval, brief though it had been, Tom had swept over the ground. The man’s +6, oye se to get at Dancing Feather blinded him to his own danger. He had urged his horse forward, and his bright machete was already gleaming in the first rays of the rising sun, At this moment, however, Tucson Tom fired. Three shots he sent with such lightning rapidity that it seemed as though it was one _continuous discharge. They sounded the death-knell of the wretch. He fell over the side of his horse, but his huge Mexican spur pe entangled in the stirrup, he was dragged along at the steed’s heels. The animal, alarmed at such a strange bur- den, started off at a wild pace with the body - dangling at its heels. t fate for such a dastard soul. Again had the valiant Texan emerged vic- turious from the terrible strait into which he had been thrown by circumstances. Dancing Feather received him with out- - gtretched hand, and a look of pride on her face that went direct to Tom’s heart. Though brought up by the white wife of an Apache chief, and taught English and Span- ish, she had necessarily imbibed some of the best of Indian traits. Among others was an admiration for brav- ery, and surely she had already seen this trait developed so strongly in the character of ‘Tucson Tom as to confirm every trust she had reposed in him. The Border Tiger, standing at the edge of the timber, saw that as far as the possession or death of the young girl was concerned his present mission was a failure, He ground his teeth furiously. There were still men left to him, enough ‘to make a quartette. The wounded could be sent away to a den in the mountains, and with the others he “.* yet accomplish something. he Texan turned. Seeing General Cortina in sight he took off his sombrero and waved it in the air. The Mexican waved his in return, looking on the act as one of bravado, and in which he did not wish to be left out. Then Tom and the young girl turned their horses’ heads, riding away toward the east. There was no pursuit made, so far as could be seen. The enemy had already been punished too severely, and did not care for any more of the same sort. ‘ In the success that had accompanied his work the Texan had reason to feel pleased, for in spite of the dark prospect that at times had seemed to have no silver lining, things had happened for the best. Although the arrival of the desperadoes had seemed disastrous, considering the strange mission that had brought them to the wilderness, yet it has been seen that their presence had aided him in no little degree in effecting the release of Dancing Feather in the first place, and as he was bound to have a fight with one crowd or the other, as well the desperadoes as the gang of wild Apaches. The horse which the young girl had been riding at the time she was awept from its buck by the powerful arm of an Apache brave was found just where Tom had staked it. This time an extra animal was taken as a reserve, for they had in mind the accident that had happened whereby Mabel’s steed was thrown out of the race. The timber was soon lost sight of and they continued to ride forward. | Of their recent adventures no trace had been left, and no harm done save that Tucson Tom had now but one revolver. That weapon was ever ready, however, ae er no doubt serve him in case of need, CHAPTER XXi. HUNTER AND HUNTED. Tue fugitives rode steadily onward through the whole of the day. They did not try to,make fast time. Better than that was the fact that their -horses remained in good trim, Atno time during the day were the ani- mals not equal to aspurt, if such a thing were rendered necessary. When the day-king declined in the direc- tion of the west, Tucson Tom drew in Buck- skin and declared that they had reached a good place for a camp. The situation was rather peculiar, being a wooded ridge that ran across the plain like a great mole-bill. They had climbed upward and reached a point near the top. Here Tom dismounted and fastened their animals to a tree. Leaving Dancing Feather to watch them he made his way toward the top of the ridge. It was only some twenty feet above. The Texan had a double object in this move. From this point of observation he could look back over their trail and see if they were pursued, while at the same time there would be spread out to him a view of the plain beyond. Again, he felt sadly the need of fresh meat and cherished a hope that some chance might come up whereby he could obtain some. When he reached the trees at the top of the ridge he found that he would have to move along a short space in order to get a good view of the ground over which they had so recently passed. This was easily done. Then he scanned the surface of the plain. Here and there were small groups of ante- lopes browsing upon the herbage, and Tom could alsosee a drove of wild mustangs and a small herd of sbaggy bison far away. To the north the faint outlines of moun- tains were visible, while in the opposite direction he could see the line that marked the bad lands, These took but a cursory glance. Then his eye followed their route, which he was enabled to do from several things he remembered to have noticed. Tucson Tom, the Bowie Bravo. Miles away, at the point where the plain and sky seemed to meet he saw a moving speck which riveted his attention. He found it utterly out of the question to decide whether this was made up of buffa- loes, antelopes, or mustangs with desperado riders. If the latter, then the hour or more that would intervene before the coming of dark- ness might bring them much closer to the ridge. The Texan now turned his attention to the prospect beyond his point of observation, and mentally mapped out his course. Then his eye was caught by moving ob- jects below. He saw a small herd of antelopes feeding upon the plain. How his eye kindled at the sight. The wind was favorable, blowing from the southeast, and he determined to have a try at them, with some prospect of success. There was more than one thing which gave him reason to hope. His revolver was deadly in his hand even at long range, and he had hunted these fleet racers of the prairie too often not to know all the tricks of the trade. Carefully he made his way down the side of the hill. He finally found himself ensconced in a little patch of bushes somewhat isolated from the rest. The animals were drifting away and even then they were far beyond range. This did not worry the ranger. Complacently he proceeded to fasten to the end of a stick some five feet long, which he had picked up and carried with him, a red silk handkerchief. When this had been done, he raised it above the bushes and waved it gently to and fro. It had an immediate effect. One of the antelopes caught sight of it, and the whole herd instantly took the alarm. Tucson Tom quietly thrust the lower end of the stick into the soil. The breeze kept the red handkerchief mov- ing, and this answered his purpose ad- mirably. His faith in the curiosity of the animals was not at all misplaced. They went only a little distance, and then ee surveyed the flaunting handker- chief. Then they advanced, every now and then retreating a little, only to come on further again. Tucson Tom was biding his time. He crouched there all in readiness for the finale of the strange scene. The animals were now near enough, and as he had selected a victim he let drive. True to his aim flew the bullet winged with death, and the balance of the herd flew off like the wind as the hunter arose from his place of ambush. He might have killed the whole of them had he so desired, for anteiopes do not al- ways run at the report of a gun, unless they see the figure of a human being, which they recognize as a mortal foe. One was all he desired, however. As he was busily engaged in cutting off the choice portions, his mind fixed upon matters connected with his present adven- ture, he was amazed to receive a sudden severe tap upon the shoulder, that came near breaking it, and knocked the knife from his asp. At the same instant there sounded in his ear a deep, hoarse growl. The Texan ranger had roamed the wild Southwest for to. many years not to know what that signified. He made a sudden spasmodic leap, in which both hands and feet served as a pro- pelling power. Nothing else could have saved him, and once in the grasp of the enemy that had come upon him thus suddenly, his chances would have been slight indeed. Turning after making that wonderful, frog-like leap, he found himself face to face with an enormous grizzly. The animal growled again, showing his teeth, and made as' if about to rush upon him. ‘« See here, old fellow, I don’t mind divid- ing with you. Let me take away what l’ye cut off, and you’re welcome to the balance.” cComicbooks (E(0) 9 lta semen 2 a a = EE —