Beadle's Dime Library No. 417: Tucson Tom — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

2 bushes, and perhaps a fringe of grass, which, dried by the torrid sun, presented no pleas- cg. Bet pean to the sight. his was the view by day. At the time we come upon the camp in the barranca, night reigns supreme. A light breeze sweeping up the old bed of an ancient watercourse, gives new life after the heat of the day. It also carries on its wings sounds that are familiar to the ears of those who had spent years in this section—the voices of the south- western plains. The barking of the praire-dog, the hooting of his friend the owl, and the howl of the prowling wolf—all these can be heard from time to time, and to the ears accustomed to their tuneful lay, the chorus makes pleasant music indeed. Their sudden cessation would indicate ap- proaching danger. Near the littie fire two figures might have been seen, 2 man and a woman, or rather rl, The former was garbed after the Texan ag and presented a dashing appearance. The most noticeable thing about him seemed to be the trio of ugly-looking bowie-knives he carried in his belt. Inthe use of this weapon he was the prince of prairie rangers. By a wonderful movement of his arm, he could hurl one through the air with the speed and accuracy of a bullet, and woe to the man or beast whom it struck. Tucson Tom was a character famous along the Rio del Norte, and in the Apache coun- try. He was called the ‘‘ Bowie Bravo” by the Mexicans, because their idea of a bravo meant a man who feared neither man nor devil, and such a reckless ranger was Tom. His companion at the camp-fire was ap- parently an Indian maiden, for she was dressed in the Apache manner, and a casual glance would not have awakened any sus- picions to the contrary. A closer examination, however, might have revealed several things that would go to con- firm the thought that she was possessed of other than Apache blood. In the remote strongholds of the still fierce Indian tribes are to be found to-day num- bers of children and young girls who have been carried away from their homes along the border during the Indian raids. Many a family has mourned the loss of a child, carried off by the Apaches or Co- manches when, like the eagle of the skies, without warning, and defying resistance, they suddenly swooped down upon the un- protected cabin home, Occasionally some of these girls have been rescued from their captors, but more than once it has been only to find that the many years which have elapsed since the capture of the child have obliterated all memory of those who. once loved her, so that to her mind the pale-faces were simply the enemies of her adopted people. The girl in the barranca apparently dif- fered from this ciass. She conversed with Tucson Tom pert SS English, though at times drifting into Mexican, and it was evi- dent that she was there of her own free will, and not as a captive. Yet unti! within the last twenty hours this beautiful golden-haired girl had been the most carefully guarded object in the whole Apache village, for she was their Sun Priest- ess, The Apaches are apparently connected, in some mysterious manner, with the old Aztecs, and to this day, in their secret councils are known as worshipers of the great sun-god. Alone Tucson Tom had ventured into the hostile country and hovered about the Apache village until the opportunity came to see the - girl about whom he was concerned. When at length the ranger and his prize had fled, the pursuit had been hot and furi- ous, by the incensed savages, and, were the daring man captured, a horrible death await- ed him, for the Apaches were full of vengeful fury, that he had stolen their priestess—the thought that she had gone willingly never having occurred to them. Near the fire two horses browsed upon the scanty tufts of herbage found here and there. . Thus far they had done nobly. The black steed was one taken from the Indian village, while his comrade was Tucson Tom’s faith- Tucson Tom, the Bowie Bravo. + eS ful Yellowskin, an animal that he would not have sold for his weight in gold. The fugitives had just finished a meal, and Tucson Tom had drawn forth his pipe for a smoke, after he had made all secure, when he suddenly raised his head, and listened. His companion watched him with an inter- 8 that was plainly marked on her beautiful ‘ace. There was a mystery in the association of these two—a mystery which in the course of time will gradually be unvailed to the reader, That love had something to do with it might be conjectured from the glances that frequent- ly passed between them. Tucson Tom remained in this posture for perhaps half a minute, then, uttering an ex- clamation he placed his ear to the ground. Apparently this satisfied him, for he soon sprung to his feet and with one quick move- ment extinguished the smajl remnant of the fire that had cooked their meal. Darkness succeeded. i A groping hand caught that of Tucson om. ‘* Have they come so soon, Tom?” breath- ed a voice in his ear. “They are here, Dancing Feather. Hush! Remain quiet on this spot until I return,” ‘“ Where do you go?” ‘Down the dbarranca to learn the truth,” ‘“Then look for me by the horses.”’ Another instant and he was gone, He glided down the rocky bed of the old watercourse. The keenest ears could not have detected his passage so silently did he move. It was not long before he learned the truth and this was enough to cause a thrill of alarm in the breast of the most courageous. Dark forms were making their way up the bed of the barranca. At intervals there exchanged signals with others on the plain above, and on either side of the gulch. A rustling almost directly above his head drew the attention of the crouching ranger, and looking up he saw the figure of an In- dian warrior Outlined against the gray can- opy overhead. Only for a few seconds was the silhouette visible, and then it gave place to a second and a third, all moving up the barranea. Tucson Tom had seen and heard enough. The Apache had, with wonderful ingenuity, discovered their retreat, and were now clos- ing in upon the little camp. Turning, he began his retreat. Before he had gone half a dozen yards he came in collision with a human form and a cuttural grunt announced the surprise of the Indian whose hand had in the encounter touched his bearded face. Like a flash Tucson’s hand clutched the dusky throat, and the warrior was borne over upon his back. Fortune favored the Texan. The slight noise occasioned by the fall was deadened by the howl of a wolf that had re- treated up the barranca before the advance of the Indians, and was now announcing his displeasure at being caught between two parties of foes. Tom’s clutch was the grip of death. It stifled the red-skin for the moment and then one of the keen blades drawn from the belt did its terrible work. CHAPTER IL TRAPPED IN THE FOOT-HILLS. Tur Apache lay motionless. No alarm had been given, although fother braves must have been very near. A moment more of listening and Tom | glided away up the barranca. The Indian signals still sounded above and behind him, and he knew full well that nota moment was to be lost. He reached the p!ace where the little camp- fire had been, but it was now deserted. Dancing Feather had carried out her word and was with the horses. A ‘low tremulous call told him where to find her, and in a moment he had reached the side of the fugitive priestess. He found that she had not been idle. Her life among the Indians had taught her many things that were likely to prove useful on the trail. While Tucson Tom was scouting down the barranca she had secured the muzzles of the two horses in such a way that they could a ae not betray the presence of the fugitives b an untimely whinny or snort, either of whic might prove fatal to their hopes which the ranger noted with satisfaction, though he did not stop to express it, Mounted on Yellowskin he led the way up the gully, holding the rope-bridle of the other horse. On each side of them arose the weird walls in most places inaccessible, and which shut them in like the sides of a tomb. The prospect ahead was not very inviting, but they knew what lay behind, and this em- boldened them to push onward. Now and then the black horse stumbled, and it was an open question as to whether the sounds thus caused might not prove as equally disastrous as a shrill neigh. The ears of the Apaches were Keen, and they would be on the alert for such testimony as to the presence in the bed of the old tor- rent of those they sought; but, as fast as prudence would allow, Tucson Tom urged the horse on. The barranca trended toward the rocky elevations along the foot of the mountain spur, known as the foot-hills. These singular formations seemed to stand as sentries for the grim masses piled back of them and whose tips almost pierce the clouds. Once the deep gully had been the bed of a stream, but its course had been changed, and the torrent only rushed through the old bed apon an occasion of heavy rains, As they advanced the fugitives found the route more and more difficult. In vain Tom looked for a means to leave the gulch; it seemed as though the walls were much higher and more precipitous than before. He began to dimly comprehend that they had entered a trap. Still, only the one course presented itself— they must move forward. | From their rear there now came sounds that proclaimed a new order of things. The Texan listened quietly and then said: ‘“They no longer seek, but pursue us. They have found the ashes of our camp fire, and know we are in the barranca.” All seemed lost, and yet there was no sign of discouragement in his tone. He was a man to whom fear and hopeless- ness were unknown quantities. In the pur- suit of an object death had no terrors for him, and although his name was associated with many thrilling scenes in the past, there lived not the man who could say he had ever known Tucson Tom to take one step out of his way in order to avoid danger. ' To his mind the inevitable result of their ascent of the barvanca was growing more manifest with each passing minute. The end was near at hand, for it was with difficulty that the horses could advance at al), and presently they would reach the limit of their progress. Tom’s mind was already made up in such an event—they must desert their steeds! The expected contingency was not Jong in coming, for Yellowskin suddenly drew up, and for the first time refused to advance. A wall of stone five or six feet in hight barre further progress! ‘‘We must dismount here,” said Tom, and suiting the action to the word, he leaped down. The agile girl was beside him instantly. ‘¢Shall we wait here for them?” she asked, as her hand fell upon a revolver in her belt, the present of the man beside her. “No, we must go on.” ‘* And desert the horses?” ‘‘T am sorry to do so, but there is no other way, Weareina 5 Ft Tucson Tom patted his horse for the last time. him to forsake that prized and faithful ani- mal. Had he been alone his only move upon finding himself thus cornered would have beex to turn his horse’s head down the gulch ~ and have run the gantlet of the Apaches be- | low; but now he had another to think of, and for the sake of the fair one at his side he banished such reckless thoughts, and parted from the horse so dear to him. : Yellowskin could be found again, He would never rest while his horse was in the possession of the Indians, IOOKS EOmic No one could tell what a pang it cost { - . * ad ' >) O) f Wea ee 4 - on o “ * - ee we p o hi’