Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 120) (1879 11 11)
The text was read from the page scans by machine (OCR), so it has mistakes and its columns may run together. See the pages · About this title · At the Internet Archive
Page 1
a 4 x x a a J AK li ANN November 11, 1879. NY tee ee ld i nt a ed nt lt at a al Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., as Second Class Matter. Copyrighted in 1879 by BEADIE AND (ADAMS. Single PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, § Vol. V. Number. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK, 5 Cents. No. * 20. ———$—$ The Branded Hand; or, The Man of Mystery. BY FRAN EK DUMOWN TT, ent Author of “Wide-Awake,” “Marked for Life,” “In the Web,” etc. eto. wary ad “Stand back, cowards! The first that approaches me will lie a bleeding corpse upon this deck. Iam an American and I protect a lady im distress wherever I find her, and against all odds, and against all such cutthroats as now oppose me.” f
Page 2
, to hurl him h Bo The Branded Ha THE MAN Pie MYSTERY. BY FRANK DUMONT, ' AUTHOR or “ WIDE-AWAKE,” ‘““MARKED FOR Lirg,” ‘IN THE WEB,” ETC., ETC. CHAPTER I. THE GIRL SBTOWAWAY FINDS A PROTECTOR. Tue first rays of the morning sun were vainly endeavoring to pierce the lowering clouds that a brisk wind was scattering to and fro. The waters of the Gulf of Mexico were rolling in foam-covered billows, and occasionally the wind lashed them into fury. It was the last struggle of the terrific tem that had swept the Gulf throughout the night; and, in fact, for several days previous the storm-fiend had ruled with despotic sway over the waste of waters. A large vessel was scudding before the wind, and hér canvas and rigging. layed the havoc of the midnight tempest, The deck was littered with the debris of the havoc, and her crew were busily engaged in putting things ship-shape. A trembling negro stood near the cabin, ping saucepan, and about to descend the steep stairway. Every lurch of the ship threatened end first into the cabin below. Some expression uttered by the chatterin black had evidently awakened the derision o the sailors, for a loud burst of laughter greeted the Ethiopian as he staggered toward the stair- way. ote my Dat’s right, laugh! laugh! he! he! he! You won’t believe me, will you? I tell yon dat dis ole ship is ha’nted, and you can’t deny it! I’se strange sounds and noises eb’ry night for a week, and I see’d a real live ghost down in de cellar of de ship, when I went to get some *taters. It had eyes like a elephant, and.horns like dat gem’man has dat bosses de brimstoné foundry. Dat aes said: ‘ Washington Jones, leff dem ’taters be!” | ie Another burst of laughter greeted the negro’s words, and a violent of the vessel flung him half-way down the steep stairs. Nothing daunted, he creptupagain. == “ Allright, mister sailor mans,” he exclaimed ; ‘*you see for yerselves how stormy it has been all de week. Nuffin’ but. thunder and a . .-. > ~ o.e d; liehtning, day_and night. Dat’s a bad sign— bad sign,” oat he, with a shudder. SDar’s a ‘ Jonah’ on dis ship—” _Before Washington Jones could finish the pentence a huge wave struck the vessel, and the shock sent the negro headlong down the stair- way. There was a sound of broken crockery tin s, as the darky landed in their midst and floundered about, striving to pein his feet. He did not return to the deck, but satisfied himself by clinging to every available pe exared “ety a catastr. phe. A rel ug gree e@ negro’s -precipl descent into the stairway. , A stout, villainous-loo at the rail, came forward at this fn pines face was partially hidden by the sand beard that ornamented the lower of peng i nate Guid’ - eovered the upper lip. , restless gray eyes twinkled beneath eyebrows that joined each other above a flat nose. The eyebrows gave his features a perpetual scowling aspect. He was attired ina rough pea-jacket, and wore a vest and pantaloons of dark blue material. This person was Jasper Daniels, the second in command of the vessel, and noted for his brutality to the mixed crew of the ship. “The nigger is right!” said he. “There is something wrong. Look there!” and he pointed out several floating objects that glistened in the stragg’ sunbeams. ‘Icebergs! and I'll war- rant you've never seen them in these waters before. We make no headway, because we have been blown out of our course. eisa "Jo on board of the Sea Serpent!” **Overboard with the Jonah! Toss him into the sea!” yelled the excited men. ‘Wait until you have discovered who it is, and when you do, cast him overboard, or we are all lost,” said Jasper. rsonage, stand- said _A-hoarse shout of rage escaped from the crew anc they swarmed down into the hold to search and hold a consultation. The words of the had awakened a strange suspicion. The ghost seen by the darky corresponded with a strange form that had flitted on board when the vessel was about to depart. Jasper sur- mised that a stowaway had secured a -jenck 2 place in the hold, and that the negro had pro The Branded Hand: _ ably seen vag onjec and his terror yan it as a ghostly tor. As the cargo of the vessel was of a peculiar nature, Jasper concluded that, if there was a stowaway in the hold, he was there for other reasons than a pas Abr: appealing to the crew and denouncing the hid- en person as the Jonah—or rather the cause of the gale and ill-luck—he could have the ship searched and the intruder discovered. At any other time the sailors would have shielded a por stowaway from the brutal mate’s wrath, ut by picturing the terrors and jaying the same so any person, the superstitious Span- iards, Portuguese and Mexicans forming the crew would rend the unfortunate “ Jonah” limb from limb. “ Superstitious set,” said Jasper, with a hol- low laugh; ‘‘but we need that kind for our business. We have arms and ammunition for the Mexican Government, but I dare say that Captain Alvarez would sell the cargo to either faction that could produce the coin. Some folks would call that queer business. If our few ssengers only knew of the powder stowed neath this deck!” The negro’s face, spattered with flour, appear- ed at the stairway, and his teeth chatte like a pair of castanets. ‘‘ Don’t talk about pow- der! I feel as if I war sitting on a bomb-shell. S’pose somebody was to drop a match down dar! ‘Way goes de whole lot ob us. like sky- | rockets.” As if to echo the darky’s moan of terror came a wailing voice from the cabin—a pecu- liar- voice with a strong Hibernian accent... The néxt moment a wiry little figure came forth, spale, and unsteady upon his feet, clutching a randy flask with one hand and holding the railing with the other. He staggered to the side.of the vessel. ** Arrah, wurra wurra! bad luck to ould Nep- tune and the whole family of him! Why did I come aboard again whin we sto at dry land, a week-ago? -Here I am sick and the ‘sailors grinning at nie, and meself a-rolling and creping on my hands and knees like a sick cat.” “ Why don’t you eat some fat pork and cab- bage?”’ shouted the negro. Hould on there, ye black-faced thafe! Don’t you spake of anything grasy to me!” he Irishman. ‘‘Oh! why did I come out wid ‘Master Richard to see dirty ould Mexico—oh!” _A violent lurch of the vessel knocked the Hibernian Off his feet, and a wave deluged him. Sputtering and blinded by the water, he arose and clutched at the nearest stationary object to steady himself. ; : “T say, ma ee can’t you do something to steddy the ship? _ Sure’s my name’s Phelim Mc- Namara, I'll die on board of your ould tub. Oh dear, what’ll I do?” : Phelim had scarcely ceased his wailing, when a robust form emerged from the cabin. The was short and exceedingly fat. Like he Irishman, his face was of a deathly pallor, somes »y the motion of i veers To add to e comical appearance of the stout personage he wore a white night-cap and bore several large ome!” “Take away them ould sausages! The sight o’ them makes me sicker,” cried Phelim, and finding a secure place he held on while upbraid- iy np stout German for exposing the sausages to his view. : oe was about to enter the cabin when a tall, dark man emerged from it. His swarth features were shaded by a broad felt hat. black mustache shaded thin lips that partiall disclosed gleaming white teeth—teeth not unlike the fangs of a wolf. 1t was Alvarez, the com- mander of the vessel. ‘“‘ Captain!” exclaimed Jasper. “Ah! Pleasant weather, after all,” said the dark personage, with a cruel smile as if the sun- beams were unwelcome. “Yes, captain. But see! Yonder are a few icebergs,” and Jasper pointed out the glittering mass on the horizon. * Jasper, bring my glass!” The mate entered the cabin to secure the in- strument. “ Bring me von glass, too!” shouted the Ger- man, endeavoring to cross over to the larboard side and join the captain. Jasper returned from the cabin and placed the telescope in the hands of the captain, who took a long and searching sweep of the horizon. “Sav, captain. don’t vos know how to swim,” whined the obese passenger, twirling the sausages nervously, “T say, captain, couldn’t ye tell the feller at the wheel beyant to drive the ship over where the wather isn’t so rough?’ And Phelim clutched the rail and attempted to attract Al- varez’s attention. Neither Jasper nor the captain took the slightest notice of the two sea-sick passengers, aa the German and the Irishman cursed them roundly in their mother tongue. Alvarez handed the telesco e to Jasper, who continued observing the icebergs, while the cap- tain walked forward and gazed upon the broad, rolling expanse of waters. ; “T must abandon this life,” his thoughts took form. ‘‘Why should I risk so much when I can remain in Mexico in comfort? 1 hold docu- ments that will secure a fortune whenever I choose to claim it. Although blood has been shed to obtain them, yet no living being can point to me and accuse me. The estates were willed to an only child, and I was appointed the guardian. In case of the child’s death the for- tune was mine. In an evil moment I dyed these hands with my friend’s blood and securing these papers, ‘pla the little girl ona ges vessel sailing for South America, One stroke of the knife and a fortune was at my disposal. It was not my first crime, for the cursed brand of a felon was seared in my. flesh—a mark that I will carry to my grave.’ Aloud shout arose from the depths of the hold, and the stamping of feet resounded as of a body of men pursuing some object. Then came a thrilling scream—a woman’s scream of fright. : little form bounded upon deck from the companionway, and close behind her came the infuriated sailors in pursuit. Alvarezremained assive and watched the proceedings from the w. “‘ What’s this?’ cried Jasper, as the girl and the sailors appeared on deck. “A stowaway! We found her and she’s the Jonah!” cried the foremost sailor, and several rushed forward to seize her. The girl screamed and eluded the ruffian. As she rushed toward the cabin a stalwart young man suddenly emerged from it and the irl was caught in his extended arms. One blow from bis fist struck the nearest pursuer and the ruffian fell headlong to the deck. CHAPTER II. YOUNG AMERICA AND ERIN GO BRAGH. Tur swarthy sailors drew back and acry of e burst from their Lips. @ young man who had rushed from the cabin at this critical moment held the girl in his arms and his flashing eyes told of the indigna- tion that welled up from his heart. / «Qh, save me, sir, or they will kill me!” said the shrinking form as she crept nearer to him to avoid the scowling circle of faces that glared both upon the girl ani her rescuer. : “Look up! You are safe! Sailors attacking awoman! Shameonyou! I thought you were men!” cried the youth, bitterly. The ruffian known as Jasper stepped forward and his harsh voice commanded silence as he addressed the girl’s companion. ‘*She’s a spy and astowaway. I won't have her.on this vessel!” he declared. “ She’s a Jonah!” chimed in several sailors. | ‘Don’t let them harm me!” plead the girl in iteous tones, as she turned her pale but beauti- 1 face toward her protector. ‘They will not harm you. I will protect you with my very life! Ho who lays a finger upon you will answer to me for the act.” , Hardly had the words issued from the lips of the young American when Jasper drew a mur- derous-looking knife, and in a voice choking with passion, he cried: : ‘ : “Down with him, lads, if he interferes. Seize the girl!” “Stand back, cowards! The first that ap- roaches me will lie a bleedin corpse upon this Fock. I am an American and I protect a aay in distress wherever I find her, and against odds, and against all such cutthroats as now oppose me.” : ven while speaking he gently placed the girl at his side and faced the murderous circle that encompassed him. ~ “Down with the Americano!” yelled the ‘scowling villains, drawing still nearer. “Oh, do not quarrel with them,” besought the girl as she saw the gleam of weapons in the hands of the lawless men; ‘‘ they will kill you. “T have faced death too often to allow these blustering ruffians to frighten me. Cling to me; | will protect you,” and the young Ameri- 4 + uf
Page 3
—— ee a Cl lS ee “ | | { can’s hand sought a concealed pocket within his coat. ‘*Surrender!” cried Jasper, ‘‘for we're all against one.” “That’s a lie for you!” cried Phelim, sta, over from the bulwark o e@ vessel, ge f. he b k of th ‘Yer all against two, for J’m taking a hand in this circus. I’m wid you, Master Richard!” The Irishman removed his coat and gave vent to a wild “hurroo.” ‘Who'll tread on the tail ov me coat?” he cried. ‘‘We’re two against the whole cowardl Kk!” ‘“‘Stop von leetle! Ve vas dree against de whole pack of cards!” shouted the stout Ger- man, waddling over and flourishing his sau- sages. ‘Go in, Irish! ’'m mit you! Look out; Pll shoot you mit a bolognie revolver!” and the stout Teuton pointed the sausage at the sailors to intimidate them, and cape about to add emphasis to the threat. “Fools!” hissed Jasper; ‘ your blood be upon your own heads! Down with them, boys; no quarter!” With an angry shout resembling the yelp of hungry wolves, the sailors rushed forward and a hand-to-hand conflict ensued. Richard gras ed Jasper and sent the ruffian reeling to the deck with one well-directed blow that brought blood from his nose and mouth. Carl Stopelheimer, the obese German, floun- dered into the midst of the ruffians and man- aged to trip one, and when the sailor lay upon the deck Carl seated himself upon the prostrate vil- lain and pounded him with the hard sausage. Phelim struck out right and left with as much energy as he would have exhibited at Donny- brook Fair. When Jasper fell headlong to the deck, a heavy revolver hide ge from a hidden recep- tacle and rolled to the girl’s feet. In an instant she had seized it and as the ruffian sprung to his feet, he rushed forward with a brutal oath upon his lips. He started back as if he had re- ceived the bite of an adder for the muzzle of the revolver was directed at his forehead, the finger upon the trigger! Her eyes were ilated with excitement. J. r read deter- mination in her looks and his hand sought the missing pistol. A tall commanding form glided quickly be- tween the combatants and his voice arose above the shouts. It was the captain of the Sea Ser- pent—Alvarez. ‘‘ What is the meaning of this tumult?” said he, in a voice trembling with passion. ‘It means that we founda stowaway,” an- swered Jasper, “‘and that American interfered. He has struck me, but his life will pay the pen- alty of that blow.” “ Leave all tome,” commanded Alvarez, in a low whisper to Jasper. “I will give you a chance to retaliate in a short time. Take the men forward.” Without a murmur the low-browed villain led the sailors away from the spot and they gathered in a group on the forward part of the vessel, while Carl and Phelim descended into the cabin. Alvarez approached the young American. — “T will look into this affair, sir,” he said, ‘‘and have the ringleaders punished. They owe youan apology, and you will receive it, rest assured |” The latter part of the sentence was spoken somewhat sharp, and in a tone of voice that aroused the young man from his semi-reverie caused by the mute look of appeal that rested upon the girl’s features as Alvarez ap roached. But, ere Richard could reply; the k man had turned and entered the cabin. “You have saved my life! Tellme howI can . thank and bless you,” she murmured. “Do not mention thanks to me, my poor trembling little one. Look up! The danger is past. I hae merely performed my duty as a man in protecting you from the attack of ruf- fians. Tell me what is your name?” “‘ Eldora!” replied the girl. ; ‘“‘Eldora! A very pretty name,” said Rich- ard. ‘‘ Now tell me how came you to be con- cealed in the hold of this vessel” ‘* When this vessel was in port, a week ago, I silently stole on board and concealed myself in the hold. I had no money to pay for my pas- sage and [ wished to reach Mexico—for a secret urpose. Ican trust you for you are a friend. am the daughter of a patriot, long since in his grave, sent there by the hand of a cowardly as- sassin ‘‘ And you are a spy in the service of the pa- triot cause of Mexico?” demanded the young man in a low whisper. ‘*Yes; but let me tell you all: I was but a child when my dear father fell by the hand of The Branded Hand. one who professed to be his dearest friend. This man had the care of the documents con- cerning our estates. One night this false friend slew my father and robbed kim of these papers. 1 was placed a a strange vessel outward bound. When l again ventured to my native country I was treated as an adventuress and an impostor. The villain held the papers and I was an outcast—almost a beggar.’ Tears filled the sad eyes and she paused to check them. ‘I have but one object in life—to find the murderer. I have wandered for years —sometimes close to the object of my search and — at times far mr But I feel and know I shall yet meet him, face to face.” “And you have never seen this man—the murderer of your father?” queried Richard. At this moment the evil face of Alvarez a =< behind the mast and the eyes of the lis- mer were fixed upon the young couple stand- ing not a dozen feet away and his ears drank in every word they uttered. “On the night of the crime,” continued El- dora, ‘‘I heard my father’s cry of help. Child as I was I rushed to his assistance. I seized the masked assassin by the arm and as he threw me aside I saw by the lightning’s flash through the window, deeply imprinted in the palm of his hand, the letter A.” A suppressed cry reached the ears of the young couple. Both turned, but failed to dis- cover the crouching form, behind the mast, whose pallid features were concealed by its shadow. “The letter A—that is a clew,” said the young American. ‘It was the custom, years ago, in these countries, to brand criminals—to burn a letter in their arm or brow. Very often in the palm of the hand. The letter A signifies ‘‘ As- sassin. Again the muffled cry from the direction of the mast, and Alvarez’s eyes were fixed upon the palm of his hand. “is she!” he og ‘Since that fatal night the ravages of the small-pox have furnished a mask for my features. Iam safe while I kee this accursed mark concealed.” And he glid silently and unobserved to the cabin. Instead of entering the cabin, however, Alva- rez paused, and placing a silver whistle to his lips blew a blast upon it that brought Jasper and the motley crew to his side. He led the way toward the young couple. They followed at his heels like a swarm of hungry curs, ‘‘There stands the oo you seek,” said he, Newawo d to Eldora. ‘She isa spy. You know he nature of our cargo! Cast her into the sea |” sarihyy pomcdeGiTuttiaie: pitpanyh tagat $0 SW: y; ans pre again rush upon the American and his charge. ‘* Cowards! would you murder this tremblin 1? You, sir—you call yourself captain o S vessel, and yet you order your men to lay violent handsupon a woman? ‘Touch her if you dare and I'll spatter your brains upon the mast of this vessel!” and Richard drew a polished weapon and cocked it. “This vessel is mine,” warned Alvarez; ‘I am master here; to disobey is ie ‘““You may be master of your ship and the dogs that now surround you, but you are not my master! This girl is under my protection. Remember I am a passenger and claim my rights as such! Approach me at your peril.” ‘Make ready a rope for our American gen- tleman!” ordered Alvarez; ‘I'll hang him from the yard-arm!” ‘Villain! Pirate!” said Richard, with a withering look, ‘‘ I defy ine Seve dark forms had crept behind the young American unobserved, and as he uttered the defiance the treacherous scoundrels sprung upon him, and although he fought like a tiger his hands were secured. A group with loaded pistols stood at the cabin door to prevent Phelim and Carl from interference. “Make the battle an equal one!” called out Richard. ‘‘ Let us meet each other face to face. IT dare you!” Alvarez presented a pistol at Richard’s temvle. ‘‘P’d send a bullet into your brain only I wish to see you dangle from the yard- arm. Slip that rope around the brave Ameri- can’s neck!” commanded the villain, with a sneer. The rope encircied his throat and the ruffians seized the end of it with yells of satisfaction. CHAPTER III. IN THE VERY JAWS OF DEATH. THE piratical-looking ruflians eagerly awaited the signal of their leader to launch the young American into eternity. With clasped hands Eldora watched the pro- ceedings, and prayed for Richard’s safety. A figure crept out of the hatchway and glided into a mass of co e and rent sails, just as ‘*Sail ho!” was shou by a hoarse voice from tbe larboard side of the vessel. Alvarez bounded to the rail and his eyes rested upon the approaching sail. ‘‘Is the cannon loaded and ready for use?’ he shouted. “Ay, loaded with grape and canister!” cried Jasper, as he rushed toward a black can- non mounted near midship. It was upon a swivel, and its black muzzle swe our ivel d its black muzzl pt the f points of the compass at the gunner’s will. “String up the American, and then we’! attend to this sail!” shouted Alvarez. Eldora bounded toward the captain and sunk upon her knees at his feet. ‘‘Spare him— cast me into the sea, but do not m him!" she ia je , “Out of my way, girl! you plead in vain.” Alvarez’s face sogiled malignantly upon the eepae figure, as if he would hurl her from path, ‘“Arise, Eldora! Kneel not to that brute,” said Richard. ‘I will show them how a» American can meet death—” ‘‘Haul away on that rope!” yelled Alvarez. The ruffians seized it witha will, and the outh’s feet had barely left the deck when the orm that crouched im the debris lea for: ward, and with a keen knife severed the rope with one sweeping blow. In an instant Richard’s arms were free, and a ean was pads in his grasp, while Phelir—- or it was he who had severed the rope—seinwd an iron bar. The astonished ruffians stood petrified for an instant, but Alvarez’s voice called them to their senses. “ Cut them down—no quarter !” he howled, awd sprung like an infuriated beast at tho Americam. Phelim hurled his iron bar right and left, cleay- ry * ee through the swarthy ruffians ichard’s pistol cracked as Alvarez darted toward him and the villian’s arm fell, limp, at his side. Jasper wielded a cutlass and like a fiend he at- tac Phelim who defended himself with his iron bar, . eng pe ne gm caromntee by 2 ozen yellow-faced Por ese an reasers, with PP hemsAats knives unealoed against him. The revolver cracked spitefully several ti and at each report a form tumbled to the ray writhed ithe git thes : varez saw the 8s champion ocew by the sailors and the villain wal quick ree pe hab side and prevent her from rejoining: “‘Make no effort to elude me or you die upon the spot,” he shouted. 7 His face was distorted by the pain of hiv wounded arm, and by the fierce passion that was consuming him. Rapidly was the sail Rppnot Riss the Bea ght to end th Serpent, and Jasper sou conus ininekdtabely. i Alvarez 1 and his ary the shrinking voice fairly stilled her beating heart. His very touch almost rendered her senseless. Her eyes: sought the form of her protector. She saw ide ard defending himself from a circle of earmet ruffians who drew nearer to him every moment. The contest was raging in the forward part of the vessel, One look at the scene of action and the slum- bering courage was aroused within her. She freed herself from Alvarez’s grasp and ere ke» could realize her intentions she had gained tins side of the cannon and passed behind if, With one supreme effort she turned the gun and directed the muzzle toward the struggling group forward. She seized the string and the hammer raised; Alvarez shrunk back confused! Her veice, like a shrill trumpet blast, reached the ears of the etrugeling youth. ‘ This way, sir, and you are saved!” 7 a moment he comprehended the situation and was at her side. A roar of consternation and dismay broke from the baffled villains w+ they saw Richard elude them and joim the figure behind the cannon. They saw the bla«t gaping muzzle of the loaded gun pointed directly toward them and their hands fell powerless te their sides, The gun swept the deck, and there was nw chance of avoiding the storm of grape and canister that the iron weapon would ich forth: if the hammer descended upon the percussiom, cap. The girl held the string, but a hundred
Page 4
A chances wereagainst her. Her uncertain fingers might fail to draw the hammer with sufficient strength. Jasper saw this chance, and quickly ized upon it. ** Down with her, boys! The cannon is not Joaded, and she cannot handle it wey Y” A chorus of wild shouts followed r’s voice, and the scowling ruffians came dashing forward, uttering cries that resembled the shrieks of baffled savages. Eldora pulled the string; a blinding flash leaped from the ’s muzzle; a deafenin roar—a terrific explosion—that seemed to ren the vessel in twain, and make every timber shiver and groan. A storm of missiles swept the deck, and an appalling cry came from the = forms that rolled and writhed upon the blood-stained floor. The sulphurous smoke was wafted aside by the breeze, and the scene of carnage was ex- posed to view. The deck was littered with splintered timber, and the prostrate bodies of the sailors lay among the dead and the dying. At the same momenta lurid flame burst from the companionway, and a wreath of smoke curled upward. ‘The vessel was in flames! Nearer drew the vessel that had been descried from the larboard side. Richard gazed among the dead and the sur- ‘vivors, but failed to discover either Jasper or the villainous captain of the Sea Serpent. Both hhad vanished. “There he goes, bad ’cess to him! May Ould Nick fly away wid him!” A small boat was drifting away from the doomed vessel, and in this craft was Alvarez and his confederate, Jasper. The burning vessel and the clouds of smoke hid the escaping villains from those upon the ship, and from those upon the approaching vessel. Alvarez the craft, and in seizing upon the only boat, had, in company with his partner in guilt, escaped from the burning and now sinking vessel. Phelim’s quick eyes had detected the yawl as it drifted away upon the crest of the dark waves, and the Irishman fired a harmless shot after the escaping wretches. Clouds of thick black smoke now hung like a canopy over the ill-fated Sea-Serpent, and the cries of the wounded men made the scene hideous. Flames shot up from the cabin, and forked tongues of fire came from the companion- mas uddenly the nagro’s form appeared beside ic and with a hollow oo he fell ‘trembling at the American’s feet. ‘‘Oh! master! master! save dis chile! Dar’s ree to be a Judgment Day on dis ey. ‘ake me wid you— Oh! dat stuff down in de hold of dis vessel—” “ What? eg man!” said Ri as he gazed upon the form of the terror-stricken negro, De ship is on fire and de hold is full of / exclaimed the darky. “Powder! Howly mackerel! We're all kilt rand buried!” shouted Phelim, and he sprung mimbly to the bulwarks as if to plunge over- board, but he paused as if an idea had . suddenly flashed into his brain and his features “T can’t swim a stroke!” he The startling intelligence communicated by the negro caused Richard to grasp Eldora gen- ty and bear her toward the bulwark of the %eurning vessel. In the hold of the ship was the anflammable material and many kegs of powder. Fully one-half of these had been broken during the sway of the tempest and the black explosive lay in hea among, fin kegs. One spark of fire would launch the vessel and every living person on board to destruction. The approaching craft was yet too far away to render any assistance and the flames would xeach the magazine within a few minutes. "The lower deck was now a mass of roaring ‘flames that swept everything before its billows of fire. One spark would prove fatal to the human beings on the upper deck. E Richard seized an ax and instantly dislodged some timber which Phelim, assisted by Carl wand the negro, cast overboard after lashing the ragments together, and securing the floating ‘mass to the vessel’s side. Ina few minutes the flames had reached the deck and those there were forced to retreat before the volumes of blinding, suffocating smoke. . Richard assisted Eldora over the side of the 'wessel and by clinging to the rope stairway #he reached the frail, wave-tossed raft. Rich- ard followed, and Phelim, Carl and the negro were soon upon the float and the fastenings were A huge wae bore the bulky mass severed. The Branded Hand. upon its crest and swept it away from the burn- ing vessel. m the deck of the Sea Serpent came the wailing, piteous cries of the wounded men as rae: flames swept over Mery ary and de- everything in i path. Goddeaby there was a blindya sheet of livin flames that shot up into the murky sky. A du booming sound and a crash that almost stunned the fugitives upon the raft. The waters seemed to open like the crater of a volcano, and the group on the floating timbers sunk into a vortex of boiling, seething waters that seemed to ingulf them beneath {the furious billows. The air seemed to be one sheet of flame and smoke. Richard clung to the trembling form and clutched at the fastenings of the raft as the structure sunk into the watery abyss. When it arose to the surface again, all were ome to the frail timbers excepting the darky. e waves had swept him away. Eldora lay sense- less in Richard’s arms. CHAPTER IV. IDIOT VERSUS VILLAIN. SEVERAL month; had elapsed since the start- ling events related in the opening chapters, and Richard Denver had traveled throughout Mex- ico, accompanied ny neve servant, Phelim McNa- mara, The young erican had received leave of absence, and, doffing his uniform, be had star.ed fora short pleasure trip through the distracted land of revolutions and bloodshed. Richard had reached Mexican territory after being: rescued from the raft by the strange vesse A most mysterious affair was the sudden dis- ap ance of Eldora. hen the vessel arrived at Tampico she si- lently stole ashore, and in spite of Richard’s search he failed to discover any traces of the fugitive. a few weeks of inquiry and travel he abandoned the search and concluded that Eldora had avoided him purposely, and remained con- cealed in order to not again meet him. Phelim mused over the young man’s actions, and efiticized them pence, be i t’s the matter wid him? Ill bet he’s in love wid her! And her a-running away from him.” And Phelim would indulge in a laugh at Richard’s anxiety and fruitless search. The shadows of twilight were fast settling upon the tropical scenery, and the song-birds made the evening air vocal with their last tri- bute to the dying day. Upon the left side of the Vera Cruz road, nestling in masses of wild vines, stood the old weather-beaten inn where Richard and Phelim were to pass the et. The young man sat u on the porch smoking a f ‘ant cigar, while Phelim puffed clouds of smoke from a short, black pipe. r fim, I believe I will return to the States,” said Richard. said Phelim bounded from his chair with joyful ee: and taking the pipe from his lips, gazed at the young man to assure himself that he had heard arighi. : i, A, the Master Richard, it’s sensible ye are. I sick o’ seeing the yaller-faced divils, and =e the snakes and the p’izon bugs of this outlandish country, so I am. Faith, a dog wouldn’t live out here. Begorra, yer right! Let’s go home.” A hobbling figure, whose head and features were hidden beneath a large hood, passed the building and entered it by a side door. Once the figure of the old woman paused as if regard- ing the two men upon the porch, and then it berry areal in the low and narrow doorway. ‘T am sure ’tis he,” sh murmured; “and thanks to my disguise, I baffled detection. He is to remain here ; to him. They seek his life, but I will baffle them. In this disguise I may pursue my inves- tigations. Ah!” he exclamation was caused by the appear- ance of a man who entered the large room of the inn. Heavy black whiskers concealed the dark features, partly visible beneath the wide som- brero that he wore. The man advanced to the tap-room and ad- dressed the sleepy tapster. At the first sound of the dark man’s voice the hooded sours started visibly and a shudder swept through her frame. In spite of the disguise she had recognized the voice of Alvarez. A second later and the well-known form of Jasper entered the taproom and greeted the | isguised ruffian. night, and it may be fatal | Both men sat down near a table and lean- ed across in ordered to prevent their conver- sation from reaching the tapster. The hooded figure was seated near the window apparently 88 Who's that?” said Jasper, pointing toward the nodding form. : ‘“* An old woman—deaf as a post. She’s been | about here for several days. You can talk as' loud as you please; no fear that she will hear | us. Don’t you think I did a wise thing in se- curing a lease of this old building? It affords us a rare chance for our business and under its cloak we work our affairs in security! Under the name of Senor Gonsalvo who would recog- nize the revolutionist Alvarez?” _ “That's so,” declared Jasper. ‘But this is indeed a rise, isn’t it?” . “You allude to the American seated upon the porch? He has ventured into a trap from which he will never venture forth again!” “‘ He has large sums of money,” added Jas- r; ‘we can pay off an old score, and reap a rvest at the same time.” “Yes; but keep out of his way. He might recognize you. cite his suspicions and the ame is lost,” warned Alvarez, in a somewhat ower tone. ‘‘To-night he must be entrapped into the lower room and plied with liquor. If nothing else will do Pll force a quarrel upon him and dispatch him at once.” & Mey well. Dll be on hand. I still remem- ber the blow that he struck me on the deck of the Sea Serpent and I long to avenge it,” and J noper brought his clenched fist down upon the table with terrible emphasis. ‘* Have patience. He is ina web and cannot break its meshes. Fate bas led him to this aon and it will be his grave!” Alvarez arose m. the table and led the way to a door in the furthest wall, and unlocked it. ‘*Come,” said he, ‘‘examine the room and I will show you the secret el in the wall.” Both ruffians passed out from the room. ‘‘ What shall I do?’ murmured the woman. “How can I warn him of his danger? How can I avert it? He has saved my life and I must prevent these villains from carrying out their plan. Ah! too late!” she gasped, and drawing the hood down gon her Peehend she out the narrow doorway. She drew ack with a shudder, for the black-whiskered landlord of the inn was engaging Richard in conversation. At first the young man started for something in the dark man’s voice sounded familiar. The wily rascal noticed this and in- stantly spoke in a subdued key, thoroughly dis- ss guising his voice. Eldora—for it was she disguised in the flowin gown and large hood—passed out upon the roa and hobbled rif ‘ ) The brave girl had formed her plan and that was to return to the inn and if it came to the worst to openly warn the young American and denounce the villains, But, upon reflection, E1- dora, who knew the desperate character of the men, resolved to wait until Alvarez had with- drawn into the house and then reveal herself to Richard and warn him. To her chagrin she saw Richard enter the building, ig Dons the man who was leading him into the trap he had prepared! “T must enter that building again,” mur- mured Eldora, and she disappeared in the shadows only to pause at the foot of a huge oak and take from its hollow trunk a ge, which she opened and selected from the cloth- ing it contained a jaunty Mexican jacket and cap, we several other articles of wearing ap- parel. 5 While Eldora is thus busily engaged with the contents of the mysterious bundle we will glance within the old inn and follow Richard into the room where Alvarez and his confeder- ates lay in wait for the young American. Alvarez had managed to exclude Phelim, and the youth found himself alone with the black- | whiskered landlord in a poorly lighted room where the white-washed raiters hung low. A flight of rickety steps led to the door above and this seemed to be the only outlet to the room. A rough table and a half-dozen chairs com- pleted the furniture of the apartment. “Take a seat, sir. ment, but then it is quiet and no one ever in- trudes. Myself and a few friends pass many a pleasant evening in this place. Be seated!” Richard obeyed mechanically. Again that peculiar voice rung in his ears and the youth racked his brain to remember when and where he had heard it. The face was strange but the voice recalled a previous meeting. A secret door in the wall opened and several ~~ - This is a very poor apart- — oe wee | oe
Page 5
Ree rsons entered the apartment. One bore a ray upon which were several bottles and glass- es. He placed the tray upon the table and seated himself. ‘‘Gentlemen, this is my friend, Richard Den- ver, from the States,” said Alvarez uncorking a bottle and filling the glasses. ‘* You will drink his health and better acquaintance.” The glasses were raised and Richard was about to drink when a commotion ensued, seem- ingly in the hallway. he secret door opened and two rough Mexi- cans dragged a struggling figure into the room. It was. a boy, whose vacant stare and hollow laugh proclaimed at once that reason had fled. His features were very dark, and long raven | black curls escaped from the cap that he wore, He thrust aside the two men who had brought him into the room and gazed idiotically at the assembled group.” ‘‘ What's this, Sanchez?” demanded Alvarez. The dusky ruffian addressed as Sanchez stepped forward. . “We discovered this boy prowling ’round the house—actually trying to force open a door, so we brought him in.” “Very well, I'll attend to him,” said Alvarez, and then, in a lower tone meant for Sanchez alone, he added—‘‘ remain here within call.” The two ruffians strolled toward the door and sat down upon the bare floor. A person descended the steps and locked the door after him. It was J mapas He kept his features turned away from the young American and joined the Mexicans at the table. Alvarez saw the look of inquiry resting “om Richard’s face and he ap- proached the idio ‘‘ Where did you come from?” he asked. ‘“‘ Outside,” responded the idiot, with a vacant stare. ‘“‘T mean how did you get in here?” ‘““Through the door—ha! ha! ha!” Alvarez grew impatient, for he knew that Richard was watching the proceedings. ‘“ What do you want here?” “ Nothing!’ : ““Tndeed? We'll soon see about that!” ‘‘T know something,” and the idiot laughed as he twirled around upon one foot, ‘‘ but I ain’t going to tell anybody! ““That’s right,” said Alvarez; ‘a still tongue makes a wise head, Iam not offended at you. Will you take a hand in the game we are about to play ?” 4 “T will take a hand in the game a are going to play—by and by,” answered the idiot with a strange emphasis, but seein, eyes fixed upon him he quickly drew fortha few cigarettes and tendered one to the villain, “Smoke!” said he with anempty laugh. “No!” replied Alvarez angrily as he rejoined his comrades at the table. ** Come! then for a friendly game,” called out Alvarez, ‘“You must excuse me, gents, for I wish to retiré early. To-morrow evening I will be most happy to spend the whole evening with you all,” and Richard arose from his seat. Quickasa flash of lightning Alvarez poured the contents of a small vial into Richard’s glass and the colorless liquid mingled with the wine. , ‘‘Pm sorry you must leaveus so soon,” said the scoundrel, ny disappointed. if you must go, of course I will not press you to stay. Come! Empty your sess, entlemen.” The glasses were raised and as Richard placed the goblet to his lips the idiot darted to his side end dashed the goblet from the American’s “Tha shattered glass fell to the floor, while a curse fell from Alvarez’s lips and he turned up- on the idiot w th rage beaming from his eyes. | The Mexicans sprung to their feet and their hands sought their concealed weapons. CHAPTER V. IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. , RICHARD DeNnvER sprung to his feet and his eyes met the stupid glance of the idiot. J asper’s handrested upona keen dagger and he partially withdrew it from its sheath. me ; “Curse you, what do you mean?” hissed Alvarez, advancing with a threatening motion toward the demented Jad. ‘““Why didn’t you give me the wine instead of spilling it on the floor?’ cried the idiot ina whining voice and gazing with a meaningless expression, apparently unconscious of the. en- raged scoundrels who glared upon him. ‘Don’t mind him, sir,” said Alvarez in apolo- getic tones to Richard. ‘‘ He’s insane and not responsible for his actions. Come, Mister Den- ver; allow me to fill a fresh glass for you.” Alvarez’s keen | entlemen, drink your wine, and | ** But | The Branded Hand. | The cunning villain placed a glass of wine be- fore Richard. At that moment a warning motion from the idiot caught the eyes of the youth, Only a momentary leam of intelli- gence passed over the lad’s features and then the same blank expression settled upon his face, Richard Denver was upon his guard and he partially saw through the idiot’s motive. ‘“Come, sir! We are waiting for you; and Alvarez nervously noted the hesitating manner of the young American. ; ‘*(tentlemen, ha must excuse me. . I deeline | to drink!” said Richard, calmly and deliberate- ly, but evincing no sign of distrust. ‘Ha! ha! ha! do you think I would offer you | poison?” ;. “Tt might be he broke into a turned, his eyes rested upon Jasper for the first time, and he started back with surprise. Jasper’s face and the voice of the landlord told the tale. He was in the den of his most bitter foes, and if he escaped it ison,” drawled the idiot, and ysterical laugh., As Richard he features of would be only by strategy or by a desperate struggle with the ruffians. Jasper saw that Richard recognized him, and the scoundrel leaped to his feet. ‘ Richard Denver, further concealment is useless. Look up! you are caged! You struck me once and I vowed vengeance for the blow. I am ready to keep my oath. You'll never leave this place alive.’ Jasper drew the glittering stiletto from his belt and leaped toward Richard. Before the blade could descend upon the unprepared man a form bounded forward and seized the up- raised hand of the ruffian, By a quick move- ment the knife was wrenched from Jasper’s hand and the weapon was dashed to the floor. ‘Curses on you! Out of my way, you imp of Satan!” yelled Jasper, as he thrust aside the idiot with an oath. At the same moment Al- varez bounded forward and struck Richard a blow upon the head with one of the heavy bottles. Without a shee the youth sunk to the floor while the blood streamed upon his pale features. Instantly Sanchez and his companion seized | the idiot and bore him to the floor. ‘‘ Confine | him in that room; it cannot be opened from the inside,” yelled Jasper. The idiot was thrust into the panel and it closed with a sharp sound as of some secret spring closing violently. ‘*Now then, the money—where i it?” said Jasper in a hoarse whisper as he bent over the senseless youth. ‘The money is in hisroom above—in a small black valise. Here! bind him to this chair,” and Alvarez spoke hastily and in hoarse tones. ‘* What do you intend to do?” ~ **Burn the old rookery and thus destroy all traces of thecrime. The cash in the valise will amply repay us all.” A moment later and Richard’s body was lying bound upon the chair while the Mexicans piled combustible material under the stairway. ‘* Quick! lose no time, The old shell will burn like tinder when it’s started and we must secure the cash and escape.” , Alvarez struck a match and by aid of the alcoholic liquor he soon had the woodwork of the stairway in flames. His companions applied a match to different ortions of the room and a cloud of smoke lled the apartment. Flames leaped around the unconscious man, and the villains, assured of their work, beat a hasty retreat from the blaz- ing apartment. Nearer and nearer came the many tongues of | flame, until they seemed about to envelop the doomed man in their merciless embrace; then a | trap-door in the floor was suddenly thrust upward and Phelim McNamara emerged from the open space. Through the smoke he dashed and reached the senseless form of the youth. He tore at | the fastenings and released Richard. He dashed | the cool wine into his face partially reviving him. The Irishman then leaped toward the | Secret panel and without difficulty found the | knob and pressed upon it. The panel flew back ; and the idiot dashed out of the closet-like | passage. |. “Thank you, thank you,” he whispered | hastily. ‘‘ Is Richard safe?” ; ‘**Deed he is! Pll not leave him until we’re both roasted to acinder together,” cried Phelim. And running to Richard he seized him in his arms and bore him toward the trap-door. ** Can you use a pistol?” he asked. “Yes! Give me one if you have one you can trust in my hands,” answered the idiot, eagerly, and he darted toward Phelim to receive the weapon, but stopped suddenly. With acry of mingled fear and surprise, the Irishman looked toward the blazing stairway. Through the lurid flames he saw the forms of the villains at the head of the stairs, and a shout from them told that they had discovered the attempted rescue» A bullet whizzed past Phelim’s head, and a shout came from the villains above. The idiot raised the pistol that Phelim had placed in his grasp, and, taking hasty aim, fired. A. shrill cry of pain arose above the cracklin of the fire, and then the body of a man fe down the burning stairway, and its weight crashed through the frail structure, and the entire mass came down. A moment sooner, and the group of Mexicans on the landing above would have been swept down into the surging flames, Alvarez clung to the woodwork above, with one hand, while with his right he discharged his revolver at the dim outlines of the idiot and the Irishman whom he could see bearing away the form of the young American. Even as he discovered the figures in the lurid light, the outlaw, knowm as Sanchez, clasped his hand to his left side and toppled backward. e whiplike crack of a pistol came from the room below, and Alvarez ground his teeth with rage as he discovered that it was the idiot who had again fired, ‘See! They are escaping by the trap into the underground passage! hat fiend has» discovered that secret? After them! We caw et cage them! Guard this door, some of you! ey will either perish in the flames, or fall into our hands! Come, Jasper, follow me!” And the excited man rushed from the door, followed by several confederates, Jasper followed after the bandits. From every window the flames were seeki an outlet, and volumes of smoke curled cet the doomed building, as if loth to abandon it to. its fate. Phelim lost no time in descending the trap, and bore Richard to the vault-like passage he~ low the flooring, while the idiot, following, closed the heavy trap-door. “Now thin, follow me,” cried Phelim. ‘‘ We’vey got to get out of these rat-holes before. the get. to the end of ’em and block the passage. Come Master Richard, try and walk a bit. The damp air revived the young man and he: mechanically followed his preserver. The idiot grasping the pistol followed close behind’ and ever and anon halted to see if they were not pursued. The long led in a winding manner and Spparently into the very bowels o a ke tg Rn ey “Do you know where thi ” the idiot anxiously asked. oe “Faith, I do! suplacee it all before I came up! It’s all right; follow me, but be as lively as a flea, the two of yees.” Phelim hurried along in the gloom—holding onto Richard’s hand. “Don’t worry about the little black valise, Master Richard—I’ve got itsafe and the black- faced baboons had their trouble for their pains. Begorra, they’ll not catch Phelim McNamara e eep. sh Tid the boy—the idiot—where is he?” in- quined Richard, as if awakening from a eam ‘‘ Here!” responded a musical voice, and the lad found his way to Richard’s side. The young man started; the voice was not that of the idiot, yet the demented lad was beside him, A cloud_seemed. to be lifted from Richard’s brain. ‘Do not deceive me any longer,” said he. ‘‘In spite of your disguise and assumed voice I know you. ou are Eldora!” ‘* Yes,” confessed the tremulous voice, “ It, is Eldora!” ‘ Well! well! what next?” murmured Phelim,. “The fool turns out to be a girl! Begorra, the: fool made a fool of the whole of us! But) stop! No time for love-making or the likes of its, The first thing we know we'll know nothing,” Richard held the little hand of the girl within his own and sped away toward the exit of the tunnel. ‘Found! found at last!” he whispered to ber. “Never to lose you again!” , “‘Bedad! The double six is domino and tiw game is blocked!” roared the Irishman who was in advance and who leaped backward in, alarm. A flaming torch appeared directly inadvance, and a dozen scowling faces were in the circle of flickering light. Then came the ominous click of fire-arms and the gleam of polished steel. . Eldora clung con-~ vulsively to the arm of the American. The little group was trapped in the narrow tunnel and a barrier of deadly weapons cut of’ the only avenue of escape.
Page 6
6 ‘Surrender, or we'll shoot you down like en shouted the harsh voice of Alvarez. 7 I ire a his weapon and aimed it at CHAPTER VI. THE PERILS OF A NIGHT. ParL™ McNamara thrust his hand into his een and withdrew from it a formidable six- x r. “Begorra! I'm goin’ to die like a jintleman, wid me face to the inimy,” he muttered. The click, click, of the weapons in the hands sf the bandits blocking up the only means of egress from the tunnel, aroused Richard. He malized that Eldora was clinging to him for grvtection. The thought put new life into ssery vein and muscle. i again cried Alvarez, “or I 4 deafening explosion rung through the low %ssmel, and a flash ilumimated the dark passage momentarily. “Take that and divide it amongst yees!” cried Wbelim, as he again raised his smoking "=uepon. A cry of mortal agony followed, and a form ‘wttered and fell. The bandits uttered a how] of rage, and their gs were raised eT “Down upon your faces to the ground!” wharted Phelim, seizing Richard’s arm. Awd down they all dropped to the ground, as w Winding flash was followed by a shower of wmieiles that passed harmlessly over the pros- ‘wte forms. The torch was suddenly extinguished, and a ‘Tgwre leaped among the group of bandits deal- iar death and destruction at every crack of the hese of pistols it flourished. Down went the weryarised ruffians before the attack of the un- ‘xm rescuer. Jasper sought the shelter of tee chaparral, and Alvarez fled into the gloom- “This way! Quick!” cried *he unknown. “Not a moment’s to be lost if you would escape «iffy your lives!” Biche rd and Eldora sprung toward the exit ‘emi passed out into the starless rey ee A quar- tere a mile away the burning building red- euect the sky with its glare. & masked figure, enveloped in a long cloak, “evi near the opening of the passage, and ex- ‘twwxiing his hand toward the dense growth of troex, exclaimed: “Take her; guard her well. You will find Ye? horses in the chaparral. Go! I will cover ‘weer retreat!” Avshrill whistle rung through the still night = The bandits were signaling to their con- S. “Biyt Not a moment to spare!” cried the powee k as he moved away in the direction of 8. ard plun into the cha closel ‘iélowed by STE and Phelim. ees y. Several quick cries and the crack of firearms— them. the hurried tramp of many feet. The ban- dite were in rapid pursuit. Bichard scarcely knew what direction to - vx, for the gloom was intense and the locality mimown to him. Yet he fled, but rage ahd yoowed, for dark objects moved directly in ad- WU: “Surrounded!” said Richard, d dingl wo passing an arm around Eldora ae prepared txmpet the ruffians. Beelim cocked his ponderous ‘ pepper-box ” qéeted. and for a moment hesitated in what di- ramon to fire. ‘he neigh of a horse startled the Irishman and jored’a giad ery from his lips, and he ex- See i the horses, master Rich- ail” “ke dark moving forms in the shrubbery ‘wee. the expected horses! The trio rushed eayriy forward to find two stout mustangs se- wel to the low branches of a tree. It was lan the work of a moment to unfasten them. ‘ieterd mounted and bending downward reizi. Eldora to the pommel before him. Too ‘te! A bandit sprung forward and seized the brie r “Bismount or die!” he yelled in a hoarse Tone, ‘Tre words were his last for the Irishman’s : se exploded, and the ruffian sunk under the ’s hoofs with alow groan, Then they sped cm aver the prostrate bandit, Phelim’s mus- serwr-crushing another ruffian who sprung up- anv to check the steeds, 4vurderous volley of bullets cut the folisge -lbewen the heads. of . the: fugitives. and added to 4 The Branded Hana. the speed of the mustangs. The bandits came on in pursuit, their loud curses adding to the wild scene. The mustangs seemed to know what was re- of them, for the intelligent brutes picked eir way through the intricate windings of the forest and sped away again when the nature of the ground permitted a rapid flight. Richard crouched low in the saddle to avoid the sweeping boughs and stout limbs of the trees. Eldora’s head rested upon his shoulder and her shrinking form told of the suspense under which she labored. The cries of the pursuers sounded at times quite near and then again the shouts would die away altogether, as if the bandits had lost the and had abandoned the Phelim’s mustang showed no signs of fatigue, but the one that bore the double burden began slowly to labor and pant in order to keep up with the other animal. ‘This horse cannot last much longer,” said Richard. ‘See! he stumbles!” Even as he spoke, the beast shivered and vainly en- eavored to move forward. It trembled in every limb and then with a snort of anguish sunk down upon its knees and fell upon its side, It then was seen that the a fe Ih l ipod ‘to the hs d, bearin, it fell he lea e ground, ing Eldora with him. ‘* Here, master Richard! Take my horse and away wid you!” cried Phelim, leaping from his mustang, and the noble fellow almost forced the you h into the vacant saddle. ‘*And you? Phelim, I cannot allow this sacri- fice. Gol save yourself, my good fellow. Do not delay, for see! the non fer! are at hand.” “Divil a fut will Istir. I’ll be murdered ’pon the spot. [ll not run away and l’ave you and the lady to be kilt by the Greasers.” ‘*For Heaven’s sake go, while yet you may!” cried Richard, entreatingly. ‘No, sir! Me mind’s made up! T’ll not go. Take my horse and you and the young lady ride away. Quick or it will be too late!” A pistol cracked from the copse and the voice of the ruffian Jasper followed. The bullet eut the air close to the young American’s head. ‘Take the horse and save the young lady!” cried Phelim in a voice tremulous with excite- ment. ‘Don’t mind me, master Richard; I'll look to my own safety!” In an tant Richard was in the saddle and Eldora was in his arms. ‘*Good-by, Phelim! God bless you!” he mur- mured, and, as the shouts of the bandits rung in his ears, the mustang lea forward. “Saints protect you!” yelled Phelim. ‘Take that, ye dirty vagabond,” he added as he turned quickly and struck the nearest bandit a terrific blow full in the face, In a moment the brave fellow was surround- ed by the fierce Mexicans and a dozen weapons were aimed at his head. In spite of the fearful odds Phelim did not cease his struggles until his hands and feet were secured by leathern thongs. “Tm willing to let yez have me,” he cried ‘for master Richard’s safe out of yer claws an it’s small loss if Phelim McNamara never gits back to the States again!” “ After the American dog!” yelled Jasper as he dashed up. ‘Secure the American and the lad! A thousand dollars for eitner of them, dead or alive! The captain pro the re- ward, remember, dead or alive!” A dozen men dashed away, bent upon secur- ing the promised reward. ichard’s mustang went forward ata hy hen gait. A faint light aes through the chaparral and the gloom gradually lifted. The moon was foreing her way through rifts in the clouds that hung low in the horizon. The way became difficult, for bowlders and masses of earth and rock arose, barrier-like, to impede the progress of the panting steed. d The pathway grew steep, and all vegetation vanished; nothing greeted the eyes of the fugi- tives but huge, fantastic bowlders thrown some mighty convulsion into the center of this desolate region. ' . The steed struggled hard to obtain a footing upon the rugged surface of the steep rock, one side of which was in complete darkness, and appeared to be a yawning f. One false step would precipitate both the steed and its burden into the black abyss. Hark! what was that? The sharp crack of a rifle and the startling command to halt! Richard uttered a cry of surprise as he reined in the mustang. At its feet yawned a deep black precipice. “ ne ee Po eee renee a ee we rr nner ane io eee ee aie nenneeinee re eee CHAPTER VII. OLD COMRADES FORM A NEW COMPACT. AtvarEz did not follow after the tugitives when they fled from the tunnel. Coward-like he contented himself with urging on his followers and firing harmless +hots at the disappearing fugitives. He ‘believed that his confederate Jasper would secure the American and his two coimpanicns. As the shouts of pursuit died away the villain muttered: ‘sConfound this night’s work! There’s the building gone and nothing to show for it. I expected the gold in the American’s valise would well repay me for the loss of the old rookery, but it seems as if Satan aided the fel- low; the valise was gone and the thousande that I expected to handle are not to be found. To make matters worse he has escaped. Who was the idiot lad? A trick—a clever one—but who was he? And who was the unknown that de- livered the three when I had them caged?” Alvarez forced his way through the damp vegetation and failed to notice the shadowy form that glided after him, paused when he paused, and occasionally seemed to sink into the very earth to avoid the villain’s backward glances. Finally Alvarez halted in a clump of trees that encom a deep pool of water. Several trees grew. close together, and step- ping into their midst he knelt down and raised a trap-door whose surface was cunningly cov- ered with moss and earth. An opening la revealed, and he glanced about to assure himself that no one was in the vicinity. Having satis- fied himself that he was alone and unobserved he descended into the narrow aperture and cau- tiously closed the trap after him. A moment later the shadowy figure crept to the clump of trees and paused. “Sol villain! murderer! the very earth for security, do you?’ said the cloaked figure. ‘“‘To-night you would have added another crime to your long list of atroci- ties, but the arm of the avenger interposed. ware, blood-stained monster, for your career is almost at an end!” Silently the figure moved within the trees, and found the iron ring fastened to the trap, and raised it. The entrance was to view, and the cloaked figure producing a weapon, slowly and carefully descended, closing the trap without you burrow into noise. He found himself within a rough, damp passage, cut through the soil. He moved along cautiously, groping his way, his ears alive to the slightest oe | and his hand ready to grasp the hilt of a double-edged poniard, He had gone probably forty yards, when he suddenly halted, A faint light came maouge the gloom, and the low hum of voices reached hisears. Silently the phantom-like figure stole forward, and paused at a rough door imbedded in the earth- en side of the passage. Through several rifts in the rough door came the faint light that had attracted the un- known’s attention. He approached the door, and applying an eye to a small aperture he was enabled to view the scene beyond the wooden barrier. A tallow candle shed an uncertain light, and afforded the watcher an opportunity of hastily scanning the underground apartment and its occupants. Rough boards and logs prevented the crum- bling earth from caving in, and held the roof of the chamber in position. The secret retreat was quite roomy, and various large boxes and piecesof machinery lay in a confused mass at one end of the room. A table, formed of a barrel, upon which a short plank was laid, occupied the center of the chamber, and, seated beside it, with the splutter- ing eandle between them, was Alvarez, and a villainous lookin perener’ attired in the costume of a Mexican gue lla. Every word uttered by this pair of scoundrels could be distinctly heard by the mysterious spy who peered’ through the door, standing immov- able as a statue, and as silent as death. “You say that the American eluded you?” said the powerful fellow opposite Alvarez. ‘Yes, with him goes a good sum of money. I owe the fellow a debt of vengeance, and I wished to pay everything at one fell swoop, but it seems fate was against me. Evenour coining of American dollars is a thing of the t, or will be; these confounded Yankee detectives are up to everything, it seems, and they’ve de stroyed or captured the best members of the fraternity, either upon the Texsn Lerders or pe ~ >
Page 7
Tape — oe or Tr. the Gulf States. My latest venture was the purchage or arms for the revolutionists, and I was fered, to blow up the vessel to avoid cap- ture: by 1 Mexican corvette,” and a fierce oath broke trom Alvarez’s lips as the magnitude of 1.3 loss seemed to suddenly dawn upon him. “Then my chances of obtaining money are rather slim? “Well, yes; at present I can’t place any amount in your hands,” “Look ye, Alvarez, it won’t do to trifle with re,” said the guerri “You have reaped a i ich harvest, and enjoy its benefits. I have re- cived driblets now and then, but not the equal iuare you promised me!” Atvarez turned pale, for he knew the temper of the man. He attempted to speak, but the ;,uerrilla motioned to him to be silent. “ Wait until [have concluded,” said he. ‘ Re- romber that I sti the child upon the strange yossel and sent her forever out of yourpath, True ’twas your hand that struck that deadly blow butI secured the documents and concealed them for you. Fool that I was to place them in your hands! I might have retained them and com- pelled Pi to come to my terms. One thing more, Alvarez; the estates can be claimed by you without trouble, for the man you murdered was hunted by the Government as a traitor and would doubtlessly have been hanged, so you might have spared his life and surrendered Rim to the minions of Escobedo. The child is dead and you and I are left alone to share this wealth.” “*Gomez! The child lives!” The villain started from his seat and glared upon Alvarez like a wild beast “TIT believe you are lying to me, but remem- ber the old saying ‘ when thieves fall out hon- est men get their dues,’” “T am speaking the truth; I am telling i what I have seen with my own eyes—the child lives! ‘* Where have you seen her?” ‘‘Under very strange circumstances. She was a stowaway upon my own vessel—a spy in the interest of the revolutionists—or the govern- ment I do not know which. By accident I overheard the story she related to the young American who shielded her fromus. She de- oe the assassin and said she could identify m. “‘Tdentify him? How?” ‘*By the branded hand!” and Alvarez, slowly and with a ferocious look upon his features, held up his hand. Seared in the flesh of his left hand was the letter A, in the very p and looking as if the mark had been imprinted but yesterday. ‘*The letter A—prominent and lasting!” cried Gomez; ‘‘I never saw it before.” ““No; because I keep it well out of sight, Curse the law that authorized the mark, and may Satan crush the one that fixed that brand upon me. T feel that it will one day be the means of dragging me before a tribunal or point to me as the murderer of one that trusted me, Oh! for some acid, some chemical that would wipe away this accursed mark even though my hand withered! I have often thought of doing so, but a reassuring feeling would cause me to dispel these violent remedies,” and Alvarez dashed the hand upon the frail table almost extinguishing the candle and plunging the apartment in gloom. ~The listening figure started nervously when beholding the singular mark upon Alvarez’s hand and hearing the words that fell from the villain’s lips. ; “ Bnough of your troubles!” said Gomez. ‘I want to know what proof you have that the child lives and has grown up to womanhood?” “'The story she told Richard Denver, and her features are the only proof! Stay! another proof. Fool thatI was. Blindfool! This very night she was in my power a. d I knew her not! As the idiot boy she gained access to our secret room and foiled me in several schemes. Blind fool that I was, I could not recognize the face and voice then, but I see it all now and curse myself for my stupidity.” : ‘So the he lives and you saw her to-night?” Aemanded Gomez, incredulously. “ Yes, I swear it,” responded Alvarez, calm- ly. Ve Thank God! she lives,” murmured the cloak- ed listener at the door, and a subdued prayer fingered upon bis lips. *“Do you mean to say that, because the girl lives, my interest in the share of the estates is at an end?’ asked Gomez, fixing his eyes upon the features of his associate in crime. “Well—no; but I think you ought to carry out your share of the work. The compact be- ! The Branded Hand. tween us was to the effect that the child be destroyed or forever removed. Your part of the work, you see, is a failure!” _ “Very’well! She shall be removed, if that is the only obstacle to the money. And re- member, when I bring you sufficient proof that she is dead, I want you to claim the estates at once and share all with me immediately.” “Tt shall be done! But remember, Gomez, the American will prove a stumbling-block in your path, My men are now in pursuit and may overhaul the fellow and even bring the girl also!” ““In that case our compact must hold good also. No matter by what means she is destroy- ed or by whom—our arrangements must not be altered. The American will never leave Mexico alive. I will set my mountain ran- ers after him and they’ll track him like blood- ounds, you can depend upon it,” and Gomez chuckled savagely over his suggestion. ‘‘But what of Jasper? He expects a share and he is working like a beaver to retake the American and capture his confederate,” Al- varez answered. “Jasper? Well, let him work and when he has accomplished the work and demands his pay, J’ll settle with him,” and the guerrilla chief made a motion across his throat with his fore- finger and adding: ‘‘ We can’t afford to share with a third party.” A slight sound reached the ears of the villain Alvarez. The sound came from the passage. Slight as it had been, the rascal had heard it and comprehended that an eavesdropper lurked beyond the door. CHAPTER VIII. STEFANO, THE DEFORMED DWARF. ALVAREZ, standing partially erect, one hand leaning upon the rude table, the other grasping a revolver, presented a weird picture with the wavering light of the candle falling upon his features and adding to their ferocity. The wild aspect of the underground chamber formed a rude background for the animated tableau, The bandit’s shadow cast upon the wall of the subterreanean retreat assumed gigantic porpor- tions as he bent forward to listen. Without a word he ign quickly to the side of the room and his hand appeared to Ha upon some hidden vei among the p forming the suppart to the roof. Instantly following the bandit’s action the aes opmes seemed to open beneath the unknown’s eet and he was precipitated into space, wildly clutching at the sides of the pit as he shot down- ward. The trap reclosed after the cloaked figure had fallen through. ; Alvarez bounded to the door and flung it open. Candle in hand he peered down upon the earth and tbe trap before the door. An exclamation of mingled surprise and sat- isfaction fell from his lips as he beheld the mark of footprints in the soft earth and the loose particles of soil adhering to the planks forming the trap-door. Gomez came to the door and both rascals gazed upon the spot where, a few moments be- fore, a human being had trod the treacherous covering of the pit. **See? I was right! There was some one lis- tening to our conversation, Whoever it is found a speedy death. I work upon the princi- ple that dead men tell no tales;” and Alvarez gave a satisfied grunt. “And so do I. I’ve always found it the safest way to keep secrets from spreading,” replied Gomez significantly. ‘Who do you think it was?” “T can’t say,” replied Gomez. ‘‘ No one en- tered this room by the passage I used. Who- ever it was, followed and descended the en- trance that you used to-night. I would like to know who it is and why we were tracked!” “Tecan easily find out who it is by sending the dwarf Stefano to the bottom of the pit,” cried Alvarez. ** How deep is it?” asked Gomez, ‘Over thirty feet,” replied Alvarez, ‘and it can be entered from the next room by descend- ing a series of winding tunnels to that depth. This trap was constructed in the palmiest days of our order. I saw one just like it in an old castle in Spain and I obtained a sketch of its workings and, a skillful workman built it. It was convenient in more ways than one. In case of a surprise, those standing upon the trap could be hurled into the pit by merely pressing the hidden knob. Again, we could destroy an member whom the order had sentenced by al- lowing them to come to the door, and while waiting to be admitted they were suddenly launched into eternity. Nine times out of ten the fall resulted in instant death, but should it not be fatal Stefano would complete the work with his iron pike.” “You protect your unde und den with secrets worthy of the days of the Inquisition,” said Gomez with a grim smile; “but now ° business. Let ns understand each other @is- tinctly: I am to rid you of the girl and instant- ly share the property ; is that the compact?” “Yes; here’s my hand upon it.” And the two scoundrels clasped hands to seal the compact, A few moments later Gomez returned into the dismal chamber, followed by Alvarez. The guerrilla approached a corner of the apartment and bending down he forced o a few planks in the wall losing a low dark en- trance. ‘See! I use this passage at all times,” said he. ‘Now you can call Stefano and have him enlighten you. T'll bid you good-by for the pecete and begin the search at once. Remem- r, Alvarez, twelve years is a long time to wait for a fortune, my there is such a thing as growing tired and impatient.” Gomez stooped down and entered the Peenage and his retreating footsteps grew faint in t gloom of the tunnel. Alvarez closed the orifice and returned to the table. His brows were knitted and the veins upon bis forehead stood out like cords, “You'll wait a mighty long time to get your share, I can tell you,” muttered he, shaking his clenched fist toward the hidden eae e. “Re- moving the girl from my pov well enough, for it saves me trouble, but obtaining a share of the estate is something I will not hear to. When I’ve got through with your service, friend Gomez, I will rid myself of you—easily and systematically. Ha! ha! ha!” Alvarez laughed, but his voice sounded so strange and hollow in that ghostly place that the arch-villain quickly checked his mirth and gave several quick, searching glances about the apartment to see if some shape had not arisen to echo bis horrible mirth. He secured the door and sat down beside the improvised table, and drew the candle nearer to him. ‘*Strange that I was followed to this place. I'd give ’most anything to know who it was, I can’t believe that the person do my foot- steps to-night, No; some one has been ha ge in these passages and accidentally paused a that door to observe and listen. hoever it is will never blab the secret to any one, for his mangled body lies at the bottom of the pit, and there is no escape from that terrible place; I’ve rovided against all that. When once you are’ here you stay until doomsday, unless Srefano should open his heart and extend pity, and that is something the dwarf never knew. No, no; whoever you are now at the bottom of that pit, you'll never see daylight again!” Alvarez drew from an inner pecket a package wrapped in a piece of oiled muslin and carefully removed the outer covering. From another wrapper of the same material he drew forth a soiled and somewhat old-looking package of cocuments, some written upon heavy paper, but the greater part were on parchment, He selected one with several broad seals affixed to the lower edge and his eyes perused the writing. It was the last will of Don Francisco De Vega, rg Ae the conditions and appointing Alvarez the guardian of his only child, EJdora De Vega, Alvarez held the last testament of the man he had murdered, and again read the instrument carefully, and then folding it up replaced it among the mass of papers. ; 8 secured the package and thrust it into lis pocket. ‘* My way is clear,” said he, musingly. ‘‘ The only oustacle that I see is the girl. Even she is not to be feared if the present government can hold its sway. In this blessed land of sudden changes it does not behoove a man to pledge his life and fortune to any faction. One day up, next day down; that’s the fate of our Mexican parties. Now should this new faction prove successful I should be swamped, for Don Vega was an influential leader of the party and his daughter could obtain her estates and my speedy execution. My interests demand the stability and success of the present regime, and my outlaw band must draw swords in its favor. Stay! A most brilliant idea suggests itself; why do I not seek the girl, boldly carry her off, or declare my love for her? ce she is my wife, who will dare dispute my claim? Who will point to me as the murderer of De Vega? Gomez! Yes; he alone. But I can easily rid myself of him. Would that I could rid myself
Page 8
, master? Don’t 8 C—O of this cursed branded hand as easily,” and Alvarez bowed his head as if in deep meditation. “Tl do it,” said he, musingly. ‘‘ Thereisa difference in our ages, of course, but what does it matter?, I will compel her to become mine and then, let come what may, I am doubly sure of the fortune.” A gleam of satisfaction lit up his satanic. features and he arose from the rude table. ‘*Stefano! Stefano!” he called, The opening in the wall was disclosed and a hideous object forced a passage through the narrow aperture. A head covered with hair resembling the wool of a buffalo rested upon a diminutive body. A pair of ogreish eyes that rolled in their sockets, lent a wild | appearance to the brutish features of the de- formed dwarf. A row of gleaming teeth that protruded over huge lips and prevented the mouth from clos- ing, gave the strange being a wolfish and re- pulsive appearance. The hands and feet re- sembled the claws of a baboon. A coarse shirt and leggings of the same ma- terial formed its costume. It ‘presented a most repulsive aspect as it leane npon a short iron spade and awaited the commands of the villain seated at the table. The weird light of the candle only served to represent the dwarf as a demon suddenly loosed from below to answer the summons of the blood-stained rascal. “Ts it you, Stefano?’ called out Alvarez, shrinking away as if he dared not trust his eye- sight, and the nondescript before him was a visitor from Hades, “Yes, master!” returned the dwarf, with a hideous leer, disclosing the long fangs and the ¢ ypacious mouth, a ‘Stefano, I’ve had a visitor.” ‘** Yes, master!” ‘“‘T do not mean Gomez.” “No, master; not. Gomez,” echoed the horri- ble creature with a low chuckle. ‘‘ Some one else, master?” “‘ Yes, and I do not know who it was.” ‘* Where is he, master?’ ‘*T touched the spring and sent him down into the pit!” “Tinto the pit, master? Then there is work for Stefano,” said the dwarf with seeming glee. ‘*T think he is dead! Stefano, you will descend into the pit and take a light with you, hold it close to the man’s face; I will look through the trap and thus sce who the person was that listened at that door!” ‘“Why don’t you come down into the pit, afraid of it—you built it. master!” and the creature horribly smiled. ‘Yes, but I have a strange presentiment that I may have built it for my own tomb. I'd rather remain up here and glance through the open trap! Go! . the dwarf away. The hideous creature disappeared in the niche in the wall. “Heaven help the wretch in that pit if life is not yet extinct!” murmured Alvarez. and Alvarez motion CHAPTER IX. A MYSTERIOUS DELIVERANCE, Wuen Richard reined in his mustang as he saw the fearful precipice, he could not repress 2 sharp cry of alarm. Eldora clung to him, but smothered the scream on her lips—now blood- less and quivering with terror. From crag to crag lea the wild echoes of the fire-arms, and the cries of the bandits who now certain of their prisoners, bounded forward with fierce cries of exultation. One final effort on the part of the frightened taustang to prevent himself from being swept over with the crumbling earth, and the poor beast uttered a piercing cry of anguish and shot forward over the treacherous brink, carry- ing his burden in the plunge down into the un- kvown depths of the abyss. : A. wailing cry arose from the two human peings clinging to the steed; and then the {rightened faces of the bandits peered over the brink in an unsuccessful apa 21 to note the depth of the chasm, or hear aught of the fugi- tives in their terrific descent. e moon failed to illumine the dark gulf, even half-way to its rocky depth. ‘ ‘ ) Baffled and disappointed the ruffians with- drew from the crumbling edges of the chasm and departed toward the glen to rejoin their comrades and acquaint them with the startling denouement of the pursuit. As Richard felt himself whirling through gpaece, he grasped Eldora to his breast, and | The Branded Hand. clutched the shagey mane of the mustang to retain a firm position upon its back. Down—down through the murky darkness, not knowing at what moment the horrible death that must ensue, would put an end to the suspense worse than the deathitself. A thousand thoughts seemed to chase each other through Richard’s brain, within the very few seconds that must have elapsed since ing the awful lunge. Then followed a shock. thousand ights seemed to flash before his eyes and rapidly fade away again. A hushed silence followed and everything was as silent as the grave. His senses were leaving him. Then followed a blank! When Richard again opened his eyes, he saw the dim outline of a form bending over him, and he felt a cooling fluid laving his temples and forehead. He closed his eyes for a few moments, and the startling scene of the prernice and the fall came vivi to his mind. Slowly he opened his eyes: er and the light of a A ge his vision. Next he observed the face peerin anxiously into his own, and noted the Bee ° joy that swept over it as its owner beheld his return to consciousness, It was Eldora! “‘Spared from the terrible abyss!” he mur- mured. ‘‘Thank Heaven! We are not yet deserted by the Great Ruler, who notes even the fall of the sparrow.” It was indeed Eldora who was laving his temples with the cool water that trickled down through the massive walls beside her. Both Richard and the noble girl were upon a narrow ledge, whose surface was covered with a thick, green moss, and the innumerable leaves and twigs that had fallen from above, the entire mass of vegetation forming a thick, but yielding carpet. Below—as far as the eye could penetrate— was the jagged opening of the chasm stretching away into a deep gloom. A _ bottomless pit, that might well characterize the mouth of the infe regions. In fact, the spot was known to the guerrillas and the wild rovers of the mountains as the ** Casa di diabolo” (Satan’s Home). The term was well applied and the spot shunned by ney orday. Above the ledge where Richard and Eldora found themselves, the towering rocks and stunt- ed trees seemed to stretch upward until they touched the sky. : Innumerable tufts of vegetation grew be- tween the crevices of the rocks, and gnarled trees—vainly striving to fasten their roots in the thin layer of soil—covered the almost per- pendicular side of the precipice. Above the | , these were the only signs of vegetable life. low, nothing but the deep gloom and the deathlike stillness. Richard turned his eyes toward Eldora. The girl was upon her knees and her lips moved in prayer. A prayer to the All-Seeing, who had stretched forth His hand and plucked them out of the very jaws of death. It was a most miraculous escape, and one well calculated to bring them to the foot of God’s throne with their heartfelt thanks. ‘*Eildora!” This isno dream! Do I be- es, Richard. God has interposed and spared us,” replied the girl, devotedly. Richard crept to the verge of the ledge and Sopa tet His brag soe Nei eee is cheeks grew still paler as he no e fear- ful depth and realisad they had experienced. ‘And the mustang?” he feebly asked. the hair-breadth escape ‘The poor beast struck upon this ledge in such | a manner that we were hurled upon it and thrown close to the wall. The mustang rolled over into the awful pit below.” And Eldora shrunk away from the edge of the shelving rock with a shudder, not daring to peer over the verge. _ You say the mustang rolled from the edge into the black space below?” ‘ “Yes,” replied Eldors, ‘‘for I did not lose consciousness. You struck in such a manner that you were senseless almost as soon as you were freed from the saddle. Throughout the long dreary night I watched beside your lifeless form, praying for the coming day. I could feel the feeble throbbing of your heart and knew that life still remained. At early dawn I dis- covered the tiny stream of cold water that revived you.” ‘*Eldora, you are an angel and I love you,” said Richard impetuously, and before he could realize what he was saying or doing, he had caught the beautiful girl'in his arms and pressed his lips to hers, in the first kiss of a love pure and holy as that of the mother for her babe. In the presence of the Supreme Ruler, and midst the awful desolation surrounding them, = young couple exchanged their first words of love. An hour and yet neither realized the position in which they were. “Eldora, I have gained your love only to lose yoo again! See! there is no way of reach- ing the hight above, and to attempt a descent is sure death. e are spared from a violent death only to meet a lingering one of tortures —the tortures of starvation. We are unable to quit this ledge, and here we must remain un- til the dark angel of death puts an end to our sufferings! Oh! Eldora, I have won you, only to lose you in this world!” And Richard took the little white hands within his own and stood silently gazing into the eyes of the girl, with a look of mute de- spair. Despair because he had carefully ob- served the situation above and below and saw no hope of leaving the ledge. Even the frail tufts of Mi: Sp seat were Les. a his reach—ay, many yards beyond his reach—and as the breeze swayed them to and fro they seemed to mock him and defy him to grasp them. Behind them was the massive buttress—layer be layer—reaching upward like an endless wall. The sun shone down upon the ledge, beating upon the bare heads of the young couple as if it was in league with the elements to destroy the fugitives. It was a strange picture to see the tall figure of the young American, with calm features, awaiting the hour of dissolution, and the little figure clad in the Mexican garb of a peasant boy, standing beside him, watch- ing every moment, every expression of the hand- some, manly features of her lover. “* All hope is gone,” murmured Richard. ‘ I see no avenue of escape. I have glanced every- where and my heart fails me. No one can save or help us,” said he, despondingly. “Yes, Richard, there is One who can and will save us,” and the girl pointed toward the blue heavens far above. ‘‘God! Put your trust in Him and He will not forsake us!” “Tdo. Heaven forgive me for doubting as I did. God will help us!” ‘* And He sent me to your assistance!” A deep voice sounded behind the young couple and they turned quickly with looks of speechless rise upon their countenances. A org bowlder had turned seemingly upon a pivot, disclosing an aperture in the face of the rocky wall. Before the opening, motionless as a statue, stood a remarkable form. It was that of an aged man, whose long white hair mnie with the flowing patriarchal beard that reached almost to his girdle. He wore a coarse brown robe and rough wooden sandals were upon his feet, He grasped a tall staff with his right hand. Upon the apex of the staff writhed and coiled a live serpent, whose eyes flashed, and whose forked tongwe darted rapidly in and out of its distended Jaws. “He sends me to your assistance!” repeated the voice, and the strange being advanced a ve toward the couple. ‘Fear not,” said he, “Tam nota spirit of evil. I will do you no harm. On the contrary I could leave you here to perish, but Heaven has sent you to me. I have waited so long—so long!” The man spoke in tones so sorrowful that Eldora felt as if the words were addressed to her, and her heart beat with a strange and un- | accountable emotion. ; She drew still nearer to Richard as if in dread of the odd personage before her. A look of anguish seemed to steal over those furrowed features, and in a whisper he said: eT eee ee eee ee ee ey macmost ee louder tone, “ perhaps sheis alarmed on account of the serpent?” oer He made a motion with his left hand; the snake unwound itself from the staff, glided down upon the old man’s shoulder and passed along his arm, twining its scaly body around it and rais- ing its vicious head to peer at the young couple with its gleaming eyes. ““Come! Enter the abode that for years and years no human feet but mine own have ever | traversed. Come!” and the strange figure led the way through the opening, remaining behind to close the aperture. Suddenly he sunk upon his | knees and murmured, ‘“‘God,I thank thee for | answering MY prayer!” ‘She shrinks away from me!” and then in a 5 {
Page 9
on The Branded Hand. CHAPTER X, THE MAN OF MYSTERY AGAIN. When the unknown fell through the trap he shot downward with great velocity and made a frantic but unavailing effort to clutch the sides of the pit. He heard the trap-door ee Dp again, and with a prayer upon his lips, he resigned himself to his fate. - From the sides of the pit excavated in the rround, there grew at intervals the great snake- ike roots of huge trees towering far above the earth’s surface, and whose roots grew down and projected through the wall of the pit—seeming not unlike serpents protruding from their den. In these the victim’s long cloak became so en- tangled as to pereeny. break the fall, and the unknown instead of ying at the bottom of the pit a crushed and lifeless mass of bumanity, merely was momentarily stunned. A most sickening smell—of the temb or the charnel-house pervaded the pit. His sense of touch told him that a mass of bones and decayed animal matter lay beneath and around him. A slight noise caused him to look upward, and far above he saw a star-like gleam appear in the darkness. The ce became stronger, and the un- known was enabled tosee that the trap-door had been opened and that a man’s face was peering down through the opening. It was Alvarez who was thus striving to discover the whereabouts of his victim and awaiting the entrance of the dwarf in order that he might expose the fea- tures of the person at the bottom of the awful it pit. The spot where the tnknown lay was plunged in profound gloom, therefore Alvarez could not even discern the form of his victim, who was suddenly startled by a muffled foot- fall that came faintly to his ears, apparently from the earth behind him. Some one was coming, perhaps to finish the work that the fall had failed to accomplish, or perhaps the object of the person’s coming was robbery. | These thoughts flashed into the victim’s mind as he crouched in the gloom listening to the ap- proaching footsteps. ; 4 A faint streak of light appeared in the side of the pit, thas revealing the exact quarter of the approaching footsteps, and the position of the door.or aperture leading into the cavity. _ Whoever it was, his intentions were evil. So reasoned the crouching figure, and he prepared to sell his life dearly. : 77 His heavy revolver yet remained in its place within his belt. With an exclamation of joy he grasped the weapon and drew back into the shadows, close beside the streak of light in the wall. The small iron door moved, It opened, and a broad glare of light from a dark lantern flashed into the pit. The next moment the face of the hideous dwarf appeared at the ppening. arefully the ghoul-like creature descended holding aloft the lantern with his left hand and grasping the murderous iron spade with his right. e failed to note the figure standing close be- side the damp wall. : The dwarf stoo down to examine the floor- ing of the pit and a cry of surprise broke from his lips as he saw not the mangled form of him whom he expected to find crushed and bleeding among the putrid and decayed mass forming the bottom of the pit. There was a swift rush and a dull thud as the unknown struck the de- formed creature a tremendous blow upon his shaggy head. ‘ The blow felled the dwarf, and he dropped his lantern and spade to the floor, uttering a cry resembling that of a wild animal wounded to the sea as he sunk upon the repulsive mass i ing the place. girs mament to note the position of the aperture and then the masked figure seized the lantern and crawled through the low doorway, making his way rapidly through the winding tunnel. . Alvarez closed the trap with a howl of rage, and dashed into the low room with the intention of intercepting the mysterious person who had lived through the terrible fall. ————E—————————E—————— — ed a —— $$ ‘* Man or demon! he must not escape me,” he shouted. ‘‘Can it be ible that a human be- ing can live after such a fall? This knife will test whether he is invulnerable to steel.” Alvarez stooped down and dashed through the fugitive’s lantern, but he was doomed to disap- pointment, The unknown, hearing the appreach of the villain, closed the lantern and drew back into a dark corner before the Sr ane bandit could obtain a glimpse of its light. A second later and Alvarez was directly op- fas the figure—and almost touched it with 1is elbow. e had not gone a foot further when he received a crushing blow that sent him reeling to the ground—prostrate upon his face and oblivious to the surroundings. ‘* Dog! I ought to kill you!” muttered the un- known as he bent over the senseless villain and opened the lantern’s side allowing the rays to fall upon the a ntly dead body of Alvarez. *T ought to you, but I will spare you for the present. Your time has not yet arrived. But beware! for I am constantly on your track.” 7 The masked man spurned the prostrate body with his foot and strode away in the passage. He soon reached the low chamber where Al- varez’s candle was just casting its expiring rays upon the objects in the apartment. The strange adventurer did not pause an in- stant in this room but passed through the door, which had served him as a place of observation only a short time previous. He d over the treacherous trap that had launched ‘him into the pit and then hurried along toward the exit. He reached the rough steps leading to the doorway in the midst of the trees—and raising it, he passed out into the shadow of the clump. He closed the trap and stood for a moment as if to rest from the exertion. He was oor | Puke fainter, and now that he had escaped the terrible fate he seemed to realize its magnitude and his limbs almost refused to bear him. “Courage!” he murmured. ‘Only a few hundred feet into yonder chaperral and I will find my trusty steed. Heaven be praised for according me its timely assistance! I still live —live to accomplish the one object I hold most dear to my heart. Vengeance! vengeance!” He entered the thick growth of bushes and cacti, and was soon in a small grove of trees crowning the verge of a steep hill, Among these trees he pa and placing a silver whistle to his lips he blew a soft but peculiar |. blast upon it. A horse, bridled and saddled, arose from the tangled vines, and came forward to greet the man of mystery. A second later he was in the saddle, and the steed bore him away at a rapid ait. Even while the unknown galloped away from the locality, the repulsive looking dwarf made a few movements of returning consciousness and struggled to his feet. His eyes failed to pierce the gloom although the deformed creature glanced in all directions, as if to assure himself of his whereabouts. He searched upon the floor with his talon-like fin- gers until they grasped his beloved spade. He pressed it to his bosom as if he had found a bag of treasures. Searching his pockets he found a few matches and ignited one upon the hard surface of his spade. By aid of this feeble light he garg through the open cavity in the damp wall of the pit, and shuffled onward through the low e, He muttered to himself and re-lit fresh ee as if dreading to pursue his way in the rk. He seemed a veritable creature of the under- ground regions—his terrible shadow dancing upon the wall, like a ‘‘ will-o’-the-wisp,” lead- ing him onward, and his eyes gleaming in the uncertain glare of the burning match as if they were coals of fire. Suddenly the dwarf paused, and he dropped the smoldering match to the earth. Upon the damp clay, directly in the center of the passage, was a form—the form of a man now attempting to raise himself. With a fearful yell Stefano darted forward, and raised the terrible spade. ‘‘ Stefano!” said a well-known voice. “Yes, master!” The dwarf allowed the spade to descend to his side, and he leaned over the bleeding villain | and helped him to his feet. opening, taking the same direction that Stefano , had followed, in order to descend the zigzag course of the passage leading down to the pit. along in the dark. 4 He expected to see the flashing rays of the ** You spoke in time, master: I was going to kill you,” said the dwarf. My eves were blinded with blood, and I saw nothing but re- | venge—nothing but revenge!” ‘* Curses on my blind haste! I have forgotten | to bring the candle,” he muttered, as he sped | ‘* How did you enter that pit, without seein that the man at the bottom of it was alive an sg ae for you?” demanded Alvarez. “I did not think to find him alive, master! That was no creature of flesh and blood, No! it was a spirit! It struck me with its hand. See! even my shaggy head did not protect me from its wrath.” ‘ “Spirit? Bah! It was a foe—a human foe— one most to be feared. Why did you not try to kill him?” cried Alvarez, vehemently, “ Why didn’t er kill him, master?” responded the dwarf, humbly. Alvarez could not reply. He had fallen by the same hand, and even when he felt sure of confronting the man of mystery in the dark assage, and easily disposing of him with his ger. e spoke not a word, but slowly made his way back toward the room where the candle, burning feebly in its socket, threatened each moment to leave the chamber in deepest dark- ness. The dwarf followed at his heels, rubbing his hands with glee. Now and then, with a mali- cious leer, "he would exclaim: - y didn’t you kill him, master?” CHAPTER XI. FACE TO FACE WITH HIS FOR. RicHarD found himself in a chamber, hol- lowed out by Nature in the very heart of the mountain, ‘ar above was the roof of this chamber, composed of gigantic layers or strata, so interlocked that each layer héld its superin- cumbent strata in sy ap It seemed, tf one should be displaced by a sudden shock, that the entire mass would fall crashing to the rocky floor below. A flight of aquare blocks of stone served as a stairway to an opening in the un- even wall of the room, It led into a second vault-like chamber, where a small fire in the cleft of a projection in the wall served to illumi- nate the abode of the hermit. Buffalo-robes hung against the rocky side, thus giving the chamber a comfortable appearance. The smoke of the fire curled upward, until it found an exit ah a crevice in the roof. Richard paused and awaited the coming of the strange being, who hobbled toward the young couple after they had reached the second cavern. He was soon beside them, and flung aside the long staff. He cast the serpent into a small chest and closed the lid. ‘Here you are safe,” said he, “for no one will mol ou—I Know that you are pursued and hunted, but they will fail to find you in the hermit’s cave,” “My thanks—heartfelt thanks, are due yo sir, for you have saved this lady and my when all hope seemed dead and that Heaven it- self had forsaken us,” said Richard. — ‘Heaven never forsakes those who call upon it in their hour of distress,” responded the her- mit. “‘Some may call, and for years that call may remain unanswered because Heaven, ever wise in all things, deemeth that the hour is not yet at hand. Ihave for years prayed and only received an answer to my prayer t very oo, tse ithout another word the hermit approach- ed Eldora and taking her face between his hands he gazed into her features and a deep sigh well- ed a from at eet is eyes filled with tears and his lips quivered with a hidden emotion, wt As if to hide his feelings he released the girl and hastened away, disa in a cavity behind the hanging buffalo-robes. “Strange creature,” thought Richard. “Wh does the fair face of this girl agitate him in this manner? Doesshe awaken sad memories? Per- haps some angel cheered his life in earlier days and cast sunshine and gladness upon his path- way? Eldora must recall the features of his lost one; I can find no other reason for his emo- tion and sudden withdrawal from her pre- sence,” In after years when the incident came to mind he saw eed too plainly the sorrow that must have torn the heart of the hermit at the moment he fled to conceal his emotion. ‘‘ Eldora,” we have been saved by this person and yet he flees from our presence as if you re- called memories of the past. Perhaps your lovely face reminds him of a lost wife or daugh- tert We shall respect his grief and not broach the subject when he again returns.” Asmall pool of clear fresh water served to quench the thirst of the young persons and a quantity of fruit and wild honey placed close by the hermit’s fire, served to appease their hunger. Thus refreshed the young people wandered through the underground abode and explored the chain of caverns and the subterreanean pas- sages. Huge columns supported the immense —
Page 10
pA I A I OA PO GB es ra a ee Aen 10 The Branded Hand. dome and numerous stalactites hung down like vast icicles—glittering in the rays of the flam- beau that Richard held aloft. The youth failed to find an outlet, and after wandering from one chamber into another, he finally re ed to the central cavern where the replenished fire cast a ruddy glow upon the surroundings. Eldora laid her hand upon Richard’s arm and motioned toward the burn- ing twigs. Before the fire, sat the white-haired hermit, gazing into the flames, oblivious to the approach of the couple, Not until Ric laid his hand lightly upon his shoulder, did he turn and seem conscious of their presence. “T knew that you would not leave this place,” said he, ‘‘ because an exit ishard tofind. Come! I will show you the secret opening and then you can come arid go at will.” The hermit arose and led the way out of the chamber, followed by Richard and Eldora, si- lently, as the strange guide strode on through the dismal windings of the place until he finally paused at the base of a huge column supporting the jagged roof. “This is the place. Stoop!” ordered the her- mit. Richard did as requested and at the base of this column he discovered an opening large enough to admit a man. “Within this columin is the wiriding ascent to the world above. Enter and fear not. You will find the exit in a secluded part of the deso- late locality bordering upon the chaparral,” the hermit explained. Richard examined the opening and then re- joined Eldora, “Thank you. I will use the exit when you tire of our society. At present we cannot depart without firstthanking you for your timely as- sistance and hospitality,” said Richard, “‘T do not care for society! Idwell here alone. For years I have never looked upon a human face in these caverns. I live in solitude beneath the earth’s surface where the power of evil men cannot reach me. When [ vénture into the outer world I go forth as a nameless being.. Here I am also a nonentity. I have’no name, I merely exist, brooding over wrongs—dreain- ing of a brighter life to come. It will come, but only when the angel of death has closed m eyes forever and I awake in a land where‘all peace— and good will!” Slowly the hermit glided away from the spot with his hands clasped and his eyes fixed upon vacancy, as if he saw the shade of a form—an invisible spirit who beckoned him to follow. Slowly he out of the cavern, retracing his steps toward the central chamber while Richard and the girl followed, wonderin and watching every movement of their most sin- gular preserver. He paused before the fire and after casting a few pieces of brushwood upon the raised the edge of a hanging robe and again disappeared behind the heavy curtains. Poor creature! he is demented! snatched us from the very jaws of death, and I would like to show my gratitude. restore him to the world because he will not listen to such a proposition. I can see that he has turned hermit because the world and its in- habitants have wronged him. dear and valued friend betrayed the trust re- osed in him or her? At any eave these caverns. He has trusted me with the knowledge of the secret exit and we must mai:e use of it to regain the outer world.” Richard waited in vain for the hermit’s re- turn. Finally he grew impatient and drew aside the hanging buffalo-skins—but the whibe- haired occupant of the cavern was not to be seen. rocks e But why did he flee from those he had rescued? Twice had he disappeared without a word of explanation and for no apparent reasons. ‘Eldora,” we cannot remain here. demented creature will do us no harm, but per- haps he would rather bo alone in his dreary abode? meet the villain Alvarez and with him. Come! I will seek the outlet to the world above.” Richard led the way to the base of the gigan- tic pillar within which the spiral stairway led to the open air. The youth paused and examined the dark cavity at the base of the column. “‘ Perhaps it would be best for me to explore this outlet alone,” he suggested. ‘‘ What do you | think ’tis best to do?” “T will wait for you here, Richard. The ssage may lead to the open air and it may not. Do not fear to leave me. I will patienty await your return,” said Eldora. . es, he’ He has’ Or, perheps a’ rate, we must A round opening among the uneven’ xposed the exit used by the old man.. We cannot |, This poor ' [have a duty to perform, and that is to ; balance accounts Whisperi is, few words of encouragement to the fair girl, he entered the column and began the ascent of the rough and winding stairway. This stairway was formed by jutting masses of rock that protruded from the sides of the pillar in such a manner as to form a succession = a winding upward in almost an unbroken ight. ere and there the huge rocks would render the ascent somewhat difficult, but with these few exceptions the mount presented no great obstacles to Richard’s journey toward the ter- minating point. He toiled upward slowly and carefully. Eldora waited beside the base of the column and could hear the footsteps of her lover growing fainter and fainter until they died away in the gloom far above. Occasion- ally she could see the faint star-like gleam of the torch that he bore as he advanced. One false step meant death to the man she had learned to love devotedly. Eldora clasped her hands and a prayer issued from her lips. Within a short time she had lis- tened to Richard’s words of love, and they found responsive feelings in her own heart. She loved the young American officer for his man words of kindness, for his self-sacrificing dee in her behalf when a age crew threatened her with instant death. Yet she had a vow, an oath to fulfill. Her father’s assassin was yet at large, and the deeds concerning the estates were in the hands of the murderer, Until she met him, and forced these documents or a partial confession from him, she must. remain almost a beggar, without a home, without kindred. ould love banish the feelings of duty from her heart? Would she abandon the fruitless pursuit? Abandon the patriot cause of Mexico and withdraw from the secret order, caring for no one, thinking of no one, but the man she loved? These thoughts presented themselves to Eldo- ra’s mind as she waited beside the monster col- umn and listened anxiously for the return of the young American. No sound came to her ears, and a silence reigned tit was oppressive. In the meantime Richara continued on his way from step to step until he paused breathless’ up- on a huge slab of stone and gazed toward a crevice through which the sunbeams were’ forc- a yt way. ® knew that the’ outlet must be close at hand, and he turned-to descend in order to lead Eldora over the uneven steps. A thought. seemed to strike him, and he Halted to reflect. ‘*Perhaps it would be best to proceed to. the otitside before bringitig Eldora?” and he contin- ued over the few remaining blocks toward the we tow ake b ht hit low passage in ew sti roug’ im to a low thie side of the column, and he placed the pl ing torch ina crevice; then be pushed a round’ bowlder’aside,; and the daylight streamed into the mouth of the outlet. Richard stepped forth into the sunlight, and had but time to observe the mass of wild apevines and the tangled chaparral, when the lack muzzle of ‘a pistol was placed to his head, and the harsh voice of Alvarez rung in his ears: “Another step! another movement, and yowre a‘dead man!” CHAPTER XTi. PHELIM AMUSES THE BANDITS. THE reader will remember that we last saw Phelim McNamara in the hands of the Mexican outlaws who, failing to overtake’ and capture Richard, had overpowered the Irishman, and after a short parley had allowed him to arise and loosened his bonds to enable him to walk. Phelim’s tongue hever rested for a moment; he taunted the Mexicans and shouted words of ridicule and defiance, while his swarthy captors led him away in the direction-of the burning building. ‘Ah! ha! ye are after master’ Richard, are yez? Well, be me sowl, ye can whistle till ye catch him. Ye black looking bullfrogs, ye piratical.son of a baboon, ye come out here on the fiure foreninst me, and be me grand- mother’s cat I’ll lick ye wid me pinky.” And Phelim held up his little finger to indi- cate the particular finger that would be used to inflict the chastisement. The tall’ Mexican whom Phelim addressed, seowled savagely upon his comrades, as if he despised them fcr not having killed the Irish- man instead of waking a prisoner of him. “Vhere’s net a one o’ yees that dares to come out and have ago wid me. Ah! ha! If I had me black thorn wid me, I’d soon show yees a cre ior the dancruff. None 0’ yees will answer me, will yees?” Finding that’ hicvemarks brougiit hd answer, Phelim contented himself by singing Rory O’More at the top of his voice, _ About a quarter of a mile from the smolder- ing ruins of the old inn, the outlaws struck into the chaparral], and in a clearing beside a nar- row stream the entire used. On the verge of an eminence stood a rough apecavies S composed of logs andadobes. A wind- ing path led up to the door, and the windows of the hut overlooked the almost perpendicular side of the hill. From the windows to the level gent below, the distance was almost thirty eet. Thé windows could be used to repel an attack, while they were almost inaccessible to the attacking eer should they determine to besiege the building from that direction. Perched upon the steep mound, the structure resembled a primitive fortress. The outlaws began the ascent to the gloomy looking pile, and Phelim was urged forward despite his threats and abuse. The foremost Mexican rapped ina peculiar manner and the oor Ms opened, when the entire party entered e hu The building was divided into two compart- ments, and a candle served to illumine the room in which the bandits entered and seated them- selves. The one who had opened the door ted the party cordially, and several out- ws forced Phelim into the next room—secur- ing his hands and feet, and then locking the door. From his position upon the hard floor he could hear the roffians in the next room drinking, and his mouth watered to hear the gurgling liquor poured into the glasses, and the smacking of lips added to his desire. ‘*Say! one o’ yees, in there! If yez have the heart of a snake about yees, ye’ll come in an’ give me a sup o’ that Begorra, I wouldn’t refuse a drap to me worst enemy, and the mouth of me a-watering like a pump. Say! d’ye hear me, in there? Oh! the smell of it is driving me crazy! Say! let me smell the breath o’ one of yees!” Not a word in reply, and the prisgner grew louder in his demands as the fumes of the liquor were wafted to his nostrils through crevices in the wall. “The meanest lot of skunks I ewer saw! They wouldn’t even let me smell their breath— afraid I’d get some of the liquor’s flavor,” said he to himself, and then he exclaimed in loud accents: igs Say! would yees come in and look at me dy- ing? Dll be a corpse in a few minutes and ’pon me word I’d oblige a dying man if I was yees. Come in and rub a drop upon me lips so I can die aisy! D’ye ye hear me in there? Oh! listen to them pouring that out as if it was meselt that had no feeling. Say! are yees going to grant the last wish of a dying man? Bad Pics to-yees! I would’t touch yer ould liquor. It’s ‘izon any way—bah! I'd spit it out if ye ever ared to put it in me mouth! Come and try me, see if I wouldn’t! Are yees coming in to see if I’m telling yees a lie?” Phelim paused expectantly. No answer reached his ears and he burst into a storm of abuse aud threats. Meanwhile the outlaws grew hilarious as the liquor mounted to their heads and their boister- ous laughter irritated Phelim to a high degree. He gradually grew sleepy, and wmutterin curses upon the bandits, he fell into a fitf slumber. He dreamed of countless casks and bottles of mien a poteen, and he groaned aloud in his sleep. The sun_ streamed into the window ere he awole, and the tootsteps of the bandits in the next room proclaimed that they were also awake and stirring. A piece of coarse bread and musty cheese were placed beside him during the day and in spite of his pleadings he was denied even a drop of the **craythur.” The afternuon wore away, and Phelim was on the point of again making a loud demand for ipo pmebiier to drink, whey a commotion arose among the bandits, and the sound of ap- proaching footsteps told of the arrival of visi- tors. Phelim crawled to the door and found a crevice that enabled him to view the next room, and all its occupants. An exclamation of sur- prise fell from his lips. He saw the evil fea- tures of Alvarez, and several of his lawless fol- lowers, and among thenr with his arms pinioned was Richard!’ A low whistle broke from Phelim’s lips, as he réalized the fact that Richard was a captive like himself, and in the power of his sworn ener?v, ! “Master Richard’sin tlie same fix as I am!”
Page 11
* The Branded Hand. said he, ‘‘and they’ll keep their eyes upon us now, and not give us a chance to give ’em the slip. What shallI do to help him? Begorra, I’m » werless to help meself! Hello! what’s that Phelim’s eyes rested upon a coil of rope lying among several kegs and boxes, that were thrown into a corner of the room. The Irish- man’s hands were tied but he managed to reach the coil of rope and he kicked it into the midst of the kegs, in order to conceal it, and then re- turned to the door. “There now!” said he. ‘‘ I may want a rope, and if Ido Pll know where to find one. What are they going to do wid Master Richard, I don’t know.” Phelim was not near in suspense much longer, for the door opened, and a gruff voice sum- moned him to come forth. The Irishman obeyed, and ip into the room, and met Richard face to face. ‘“Arrah, master Richard, it’s meself that’s sorry to see youhere. Worra, worra, how are yez ever going to git out at all, at all?” A look of mingled surprise and joy rested u on Richard’s features when he t beheld Phelim emerge from the room, and at the sound of the Celt’s voice he smiled to reassure the faithful fellow. BP , and Phelim refused to sing or dance. on’t want him in here,” he explained, ‘‘ but ye can a the door and he can look on—d’ye see? What harm can he do? He can’t come in here wid the hands of him tied and all of yees armed and ready to use the weepings—can he?” Phelim’s argument satisfied the dits who were anxious to witness the Irishman’s terpsi- chorian accomplishments, and the door leading into Richard’s room was flung open. The young American could see all that transpired in the room and witness Phelim’s dancing also. ' The bandits were facing the door and their eyes could observe the prostrate form of their prisoner lying near the mass of kegs and boxes. Phelim began his dancing and as his voice grew louder, his limbs flew in all directions in time to his wild music. His arms flew around like wind-mills, and now and then he burst forth into a series of wild “‘hurroos.” Suddenly he man to produce the knife he had stolen from the table, and during one of his wildest evolutions he the door of Richard’s room and flung the knife to the young man, CHAPTER XIII. A DOUBLE SURPRISE. THE movement was executed rapidly and the sound of the knife as it fell was smothered by ‘“‘Don’t worry, Phelim! I am sorry to meet | the noise of Phelim’s heels as he plunged into a you here, but as we are to be fellow-prisoncrs | series of — that riveted all eyes upon him, r we must endeavor to be cheerful.” Before Phelim could reply Richard was forced into the room lately occupied by his serving- | ‘4 : ~ | made by the dancing Irishman, and as the knife man, and the door locked. Phelim was allowed to cro a corner of the room occupied by the its. “Keep an eye upon them,” commanded Alvarez. ‘‘ Remember I hold you all responsi- ble for their safe keeping. Don’t allow them to remain er for a moment.” ‘*Go and soak your head!” muttered the Lrish- man; ‘it will do yer brains good.” Alvarez took his departure. ‘*Good-by! Ma uld Nick te wid you,” shouted Phelim after the retreating form of the villain. Phelim contented himself by abusing the ras- cals that sat about the table. Now and then he ™m to come among them, but was soon forced back into his corner by several swarthy Greasers, who used no gentle means to do so. During one of these attempts to reach the table Phelim managed to clutch a knife that lay upon the edge of the mages table, and although his hands were secured he still retained his grasp upon the handle of the weapon, and when he reached his corner he had the knife concealed in his sleeve. 4 I’ve got something anyways,” he muttered. ‘‘ Now, I can amuse myself at the ropes whin I have a chance.” n order to attract attention and prevent the owner of the knife from discovering his loss, Phelim began singing a comical ditty, and in- troduced a number of trills and turns in the a melody, causing the Mexicans to laugh. e followed up the advantage by singing nu- merous Irish songs, ever making them eccentric and peculiar to raise a laugh from his listeners. He introduced words in his melodies intended for Richard’s ears, and which the Mexicans na- turally su were part of the songs. The burden of Phelim’s words, sung to the most out- rageous droning and extemporized melodies, were: ‘¢)ve got a knife—to cut your ropes—when I get a chance—to be near you.” Gradually he grew into favor with the ban- dits, and to cap the climax one of the ruffians gave him a small quantity of the liquor in order to induce him to sing again. — } Phelim pretended that he did not feel disposed to sing, but the second glass brought forth the desired song, and it was sung at the top of his —— causing the rafters of the building to echo. Finally, by dint of coaxing and promises to sing and dance for their amusement, the lawless fellows released the Irishman, but gave him to understand that the least sign of treachery or making the slightest attempt to escape would result in his instant death. “Is it me trying to l'ave yees? Never! never! while yees have the poteen on the table!” cried Phelim, and then he burst forth into a wild melody and executed a number of grotesque ste that brought forth shouts and laughter from the outlaws. ‘* Look here, now,” demanded Phelim, ‘don’t x3 think it’s mighty mean not to give the poor eller in the next room a chance to see me amusing meself?”’ But the bandits would not listen to such a | He paused eathless, and a chorus of shouts greeted his efforts. Richard was quick to notice the movement fell close beside him he seized it and in the twinking of an eye it was concealed behind him, ready to sever the ropes binding his hands. The Mexicans poured out a glass of spirits and Phelim raised the liquor to his lips. ‘‘ Here’s a a toast for yees!” said he. ‘‘ Here’s may good luck follow yees—and never overtake yees.” Phelim drained his glass and the Mexicans did likewise. ‘*Sing—more!” shouted a scowling ruffian who labored under the effect of the liquor. ‘*Not another song! Me throat is all — out. But [ll tell yees the funniest story tha yeever heard. D’ye like stories?” ‘* Yes—yes,” came from the bandits. ‘“ Well, then, ye’ll have to be quiet all of yees and don’t yees ugh till the place where the laugh comes in— yees?” ‘*No—no!” said the ruffians in unison. “ Well, now, give me yer attention all o’ yees, and listen to every word I say, beca’se it concerns somebody. Don’t let yees miss a word of it. First of all, it happened in Irelaid—to me and my brother. One day we was out on the hills, and, would ye belave it, the two of us was taken prisoners by as dirty and thieving a looking crowd as ye are—saving yer presence—and we were taken y > to the place where these black- guards had their roost—same as ye have—and our hands were tied and we couldn’t move band or foot to scratch our heads—d’ye see?” A peal of laughter answered Phelim’s ques- tion, and the Irishman continued. + By and by, me brother got hold of a knife and while I was telling the dirty-looking baboons a story—same as I'm telling it to yees —me brother was cutting the ropes and divil a one o’ them smelt a rat at all, atall. After he had the ropes cut and his hands and feet were at liberty he listened to what I told him to do; but me throat is getting dry again; fill up every one 0’ yees!” and Phelim filled the glasses and arose to offer another toast. ‘« Here’s—may ye never have the wool pulled over yer eyes—till I pull it,” he added, in lower tones, and the glasses were emptied. During the recital of Phelim’s story, Richard had severed the ropes, and his hands and feet | were at liberty. He paused to listen to the re- mainder of the story, feeling that the story was | meant for him, and the instructions were intended to be put into immediate effect. ‘Well, ye see, after he had the hands and | feet of him at liberty, I told him to go to the | lot of old boxes and barrels in the corner of the room; but he had to do it mighty slick, or the vagabonds would see him, but I kept them busy while he went to the barrels and found a‘rope.” ‘¢‘ Did he find a rope?” said one of the bandits. ‘Deed he did, and he done it very slick. He got the rope and laid down in the same place— a! ha! ha! Did ye ever see such a lot of fools in all your life?’ and Phelim roared. The Mexicans joined in the laughter. ‘*Ye wouldn’t find men like ye, being fooled so easily, would ye?” *‘No! no!” cried the rogues, amidst shouts of roared louder. Richard had secured the laughter, and Phelim During the story li aba he RU ee oS acest AO inn 7 and now lay waiting further instruc- ons. ‘* Well, ye see, he got the rope, and I knew it, but the spalpeens didn’t know it; they were the he es lot o rege heads I artic aearin ee I met yees, saving your presence. , ye see, he got the rope, and I told him to go carefully toa window and open it—dy’e see? It was a great heighth from the window down to the ground, but then ye see he had the rope, and he could lower himself easily, and I told him to do it while I kept the blackguards interested wid a story I was telling them—same as I’m telling it to ye. But now come the worst part of it all. He was afraid they’d hear him, but how could they, whin I’d laugh me loudest this way ”—and Phelim burst into a pealof laughter that caused his keepers to join in the hilarious outburst. Richard was at the window, and forced it open during the noise of the laughter, and fast- ened the rope just as Phelim concluded his cachinnations and again filled the glasses for gj toast. ‘Here’s to your stupidity, and may yees never have any less of it!” Whether the Mexi- cans understood the Irishman, or their befuddled condition prevented them so doing, they never- theless drank the toast with shouts of pleasure. “Shout away, me boys, yer doing nicely!” cried Phelim; “and now for me story: me brother had Daehn ps ready, and he com- menced crawling out of the window. He was half-way out, and they hadn’t ne’er a one, even smelt the presence of a mouse—whin I began to fear that something might happen, ye know, whin I grabbed a pistol from one o’ ilesr-heame as I do now from you”—and Phelim grasped the hilt of a weapon in the belt of the nearest bandit and withdrew it, laughing, ‘‘and thin I took another revolver from another blackguard —same as I take yours, ye know”—-and the _cunning romancer reached forth and secured another bn opm from the unsuspecting ruffian | near the table, | “Then, ye see, I had two pistols, and I shouted to'me brother to git as if the divil was after him, and I raised me pistols and I blazed away!” | Two sh extents rent the air, and twe bandits sunk at e Irishman’s feet. astonishment, Phelim’s pines bullets lodged in their brains. With a wild hur- roo Phelim leaped to the door and darted down the pathway, while a volley of firearms echoed among the crags, serving to accelerate the Irish- man’s speed. Richard had just reached the ground from the window, by aid of the rope, as Pheli dashed up to the spot. ‘‘Come, Master Richard, away wid ye! They’re after us, and dness knows how many o’ thim may be in the neighborhood. We'd best get out of it entirely.” Richard seized the Irishman’s hand and he cordially, as the two dashed away, with the outlaws in full pursuit, and not many hundred yards in their rear. Once in the tangled chaparral, the could evade the bandits, but hardly h | gained the recesses affording a con ent when shouts arose from another quarter of the wildwood, Another party was approaching from the very direction in which the fugitives sought to escape! ‘*'That’s bad,” muttered Phelim. ‘ The black- guards are signaling, and we'll be surrounded,” ‘“My plan is to se te and conceal our- selves,” cried Richard. ‘‘Whatdo you say, Phelim—don’t you think ’tis best?” ‘Faith, Ido! Come this way and then you o to the left and I'll scoot off to the right. | Here, take one o’ these pistols—ye’ll need it. | There’s no use of fighting a regiment of the vagabonds in such a place as this; they could shoot us down, and we wouldn’t know it!” Richard took the proffered weapon, and again grasping Phelim’s hand, the two men separated. Richard plunged into the tangled wild vines, and Phelim into the tall weeds, while the sounds of the pursuers drew nearer as if the entire chaparral was surrounded by the bandits. Richard reached a secluded spot, and lay be- neath a mass of vines, listening to the voices of his pursuers. Phelim continued his flight until he reached a steep declivity, and finally found himself in a — A swift stream wound through the deso- ate spot and a few fallen trees served as a bridge to cross the waters. im tives they
Page 12
ee re ee En ES ST ie TE A ODS LO = I IE EE A 12 Bleak rocks arose upon all sides almost shutting out the light of day. A huge tree had fallen beside the stream, and one end was partially submerged in the muddy waters. One glance revealed the fact, that the pros- trate trunk was hollow and Phelim made his way rapidly toward this place of refuge, and crawled into it feet foremost, and was thus en- abled to see what a in the glen without being observed, unless the trunk was closely ex- amined. He had hardly arranged himself in the nar- row trunk, when approaching footsteps warned him that some one was close at hand. In a few moments a man bearing a rifle, strode into the glen and halted. It was Alvarez, and his basi- lisk eyes swept the surroundings, until they finally rested upon the hollow tree. He came toward it, bearing his rifle in his hands ready for use. “That settles it!” murmured Phelim; “ he’s coming for me beca’se he’s seen the red head of me.” Instead of pausing and examining the base of the tree, Alvarez walked to its center and took a seat upon the prostrate trunk. He placed his rifle within a few inches of the opening and gazed up-stream as if awaiting some one. ‘‘ Strange that I have missed them,” he said, loud enough for Phelim to overhear every word. ‘Jasper was fortunate in securing the girl and I have got the American safe in my hands.” ‘“ Ye have—over the left,” thought Phelim. “T left Jasper and his men conveying the girl toward our retreat while myself and sever- al others started forward to ascertain the cause of the shouts and reports of firearms coming apparently from this direction. Has anything happened at the log house?” ** Well, 1 should smile!’ murmured Phelim to himself. ‘‘ Ye’ll be astonished whin ye get there. Ye’ll not find me nor Master Richard, dye mind that? Arrah, look at the gun!” helim’s eyes caught sight of the butt of the rifle leaning against the opening and he silently drew it into the hollow trunk where he could grasp it and handle the trigger. Alvarez was so busily engaged watching for the coming of his comrades that he failed to notice the disappearance of his rifle. Suddenly a shrill scream resounded from the os forest beyond and the villain leaped to his feet and glanced hastily about for his wea- pon. ‘*Confound it, where’s my rifle?” he cried. Another scream reached his ears and the next moment Eldora came bounding into the clear- ing as if fleeing from unseen pursuers. The moment her eyes rested upon Alvarez, her face ~— and like a startled fawn she fled toward he rude bridge. Alvarez darted forward to intercept her but she oe under his out- stretched arm and eluded him. With a glad cry she flung herself into the arms of a man who bounded into the glen and clasped the girl to his breast. It was Richard! and as Alvarez darted for- ward the oy American leveled a revolver full at his head and with a brutal oath the vil- lain shrunk back. ‘“‘ Jasper! Jasper! where are you?” he shouted. ‘* Here!” cried the rascal known as Jasper, as he rushed out of the thick bushes, knife in hand. ‘*T’m here!” ‘*And so am 1!” yelled Phelim, emerging from the hollow tree; and he leveled the rifle at Jasper, bringing the villain to a dead stop. CHAPTER XIV. “A THE TABLES ARE TURNED. ELpoRA waited long and patiently for Richard’s return after he had ascended the rocky stairway within the huge column in the hermit’s cave. F At length she resolved to enter the hollow xillar and ascend the stairway in search of her over. She ignited a piece of the rosin-wood which Richard had left in her care to serve as torches until his return, stepped within the hollow column and proceeded upward, to finally pause at the entrance where Richard had displaced the bowlders; there she emerged into the open ai 2 Her first discovery was footprints of many persons imprinted in the yielding earth and the unmistakable signs of a struggle having taken place. “*Oh! Richard, Richard, where are you?’ she unconsciously exclaimed, as she stood with clasped hands tearfully regarding the spot. The Branded Hand. **T will answer that question,” said a voice that caused her heart almost to cease its beat- ings and the blood almost to forsake ber cheeks. he turned to confront the man she most loathed. ‘* Alvarez!” she murmured, shrinking from the villain. ‘““Yes; pray do not move away from me. Allow me to tell you that I was watching this exit for a certain person, and instead of comtering him I found my old friend, the American, an ina moment he was bound hand and foot and is enroute for our retreat in the chaparral. Thinking that you might not be far away I lin- ered in the vicinity and I have been rewarded.” varez placed a whistle to his lips and a shrill blast rung again and again. A dozen swarthy forms arose from the cactus plants that studded the earth’s surface and whose monstrous leaves and stalks afforded a good hiding -place for the bandits. They awaited Alvarez’s orders. “You see that these gentlemen are ready to escort you to our mountain retreat, so you will go with us without giving trouble.’ To attempt an escape was useless, and by ac- companying the bandits she could again meet Richard; so she did not hesitate to follow the ruffians, Alvarez walking by her side. ‘*Eldora, you must forgive me for the part I have taken in thisaffair. When you know my real motive Iam sure you will not condemn me and think that lam persecuting you. Listen to me. I can tell you all in a very few words. I have learned to love you, but saw that the young American was a formidable rival and that you favored him. This incensed me and I scarcely knew what I did. Ihave acted upon the old maxim that all is fair in love and war and I have captured my prize. Now tell me, Eldora, that Ldo not love you in vain; bid me hope. All—all that you can possibly desire shall be placed at your command. I have wealth which you shall share with me. Tell me that there is aot and the wily villain paused, waiting the reply of the girl. ‘* Alvarez! the wealth of the Indies would not cause me to look more favorably upon you. I cannot disguise my feelings; I hate you—hate you for your cowardly actions upon the deck of your vessel when you allowed your ruffians to almost trample me beneath their feet, and you, coward that = are, doomed me to death because I lay concealed upon the vessel—friendless and alone. Away from me, sir, nor dare to breathe words of love to me again!” Eldora’s eyes flashed and her lips quivered as she turned upon the villain. ‘You love the young American?” he gritted. “Yes; and Lam proud to acknowledge that I have won the love of a brave and honest man,” said she, haughtily. “Take care! e care!” hissed Alvarez in a voice husky with passion. ‘‘ Remember that you are in my power, surrounded by men who acknowledge no master but. myself. My word is law and every wish is executed instantly. You can see for — that pleasant words will suit much better than those you have uttered.” “Ido not fear you. You war upon women, therefore I must expect nothing but insults from you. You have my answer. My heart is in the keeping of one who will treasure the love it bears for him.” “Not long will he live to treasure it. You forget that he is also my prisoner. He stands between me and the object of my love; can you peer what I will do to rid myself of him? will kill him before your very eyes, and then, willing or unwilling, you shall become mine!” His eyes scintillatad. with passion, and his face was purple with rage. ‘Monster! do your worst! With my last breath I will still whisper that I scorn and de- spise you.” Alvarez could not restrain the curse that flew to his lips, and he strode away to hide his. in- tense passion. He ground the blades of grass under his heel, and smote the briers and vines from his path savagely with his rifle. A smile of contempt played upon the girl’s lips as she observed the villain giving vent to his blind wrath. The party had entered a dense growth of tall mesquite and vines, when a chorus of shouts resounded from afar, and the faint crack of fire- arms came borne upon the still air. ‘**Something’s wrong in the direction of our retreat!” shouted Alvarez. ‘‘Guard well the prisoner and come forward with me, several of you that are well-armed!” . He darted forward, with several ruffians at his eels. The shouts grew louder, and the report of firearms sounded close at hand. The si s in the — of the chaparral the bandit chief unders ‘ ‘Separate here!” he shouted, ‘‘and meet me in the glen!” The men darted away in different directions, now and then pausing to listen for the shouts, their weapons ready for immediate use. Alvarez soon strode into the glen and ap- proached the hollow tree wherein Phelim lay concealed. Eldora watched her chances and at a favora- ble moment bounded away from her guard, who followed in rapid pursuit. Her footsteps also were toward the glen, where, as we have seen, she was, ere long, clasped to Richard’s bosom. It was a strange and unexpected meeting and in a most thrilling moment. : Richard held Alvarez at bay with his revol- ver, and Phelim, with the captured rifle leveled at Jasper’s head, kept that scoundrel almost rooted to the spot. Fear and rise were depicted upon the features of the two villains. For a few moments they stood there, cower- ing before the ready rifle and revolver: but even as the two scoundrels stood immovable there, a dozen forms glided into the glen from different points, and before Phelim or Richard could turn they were completely hemmed in, and a full half-dozen rifles and pistols were at their beads. Phelim broke the stock of his rifle upon the head of the foremost bandit, but before he could repeat the act, he was beaten down insensible to the earth. The tables were turned; and Alvarez was again master of the situation. “Now, my bold American—and your Irish friend also—can rest easy in the hands of the men who will look after your comfort. ll war- rant you won’t give me any further trouble. A few moments ago you held my life at your command, and should have seized upon the op- rtunity thus offered. Your life is now in my ands! Expect no mercy. Plead for none, for you die,” hissed the villain. “Plead to you for mercy—ha! ha! ha! I would rather die than speak one word implor- ing pity from you!” cried Richard. ‘ Take my life, but let me ask one favor, if you still have a spark of manhood left in you: that girl. e has never wronged you; let her depart and offer her no insult. My life isin your hands; take it; but spare that girl!” “Spare her?” cried Alvarez; ‘‘I spare her now because when your carcass lies bleeding at my feet, she shall gaze upon you and then she oe mine—mine! Do you fully understand me “Villain, would that my hands were free! Ay, kill me, for I swear that if I again have an opportunity I will crush you as I would a veno- mous snake.” “There is no nose that you will ever give me any further trouble! Your moments are numbered. Come, men! Bear them away,” commanded Alvarez as he turned to depart. ‘* Whither, captain?” ‘*'To the vaults beneath the ruined abbey!” A dismantled and ruined building in the midst of a neglected cemetery, not far from the main road, loomed out of the dusk, and beside this ruin the outlaw and his retinue paused be- fore they entered the crumbling structure. Broken tombs littered the old churchyard and gave the place a ghostly appearance. Raisin a huge slab of marble close beside a ruine arch of the building, the outlaws and their three prisoners descended a damp and slippery flight of stone steps. Alvarez remained behind to close the tomb, and as he stooped to descend he felt the cold muzzle of a pistol pressed close to his temple. He turned to meet the gaze of the masked fig- ure of the unknown! CHAPTER XV. THE FOILED ASSASSIN, BENEATH the old abbey were a number of large, roomy vaults, wherein both monks and prisoners found ample places for concealment or safe keeping at a period when insurrection reared its head. The roe walls and arches of the abbey bore evidence of the iron hail that had swept over that field several days before the fall of Vera Cruz in the brilliant campaign during which Scott gained imperishable renown for his important victories. he shattered tombs and monuments remained ‘in the same condition as the contending forces.
Page 13
left the field after the hand-to-hand struggle in the place of the dead. The iron doors of the vaults had been re- paired, and Alvarez and his league found a safe retreat beneath the abandoned abbey. The ruffians pillaged the homes of both par- ties, and pretended to serve either faction when an opportunity afforded them a rich harvest for their pains, It was into these vaults that the bandits de- scended and led the three prisoners into their dark and chilling recesses. Jasper placed them in ee, vaults, and swung the heavy doors into their places and locked them from without. ““This isa nice place for a gossoon to be in. Faith I'll catch a dampness lying upon the flure. It’s a bed of down I hav own on the flure. Bad luck to me! Look at the bats a-flying round the head of me!” and Phelim made a few wild attempts to strike at several bats which he had disturbed by his presence. ‘Scat out of that! Oh! Saint Patrick come down and drive out the bats before they pull me hair out and its bald-headed [am. Will ye l’ave off fly- ing ’round me head, ye ugly imps o’ Satan? Scat !” . Phelim seized upon broken pieces of crockery that lay upon the floor of the dungeon-like chamber, and flung the bits at the fluttering bats. For several hours he amused himself in this manner. ‘*How am I going to slape wid the bats a-fly- ing ’round me head like missquiteers? I wish I had a net for me bed. But where’s the bed? Oh! I forgot! Here’s the pillow,” and Phelim produced a huge stone from the corner of the vault and placed it in position to rest his head upon. ‘*Begorra, there’s a mighty little taste of feathers in this pillow, and sorra one 0’ me knows w’ether it wouldn’t be better for me to wait till they kill a chicken and borry the feath- - to stuff the stone so I can get a wink of sleep! Phelim rested his head upon the stone and for a full hour he lay tossing and striving to find a ‘soft spot” on the stone. At length he fell into a fitful slumber, and while he slumbered a pe- culiar grating sound came from the slimy wall directly behind the sleeping Irishman, and, ere long, a square block of stone began to move, and some unseen person withdrew it, leaving an aperture through which a faint ray of light shou into the vaulted chamber. Then a face appeared at the Mg , “Say, Irish! h!”’ said a voice, in low tones, ‘*vos you asleep? Say, Irish!” Phelim opened his eyes, and rubbed them in a dazed manner. ‘““Who the divil is that talking about the Trish?’ he growled sleepily. ‘‘Is it the bats?” “Say! vake out—dot’s me—your olt friendt Carl vot vas sea-sick mit you on dot ship, vot had de fireworks and vent up like de skyrocket —don’t you vos remember?” ; “Give us your , Dutch Aree ma oyfully, but he paused; one li was secure i # fr the ‘floor by a stout chain, a huge ring in “I’m chained Tike a dog to his kennel,” he cried tugging at the iron links. *T know dot! Don’t make such noises. Here! dot’s a bunch of keys,” whispered Carl, and he flung the keys into Phelim’s extended hands. “‘T can’t go through dis hole because I vos too fat, so you must hellup yourself. Here! dot’sa small file—now go to work; I vill vatch outside. De keys vill open de door; I stole dem; hurry up now!’ PPhelim seized the file that Carl flung into the vault, and the stout German withdrew from the aperture, leaving Phelim busily engaged at the Chain. : ‘* Faith it’s Jack Sheppard I am now!” said he filing at the chain. ‘Scat out of that! Be gob if 1 catch one o’ ye bats I'll file the wings off o’ } yees—bad ’cess to ye, anyways!” : ile Phelim is alternately filing the chains and striking at his winged tormentors, we will glance into the next vault which is built similar to the one in which the Irishman is imprisened. Richard sat in the gloomy vault, busily en- gaged in reviewing the incidents of the past few weeks. In the partition of the vault was a nar- row grated window. He could not reach it without standing upon some object, therefore he had not even deigned to peer through the — tats to observe the occupant of the next vault. / He could hear the sound of a voice now and then, but the hollow tones caused by the arched roof of the chamber, prevented him from re- cognizing its, owner. ; Alvarez. The Branded Hand. It was Phelim bins Whe Sra upon the bats. Richard had just bowed his head and his thoughts were fixed upon the fair being whom he loved so well, when a key turned in the lock of the iron door, and a grating sound followed as the door swung upon its hinges. A person bearing a lamp entered and gazed upon the manacled prisoner with a leer of satisfaction. It was te asper—Richard’s sworn enemy! ‘“At last we have got you in a safe place, haven’t we?” said the ruffian with a grim smile of satisfaction. “I woulda remind you of the blow you struck me, for I intend to repay you for that.” “You need not fear me,” replied Richard as he saw J r move away as he raised his head. “You see I am heavily ironed—I can do you no harm. Were I free to use these hands I could repeat the blow that seems to worry you so much, but I must satisfy myself by waiting until my time arrives!” “You'll wait a long time!” retorted Jasper. ‘These ruins are never visited, and if that was our hope, abandon it at once. You will proba- bly never see the sunlight again. Alvarez has not returned but he has instructed me to carry out his wishes. You are to die, and you may guess how happy Iam to be enabled to carr out the sentence personally. I thought I’d call to prepare you—I hate to take you unawares you know.” Jasper laughed at what he considered a sar- castic rebuke, but the young man paid no atten- tion to his humor, and the low-browed ruffian passed out from the vault. The key turned in the lock and Richard was again alone to commune with his thoughts. Phelim had just severed the link in the chain when he was aroused from his labor by the sound of a ae in the adjoining passage. “Saints defen us—somebody’s coming!” he ejaculated; ‘‘ what'll I do now? A key turned in the lock and the door began to move. Phelim glided swiftly beside the door which, fortunately, opened inward. As it swung into the vault Phelim slid behind it and he was concealed from the gaze of the person who entered the dungeon. The person was Jasper, and close behind him came the beautiful captive. As they stepped forward well into the vault, Phelim glided out noiseless as a shadow, and darted into the dark passage. ; ; “T thought we had the Irishman in this chamber,” said J r, musingly; ‘‘ perhaps I am mistaken in the locality of the vault. ow- ever, this dungeon will answer the purpose very well. Bldora, you will remain here. You may console yourself with the thought that your lover isin the vault to your right. You will hear his moan of agony when the death blow is struck, for he dies to-night!” Jasper walked slowly to the door while speak- ing and swung the door into its place as he datiwared the concluding words, and locked it. The poor girl gave way to her sorrow and the tears coursed down upon her cheeks like the summer rain. At length moaning and sobbing she closed her eyes and knelt upon the cold floor and offered up a prayer to the All-Wise Ruler who is ever ready to hearken unto the call of the distressed. Again the heavy door opened and Eldora arose in time to behold the sinister countenance of Alvarez who was about to enter the vault. Close behind him came the repulsive dwarf, Stefano, rubbing his hands with glee as if he scented blood from afar. Alvarez strode into the center of the vault and placed the lantern upon the floor. A long knife protruded from the red sash worn by the deformed creature and he toyed with the weapon ominously as Eldora glanced toward him and with a shudder drew away toward the wall. ‘**Eldora, I have returned to visit you,” said “T have concluded to extend my mercy to the American provided you give a sat- isfactory answer to the question I am about to ask you.” “You need not ask the question, for I know its import. Do not speak of love tome. Do not speak of mercy, either, for there is not a Pap left slumbering in your black heart,” cried dora. “Have a care!” warned the villain as he made a step forward as if to seize the girl, but, quick as the flight of an arrow, she darted toward the dwarf, to grasp the knife from his sash and spring away in time to flash the steel before the amazed villain. ‘**Don’t approach me!” she cried in a voice of desperation, ‘‘or T’ll redden this blade with your blood!” Alvarez saw thc iierce light that came into id a. her eyes; he beheld the ruby lips presse) we together and he saw deadly determination plainly written upon the pale features of the autiful girl. ‘‘ That’s your game, is it?’ he hissed, savagely. “Very well; in a few moments the man you love will be lifeless upon the floor of the next vault. Ho! there, Stefano! In the next dun- geon you will find the American. He is chain- “8 m uke this knife and make short’ work of im. Alvarez handed a dagger to the dwarf, who shuffled out of the vault. “Matteo! Matteo!” shouted Alvarez, In reply to the call a short, villainous Mexi- can appeared in the passage, armed with a rifle, and he entered the vault. se Matteo, guard this girl until my return. If she attempts to pass you, shoot her dead upon the spot—do you hear? The human brute made a hast vault and Matteo strode forward. He had barely taken several steps when a figure darted through the doorway and felled the Mexican to the floor and seized his gun. It was Phelim! ‘Keep quiet, miss; I’ll guard the door. Here! take these keys and get upon one of these bar- rels and see if ye can open that grated windy up there. Quick or ye’ll be too late!” Phelim flung a barrel into the vault and, rifle in hand, he stood at the door, ready to shoot down the first intruder that presented himself. Eldora placed the barrel under the window and in a second she was upon it, and fitting a key to the lock. By the dim light that came through the open door of Richard’s dungeon she could see the ugly dwarf, weapon in hand, just entering the vault. ‘Oh! Heaven aid me! Heaven aid me!” she groaned aloud as she endeavored to fit the key in the rusty lock. Itturned slightly; she placed her strength into a supreme effort and the bolt shot back, She seized the iron bars and tugged at them to draw them back upon their creaking hinges. Not a moment was to be lost. The hideous dwarf was beside the ro mr prisoner and the glitter of bis dagger told that the deformed fiend was ready to strike the deadly blow. Eldora drew herself to the sill of the window overlooking Richard’s dungeou, and as the dwarf’s weapon was raised al sLe sprung eg like a young tigress and seized the ussas- exit from the CHAPTER XVI. THE TOMBS GIVE UP THEIR OCCUPANTS, WuEN the unknown presented the pistol, at the astonished villain he merely exclaimed “Halt!” and the click, click, of the weapon brought Alvarez to a motionless attitude as if he was rooted to the spot. He saw the are, | eyes through the aper- tures in the mask and he knew that his life hung by a slender thread. He recognized the man of mystery whom he had launched into the pit and who had escaped both the terrible fall and the murderous dwarf. No wonder that Alvarez was chilled to the marrow and bis limbs refused to bear him. He clutched the sides of the tomb for support. The man of mystery pressed the muzzle of the pistol so close to the villain’s head that when he withdrew it—a round crimson ring was imprin- ted upon the scoundrel’s temple. ‘*Come from that entrance,” said the masked figure, in a voice that added to Alvarez’s ter- ror. Mechanically he obeyed the order, and arose from the aperture more dead than alive, While the unknown covered him with his re- volver with one hand he produced a rope and unwound it. ‘ fs ve your hands behind you,” ordered the mask, Alvarez obeyed, and in a few seconds the vil- lain’s hands were secured. ‘Now, villain, I can talk to you and not be obliged to keep my weapon at your head. Cun- ning, treacherous wolf that you are, I have you at length in my power. The day of retribution is almost at band.” “What have I ever done to you?” gasped the miscreant. ‘““What have you done to me?” cried the masked figure. ‘You have compelled me to live a life of agony and torture. You have —e me to conceal myself beneath tho earth’s surface and torget that I ever had a home or those whom I could love and cal! mtd Why ‘I do not know you. y do you persecute and haunt me?” whined Alvarez.
Page 14
14 a ‘‘ The time is not yet arrived for a full disclo- sure. You will know me in due time. Do you remember the friend that trusted you? The friend whom orn murdered? The friend whom yourobbed? Villain, are you not afraid that the very earth will open at your feet and inguilf you? You murdered the friend that trusted, and perhaps destroyed his only child, a girl whom you have deprived of the estates right- fully hers by virtue of the will of Don Miguel La Vega!” At the sound of that name Alvarez turned still er. “La Vega trusted you,” continued the mask, ‘“‘and you repaid the trust by killing and rob- bing him. The child lives—lives to assert her wrongs and denounce the murderer. She will know him by his branded hand—the letter A burned into the palm—the mark of Cain—Assas- sin! A low groan escaped from the white lips of the pinioned wretch. “Tt was by our hand that I was hurled into the pit, and by your orders that the dwarf sought my life. The days of triumph are re- versed; it is my turn now.” ; And the cloaked figure raised the polished revolver. The moonbeams fell upon the wea- pon, and also exposed the countenance of the cringing villain. ‘*Mercy! mercy!” he gasped. ‘‘Dare you beg for what you have denied to others? How often have the doomed knelt at your feet, imploring pity? How often have you almost trampled upon them, and laughed at their cries? ou—beg for mercy! Fiend! hu- man monster! Expect no mercy from me, be- cause I have no heart. I live but for vengeance, and the man whom I have hunted to destroy is you! Again came the click of the lock, and Al- varez looked into the very muzzle of the leveled weapon. The man of mystery stepped forward, but before he could press the trigger a form dashed through the dismantled tombs and struck up the unknown’s hand as the pistol was discharged. The bullet whistled ieeenelenliet into the air. Before the masked figure could turn, a heavy blow descended upon his head and the unknown sunk to the earth. In a moment the ropes bind- ing Alvarez’s hands, were cut in twain, and the villain stood at liberty. ' “Gomez! you have saved my life!” cried Al- varez, and he c the hand of the guerrilla chief, and wrung it cordially. “You are too precious to me,” confessed Gomez; ‘‘ I don’t want to have you die before I get my share of the fortune.” ‘“‘ Now to discover the secret of this masked fi eS seh aside _ at aoe the — of mystery w a mystery no longer,” cri Alvarez, carting forward. At that instant, the dull report of a pistol came from the depths of the open tomb and both the villains turned. Gomez drew his mife as he sprung toward the tomb, but, ere he had reached it, the prostrate figure of the un- known raised itself upon its elbow and quick as a flash he leveled the pistol that he still re- tained in his grasp—and . With a shriek of pain Gomez pitched forward and fell head- ae upon a marble sla ead, ith the agility of a squirrel Alvarez leaped into the open tomb nor paused to close the slab. ““He has escaped me for the present,” cried the unknown in a voice betraying his disappoint- ment, ‘‘ but bis confederate in the crime lies dead at my feet. The tool has paid the penalty that distardly crime;—now for the instiga- r. _The masked figure withdrew into the sha- dows of the huge ruined arches, and like a visi- tor from the other world glided away in the gloom. Alvarez reached the dark passage under the tomb and paused a moment to assure himself that he was ot followed. ‘ It’s an ill wind that blows no good,” he growled. ‘The unknown came near finishing me, but, thanks to his pis- tol, he has rid me of Gomez. I can still have the spoils—all to myself—and share with no one. A few yards further in the e he met Stefano. ‘‘ What was the meaning of that pis- tol-shot?’ demanded Alvarez, sharply. ‘*] don’t know, master; I believe that some one tried to force anentrance into one of the vaults, and Jasper fired at the person,” replied the dwarf. ‘*Indeed! you must be careful and watch the prisoners day and night.” Alvarez visited Richard’s vault and later, ac- companied by the dwarf, he entered Eldora’s The Branded Hand. dungeon and, as the reader has witnessed, he sent Stefano to dispatch the young American. It will be remembered that Eldora sprung through the window, and seized the dwarf as me grasped the hid 0 quickly had she the hideous crea- ture that he could not turn to offer resistance. She seized his knife, and buried it up to its haft in the misshapen body. Stefano sunk on the stone floor, while El- dora stood speechless with horror as she con- em ea the dripping knife she held in her an Phelim had es from the doorway to observe the struggle in the adjoining vault, when Alvarez rushed past him and sprung upon the barrel. One look, one glance through the window, and he comprehended the situation. He saw Eldora with the blood-stained knife and the dwarf lying at her feet. Not having observed the features of the Irishman he naturally sup- posed it was his bandit sentry, Matteo! Turning rapidly, his face livid with passion and his voice husky with anger, he exclaimed: ‘Matteo! shoot!” Shoot into this vault,” and he pointed into Richard’s dungeon. “Faith I will shoot! Look out for the top 0’ yer head!” shouted Phelim, and he leveled the rifle at the astonished villain. Alvarez clung to the window-sill, speechless and incapable of moving hand or foot. Before he could realize the intentions of the Irishman that individual had darted out and slammed the door and turned the key in the lock. Alvared was imprisoned in the vault! Phelim ran to the next vault and stood ready with his rifle while he cried out to Eldora, who still re- mained motionless: ‘‘Come, miss, cut your stick out of this! Hould up a bit! Try these keys on the locks of those chains or Master Richard-won’t be able to go wid us.” Eldora seized the few keys that Phelim had removed from the ring, upon which numerous others had been strung, and which Carl had flung into the vault. Fortunately one of .the keys fitted and opened the lock of the manacles. ichard embraced the fair girl and pressed her to his bosom. “No time for anv o’ that love making! Be- gorra, there’ll be a funeral instead of a wedding if yer not ina bit of a hurry!” shouted Phelim impatiently. ichard took the trembling hand of his pre- server in his own and quickly followed after the Irishman, They hurried along the dark passage until a flight of stone steps presented themselves like a barrier across the narrow archway. No matter where they ‘*Hurry, for I hear the spalpeens after us.” Then came a chorus of shouts and the tramp- a, 4 many feet. he bandits were in pursuit, and the voice of Jasper arose above the tumult. elim reached the head of the steps and raising his hands upward he felt the cold marble. Remembering the manner in which they had entered the passages Phelim pushed with all his might, and, as he supposed, a slab was raised and a flood of moonlight streamed into the o ening: ‘* Hello! dot’s business!” shouted a voice near by and a pore figure glided toward the spot. It was the German, Earl. : : He grasped Phelim’s hand and assisted him out of the aperture, and helped Richard and Eldora to emerge from the outlet. Not a moment too soon, for the bandits were at hand and their footsteps were heard upon the steps. Phelim slammed down the slab and leaped spon it. Carl apenas his ponderous form upon the marble and exclaimed: “Now, by jimminetty, let us see you get out of dot hole.” CHAPTER XVII. A HAPPY CONCLUSION. ALVAREZ heard the tumult in the and flung himself against the iron door and shouted until he was hoarse. To his infinite joy the door was opened and r appeared in the doorway. ‘“What’s the matter, captain?” he shouted as he beheld Alvarez in the vault. In a few words the villain had explained every thing and the ruffian started in pursuit of the escaping prisoners. “No use going in that direction,” shouted Jasper.” The men are after them. We will take a short cut in this direction.” Jasper darted away, followed by Alvarez, and they reached the outlet where, a short time en tees ne ” revious, Alvarez had met the unknown, The y of Gomez lay in the same spot where it had fallen, The gun-barrels of an armed party listened in the distance, and before either vil- in could k, a rattling discharge of fire- arms came borne upon the night air and a wild chorus of yells followed. ‘“What’s that?” cried Alvarez. “Just what I’ve expected would happen long ago; ’tis the revolutionist band of the “ Red Stars” and it means that we are attacked. It means fight or flight to_us,” replied Jasper. ‘‘See! Our men are making a bold resistance against twice their number.” ‘Let them come,” cried Alvarez; ‘these ruins are undermined! I'll blow them all to de- struction if I see that we are losing ground. Jasper, you know the secret spot where the powder train communicates with the mine;— see that it is fired in case of defeat.” “Tl go and cheer the men on to the attack,” shouted Jasper, and before Alvarez could pre- vent him he had darted away in the bright moonlight among the tombs and monuments in the direction of the struggle. _ Alvarez stood near a pedestal upon which a life-size figure cast a shadow in the moonlight. The villain did not observe the statue and it was well that he did not scrutinize it closely for the figure was Eldora—standing upon the ped- estal like a statue carved from stone and look- ing for all the world like the many images and broken figures that here and there arose from the countless tombstones and monuments, ‘Why should I fear?” cried Alvarez. ‘I can now escape and abandon the league to its fate. Here! here are the documents that I have guarded so long—the will of LaVega—here it is safe in my hands—never to leave them!” He produced the package of documents and waved them triumphantly aloft, In a moment the figure upon the leaped down and the papers were whisked out of the villain’s hand. e turned mute with sur- prise to see Eldora with the package in her Bee Phose papers! those papers,” he gasped; “return them or I will kil you!” , He extended his hand and as he did so the bright moonlight shone upon thé palm and re- vealed the letter imprinted upon the flesh—the letter A. “ The Branded Hand !” shrieked Eldora; ‘‘ my father’s assassin! Found at last, villain—found at last!” ** Yes, found at last!” cried a thrilling voice beside Alvarez, and the figure of the own arose from behind a huge tombstone. “ Alvarez! look upon me. You have known me as a man of mystery. "T'was your work that compelled me to shun the world, but, thank Heaven, the patriot cause of Mexico is in the secouneney. and we defeat the tyrant in every battle. dora, you have known me as the her- mit and I shunned you because I could not con- trol my feelings in yepr. presence, and the time had not yet arrived for me to reveal myself. k upon me, Alvarez!” destal The e tore aside the mask and a flowing peare at covered the lower half of his fea- es. ‘*Don La Vega!” gasped Alvarez, as he tot- tered against a broken monument; “ does the grave give up its dead?” ‘‘Father! father!” shrieked Eldora, and the next instant she was clasped to the bosom of the cloaked fi ’ ‘Not dead!” he said, calmly, ‘for your wea- m failed to deprive me of life. But I lingered tween life and death for weeks. When I did recover 1 found myself shattered, both in mind and body. I searched far and wide for my ebild, while I dreaded to reveal myself, as a _ was placed upon my head ere your mur- erous arm struck the blow. They believed me dead, and I allowed myself to remain dead to all feeling save revenge. Scoundrel, your hour is at hand!” and La Vega sought bis weapon. Alvarez turned to flee when a rifle cracked close at hand and a pistol-shot echoed the report of the gun. Alvarez threw his arms upward, and for a moment swayed to and fro; then he fell, face downward, iy oe the earth, with a bullet im- bedded in his brain. Phelim and Carl] emerged from the shadow of a tomb and came forward. “ Begorra, I’ve settled his hash for him. Bad luck to him! I owed him that, and I always pays my debts like the gintleman that I am.” ** Dot’s so!” cried Carl. “I helped you to pay it, too,” and he held the ponderous horse-pistol up to view. : In a short time the engagement became gen-
Page 15
pence apnea Rice ccmemmeninne — ~ eral; shots run, led in death-struggles mid the graves. “ear not, daughter,” said La Vega. “‘Il am in command of the attacking party, and we will destroy every member of this infamous league. The two leading spirits are dead.” sn golly, 1 heard dot feller tell der odder one about blowing up every bodies mit powder!” said Carl, suddenly, as he spurned the body of Alvarez with his foot, “True!” said La Vega; ‘‘I must warn my men at once. Here, Richard, take her and guard her until my return.” Richard came forward, and Eldora was soon in his arms. : 3 Obeying Carl’s warning, the little party moved away from the ruin, and not a moment too soon. A dull rumbling sound came from beneath the old ruin; a bright flash seemed to leap into the air; the earth heaved, and then a noise re- sembling the muttering of distant thunder fol- lowed. Jasper had fired the train, but no great harm had resulted from the act. La Vega’s timely warning had baffled the villain’s last resort. As Jasper sought to escape from an exit among the tombs he was shot by one of La Vega’s followers. oth villains had perished, and yet their blood rested not upon Richard, who had just cause to seek their life. The struggle was soon at an end, and the ban- dit league entirely destroyed, for the revolution- ists took no prisoners. They remembered the many dastardly deeds of the robbors and spared none. f : Carl explained his presence in Mexico and his arrival at the opportune moment to be of as- sistance to his friends. By mere accident he had discovered the ruins and watched the bandits as they descended into the vaults with the three prisoners. He searched careful and found an ingress which he used to such ad- vantage that he overpowered a sentry and secured his keys. He narrowly escaped with his life, for Jasper fired at his portly fibre ashe escaped. The rest is known to the reader. Eldora leaped upon the pedestal as a place of security, when Alvarez and Jasper suddenly emerged from a tomb near by. Richard and the remainder crouched among the headstones with weapons ready to protect the daring girl. The reader has witnessed the manner in which she wasenablad to secure the valuable documents so long kept f:om her by Alvarez. ! But a few words remain to be written. Rich- ard induced La V. to dis of his estates and the Don concluded to for the States and reside. A happy party soon left the shores of Mexico and once more stood beneath the starry flag of the United States. é It was Richard and his promised bride, Eldora La Vega. Phelim and Carl are both inducing La Vega to become an American citizen. While Richard and Eldora, hand in hand, are whispering of the ceremony that is to make them a ee and wife, we will conclude the story by using Phelim’s remark to La Vega: Sist tell the mayor that yez wants to become an American citizen.” ; “ And what—?” “ That’s all of it!” THE ENC. ee THE Fireside Library Of notable works by notable authors. Beautifully printed in the popular folio form, from clear, open type; each issue a complete novel and sold at the uniform price of Ten Cents each. No double price on double or extra size numyers. The cheapest library ever published; embraces only the choicest of recent fiction. 1 Was Sue His Wire? Mrs. Mary R. Crowell... 10c. 2 FLEEING From Love. By Harriet Irving .... 10c, 3 Dw He Love Her? Bartley T. Campbell ... 10c. 4 A STRANGE Woman. By Rett Winwood 10c° 6 Two Girts’ Lives. By Mrs. Mary R. Crowell. 10c. 7-8 LADY AUDLEY’s Secret Miss M. E. Braddon 10c, 9 Tae Wak of Hearts. Corinne Cushman 10, 10 LeraHTon GRanar, Miss M. FE. Braddon 10e, 11 THe Fatse Wipow. Mrs. J. D. Burton 10e, 12-13 Lost FoR Love. MissM. E. Braddon ..... 10e, 14-15 ToOrLERS OF THE Sea. By Victor Hugo .... 10c, 16 Tue QrapRoon. By Catharine A Warfield. 10c. 17-18 Uncte Smas. By J.S.LeFanu _..... 10c. EA Fruit. Miss M. E. Braddon..... 10¢, out on the still night air; men } “ae wee ne | a taal A cpt id dVASFUA, dice cede Lies 24-25 Birps or Prey. Miss M. E. Braddon ..... 10c, 25 THav Boy or Norcorr’s. Charles Lever 10c. 27-23 CoARLOTTE’S. INHERITANCE. By Miss M. E, Braddon .. ... MS PRS ik Oe 29 A Grru's Heart. By Rett Winwood 82 Tor Livy or St. Erne. By Mrs. Crow ...... 10c. 33 STRANGELY WED. : Mrs. J. D. Burton...... 10e. 34 Tue Gipsy Brive. eg E. O. Malen........ 10c. 35 AnnizE TEMPLE. B v. J. H. In am.... 10c, 86 Wrrnovut Mercy, y Bartley T. Campbell... 10c, 87 Buack Eyes AND BLur. Corinne Cushman... 10c. 88 Brave BarBARA. By Corinne Cushman...... 10c. 39 A DancErous WomaAN. By Margaret Blount.. 10c, 40 Ovrpa’s Love. By Henrietta E. DeConde.. . 41 Lost: A Wire. By Corinne Cushman., ..... 10c, 42 Winnine Ways. By Margaret Blount . .... 10c. 43 A Woman’s Heart. By Mrs. M. V. Victor.. 10c. 44 Tue Deap Letrer. By Seeley Regester .. 10c, 45 Lorp Liste’s Daventrer. By C. M Braeme. 10c, 46 A Woman’s Hanp. By the author of “The For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, postage paid, on receipt of twelve cents. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William street, N. Y. THE Half-Dime Singer's Library 1 Wuoa, Emma! and 59 other Songs. 2 Captain Curr and 57 other Songs. 8 Tue Garnsporo’ Har and 62 other Songs. 4 Jonnny Moraan and 60 other Son 5 Pun pes og You Wirn A Fearuer and 62 other ongs. 6 GrorGr THE CHARMER and 56 other Songs. ? Tae BELLE or Rockaway and 52 other Songs. 8 Sys) FeLian, You’re Too FresH and 60 other ongs. 9 Soy Youne Girw and 65 other Songs, 10 I’M THE GovERNOR’s ONLY Son and 58 other Songs. 11 My Fawn and 65 other Songs, 12 Comin’ 'THRo’ THe Rye and 55 other Songs. 13 Tae Rouiickine IrtsHMan and 59 other Songs, 14 Oup Doe Tray and 62 other Songs, 15 WHoa, CHARLIE and 59 other Songs. 16 IN TH1Is WuHeat By anp By and 68 « other Songs. 17 Nancy Lee and 58 other Songs. 18 I’m THE Boy THAr’s Bounp To Biaze and 57 other Songs. 19 Tae Two OrpHans and 59 other Songs. 20 WaT ARE THE ‘WitD WAVES SaYING, SisTER? and 59 other Songs. 21 Inpianant Potty Woa and 59 other Songs. 22 Toe OLp Arm-Cuarr and 58 other Songs. 23 On Coney IsLanp Beacu and 58 other Songs. 24 OLD Simon, THE Hot-Corn MAN and 60 others, 25 I’m in Love and 56 other Songs. 26 PARADE or THE GuARDs and 56 other Songs. 27 Yo, Have, Ho! and 60 other Songs. 28 "Twitt Never vo To Gisir up So and 60 other 29 Biur Acari Over THE BorprerR and &4 other Songs. 30 Tue Merry Laverne Man and 56 other Songs, 81 Sweer Foreer-mx-Nor and 55 other Songs, 82 Leerie Raby Mine and 53 other Songs. 33 De BANJo AM DE INSTRUMENT FOR Me and 53 other Songs. 34 Tarry and 50 other Songs. 35 Just To PLease THE Boys and 52 other Songs. 36 simone 2 oN ONE IN THE GUTTER and 52 other ongs. 87 Kotorep Kranxks and 59 other Songs. 88 Nr DesPERANDUM and 53 other Songs. 89 Tue Girt I Lerr Bextnp Me and 50 other Songs. 40 ’Tis mur A LittLe Faprep FLower and 50 other ongs. 41 Prerry Wertnetia and 60 other Songs, 42 DANornGa IN THE BARN and 63 other Songs. 43 H. M.S, PINAFORE, COMPLETE, and 17 other Songs. Sold everywhere by Newedsalers, at five cents per copy, or sent post-paid, to any address, on re- Sia cents per number, BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, v8 WititaM Streer, New York. ceipt o The Sunnyside Library. For sale by all newsdealers, or sent ot L . are § . postage ’ on receipt of twelve cent: ; double numbers twenty-four cones wreeb er ADAMS, VICTOR & CO., Publishe 98 William street, N. Y. 1A Harp Crowp. By Philip 8. Warne.......... 10c. 2 Tae Dare-Devi., By Col. P. Ingraham. .... 10c, 8 Kir Carson, JR. By Buckskin Sam.......... 10¢ 4 Tue Kipnaprrer. By Philip 8. Warne........ 10, 5 Tue Fire Frenps, By A. P. Morris, Jr....... 10c, 6 Wiupcat Bos. By Edward L. Wheeler...... 10e, 7 Deatu-Notcu, THe Destroyer. Oll Coomes, 10c. 8 Tue Heapiess Horseman. By Mayne Reid... 10c. 9 Hanpy Anpy. By Samuel Lover........ .. 10c. 10 Vipocg, THe FrReNcH Potice Spy. By himself 11 Mipsureman Easy. By Capt. Maryatt 10c, 10c, 12 Tue Deatu-Suotr. By Capt. Mayne Reid... 10c, 13 Parnaway. By Dr. J. H. Robinson.. ... . We 14 THAYENDANEGEA, THE ScourcE. Ned Buntline 10¢, 15 Tue Tiger Stayer. By Gustave Aimard.... 0c. 16 Tae Waite Wizarp. By Ned Buntline......, 10e, 17 Nieurswape. By Dr. J. H. Robinson........ 10¢, 18 THe Sea Banvir. By Ned Buntline....... .. 10e, 19 Rep Cepar. By Gustave Aimard............ 10c, 20 Tae Banvir at Bay. By Gustave Aimard... 10c. 21 Tar Trapper’s Davanter. Gustave Aimard. 10c, 22 WuHiTeLaAw; By Dr. J. H. Robinson......... We, 23 Toe Rep Warrior. By Ned Buntline ....... Ie, 24 THe Prairnm FLower. By Gustave Aimard. 1c. 25 Tue Gotp Guipz. By Francis Johnson....... 10c, 26 Tue Deata Track. By Francis Johnson ... 10c. 27 Tue Sporrer Derecrive. By Albert W.Aiken. 10c 28 TureE-Fincerep Jack. Joseph E. Badger, Jr 29 Tiarer Dick, THe Faro Kine. P. 8S. Warne. 80 GosprL Grorer. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr 10c, 31 THe New York SwHarp. By Albert W. Aiken. 10c. 82 B’noys or Yate. By John D. Vose ......... 10¢, 83 OverLanD Kir. By Albert W. Aiken... ... 10e, 84 Rocky McuntTain Ros. By Albert W. Aiken. 10c. 35 Kentuck, Tar Sport. By Albert W. Aiken. 10c, | 86 INsun Dick. By Albert W. Aiken ........... 10e, | 37 Hirt, THE Huncupack, By Ji. H. Robingon.. 10. | 88 Vetver Hann: By Albert W. Aiken. .... 1c, 29 THe Russian Spy. By Frederck Whittaker. 10c. 40 Tar Lona Harrep ‘Parps.’ JE. Badger, Jr. 10c. 41 Gotp Dan. By Albert W. Aiken,... ........ 10e, 42 Tae CanirorniA Detective. A. W. Aiken... 10c. 43 Daxora DAN. By Ol] Coomes... . .......... 10e, 44 Otp Dan Rackpacrk. By Oll Coomes........ 10¢, 45 Ovp Buru’s Err. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.,... 10c. 46 Bowtr-Kniret Ben. By Oll Coomes........., 10c, 47 Pacrric Perr. By Jos. H. Badger, Jr...... -.. 10, 48 Ipano Tom. By Oll Coomes. .. ........... 0c, 49 Tux Wour Demon. By Albert W. Aiken..... 10c, 50 Jack Raspitr. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr........ 10c. 51 Rep Ron, ae Boy Roap-Acent. Oll Coomes, 52 Deatu Tracer, Bv Wm. F. Cody........... 10c. 53 Sruver Sam. By Col. Delle Sara,............ 10c. 54 Anways on Hanp. By Philip §. Warne..... 10c. 55 Tur Scatp Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Reid.. 10c. 56 Tae INDIAN Mazeppa, By Albert W. Aiken... 10c. 57 Tue Sitent Hunter. By Percy B.St. John.. 10c. 58 Srtver Knire; By Dr. J. H. Robinson....... 10¢. 59 Tue Man From Texas. By Albert W. Aiken 60 Wipe Awake. By Frank Dumont........... 10c, 6° CapTaIn SEawair, By Ned Buntline......... 10c, 62 LoyaL Heart. By Gustave Aimard,....... 10¢, 63 Taz WINGED Wuatz. By Albert W. Aiken... 10c, 64 DovusLe Sraur. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. ..... 10¢, 65 Tue Rep Ravan. By Capt. Fred Whittaker. . 10c. 66 Tur Specter Bargue. By Capt. Mayne Reid.. 10c. 67 Tue Boy Jocxry. By Joseph EH. Badger, Jr.. 10c, 68 Tur Ficutina Trapper. By J. F.C. Adams. 10c. 69 Tur Irish Caprarn. By Capt. F, Whittaker 10c. 70 Hyprapap, By Dr. J. H. Robinson.......... 10e, 71 Capratn Coon Buape. By Jos. EK. Badger, Jr. 10¢. 72 Tue Paantom Hanp. By Albert W. Aiken.. 10c, P2EBBA: Pe a | Ee ws ef a 5 - 3 = = o z & y - GEES. Macatee Te Pee 74 CapraIn OF THE Riries. By Captain Pet 00 OO ee ee 4 ‘a ¥ 7 GentTLEMAN Grora@r. By Albert W. Aiken.. 10c. 76 Tue Quren’s Musketerr. By Geo. Albony.. 10c. | 7% Tue FresH or Frisco. Albert W. Aiken ... 10c, 78 The Mysterious Sry. By A. M. Grainger... 10c. 79 Jom Purntx. By Albert W. Aiken ..... 10e. 80 A Man or Nerve. By Philip §. Warne.. 10e, 81 THe Himan Ticrr, By Albert W. Aiken.... 10c, | 82 Tron Wrist. By Col. Thomas H. Monstery. 10c, 83 Gotp Butier Sport. By Bvffalo Bill . 10e, 84 Hunrep Down, By Albert W. Aiken.... 10¢. A new issue every (wo weeks. Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, ten cents per copy or sent by mail on | Teceipt of twelve cents each. EADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.
Page 16
1 Deadwood Dick, THE Princr or THE Roap. By Edward L. Wheeler. Yellowstone Jack; or, THz TRAPPER OF THE ENCHANTED GrounbD. By J. E. Badger, Jr. Kansas King; or, THe Rep Ricut Hanp. By Buffalo Bill (Hon. Wm. F. Cody). The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Reid and Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 5 Vagabond Joe; THE YounG WANDER- ING Jew. By Oll Coomes. 6 Bill Biddon, Trappers or, LIFE IN tHe Nortuwest. By idward 8. Ellis. "a The Flying Yankee; or, Tok OcEAN Outcast. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. & Seth Jones; or, THE CAPTIVES OF THE Frontier, By Edward §. Ellis. 4) The Adventures of Baron Mun- 1 chausen. Nat Todd; or, THe Farr or THE Sioux Captive. By Edward §. Ellis. 1 1 The Two Detectives; or, THE Fortunes or A Bowrry Girt. A.W. Aiken. 1 Gulliver’s Travels. <A Voyage to Lilliput, and a Voyage to Brobdingnag. 1 The Dumb Spy. By Ol!l Coomes, author of “* Vagabond Joe,” etc. 1 4. Aladdin; or, THE WONDERFUL Lamp. 15 The Sea-Cat; or, THz WitcH or Darien. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 16 Robinson Crusoe. His Life and Surprising Adventures, (27 illustrations.) 17 Ralph Roy, The Boy Bucca- neer. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 1 & Sindbad the Sailor. His seven voy- ages. From the Arabian Nights. 19 The Phantom Spy; or, THe Pitor OF THE Prarrre. By Buffalo Bill. 20 The Double Daggers; or, Drap- woop Dick’s Deriance. By E, L, Wheeler, 21 Frontier Angel. A Romance of Kentucky Rangers’ Life. By E. 58. Ellis. 2 The Sea Serpent; or, Tue Boy Rosinson Orvuson. By Col. Juan Lewis. 2 Nick o’ the Night; or, THe Boy Spy or 76. By T. C. Harbaugh. 24 Diamond Dirk; or, THe MysTERy oF THE YELLOWSTONE, By Col. Ingraham. . 5 The Boy Captain; or, THe Prratr’s Daveuter. By Roger Starbuck. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Demon. By Edward L, Wheeler. y) Ay Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. By Oll Coome.s Qe Buffalo Ben; or, Drapwoop Dick mn Disauise. By Edward L, Wheeler. 29 The Dumb Page; or, THe Docr’s Daveutrr. B - F. Whittaker. 30 Roaring Raiph ockwood, THE Reckiess Raneer.. By Harry St. George. 31 THE PRINCE OF THE Keen-Knife, Pratries, By Oll Coomes, 32 Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian; or, THe Girt Deap-Suor. E. L. Wheeler. 33 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, THE Rep PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEES, 8. W. Pierce. 34 Oregon Sol; or, Nick WuHIFFLEs’ Boy Spy. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 3 5 Wild Ivan, Tuz Boy CLauDE DuUVAL; By Edward L. Wheeler. 36 The Boy Clown; or, THE QUEEN OF THe ARENA. By Frank 8. Finn. 37 The Hidden Lodge; or, THe LitrLe Hunrer OF THE ADIRONDACKS. Harbaugh. 38 Ned Wylde, Tur Boy Scour. By Texas Jack. 39 Death-Face, the Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. 40 Roving Ben. A story of a Young American. By John J. Marshall, Al Lasso Jack, THE YounG MustTanc- ER. By Olli Coomes. 42 The Phantom Miner; or, DEAp- woop Dick’s Bonanza. By Ed, L. Wheeler. 4. Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 44 Rattling Rube; or, Tse Nicut- HAWES oF Kentucky. By Harry St. George. 4. Old Avalanche, the Great An- nihilator. By Edward L, Wheeler. 4.6 Glass Eye, the Great Shot of the West. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. A%7 Nightingale Nat; on, Tax Forest Cerca By T. C. Harbaugh. Road-Agent. AS Black John, the By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 49 Omaha Oll; or, DEapwoon Dick IN ‘ By Edward L. Wheeler. DANGER. BEADLE’'S HALF-DIME LIBRARY. Every one of them ‘ Live” Stories by *‘ Live®? Authors, Each number a Complete Novel, at the extraordinary price of a HALF-DIME. Tale of the Northwest. By OC, E. Lasalle. Strange Adventure. Charles E. Lasalle. 5 4. Ned Hazel, Tux Boy TRAppER; or, By Buffalo Bill, 5 vA Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, For. By Oll Coomes, The White Indian; or, Tur Scout 6 Team. By Edward L. Wheeler. 63 The Red Brotherhood; or, THE 6 REGON TRAIL. By T. C. Harbaugh. Patent-Leather Joe; or, OLD Rar- 68 Prarie Rover. By Buffalo Bill. 70 Old Zip’s Cabin; or, THE GREEN- "2 arr Spy. By Oll Coomes, Deadwood Dick on Deck. 5 TRAPPER RANGER. By Oll Coomes, 7 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. By Act or DEapwoop Dick. By #. L. Wheeler. Sol Ginger, THE GIANT TRAPPER. By SO Rosebud Rob; or, Nuecet NED, THE fe) Kit Harefoot, Tur Woov-Hawkx; or, HeErrEss OF THE GOLDEN Horn. Oll Coomes, 85 B ON Hanp. By Edward L. Wheeler. 8 = The Land Pirates; or, THE LEAGUE Ros’s PEARANCE. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 9 Famity. By author of “Jack Harkaway.” 0 The Captain of the Club. - By IN SirtTInG Buuy’s Camp. By E, L. Wheeler 9) 4 Midnight Jack, Tix Roap-AGENT By Lieutenant Col. Hazeltine. 96 The Outlaw Erothers; or, THE 50 Burt Bunker, Tue Trapper. A 5 1 The Boy Rifles; or, THz UnpER- Ground Camp, By Archie C. Iron, 5 The White Buffalo. A Tale of 53 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., THz Boy PHEnrx; or, THROUGH To THE Dratu, E. L. Wheeler. THE PHANTOM Princess. By J. F. C. Adams, 5 5 Deadly-Eye, Tux Unknown Scout; 56 Nick Whiffles’ Pet; or, In THE VaLnEy oF Deatu. Capt. J. F.C. Adams, ‘Tae PARDs or FLoop Bar, E. L. Wheeler, 5 e The Border King; or, Tur SrcreT 59 Old Hickory, or, Panpy ELLIs’s Scatp. By Harry St. George. 6 OF THE YELLOWSTONE. By J. F. C. Adams. Buckhorn Bill; or, THz Rep Rir.e 62 The Shadow Shins or, THE Rrvau LyEUTENANTS, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, TWELVE AVENGERS. By W. J. Hamilton. 64. Dandy Jack; or, THz OuTLAW or THE Hurricane Bill; or, Mustane Sam AND HIS ‘‘Parp.”’? By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 66 Single Hand; or, A Lire ror 4 Lirz. By W. J. Hamilton. 6 rf TLESNAKE, THE CHARMER. By P.S.Warne. The Border Robin Hood; or, THE 69 Gold Rifle; or, Taz Boy Derscrrvz or THE Buack Rancw. By E. L. Wheeler. HORN IN THE Woops. By J. F, C. Adams. y | 1 Delaware Dick; THE Youne Ran- Mad Tom Western, Tar TExaNn Ranger. By W. J. Hamilton. y ve Edward L. Wheeler. ri 4. Hawk-eye Harry, THe Youne The Bey Duelist; or, THE Cruisn oF THE Ska Wor. By Col. P. Ingraham. 7 6 Albert W. Aiken. = 41 Corduroy Charlie; or, THz Last € & Blue Dick; or, THr YELLOW CHIEF’s VENGEANCE. By Captain Mayne Reid. 7 9 Albert W. Aiken, Kyieut or THE GuicH. By E. lL. Wheeler. 1 er Jo, THE TERROR OF THE Rie. By Captain J. F. C. Adams. Oxip Powprr-Facr, By T, 0. Harbaugh. 3 Rollo, the Boy Ranger; or, TH: fe 4. Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosrsup Buck Buckram; or, Bess, THE Fr- MALE TRAPPER. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams, 6 Dandy Rock, TnEe-MAN-FROM-TEx- AS. al G. Waldo Browne. or Dryin’s Istanp. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 8 Photograph Phil; or, RKosksup 9 Island Jim; or. Tar PET oF THE The Dread Rider; on, THE Texan Duetist. By George W. Browne. 9 1 Bracebridge Hemyng, (Jack Harkaway.) 92 Canada Chet; or, OLD ANACONDA 9 3 The Boy Miners; or, THE ENCHANTED : Istanp. By Edward §. Ellis. By T. C, Harbaugh, 9 5 The Rival Rovers. Watch - Eye, THz DETECTIVE. By Edward L. Wheeler. 9 4a CAPTIVE oF THE Harpers, By J. J. Marshall. Robin Hood, THe OUTLAWED Ear. By Prof. Stewart Gildersleeve. 99 ‘The Tiger of Taos. By George o Browne. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. By Edward L. Wheeler, 1 O 1 Jack Harkaway in New York. By Bracebridge Hemyng. 102 Dick Dead-Eye, Tax Boy Suva GLER. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 103 The Lion of the Sea. By Col Delle Sara, 104 Deadwood Dick’s Device. By Edward L. Wheeler. 10 5 Old Rube, Tue Huntex; or, THE Crow Captive. By Capt. H. Holmes. 166 Old Frosty, the Guide. By T. C. Harbaugh. 107 One-Eyed Sim; or, Tux ABAN- DONED Forest Home. By J. L. Bowen. 10 & Daring Davy, THE Youne BEAR Kier, B Dink St. George. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. By Edward L, Wheeler. 1 10 The Black Steed of the Prai- ries. By James L. Bowen. 1 1 The oy rerienig.' * THE MrsHrir- MAN’s LeGAcy. By Col. P. In ham. 1 1 The Mad Hunter; or, Ten Cave or DeatH. By Burton Saxe. 1 1 3 Jack Hoyle, Tur Youne Sprcu- LatTor. By Edward L. Wheeler, 1 1 4. The Black Schooner, By Roger STARBUCK, 1 1 5 The Mad Miner. By Grorcr Wapo Browne. 1i The Hussar Captain. By Cor. Prentiss INGRAHAM, 1 1 vr f Gilt-Edged Dick, Tar Sport-Dr- TECTIVE. By Edward L. Wheeler. 1 1 fees, Will Somers, THz Boy Derzo- TIveE. By Charles Morris. 1 19 Mustang Sam; or, Toe Kine or THE Puains. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 120 The Branded Hand; or, THz Man or Mystery. By Frank Dumont. 1 21 Cinnamon Chip, Thx Giri Sport, By Edward L. eeler. 122 Phil Hardy, The Boss Boy. By Charles Morris, 1 23 Kiowa Ghexiey: THE WHITE Mus- TANGER. By T. OC. Harbaugh. 1 2 4 Tippy, the Texan; or, THz Youna HAMPION. By Geo. Gleason. 125 Bopanss Bill, Miner 5 or, Ma- pam Mystery, THE By Ed. L. Wheeler. etna LG ecivemarent ag chee 127 Wild-Fire, Tur Boss or tue Roap; or, THE WOLVEs oF SaTan’s Gap, By Frank Dumont. 12 <) The Young Privateer ; or, Tux — PriRaTES’ StRONGHOLD, By Harry Cav- endisn. 1 29 Deadwood Dick’s Double. A Story of Wild-Cat City. By Edward L. Wheeler. 130 Detective Dick; or, Taz HEro tN Rags. By Charles Morris, 131 The Golden Hand; or, Danpy Rock To THE Rescur. G,. W. Browne. 132 The Hunted Hunter; or, Tur STRANGE HoRSEMAN OF THE, PRAIRI a. By Edward §. Ellis. 133 Boss Bob, THE Kine or tur Boorsiacks; or, THE MEtTROPoLITAN Sporrrer. By Edward L. eeler. 1 3 4 Sure Shot Seth, Tur Boy Rirte- man. By Oli Coomes. Ready Feb. 17. 13 5 Captain Paul, THE Moonssmre oF Kentucky. By C.D. Clark. Ready February 24th. 1 36 Night-Hawk Kit ; or, Tar Davau- TER OF THE RancuE. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. Ready March 2d. 6 1 37 Blonde Bill, Tae Kine or THE Mines. A Tale of the Los Animas Mines. By Edward L. Wheeler. Ready March 9th. A new issue every week. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, five cents per Conese: sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. DLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.