Beadle's Dime Library No. 417: Tucson Tom — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

“a . ae Tucson Tom, the Bowie Bravo. -_-— eee — $5 ap. 19 Among these devotees of fickle fortune the Texan sauntered. He had never seen the snake-charmer, but he believed he could tell him. Several things might guide him. First of all the man was a Mexican, so that he could confine his search among that class. Then again, as a snake-charmer he was apt to show some sign of his calling. Tom looked around. There was certainly no one present whose body was covered with the scaly reptiles, and if Francisco was there it was as one of the many wooers of the gentle goddess of luck, and not as a conjuror and magician. Inside of a minute his attention became riveted upon a certain man. He became possessed with the idea that this might be the party he sought, yet there was one thing that bothered him. From what he had heard the rascally Gen- eral Cortina say, while in conversation with the plotting woman, he had become possessed of the idea that the snake-charmer was an old man. The party upon whom he now had his eye fixed wascertainly not very old, though Tom was forced to admit that he could not have mega within ten years cf his age had he tried. He desired to watch the man before com- mitting himself. It was not long before the Bowie Bravo became convinced of two facts. The man was being haunted by a shadow, and he was conscious of the fact. He was uneasy. Moving from table to table he either watched the play or took a brief hand him- self in the game, but always turning away with a frown on his face and a look over his shoulder toward the dark-browed Mexican who kept near him. This latter Tom gauged at a glance. He was a genuine desperado, There could be no doubt but that he be- longed to the gang of reckless devils con- | trolled by the Tiger of the Border—Cortina. If this were so, it proved the wisdom of Tom’s act in seeking out the snake-charmer without delay. He had not done this any too soon. Already was the hired assassin. on the ground, Although Francisco had discovered that he was being dogged, he had no means of learn- ing why this was so. Possee Tom only waited an opportunity to inform him respecting this. Why the tool of Cortina dogged him so, was at first a puzzle to the Texan. If the fellow meant to waylay him as he left the gambling den, why arouse his sus- picions by this process of shadowing him? Tom was forced to conclude that was not the method which the man intended taking. He was waiting a chance to pick a quarrel with Francisco in the den itself, where un- doubtedly he had friends. This could be easily done. Standing so close to the other as he some- times did, there was a chance for the latter to step on his toes as he turned around. This would be provocaticn enough, and machete or pistol would do the work. More than one man had been killed in that very room on less provocation. aeson Tom somehow became decidedly interested in the peculiar game. He studied the snake-charmer, and was rather drawn toward him, for although some- what weird in his appearance, there was at least a brave and an honest expression on his face. This man’s life was too precious to be sac- rificed by these plotting devils. He knew that which the Texan would give much to know, and which in some way or other he was bound to learn—the connection between the fair god of the Apaches and the woman who had not been content that she should live in that far-away Indian country, but who had sent out trusted emissaries to take her life, no matter when and where they found her. This secret he was bound to possess. While the snake-charmer lived, there was a good chance for him to obtain possession of it. Dead men tell no tales, It was therefore greatly to the advantage | of the Texan that the evil designs of the plotters respecting the life of Francisco be defeated. He had made up his mind that this must be so, and being a man of determination, he was apt to carry out his design if it lay in human power. One thing surprised him a little. The desperado seemed to pay no attention whatever to his presence. Either he had no eyes for any one save the man he intended to destroy, or else he was unaware of the fact that Tucson Tom had learned this part of Cortina’s secret. This could be easily explained if it was taken for granted that the man had been set to watch the snake-charmer at the time the presence of Francisco was first discovered by Cortina, which, of course, was previous to his appearing with his desperadoes at the house where Tucson Tom was already hid- den among the vines of the balcony. At any rate, the Texan believed it would aid his plans. He managed to keep close in the vicinity of the two men. This was the shadow in turn shadowed. Had the villain attempted to stab Fran- cisco in the back, the Texan would have leaped upon him like a panther. The game grew monotonous, when, finally, there was a slight change. As though his work had made him dry, the Mexican suddenly glided over to the place where liquor was sold. Tucson Tom saw his opportunity and was quick to embrace it. He glided up to where the snake-charmer stood, and touched him on the shoulder. The other turned like a flash. ‘* You are Francisco, the snake-charmer,” said the Texan when he had looked the other in the eye without flinching. He spoke in the Mexican tongue, with which he was perfectly familiar. ‘* Si, senor /” replied the other. He had made no attempt to draw a wea- pon but Tucson Tom fancied he heard a sound like the hiss of an angry snake. ‘‘Then you are in danger, senor,” he said. ‘* Caspita / 1 know it.”’ sal But you do not know who wishes your i p* ‘* He is in the employ of General Cortina.” ‘Why should Cortina hate you? Have you ever offended him?” ‘* Never.” “Then you do not know why he has placed one of his hired assassins on your trail?” ‘*] confess my ignorance, senor, but you do not see me quail.” ‘‘No, you are a brave man, Francisco. I happen to know the reason why Cortina de- sires you put out of the way.” ‘It is a mystery to me, senor.” ‘* You possess a secret.”’ ‘1, senor?” ‘* Yes, concerning one who was thought to be dead, a young girl who in her infancy was captured by the Apaches. He fears you may meet her and recognize her, for through my means she has been saved from the Indians and shall live to claim her own.” ane snake-charmer became greatly ex- cited. His memeny had been suddenly aroused and a scene long since shut away was now brought to the surface again. ‘Senor, this is strange news you tell me. One alive who was long ago believed to be dead. Blessed Virgin! can my dream be about to come true? You say she is here, in this place. Lead me to her, senor, and let me learn if it can be so that Heaven has seen fit to bring the dead to life.”’ ‘* Allin good time, my friend, but first of all we must baffle these hounds who seek your life. They must learn what it is to deal with Tucson Tom. Here comes the despesadoes again.” —--_--—_- - CHAPLER XXYIII. STRU@€K BY A LIVING THUNDERBOLT. THERE was now a possibility of trouble. The desperado having gained a little more nerve because of the liquor he had swallow- ed would no doubt attempt to carry out his design for the destruction of the snake- charmer. . His face showed this, There was a glitter in his eyes that told the story, and Tom knew that the crisis could not be far off. The man noticed his closeness to the other and he scowled in an ugly manner that tickled the ranger no! a little. Familiarity is very apt to breed contempt, and Tom’s long acquaintance with this type of a border ruffian had made him indiffer- ent with regard to them. They could be dangerous, however, and a knife-thrust in the back was not a thing to be sneered at, no matter from whom it came. The desperado pushed close up to where they stood and insolently surveyed Fran- cisco. All he wanted was a word from the other when he would have put his plan for murder into operation. The snake-charmer however gave him back look for look but said not a word. This appeared to enrage the other still more. He muttered a curse. Since the snake-charmer would not begin hostilities he must do so himself. ‘* Who are you looking at?” he demanded. ‘A fool!” replied Francisco calmly. ‘* Meaning me?” ‘* Vaya! if the shoe fits, wear it,” replied the other with the greatest nonchalance. Tucson Tom again heard that hissing sound as though by some muttered word Francisco were rousing to action some rep- tile hidden about his clothing. The desperado gave vent to acry of rage, and snatching out his cuchillo—a short-bladed knife entirely dissimilar to the machete, which is a half-sword—he sprung toward his antagonist. His intention was evident. He meant to carry out the order of General Cortina to the letter. That worthy had ordered him to put the magician out of the way, and now that the opportunity had come, he meant to do so. nother person was to be consulted in the matter besides himself, and that was the snake-charmer. Tom had been impressed with the confi- dent manner in which the other bad pro- fessed himself ready to take care of the man who sougtt his life, and although now will- ing to assist him, if necessary, he could not help but watch his movements with in- terest. Francisco had stepped back a pace. His hand had slipped beneath the jacket he wore, and to all appearances it seemed as. though he were about to draw a weapon so as to meet his enemy on even ground. Tom saw his hand come out. It was raised above his head, and grasped some glittering object which could not be distinguished just then, owing to the. rapid movements of the man and the smoky atmos- phere of the long, low-ceiled apartment. Whatever it was, Francisco seemed to cast. it from him. A cry of horror from the desperado now attracted all eyes toward him. He had been in the act of rushing forward, - but suddenly came to a stand-still. Tom could not but shudder as his eyes fell. upon the wretch, for he saw the man was doomed. Around his neck was coiled a small snake that, with the rapidity of lightning, had buried its fangs in his throat. There was no reprieve from that stroke. The jugular vein was the place struck, and in this small reptile the ranger recog- nized the most deadly viper of Mexico—the . adder. Death must ensue almost instantly. The stricken wretch seemed to realize this, for the shock had apparently taken away his strength, and he stood there shiver- ing as though the chill of death were already upon him. It was a.terrible sight, and one the ranger was not likely to ever forget. The cuchillo dropped from the man’s hand to the deal floor with a clang, that sounded ghostly in the awful silence that bad come upon the inmates of the gaming hell. A wild cry now burst from the lips of the trembling man. His hands clutched for support in a vague, uncertain way, that proclaimed a hor- rible truth, com Sid * > ¢books.com