Beadle's Dime Library No. 417: Tucson Tom — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

3 Yj ir i , { ' \g — eas Say ee > a "eh." —«, 30 Every fiber of his being was thrilled with | si | Abe. the sensation until his whole body ached and smarted as though a’ stung him. To add to the horror of his situation, he felt his brain throbbing as though it would burst, and he found staring him in the face the possibility that he might go mad. At least the young girl was safe! ‘That thought gave him satisfaction in his darkest moment. She would be taken to civilization by his friends, and Francisco the snake-charmer would see to it that she was saved from *the machinations of that woman. What was this strange feeling creeping over him like a lethargy? Was it death? He shook himself as might a man who overtaken by a storm finds his senses becom- ing lost in a sense of warmness, after having passed through bitter coldness. Again he felt this lethargy creeping upon him, and he had more difficulty in arousin himself, but just then a Heaven-sent breat of air was wafted across the ledge. It revived him and he staggered erect. Something struck him a smart blow on the side of the head that in his weak condition made him reel, and he put up his hand, Thank Heaven! the rope! CHAPTER XLII. HOW TOM WAS SAVED, THERE was one chance left. Tucson Tom’s brave heart leaped within its prison walls, and the blood bounding through his arteries seemed to give him a new lease of life. Thicker than ever came the smoke, after that one breath of air had been wafted across the little plateau. Tom knew that his strength might give out ‘at any moment, and he wisely made a slip loop at the end of the rope and placed it around his body just under his arms. Even if he did swoon away he would be drawn to the top, where the fresh air might revive him again. The signal was given and Tom felt himself rdtsed from the shelf. Up, up he went through the darkness and wade. and his senses again reeled. Then there was a sudden stoppage in the ascent. Tom heard a wild cry above, and a heavy object went flying through the air past him, rushing downward with fearful velocity. Just Heaven! it was a man! What awful mystery was this? Again the ascent was resumed; steadily he was drawn aloft by those strong brave arms. Then the top was reached, and he was pulled over by more than one pair of hands. Tucson Tom had swooned. The strain upon nature had been too fierce. Tenderly they carried him to a spot where the smoke did not come and laid him down, The cool night air soon revived him. When the ranger came to, it was to find bending over him Dancing Feather, in whose lap his head was pillowed, and Arizona Abe, whi had hold of his hand. The others stood around, conversing in low tones, and when it was learned that Tom was himself again, they were only with difficulty restrained from giving vent to their exulta- tion in cheers. Such a course would not have been wise. Better that the Indians should believe those they sought were still upon the little plateau, for escape would thus be easier. How was this? Tom suddenly became aware that his men lacked one in point of number. At the same moment there flashed through his mind the recollection of the dark form that had shot downward ec, doe space while he was sus- pended between heaven and earth. ‘‘ Who is missing?’ he demanded. The men looked at one another, and then as though seeing there was no way of avoid- ing the truth, one said: ‘*Matamoras Pedro.” ‘* He went over the hight?” $Y 66,” ‘* Was it an accident?” ‘No: he was thrown over.” ** By whom?” The man had not time to answer. myriad of wasps had | Tucson Tom, the Bowie Bravo. —— —— “°Twar me did it, Tom,” said Arizona | air a terrific report that drowned the yells of ‘* How’s this, Abe?” **Pve s’pected ther critter fur some time’ back, on account o’ ther looks he guv ye when ye warn’t lookin’. I see’d him draw his knife an’ make a slash at ther rope when we war pullin’ yer up. He thort no one saw him do it, but we did, an’ I sent him over ther edge, knife an’ all, quicker nor yer could say Jack Robinson. It war a lucky thing he missed ther rope, I tell-ee, Tom. One o’ ther strands war cut, but afore it could part ther men had caught it beyond.” ‘*What Abe says are gospel,’’ chipped in a gaunt hunter. ‘* Why did he desire my death?” said Tom half-musingly. **Cap’n, ain’t yer got no enemies in Tuc- son?” Tom started. This shot had struck home! Yes, he had deadly foes. Cortina and the mysterious woman were such, and the man who had attempted his life being of Cortina’s nationality, might easily be a member of his gang. His good angel had been on guard, how- ever, and saved him through the instru- mentality of old Abe. The next thing on the programme was to reach their horses and retreat through the pass. By this time the Apaches had come to the conclusion that their work was done, and the death of the man whom Abe had hurled down the precipitous descent would aid them in reaching this end, for it was natural to believe that this fellow was the man who had defied them, and that he had leaped to death rather than await it by suffocation. Somewf them advanced up the defile, and ee with no resistance, reached the ledge. Their amazement at finding it occupied only by one of their own dead braves was intense, and presently their cries announced that scouts and spies had been sent out through the whole immediate neighborhood to discover some traces of those they sought. Hence, it was not very strange that the little band of whites in making their descent from the elevation where they had been of so much benefit to Tom and his betrothed, were discovered, Possibly some action of their own hastened this discovery, for on account of the gloomy nature of the night, and their entire un- familiarity with their surroundings, they were apt to make some noise, When the shouts of the Indians informed them that they were massing for an attack, our friends held themselves in readiness for such work. Tucson Tom was himself again. He now showed his sterling qualities as a leader of men. He knew the Apaches were worked up to such a pitch of excitement, that abandoning their usual caution for the time being they mei be apt to rush headlong upon their oes, For this he prepared his men. Calmly they awaited the assault. The fires lighted by the Indians had seized upon fuel that lay near, and were every mo- ment growing larger in volume, so that by degrees, the darkness was being dissipated in the direction from whence they expected their foes. Nearer came the Indians. Their diabolical yells made the welkin ring as they leaped forward like enraged pan- thers. ‘*Ready boys!” There were but ten of them now, but those ten were a host in themselves. Guns were raised and the clicking of ham- mers—fatal sound—could be heard. Ha! the enemy was now in sight, and yet no command to fire. Tucson Tom was waiting. He knew what was necessary in order to strike terror to those savage hearts. The volley must be a deadly one. Closer still came the dusky swarm. The fires they had kindled were destined to seal the doom of many among them. They had reached a point within sixty feet of the whites when word, Tucson Tom gave the | | caped from the so-called Apaches in a mys- 7 = ——— ae ——————— ee — Neer rises sls sss the advancing Indians. It was the crash of ten true rifles. The utmost demoralization ensued among the Indians as this storm of lead flew into their midst. Before they could recover the whites had replaced their rifles with revolvers, and again the battle of firearms began. This was too much for Apache bravery. They had suffered terribly from the leaden messengers of death, and the sight of that sheet of flame leaping out from among the trees into their faces as it seemed, was de- moralizing. The whites saw them turn, and their shouts of victory must nave been peculiarly exas- perating to the Indians. Tom knew that it would be foolhardy to attempt a pursuit. The darkness would bewilder his men and some of them might fall into the hands of the Apaches, who were liable to change their tactics at any moment. His only thought was to withdraw from the spot while there was yet time, and make good their escape to the town. This being the case, he drew back his men and left the scene of their victory. They made something of a circuit and final- ly reached their horses. All was as they had left them, and in a brief space of time they had mounted and were heading for the gap. This they reached in good time. The main body of Indians was searching for them along the side of the mountain, but the precaution had been taken to send a trio of warriors to guard the pass. When these worthies betrayed their pres- ence they brought down stern fate upon their heads in the shape of a shower of buliets. The pass was now open. True, back of them came a howling mob of infuriated red-skins, but whenever they got too close, Tucson Tom would give an order to some of his men who, turning, let the dusky demens know of their presence in thunder tones, through their rifles. They had no more fear of the result. The Apaches had been badly whipped and also outwitted as far as cunning went. Once on the other side our friends would have no need to lead their horses, but mount- ing, would gallop away over the plain toward Tucson, able to laugh at pursuit. CHAPTER XLIII. CONCLUSION. Tue end of Buffalo Gap was reached at last, and our friends found themselves upon the open ground once more. They rode cn until daybreak. When they halted to prepare something to eat, an observation from a piece of rising ground showed them the Apaches following like a pack of hounds. They were some miies away, but the whites did not care to have them closer, so the breakfast was hastily disposed of, and they were again in the saddle. Tom and Mabel rode to one side engaged in earnest conversation. After a time the ranger beckoned to the snake charmer, who joined them. By degrees a most remarkable story was brought to light. Francisco, some sixteen years previous had been a friend of a certain wealthy Don, whose name, De Guzman, was known throughout the whole of northern Mexico. This man was a widower, with one child, a daughter. There lived with the family at their grand hacienda a young woman who claimed to be a sister of the Don, but upon whom some of the families in their circle were woat to look with suspicion. Down upon this peaceful scene came the Apaches one night, leaving blood and ruins in their path. The old Don was killed, his child carried away, and the place sacked. There were those who whispered later that the work was not that of Indians, but the men of a noted contrabandista, Cortina by name, who, disguised as Apaches, were wont to commit such depredations There were other stories hinted about the young woman being in the plot, as she es- Suddenly there burst upon the quivering terious manner, and came into possession of EOMmuic S 6\(0\(0) — oe com o = tant py OE ae 2 ———_