Beadle's Dime Library No. 417: Tucson Tom — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

: —t Sos Eee eee oe _ * — — ~<a. ey a | 4 ke oe ei => wz « 1% a & 2k “wee Ss 7 ° , $ - ’ “ a 2 ¢ "' > — , 6 : Tucson Tom, the Bowie Bravo. giant water wave, it had not descended upon him from above, as had been the case with the unfortunates who had been closer to the wall of rock over which the wave had swept. Still, this warrior would doubtless have been swept away in the boiling torrent but for his cunning. He had not had enough confidence in his own strength, but had taken advantage of the minute's respite, after reaching his posi- tion, to wrap his lasso around himself and the spur of rock to which he clung. Although violently wrenched and _ half drowned, he now lived to thank his lucky stars for such a happy thought or inspira- tion. Tom was horrified at the general destruc- tion, Like the snap of one’s finger his pursuers had been blotted out of existence, A bolt of lightning or an exploding tor- pedo could hardly have done the work quicker. Even the men who had been upon the slanting edge had gone with the rest, for they had had no means of holding on. This would materially reduce the number of his foes, as it was hardly probable there could be more than half a dozen on the pla- teau above. He took courage for the future. CHAPTER IX. A RED RIDER ON THE BUCKSKIN HORSE. TURNING away from the fearful spectacle Tucson Tom picked up a brand that was still smoldering, and by a few rapid whirls around his head fanned it into a bright flame. If this passage was of such dimensions that they could pass through it when the storm had expended its violence, he meant that they should make the attempt. The bear cubs were now crying lustily, for the terrible noises had alarmed them. As he passed by Tucson knocked them on the head in mercy to save them from starva- tion. | Beyond the point where the bear cubs lay the passage got smaller. They found no difficulty as yet in their advance, though they soon began to marvel at the length of the passage. Eventually it led them to an opening among the rocks, where it might have been unseen by even one who made a close sur- vey. This opening was large enough to admit of their leaving the cliff cave, but it would never have answered as a means of egress or ingress for the old grizzly. nthe mean time the storm had died out, The rain had ceased, and the thunder was rumbling in the distance. A sullen roar told of the torrent that was still sweeping down the gulch. The stars were already peeping through great gaps in the storm-clouds that skurried on inthe endeavor to catch up with their companions in the battle line in front. Soon the moon burst forth. There was now no reason why the fugi- tives should not leave the spot and seek a new shelter while their enemies were so ter- ribly broken up and disorganized under the shock of the catastrophe. Tucson Tom led the way. They had no desire to seek the plains while everything was deluged in this manner for it would be safer to hide for the present Hs the mountains, seeing that they were on oot. Several times the ranger had thought of his faithful steed. Had Yellowskin been swept away by the angry torrent, or had the Indians below been able to get out of the _ barranca and save the two horses that had fallen into their hands. tie There was a good chance that this latter -view of the case might be so. Already the ranger was revolving plan after plan in his brain. He knew full well that it was folly to think of escaping from Apache-land on foot. Scores of weary miles lay before them and the civilization toward which they aimed, and even when mounted, the task of eluding the bands of savages, scouring the plains in search of the darin pale-face who had invaded their country an carried off their priestess, would be difficult cnough. nnn ee SSS —_—_—— ees or - le errr rr eS FT As they ascended the elevation Tucson | ‘ He is not alone. A second follows close Tom kept his eyes about him. In the end he discovered what he sought, which was a shelter among some rocks. Their peculiar formation in falling from behind, and then another, until seven are in | view, riding toward the spur of the foot- hj ills. At the base of these they dismount, and a hight above had produced a rude cave, | soon the smoke of a fire tells that a second and riotous vines growing about could be so | camp has been formed. deftly arranged as to further bide the place. It was an eyrie. When daylight came they would be able The plan of the Apaches is to pitch a line of camps along the base of the mountains, and prevent the escape of those whom they to see the broad plain spread out before them, | know are hiding above! and could watch the movements of their | enemies, for he felt sure there would bea gathering in this vicinity snce it had been learned that those of whom they had been in search were in the neighborhood. The lon, ride of the preceding day, and the CHAPTER X. THE HORSE-GUARD. Tus seems to throw a new light upon the whole business, To go over the mountain now is utterly startling events of the night, following so | out of the question, and yet to remain where quickly upon one another, had done much | they are brings grave trouble upon the two. toward making the ranger weary. He believed they were now in a place that | | will be ready®to make their still-hunt, and was at least secure for the time being. By morning the Apaches, strengthened by new forces which must continually arrive, While his companion slept, Tom managed | for the whites to be found here means death. to doze between times. Such is far from the intention of Tucson Every hour he was awake and on the look- | Tom. out at the opening in front. About two hours from dawn he had his The sight of the buckskin horse started an idea in his mind which he is bound to at attention attracted by a light on the side of least attempt. the mountain, a mile or so away from the Darkness descends upon mountain and eyrie where Dancing Feather slept and he | valley, and both the prairie below and the kept guard, barranca that runs through it like a road cut By scouting he was enabled to make out | deep below the surface, disappear from three fires in a row. It was evidently a signal from those of the ill-fated band who had been fortunate enough to escape the doom of their comrades, and was intended to netify those of their comrades who might be miles away, and yet within sight of the signal fires, that their presence was desired in that vicinity as soon as possible, ’ om saw that the fires were steadily main- tained, but he cid not deem it worth his while to take a scout in that direction, Morning came at length: The sun’s rays soon dried the wet ground and by noon all evidence of the late storm had vanished, save where trees had been up- rooted by the violence of the wind. Tucson Tom was early surveying the scene, and soon located the Indian camp, It was at the base of the foot-hills, half a mile away from the deadly barranca. Surveying the plain Tucson Tom saw no evidence of any Apache band being near, but they had hard » finished their meager break- fast of jerked venison washed down by a drink from a water pocket close by, than the eyes of the young girl caught a glimpse of a moving body far out upon the plain. It came from the direction of the hazy-blue mountains that marked the home of the Apaches, Watching carefully, the ranger ere long made this moving object out to be a band of riders. An hour later they were close enough for him to count them, and he made out seven Apache braves, whose lance-tips flashed in the sun’s rays. They had seen the signal. A single horseman dashed out from the camp to meet them, at which Tom uttered an exclamation of Py ; Surely his eyes did not deceive him! The buckskin-colored horse that bore the Apache courier along with such clean leaps could be no other than his beloved Yellowskin! ‘*T’ll have him yet,” he muttered. The lone rider and the little cavalcade came nearer together and finaliy met. For a little time they halted; then the on- ward progress was resumed, What did this mean? They no longer headed toward the little camp at the foot of the mountain, but mak- ing a sharp turn to the right, aiming for the barranca, that, at this point, seemed a dark line upon the green face of the plain. Tucson Tom glues his eyes upon the little band of seven. As yet he is puzzled by this maneuver. They reach the barranca. He sees them one by one urge their horses down the slanting buffalo-path until all have vanished—mustangs and red riders, The minutes glide by until ten have passed, Then there suddenly rises over the dead level of the plain on the other side, and fur- ther down the barranca, the figure of an In- dian, mounted on a picbald mustang. / es == view. Tucson Tom looks about him. A grim smile of satisfaction steals over his face as he notes the gloom, for it certainly favors his purpose. He has noted a number of things in con- nection with the Indian camp—things that will be of value later on. Just now there is no need of any haste; ony he and Dancing Feather lie down to sleep. There is no need of wakefulness, as the bowie bravo well knows. Once upon their expedition, the chances are decidedly against their obtaining sleep again that night, so they determine to secure what rest is possible in the earlier hours. A silence as of death broods over the little camp of the pale-face fugitives. The mournful howl of the wolf was heard along the mountain-side, and other sounds of the night broke out at intervals, but here all was deathly quiet. Slowly the hours passed. Finally Tucson Tom arose from his couch of leaves, and cast his eyes aloft. The position of the stars told him that it was after midnight. There was now no need of further delay— the time for action had come. As he turned, after making these sweeping observations, he found the young girl beside him. Dancing Feather had heard him move and was on her feet immediately. ‘*Tt is time,” he said, briefly. ‘‘T am ready, Tom,” she replied. His plan was al:eady known to her, for he desired that she should be aware of all the risk they ran. Much depended upon her action, and he knew that her Indian training would prove valuable now. They commenced to descend the foot-hills. This was no easy task even under the most favorable circumstances, and when the mantle of darkness hid the face of the moun- tains, it made the matter ene 4 difficult. Their progress was naturally slow, but sure. Step by step they neared the foot of the range, and each passing minute brought them nearer the camp of their foes. They neither saw nor heard anything that would go to prove the presence of enemies, and yet, it was a fact that at least a score of cunning red-skins were posted along the base of the hills on guard. Once Tucson Tom gave a start. From out.on the prairie, now wrapped in impenetrable gloom, there came the neigh of a steed. He knew it well! Could faithful Buckskin have scented his presence? The thought was a pleasant one, and his eye kindled as he continued his downward progress. The base of the hills was reached. Here the long prairie grass, baked in places by the hot sun, and waving green along the sides of the barranca, served them as a means of continuing thei advan eomichook NIGDOOKS