Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 150) (1880 06 08)
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Be ee ae oy t* ea SSS PLT S = = \ : Molalla ftatatlatalalalalaly, . pa 4 , iv a ew h ’ Soon —— 7 | (hs! a 6 VR |e : $2.50 a year. Entered at the Post Office at New York, N, Y., as Second Class Mail Matter. Copyrighted in 1880 by BEADLE AND ADAMS, Vol VI Single PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, . C Number. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. Lance and Lasso; oR, THE CHILDREN OF THE CHACO. A Tale of Four Boys’ Summer Vacation on the Pampas of Buenos Ayres. BY CAPT. FREDERICK WHITTAKER, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ THE WILD-HORSE HUNTERS," “THE SEA- cat,” ‘‘ THE DUMB PAGE,” ETC., ETC. CHAPTER IL THE FOUR COMRADES. Four lads, ranging from fourteen to seventeen years of age, were sitting on their trunks in one of the dormitories of the “ Tusculum Military Academy,” discussing a grave project. * Now, fellows,” said Jack Curtis, the eldest but one, ‘‘ you know to-morrow’s our last day in school. Two of us are going away for good and all from the old shebang, and won't eat any more of old Wol- cott’s spider puddings. Now, why can’t you two other fellows get your folks to send you with us? It'll be prime fun, you bet! andif you must come back to school at the end of the holidays, at least you'll have a better time than you ever had before. nuel’s father says he'd like to take the whole school with him. My father says J can_go, and I guess we can get your folks to consent. t d'ye sa. 9” My father wouldn't let me,” sighed Louis Le- doux, the little black-eyed, curly-headed Louisi- anian. (The boys all called him “ Kitty,” from his soft ways and delicate face.) “‘He says I'm not strong enough; and mother declares she'll keep me home till I'm twenty. Hey! fellows, isn’t itashame? Guess I'll run away, when you fellows ee Tom Bullard, who was whittling out a boat with his knife, looked up. The boys all called him 4 You hain't got spunk enough, Kitty,”’ he remark- ed, dryly. ‘“‘As for me, I hain’t got no one to keer what I do, and I’m a-goin’ with Manuel and Jack. If my uncle hears of it, guess he'll be glad to let me go. *Twon't cost him much. But this runnin’ away ain't what it’s cracked up to be. What a Jammin’ the old feller gave me once, for tryin’ it on!” Tom Bullard was a Western boy, an orphan, in charge of an uncle, who owned a great ‘ranch ” ia Southern Kansas. Tom had learned to ride almost before he could remember, and his greatest trial at school was hav- ing no horse, for, like all boys, he loved a horse. He was rather short, but very broad and sturdy. He was a quiet fellow, too; you seldom heard of his fighting. But, for all that, he was feared by the bullies of the school, none of whom liked to meddle with “Plug.’’ Of course there was a reason for this. No boy ever gets feared by a bully. without haying done something to deserve it; and Plug’s reputation dated from his celebrated battle with “ Dutchy,” Now, ‘“‘Dutchy ” was @ big, overgrown lout of a boy, of German parents. His real name was Charley Alker, and he was in the habit of bullying the smaller boys unmercifully, being stronger than they. A boy who does that generally turns out to bea coward, when he is set on by equals; and so it proved with Charley Alker. One day Tom heard a great noise, and found “Dutchy " beating little Louis Ledoux with a base- ball bat, while pee “ Kitty” was bitterly. Without a single word, “Ping” flew at Alker, who was a head taller than himself, snatched the bat from him, threw it away, and then “‘sailed into Dutchy,” rough-and-tumble fashion. Before Alker wt WY knew where he was, the Western lad had him on his } s\\ \ ‘ Yes back, and punished him in such style that “ Dutchy ” \ wrt was compelled to scream for mercy. B \ \ we Bes That was Tom’s first and last battle, and so “CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, SLOW-COACH!” HE SHOUTED. was Alker beaten that he had to be put to bed fora
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2 Lance A ec ct np Ha ee Lasso. week. After that, every bully fought shy of old “ viug. » “Kitty” "Ledoux, for his part, absolutely adored him, from the day of the battle. Manuel Garcia was the eldest of the group. The boys called him ‘Father Wiseman,” on account ofhis grave ways. Manuel was head boy of the school, and was nea.!y six feet high at eighteen. He had a dark, handsome . », with black eyes, and his mustache was just beginning to sprout, which ren- dered him an object of great envy to Jack Curtis, who w oA eo Jack also a little down on his up , but it was so Hig lor that no one eatin annongh Jack aid h ‘to cell atten- tion to it ‘by constantly sistas x the few hairs that he called a mustache. Manuel's mustache, on the other hand, was undeniable, and he was obliged to shave his chin three times a week, whereas Jack hardly dared to go to the barber’s, for fear of being lauched at. M2inuel was the son of a rich Spanish gentleman. He was born in New York, and was, therefore, much more of an American than a Spaniard. Don Luis Garcia, his father, after making considerable money in the South American trade, had settled in Buenos Ayres, where he had bay = an immense estancia or grazing farm, w ich were thousands of cattle and horses. very year Don Luis dispatched ag me of hides and tallow to New York, frequent- coming on himself to superintend ‘the sales, xck Curtis’s father Was his New York agent, and at the time we openour story, Don Luis was in New York at Mr. Custis’s house, prepari to re- turn to Buenos ge It being so close to the holi- days, and Manuel and Jack being about to leave school for good, Don Luis had given his son permis- gion to invite as many of his schoolmates as could come on a trip to Buenos A , and hence the dis- cession hoe Be on in Dorraito ry No. 17, Tusculum Military em, Jack Curtis was a strong, well-grown lad, full of : ua and frolic, and always n scrapes. He was for- * sticking crooked pins in Dr. Wolcott’s chair, > ‘yting mice in the old gentleman’s desk to see him fact when they Jenaped out, and all such tri for every one of which he was regularly lectu by tha Doctor. In fact, all or nearly all the mischief that was done in the school was laid on Jack's = — and he was so perpetually in trouble that quired from Seo one the name of eiclcle. we uring the last few weeks, however, Jack had been much quieter. The idea of leaving school, and becoming a man, had toned him down. F ad at least a fortnight “ Pickle” had not been in trouble, s for “ Kitty ’’ Ledoux, he was too gentle and goat to get into disgrace, even at Tusculum, which ad the reputation. of being the strictest school on the Hudson. It was called a “ Military Academy,” because the boys dressed in uniform, and were drilled in the movements of soldiers. “Vl tell you what to do, Kitty,” said Manuel Gar- cia, speaking for the first time. ‘‘ Your father and mie are we uainted in business, and Pil get mi 19 to intercede for you, to let you come with us.” “Why should not we all write a letter?” su suggested Curtis. “ We'll make a regular round robin of it, like the sailors do, and get my father to send a letter along with it. “ Pickle’s s right, said Bullard, quietly. ‘“‘ Let’s get it up at on It doesn’t t take boys long to come to a conclusion, “ Kitty ” jumped up from his trunk, opened it, and produced the pretty little writing- -desk, his mother's Pitt, which he had kept uninjured, when all the cther fellows had smashed theirs. “Now, fellows,” he A “how shall we begin what I tell you,” said Garcia, ‘and you'll pte) Pll bring you out allright. Begin—‘ My dear fa- “3 But ain’t we ate aint to write together?” . gcsted “ Kitty.” our father, you know.”’ “Go ie, ead Gareiin idn’t I tell you I'd bring you out all right?” So Kitty wrote as he was told: ““My dear father,” dictated Garcia; ‘to-morrow begins the holidays, and I have an invitation to spend them with my room-mate, Manuel vhose father, you know, is Don Luis Garcia, o Bucnos Ayres. Manuel has asked several other fel- lows, and their fathers all say they may go. Please It me go, too, father. Manuel says I can have all the horses I want, and he’ll teach me how to ride, and it sha’n’t cost me anything, because we're to o2 his father’s ship, and stay at their place, outside of Buenos Ayres. Give my best love to mother, end believe me, your affectionate son, “Louis Lepovux.” € = He'll never let me go on that,’’ said Louis, doubt- y- “Where were you to spend the holidays?” asked Bullard, suddenly. “At aunt Louisa’ s,in New York,” answered the mag Be see why he should object,” said Bullard, “Tm not going to ask uncle Jobn at all: * ra going to write and tell him I’m going from New or’ Bullard was a queer, independent boy. He and ~ uncle only saw each other at the summer holi- when the uncle sent him money to take him est to the ranch, and paid his school-bills hrough an agent in New York. At the shorter va- con Bullard went to visit his different comrades, or staid in the school, with one or two other forlorn ones. He always traveled alone, and never came to harm s Kitty ” was differently situated. He had rela- t'ons in New York, as well as in New Orleans, and L sparents came to see him, generally at summer oat ’ vacation. This PF hj they had sent word that busi- ness detained Ledoux, and that Louis was to spend the vacation at his aunt Louisa’s, which he hated to do, as there were no boys at her house. It was this more than any thing that made him long to go with his friend Garcia. “Give me the desis, * said Garcia, suddenly. “Til write a postscript, He scribbled away for some minutes, and then re- marked: “ How’s this, boys? _‘ Mr. Manuel Garcia presents his compliments to Mr. Ledoux, and assures him that he will take just as good care of Louis_as aunt Louisa, or any other man. He hopes Mr, a < ee will let Louis go to the estancia, as it will Gp m good | and make a man of him. MANUEL GARCIA. “ Now, Plug, you nae AaB remarked Garcia, handing the desk to Tom Bullard “Plug” took the desk, and wrote a few words, which he read aloud: “Please let Kitty go with us. He’s a good little fellow, and T'll take care of him. Yours truly, “'T, BULLARD. ” “Good for you, Plug. ’ said Curtis; ‘“‘now let me haveatry: ‘Dear Sir: fom Bullard, Garcia and I are ing to Buenos Ayres next week, and we want uis to £0. with us. We'll take ood care of him, and bring him back safe if you'll only let him gO. Yours very respectfully, Jon Curtis.’ ”’ “ Now, fellows,” said Garcia, putting the letter in- to an envelo , ‘that’s done, and Il eo it to the post, right o' To-night we'll have a rou: time, ind to-morrow we'll bid farewell to cok bask, fish- balls, suet pudding, stale Fae oy ies, and old Woleott, altogether. Ill father, when he comes, if ever he has another y, never to send him to Tusculum, if he doesn’t want him to eat flies a spiders, boiled up in the plum pudding. And Master Manuel went off down the passage, whistling. CHAPTER II. HOW IT ALL HAPPENED. A Frew days later, three of our four friends were séated together once more, but in a different lace. It was in Mr. Curtis’s parlor in New York. Mrs, irtis was there, and. Louis Ledoux’s aunt Louisa, with Jack’s sister, Ellen Curtis, and Louis's cousin, Mary Seaton, both youn ladies of nearly eighteen. Old ** Plug *» was not visible. He had gone out for a walk all by himself, in his usual independent style, and had not been seen since breakfast. Manuel Garcia was talking to Mrs. Curtis, and Jack was very busy in a corner whispering with Mary Seaton. Poor “ Kitty’ was the only gloomy looking member of the party. He had not yet re- ceived an answer to his letter to his father, and be- gan to fear he would not get the desired rmission. is aunt Louisa and Ellen Curtis were both trying to comfort him, in different fashions. “If I were you, Louis,” said Mrs. Seaton, ‘I wouldn’t be down about it. Even if your father won't let See go, you can have a nice time with us. Mary an to Long Branch, and you can have all the sea- you want. Indeed; I think it would be very dangerous to let you go aw: down among all the wild beasts in South America. You're not old enough, yet.” “I'm not afraid of wild beasts,” said Lo’ val- iantly. “If I don’t go with Plug and Pickle I don’t want to FO anywhere. So there,’’ said Louis. And “Kitty” looked as eed as be was able to look. While they were they - heard the door, and Ellen pa, Lou i Who knows? Perhaps he has a letter for you.” Louis brightened up at this, and followed Ellen to the door and into the , where two gentlemen were hanging up their ha ’on the One of them was a stout, middle-aged gentleman, with a bald head and mutton-chop whiskers, was Mr. Curtis. The other was a tall and remarkably hand- some tleman, with a dark, sunburned face, and long, oe ing mustache, as black as acoal. It did not need Ellen’s cordial convince Louis that this was Manuel’s fal mn Luis Garcia. “Kitty” had not yet seen , for he had been at his aunt Louisa’s since he le gern and Mrs. Seaton had discouraged his is friends as she did not believe that der Ledoux would let Louis go, and A, did not went him to be disap- ae Oe a eet Ms Curtis, K’ndlys “4 e ndly; 0 you know this i is Don Luis, your namesake? n Luis, this is the little fellow that’s so anxious: to £0 with you to Buenos Ayres—Mr, Ledoux's son.’ ““And you are the ‘ Kitty’ that Manuel and Jack a often talk about, are you?” said Don Luis, look- ing at ‘Kitty ” with some interest. “ Well, my boy, an: t you think that you're almost too young t to go all that distance alone? Suppose you were to fall sick, so far from home?’ please, sir, I never get sick,” said Louis, | eagerly. “Tf father will only let me go, I shall be so happy. Pye, then,’ said Mr. Curtis, smiling, “ suppose Sa to’ say that your father won't hear of it, what then?” Louis did not answer. His heart was too full. He just turned away Fr a with tears in his e es, and sat down in the side. * Poor lad,” said Don Luis, +B Mr. Curtis, in a low voice; “‘ you shouldn’t have he’ll have a crying time.” As they went into the drawing-room, Mrs. Curtis drawing-room by Ellen ‘a | said that, Curtis, now rose to welcome her husband, and Jack jumped up, e They, father, is Kitty to go with us hey little c ap, he'll ery his eyes out if he don’t.”’ Mr. Curtis made no answer immediately, till his wife rung for dinner, when he said ~ wn ho 1 had a letter from Mr, Ledoux to-day.” bes ed Louis in a moment, all eagerness. Reser Mr. Curtis, what did he say?” Poor Don Pais Garcia turned round from where he was talking to Mrs. Seaton. “Don’t tease him any more, Curtis,” he said, laughing. ‘‘Let him know. Louis, your father says that you can go, if I will be responsible for you., How is it, my boy—do you think that you will give mé much trouble?” Louis could hardly s Boek f for jo wy “Oh, indeed, Mr. i be so good, ” he stammered; ‘“ then turni to Jack, cried: “On, Pickle, going, I'm going!” “ But where is our oung friend, Bullard?” asked Don Luis, as he looked round. ‘‘He’s a peculiar at andl enjoy talking to him wonderfully. Where e, Manuel?’ e went out, saying he was going to see Mr, Bix: by, and we've not seen him since.” ‘\He’s a very strange lad,’’ remarked Mrs. Seaton, with aslight shiver, “i noticed him once playing with a huge knife, —_ asked him what he was doing. *Practicin’ how toslip it into a feller’s in’ards,’ he answered, in the most cold-blooded manner. I de- clare, Don Luis, I should feel afraid to trust him with the rest, he’s ator a@ queer, outlandish boy.” Don Luis laughed “Oh, he won’t t hurt his friends, madam. It’s only his sense of humor that carries him away some- | ‘g the best-hearted fellow in the world,” said “Kitty? ” indignantly. ‘I wonder you can talk that way, aunt Louisa. jidn’t he thrash Dutchy when a was lamming me with the base-ball bat? Plug is Bh Sees brick. We wouldn't go if it wasn't for aie Dear me, dear me, Louis,” said his aunt, holding up her hands, “ where do you learn such language, I wonder? o’s Dutchy, and what do you mean by a regular brick?” ees A Alker, and I guess you’d a br Jok if you’d seen him .Riving is, enthusiastically. : hy, aunt, he bunged up both his eyes so he couldn't see out of’ em, and most broke his left arm. I guess nee Dutch had to leave me alone after that whip- eae of all the boys!” said aunt Louisa, with . “YT wonder where you learned to tal talk so. seri have to write to your father not to let you a away. I’m afraid that you'll get ruder than ever if to South America.”’ 0, | won't!’ said Louis. ‘ You'll see, I'll be as quiet as can be, once I get away from t these girls, teasing me and keeping me straight all the time.’ ‘And Louis looked scornfully at the two girls; but at Ahat moment the door opened, and the servant announced that dinner was ready. Close behind her came a broad, sturdy figure that, was hardly recog- of them at first, till Curtis cried out: Xe wast bs one ht have you been, and what have Reg 4: ed, but made no answer, till he had lf of a whole armory of weapons, whieh ue laid on the table. “Been to see Bixby,” he finally said, as he nro out a two-foot bowie-kn a navy revolver, a repeati poor 3 pe a and a big ee, dge-box, alongside © ni Louisa backed away in great trepidation from the table, sa: PE a ee Precamoa A i. Curtis, how — ast ee dangerous aad ouse ope thon re not loaded, i Mr. Ballard ‘om grinned “Every one 0 ren, ma’am. You'd better keep from the muzzles.” ich end is that?’ asked the lady, nervously the weapons, “Will they go off alone?” ey’re not apt to, ma’am,”’ said Plug, coolly, «unless ou happen to “cock ’em and pull the trigger. The ‘re just bu'sters to shoot, they are!” *sters! What is that, Mr. Tom?” asked the lady, inmocen "Rippers, ma’am; ring-tailed beep a hull team and a hoss tospare, with a er dawg hitched under the waggin.” And Tom allowed the end of bis cp phe to bulge out one Check, as he turned away to Tom was decidedly rude, but he had been brought up ina rough school, before he went to Tusculur Academy, and retai m of his native slang. Y, Sud retained ningh Tom?” asked Don ton and Plug with oe Plug “ Dutchy’s_ bi have called old it to Dutch,” Aa you awa “But where have Luis, who had listen Ply ’ streda vhte me respectfully in a moment. 8 ened u ent totes Mr. Bixby, sir, uncle John’s agent. ou_ bee to Mrs. Got him to telegraph for me to answer, sir.” Tom ‘held out a piece of paper, on which was written a line of writing. m Luis examined it | and couldn’t help laughi It was from Tom’s queer old bachelor uncle out in Kansas, evidently in answer to some request of Tom’s. It ran thus: “Mr. Brxpy: Let him have a thousand dollars and go. Joun BuLLaRD.” ** And so, first thing I did was to -and get the ” said Tom, aete? “‘and then I made for here, to be in time for dinner," ata wry’ boy he is!” whispered aunt Louisa. ey slowly proceeded te « » dining- to Den Luis. ast Got this * : ;
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| | en 3 room, “Sometimes I feel afraid of him, with his queer tales Sgr f **Poor boy!’ said Don Luis, with a slight sigh. “He has no father or mother to teach him g& manners. We mustremember that. My boy has no mother; and when I look at the two, I often think | how God has been f004 in sparing me so long to take care of Manuel, till he is old enough to take care of himself, Tom Bullard is a wonderfully fine fellow, considering the way in which he has literally tumbled up, rather than been brought up.” And a few minutes after they were all busy at din- ner, in the course of which they found out that Mr. Ledoux had written a long letter to Mr. Curtis about Louis. Mr. Ledoux was a great sugar‘planter of Louisiana, and Mr. Curtis was his agent, as well as Don Luis Garcia. One sent him sugar, the other sent hides and tallow, and he sold cargoes for both. To-day he had received news from Mr. Ledoux, a second time. “He says, boys, that he received your letter, and if Don Luis is willing to take charge of you all, and will be responsible for your safety; he has no ob- jection. He has also told me to see that you are properly fitted out, Master Louis, anil io that end I am to get all that is necessary, and Change it to him. Are you satisfled?”’ ‘* Kitty ”’ was almost too happy to answer. “And what did you write to your uncle, Master Tom?” asked Don Luis of ‘ Plug,” who:was quietly eating his dinner beside Mrs. Curtis. “ Telegraphed that I wanted to go to Buenos Ayres, and watied | money to go,”’ said Plug, laconically. “Well,” said n Luis, smiling, “your uncle seems to have perfect confidence in you, from his answer.” ‘““Why shouldn’t he?” said Tom, quietly. “I never give him any trouble; and if I get into musses, Iget out of them alone. That's the way to get on with uncle John.” “ Well, boys,”’ said Mr. Curtis, “ uow that it’s all settled, you'll have to make your pre tions at once. the Bonita sails on Monday next, and to-day is Wednesday. Don’t go to getting any more guns and pistols, Master Bullard, for you won’t need them in Buenos Ayres. It’s not such a wild place as you think.” “The best thing you can do, boys,” said Don Luis, “is to come with me to-morrow, and Ill show you what you'll want. Then you won't waste your money.’ ree f so it was settled; and the next day saw our boys, with Don Luis, going from store to store, pur- chasing heavy coats for sea, strong trowsers for riding, weapons, and every thing else except saddles and bridles. Don Luis told them that they would not need those, as there were plenty at Buenos Ayres. CHAPTER TL GOING TO SBA. On a broili hot morning in July, the good ship Bonita lay alongside the wharf in the North river, while our four boys stood on the quarter-deck, with their handkerchiefs to a group of ge on the wharf. Outside, in the dock between the wharves, a little black steam-tug was puffing and blowing, as she backed out, at the end of a long rope, under whose influence the Bonita began slowly to move away from the shore, Kitty” oux's face was not without a trace of sadness on it. After all, he was v fond of his Aunt Louisa, who was exceedingly d; and he was leaving her for no one knew how long. Jack Curtis, too, was going away from father and mother, and although he would not have stayed be- hind, still, the sight of their grief at parting affected him sensibly, Manuel Garcia seemed to be not altogether happy, either, though he was with his father. The fact was, that Manuel with his handsome "aos and dark eves. had been greatly taken with Jack’s sister, Ellen Cur- tis, and almost felt inctined to give up his voyage, to remain with the blue eyes and sunny curls of the retty New a3 girl, ‘ re A, en never do Mp S06. ess ;.s0 Manuel hi is feelings away, along with a lock of hair that came from “his adored one, in a pretty gold locket, The « thoroughly happy one of the party was old “ Plug.”” Tom had commenced sailor's life as soon as he got on board, and was already perched on top of the spanker boom, with his legs dangling, while he whistled “A Life on the Ocean Wave,” with the full power of his lunr-. Don Luis was Waste his hat, and the Bonita glided slowly out of, the dock and into the stream, where the intervening vessels soon shut out the view of the | le on shore. os they saw the wharves full of shipping glidin by rapidly, while their course was constantly ¢ by the great ferryboats to Hoboken and Jersey City, the rival steam tugs shot up and down at either side. Then there were numbers of sloops and schooners, with their white sails ae ee to i ee ie f dashi under their bows, as they plow huteaait tae paiete. In a little while the black steam-tug backed water, taking in the long rope as she did so, and came alongside of the Bonita, when she was secured to her at bow and stern, with strong eapoggs after which they steamed ahead once more. Now the captain of the Bonita who had been down in the forwar of the vessel, came back to sakes th - I black roti Rl pet that 4 ors through a ng-trumpet thi held in his hand. The novel ing. With Don Liie they took thelr seme oo the ex ing. n , they eir seats on the tree end of the vessel, which is called the. taffrail, of everything interested our ys pond | and watched everything going on with great inter- est. . Even Manuel knew but little of the sea. As for Jack and “ Kitty,” to them it was all new, and the latter never wearied of asking questions of | his kind friend, Don Luis. | “Please, sir, why does the boat come. up to us | instead of dragging us?’’ was his first question. | j | | | ** Because we are goin crooked channel,” said the Don. .“ There are places in it where it, turns sharp round, and where. the water on each side is quite shallow. Now, if we were to keep at the end of our tow-rope, we might swing quite out of the channel, and stick in the mud in one of these places, whereas, if we keep close to the tug, we both go where she does.” ‘*But how do you. know where, the channel, is?” asked “ Kitty.” Don Luis pointed to a man standiug near the ere who every now and then, spoke a word. to the r. “That man is the pilots t he said. ‘‘It is his ‘busi- ness to take vessels in and out, and he dees nothing else all the time. The edges of the channel are marked by buoys—" “Kitty ” stared and laughed. Dd B y boys, Don Louis! Oh, you're fooling, ain't you? Don. Luis laughed also. “Well, well, my lad, the buoy I mean is a different kind of boy. A buoy—b-u-o-y—is a small keg, or a float of some kind, which is fastened to.a nope or chain, the other end anchored to a rock. The buoy floats on top of the water, and marks the rock underneath. There is a row. of buoys on each side of this New York channel, as soon as it gets narrow, So you see we have to go between them to be safe, and the pilot a from long experience, just where to look for m,’ “* How long does he stay with us, sir?” asked Jack “Till we get outside Sandy Hook,” responded Don Luis. ‘Then he leaves us and goes to he. own ves- sel, one of those pretty schooners that you see, now and then, with the huge number on = mainsail. Those are the pilot-boats.”’ This brought inquisitive ‘‘ Kitty ’ to the front with a new question. He had been brought up away from the sea, and actually knew hardly anything about vessels, But he had made up his ood to know all he could get out of Don Luis; and the good- natured estanciero was a good deal of a sailor, The Bonita belonged. to him, and he frequently made voyages in her; so that he had acquired considera- ble know of seamanship, “Please, Don Luis,” said“ Kitt , as the estan- ciero spoke of the pilot boats;” “ what kind of aship do you call that?” and he pointed to a low black ves- sel with one and enormous sails that went skimming past them, swift as an arrow, as they came abconsy ‘73 Governor's daland. * That’s a sloop yacht, my , said the estan- ciero; ‘‘that is, a Neoarl aAe.'s for nothing but pleasure-sailing and sport, sloop- a? “ And what's sloop-rigged?” asked ‘* Kitty,” “We call vessels with one mast sloops,” said Don Luis, ‘‘ You see that one has one mast, anda big sail that goes from the front to the rear, what we call fore and aft, Above that eee hes atritiquieg sail, called a gaff topsail,and two more in t called jibs. That’s a sloop. . Yonder vessel with two masts, and the same kind of sails, is a schooner. Now look at our own vessel, . You see she has three masts, and that all her sails are fastened to sticks going across the pera fore and aft, pans -ks are called yards, the sails square-sails, an our own vessel, is a true ship. phen that everything you see afloat, from a boat to a man-of- war, isa vessel, but. noth isa ship that has not got three masts, and is not square- onall. A ee vessel with two masts is called a “But why do they have so many different kinds of ships—vessels I mean, sir?” asked Jack Curtis, > ba shouldn't they be all of one kind?” As he spoke, the captain shouted out some orders; and the men who had gone up on the yards let go some ropes, when down fell the white sheets of can- vas in grecetul festoons, swelling out under the favorable breeze that blew from the coast of Jersey. Don Luis pointed to a schooner that was just crossing their bows to go the river. She was laid over by the breeze, till her De. poe showed for i ag feet, and was struggling hard against a head e. “See apes. schooner,’ he-said. “ She was built expressly for going up and down our broad Ameri- can rivers, where the wind is sure to be con- trary to qa one-half of the vessels, going in op site directions. What she needs isa rig toen- able her to go slanting to and fro from side to side, what is ed ‘beating up’ and ‘tacking.’ Her sails set themselves, you see, and swing round from one tack to the other, alone. All she needs is a man at the helm, and another to ‘tend jib, as it is called. Now our ship is meant to go in sory. seas, where she a ere to take in her sails bit by. bit. Con- sequently you see there are a great number of th so that we may be always be easily able to find ou how much she can . And then, another point, Our ship is meant to go before the wind, or on one tack, for very | peri and these sunetp sails send a ship much faster before the wind than those fore-and-aft ones. Look there. See that other schooner that we are overtaking, though she goes the same way that wedo. She is going before the Lo er — ~, ae — phir 1 So on = side. ca going ‘wing and wing.’ square- regen mip: can almost pi Fong beat a schooner at that, aS we are beat by them in short tacks, So you see there’s a reason for schooners and another out through a narrow and | | mans call sea pigs for ships, and so also for all other ‘kinds of vessels. People wouldn’t build them in different ways if they didn’t find it pay them.” Here the don broke off in his lecture, to point out theshores of Staten Island, and a shoal of apt cme playing in the waves, between them and the shore: “ Weshall see plenty of those out at sea,’’ he said * Those are porpoises, which the French and Ger They look something like them, and their flesh is very similar to pork.” Louis was delighted with the sightof the porpdises, as they caine to the surface of the sea with a gra rush, described a graceful curve in air, and ther went down again to parts unknown, leaving the spray glittering in the bright sunshine. Now the breeze began to freshen, as the he sailors began to come down from the ards, where now all the sails were hanging in fes ns, thundering and fiapping loudly. In a few minutes afterward the tug cast off her fastenings, the sailors on deck seized hold of the long ropes called “* ” which run from the lower courses of all the sails, and stretched the great squares of white eanvas tight between the yards. Then the Bonita bowed over her lofty masts as she felt the canvas, and: away she went, with her head pointed toward the blue line of sea, between Sandy Hook and Coney Island, the white foam parting under her passeé own = the Narrows and emerged into the lower bay | cutwater. The Bonita was a fast ship, and every stitch of canvas was soon spread. The breeze was from the north-west and therefore favorable for her. Soon the boys noticed some men out on the ends of the yards, pushing out some long, slender sticks through rings at the yard-arms on each side. The captain of the Bonita, whose name was Gregson, was standing near by, as Louis asked him: cy captain, what are those men doing?” by out stu’n’sail booms,” said the ca _ and turned away, for he didn’t want to be bothe just then. Don Luis beckoned to “ nee i ‘You mustn't talk to the captain till you get out to sea,” he said. “A captain is always anxious about his vessel when there are rocks or shoals around, and never feels safe till out of sight of land What do you want to know?” Louis repeated his question about the studding sail booms, and Don Luis told him: ‘* You see the breeze is very light yet, and we want to take advantage of it, so we rig out those booms, and presently you'll see them send up the sails from on deck.” And sure enough, in a short time after, first one sail and then another was fastened to long, thin ecpee and hauled up to the ends of the studding- or stu’n’sail booms, till there was a cloud of canvas on the ship, under which her hull looked like a speck. In less than an hour afterward, the pee was on his way shoreward, and the Bonita, un- er all sail, was heading south-eastwardly toward the distant coast of Africa. CHAPTER IV. OCEAN LIFE, Berore 7 ae gone many miles outside of Sandy Hook, breeze freshened to a considerable wind, and the leaped along like a live thing, go- ing at a pace, for she was very sharp and swift, of the build called clipper. But if Bonita sailed fast and looked pretty, she also — and pitch considerably, and e rie ay ” gave in, Don Luis sent him down to his cabin, and poor Leuis All the jokes they could muster wouldn't keep off the enemy; and first, ‘‘ Pickle’ and then “ 1 blue line, the horizon, Here and there in the ex- treme distance were a few white specks that they knew must be sails. The land was nowhere to be seen, and the ocean was curling in short, glitteri Se eae fresh, cool breeze that wi them from Sandy Hook. The contrast be- tween thedull, weltering heat on the docks, the day before, and the fresh, delightful coolness of the open sea, wonderful. was The sea-sickness of the bo was quite for a time, and they enjoyed t scene 3 Louis, J and Manuel were sitting in chairs on the —— side Ky = pc ae : pas tive . as ng questions, this time of Captain , who tu out to be a very kind pleasant man, now that he was not busy. Don Luis was gone forward to smoke a cigar, and “ Plug” was invisible for the time. * vlease, captain, how long will it be before we , Teach Buenos Ayres?” asked * Kitty.’
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“k ‘*Well, in about six weeks, with good luck, young gentleman.” Louis had brought out a large school geography, with which he was trying to follow out the course wae pursue. he paid ly, “ : , “Tsu he , wisely, ‘“‘ we shall pass close by the Wost Indies and the mouth of the Amazon, captain, and keep close to South America all the wa A. The captain smiled. “We should be a long time getting there that pole First, we should meet the Gulf Stream, which would delay us. Next we should be — sure of contrary winds till we crossed the line, es the chance of a hurricane in the West Indies; and lastly, that very current of the Amazon you of would put us out of our way several days. ere do you suppose we are heading now?” Louis looked at the map. ‘For Cape St. Roque,” he said, confidently. Not a bit of it, my lad. For Cape Verd." “But that’s in Africa,” said Jack Curtis. “Isn't ecg! gH out of our way?” ‘*No, for we shall most probably have constant breezes from the north-west till we get there. In this part of the Atlantic we look for that, After nearing Africa we cross the equator and get into the Doldrums, where it’s always more or less calm. Still, we get out of that by the help of the African current, and then come into the South Atlantic Ocean, in the south-east trade-wind, which will ca us straight to Buenos Ayres without shifting a sail. So that, you see, though we go a greater tance, we save e, by having a fair wind all the way.” Here Captain Gregson turned away and looked up at the main-top. ‘* Who's that skylarking up there?"’ he called out. The boys looked up, and beheld the well-known visage of Tom B , looking over the edge of the top as he stood, holding on to a shroud. **Plug,”’ for all answer to the captain’s question, took aim at Jack Curtis with a hickory nut which he had in his t, and struck him full on the top of the head, the nut bouncing off and taking Captain Gregson on the nose. The — started and looked mae en he laughed, and shook his erying: “Til pay you for that, you scamp. Do you know what happens to eg hands when they get up in the rigging for the first time?” ‘* No,” said Tom, coolly. ‘‘ Do they hurt ’em if they catch ’em, Cap?” “You shall see,” said the ane laughing. ** Here, Mr. Hutton, send a couple of the men up - po that young gentleman, and make him pay his ‘00 aid 4 Mr. Hutton was the first mate, and he too an to laugh. It was evident to the boy, that something funny wastohappen. They could see the sailors in the forecastle looking up and laughing at each other, as they watched Tom, ‘* Here, Striker, and you Antonio, go after him,” said the mate, still laughing; and immediately two of the sailors — rom the rest and ran to the main rigging, which they began to ascend. One of them was a big, heavily-built Englishman. with broad shoulders and long legs. The boys noticed him, on account of his great size and strength, when they came out of New York. Striker was a gloomy, somewhat sullen-looking man, with temper none of the best, but known as a first-rate font aloft. Antonio, his companion, was a dark swarthy Italian of middle size, but very bread and compact. As these two men commenced ascending the main- ng, it was clear that they had some de- signs ‘on Tom, for Striker wore a grim smile on his face, and Antonio was chattering Italian to a com- rade on the deck below as fast as he could talk, sometimes pointing toward Tom. The Western lad allowed them to come up a few rounds of the ladder, hardly seeming to understan when Don Luis came out of the cabin door, an took in the situation at a glance. ‘Away with you, Tom,’ he shouted, cheerily. “Tf those men catch = they'll tie you up in the rigging till you pay them. Up to the cross-trees, uick!” And then Tom started. Now, ‘‘Plug’’ had not the least idea where the cross-trees were, He had not yet been long enough ona ship to know the names of things. But he knew that it was a case of “‘ Catch me if you can,’’ and al- though no sailor, Tom was what was better, under some circumstances. He was a skillful gymnast. Many a time in the old Tusculum Academ. Tom led the game of ‘ Follow Few / leader ” t h the yinnasium, climbing up ders with his han umping Over ropes, swinging over horizontal an parallel bars, and again playing leap-frog over the wooden horse. In a moment he was into the top- most rigging, and climbing rapidly up to the head of the mast, where two ecross-pieces of timber, at the heel of the topgallant mast, seemed to him most like the ‘‘ cross-trees ’’ Don Luis direeted him to. Tom was right. They were the ecross- and he got there before the two sailors the top. A shout of encouragement from the deck greeted him. ‘ ‘Go it, Plug,’ cried Curtis, below, who had been watehing the sailors and Tom with the eyes of a connoisseur in gymnastics. ‘ You gan beat them and give them the start, youcan. Up higher, old ow.” pins Tom looked down and saw the two sailors, one on each side of the mast, coming up at a run. He looked upward. There were no more ratlines now, no cross-pieces to rest the feet on. Four stiff black from the cross-trees to the head of the top- for a mo- at Tom, ropes | Lance and Lasso. gallant mast, and up these Tom saw that his way must lie. Without a moment’s hesitation he seized one in each hand, and putting his knees and shins out inst the ropes, commenced to scramble up, just like a cat. It was a trick he had often prac- ticed in the gymnasium on two meet oor and the sticky, tarred rope, with its rough ace, made the task infinitely easier, For all that, it seemed to — the sailors, who shouted with laughter, — ng their two comrades in the chase after ‘om. oom Tom reached the end of his ropes, and saw nothing above him now but the smooth mast, which, as the vessel was in motion, seemed to sway to and fro with wonderful s , considering the gentle roll on deck. Tom looked around him and then below. It was plain that he could go no higher, = by *swarming,’’ and even then he was bound be taken at last. Already Striker, the grim smile on his face expanding as he nea the boy, was com- ing up the to t rigging, shinning a le = Antonio had stopped at the cross-trees at the other side of the mast, as if to cut off his retreat in that direction. “Plug” ——— to think of fighting, when he heard Manuel Garcia’s voice on deck, shouting: “Hey, Plug, come down on the yh «gr ree Bs quick, or they'll get you! There it is, in n ’ Plug looked where Manuel pointed, and found a stiff black rope, that led from where he was, ina slant downward and forward, to the head of the foretopmast. With a cry of defiance the lad it and swung out from the mast, clasping the rope with arms and legs at once, and gliding rapidly down toward the foretopmast. But while he thus eluded Striker, who was left be- hind inthe middle of the main-topgallant o he could not shake off Antonio. fore the cheers of the quarter-deck and the jeers of the sailors had died away, Antonio was seen to swing himself out on the éopmast stay, a similar po eee to and below the topgallant stay, and was fairly on his way to the foretop before Tom had reached the fore- cross-trees. Now the cheers rose again for Antonio, and Tom, who was wonderfully quick at learning, went shin- ning up to the foretopgallant rigging like a monkey. He h a vague idea of going somewhere from thence, but he hardly knew where as yet. By the time he arrived at the foreto lant mast-head, Antonio was at the cross-trees below him; and Strik- er, who had now reached the mainto gallant stay, was ey down it hand over han promising to be at the fore cross-trees as soon as Antonio. e blood of both sailors was up, to be beaten at climb- ing by a mere landsman, and a boy at that, like Tom. At the foretopgallant mast-head Tom paused a moment. There was, itis true, a stay leading for- ward to the end of the jibboom; but it was occupied by the rings of the foretopgallant staysail, which was set, and looked too hazardous to slide down. But Tom saw that there were other stays yet, still higher up the mast. The jib-stay and flyin jib-stay were both there, and sa de jib was not set. Up the smooth mast clim * Plug,” his pro- gress being sensibly slower now, while his two pur- suers, on the rougher ropes, doing their best, were pts ewe go m, At , when he reached the jib-stay, big Striker was just beginning to shin the mast, but Antonio had disap ed. “Plug” uttered a shout of tri- umph, and strained harder than ever upward. He was at the flying jib-stay at last, and looked down. The long reach and t strength of the English sailor had given him the advantage in the last pull up, hand over hand, and he was already within six feet of Tom. “A miss is as as a mile,” shouted the boy, with a scornful laugh; and next minute he was Same down the flying jib-stay, like a swallow on wing. But Tom had reckoned without his host when he thought Antonio had given up the chase. That as- tute individual, ee that Tom’s course must end at last at the tip of the jibboom, as soon as he saw that “ ie was swarming upward still, caught the foretopgallant backstay, and came down on deck like a flash, whence he ran out to the heel of tha bowsprit, and there awaited our young friend's ap- ce. He heard Plug’s shout of triumph, saw im come shooting down on the stay, and instantly aig up and ran out on the jibboom to intercept m. Like a flash, the gallant Western lad glided down the stiff rope, and reached the extreme end of the flying jibboom. Then he turned round to run in, laughing to think of how he had outwitted his pur- suers, and saw himself confronted by the broad, sturdy figure, and dark, glittering eyes of Antonio. “A signorino, me got you agit bacco |” cried the sailor, showing his teeth, in glee half inanger. ‘ You pay for dis chase you see! aa a= : Leas ert = ig pag Pie 8 stay, or breath. Zz er was airents coming owe the stay, and in a moment more he would be a prisoner, if he stayed. “Catch me, if you can, slow-coach,” he shouted, in Antonio’s face. Then he as he fi his ca oy} e foaming brine, under the cut- epee eon water of the Bonita. ‘Man overboard! Man overboard!” was the in- stant ery, as the men rushed to the side, throwing ro Before Tom reached the stern he had caught hold of a rope, and was hauled on board, wet; bu e. “Wi Cap,” he observed coolly, to Gregson; “next time you send your men after a fellow, make sure that he hasn't been to gymnasium, will ye?” And Tom was free to the Bonita’s rigging for that voyage. CHAPTER V. THE DOLDRUMS, y A rew weeks later, and the Bonita was in the Dot- rums. Do you know what the Doldrums are? Look into your last new geography, and you will find at the end of the book, several chapters on Physical Geo- graphy, as it is called—that is, the natural features of different parts of the world, without regard to the nations they belong to. There you will find all about the winds and currents, and among other things, the Doldrums or ‘‘ Horse Latitudes.” Yow may understand better, ow if you will listen to Don Luis Garcia and Rt Gregson, as words, ‘ oux was listening attentively, pen Bes a sailor singing an old ballad near ** Down in the Doldrums we lay All the day, all the day. Till the pitch boiled out of the seams, brave boys, And the sailors they sweat in streams, brave boys, And we whistled for wind that never came, Till a hurricane rose in the lightning’s flame, And carried us out at last, brave boys, From the heaving, rolling Doldrums."’* And so Kitty asked: “Please, Don Luis, do you know what the Dol- drums are?” ‘‘ We are in them now,” said Mr, Garcia, quietly. Then Louis looked around him. As far as they could see, the ocean was like a mir- ror, without so much as a ripple to disturb it. A few miles off was a dark line on the water, where the sea was covered with a mass of seaweed that stretch- ed out of sight in all directions. But the Bonita la in perfectly clear water. Her sails hung in folds from the yards, for there was not a breath of wind. The sky was of a dark, intense blue, without a speck of cloud, and the sun blazed down like a furnace. The sailors lay about on the forecastle, under shadow of sails, wherever they could find them, and the pas- sengers were under the Sora 9p awning, Mp hes to keep cool, and all in their shirt-sleeves. Don a ree poking a gherodt, and most fopgni bE ag party, whiie poor Captain Gregson was fanning him self, close to the thermometer, which marked 110° under the awning. hed heavily. t ave the Doldrums?” he asked, again. Doldrums’ is a name given by sailors to a region of the Atlantic Ocean near the coast of a oo prot J a yh degrees on each ae 0 6 equator, where ere are no prevaili winds, and where calms like this are found all the year round.” Yes,” said “ Plug,” suddenly breaking into the conversation, a thing he seldom did; “and Striker calls ’em Horse Latitudes." Striker and Tom had become great friends since Tom’s leap into the sea. The surly sailor seemed 3 nays taken a fancy to the boy, on account of his pluck. “Horse Latitudes!” said Jack Curtis, lazily. “Oh, get out, Plug; Striker was fooling you. What's the sea got to do with horses?” “That's what I asked Striker,” said Tom, ‘‘ and he told me that once on a time a Spanish vessel, loaded with horses, got becalmed so long that finally they eat up all the food, and had to kill the horses, And a since that, the sailors call these the Horse Lati- udes. om nS that. true, captain?” asked “ Kitty,” wonder e captain turned languidly. He was a fat man and felt the heat terribly. ‘‘Tt’s as true as most sailors’ stories,’’ he replied, “It's true that they call these the Horse Latitudes and tell Sng likely that’s the reason. The (ace iards u Le go to the Miiety ne py oe coe ern Passage, and were very et caug’ the Doldrums by going too far south. © “But how did we get into them?” dé@iHanded pA Curtis. ‘‘Ought we not to have kept Clear of t hl ‘“*We can’t help ourselves,” answered the ca tain. ‘ait The Doldrums must be crossed to get to the equator. * But how are we to get out of them,” persisted Jack, “if there’s never oy wind?” ; The captain smiled. “You're a smart lad, but you're not aware that we're moving out of them slowly all the while.” Why, how can that be?’ inquired Louis, inno- enNG.” sald Capt in Gregson, “but the sea d 0,” aptain G n, “‘but the sea does We're in what's valled the Guinea Current now which carries us south at two or three miles ay hour. Do you see yonder great mass of sea-weed( That's what the Span s call Sargasso Sea. It’s made of the sea-weeds collected in the eddy of the great Atlantic Current, better k: own as the Gulf tream. Inside Sargasso Sea is a dead calm. Round its edges goes the great Equatorial Current. It slants over, first thr ugh the Caribbean Sea into the Gulf of Mexico, rushes out past Florida, as the Gulf Stream, and then goes up along North Amer- ica, and so over to England and Europe. Part of it turns round and comes back again to join the other half of the Equatorial Current, which follows the trade-winds over to South America. If it were not for that, we t stick here forever,”’ “ But there are big storms here, Striker says,” ke in ‘“‘ Plug. ats 4 there are,” said the captain, uneasily; “and Fa +
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Lance and Lasso. what’s more, I’m afraid we’re going to have one very soon.”’ Don Luis started. “* What, is the barometer going down?’”’. He spoke anxiously. “A little,” said the captain, “but not enough = Li canee us yet. At least not when I last looked at it.” Don Luis arose. ** How high was it?’”’ he asked, “Twenty-eight and a quarter,” said the captain. “ Are you going to look at it?” ; “Yes.” And Don Luis went below with a grave ace, Presently he returned and spoke to the captain. “Twenty-six and three-quarters,” said the estan- ciero,* dryly. This was all Greek to the Satins By Aan but it | ert. In the first moments of this change, the whole had a great effect on the captain. spru ty, cast one look around him. j * Are you sure?”’ he demanded of Don Luis. Then, without waiting for any answer, he dashed down-stairs into the cabin, from whence he pre- ep ran out again, trumpet in hand, with avery 6 Tace, **All hands shorten sail!’? shouted the captain, with a roar. ‘‘ Rouse up, there, rouse up! All hands aloft! Clew up and furl, Make all snug! A torna- do’s coming, lads!” In a moment the lately silent ship was full of bustle and noise. The four boys lay on the quarter- deck, vaguely wondering what was coming, when the sailors came tumbling out into the broiling sun, hauling away at the ropes, clewing up the sails, and running aloft like cats to furl them snug to the ards. . It seemed perfectly absurd to the boys, for there bole still not a breath of wind stirring, not a cloud in the sky. And yet they felt perfect confidence in the judg- ment of their elders. Don Luis stood by them, watching the pray of furling, his face gradually clearing as sail after sail was packed snugly away. -.* Kitty ” at last ventured the question: “What is the matter, Don Luis?” “We're going to have a terrible storm, my boy,” said the estanciero, kindly. “The barometer has gone down nearly three inches in as many hours.” Louis and Curtis both looked as if they wished to ask what he meant, but didn’t dare to ask just then. Manuel Garcia was older than either of the rest, and had read a great deal. He now beckoned them away to the other side of the quarter-deck. “Don’t bother my father,” he said, softly. ‘Remember, he’s very anxious about the safety of the ship. rl tell you what he means, When the mercury in the barometer falls suddenly two or three inches, it’s a sure sign that a tornado is com- ing. The lower it falls the fiercer the hurricane, Look there.” As he spoke he pointed over the side toward the distant.sea of weeds. Although there was not yet a breath of air, nor a cloud in the sky, a long, smooth roller was coming toward them with great speed, stirring up the glassy ocean in a strange, mysterious manner, as if some terrible monster were hidden e suddenly up, all life, with a face of the keenest anxie- | } there, disturbing the water, Presently, with a great | heave, it lifted the Bonita in air, and set her masts swaying to and fro asif in a mighty tempest. Still not a cloud, not a breeze. Then came another and another wave, each broader and heavier than the last, and there was the ship rolling, without any sail to steady her, as if she would break every spar. They could hear the masts creak and groan, while the stout shrouds were alternately stiff as iron bars, and loose and swaying. “What is the reason of this?” asked Plug of Man- uel. ““Tt’s the waves of the distant tornado coming toward us,” answered Garcia—‘‘ just like the rings | vessels sidewise, as the Bonita was seized. Before | they could get her turned round, they were obliged | in a pool when you throw a stone in. It won’t ba | long before we catch itnow. Thank Heaven, we're all snug, and Captain Gregson’s a good sailor.” And indeed it became evident that something was coming. spread toward the west, in the form of a bank of ouds. A deep moaning sound was heard upon the waters, and yet. there was not a breath of air. But by this time every sail was furled. The sailors running madly about, had sent down the top-gallan masts on deck, furled the canvas, and s panting and reeking with sweat, under the bl sun, watching the dark cloud coming. They done all that could be done, and the Pp must wait for the storm, ‘“Now, boys, $2 below,” ordered Don Luis, firmly but kindl “You're of no use here, and may ge hurt on deck. Captain Gregson will want all his wits about him, so we must leave him alone.” Slowly and unwillingly the lads obeyed, and Don Luis followed them down to the cabin. Just as they reached it, the black cloud covered half the sky, and acold breeze came whistling through the shrouds for a minute; then ey = Pe nage that caught the ship like the blow of a hammer, laying ri on her beamn-ends, and the tornado was on em, CHAPTER VI. THE PENGUIN-SLAYERS. Anout a week later, the gray, ragged clouds that had been fi confusedly all day long over the ged coasts of Patagonia, began to clear away in patches, on a cold, raw morning, when the Atlantie surf roared loudly on a desolate shingly beach, be- *Estanciero—the proprietor of an ¢stincia, or huge ranch, The mysterious swell grew heavier and | heavier, and a little black speck began to rise and | | their I low a line of iron-bound cliffs. The prospest was in- pa eer: Resa and desolate when day broke, The gray sea, furrowed with sharp waves crested with oam, the silent cliffs, only waking to noise as some ee oe rushed roaring into a cavern, to be dash- ed k in showers of spray, the dark, angry. hea- vens, only varying from dull gray to inky black, all pero a picture as miserable as could be con- ceived. But as the light strengthened, the storm broke. First one patch of blue sky appeared, then another. The wind, that lately bellowed in and out of the cav- erns, sunk into a breeze, strong and cold, it is true, but nothing compared to the fearful gale it replaced. Moreover, it had changed its direction from a north- east hurricane to a south-west wind, coming from the Antarctic ocean over the cold Patagonian des- face of the cliff, which had been hitherto bare and silent, suddenly became alive with animal life. Myriads of water-fowl, who had been hiding in their holes from the violence of the storm, rushed seream- forth, and soared on glad wings over the beach, where the waves still raged, searching for any food that might be thrown upon the shore after the storm. Of this therewas no lack. The beach was covered with shell-fish, torn from their moorings by the violence of the waves, dead birds, caught in the storm and drowned, pieces of wreck, and some bodies of human beings. As the day advanced, the shore became alive with a multitude of other birds, so mg Nom in shape that hg, would have laughed to see them. These birds nad no vee Instead thereof, each had two little flappers without any feathers, covered with a scaly black skin like that of an old turkey’s drum-stick. The wings reminded ari of how a chicken might look if you plucked naked. These birds were much like ducks otherwise, but were so short, and set so far behind, that they walked upright like human beings. Each was as large as the largest goose, many much larger. These curious creatures cove the beach, wad- dling about on land in the most helpless, undi; manner. Many of them could be seen, a little fur- ther inland, on alow marshy place, sitting up on little heaps of mud, which were, in reality, their nests, all gabbling and aqua wicing together. Had a person been on have seen many a pretty and no one was there. Save for the birds, nota soul was to be seen, Still, for all that, human creatures were coming, if not from the land, from the sea. Just as the storm broke, a large ship, with"her mainmast gone by the board, and only the lower part of the other two masts remaining, was to be seen steering shoreward under foresail and spanker, making for the inhospi- table coast of Patagonia. In that battered and disabled ship, buffeted and tossed about by the angry waves, you would hardly have recognized the trim and beautiful Bonita, that sailed so gallantly forth from New York only a few weeks before, a pyramid of snowy canvas from deck | to truck. But the Bonita it was, nevertheless, sadly strained and knocked about, but still whole and sound in ne | the | hull. The gallant vessel, when first caught b tornado, had been thrown on her beam-ends, that is to say, quite on her side, with the ends of her yards | in the sea. This arose from the nature of the storm. A tornado is nothing but a gigantic whirlwind, which comes on at first from a calm, and often seizes to cut away the mainmast, when rose upright. Once before the storm, however, there was not so much danger. Driven by the fierce hurricane, the ship 1 across the Atlantic toward Cape orn at tremendous m tee the storm changing as it went from a whirling tornado toa fierce gale from the north-east. Not till they sighted the coast of Patagonia did it leave them at last, and then all hands were wearied out with the long struggle. As the gale abated the boys and Don Luis came on deck, and our friends gazed with much interest upon the coast ahead of them. jon and desolate as it was, it had a charm to em. You can never know what that charm is, till you have been many long weeks at sea, with no Ee ee but the wide ocean, and see, for the first time, and ahead. Whatever it is, it is weleome as a change. “Well, boys,” said Captain Gregson, cheerfully, as he directed his glass toward the still distant land, “do you ste to go > vane ries “Oh, please, yes, sir,” cried “ Kitty,’ joyfully. “Ts that Buende A yres?” ime The captain laughed. “Not quite, my lad. This storm has driven us ‘way out of our track. That’s the coast of Pata- gon r somewhere about St. George’s Bay, I guess.” ‘in’t you sure?’ asked Tom Bullard, surprised. ‘No, my lad, not quite. You'see, I haven't had a squint at the sun ever so long, and lean only tell by the dead reckoning.” ing Please, sir,” out in Louis, ‘‘ what’s a dead reckon- It’s away we have of finding our way in the dark,” replied Captain Gregson. “ Ask Don Luis. He'll tell you, for 1 must be conning the ship. We’re going to anchor.” Indeed, they were coming closer and closer under the stiff breeze, for the Bonita, crippled as she was, was still very swift. They could already see the e ship slowly its feathers and let it run | fied | e sy tne! the cliff, he might | teresting sight. But | 5 moving white and black dots on the beach, which told of the myriads of strange birds. As they approached, Don Luis explained the out- lines of the captain’s speech to Louis. “T can’t attempt to tell you the whole thing, my boy,’’ he said; “‘ but you can understand something. You:know what latitude and longitude are, Well, the sailor finds these only by means of the sun or stars. If he can’t see them he doesn’t know where he is, for certain. Still, he can help himself by A ing a dead reckoning. For this he must throw the log very frequently to find exactly how many miles an hour he is going. Then he notes down the time | and the exact course taken in his log-book, and so | keeps on, Then, you see, to find where he is, he just marks all this down on the map, with all the turns and distances, aorar ng to scale, and finds how far he is from the place where he took his last observation of the sun. “Well, I should say that’s easy enough,” remark- ed Jack Curtis, who had studied geometry at school. “* What’s the use of taking any observations at all?” Don Luis laughed. ‘* You’d soon be in a bad fix if you didn’t. A dead reckoning, you see, depends on a number of obser- vations, and a mistake in one of them puts all the others out. The difference of half an inch ona | common chart, might mean a hundred miles in real- ity. For instance, our dead reckoning has been very carefully kept, but the captain does not dare to trust to it, before he finds out exactly where he is. If it clears up to-day, hell take an observation. If not, he’s gci.ig to land, and find out from the natives where we are.” ’ As he spoke, the Bonita, which had been standing | toward the cliffs, close hauled, that is, slanting up against the wind, began to enter smoother waters, under the lee of the lofty cliffs. | “Plug” uttered a shout of joy as the large quar- ter-boat was loosened from the davits, and Captain | Gregson said: / ‘* Now, boys, who wants to go ashore?”’ “Take me!’ ‘And mel!’ ‘And me too!” All were anxious to go. Then the anchor of the Bonita fell with a sudden plunge into the green waters; and the good ship rested from her labors under the lee of the cliffs. The boat was lowered and filled with rowers, the captain, Don Luis, and the four boys, all sat in the stern, and ag A moved a toward the beach. “Ob, look! look!’ cried Louis, as he noticed the strange wingless birds on the beach. ‘“ What are they, Pickle? I never saw such creatures.” ** Penguins,” said Jack, who had read some nat- ural ry. ‘*Don’t you know them? Why, there are —— of them in every geography.” “*Oh, now Iremember,” said Louis; ‘but I never | thought I should see them alive.” The boat came safely to shore. | rocks, and the beach slo rapidly down, composed of nothing but coarse shingle. The bow ran high u ' on the beach, and the men unshipped their oars an | jumped out, dragging it still higher, so that the pas- sengers could go dry shod on land. Once ashore, there were the penguins all round them, ing stupidly at them and_ never offering to stir. &a tain Gregson, with Don Luis and two sai- lors, walked through the midst of them without | seeming to alarm them in the least. If one or two waddled to one side, it was only to avoid being ac- tually walked over, for they remained staring at the | intruders as stu idly as ever. “Tt’s plain there are no natives here,” said Don Luis to the captain, as they walked toward the cliff, ‘‘or the birds would hot be so tame.”’ | Then they set out to climb the cliff, to survey the country above. Meanwhile the boys on the beach were much en- | tertained in watching the singular motions of the } penguins. There was an attitude of grave dignity about them, as they waddled about or sat gravely | up, watching the intruders, that was inexpressibly ludicrous. | “Who knows anything about the critters?’ asked | ** Plug,” as he looked round at the sailors, lounging | by the boat. ‘ Are they good to eat?” | “Tf acove’sstarvin’’e might heat one,” said Eng- | lish Striker, with his grim smile, ‘“‘ but they're as | tough as leather and as fishy as—as hany a “Si, sapremento,” said Antonio, showing his white teeth; ‘‘I leev on zem once for t’ree veek, ven | I ron avay from my sheep, and, cospetto, 1 nevair | want to do eet again.”* “The he ain’t so bad b’iled ‘ard,”’ said Striker. odds, boys and | ‘em and ’ave afew. | Sa ke he pointed to the 1 5 he e he poin to the low, marsh in at the end of the bay, where the cliffs vanesed — ing somewhere about a square mile of ground, cov- ered with nests and sitting birds. In the midst of ped a was a deep channel, up which the tide The boys, ripe for fun of any kind, agreed readil to Striker’s plan, and all proce at toward the | nesting-place of the penguins, resolved on having | cope for supper. ents? Let’s go arter they went, they were more struck than ever with the cool and unconcerned demeanor of the pen- guins. Very few even deigned to waddle out of the way. One old fellow, when Louis happened to strag- gle from the p and met him alone, actually re- Sed to move. He seemed to know well enough that ‘‘Kitty ’ was only a little boy, for he stood looking at and clacking his big beak together with a loud noise. Louis was by no means a brave boy, and the pe n stood nearly as high as he did | himself. He dadend aside from the obst; ’ bird and ran on to his party. ey ea ed No one noticed his little adventure, or they would (= Rae + EES There were no» ere’s lots of ’em hover yon-- t
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have laughed at him, for the sailors and Manuel marched right through the midst, knocking tho stupid creatures asi(ie as they crowded in the way. Very soon they arrived among the nests and com- meneed a search for eggs. The roe Ae uins never stirred as they ros and nuel told the men not to disturb them. “They have probably been sitting some time, and the eggs are no good,” he said. * to those nests that have only one or two eggs. ‘They will be fresh, and you need not disturb the old birds.” But the warning was of no avail. Sailors and boys are apt to be cruel, and fresh eggs proved to be scarce. At all events, Antonio, the Italian, was the first to pull a hen penguin off her nest. The poor creature clacked her togeth- er with a great noise, and struggled hard to keep her piace, but the sailor, with careless brutality, jerked er off, and took away the eggs. The ice once brokeu, the riot beeame general. The penguins raised a tremendous clacking as the sailors pulled them off, but the hens at least: seemed to be unable to do anything else. They stood clacking and squawking, without offering any resistance. The sailors and boys had filled’ their hats with ogee, and were thinking of returning to the boat, when they heard a loud nvise behind them, and looking round, spied the ‘vld male ns in a dense body coming waddling down to do le. At first they laughed, but they soon found cause “to laugh on the other side of their mouths.” Stupid as the old penguins looked, their immense numbers seemed to make them bold, for they actu- ally attacked the intruders with their long, sharp bills, giving them vicious digs, and fairly drivin; them into full flight for their boats, forthey were all unarmed, Of course, they could easily outrun the clumsy birds, but the latter were in sach im- mense numbers that the robbers received many a sharp dig before they got to the beach. There, however, they turned the tables, picking up pieces of shingle and stoning their clumsy antag >- nists, who had halted, keeping up a very ferocious elacking all the time. But the sailors at least were determined on re- venge. Big Jack Striker ran to the boat, and pict- ing up one of the stretchers, rushed back to the as- seult. “ Plug,’’ who had received numerous sever> diss and felt very angry, soon followed his example, and even Manuel could not help joining the rest, so Keen was the pain of his wounds. In a few minutes later the penguins were waddling fieavily away to the water, squawking soualy ur- sued by the vengeful sailors, who knocked them over with the boat-stretchers by the dozen. It was hard times for the poor, harmless penguins; but, luckily for them, the water was not far off. To its ver ge they were chased, the females at last Guacting their nests, and then a surprising change eame over the birds. ‘The same creatures that were lately so awkward and helpless on land became the serfection of grace and ease in the water. In a ferhniciingy every one had dived into the deep giten water and you could see them darting away like a shoal of fish. The oval, awkward body on land, proved to be the very shape of all others for stem- ming and cutting through the waves. The broad, splay feet, set so far back as to be almost useless on land, proved the best of all oars in the water. The useless wings became splendid fins. Secure in their native element, the penguins could afford to defy their pursuers, and the latter were forced to retire, fiaving smashed the stolen eggsin the first fight, and gained nothing but a fewepecks and digs, in the arost inglorious manner. “Well, lads,’’ said Captain Gregson, sugring, 5 1ess you've had enough of penguins for one us. rves you right; so come anges The captain and Don Luis had witnessed the scene from the top of the cliffs, whence they were now returning. They themselves had been com landmarks, and found that they were probably in the very bay shown them by the dead-reckoning— St. George’s Bay. This point was settled by noon by the first obser- vation taken for eleven days, and they stood out from shore that night to the brisk, cold south- wester, which brought them in safety to Buenos Ayres three days later. “Home at last, fellows,’’ said epee se Gayly, as the ship was moored to the long wharf. ‘ We’ve had a hard voyage, but we're safe at last; and now, all ashore for the estancia!” CHAPTER VIL QUEER PEOPLE, ‘@ur hogs were surprised at every thing. in Buenos 7res. ere were a few carriages, in the first ce, and every one e on horseback, Don Luis anumber of servants waiting for them, with horses saddled, and the men were dressed in the queerest manner. They had broad-brimmed, stee- le-crowned, straw hats, with red and yellow hand- erchiefs falling down vnderneath, over their necks like an old woman’s cap. Then they had velvet erm and great shawls swathed around their oins, just like a baby’s diaper. Their trowsers made Louis and Tom laugh more than any me Hinge for yt jdt they were a yard wide, and a long that quite hid their feet, when they walked nd such spursasthey wore! The smalie t pair was aslong as the foot it was tied to, with rowels as large as a small saucer. “Gracious, Pickle!’ whispered Bullard, “did you ever see such guys in all your born dayst “ Never,” assented Curtis; ‘I wonder who they ad Don Luis smiled. He was standing close to them, as the vessel came up to the dock, ‘Those are my peons or servants,” he said. ‘* The Lance and Lasso. officers signaled our coming from the lighthouse and you see they’re waiting for us. Now, boys, which of you can ride?” “7 can!"’ said Tom Bullard, energetically. ‘ You just try me, Don Luis.” ‘“Remember that our horses are quite wild,” said the Don, kindly. “I don't want you to get hurt. l've sent for the galera to take those who can’t ride, and you'd better go in it, with my little namesake, Louis Ledoux. Manuel is used to these horses.”’ “I've ridden wild mustangs before this,’’ said Tom, sturdily. *No horse is going to throw me.” “Very well; then you can ride,”’ said Don Luis. ‘* Master Jack, did you ever ride?”’ Jack Curtis looked out on the pier. One of the horses, held by a pevn, was just then dancing about on its hind legs, and locking particularly vicious, while all the rest were kicking and squealing like mad eon = Jack was prudent, “I've ridden once or twice, sir,’ he admitted; “but only on a very quiet horse, and I wouldn't like to undertake one of yours, just yet.”’ “Quite right, my boy,’ said Don Luis. “ Never pretend to know more than you do, for it might cost you a fall. Our horses require good riders, I can tell you. You and Louis shall go in the ga/era, with the baggage.”’ ** What's a galera, sir?” inquired Louis Ledoux. “Tt’s our name for a carriage,” said Don Luis. * Don’t you see it, on the pier, there?” Louis looked, and beheld a queer soley lookin: old coach, hung on long leather straps, instead o springs, standing on the pier, by itself. While they were talking, the yous left the horses, and came aans around the gangway of the ship, while the sailors handed them the various trunks of the travelers. Such a clattering of spurs as there was, while the peons carried off the trunks, and strapped them on all over the back and roof of the galera, ** But, please, sir, where are the horses?’ inquired Louis, imocently cong. He saw that the galera stood on the pier, but there was no sign of a har- nessed horse, anywhere near it. All the animals were saddled and bridled, and all had riders loung- ing near them, except those kept for the travelers’ use, ** Oh, you'll see the horses, presently,’ said Man- ont laughing. ‘You're not used to our ways yet, tty.” Louis was mystified, but he said no more. Bul- lard and Curtis were canslly mystified, but they did not show their ignorance oY asking questions, and the thing was soon explained. Don Luis gave the signal to depart, after instruct- ing the captain what to do with the cargo, and the boys, for the first time, set foot on the shores of South America. Instantly the peons crowded around Don Luis and Manuel, desing their hands, and welcoming them in Spanish, with a for you must know, eat number of compliments; ys, that the Spani are the po t people on the continent. In fact, our boys na take a lesson from them, with advantage. n Luis pointed out his three young friends to his servants, who immediately bowed low to them, and kissed their hands, saying plenty of pretty things in Spanish, which, of course, our boys did not understand much of, yet. But Bullard, who was born on the borders of Tex- as, and had heard the Mexicans speak, was much better off. He both understood and answered the ponte fellows, who were wonderfully pleased at im. Then Don Luis put Curtis and Ledoux into the a a locked the door, and told them to “hold ast, for his men aware went at a gallop.” The boys were more mystified than ever. There were no horses to the galera yet, and no signs of a har- ness, and Don Luis was mounting his animal, as if he was going to leave them. ey looked out of the windows and saw the peons leap on their horses. Then Tom Bullard was helped into the saddle, with some difficulty, for his horse was frightened at the ar Ag strange . But once up, Tom stuck there with a grace and ease that showed he had not un- duly boasted of his riding. Then Manuel Garcia got on his horse, and still no sign of harness. There were seven peons on horseback, and three travelers, and then at last the mystery was ex- plained. Louis noticed that the saddles were very small— nothing, in fact, but little squares of hide, while under them were five or six pieces of t, one over the other, A great leathern girth was strapped around every thing, saddle and ail, and in the midst of the girth was a great iron ring, that seemed to be used instead of a buckle. The boys noticed, for the first time about these rthings, that each had a rope of plaited leather ongs fastened to it, and ha: in coils from the saddle-bow. Now they saw the horsemen take out these ropes, which had nooses at the ends. You know what they were, of course. They were las- soes. Lassoes they were, sure enough, and next minute they saw the use of them. The peons rode up, one by a ey cones nooses of their lassoes over e of the ¢ * Hold fast, oys!” cried Don Luis; and the next moment away went the old F om bumping and jolting, the horsemen in front dragging it at the end of the oes, as if it had been a toy, and at full speed allthe way from the start. Away they went over the stones, hardly able to see for the jolting, and holding on tight to the straps by the side of the windows. ey caught a glimpse of broad, dusty streets, a big church, and some sol- diers at drill, beggars in the mud, dogs barkin fiercely at the galera, and gay cavaliers, h red an | ~ blue striped cloaks, called ponchos, galloping past them, all at full speed. Then—it seemed as if the town must be very small—they were out on a green plain, that stretched as far as ever they could see, and as flat as a billiard-table. The horsemen went with unabated speed, but the galera did not rock so much, for the und was smooth. Louis began to enjoy the h ong drive, for'rapid motion is always nice. You know how you like to go down a g long hill, on a sled, when ou're coasting; and riding beats coasting all hol- ow. Now they looked out of the window, and there was Tom Bullard riding close to them, on a beautiful pony. They could see that all the horses were small, coy. a little bigger than ponies, and they all looked e ike. They had little pointed heads, with broad. fore- heads and large eyes, short, sturdy bodies and slim legs. But what looked funny was, that all their manes were cut short and bristling,just like a mule’s, while their tails were left long and flowing. Then the saddles and bridles amused them, with the stir- rups—little triangles of steel, just big enough to ad- | mit the tip of the toe, and no more—while the. bits ot the bridles were huge curbs, with branches half a foot long, and a great iron ring going round the horse’s under jaw, instead of a curb chain, “Hey, fellows! isn’t this fun?” cried Tom, shout- ing to te heard over the noise of the wheels. “Isn't this better than old Wolcott’s? You bet!” And away went Tommy at full ges with a whoop and a yell. The galera rolled steadily on mile after mile. At last Louis said: **Don’t I wish I could ride like Plug? _ Say, Pickle, when ‘Il we ever get to the estancia ? I'm nearly shaken to death.” “Guess we're near there now,” said Curtis. *“ Here comes Manuel to tell us. I’m sure I hope so, for I’m bruised all over.” And indeed Manuel came up, no longer the quiet, studious Manuel, who had earned fhe name of ‘Father Wiseman,” but all glowing with excitement from the rapid ride. “Hurra, boys! we’re almost there!” he cried, as he passed. ‘‘ You can see the old cmbu tree in front of the house, if you look out.” Curtis craned his neck out of one window, and Louis out of the other. Far ahead, through the cloud of dust, aoe Marae the galloping horsemen, they could see a single huge tree all alone in the vast plain, and close to it a long, low house, covered with brown thatch. A little distance beyond was a large white building, around which was congregated aherd of cattle, and other herds, as far as the eye could see, were feeding all over the plains. “What's that?” yelled Jack, over the noise of the wheels, pointing to the white building. “That's the saladeo,” screamed: back Manuel. “Tell you all about it when we're home. Too much noise now.”’ And in a few minutes more the galera drew up, the peons uphitched their lassoes, and went off, always at a gallop, and Don Luis, dismounting, helped out his young guests, and welcomed them to his estan- cia, while a crowd of servants came running out to take the trunks, and show the young sen 7itcé to their rooms. : Senorito is the Spanish term for young gentleman, and our friends soon became accdathmad: to hear it. They were all tired with their rapid ride, and the two in the ga/era had had the bones nearly shaken out of them, but every thing was too new to them to permit them to go to sleep, as Don Luis recommend- ed them before dinner, In South America every one takes two hours’ sleep in the middle of the day, which they call a siesta, and the moment Don Luis got home he resumed the habits of the country, which he neglected in New York and at sea. But Manuel had not got into the habit yet, so he was willing to go round with his friends and show them everything that was to be seen, while his father slept. ‘But you must all go on horseback,” he sa d; “it’s not safe to venture among our wild cattle on foot. Ill give you a quiet horse, Curtis, and we'll tie Kitty in the Saddle, so he can’t fall off.” Which was no sooner said than done. Four fresh horses were brought out in a moment from the nearest herd, thrown down with a lasso and blind- folded. Then the saddles were strapped on, and the horses allowed to rise, still blindfolded. Each horse had two men at his head to keep him still while they were niounting, and Louis Ledoux was firm] secured in his saddle. A belt was put round his waist, from which two straps were brought down to me saddle, before and behind, and “Kitty ” was safe. ° Jack Curtis had the quietest horse given to him, and then the peons removed the blinds from the eyes of the animals. Such a rearing and kicking ensued as never was seen. CHAPTER VIL THE BULL. “Catt this a quiet horse!” cried Jack Curtis, as | his animal reared and kicked and Hlunged, SO’ as | hearly to heave him off. Poor Jack had expected an animal that would go quietly weeny? and here was | a beast that walked on its hind legs ke a man, and then jumped up in the air and kic ed. “Let go the bridle, Pickle,” shouted Bullard, | riding up alongside. For the fact was, that Jack, who had never ridden any thing but a hard-mouthed Northern pony, was ao! on to the severe bit, as if it had na snaffle, which caused his horse to rear violently. “Hang on to the mane!” pursued Bullard. suit- eee to the eae. ? his pwn horse stood upon nd legs, excited by the other, B } eo" late for poor Pickle. a , Aalaae ra
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* Lance and Lasso. At that very moment his horse made a desper- ate effort, pawed the air wildly, and came over | backward. : “Jump off, Pickle,” yelled Tom, and Curtis was just cool enough to obey the injunction, leaping off as the horse came over, and coming down safe on his toh, as the animal fell down. “Now, Garcia, whose own horse was capering about, and who was busy keeping “ Kitty’ Ledoux’s pony still. Jack hesitated a moment, and the fallen horse began to scramble upon its forelegs, when Bullard screamed out: **Get on, Jack! And Jack found himself, in a moment more, on the horse’s back, as the beast rose, and stood trem- Don’t be scared, He can’t throw bling. - Now put your feet in the stirrups, and take up our reins gently,’’ said Manuel. “ You'll soon learn © ride our horses, Curtis, Be gentle now. Don’t haul on the bridle, or you'll make him rear up. If he rears, let the bridle hang loose, and catch a lock of the mane. So, Now turn your toes in, hollow your back, and let your legs hang easy, as I do. That's a quiet horse, if you only take him the right way.” Curtis followed his friend’s advice, and found tho benefit of it. When he left the horse’s head alone it went quietly enough, after the first burst of impatience, but the bit in it’s mouth was so severe, that it required a very “ light hand,” that is to say, the reins must hang nearly loose. — However, they soon got over their first troubles, and rode out of the inclosure of the estancia, onto the ‘‘pampa.” Of course you krew that the great green plains of Buenos Ayres are called ‘* pampas,”’ and it was in the midst of these, by.a spring, under the great ombu tree, that the estancia was situated. The ombu is a great tree, something like an elm which grows to an immense size on the pampas of Buenos Ayres, and always shows the existence of a spring near its roots, Louis Ledoux, after his first fright at finding him- self on a wild horse, enjoyed the ride wonderfully. He was fastened down so securely that the animal could not throw him, while his arms and legs were uite free. They all started at a gallop, for in South merica no one ever trots. It’s always either a walk or a gallop there, and the gallop is the most com- mon. The pampas horses, too, have a cea smooth, easy pace, that makes the gallop delightful, and Curtis, who had been afraid he should disgrace himself at first, found, now, after his difficulties in starting were over, that it was quite easy to ride these plump, pretty little horses, for they run will- ingly enoug ca away the boys went at a keen gallop, shouting and laughing for glee. As they passed the great white building Manuel had called the suladero, two stout, dark-complexioned men, in the fluttering nchos and broad-brimmed hats worn by every one here, ran to their horses, at a signal from Manuel as he passed, and came galloping after the party of et on before he rises!’ cried Manuel | at the same momont, and came slowly toward him. It seemed as if they had a special spite for that one boy. et had no need to turn his horse. The animal wheeled round by himself like a flash, before Jack knew where he was, and the sudden bolt unseated oor * Pickle,” who was thrown off the horse’s oack, and fell right on the plain, in the path of the wild bull. But ‘‘Pickle’’ was up in a minute. He wore a long sheath-knife in his belt, which Manuel had en him on the ship, and, with some idea of de- ense, he whipped it out, and awaited the bull. The beast e thundering on,as quickly as it could allop, and was already within twenty yards, when elp came, from other quarters. ack heard a shout, and beheld one of the gau- chos in the rear of the bull, coming down full speed, swinging his lasso over his head, and shouting oudly. Jack threw up his arms and shouted back, in the hope of scaring the bull, but it was all useless. On the terrible creature came, the foam flying from its lips, its little red eyes sparkling with rage. Jack watched his opportunity, and made a des- — jump to one side, as the bull’s sharp white orn passed him, so close as to tear his jacket and throw himdown. But the next instant he was safe. As he tumbled over on his back, he saw the black noose of the gaucho’s lasso fly through the air, and hang quivering over the bull’s horns. Then he scrambled to his feet, knife in hand, to find the gau- cho’s horse pulled up, and hangin, back with all its | might, while the lasso was stretched as stiff as an iron bar, and the black bull was plucked off his feet, and sent sprawling on his back, in a moment. “Hamstring him, Pickle!’ cried Manuel’s voice, as Jack stood hesitating. ‘‘ Hamstring him, before he can get up.” Then Jack behaved like a See! The bull was struggling to get up, within ten feet of him, and the boy rushed at the savage beast. You know that a horse always get up first on its fore legs, boys, if you've ever been in the country. But an ox or bull always gets up on its hind legs first. This was just what Jack’s bull was doing, bellowing savagely, and therefore its hind legs were fully exposed to the boy’s knife. Jack had had the way to hamstring ed cae to him by Manuel, many a time, and he put his teachings into practice now. He gave a single cut on the bull’s hind leg, just above the hock or joint, and down fell Mr. Bull, in a moment, with the back sinew divided, perfectly helpless. en a es brought up Jack’s horse, and they rode back the estancia. CHAPTER IX. THE SALADERO, Tue boys returned from the bull adventure safely, and after dinner visited the saladero. The sal: devo was a low white building, with a 4 ay t yard in front, inclosed with rails, called a corral. The same name is given to a stock-yard, by our Western men. Within this yard were a number of cattle, or rather their carcasses, lying about, half skinned. As the arty entered, in rode a mounted gaucho, dragging boys. Pp ; ‘These were two of Don Luis Garcia’s cattle-herd- | at thie end of his lasso a furious ox, which was chas- ers, and they, in common with the other inhabitants of the pampas, have the general name of gauchos. You must pronounce this as if it was spelt gow-cho, boys, and don’t forget the name, for you'll hear it very often, in the course of the story. e two gauchos were stout, handsome men, with bushy black side-whiskers and mustaches, and their elothes were covered with gold buttons and lace for a gaucho spends all his money on clothes, and lives in a little hut, where there is not so much as a chair, Instead of this, they sit down on a horse’s skull, and sleep on an ox-hide, and eat nothing but beef all the year round. . j These gauchos came along behind, in case of acci- dents, for Manuel and the boys were riding out into the midst of the herds of savage cattle, and the boys might easily get into danger. Especially was Jack Curtis liable to this, for he was always running into scrapes, whence he had derived his name of “Pickle,” Jack found his horse so easy paced, that he dashed on ahead, at full fen laughing and shoutinz, and before long found himself in the midst of the herds. There they were, all round, fierce, savage-looki bulls, with long sharp horns, stately oxen, with sti longer ones, and hundreds of cows, guarding their calves. They were scattered all over the pampa, feeding or lying down, and as soon as the boys gal- loped in gy Bh they to jump up and stare at them, a very little e the riders were out of sight of the estancia, and surrounded by the cattle. At first the animals were quiet enough, and stood staring as the boys , after which they resumed their feeding. But presently one of the gauchos behind them shouted out: * Cuidado, senoritos! Cuidado! Mira los toros |” “What do they mean, Plug?” asked Curtis, who. was ahead with Bullard. “ t are those fellows sa hl ‘Theyre telling us to ‘look out for the bulls,’ replied Bullard, coolly. ‘‘See that old fellow com- for us, Pickle? eit!” ack just turned round to look where Bullard poin’ as the Western boy wheeled his horse, and galloped off. Bullard knew what a wild bull was, wellenough. He had seen them out West. There was an Ope wookin black bull, pa the earth and bellowing, with fis eyes fixed on Jack Curtis; and as Bul turned and ran, Mr. Bull tossed up his tail, pa down his head, and darted at poor “ Pickle.” Now Jack Curtis was a spunky boy, but he didn’t like the looks of that bull, the ing the horseman, who had all he could do to keep the rope stretched. But as they looked on, a man on foot started out, with a long knife, with which he dextrously hamstrung the animal, in the midst of a co) and down dropped the raging ox, help- ess. “Now, boys, we'll go through the slaughter-house quick,” said Don Luis, “ for it’s not a —— sight; but I want to show you the way they make salt beef, afterward.” So the party proceeded to a long shed, and saw several men at work there. One of them cast a noose over the horns of an ox, and two others be- an to turn a wheel, round which the rope was apped. The ox was drawn, struggling in vain, up to the wheel, and then the butcher who stood there stabbed it in the back of the neck, just behind the — with ashort dagger. Instantly the ox dropped ead. “There, boys,”’ said Don Luis, “ that’s the quick- est and most merciful way to kill an animal ever found. The creature never knows what struck him. Now come on.”’ They passed on, by the place where men were skinning the bodies of the dead oxen, and spread- ing out the hides to dry in the sun. Then they saw carts passing, full of huge cages of meat, going into the open doors of the sq , where they could see a number of furnaces at work. Don Luis told them that saladero means “‘salting-house.”” They went in, and saw, ina few minutes, what became of the | meat. At one side was a row of little brick fur- naces, with huge iron caldrons or pots above them. There were a quantity of men at work, at a great heap of joints of raw meat, with knives. One set was cutting off all the fat and suet, and carrying them off the caldrons. Another set cut right into the joints themselves, and pulled out the bones, after which they cut all round them. The meat was taken to other caldrons, and thrown on, along with big oa of salt; and then the bones that lay in ee ith all the refuse of the carcassess, were ut into the fires. That was all the fuel there was. on Luis told them that a bull’s bones made just enough fire to melt all his tallow, and cook his meat. The pampas have no wood on them, or nearly none, so that the bones and dried cattle-dung are all they have to make fire with. And splendid fires these bones made, over which pa Raina out the tallow, ' and poured it into great mol Louis Ledoux took a little of the salt beef to taste, but he declared it was “only fit for a nigger,” it was more especially as several others caught the alarm | so salt, — 7 “Well, the negroes like it,” said Don Luis, laugh- ing. “I agree with you, however, that it’s not worth much, but then it costs us nothing. All we kill our animals foris the hides and tallow. The meat in most saladeros is burned up to make fires, after every atom of tallow has come out of it, but Ilse mine, and find it pays better.” The boys were much interested in looking round the sa’adero, and liked it much better n tie slaughter-house. But a sudden stop was put to all their amusements by an unexpected occurrence. A great shouting and noise arose outside, anda man rushed in at the door, screaming out: “Don Luis! Don Luis! Los Indios! Los Indios /” Don Luis started violently. “Indians!’’ he said. “Impossible! ‘It cannot be! They never will dare to come in so close to the city.” But he rushed out nevertheless, and beheld the yard in wild commotion. The peons and gauchos were running toward he saadero from all round, and those in the corral were hastening toward the shed. The boys ran out with their host, and beheld the cause of all the alarm, in the shape of a mob of mounted Indians, with long lances, who were charg- i = the gate of the corral toward the herds, yelling at the top of their voices. They passed so close to the saladero, that the boys could see them plainly, tall, lithe, sinewy fellows, of a dark bronze color, bareheaded, with mops of black hair, and per- fectly naked. They were armed with very long lances of cane, which they tauntingly shook at the people in the saladero; and then they were into the mi of the herds of cattle driving them off under the Mo 4 noses of the amazed gauchos. ey passed like a , and were gone, as Don Luis cried out: *“Who will follow me to punish these fellows?” “Count me in, boss,” was the answer, It came from old “Plug.” CHAPTER X. LANCE AND LASSO, Don Luts stared at Bullard as if he had hardly un- derstood him, but the lad was evidently in earnest. Then all the men of the estancia n to clamor to ‘0 too, and it was evident that no time was to be oe for the Indians were rapidly driving off the cattle. These Indians, boys, come from a country to the north of Buenos Ayres, called the Gran Caco, where they roam about on horseback, quite naked, winter and summer, living on mare’s milk and flesh, and on such cattle as they can drive off from the estancias. They are very bold and fear- less, and always attack at full gallop, and they are perhaps the finest riders in the world, for they wilil stand upright on a barebacked seat g! Demy at speed. They have no mettre and only build little shelte:s of branches in very cold weather, trusting to their fires to keep them warm when they’re asleep. They only fight on horseback, and their weapons are a lance, a knife, and the dolas.. What that is, you will see in the sequel. A Chaco Indian on foot seems to be helpless. He cannot fight then. But put the same man on a wild horse, without any saddle, with a little string round the animal’s under jaw, and the Chaco Indian is a perfect dev:i. The gauchos and soldiers alike dread him, for he fears nothing. It is not often that these Indians venture near the city of Buenos Ayres, but when they do, they do much mischief. Don Luis ran to the house in a great hurry, fol- lowed by his Berra and they hastily seized their arms. In South America, every one carries more or less arms in the open country, and Don Luis, being an American, revolvers and rifles, Both Curtis and Bullard were well provided with pistols and guns, and the latter was a very <ood shot, from his early western life. Curtis a not know much about shooting, being a town boy, but he had a revolver and a Ballard rifle, given him by his father, besides a light sword, of which he was very fond, for “‘ Pickle ” had been to a fencing acad- emy in New York, and knew all about it, as he thought. Bullard and Curtis were both stout boys of sixteen, and Manuel Garcia was a year older. Louis Ledoux was to be left behind, as he was too young to be of much use, and indeed he was not ver et for the Indians had frightened him out of his wi Horses were soon procured out of the horse-corral by the house, which was always kept full. The peo- le at the estancia found that the Indians had Ps break in there, but their posts were too s z for them, and the a too much to tarry long. When Don Luis galloped out of the estancia te, there were twenty ple in the party, includ- ng the three lads, and all were more or less armed, from —— ritles a ere As they rode out of the gate, they saw a troop of horsemen coming from the i: a: sight of Shom Don Luis was much rejoiced. It turned out to te a small = soldiers, sent. out to scout after In- —_ or the news of the raid had spread far and e, caro Curtis noticed that they were funny-looking sol- diers, for their uniform was much like the ordinery country dress. _ But instead of hats they wore little red cloth caps, shaped exactly like the paper caps carpenters make themselves, with a peak before and behind. They wore brass cuirasses, and carried car- bines and sabers, with the lasso, common to all, at the saddle-bow. But the funny-loo trowsers, with the swathing-cloth round the middle, didn’t look very military, and their spurs could be heard jingling long before they came up. Such as they were, they were all stout, bold-look- ing fellows, and a very welcome addition to our lit- tle party, for the Indians were at least fifty in num-
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Lance and Lasso. ber. the fi herds, on the track of the robbers. Now the question was, could they catch them? The Indians had at least fifteen minutes’ start, be- fore they all got out after them. True. But you must remember that the Indians were trying to drive off the cattle. Now it takes some time to start a large herd of cattle. They don’t run as fast as horses, and it’s difficult to get them well started. Once going, they will take a good pace, but it is diffi- cult to get them to leave their comrades. And so away they went, guided by the dust of | And so these Indians found. Don Luis had an | immense estancia, ree twenty miles square, and his cattle averaged half a million. You need not stare, boys. I mean what I say. It’s a very small estancia that has less than thirty thousand cattle; and Don Luis had the mance in the place. And as it was near evening, and all the herds were close to the corral, they were so closely packed that the Indians found it very hard to start them all | together. When Don Luis and his party had oped full speed for about a mile, they discovered e immense mass of cattle ahead of them, swaying to and fro in great confusion. The Indians were , Indians turned an in the party altogether, and they seemed determined | plainly visible, on the outskirts, goading the animals | with their long lances. t as fast as they drove them on, some of the herd on the outskirts would break away, and try to run back, followed by a stream of cattle. en some of the Indians would scour away to head them but slowly. Don Luis remarked to his son: ‘We shall have to fight for them, Manuel. If they were going torun, they would not try to drive the whole herd. Keep out of danger, my boy, and if any thing happens to me, you w find my will in the bureau in my room.” Manuel smiled. “Wherever you go, I go, sir,” he answered. It was within an hour of sunset when they saw the Indians, and the soldiers began to yell at once. Jack Curtis felt a s e beating of his heart, when he heard that yell, and heard the Indians reply to it. It was his first fight in grim earnest, and he thought to himself, ‘‘ Am I a coward?” Some day, boys, when you grow up, if you are soldiers, you may feel that strange sink heart before a battle. But neverfear, It’s a natural feeling, and you'll get over it. Every one /eels afraid in his first battle, but the cowards run away while the brave boys go on in & le or their fears. And that’s what * Plug” and “‘ Pickle ’’ did. It was a terrible sight to them; for just as soon as the Indians heard them yell, they answered, and turning round, came straight on, with couched lances, at full speed, how like wolves. The soldiers fired a scattering volley, and then drew | their swords, and gallo on to meet them. Tom Buwilard had h fired a shot till-he was close to the Indians. Then, with a coolness admirable in so yo a lad, he pped over the Indian chief, at less than ten feet | istance, and wheeled off to avoid the thrust of the next man’s lance. In a moment more, Indians, gauchos, and soldiers were all fighting fiercely together, on horseback, amid shouts, and yells, and shots, and sword-cuts. CHAPTER XI. . THE BATTLE. Tue Indians came down, in a solid mass, as hard as ever they could urge their horses. The gauchos and soldiers, on the other hand, were spread out in- to a thin line, loosely scattered. They were not more than two-thirds the number of the Indians but they were much better armed, and covered twice as much 2 pegs The Indians burst through the center of the slim line, where the soldiers were, and drove them back but, at the same time, the gauchos closed in all round them, and com jied them to turn. Now you * must know, boys, that a lance is a very good weapon when a man is going full speed, but in a free fight it’s too cumbersome, and too much in the way. So that when soldiers and gauchos closed in, and both parties were brought to a stand, the long cane lances of the Indians were almost useless, while the soldiers, protected by their brass cuirasses, das in and cut right and left. Some of the gauchos were rovided with swords, but the most had only long ives, They were all strong men, and they tried to grasp the Indians and stab them. Tom Bullard went galloping round the crowd, every now and then dashing in, and firing his re- volver at some Indian, close to him, and then wheel- off again. Manuel Garcia stuck close to his father, in the midst of the, Indians, and used his sword like a hero. Jack soon found more than he had bargained for. He warded off the thrust of an Indian lance, but before he could cut at the man with his sword, the brawny savage had hold of him with his hands, and was pulling him out of the saddle, Jack led in vain; the Indian was much the stronger, and soon had him on the front of his horse, him away out of the fight. For the savages were so numerous and brave that they gave the gauchos a hard fight. It was only the istols that enabled the latter to win the battle, and n the use of these Bullard was much the best of the pany, Every shot of\his revolver struck down an dian, and Don Luis, who was a very strong man, was cutting away with his sword in the midst of the fight. At last the Indians broke and ran, carrying off Jack Curtis with them, and leaving several dead on the ground. The uchos gave a yell, and galloped after them, with the soldiers ahead. In a few min- utes more they were all stopped, by getting into the revolver out, and he never | to drive them on, while the | r creatures were bellowing with pain and terror. | ing of the | midst of the great herd of cattle, which the Indians | had been try to steal. The animals were all | wedged into a tight mass, swaying, crowding and bellowing. Now the Indians found they had made a bad job of it, for they could not get away. A few of them turned to fight, more desperately than ever, but most of them scattered in different. directions, and , of his horse, so that he was quite covered from bul- | lets, and galloped off in that manner. tried to escape. Some dashed into the middle of the cattle, where they were soon brought te a standstill. Others turned to skirt the herd, and a few galloped back past the pursuers, to get out between the es- tancia and the herd. Among these were the Indians who were carrying off Jack Curtis a prisoner. elled to Don Luis. anuel Garcia and asingle gaucho, started in the pursuit. But Bullard’s revolver was empty by this time. He tried to reload it as he galloped on, but had only got a single cartridge in when two of the charged him. There were eight to defend their prisoner, when they saw how few were coming after them. The rest of the gauchos and soldiers were scattered all over, killing the flee- ing Indians, and Bullard was some distance ahead of Don Luis and Manuel. But old “‘ Plug” was not fool enough to wait to be speared. He had no sword, and didn’t know how to use one if he had had it. His dependence was on his | shooting, and so he turned and aetcoed back. to his off, and so the main body of the herd progressed | friends, still putting in the charges of his revolver as he went. When the Indians saw that they turned back, with a yell of defiance, and ‘‘ Plug ”’ instantly answered it, and went after them again, And now we must go back to poor “ Pickle,”’ who was in a pretty pickle indeed. He had lost his sword in the struggle with the Indian, and was lying, bent over the shoulders of a galloping horse, with a great, werful savage holding him down like a vise. Poor ack felt perfectly helpless, and for a minute thought that his last hour was come. But when he found that the Indian did not kill him at once his spirits rose, and he an to think of some way of escape, He remembered that he had a knife in his belt, but he did not dare to try and draw it, for he felt that the Indian was watchi . Then the savages broke, and he felt himself being carried away; and loo k, he saw the two In- dians drive off Bullard, t he could also see the forms of Don Luis and Manuel coming after, and his captor was looking anxiously back, and violently Wheesns his jaded horse, Jack was lying on his back, bent over, and by turning his head, could see that his Indian was near- ly alone now. The horse with the double burden was falling back in the race, and the two Indians who had turned to threaten Bullard were oing off by a different way. It flashed into his mind that now was his time, and his hand instinctively felt for his knife. Horrors! It was gone! It had dropped out of the sheath, and he was unarmed! At that moment his captor turned his head and looked at him fiercely. The Indian wore a long knife, secured by a strap under his arm, and this he suddenly raised up, and prepared to use. It was evident that he was going to kill his prison- er, despairing of carrying him off, for Don Luis was corning up as fast as he could, and would soon be within shot. Jack was determined not to die without a struggle. The Indian had only one band on the boy's breast, and that one held his captor’s lance too. Jack made a iremencious effort, with all his strength, and at last succeeded in writhing up and catching the Indian round the neck, preventing him from using the knife while they struggled. The savage might have killed him if he would have dropped his lance, but this a Chaco Indian never does. So Jack writhed uP, and got his knee in the pit of the other’s stomach, and then, with a great wrench, the two toppled off the horse, and fell on the pampa, Jack undermost. In the struggle the Indian had dropped the knife, and the horse ran away. Now the infuriated savage tried his best to choke Jack, but ‘ Pickle” had got his hands in the Indian’s long hair, and he clung to him like a vise, trying his best to butt with his head, How the fight would have terminated, is not hard to say.. The In- dian was twice as strong as Jack, and must have finished him, when a shot was heard. The savage threw up his arms with a wild Fhe and Pickle stag- gered up to his feet, to Bullard close up to him, — the smoke coming from the mouth of his pis- |. **Good for you, Pickle!” cried the voice of his comrade. “ You fit like a ring-tailed squealer, you did. I'll bet on you, old hoss.’ Jack was pretty well exhausted, but very grate- ful, for his enemy was dead, He looked up, and there was Don Luis, with Manuel a little way off. They had overtaken the two Indians who had driven off Bullard, and the wild horsemen turned to bay as he looked, Bullard yelled with glee. ; “Good for you, Wiseman!” he cried. “‘Give ’em fits, old hoss! That’s the style! Go it, old fellow!” And then both boys uttered a cry of dismay. They saw the Indians come down full speed on father and son, shaking their lances. Manuel ried his acverseny blow, but his father was not so fortunate. The boys beheld the Indian’s lance run clear through the unfortunate man, coming out be- hind for over a foot, and throwing him clear out of saddle. Ballard dug in his — and dashed off like a whirlwind, brandishing his pistol. As he came up. the other Indian broke loose from Manuel, who ha wounded him, and drove his lance into the left flank Ne —= of the boy’s horse. The poor animal sunk groaning to the earth, and Manuel drew his revolver as he leaped off. t Bullard saved him the trouble, for he dashed past the Indian before the latter could reach him with his lance, and put a bullet through the sav- age’s breast. Seeing Bullard coming down upon him, the other Indian threw himself down alongside Bullard scoured after him, and pursued him for | some distance. Bullard saw them and | Then the two, together with | Suddenly the Indian Jeaped upon his horse again, and began to swing a curious-looking weapon round his head, Two round stones were fastened at either end of a cord, and another cord was tied in the mid- dle of the first, making three tails. The Indian then turned his horse, and gallo round Bullard, swing- ing the balls around and yelling. The boy tried to get near enough for a sure aim, and was just leveling his pistol when the Indian threw the queer-looking weapon at him. Bullard had a brief glimpse of three balls, twisting over and over in the air, and then they seemed to tangle themselves around the legs of his horse in a moment, and down came the beast on his nose, throwing Bullard far out over its head. He found out practically what an ugly weapon is ngs oelenentet bolas, and now, boys, you know what t is, 3 CHAPTER XTi. THE ESTANCIERO. Tue fight was over and the Indians had fled. But the victory had cost the others dear. Don Luis was esperately wounded, three of the gauchos and two soldiers killed, and several others hurt. Manuel, by i a good fortune, had escaped without a scratch, The boy knelt all alone by his father’s body, sup- porting his head on his knee, when the gauchos came oping up in pursuit of the enemy. That ursuit stop instantly, when they saw what had me nm Luis was beloved by all his peons, and the soldiers knew him well. The estanciero was nearly gone when ves A crowded round him. The spear had penetrated the middle of his breast, and could not be extricated, for it had passed through to his back and was barbed. He was suffering intense ony.* “erhon came one of the soldiers, a rough old war- rior, with a sergeant’s stripes, and drew his knife. * OCarrambo, you are fools,” he said, as he looked at the peons wringing their hands, weeping and lamenting over their master. ‘The spear must come out, or the man will die. Stand aside. I’ve seen worse cases cured.” ie Every one gave way to him, for he seemed to know what he was about. He seized the slender cane shaft of the lance, and cut it off close to Don Luis’s breast. “Turn him over on his side,” he said. Then he seized the head of the lance, and with one great wrench pulled it out of Don Luis’s back, The estanciero gave afearful shriek of agony, and fell back senseless. It seemed as if he must be dead, from the way the blood poured out. But it was not so. He had only fainted from the intense . If you want to have some idea of what that was, boys, take a good long needle and run it into your breast as far as you can drive it; then keep turning it backward and forward, anc you'll have some very faint notion of what Don Luis suffered when the soldier drew out the lance from his lun, The blood welled out of his breast in ared ‘y e, and every now and then oozed from his mouth. It seemed as if he had not long to live. The wild- looking gauchos were weeping and lamenting, and vowing vengeance on the In 8; the very soldiers could not restrain their sorrow. Poor Manuel was the quietest among them, and yet he was losing the most, for he had had no mother for many years, and would soon be an orphan, Then, as he knelt 2 Aer father, the estanciero opened his eyes and whispered: “Manuel, are they gone?” “Yes, padre mio, they are driven off,” said the Por pees “but at what a cost! You are urt, ing.’ Don Luis smiled faintly. nh SF all get over it, boy. Your friends, where are e anuel started and looked round. For the first time he remembered his comrades, “Where are the senoritos?” he asked, of the near- est peon, A chill of apprehension seemed. to fall on every one. “ No se, senor,”’ (I do not know, sir) stammered the gaucho, Then there was a bustle of w red conversa- tion, and a voice said: “Los Indios! They are prisoners !”” Don Luis heard the words and looked troubled. “They were in my charge,” he muttered: “TI should not have let them come; and now I cannot go after them. There was a dead silence, and then Manuel showed the stuff he was made of. It was evident that some- thing must be done, first to save his father, then to rescue his friends. That the latter were gone, there was now no doubt. First the lad set to work to cheer his father. *To those who think such a wound as described necessarily fatal, the author would say that in his personal eepreres be has Te = three ot cases, one all sword, two from ic bullets, all of which were cured. oe
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Lance and Lasso. 9 ‘Don't fret over it, father,’ he said. ‘‘ We'll get them back as soon as you get well. That’s the orn J todo, you know. Come, men, make a litter quick. Those Indian lances will do. There are plenty of ponchos. My father must be taken home rst. Juan Gonzalez, take three horses for a change and ride at. speed to Rosario for the English doctor. Quick, as you value your master’s life,”’ The man he addressed made no reply in words. He ran to his bose onits back, whirled his lasso round his head, and in a twinkling had cap- tured a loose horse. second gaucho was equally prompt, and in less than five minutes Juan Gonzalez was gallopin away, leading two horses, in the direction of Rosario, an important trading station about twenty miles off. Rosario enjoyed the distinction of having the only doctor in the Confederation, outside of Buenos Ayres. In fact the climate of the paras is so healthy, that sickness is unknown, and doctors would starve in mgst places. Tho one in question, an Englishman, named Percival, had enpped at Rosario on his way to Chili, and had been induced to remain there for a few months. Being the only physician for hundreds of miles, he had acquired a respectable practice, most of his cases being wounds and bruises. As soon as the peon had de on his errand the gauchos constructed a rade litter with eat skill and quickness. Several Chaco Indians had been killed, and their lances lay on the ground, long slender elastic canes. Six of these were taken an tied in two bundles, three in each bundle, after which ponceos were fastened between them. On these ponchos the wounded estanciero was laid, as tenderly as possible, when four of his men took him up and proceeded on their slow and sor- rowful way home. Poor Don Luis was suffering intensely, but he was much selon gg than at first appeared. After a hole through the body is not so fatal as you might think. We have known many men shot through and through the breast get well of it, but never one who was wounded in the stomach, It was some distance back to the estancia, but they reached it in about three hours, and found to their joy that the patient was asleep, lulled by the swing of the litter and his own weakness. They had hardly been there ten minutes before the gallop of horses was heard outside, and Juan galloped up with the doctor. He had ridden forty miles while they had been walking five; but the erence of pace was considerable. The doctor examined Don Luis carefully and ask- ed several questions. He praised Manuel very high- ly for what he had done in bringing the wounded man home with so much care that he was asleep, and told him that there was nothing to be done for him but to keep him quiet. Then he washed the wounds and announced that they had stopped bleed- ing. Don Luis was taken into an inner room where it was dark and cool, covered up, and fell asleep again. ow it remained to tell Louis Ledoux what had happened, and Manuel shrunk from the task. Louis had always adored Bullard so much, since the lat- ter’s defense of him at school, that the boy was in- consolable when told of his loss. “Oh, Wiseman, why didn’t you let me go?’ he said. ‘I ht have been taken instead of Plug; and now we'll never see him again, nor Pickle either. What ll Mr. Curtis say?_ They're both killed.” “Now listen to me,\Kitty,”’ said Manuel, kindly; “they can't be killed, or we should have found their bodies. The Indians never carry off their enemies’ dead bodies. Tom and Jack have been taken prison- ers, and they’re in the middle of the Gran Chaco now. We must go and find them, as soon as father gets well.” if ‘But how can we get them back?” asked Louis. 4 “Ransom them, if necessary, with half our for- tune. I knowmy father too well to think otherwise. Tom and oy aad intrusted to us, and we are re- onsible for them.” aa Then you must let me go with you to find them,” said Lo stoutly. ‘‘I’ll not be left behind when old Plug’s in danger, I can tell you that, Wiseman.” “You shall not,”’ said Manuel; and so the matter ended. The two boys went in to me pore Don Luis, and wewill leave them there, while we return to see what became of “ Plug” and * Pickle.” CHAPTER XII. THE CAPTIVES, WueEn the ey oe. eae horse threw Bullard, the lad pitched on his h with such force that he lost his senses fora time. When he came to himself, he scrambled confusedly up, hardly knowing, for afew moments, where he was and what he was doing. Then his eyes fell upon Manuel, bending over Don Luis, and he turned ily to find his horse. There lay the beast, complete ei ge with the bolas, and he heard the rapid gallop of other horses close by. Thinking it a rescue party of gauchos, he looked up; and the next instant half a dozen wild Indians swept by him in full flight, and two of them, leaning from their horses, as they passed like a whirlwind, caught him up and ed him away as if he had been a baby. Me. - hig Bogs so quickly, with » night ocd advantage 0’ s momentary stupidity, that Tom ek ag oe what had happen- till he found himself carried off. e party which thus pounced on him was com- posed of the last remnants of the Indians, who had ought their way back through gauchos and soldiers. The latter had stop to cluster round the body of the wounded Don Luis; and had relinquished the pursuit of the swift Indians. ‘ Tom felt that they must have overlooked him and Curtis in the confusion, and even as he hung in the air.between his captors, he wondered if poor “Pickle ” was retaken. For himself, he was hard and fast. ’ A stout Indian had him ~ 4 each arm, his pistol was gone, he hung suspended in the air between two galloping ho with the pleasant certainty that if e Indians let him dashed to pieces by Away went the wild horsemen over the dry plain in a cloud of dust. Tom's captors closed up together, gave a simultaneous heave, and brought the boy up on the back of a riderless horse that they came up with, and on each side of which they ge In all his troubles Tom could not help admiring the easy graco with which everything the Chaco Indians did on horseback was ormed. The horse on which h@was placed belonged to the Indian who carried off *‘ Pickle.” When “ Plug ’’ shot the mas- ter, the horse roamed loose. en its comrades came up, it joined them with a joyful neigh. Then | the two Indians, still holding Tom, galloped up _be- hind, on each side, and with one swing tossed the — on the animal’s back. t was done with as much nonchalance as if they had been all standing on firm ground, instead of riding barebacked horses at speed. Tom found him- self going at a tremendous rate now, faster than when he was carried by the difference of his weight. The Indians held him on each side as before, and yelled to the horses to encourage them to — up. “ Plug,’’ as we know, was a good rider; but he was to the saddle, and the wild leaps of the un- tamed steed were different to the smooth canter of the gauchos’ horses. Had it not been for the help of the warriors on either side, he might even have fallen off. But as he got more used to the motion, he recov- ered his habitual coolness; and began to iook round him. He found that the party to which he was at- tached was much larger in numbers than he had pa pee In spite of the dust and confusion, he could count fifteen heads near him; and every now and then a fresh cloud of dust, with a wild-lookin figure in the midst of it, announced the accession o a fresh member to the a Tom looked all round for Curtis. He felt sure “Pickle ’’ must have been taken a second time, from the direction in which he had left him, but he could see nothing of his friend. Then be looked at his own immediate captors. The one on the right was a tall, withered old man with a frame that looked still the very perfection of 8 out all over his limbs, and seemed to be con- necte@ with steel wires, so sharply did the tendons show. The face of this old man ‘was like the head of an eagle, so keen and pi was his glance. Like all the rest, his firmly-set jaw was unincumbered with beard. His hair, cut short in front to keep it out of his eyes, flowed down his back, or floated be- hind over the croup of his flying steed like a cascade of silver. The whiteness of his hair was almost the only sign of age about him, for he sat as firm and e as fast as the youngest warrior there. Tom was not ill pleased at the looks of this, his chief captor. The old man wore a band of solid gold round his forehead, bracelets on his arms, of the same metal, and a girdle of gold around his waist, from which hung a crimson cloth that was folded | round his loins. Resting on his breast, Tom ob- served, with surprise, a necklace of huge emeralds. It was evident that the old man must be a chief of high rank. Tom turned to his left-hand neighbor, and beheld the handsomest man he had ever seen. At least six feet high, with very broad shoulders, this Indian, nevertheless, was as graceful in contour as a | boy. Hi , 8 loins were delicately rounded, hands and feet like a girl’s,and his dark, keen face had great al- mond-shape eyes, like those of a deer. He remind- ed Tom of a beautiful statue he had once seen called The Flying Mercury, so light and active did his figure look. His hair was just as lon the old chief, but it was as black as the raven’s wing, and shone like satin. The grasp of both these In s was like iron on the boy’s arms, slight though they seemed in frame. Tom was a stout lad, as we know, but he felt per- fectly helpless in the hands of these two men. Sur- rounded, as he was, by clouds of dust, and going he knew not whither, there was yet a certain sense of wild freedom in the rapid passage through the air that exhilarated him. He was a captive, and yet he felt free, in this flying cloud of horsemen. Tom’s was a wild, adventurous spirit. He had heard the most glowing accounts of these Chaco Indians, and now he thought to himself: “I shall see them at home, and find out all about them. I can always find a way to escape at last."’ In fact, there seemed to be every ip emomer that he would see just as much of these Indians as heart could desire. They were going at a pace that put at defiance the utmost efforts of their pursuers, and Tom did not feel at all sure that they any — suers at all. Poa —_— but ae = a * —— was despera wounded, e He had seen hint ron tron h the bony an throws to the ground. With the fall of Don Luis the leader of any pursuit was taken away, and Tom felt pretty sure that it would end at once. He was the more convinced of this from the fact that the Indians began to slacken their and talk together, after they had ridden for about an hour longer. ‘Then the old chief ox his right let go his arm, and spoke to his captive in bruken Spanish: “* Sit up on the horse, or 1 spear you.”’ Tom nodded - - / He had already made up his on the course he should pursue, \ ‘& at that pace, he would be | e shock. Lean as it was, the hard bunches of muscle | as that of | they were friends, probably su | man on each side had dropped h He was not going to give the Indians an excuse to ill-treac him. The young warrior on his left let go of his arm, and addressed to him the single Spanish word: Then thes pambuped oar bait him, spear in_hand, en they gailo on C) ‘ while Tom had leisure to look around him. By this time he was used to the motion of the barebacked horse, and a the one he rode had no bridle, yet he found no culty in sticking on and main- taining his balance. The numbers of the Indians had increased by this time. There were at least forty men around him, all alike in figure, dress and arms, tall, sinewy fellows, with a small cloth around the loins, armed with spear, knife and bolas. The old chief was the only man who wore an orna- ment, and on him the whole wealth of his tribe seemed concentrated. There was no way for him to escape yet; Tom felt confident of that. Manuel had told him that the Chaco Indians were noted for being able to get more speed out of a horse than any gaucho, and yet the latter were, as we know, beautiful riders. The boy was quite surrounded with these modern Centaurs, and felt that an attempt to escape would = insure his death. So he continued to ride on with his captors, willingly enough to all appear- ance. The Indians now slackened their pace, for the first time since they started with Tom, and as the dust cleared away, the lad was able to look at the face of the country round him, There was nothing to serve as a landmark any- where. The same flat, undeviating plain that had surrounded Don Luis’s estancia, now spread around the roving party of Indians. The only difference was, that not a dwelling nor an animal was to be seen. In the far distance to the west Tom distin- guished the ragged blue line of a chain of mount- ains, and a few ombu trees were to be found here and there, at long intervals, over the plain, we there were no signs of human habitation near em. Tom turned round on his horse and looked to the rear. The same unva plain met his eye there, but there were more moving figures on it. From two different quarters he could see herds of horses coming, each driven by wild-looking figures with long lances. y to which he belonged now halted to others to come up. It was evident that ivisions of the same The alldw the band. In another twenty minutes th and the spoils, consisting of sever: were sent = n were t hundred horses, at a rapid pace. Tom's captors fell in beh and continued their flight, and the whole band rode together. Tom could see that there were over a hundred men, all told, and the fact convinced him that it must be a whole tribe, for the numbers of the Chaco Indians are known to be bee fey It was a fact that did not oe Tom very much, to find his friend Jack Curtis a prisoner to the second band. He had anticipated it, from the time he saw Don Luis wounded. He knew that, pursuit once checked, the audacious Indians would not hesi- tate to dash back and scoop up what prisoners the could, and what state 4 could be driven awa; with most rapidity. They had been close to r Pickle, and had run him off, together with the loose horses they could find. Poor “ Pickle ” was in a sad condition. At the best, as we know, he was but a Transferred from a saddle to a bare- er; rider. ed bo | he was all abroad in his calculations. Unable to sit there alone, the Indians had hit on a novel but simple and effectual way of seering him there. A lance over across the shoulder of Jack's horse, his neighbor catching the lance by the point so that the boy could cling to the staves, if he found himself slip ing oft. Simple as the means was, it was all-sufficien “ But, unused as he was to riding, and compelled to trust to his hands for help, the poor fellow was nearly exhausted. Tom saw him, and that he him, but it was no use to either of them. Indians would not allow them to s to each other. All pa ye the hot, dusty day they oped along and when night came they were alone on the v pampas, safe from any pursuit. CHAPTER XIV. WILD LIFE. PrecisEty at sunset, the marauders halted and went intocamp. “he process of encamping was of the simplest nature. e the main b halted, a few horsemen dasheu ahead round the herd of stolen steeds, headed them off, and brought them to a stand-still. Then every man leaped off his horse, turned it loose, and the thing was done, The hun- gry and tired creatures set to work to graze, and the men stalked berihen the herds to a common center, where they proceeded to encamp. Each stuck his lance in the ground, several drew forth from their girdles the little pieces of wood pet Stony they make fire, and proceeded to rub in rivalry. Tom Bullard and Jack Curtis, thoroughly ex- hausted, fell on the ground together in the midst of the circle of Indians; but, tired as they were, they could not oo i ~ J the process of fire-kindling with great interest. The fire-sticks were two in number, a flat piece of soft w and a hard, pointed stick. The 1 who was making rested the flat piece en
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eS aaa sess sssses l i il vy - for over a minute, groaning 10 - ground, and worked the pointed piece rapidly ap and down till he dug a short groove in the other, the ‘end of which was full of fine wood powder. First this powder began to smoke, and finally a dull red spore became visible under the rapid friction. In e nursing of that spark, every warrior was an adept. It was blown brighter and brighter, fed with more dry wood wder, covered with dry grass, and finally fanned into a flame, In less than ten minutes from the time of the balt, a roaring fire was blazing in the midst of a great civele of Indians, and a mare was down, close to the fire, her throat cut, and the meat in rapid process of division among a hungry crowd. be Chaco Indian shows great judgment in camp- ing. Inthe place they had chosen was plenty of wood and water, the great things to be desired. As our two captives looked round them, they saw that they must be near the banks of a river, for there was a heavy belt of timber not far off, the first they had yet seen. The Indians were constantly goin, and coming from this, Mags a gg branches of de: wood. to feed the fire, which roared higher and larger every moment. veral other fires, were in the process of light- ing close by and all were scattered along the edge of the wood, dy for fuel. But poor Jack, at least was too sore and tired to enjoy the scene. He hac been bumping about on the sharp backbone of a pampas pony all day, till he had lost several inches of skin, and every muscle ached from its wnaccus- tomed use. Where he had fallen, he lay, too wretch- ed to rise. Bullard was not quite so bad. He was pretay sore, but he had been used to that of old, and moreover he felt igh hungry. After ashort rest he turned to " Say, Pickle, wouldn’t you like something to ea , “No,” groaned Jack; ‘‘I’m too sore to eat. Oh, I wish I'd never come out with Manuel.”’ sae laughed. He was of different stuff from most ys. “ Why, what’s the matter?’’ he asked. “Matter! echoed Jack. ‘‘Isn’t this matter enough? Not two days outin this country, and here we are, ba pag to a lot of savages! Why didn’t Don Luis tell us of this?” “ Because he didn’t know it,” said Tom, ‘These Indians have not come down into the provinces *be- fore for many years. So Manuel told me, when we were saddling up. There must be some special reason for it.’ Jack groaned. “Tdon’t want to know why they came, I only know they’ve got us, and well be made slaves.”’ “Well, Pickle, we’re both together. _What’s to hinder us escaping, when we've learned their lan- guage? « Rescat !” said Jack, gloomily. ‘‘ We can’t do it. How could we getaway? They're all perfect devils on horseback, ard I can’t ride worth a snap. They’d catch us Bei ; “See here, Pickle,’ said Tom, sturdily; ‘‘I’m ashamed of you. Are you g ing to_knock under in this way? Sup youcan’tride. What's to hinder ou learning? I thought I could ride, but these fel- ows can give me points, and beat me to fits. I’m going to learn from them, They say, up on the perarers, that a white man kin always learn to beat an Injun. T reckon we two kin beat these fellows afore we've done. I’m going to try—that T know. So don’t lie there, wling like a bear with a sore head, but come and get some grub.” And without more ado, the Western lad jumped up, and walked over to the nearest fire, where the carcass of one of the slaughtered mares still lay. Tom had kept possession of one weapon, his bowie- knife. It had escaped the notice of his captors, or else they had disdained to take it from him. At ail events, he had it still. Without the ceremony of asking leave, Tom drew his knife and cut a large piece off the haunch of the mare, which he stuck on a pointed stick and pro- ceeded to toast at the fire. The Indians, who were sitting around eating, never so much as looked at him, till he began to eat what he had cooked. Then Stal, sinewy young warrior stalked up to him, plucked the piece out of his hand, and com- menced to eat it himself with a grin of disdain, ‘om looked ronnd him for a moment. Every In- dian was looking at him, with gleaming eyes, as if to see how he would take the insult; and it flashed through his mind that his behavior now would de- termine his future treatment. He quietly sheathed his knife, turned on the im- udent robber, drew back his body to give impetus the blow, and then butted forward his head into the Indian’s stomach, with such force that the latter measured his length on the grass, ‘id lay there groan , and crouched together, {1 the blow had ocked all the breath out of hii... Tom picked up the m which the other had aropped, and quietly continued his meal. He glanced around at the old chief, who sat near, and noticed that the latter looked at him with a grim smile, as if approving what he had done. The discomfitec warrior lay where he was knocked iteously. He seemed to be utterly astounded at the method of revenge chosen by Tom, as the Chaco Indians know nothing of the of self-defense, save with lance and knife. Tom watched him keenly. He had no idea that the battle was over yet. In a little while the savage rosé up as if weak and sick, and slowly walked away. Then his poeipenions began to laugh and jeer. The discomfi warrior turned hesitatingly around and made a step toward Tom, frowning angrily, and grasping his e. Lance and Lasso. Tom saw that he had made an enemy whom he must either conciliate or completely conquer, if he 2 to have peace. e chose the latter course. His foe was already half conquered, and the lad’s gymnastic education stood him in good stead. Tom made a sudden run forward at the surly war- rior, leaped from the earth—an old gymnastic trick —and dashed both heels in his enemy’s face, as the latter lifted his knife to stab him. Again the Indian dropped, but this time he lay still. The vigorous kick of the Western lad had broken his nose and front teeth, besides knocking him senseless. To be sure, the Indian knew nothing about what was coming, and Tom wore boots, against his enemy’s bare feet; but none the less, the v ry was decisive. The hitherto-stolid spectators Wlaughed aloud; and the old chief, coming up to Tom, patted his head approvingly, and said in Spanish: ‘*My son—good—very good!’ Tom took the old man’s hand and kissed it respect- fully. He felt that his future was secured among the savages, as far as kind treatment went. Then he took away the remains of his piece of meat to poor Pickle, who still lay on his side, unwilling to move. Tom shared his meat with his friend, and Jack found that he was hun enough after all. True, the meat was horseflesh, but it came from a young and tender animal, and Jack pronounced it better than a good deal of beef he'd eaten—miles ahead of old Wolcott's beef. The food put strength into Jack. When the meal was over, he did not seem so entirely despondent. The Indians left them alone, and they lay on a couch of soft between two large fires, near enough to be comfortable, for the night was cold and clear, after a day of intense heat. Quite tired out, the two boys fell asleep, side by side, and did not wake till the raw, chilly morning air and the expiring fires combined to rouse them to the fact that the ground was white with hoar frost, and that the Indians were stirring. Tom and Jack woke together, and were surprised to find that the stiffness was entirely gone from their limbs. They both felt as fresh as daisies, although Jack could not so readily replace his abrasions. They did not know the secret of this. It was sim- ye enough. They had been sleeping in the open air, ad they been under a roof in a close room, the next morning would have found their pains only partially gone. But fresh air works wonders, and always will, if people are not afraid to use it. The Indians were stalking about, replenishing the fires, and getting ready their breakfast. ; ‘“Pell you what, Pickle,” observed “ Plug;” “TI reckon we'd better be stirring. These fellers won’t wait too long for us. So we'd better get something to eat before we start.” Jack agreed to this. He felt so much better that he bagen. to look on his position much more resigned- ly. ere is something in the pure air of the pampas that has a very exhilarating effect on all persons who come under its influence, and it is on record that most of the Indian captives, once in the Gran Chaco, become reconciled to their fate, and make few attempts to escape. This is even true of delicate girls, who become so much attached to the Indian way of life that they refuse to return home, when ransomed. “ Plug” and “‘ Pickle’ walked com dly to the fire, and cut their piece of meat off the remains of the mare’s carcass. Jack had only a small pocket knife left, but it was better than nothing, and they both enjoyed their breakfast with the keen appetites of the yor gre They had hardly swallowed it, when the old chief came up to post Sy ace mp by a broad, heavy- | built Indian, much lighter in color than thie rest, and, who, moreover, wore a full black beard, though dressed, or rather undressed, like the others. This man addressed them both in good Spanish. ‘*Senoritos, you must take off your clothes. It is the chief's orders.” ** Si, Si,”’ said the old man, in his broken Spanish, “Why, what’s the matter?’ ejaculated Tom. “TI say Pickle, here’s a go. We're to take off our es ’ othes. Jack understood no Spanish, and he was amazed, when Tom had translated the demand. ‘What are we to do that for?” he asked, sulkily. “Because the chief orders it,” said the Spanish Indian, angrily. ‘‘Do you sup that I, whoama ood Catholic, am to go naked, while you accursed eretics dress in velvet coats?” Tom laughed. ‘*T see what you are,” he boldly replied. ‘ You're one of those renegades that want to bring every one down to your level.” The Spanish Indian flushed up angrily. Tom had hit the mark. Bvery criminal who flees from justice in the Argentine Confederation is sure to find a safe refuge among the Chaco Indians, if he can get to their territories. Ss man was an escaped murderer, ‘Off with your clothes,”’ he said pew mreee fi “we must all ride alike in this band, and woe betide you * you try to escape! You shall be cut into small eces.”’ ¢ Here the chief said someti in a strange lan- guage, and the nemegets cooled down. “The cacique Nabidagua says that you may ride together y, but you must keep in the midst of the band, that no one may see you. We are to pass near Asuncion to-day.” “ is very kind,’ said Tom. ‘I hope ne ew us to keep our trowsers at least.” ot a stitch of Spanish clothes,’’ said the rene- gade, sternly. ‘‘ You can wind these cloths around your waists, and that is all.”’ me ee tod As he spoke he gave them each a crimson lion- cloth, such as the other Indians wore, and it became evident that. the cacique was in earnest. It was a raw frosty ss to strip, to say nothing of the feelings of civilized people, but, resistance was use- less. Jack and Tom were fain to strip off their clothes, which were thrown into the fire by the chief, anc our two friends, = in the sav- age loin-cloth of the Abipones—the name of the tribe—felt as if the last link that united them to civilization was cut off in the act, and that they were doomed to hopeless slavery to barbarians, The cold air made them shiver again, and they both remembered that they had nothing left to cover themselves at night. They cowered over the fire, but not for long was that allowed. The Abi- pones sprung to their horses, the old chief Nabida- gua signified to them that they must mount, and the two captives were compelled to catch their own horses, and clamber on as best they could. ; How Jack Curtis envied the graceful, centaur-like Indians, as he saw the ease with which they leaped on pet ponies, while he himself could hardly get on at all. Tom was much more apt at vaulting, and wassoon on the back of a wild horse, which reared and cur- veted, unable to throW him. Poor Pickle at last succeeded in gaining his horse’s back, and then the whole cavalcade started off at the same wild gallop as the day before, driving the herd of stolen animals before them. Now the two captives made a fresh discovery about life in the open air. It was this: “Tsay, Plug,” cried Curtis, ‘‘I don’t know how it is with you, but I find it much easier to ride this way. don’t seem to slip about so much.” “Reckon you're right,” said Tom, quietly. “I ess that half the secret of these fellows’ riding es in the rig. And it wasso. Instead of loose trowsers, slippin about on the saddle, the bare skin of leg and thi h ressing the Gioeey skin of the horse, afforded ‘the irmest possible hold. Even Jack Curtis had profited from the rough riding-school of the day before. He sat his horse alone, with the help of a firm grasp of the mane, and rode steadily along in the midst of the band. As for Plug, he felt that he was on his way to be a perfect horseman, and that comforted him for all his captivity. He studied the attitudes of the wild riders around him, taking hints from all he saw, and getting ready for the escape that he meditated. They went off at the usual and rode steadily for hours and hours, till the hot sun began to beat down overhead. Then, just as the boys were getting used to the lack of clothing, and finding the luxury of free movement compensating for the e ure, the scouts ahead uttered a yell, and dashed off at full speed. Tom and Jack followed with the crowd, at the same pace, and beheld a distant cloud of dust, through which loomed the lofty tilts of a troop of ox wat the d h 1 At the same moment, down went the whole crowd of Indians, with a shrill yell, shaking their lances. CHAPTER XV. TROPA DE CARRETAS. Boys, did you ever see a picture of a South Ameri- ean carreta? If you did, you will hardly forget it easily. It was a tropa or caravan of these curious vehicles that Tom and Jack were now charging in the center of their wild friends, the Abipones. Even in the midst of the dust and confusion, Tom could not help being struck with the odd and pic- | turesque appearance of this ‘ropa de curretas. The ca:vefas were huge wagons, each as big as a small room, and supported on a single pair of wheels. But such wheels as those were! Each was higher than a man’s head, and the huge axle of wood was up to his shoulders. There was not a nail in the whole concern, which was made of heavy timber, the wheels being some of them solid, the rest bound with tires of oxhide instead of iron. These wooden wheels and axles kept up such a tre- mendous ge and squealing from the want of grease that it could be heard a mile off when the whole tropa was in motion. The wagon was shel- tered by a very lofty tilt, covered with oxhides dressed with the hair on; and, as the oxen were of all colors, it produced a very curious effect. Out- side the wagon-tilt, hung in loops of rope, were bundles of firewood, picked up on the pampas; for fuel is so scarce on these plains, that every man has to pick up stray sticks throughout the day’s reer, if he hopes to have a good fire at night. | The inside was hung full of pots and kettles, chairs, stools, old clothes. and what not, for the family seemed to be moving house and home, as indeed they were. ach carreta was drawn by three or four yoke oi oxen, who went swinging lazily along the pampas, up to the moment the Indians charged. Then there was a change. There were four carretas in the tropa, and three uchos on horseback attending it. 1e whole was e propery of a few neighboring families emigrat- in m the u provinces toward Buenos Ayres. soon as the Indians gave their first yell and charged, the oxen halted as by one consent. The leaders, and all in front of the pole, turned round and began te struggle to get loose, bellowing franti- es ip hyp hoe ponchos began to cana he the » while ) man appeared front of each carreta, while the shri!] screams o - side were pininly beard. Dit ahs There were two sh same Indian, whoin * eee ee flashes, and Jack saw the ug" had vanquished, throw
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_ “ — up his arms and fall back dead. A bullet from a gaucho carbine had done his work. The next moment the Abipones, at the utmost speed of their horses, were down on the caravan. ach, as he came, shook his long cane lance till it quivered violently, to render the parry more diffi- cult. They went at such a speed that the busivess was done ina moment. The three mounted gauchos fought bravely enough, but it was useless. Two of them were run through in the first rush; and al- though the third, who carried an old saber, managed to wound one of his foes, he was spitted by a second as cleanly as a cook spits a bird. Tom and Jack were full of pity and horror as they saw the murder out they were unable to help the poor fellows, riding naked and unarmed as they were. Then the Indians swarmed all round the halted carretas, spearing an ox in each team to prevent them mov: off. They leaped off their horses, some of them, and dashed into the carretas front and rear, armed only with their knives. Then there was a louder screaming than ever, mingled with shouts and curses in Spanish, as the drivers of the carretas struggled and fought with the savages. Tom saw one of the Indians thrown violently out of a carreta, stabbed to the heart, just asa second leaped from the other end to the ground, carrying a beautiful young girl in his arms. ; The girl was screaming and struggling violently, but the Indian ran to his horse, heedless of her cries. Then, out of the carreta lea a stout, thick-set man, in gaucho dress, with a drawn knife, and made for the bold robber, cursing a At the same moment, down dashed a second In- dian full speed by the first, and stopping as he pass- ed, caught away the girl on the front of his horse, dropping his lance, which was caught by the other. In a moment more the docile horse had come to his master’s whistle and the Indian was on his back. But not soon enough to avoid a father’s vengeance. Even as he g dthe rein, the infuriated gaugho caught him by the left arm, dragged him over by main force, and stabbed him again and again, cut- ting and hacking with the ferocity of a demon, even while the comrade of the Indian wascarrying off the or girl, shrieking “* Padre! Padre !”’ in vain, for her Father could not help her. . Then down came another Indian, shaking his lance, and ran the unhappy wretch through the Lowy in a single instant. One of the drivers on the carretas took out a bow and arrow to shoot at the robbers, when a fellow as d by and lanced him through the back, so that be fell out, writhing in his death-agony. Now the tropa was completely surrounded by the Abipones, whe thrust in their long spears be- hind, killing the last remnants of the defenders, and carrying off the women and children on their horses. Then the cattle were unyoked and driven off, the torch was applied to the carretas, and the whole band moved away at a walk, leaving the burning wagons as the only evidence of the deed. “Ftha *s rough, Pickle,’’ said Tom Bullard, gloomi- ly, as they rode off. ‘I believe if I'd had my revol- ver I’d have plugged one or two of those brutes. This Indian life isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. They’re mean skunks, every one cf ‘em.” Jack aan. His spirits were rapidly subsiding, and he felt very miserable. ‘* Ah, Plug, I fear we shall never see home again,” he said. “Yes, we shall,” said Tom, stoutly, “I’ve made up my mind to get away from these fellows before I've done, and you'll see we both will. So dry up, you grumbler; keep a stiff upper lip, and some day we'll be telling all this to the folks in New York as a ood story.” “i Jack ov his head and rode on. He had not the unfailing pluck of “ ay ae and, moreover, he was etting very sore and stiff again, a little worse than fhe day before. So the band rode on at a foot-pace over the level pampas, having now eleven captives, all told. Be- sides our two boys, there were five women and four little children, carried by the different Indians. The women were all wosing bitterly, although they had ceased to scream and struggle, seeing the uselessness of resistance. The children, yoke and trembling, sat in front of their captors, not daring even to cry. The Indians on their part were by no means unkind to their captives, uow the battle was over, They held the children carefully, played with and consoled them, and tried their best to comfort.the girls. * Carambo, senoritos/ that was a good haul,” said a voice close to Tom. He looked round, and saw the black-bearded rene- gade Indian by his side. The man’s lance-head was crusted with fresh blood, slowly pone. “Tt was a good haul, senoritos,” he continued, gayly. “Our spipone chiefs love Spanish wives; and here are four beautiful girls, besides the old wo- man. Cuzspita, ‘tis a jollv life, this raiding, and beats the towns all hollow.” j “And do you mean to say,’’ asked Tom, ‘that you, @ Spaniard, can help these devils to murder your fellow-countrymen?”’ “Oarrai! si. Gil Verde owes the towns nothing but revenge,” And the renegade’s eyes flashed fire. ‘*Senorito, you have a bold tongue, but I like you for it, Isaw you trounce Cabido this morning, and [swore to be your friend if you would let me. If you choose to keep up the sulks and make me an enemy, SO much the worse for you. As for me, I care not. Come, which shall it be?” Tom looked steadily at the other for some minutes before he answered. Gil Verde had a frank, bold face, coarse and reck- jess enough, but not sneaking or mean, The lad NS a thought to himself: ‘It’s no use to make an enemy of thisman. He may help me.” So he held out his hand. ‘** Let us be friends, Gil Verde, while we are com- rades. It’s not your fault I’m a captive, I suppose.” Gil Verde winked. “You'll not be a captive long, my friend. I can tell you that much. The cacique Nabidagua was so much charmed with your courage and address that he is going to adopt you as his son and make you a war-chief, as soon as you are safe.”’ This was good news toTom. It promised to make his captivity light. “But my comrade, what of him?’ he asked, point- ing to Jack, who rode sadly on beside him, indif- ferent to the conversation, not understanding Span- ish. Gil Verde shrugged his shoulders. “Ah, well, I cannot say. That kind of prisoner gets little mercy. He'll have to work in the fields, I eS He’s sulky, aad they'll whip it out of im.” Tom resolved to warn his friend. “ But those children, what will they do with them?” he asked. “ Oh, they’re all right,”’ said the renegade, ‘‘ They- ‘ll bring them up as their own children, and adopt them into the tribe. A few years hence you'll not be able to tell them from pure Abipones.” ** Poor little creatures!’ said Tom, involuntarily. “Bah,” said Gil, contemptuously ; “for what? They'll be far happier roaming the aco as free naked barbarians than cooped up on some st upid estancia, fettered with hot clothes and unable to go where they list. Who can be happier than we are? We need no clothes, for we accustom ourselves to all weathers, We need no houses while we have the woods and the pam We need no food, for it grows in plenty round us. We have horses in thou- sands, and roam wherever we please, to the four winds of heaven. Arewe tired of war? We fly to the inmost recesses of the Chaco, where we are go- ing now. Not all the armies of the Argentine repub- lic dare to disturb us there. Do we long for excite- ment? ‘Tis but to call up the horses, and away we goona raid. We need no fire-arms, for we ride as swift as the balls, and we laugh while we dodge them. I tell you, senorito, no one knows what hap- piness is but we Indians of the Chaco. The time will come when you won't leave us if you get the chance.” “How did you come to join them, Gil, or are you, too, a captive?” The renegade’s brow darkened and he tugged ner- vously at his beard ere answering. ‘Tt’s a long story, senorito. I don't care to tell it more than this. I was a peon in the service of a rich estanciero, and I quarreled with my master. Do ou know what a peon is, senorito? A creature that i no rights against a rich man, if they go to law. My master wanted the same girl did. He took her from me, and I got even with him. I stabbed him, Then the hue and cry was out after me, and I fled to the Abipones. I have never regretted it. Now Iam any man’s equal.” “ But does it not go to your heart to see those poor girls carried away?” said Tom, Sg to the beau- tiful young creature whose father had been kiled before her eyes. ‘* You remember how you felt when your girl was taken from you.” It will be noticed that Tom had lost most of his reckless Sep, 4 of speech and slang in talking to the ren e. deed, he felt very serious, and differ- ent from what he usually was. Gil Verde hed bitterly. “Bah, senorito; Rosita was not carried off. The rich estanciero fooled her with a pair of gold ear- rings and a silk dress, All women are the same. You'll see that girl as happy as a bird in a few months. They'll cry at first, but they end in loving these wild chiefs and the Chaco better than the towns. This time next year not one of those girls would leave our band. Madre mia! we are all Spanish. Spanish mothers have been the rule for many a long year. There is not a man in the band but has more or less Spanish blood in his veins; and we get our wives like the old Romans did.” Tom said no more. He did not believe the wild renegade, and he had resolved at least to try to save the young girl he had noticed. She was a particu- larly beautiful creature, of the dark Spanish type, with large, melting black eyes that haunted Tom, as mes seemed to appeal to him for help. e had no particular idea of what he was going to do, pan something he made up his mind to do, to save the girl. He turned ey to Jack Curtis, with whom he could converse in English without being understood, and remarked: “ Pickle, they're going to make me a chief when they get home. The old chief in the gold and span- les is going to adopt me for his son. hat do you think of that, old fellow?” Jack sighed. He was sorer than ever. “T don’t know. You're always lucky, Plug, and I shall always be the same Pickle. What's he going to adopt you for?” “*Cause I whipped that or’nary sneak that tried to steal my grub,”’ said Tom, laughing. ‘“ Why don’t you do something, Pickle?” “I don’t know what todo. I’m too stiff and tired to do anything,” said the once-uproarious “‘ Pickle.” “T believe if a fellow was to steal my grub, I'd sit down and cry, I feel so weak and miserable.” Tom looked at him in silence a moment. ‘And yet you used to be cock of the school,” he said, sorrowfully; ‘‘and the fellows declared you could lick old Wolcott, if you were to try.” Jack groaned. ““T wish 1 was back there, spider puddings and all,” we? ee il Bullard couldn’t help laughing at the mournful face of poor ‘‘ Pickle.” It was near sunset, and they had ridden over sixty miles that day. To a boy fresh from shipboard, three days before, the trial.was unusually severe. Tom, who was an accomplished horseman, felt it deeply. Poor *‘ Pickle *’ was nearly done up. But Tom knew that this would not be the case next day, after a good night’s rest. He had made up his mind that Jack should become a hero amo the Indians as well as himself, for *‘ Pickle” hi been the best gymnast at old Wolcott's, and Tom knew that he could perform. many feats that he himself could not, He looked around him as the sun sloped down- ward, and found that they were leaving the DO DAA, and entering a lovely and varied country, where large woods alternated with hills, and beautiful streams meandered through the moe. “Where are we?” he asked of Gil Verde. ane are entering the Gran Chaco,” said the rene- e. “la the golden sunset the band came to a final halt in the midst of a busy scene. They had reached the Abipones’ home. CHAPTER XVI. THE CARAVAN. THREE months had passed away since the Abi- pones made their daring raid into the Argentine provinces, but the country had sunk into quiet, It might be supposed that the government would have made some efforts to punish the bold marauders, but the Argentine government has found out too often the uselessness of pursuing the Chaco Indians, to be ready to risk her troops in any more vain ex- ditions, Besides this, the standing army of the onfederation is very small, and the few squadrons of cavalry have pigs work to patrol the frontier for defense, not to think of aggression. Don Luis was obliged to bear his losses as he best could, and get well the quickest he knew how. Thanks to the pure and invigorating air of the pam- pas, it did not take him long. : One morning in November, when the sharp boar- frosts of the night before had gemmed the long grass with myriads of diamonds, a caravan of huge ox-wagons, a veritable ‘ropa de carretas, emerged from the shallow stream of the Salado river at a sel- dom used ford, and took its slow way over a level green plain to the northward. The caravan had en- tered the recesses of the Gran Chaco. White men were never before seen there, except as prisoners, but this caravan pushed boldly on. The men in charge of it knew well that the Salado was the south-west boundary of a dangerous coun- try. There were men among its attendants who had been prisoners themselves to the Indians, and knew well their mode of warfare. Left to. themselves, these men would never have willingly entered the Gran Chaco, But at the head of this caravan was a man whom no danger could daunt until he had tried it, a man who had seen other countries besides Phe perpen, and who knew the advantages given by modern science over uncivilized savages. On a lofty and preciptious bluff, overlooking the open below, stood Don Luis Garcia, with his son lanuel and Louis Ledoux. Don Luis was armed with a powerful telescope, with which he swept the horizon all round, frequently turning it downward on the caravan. Besides the telescope, both he and his companions were well armed with more substantial weapons. Don Luis carried a pair of revolvers in his belt, and a Winchester rifle at his back; Manuel was similarly ores and even “ Kitty ’ sported a revolver and z le. You must not suppose, either, that ‘‘ Kitty ’ did not know how to usethem. Manuel had taken care to set him to work daily to practice with them, till the boy could put al] the bullets of his revolver inside a hat, at twenty-paces. Don Luis looked thin and pale, but for all that he was perfectly recovered of his wound. Three monte does wonders with a healthy man ina healthy climate. ) The tropa below them belonged entirely to him- self; it was manned with his own Pe re and with it he had started as soon as he could ride, to rescue his Pouns friends from the clutches of the Abipones. e knew well enough where they were, and came prepares to ransom the prisoners if possible, if not, to fight for them. ‘Well, boys,” he said, after he had examined the prospect, “‘there are no enemies in sight yet. I think we shall get near their town without being seen. Manuel turned around and looked earnestly across the Salado, in the direction in which they bad come. a. are those fellows following us for?” he asked. Don Luis turned the glass on_ a distant cloud of dust and inspected it carefully. When he put down the telescope he said: “It is‘a troop of cavalry. I wonder if they are or- dered to stop us? It may well beso. The govern- ment is so much afraid of the Gran Chaco, that they are ashamed to see others daring its Ly ge alone, Let us go down to the tropa, Iwill not be stopped now. The distant cloud of dust was rapidly approaching the river’s bank. Already the bright glitter of arn s could be seen with the naked eye, and the forms of horsemen at a gallop. Don Luis and the boy scrarsbled down the side of the bluff and were soon af the mead of their cara- van, which was halted clove ro the oluff, at a werd from the leader. ; aes Don Luis mouvres lis horse end issued an order, sy
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[a er re ae re 12 Lance and Lasso. “Form corral—quick—march!” There were six carretas in the tropa, and the two leading wagons were instantly turned inward so as to cross each other, while the two middle ones were drawn up close to them on each side, and the last pair were turned inward. When the evolution was com- pleted, all the teams were inside a square formed of pr te Age two gauchos, with loaded rifles, guard- ed each ope . Then the estanciero quietly awaited the coming of the troop of cavalry. The latter were y at the opposite bank of the river, and, as they watched them, rode into the ford and struggled slowly across. In a few minutes more they came galloping up, and the officer in command, a fine, handsome man, —_ = bluff-looking, with a jolly, hearty face, ca out: “Halt! Dismount! Rest!’ Then he jumped off his horse, drew the reins over the animal]’s head, and led him forward to the corral of wagons, where Don Luis was awaiting him, in doubt as to what to make of it all. This officer seemed to have no fear of being shot at, or not to care for it, if he did. He advanced un- eoncernedly to the wagons, till he was stopped by a sonorous “ HaJt!’’ and the click of a rifle-lock. Then ne paused, and called out, in a laughing tone: =~ ; Don Luis, is this the way you receive your friends? Dodn’t you remember Captain Hernandez?” Then the boys saw Don Luis start, as if he recog- nized the voice. He jumped off his horse, came out of the corral, and advanced to meet the officer. “Why, is it possible, Don Alonzo?” he exclaimed. ‘**I thought you were in Spain.” The officer laughed. “So I was, amigo, till last year. Then, as there was no more figh to be done over there, I thought I would take service here. They’ve given mea troop, ticer. But what are you doing here?”’ Don Luis told him the story, and Captain Hernan- dez looked grave. He was an old schoolmate of the estanciero, and the two had been nmuch together in their youth. Captain Hernandez ‘vas a soldier who had served in many armies, and had finally drifted into the Argentine forces, as he had said. “It’s strange how events turn out,’ he remarked. “Do you know that ] am on a very similar errand m r x No!’ said the estanciero, surprised. “I thought you came after me by orders, to stop me.” “ Not a bit of it, Iam bound to the Grand Chaco m 3 And what for? Under orders?” “No. Iam on leave of absence.” ‘On leave of absence! This isa strange place to come to spend one,”’ ‘“‘ Strange or not, here I am,” “But your men, who are they, and why do they follow you?” “They are on leave also.” “But I don’t understand. Explain this mystery.” ‘*Willingly. You see, Luis, that since I came here, lfellin love. I was engaged to as lovely a girl as ou ever saw. Her name was Inez and her ather lived in Santa Fe. We were to be married at Christmas, and old Lozada had determined to move down to an estancia near Rosario, before the wedding. She was his only daughter, and he want- ed to be near us. It is now about three months ago, since he started on his journey with four currefas, aud disappeared.” % ! Why, how could that be?” “Noone knew. I did not hear of it till a month ago, and then I took a long scout to find where they had Se I found—what think you, Luis?” ‘What? Icannot tell, but I suspect—the Indians,” “ Ay, the Indians, I found the charred wheels of the carretas, the half-burned skeletons of several men, and a breastpin, that I recognized as hers. It = all plain. The accursed Indians had murdered hem, “When was this?” inquired Don Luis, eagerly. “T cannot tell exactly. There were no tracks left, so it must have been some time ago.” “ But your friends started from Santa Fe, when?” “Three months ago to-day.” “Then it must be the same, Hernandez. There | him wit And he turned to “Kitty,” who was eying the captain's brilliant uniform and bold face with great admiration. Louis had learned to talk Spanish very well in three months, for it is one of the easiest of all languages to learn. He looked boldly up and answered: “Senor capitano, I can shoot as straight as a man, and I can stop a bullet as well as you,” Hernandez laughed and patted his head. ‘ “You are a brave lad, see. Thatis half the bat- tle." “T don’t know that, sir,” said Lo modestly ; “but I know I couldn't stay behind while poor Tom isin danger. I must help him.” sa on Luis cut off further conversation by the order— “Break corral! Forward march!”’ The wagons were turned out of the inclosure and resumed their march, and the estanciero and his men mounted their horses again. By this time Louis was quite a good rider, for daily practice had ren- dered him expert. As soon as he was on his horse, he turned again to watch Captain Hernandez. “ kitty ” thought he had never seen any one half as dashing and brilliant as this officer, as he stood there waiting for the cara- van to get out of the way. His horse, a beautiful dapple-gray stallion, was rearing up, frightened at the ungainly carvetas, and his master was soothing a laughing carelessness that told of the | perfect horseman. His uniform was much like the | velvet, heavil as you see, and already they call me a promising of- | has only been one raid from the Gran Chaco this | summer, and tired friends must have been taken by the same band that harried my estancia. But what are 7 going to do?” “T am going to rescue Inez and take vengeance on the Indians,” said the captain, coolly. “If I don’t make their tribe pay for that murder, you can call me a coward.” “But how did you get your leave of absence?’ in- Don Luis. ‘Does the government suspect | h your object?” “The president has given me the leave himself. The fact is that lam on a secret mission, with a troop of picked men, to explore the Chaco, and lay a foundation for a second expedition.” * Then why should we not join forces?” “The ver: have a guide who has engaged to take me to the arene stronghold. He was once a prisoner to ‘*So have I. Three of my men have been prison- ers at different times. Then it is settled. e can resume our journey.” “Certainly. But who are those boys, looking so curiously at us?’’ Don Luis beckoned to Manuel and “ Kitty,” who were watching the interview with t interest. They came forward, aud he presented his son to the captain, PBut rem. said Hernandez, smiling, ‘‘ this little fellow too young to encounter all these thing I was about to propose. I | | were of solid silver. fractious horse, Louis thought he had never seen a | gaucho dress in shape, but the colors were more brilliant, and it was loaded with gold lace. On his head he wore the singular military cap of Buenos Ayres, a square bag with a tassel at the cor- ners, front and rear. The cap was scarlet, the tas- sels and band of gold. His loose jacket was of blue laced: and his trowsers and swath- ing cloth of white and crimson, while his hu As he stood there, soothing his finer figure. Presently the carretas drew out of the way, and the horse came down, and began fidgeting to get | away. Captain Hernandez motioned to one of his | men, who rode up on the other side and pressed the | horse in toward his master. In a moment the officer was on his back, and digging in his spurs till the spirited horse reared and plunged again. “Prepare to mount! Mount!’’ he cried. Then Louis saw the soldiers spring to their horses, stout, stalwart men, loo as strong as bulls, wearing cuirasses of brass t glittered like gold, and the same blue and red uniform with square caps |} that all the cavalry wore in those parts. Captain Hernandez’s men were picked warriors, and seemed to be much better armed than the gen- erality of troops down there, for they carried breech- loading rifled carbines, as well as sabers, and a re- volver apiece. “Let me see the Abipones who will attack us,” quoth the captain, as he glanced proudly over the united array. “ Fifty-three rifles are more than the best of them can stand.” CHAPTER XVIL. THE JAGUAR. Tue caravan had traveled all day long through a delightful country, on a grassy p of black, rich soil, as level as a billiard table, but not wearing the unvarying monotony of the pempes It varied in breadth from five to fifteen miles, and was bordered by the same line of bluffs, on one side, on which Don Luis had been standing when Manuel first saw the soldiers. On the other side, a belt of timber marked the course of the Paraguay river, and sent out spurs of wood along the bans of numerous tri- butaries. At evening they came to a halt in a spot of sin- gular beauty. The bluffs had ceased, and were only continued in an irregular rolling range of hillocks. Several small streams ran between on their way to the P. ay, bordered with 1 forests of -trees. ey had arrived in the midst of a little natural theater by the banks of a stream, | where an open glade was formed by the recession of the palm-trees, while down the center of the glade ran a narrow but well-defined path to the water. Louis was riding ahead with Captain Hernandez, | wee he saw this path, and instinctively pulled up, saving: 6 aa must be near, captain. Look at that path.” The captain bent over from the saddle and scanned the path closely. “There is no danger,” he said, quietly. “It is only a drinking-path for the game. it must be in plenty ere,” Almost at the same instant, a large herd of black creatures, with white lips, looking much like small pigs, and euunting in the same manner, dashed out of some bushes, and plunged past them into the cover beyond, with a great racket. Louis started and turned pale, asking: ‘*What are those creatures?” “Peccaries,” said Captain Hernandez, laughing. “It’s just as well we didn’t offend them, or we should have to run if we couldn’t kill them all,” The wagons were some little way behind still, and the captain drew his revolver. **Come, my boy,” he said; ‘‘let us explore this place, and look sharp for Indians. We'll go into camp here, if the coast’s clear.” Louis felt very proud as he followed the captain, for the latter seemed to trust him as if he had been a soldier. He drew his own pistol and rode close be- hind the captain, watching every bush, as the officer lored the edges of the glade. sently there came another rush. Louis thought it was ano her herd of peccaries, but refrained from ! »spurs | firing. Then a crowd of animals, er pe than a peccary and differently shaped, scudded across the eae, dashed headlong into the river, and disappear- “What are those, captain?” he called out. The officer made no answer for a moment, and ea fresh squad of the curious creatures dashed out. In a twi ing Captain Hernandez had fired three shots, and two of the creatures dropped and lay kicking, while the rest ran into the river. “‘ Capivaras, those are,” said Hernandez, pointing to the carcasses. Louis looked at them and laughed, for they were curious animals. They were something in ys between a rabbit» and a pig, having the innocent face and cloven lip of the former, with its habit of staying squatted to- gether when at rest. Its hair and general form were otherwise pig-like, but its feet were hare-like and the toes were united bya web. Thecapivara or capincha is a slow, clumsy creature on land, but always keeps close to the water, to esca weighs about a hun ounds, full-grown. “Now, my lad,” said Captain Hernandez, “ don’t be too quick. This place is full of game, and if I mistake not there’s more than —. Those capin- chas wouldn’t have rushed so close to us, if some- thing had not been after them. Yes, por Dios / and there he is.” As he spoke, he pointed into the shadow of the thicket, and Louis caught a glimpse of a large animal awe toward them, almost invisible among the bright flowers and yellowish grass. “ Away, boy; it is a jaguar!’ said the captain, hur- jae and they both wheeled their horses and gal- ©) when pursued. It ly; away. A jaguar it was, sure enough, and the next mo- ment it sprung from the covert with aloud roar, and | came bounding after them. The horses, frantic | with terror, stretched themselves out flat and exert- | ed every muscle to escape, but the jaguar, in three springs, had laid his ae paw on the croup of Louis’s pony, when the led, with an instinctive effort, lifted his feet into the saddle, and made a tremen- dous spring forward, as the horse sunk with a cry of terror under the claws of the monster. | The jaguar did not pursue Louis He seemed to be satisfied with his prey, and stood lashing his tail to and fro over the fallen horse, and roaring savage- ly, as much as to say: ** Come on, if you dare!” Captain Hernandez heard the boy scream, and wheeled his horse. As Louis ran up, Hernandez leaned from the sad- dle and caught him up in front of him, when they both gallo out of the glade, just as the carretas hal at the entrance. Several soldiers had ridden to the front, hearing the noise, and the captain shouted: ‘“‘A jaguar! a jaguar! Follow me, three of you! Advance, carbines!” Louis jum gown, so as not to incumber his friend, and Manuel and the estanciero galloped to the front with the soldiers. In a moment they were in the glade, and there stood the jaguar over the fallen horse, defiant as ever. It was plain that his kind had never been hunted with fire-arms before, or he would not have been so bold. Animals learn from experience, and this fellow had never met any thing but Chaco In- dians, who gave him a wide berth. Now he was to deal with different hunters. Ca‘ tain Hernandez dashed by him at the top of his horse’s speed, the spurs well in to keep the animal straight. As he passed he sent two bullets into the jaguar, who uttered a furious snarl, and sprung at im like a flash. But the dapple-gray charger was already past him, and the fierce creature m his aim. The cap- tain wheeled round, rushed by him n, and fired his last shot into the jaguar’s side. e rest could wiee yee spurt = to pA wpa mo . the jaguar cha e captain, who scam- pered away, Weavinn the beast in front of the rest of the party, who had halted behind. Crack! crack! crack! went the soldiers’ carbines. Another bullet struck the jaguar, who only seem- | ed om | to fresh fury. In a moment he turned and | cha: the soldiers, and met, full in his course, with a new obstacle. | Don Luis had dismounted, and now stood in front | of his horse, rifle in hand. As the Semel charged him, he raised his piece with a deliberation very different from the shots of the others, and fired full into the creature’s broad breast. The jaguar was rising to spring as he fired, and leaped into the air with a fearful roar, then came heavily down, and rolled over, stone dead, at the estanciero’s feet! The soldiers could bent ee their eyes when | they saw the animal that defied so many shots | dropped by a single ball, but the mystery was ex- plained when they examined the skin. Captain Hernandez’ bullets had all struck, but hens one in a dangerous spot, the lungs. The other builets, pistol and rifle, had merely grazed the skin, or drawn blood from ht flesh wounds, Don Louis was the only one who had made his mark. There was a hole in the jaguar’s breast such as you could put gad fist in, and a torrent of gor f ny > po i: “So much for modern improvements,” remarked ue eee duu, wa Cn, eran ee up. no t fellow looks dead enough.” onion tain Hernandez looked at the light rifle by his friend. The bore was quite coal Tazied looked at the t hole in the jaguar’s breast and seemed astonished, It was six times as big as the
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Lance and Lasso. 13 bullet, and thin blue smoke was curling from the | lay down again, and watched the space under the | captain's rifle slowly came to a level. The creature's orifice. wagon wheels. head was on a line with the interval ee the “Why, what in the name of St. Hubert, the patron Tt was a difficult task, for he lay in the full moon- | two wagon wheels, and the ce served guide. of hunting, have you been shooting with, Luis?” he | light, and the wheels were in deep black shadow. One instant the barrel remained, steady as a rock, asked. Only at one part of the inclosure was there a patch | and then there was a bright flash, a sharp report, “‘ A shell," said the estanciero, quietly. ‘I bought | of moonlight, just outside, and a reflection from the | and a white cloud of smoke, all in one. this gun in New York, and I’m quite satisfied with | ground under a wagon. Louis, who was watch the puma, saw it dron it. ey told me it would kill the biggest beast Louis rolled his eyes slowly from place to place | to the earth, and then kick and struggle violently, instantaneously, and you see it has. Let us go into | without seeing anything. Since he first moved, the a. up now and then like an India rubber ball, camp here and skin the jaguar.” eusting had been replaced by a dead silence. The | only to fall heavily down again. But he had noi “The very place for a camp,’’ said the captain. | boy felt convinced that something was the matter, | long to watch. . “T had it picked out. The plenty and tameness of | but could not tell what. Louis had improved much The shot at the puma seemed to be the signal for the game argues that it has not been hunted, so | in firmness of character since his coming to South | pandemonium to break loose. A moment later there are no Indians here, and we can shoot all the | America. A few months before he would have | every man in camp was on his feet, shouting and ex. food we want to-night, when the creatures come to | alarmed every one round him. Now he lay still, re- | cited. drink.” solved to find out what was the matter before he Outside the corral there was a tremendous scuff. In a very short time their simple preparations | awakened the weary travelers. ing in the grass, as a number of dark figures dashed were made, The sun was near setting as the wagons One thing that surprised him was, that the sent; ny roaring and growling, all coming from the river, filed slowly into the open glade, and went into cor- | was not visible. It wasa question in Louis's mind, | They seemed to be in a perfect nest of fierce beasts, ral. Then the weary oxen were turned loose to | whether the man had not gone to sleep. The boy . the watering-place of the jaguars in the Gran graze under a guard, fires were kindled, and the | lay there, slowly turning his head from side to side, ; Chaco, two capivaras were speedily roasting, beside a | trying to peer under the wagon wheels, but nothing wn couple of light, graceful creatures resembling deer, | was to be seen. CHAPTER XIX. f but smaller. These had been shot upon the Chaco Then, after the a of nearly ten minutes, dur- MALMORA. ; during the morning's journey, and were nothing but | ing which he lay still, he heard the soft rustle again. Two lads sat on a great slab of nite, talkin ; wild goats of the country, swift as antelopes, and | This time there was no mistake. Something was ther in low tones, while round them fiourishe known as corzuelas. outside the camp, in the cover. the luxuriance of South American vegetation, in Together with the capivaras, there were about four Louis peered eagerly in the direction of the sound, | the hot regions of the Northern Chaco. Both lads hundred S cepa of meat, and all ate game that | and distinguished the fiery points of some wild crea- | were scantily clothed in crimson cotton waist-cloths, night. ere was no lack of chargui—dried beef— | ture’s eyes, green and glaring. Then they moved, | the same as those worn by the Chaco Indians, but . in the wagons; but who would eat dried beef when | accompanied by the usual rustle, and he saw the | the light tint of their skins, though bronzed by the i they could get fresh game? body to which the eyes belonged glide across the | fierce sun, showed that they were of a different | vertainly not our friends of the tropa. They sat | strip of moonlight at the end of the wagons, race, around the fires, the soldiers and gauchos smok- Louis was puzzled at the looks of the crea- The slab on which they sat was covered with : ing their pipes after supper, and telling stories about | ture. Long, low, and gliding like a serpent, it | strange hieroglyphics. On its face was carved the } Indians. , yet preserved the outlines of a great cat, and | outline of a human figure, phe oe! Boag a and gro- | Louis was amused at the curious pipes carried be its color was such as to render it almost invis- | tesque in outline, but very smoothly finished. e the gauchos, made of a gourd full of water, in whic ible. Once or twice, when the strange beast | lads sat on the ruins of a antic idol, in the midst | the pipe bowl was set,so that the smoke came | stopped, the lad almost thought himself dream- | of a court-yard, surrounded by an immense white through the water with a bubbling sound, as the | ing, for it seemed to sink into earth and disappear. | building, long and low, the walls made of stones of gauchos sucked at the cane stems. Then an onward motion would recommence, and he | enormous size, and all covered with a profusion of There was another curious thing that he saw, | would see that a black shadow was moving along. | sculpture. which at first he took for another sort of pipe. It | Three times did the strange beast crouch and disap- There seemed to be no reof to this building; at was in the hands of a led old sergeant of Her- = in crossing the little patch of moonlight. Then | least, the walls were crowned with bushes and trees, nandez’ troop, whom the other men called a Para- | it glided into the shadow and vanishec en rely. some of them of a size that argued many rag nae : guayan. Louis began to feel nervous. Captain Hernandez | of wth. The court-yard itself was a led : He held in his hand a gourd with a narrow neck, | was sleeping close beside him, and the boy stretched jen e, with paths cle , and the line of the white : out of which a thin steam curled out, while a stem | out his hand and touched him. In a moment the | building disappeared here and there behind the like that of a pipe was put into the place where the | captain had turned his head, as broad awake as | trees. bow] is in common pipes. Louis, and whispered: The two lads, as you m suppose, were none DS The old se t was suc away at this tube, “Well, what’s the matter? Have you seen any- | other than “Plug” and “Pickle, and the ruined but Louis noticed that he did not puff out any smoke. | thing?” buil was one of the ancient temples, built hun- ‘ He seemed to swallow all. It was evident that Captain Hernandez was an old | dreds of years before the conquest of America, by “Certainly,” thought Louis, “he’s a funny smok- | soldier, who had been awakened for night surprises | that ancient race who possessed the continent for er.” many atime. There was no yawning and stretch- | many +. Presently the old sergeant took out the stem, | ing, no rubbing of eyes. He was ready for action in Jack had improved greatly since his cap- threw some dregs out of the gourd, and went to the | a minute. ture by the Indians. Four months of wilderness Pa fire. Thence he took a tin Pr. which was boiling Louis whispered back: life, constantly riding wild horses, had hardened there, and poured some of its contents into the “There’s some creature outside, and I think the | and strengthened his frame to a surprising degree. gourd. Then he sat down and sucked away con- | guard’s asleep.” His eye was clear and _ brilliant, his look bold and tentedly. The captain gave a little start. animated, and his whole ap ce was very dif- Louis sidled up to him. “* Asleep!"’ he muttered. “T'llsleephim! It’s the | ferent from that of the despondent captive of the “Please, senor sergeant, what is that thing you | middle watch. One of Don Luis’s peons.” Pam é have?” Then they both lay still, listening. Old “ Plug” was the same as ever, short, stout, ** Mia my Me the sergeant, laconically. Presently Louis nu the captain. sturdy-looking, and brief of speech. “ Your bomb What’s that for?" “There it is!% he whispered. “T say, Plug,”’ said Jack, ‘‘I’m beginning to like “To drink my mate,” and the old fellow sucked The officer turned his head, and beheld the same | this sort of life. Gil Verde was right after all. 1 away. flery eyes that the lad had seen. They were close to | don’t’ think I should try to escape, if they didn’t Then the boy understood that the sergeant was | the wagon wheels now. guard me.” only drinking his tea, for mate is the ey oy an’s ag’ pees” he muttered, and put his hand down “Umph!” wled “* ; “you may thank me substitute for tea, made of the leaves of the Pare for his rifle. for it then. fFyou hadn’t done as I told you, you'd guayan holly, dried and beaten to powder. It is al- ““No!"’ whispered Louis. ‘‘I saw it in the moon- | have been hoeing corn or tending cattle now.” bn drank in South Ameriea, morning, noon and | light; it has no spots; it’s gray. You can hardly see Jack laughed. nig! t, and ras, Pa called the national drink. it.”° **T own up, old fellow. I did feel awful mean on .By the time Louis had finished looking at the bom- | The captain made no answer. He was watching | that three days’ ride, and if you and I hadn't got up billa, he was summoned to examine the skin of the | the eyes. Presently they disappeared. Then they | that tumbling entertainment for them, we might jaguar, which had rs been stripped off. h the rustling again. both have been put to work. How they did stare hen they found the execution which had been Very slowly and cautiously the officer drew up the | when I turned a back and a few hand springs. It’s done by the shell, for th@ whole of the lungs and | rifle that lay by his side, and rolled over on his face, lucky I had practiced it so often in the gymnasium stomach of the jaguar were found mangled and torn | He and Louis were lying with their heads toward | at Wolcott's. Well, well, who would have thought to rags in the most extraordinary manner. the strip of moonlight under the wheels. The faint | we should be so happy out here?” Captain Hernandez looked thoughtfully at the car- | rustling still continued, as if the animal was making Tom growled. cass. He had in his hand a measur = with | a circuit of the camp, and at intervals there wasa “T’m not happy, Pickle, and I won’t be till I see which he had been measuring the len of the ja- pauise of silence, Whenever such a pause occurred, poor little Inez out of their clutches. We’re boys. lar’s skin. * - he fiery eyes became visible at some point of the ney can’t harm us. But old Nabidagua wants to Madre de Dios, Don Luis,” he said, “it is lucky | circle. ‘It became evident that the creature, what- | m her to Gil Verde, the blackguard.” that gee shell went where it did. That fellow | ever it might be, was reconnoitering at such times. | “That’s true, Plug,” said Curtis, thoughtfully. ' might have made mincemeat of us all otherwise, At last the rustli pone ay the strip of moon- | ‘‘ We ought to get that poor girl out of the scrape. ae much do you suppose he measures to the roct | light once more, and the captain whispered: | Didn’t she tell you she had a lover somewhere in \ of his tail? 2 ‘Now we'll soon see.” | Buenos Ayres?” “pice four feet,” said Don Luis. : Sure enough, a moment after, the same stealthy, | “Yes,” said “Plug; “a captain of dragoons as eet six inches,” said the captain. “TI tell | catlike figure made its appearance, creepingagpidly | called Hernandez. me Span blower, I guess, you these Chaco tigers are getting bigger as we get | forward a few paces, then halting. This time it was | who hain't got grit enough to come after her. . away from the settlements. We sha ve them as | close to the wagon wheels. Pickle, if 1 was a man, and had a girl stolen that { big as royal tigers before we re done,” “A puma,” whispered the captain; “and a mon- | way, I'd never rest alive till I'd got her or got kill- Well,” said the estanciero, “ big or little, my rifle | ster at that.” | ed.” will lay them low, And so new, Alonzo, let us set | The ghost-like animal here paused, with its face | “Guess he'd do the last,” said “Pickle,” dryly. our guard and put out the fires. We don’t want the | toward the inclosure, and crouched close to the | “ "Tisn’t easy to catch a Chaco Indian napping.” whole of the Gran Chaco to know our business.” > earth. “Bah!” said Bullard, disdainfully; ‘‘they’re only . In half an hour ~ cattle were safe in the corral, | Immediately it became invisible. men, after all. They're easy enough on us. y, the fires out, and mos guards were up and { Louis rubbed his eyes. A moment before he saw | here's old Nabidagua gone on a hunt, and there ain't down inside the inclosure, while the wearied expe- | a gray cat prowling round the wagons. Then it had | a dozen warriors in town to guard the women. ditionists slept tranquilly in theanidst of all the perils | disa peared, as if the earth had swallowed it. | you're game to try it, I'm going to cut and run be- | of the Gran Chaco. = __ ere has it gone?’ he whispered to the cap- | fore they come back.” | XVI. tain. *“ Wherever you go I'll follow,” said Jack, firmly. CHAPTER ““Nowhere,”’ answered Hernandez, in the same | “But what shall we do about getting little Inez : THE PUMA. tone. “ You can’t see it for the That's all.” | away?” } Axovr the hour of midnight Louis Ledoux awoke | As he spoke, he pushed his rifle forward without | “Put her on a horse,” said Tom, literally. “We with a sudden start, and sat bolt upright, broad | noise, rested both elbows on the und, and | hain’t got a carriage, and if we had, we couldn't / awake in an instant. Why he did so he could hardly | brought the butt of the piece to his shoulder. take it, for want of horses broken to harness.” teil, for he had dreamed of nothing since he went to @ moment later the ghost-like creature raised “Now don’t be an ass, Plug. I know all that. sleep. Only, there was the sense of some danger | its head, and they saw once more the n, | What I mean is, can the little girl stand the fatigue being near, he could not tell what. glaring eyes. Then it rose to its feet, and there, | of a few hundred miles on horseback? She is not en he looked around all was quiet. The full | plain enough, was ah , hungry-looking puma, as | used to it, as we are.” moon was up in the zenith, shining down on the little | large as a jaguar, but BN color so indefinite, so like “Well,” said “Plug,” doyly “you don’t know aa aad eons, = on fee ange feos of pry ona Deckground, that only the shadows render- | what a girl a <e till ‘s tried it. She’sa | 6 heaps of old clothes, e strong, rl, and— . ba as the: shops, neue’ in hate iaclton. t stood gazing at the wagons with a fierce but ORs sane “ Pickle,” starting; “some one is The boy intently, and heard a faint rustl- | wistful look, slowly waving its tail back and forth. | coming. By Jove, if it ain't Malmora!” ing in the grass that surrounded the wagons. He For a moonlight shot nothing could be fairer. The | Tom looked up as the tram of a horse echoed Nyt
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14 Lance and Lasso. through the silent court, and beheld a mounted figure advancing toward themat acanter. In a mo- ment more a girlon horseback dashed up to where br | sat, and threw her horse on its haunches before em. The figures of both horse and rider were singular and beautiful beyond the common, Nowhere but in the Chaco could such a sight have been seen. The irl herself resembled a beautiful bronze statue of enus, so delicately beautiful was the outline of her dark e. Her polished skin shone like bronze, and a heayy mass of silken black hair swept the croup of the horse behind hér. This hair was simply drawn back from the forehead and confined by a gold ring at the back of the head into a single heavy tress, which flowed down her back, leaving her mo- tions entirely free. Neck and arms were covered with jewels and bracelets of gold and emeralds, while several large diamonds gleamed in the circlet above her brow, which os the confining ring in its place, But the radiance of her large, | eyes out- shone the diamonds, and her teeth were whiter than reg as she smiled on Tom Bullard. Her dress, ike that of all the Indian women, was a mere girdle, with a pnge of beads, some two feet in length. which fell like a skirt around her, parting on either side to expose her polished limbs. In this case the beads were of pure gold. The little feet of the young Amazon were protected by sandals of gold chain- work, and she carried in her hand two light javelins of cane, with gs 7° steel heads. The steed on which the Indian Amazon was mount- ed was qne every way worthy to bear the burden, being a magnificent horse, as black as jet, with a skin that shone like satin, in the sun, a tail that swept the ground, and mane that fell to his knees! His small, pointed head was so delicate that he could have drank out of a two-quart measure, while his fiery eyes and blood-red nostril gave token of spirit, as his slender limbs did of speed. The girl sat firmly as any warrior in the tribe, without saddle or bridle. Indeed, till one looked close, itseemed a mystery by what means she m: ed the horse. Then you could see a slender string, no thicker than whipcord, passing round the horse’s under jaw, and going to the hand of the rider. Slender as it was, it shone in the sun, for it was made of strands of gold wire. “Well, son_of the stranger,’’ said the wild prin- cess, in the Indian tongue, which the boys under- stood pretty well by this time, “‘ are you ready to go hunting with Malmora?”’ It was Tom she addressed, on Tom that she smiled. She was the only remaining daughter of the old cacique, and it was understood in the tribe that on Nabidagua’s return from the hunt in which he was then engaged, the ceremony was to take place which was to adopt Tom into the tribe and marry him to Malmora. The girl herself seemed dpe. enough. The fact was, that she was somewhat tten with this white stranger, so different from her own train of dus adorers. The bold, frank ways of Tom had im- pressed her greatly, and she had heard of the igno- minious defeat he had inflicted on Cabido, the bully of the tribe. Still, it must be confessed that if Malmora had been left to herself, she would have chosen Jack Curtis. Jack was much taller than “‘ Plug,” nearly a man in stature; and his fair hair curled all over his head. In complexion and Srsty See else, he was a still more marked contrast the straight- haired Indians than Tom, and all nature loves contrasts. But Malmora was an obedient daughter, brought sy in Indian habits of subjection to her father, though queen of all the rest of the tribe. As the cacique had announced to her her fate, she had pag ny it philosophically, with a little sigh of regret for the fair-haired stranger, but content to take the other, if needs be. To explain the pleasant terms on which Jack Curtis seemed to with the tribe, which at first had lookea on him with such contempt, it must be observed that Jack had taken Tom's advice, after a day of rest, to do something to ‘astonish the natives.”’ This something was easily found. Jack was a first-class gymnast, better even than his friend Tom, though somewhat lazy. A few of the common tumbling feats amazed the Indians, and when Jack threw a forward somersault over two horses, not a chief in the tribe but wanted to adopt him, for the Chaco Indians value sry | so much as physical prowess. Jack completed his victory by taking a stick and oy ing all the assaults of a man on foot armed with alance. On the firm ground he wasa ood fencer, as we have said, though on horseback e was nowhere as yet. Still he began to improve, by practicing with ‘ ne But it’s just about time that Tom Bullard an- eee the beautiful princess, who had just asked m: “Are you ready to go hunting?” Tom looked up with a “I’m ready enough, i Sian , ut they won't let me go, almora.”’ CHAPTER XX. THE ABIPONES’ HOME. Tue Princess Malmora laughed gayly. ‘**When my father is yest ” she said, ‘‘ lam queen of the Abipones. Who sh gainsay it, if I say you may go? My father and the warriors are away hunting, and I have made up my mind to hunt, too. That e girl will go with me.” What pale girl?” asked Tom ; “The girl t asx took when they stormed the car- retas,”’ said Malm ora. ‘Coca wants to her. and she cries al. the time. I’m sorry for her. I would sooner she married N: , the second war chief. He is a man, and Soult make her happy. while Coca is a renegade. I hate him, He wante marry me once, but even my father could not make me do that.” Tom listened to every word. He knew that Coca was the name given to Gil Verde by the Indians, and phak te pale girl could be none other than Inez a. “And why is she going with you?”’ he asked. ** Ah, that is a secret,”’ said lmora, slyly; ‘‘ you shall know when we are out on the Chaco. ’ There are too many ears in these walls.” ast she waved her javelin in the air toward the ruins. whee can he go?” asked Tom, pointing ack, Malmora looked down at her little foot as if in some embarrassment. All her haughty grace de- serted her in a moment. “The Sun Child may come, if he wishes,” she said, in a low tone. Jack knew she meant him. His fair hair had earned him that title among the dusky Indians. He was eager to answer: “*] will come, beautiful princess.” Malmora looked full in his face, smiled, and, dark as she was, blushed sensibly, the red blood rushing to cheek and brow. ; Jack didn’t understand the symptoms, but Tom was much more learned. “She’s spooney on you, Pickle,’’ he muttered; “and if we play right, we’ll be out of this hole to- night. Come on.” ack was nowise loth. He followed Tom slowly, while the princess led the way out of the inclosure at a gallop, as if glad to escape from the eyes of the ‘“* Child of the Sun.”’ The two lads followed her out of the great court of the temple, for such had been the building which surrounded them. They passed out of a grand doorway, over whose top a huge block of granite, forty feet in me, had been raised many lon years before, while the solemn figures of the ol eruvian idols frowned on each side from these sculptured door-posts. ““T wonder who made those old guys, Pickle?” said Tom, as they passed the arg Jack had read Prescott’s Conquest of Peru, and answered readily. ‘“* The old Peruvians, of course. They once owned all this count The Spaniards never found this temple, or we shouldn’t see so much gold and silver, you can bet.” As he ke, they emerged from the ruined temple and saw before them the white walls, streets, and temples, of a great town. All was silent and deso- late now, save for a few Bon eK women strolling about the deserted streets, but it was evident to the boys that they saw the remains of what had once been a powerful and populous city. Not far off was a great white temple, in better peers me than any ruins they had yet seen, for t retained its roof, made of huge slabs of stone, in- closing a long tunnel, of about thirty feet in width, and at least a hund feet long. As they passed the entrance, they could see two long avenues of colossal idols of white stone, egind covered with plates of gold, which glittered in the sunlight that came through numerous openings at the side. At the end of this corridor, a blaze of light indicated an opening, and a aqnare open court could be seen, whose w seem to be covered with plates of gold. “Twish we could go in there,” said Jack fully, as he looked into the temple. “ I’ve half a mind to do it, since no one is looking.” “Don’t be a fool,” said Bullard, curtly. ‘ That’s the sacred temple of the Sun, Gil Verde tells me and i i cut us up into small pisces if we profaned wist- it. Wait till you're adopted into the tribe before you it. We couldn’t carry off anything, if we wan They’d follow us to Buenos Ayres, but what they’d catch us.” Jack saw the force of his friend’s words, and er strolled off down the broad street, bordered wit temples and palaces, all in ruins, till they reached a broad square, similar to that in the ruined temple, but clear of vegetation, and surrounded with vari- ous Lire goa Scattered under the walls of these monuments of the past were rdws of little booths and huts of bey » branches, fresh and pleasant-looking, where he forms of Abipone women and children could be seen moving about. There were a few men clustered in a group around a fire, but three of them were old and decrepit, two were lads of sixteen, and only one was a warrior in the full sense of the word. He was a tall, power- fully-built man, with but one arm, the other being cut off above the elbow. In short, it was clear that the warriors were all wie f and Tom whispered to Curtis: : ‘“*To-day’s our time, Pickle. We'll never get such a chance again.” “It’s lucky for us Malmora asked us to go out,” — Jack. ‘We couldn’t get clear, even of these fellows, 80 easily as you think.” The Princess Malmora was sitting on her black horse, near one of the little huts, talking .to a girl whose white skin shone in brilliant contrast to the dusky Indians round her. It was Inez Lozada, the captive of the carretas, metamorphosed into an Abipone girl, covered with glittering gold chains and ornaments, and wearing a crimson cotton skirt that fell to her ankles as her sole garment. The Indians always ch the dress of their prisoners at once, and the different ci garments of poor Inez were parted among the Abipone women around. As the boys looked, they saw Inez move away with the princess, in the direction of the horse-corral, which was nothing more than the square court of another of those ruined temples that made the Abi- pone stronghold. The two lads followed the girls, sauntering slowly and carelessly past the group of men, and soon reached the gate of the corral. Tom looked back as he got there, and saw that the one-armed war- rior had risen to his feet and was looking toward them. “We're not to get out so easily, Pickle,” he muttered, olng : ‘ya “Old One-Arm is getting suspicious, Jack looked carelessly round and stretched himself as if he was yawning. ** Don’t look as if you minded him,” he said, ly. “Now my blood is up, I’m going to get o «! uiet- to- Come in.” e and Tom entered the lofty doorway and look- ed into the court of the temple. It was of much smaller size then the rest, with a narrow entrance and exit, and both were alike blockaded. The princess and Inez were standing at one of the barriers, waiting for them to come. Tom threw down a couple of bars, and they all entered the in- closure. As they did so, Tom looked back. One- Arm was coming slowly toward the corral. He bore no weapon but his knife. Without noticing him, Tom put up the bars again, and turned his attention to the corral. There were not many horses there, and most of those were old and broken down. About a dozen were lame, and only two were what might be called fine animals. One was a bay stallion, the other a white horse, speckled and spotted with bay and black in the most remarkable manner, like the skin of a tortoise-shell cat. This creature, as well as the bay, belonged to the princess, or it would not have been left behind, for all the good horses in the tribe were out on the hunt, or raid, whichever it might turn out to be. The only animal that bore comparison with Mal- mora’s horses was a imp atig: ng brown horse, with a white stripe on his face, that Tom knew be- longed to the one-armed warrior. ‘See here, Pickle,’ he said, hurriedly; “‘if old One-Arm makes any muss, we'll have to fight our way out. Are you game to punch him?’’ “You bet,” said Jack, laconically. ‘‘ But he won’t make a row. The princess is supreme here, you know.” “T don’t know that,” returned Tom, doubtfully. “It’s my notion we'll have to make a fight. That old plug of his can run like a streak of greased lightning, for all he’s so bony. He must never get oo him. Further conversation was interrupted by the prin- cess, who called out to them: “ Get yourselves horses, friends. The pale girl will ride Jaguar.” She indicated by a sign the spotted horse, which had come up to her, and was rubbing its nose against her hand. Tom looked round, and there stood One-Arm by the gate of the corral, looking grimly in, “What means this?” demanded the deep tones of the savage. ‘‘Has the Princess Malmora determin- ed to set the white captives free, that she takes two of them to the horse-corral, single-handed?” ‘*Malmora would not fear to take three of their warriors,” said the girl, proudly, ‘while she wields these javelins. Iam going to hunt, and I want my slaves to carry my game.” “Jt is good,” said the Indian, gravely. ‘ One- ag will go, too. Itis not safe to trust prisoners ‘ar.”’ As he spoke he vaulted over the bars and stood in- side the corral, 2 ‘“‘One-Arm is welcome,” said the princess, courte- ously; ‘let him bridle Jaguar for the pale girl. One-Arm nodded his head and drew from around his waist a simple cord of twisted eg which served him fora bridle. In silence he bridled Ja- a in silence be helped Inez to her place on the autiful creature. e girl had not uttered a word since he entered the corral. She was pale and trem- ous! realizing that something was going on, but unable to assist. Tom Bullard had taken one of the lame horses that seemed best able to travel, and Jack Curtis was aneeey leading out the bay stallion, when One- Arm, having given his hand for Inez to spring from went to the entrance of the corral, threw down all the bars, and uttered.a low whistle. The gaunt brown horse instantly galloped up to his master’s side, and the maimed warrior, with a single bound, sprung on its back, and was trans- formed toa centaur. He used no bridle, nor seemed to need one, as he swept out of the gate jike a whirl- wind, the gaunt brown horse seeming to fly. One- Arm dashed up to the fire where the other men were sitting, spoke a few words, caught up a cane lanee at least twenty feet in length, and came tearing back to the gate just as the princess and her party rode slowly out. The party was sufficiently incongruous. The princess, Jack Curtis and Inez were all finely mount- ed. Inez rode well, for, like all South American women, she was used to the seat of a man on horse- back. Tom Bullard brought up the rear on a horse which was lame in one hind-leg, galloping with a curious hobble, which yet allowed of considerable speed. ““Whew!" muttered old “ Plug,” as he noticed the wonderful speed of the gaunt brown horse and its one-armed rider; “if I'd thought you were coming, I'd have fixed you, old fellow. the fat’s in the fire, or I'm mistaken.” He said nothing to any one, however, and the
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ee ee Lance and Lasso. rincess was equally reticent. Tom could not help Phinking that he had some secret motive for this apparent caprice of hers, She had made no objec- tion] to One-Arm joining them, and the whole party pe a across the great square, down the broad, eserted streets of the ruined city, and in a few min- utes found themselves in a gorge of the hills that opened into the valley, in which the home of the Abipones was situated. Before them and below them spread a delightful prospect, a country flat as a billiard-table, and broken up by belts of waving woods, emerald-green savannas, silver threads o river and rivulets, with five or six beautiful lakes glistening in the sun. It was their second view of the Gran Chaco. CHAPTER XXI. ONE-ARM. Onr-Arm checked his gaunt horse with a word, and gazed far and wide over the prospect. In one particular direction he looked with peculiar earnest- ness, and Tom Bullard’s eyes, following his, beheld a sight that caused his heart to sink within his bosom. It was nothing less than the band of Abipones, coming back from their hunt. They were still many miles off, but there was no mistaking those moving dots for anything but horsemen. “We might as well go back,” he muttered, in a low tone to Jack Curtis, who sat beside him; ‘here comes the whole tribe.’ 7 As Tom said this, he felt a hand laid on his arm, and, looking round, saw the Princess Malmora point- ing to the south, in the opemChaco. Tom’s eyes fol- lowed hers, and he witnessed another sight that raised his spirits as high as they had been low be- fore. The well-known white and black hide tilts of four or five carretas were to be seen, not three miles off, moving along the edge of a patch of wood, while a number of horaemen were clustered round them with pron J arms. ‘ : “‘The son of the stranger sees his brethren,’’ whis- pered Malmora; ‘‘ does he wish to rejoin them?” Tom looked at her in surprise. “Of course I do,”’ he said, ? ‘“ And will he take the pale girl with him if I send him?” said she. : “Certainly,” said Tom, wondering what was com- ing. me Then take her away, and leave the Child of the Sun to Malmora,” she whispered. “I brought you here on purpose, The Child of the Sun ne. Take the pale girl and flee.” . . “But you forget. One-Arm’s horse is swifter than mine,” said Tom. ‘‘ He will follow and spear me.” “ Change horses with the Child of the Sun,” she whispered. ‘Do it quick, before One-Arm turns,” Tom hesitated. “But what will my companion do?” he asked. _ “Fool,” said Malmora, ina low, indignant voice; “think you I would let him come to harm? Quick, ere it is too late.” Tom hesitated no more. He rode up alongside of Curtis, and said, in a low tone: ; ‘** Change horses, Pickle. Now’s your time.” On two barebacked horses the change was quickly effected, and just as it was over, One-Arm turned round and caught sight of the wagons. The sight gave him a shock, for he uttered a startled shout, and instantly turned to view his companions. At the same moment Tom Bullard seized the horse of Inez Lozada by the bridle, uttered aloud yell, and darted off full speed toward the distant wagons. As he went, he drew his bowie-knife, and pricked both horses with its point to renewed exertions. One-Arm couched his lance and went off full speed after them, the princess following, while Jack urtis, wondering what all the noise was about, alloped after as fast as the lame horse could go. The manner of their eorene was still a mystery to him, but he comprehended that the nearer he got to the wagons the safer he should be. He was soon left far behind, but continued to urge his horse to its best speed. Meantime it became a problem. what was to become of Tom Bullard and Inez, Both were splen- didly mounted, but the gaunt brown horse was showing an uncommon burst of speed, and already was slowly closing the gap that separated him from Tom’s bay charger. Tom was unarmed, save for the knife, and Jack felt there was but little hope, should One-Arm get up to him. And the savage was fast closing up. It seemed wonderful that such an ill-looking horse should be able to do so much, but he actually was nearing the magnificent horses of the Princess Malmora., The only creature that seemed able to outstrip him was the black charger ridden by Malmora herself. That seemed fairly to fly, and came up with the gaunt brown, slowly but surely, till One-Arm and the prin- cess were close together behind the fugitives, By that time they had gone about a mile anda half and left the hills, and were scouring across a level green savanna, in full sight of the carretas by the wood. As they came down, however, they lost sight of the distant moving dots that they took for returning raiders; and the only visible objects were those they took for friends. Jack Curtis, using his best speed, was yet at_least a quarter of a mile behind the rest, when he heard One-Arm give a yell, and saw him close to Tom Bul- Then +h2 Western lad suddenly swerved from_his course and off on a new track, while One- Arm shot by, missing the thrust of his lance. laughed aloud for joy at his friend's escape, for he 15 not manage his horse with the same facility as Tom, and, especially in short turns, was thrown out. But One-Arm, to his at surprise, did not follow after Tom. Instead of that he couched his lance anew, and prepared to slay the other fugitive, help- less Inez Lozada, who still fled straight forward. In spite of the hopelessness of being heard, Jack uttered a shout of rage as the savage closed on the poor girl, but the nex} instant would have sealed her ate, had not she, too, involuntarily swerved to one side, and so eluded the thrust. In a few moments One-Arm checked his horse, with some difficulty, swerved round and came tear- ing back after Inez, who had fled at right angles to her former course. This change of direction brought Jack once more close to the scene of canflict, and he was soon there. The ee had pulled up, as the two fugitives separated, and now sat still in the middle of the field, watching the chase with seeming unconcern. One- Arm kept after Inez, and was nearing her a second ome when the girl gave a great scream and doubled ack. She was just in time, for the lance of the irtfuri- ated savage grazed her white arm in passing, and drew blood. The girl shrieked again, and darted toward Phe prineras. as if seeking protection. She encountered old ‘‘ Plug,” who had wheeled, and was now coming tearing to meet One-Arm, with his lit- tle dirk-knife bare. As the lad shot past her, be screamed: “To the carretas, senorita! You will be safe there. Quick!” The next minute he came down to meet One-Arm, swerving to his own left as he did so, to get on the right of the Indian. One-Arm grown his teeth, uttered a savage yell, and rushed his gaunt steed full at Tom. Almost as they were closing the lad swerved once more to the left, and the Indian missed his aim. He was much more wary, however, this time, wheeling in the new direction after Tom, as soon as the latter had eluded him, Now the contest became close and exciting, all the while that the fugitive senorita was making the best of her way toward the distant carretas and horse- men, Jack came up with the two combatants as One-Arm chased Tom round and round, the lad al- ways managing to escape by dodging and changing direction. Then the boy longed for a weapon to help his friend, and there was none on the field except the two — a pee of the princess. Suddenly flashed over his mind “ Plug’s ” saying, “Lucky for us she’s spooney om you Pickle.” Without a moment's loss he galloped up to her and said: ““Malmora, see, my comrade is in danger. Help him, if you love me.” Malmora smiled joyously and tossed him one of the javelins. ats, Child of the Sun, you. are mine,” was all she Then she urged the black charger and shot away like an arrow to where Tom was hard bestead by One-Arm, The Western lad was turning and dodging, and trying every sort of artifice to elude the Indian’s spear. He was not a fugitive any longer. On the contrary, whenever he could induce One-Arm to overshoot his mark, the active boy invariably turned after him, trying to gain his right rear, and get within guard of the long cane lance. But One-Arm was always round in time, quivering his keen point : such a manner that it was impossible to parry it. Jack Curtis u his old cripple, which was now so much warmed up to work, it hardly went lame at all. In afew moments he was close to the combat- ants, when One-Arm suddenly turned and charged him, Nothing daunted, “Pickle” poised his light javelin and sent it whizzing through the air just as One-Arm closed. He saw the point bury itself in the Indian’s shoulder, and then he tumbled off his crip- = on one side, just as the lance-point passed the orse’s back on the other. He was unwounded, but he rolled over and over on the greensward as if he had been thrown from a sling. As he looked up, he heard ashrill cry of rage, and saw the princess cast her second javelin, which struck One-Arm full in _the breast. Then came a rush and a thump, as Tom Bullard closed in, stabbing the Abidone to the heart with his keen dirk-knife, throwing him off and leaping from cy charger on the brown at the very moment of clos ng. Tom knew what he was about. The brown horse had no bridle, and would have been off in another minute, whereas the bay, turned loose, trotted up to the princess with a glad whinny of recognition. As soon as the could check the brown horse he turned him by the force of his legs, as he had seen One-Arm do, galloped back to the body of the dead Indian, stooped from the horse, hanging to his mane, and picked up the cane lance in-triumph. “Get the javelins and mount, Pickle,”’ he cried, as he passed Jack, who was scrambling up, half stunned. ‘‘ Take the bay horse—he's tame—and don’t give the girl her javelins if you value your liberty. he wants to run away with you.” Jack ran up to the body of One-Arm and plucked out both javelins, just as Malmora rode up, the bay horse. “ Quick, Child of the Sun,” she cried. ‘* Mount and fly with Malmora. You are mine now, for I have struck a man of my tribe to save you. Let us Jack leaped on the horse before he answered. Then he pointed to the carretas. Tom and Inez saw that the Abipone, being deprived of reins, could | were already galloping toward them. “You shall be * Come then, princess,’’ he said. See where they well treated among my people. come.” As he spoke,a number of horsemen, altering with burnished weapons, came galloping down to- ward them from the distant carretas. The princess straightened up haughtily on her charger. “Tam queen of the Abipones,” she said. “You are mine andl am yours. Come with me. Let your comrade and the pale girl join their people. i never go among the Spaniards.” ‘Then I must go without you,”’ said Jack, quietly. ‘Tam much obliged to you for helping me to es- a5 but I want to'go back to my friends.” almora uttered ascream of anger. Her beanti- ful face became os fierce as that of a tigress in- stantly. “What!” she criedk “* wculd you deceive me,wretch Ne ’ that you are? Give me my javelins. “It wouldn’t be safe,’ said Jack. ‘‘If you won't come, good-by.”’ He wheeled his horse and galloped cif toward the carretas. Malmora sat dumb for one instant. Then she too turned her horse and sped away, like an ariow froma bow. She took the direction in which they had first seen the returning Abipones. CHAPTER XXII. A NEST OF JAGUARS. We must return to our friends, whom we left in camp on the Gran Chaco, when they were so sud- denly disturbed by the shot of Captain Hernandez. At the sound of that shot at least twenty huge jaguars bounded out of the cover, and stood roar- ing and growling outside the wagons, as if half-en- raged, half-fearful of what was coming. Inside thie corral, the cattle began to bellow and struggie, ‘the horses reared and kicked, squealing viciously, the men shouted and talked together, and all order seemed to vanish. The strangest thing was that the cattle had not scented the ‘jaguars long before; but this was ex- plained by the fact that the wind was blowing di- rectly toward the river, and that the fierce beasts had come from that direetion against its current. Now that the oxen both saw and heard them, the uproar was terrific. Had it uot been for the hcavy carretas, which formed so strong an inclosure, a stampede of all the stock would have been inevita- ble. As it was, several horses broke loose and gal- loped wildly about, inside the inclosure, rendering it so dangerous that every man in haste abandoned his blankets and climbed into the carretas to get cut of the way. Louis and the captain found themselves in cne wagon, while the jaguars, who had at first seemed to appalled by the racket, now, emboldened by impunity, and excited by the smell of the cattle, commenced an indiscriminate attack on the cara- van. They were very different creatures from the cow- ed jaguar of the pam constantly hunted with fire-arms. The rattle of musketry did not seem to terrify them, although a withering volley was pour- ed in at short range, stretching four or five on the earth at the first fire. The rest, stung to fury py their wounds, charged the carretas; and a terrible scene of confusion ensued, The great beasts bounded up against the wagons, shaking them about, heavy as they were; and, tear- ing at the hide tilts with claws and teeth, tried to climb in. Several crept between the wheels and dashed among the cattle inside, where they soon pro- duced an awful silence as they pulled down their vic- tims. The cattle and horses, lately so obstreperous, cowered together in trembling silence once the brutes had struck down a prey or two, and the only noise was left in the wagons. Here gauchos and soldiers were alike fighting bravely to keep off the enemy with their revolvers: and jaguar after yore only rent an opening in the carretas to find his head riddled with bullets. It is hardly possible to tell exactly what happened in the few minutes of confusion that followed. Even the fierce jaguar has sufficient sense to recognize when he is overmatched. The rain of bullets was'so in cessant from the revolvers, the wounds of the animals so numerous, that first one and then the other turn- ed and itself off into the cover, howling with pain, while the soldiers, leaping out of the carretas, and by this time warmed with a frenzy of excite- ment, boldly attacked and exterminated the three or four bolder jaguars that had penetrated the in- closure to prey on the cattle. Then at they were able to take an account of casualties, and found that they had lost three oxen, one horse, while four men were more or less serious- ly wounded by the claws of the gears, Eight of the fierce creatures lay dead outside the square, four more had been shot inside the inclosure, and the great puma that bad caused all the disturb- ance lay in his tracks on the grass, shot through the brain, but still breathing, although quite sense- less to all seeming. A second bullet, time a shell, was sent into the heart of the p , Which then lay perfectly still, the last spark of life extin- “It was lucky for us, Alonzo, that you fired when _ did,” observed Don Luis, as he looked round im at the remains of their late assailants. ‘We might have fared worse otherwise. These creatures display astonishing boldness, and it seems that we have camped in their very midst. If they had all t inside, as they well might have done, we should ave suffered fearfully—lost all our stock at least. Who vas on guard at the time? Why did le not give the alarm?” ‘Nay, as to that,” said the captain, “it was one | of your own peons, and the poor devil has paid dear
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Lance and Lasso. for go to sleep. He was one of the first wounded by the jaguars. Ifancy it will be a lesson to the rest to keep awake on guard in future.” “Tt will indeed be a lesson to us all,’ said the es- tanciero. ‘‘ After this we will put at least two men on each relief, and one will keep the other from going to sleep.”’ This was no sooner said than done. The refractory cattle and horses were, with some difficulty, reduced to silence, and the camp once more sunk into quiet for the night. There was a good deal of grumbling pabout nchos and blankets, muddied and torn to pieces, but on the whole every one was well satisfied have got off so cheaply. Agood many of the auchos, too much excited to sleep, made up the res, and sat round them for the rest of the night, but the more philosophical soldiers wrapped them- selves up in their ponchos, and snoozed peacefully till morning. When day dawned, Louis Ledoux was up with the first, watching with much interest the process of skinning the jaguars and the puma. he latter proved to be indeed a monster, measuring nearly as much as a full grown lion. Indeed the gauchos called him a lion, and his color was nearly the same. No further annoyance was experienced from the jeguars, though it turned out the woods were full of hem. When the wagons drew upin the morning and moved down to the stream to water the cattle, the horsemen roused out numbers of of the fierce brutes, who slunk away in the covers, as if afraid of da light. he immense abundance of peccaries, capinchas, and other game, swarming around the watering- wae accounted for the presence of the jaguars. hey had entered one of nature’s preserves, and the game was absolutely innumerable. Even the tapirs. usually shy, solitary animals, were seen in pairs an oups, sporting and swimmingjin the water, and 2 pam deer were as thick as flies. The little caravan crossed the stream and travers- ed an open nm savanna for some hours, at the end of whic: oor began to come in sight of a low, rolling chain of hills. Here one of the guides, who had been a prisoner to the Chaco Indians, told them that Huaxarca, the sacred town of the Abipones, was near them, and almost at the same time the moving figures of horsemen, faintly seen, made their =ppearance on the hills. ; CHAPTER XXIII A WILD RACE, Wuen Jack Curtis gallo away toward the on- com. horsemen, he felt they must be friends, though he could not tell who they were. He was very quickly alongside of Inez Lozada, who had slackened her and was riding at a slow canter, as if afraid to be left alone. Jack joined her to her great comfort, for Tom Bullard was already far ahead, on the gaunt brown horse, that seemed fair- ly to tly toward the strangers. Tom himself, with his long hair stream back over his shoulders as he crouched over his horse’s mane, Indian-fashion, shaking his lance, was no bad representative of a wild Abipone. Three months under the hot sun had tanned his skin to a hue almost as brown as an In- dian’s, though without the tinge of red that usually accompanies it. He went tearing along at a tre- mendous pace, for the gaunt horse, poor and as he looked, seemed to be able to outrun an ng on the pampa. In a very few minutes the boy was almost up to the ereneec®, and then they saw him swerve oif to the right, and sweep along the front of the line of horsemen, as if in doubt of their character. Jack and his companion galloped steadily on, the yo girl watching the strangers espe & Jack could see that most of them were soldiers, wit: begat, brazen cuirasses that glittered in the sun. e were galloping on in a little column, four ahesaae led by a brilliant e on aceppreaney horse, while a large number of horsemen common gaucho dress were scattered on either side of an irregular skirmish-line, Suddenly Inez Lo who had hitherto been si- lent, uttered a scream of recognition and delight. “Tt is Don Alonzo!” she cried. ‘‘ He has come to find me, as I said he would. Oh, senor, we are safe, we are safe!” As if in answer to her wo the brilliant officer turned to his men, and at a quick signal they halted. while he himself hed out at a tremendous rate of speed, came tearing up to them and threw his horse pes its haunches close to Inez, with the loud exclama- tion: ** Dios de mi Alma, I have found her at last!” It was indeed Captain Hernandez, and he had found his promised bride. In a moment more a slight, boyish figure came up }oehina the officer, and Louis oux cried out: “Hurrah, Pickle, we’ve found you! Where’s old Plug? Where ishe?”’ Jack Curtis could hardly believe his eyes. “ Kitty, is that you really?” he asked: ‘out in the Chaco “ore among the soldiers! Why, how did carretas,” said Louis, hurriedly. ‘ But where's “Why, didn’t ey know him?’ asked Jack, sur- vrAnd, ae toate ing down, full as e, Tom came swooping down, 8 Gostee more like an Abipone than ever, and a igh = ea with a yell, shot past like a s ° ning, A moment later he had turned, brought his horse So a standstill, and gayly shouted: “Kitty Ledoux, ye little woodchuck, what in Old Ned ag a you here? Where’s Wiseman?” “Oh, Plug, Plug, are you really safe?’’ cried poor . Plug, where is he?” “ Kitty,” and then he broke down crying, he was so much overjoyed. Meanwhile the captain and Inez Lozada were talk- ing Spanish together at a great rate, so fast that the boys could hardly understand a word. Both had so much to ask and to tell, Inez was so much overcome as to be weeping, and the gallant-looking officer was obliged to support her. Altogether, they were a happy little party, but “Plug ”’ was the ¢ to remember that all was not safe yet. The horsemen had advanced at least a mile from the carretas, and the latter were drawn up in a square at the edge of the distant wood. Tom re- membered the way in which Malmora had left them and he also remembered that the main body of Abipones could not be far off. He rode up to the captain of dragoons and observed: “Beg pardon, Cap, but I guess we’d better be moving. There’s a big crowd of those brutes of Abipones heaving in sight, and we’ll need all the men we've got to beat them off.” The handsome captain cast an amused glance over Tom's figure. To say truth, what with his long, un- kempt hair, his brown naked body, and the long cane lance in his hand, to say nothing of his wil steed, the lad looked a queer specimen to advise an officer of dragoons. ‘** And who are you, my young friend?”’ he asked. “Why, that’s Plug,” said Louis Ledoux, indignant- ly. “Haven't I tok gon all about him, fifty times, captain? That’s old Plug, the best fellow you ever saw or heard of, and this is Pickle.” Captain Hernandez could hardly help laughing as he surveyed the two lads, but his politeness did not fail him. He had, indeed, heard all about the boys from Louis, who was his great favorite. “Tam really glad to meet you, senoritos,”’ he said smiling. ‘ My little friend, “Louis, has told me all about you, and I am rejoiced that you have escaped with Dona Inez.” Here he turned to the senorita and asked her some- thing in his rapid Spanish, to which she replied in the most enthusiastic terms of praise. Then the officer extended his hand to each of the boys with great kindness. **You are brave lads,” he said, ‘“‘and Dona Inez tells me that you have been all that heart could wish to aid her in her captivity. I thank you deeply, senoritos." “ Very , said Tom, curtly. ‘ Now, don’t you think we'd better be moving? If you don’t, look yonder.”’ He pointed off to the north. A number of horses were moving down toward them, at the distance of about a mile, but seemingly without riders. ’ “Why, that’s only a herd of wild horses,” said Louis Ledoux. “Tt’s a herd of wild savages, vaptain,”’ said Tom, earnestly; ‘‘and they’re guided by a woman who ee rest till she’s had vengeance on us for fooling er.’ And he gave the captain a brief account of Mal- mora’s passion for Jack Curtis, and the way she had left them. Hernandez became grave ina minute. He looked keenly at the body of disguised enemies approach- ing them. He knew well enough that each horse concealed and Indian behind him, hanging alongside and screened from view. The number of horses romised at least three hundred warriors, and he only about sixty men, including the unreliable peons, Moreover, part of the men had been left with the carretas under command of Don Luis and Manuel, and it behooved him to get back. **Come, friends,”’ he said, turning his horse; “it is time, truly, we were taking measures for our seer 3 Let us gallop on.”’ A few moments later they had rejoined the halted soldiers, and as the — gave the word, the whole column changed direction and trotted off toward the Ww ns. om Bullard hovered about the rear watching the supposed Indians. They were coming leisurely along, much in the manner and at the pace of so many wild horses, straying from side to side. The lad half to see them rise up and come rac- ing down, when the column trotted off, but the mys- terious body never altered their gait, but the soldiers slowly increased the gap between them as they went to the wagons. In five minutes more Manuel Garcia came dashing out to meet his friends,and the reunion was pecu- joyful. But there was not much time for con- gratulation. Tom Bullard squeezed Manuel’s hand, uttered a few words of welcome, and then darted out into the open fields, to watch the ap- roac horses. Don Luis came out a moment ater, and held a short, hurried conversation with Captain Hernandez, which ended in dismounting all the horsemen, leading the horses inside the corral formed by the carretas, and so awaiting the attack of the supposed Indians, , But Tom Bullard would not come in. Confident in the wonderful of the brown horse, which obeyed his control as readily as it had that of One- Arm, he dashed off recklessly toward the herd of horses, as soon as his friends were safe in their fortress. It was in vain that Don Luis and the rest called out to him to come back. Tom’s wild blood was up, and the thoroughly Western spirit of reckless chief was not to be checked. As fearlessly as if the strangers had been real the wild horses they seemed, he galloped tow: them, and swept boldly up within a hundred yards of their left flank. / As he had expected, the bravado roused them. He could see the naked bodies of the Abipones ——_~2 hanging along by their horses’ sides, clinging by arm and leg, and then, the moment they saw they were discovered, up leaped the whole crew, yellin, like demons, and came tearing down after Tom wit quivering lances. Now indeed old “* Plug ”’ had need of all his address and courage. Swift as was the brown horse, the best riders and steeds of the wild Abipones were after him, and Tom saw behind him as he turned the snowy locks of old Nabidagua, the Apollo-like form of Nagua, the young war-chief, and last, but not least, the jewels and gold of the wild « rincess Malmora. Away flew Tom into the Cag Chaco, followed by the whole k, but speedily rey the crowd behind. Before he had gone a mile the three that followed him first had drawn far ahead of all the rest, and the Princess Malmora on her wonderful black steed had actually lessened the hundred yards between her and Tom to fifteen. It was evident that the brown horse, good as he was, was no match for three of the Abipone steeds. Both Nagua and Nabidagua were also gaining, and not twent; yards separated them from each other and Mal- mora, d Tom looked back. He was safe from all the rest, and the people in the wagons were as yet un- attacked. e had led the Indians away from — prey, and given his friends time to prepare for act on. Now, with a skill and boldness that came by second nature to this ey aa boy he determined to make his aan from the enemies that were pressing him so close. He swerved boldly from his course and shot off in the direction of the wagons, png oy ell to his gaunt steed that caused him fairly ly. Both the princess and her immediate followers were equally quick to follow, and by cutting off a corner drew sensibly nearer. Malmora was indeed now within a single horse- length, carrying a long cane lance for the first time since Tom had seen her. The point of the weapon, quivering in circles, was within two feet of Tom’s back, and the lad saw that something must be done, or he would be wounded if not killed. There was no mistaking the flerce glare of vengeance in the eyes of the insulted Indian princess. She was bound to have some one’s blood if she could. But old “ Plug,” as we are aware, wasno fool. He had made up his mind on his plan, and he proceeded to execute it with promptness. Relaxing the pressure of his knees, he suddenly lifted his own spear horizontally with a jerk, striking Py point of Malmora’s lance at the same time that his horse slackened speed. The blacks charge gerauoe upyais de of the b e black c r shot up alon ie of the brown, Tom and the ncess were slneoat touching other, while each was inside the guard of the other's lance and harmless. Then the lad dropped his lance, closed his horse in on Malmora by a pressure of the left leg, till the ani- mal was crushing in the princess’s foot, so as to im- pede her movements, while the horses rushed on side by side, faster than ever. At the same moment he caught the girl round the waist with such a gripe that she screamed out and hag tea her weapon. That was just what Tom wanted. His knuckles went in under the fifth rib in that peculiar which renders people quite powerless, and it had effect on Malmora., She lost all control of her motions, and a moment later Tom rolled her off the horse, changed steeds in full career, and darted oer with a triumphant shout, leaving the two chiefs behind him. “T guess I’ve got you now,” muttered Tom, as he looked back. ‘There’s no mistake about this horse being the best in the tribe.” Indeed it seemed as if those behind knew it, for they gave up the chase the instant Tom unhorsed Malmora and took the black c r. As he looked back, he saw Nagua chasing the brown horse, while Malmora had risen from the grass and was gesticu- —- angrily to her father. Tom did not wait to see the gee of theirencounter. He was off like a flash to the carretas, and galloped in at the narrow entrance, crying: “‘Lend me a revolver, some of you fellows, and I'll show you some fun, that’s what’s the matter}”’ CHAPTER XXIV. THE ROPE BARRIER, Tae Buenos-Ayreans were in a formidable . tion, and sufficiently well armed to make a de- fense. The carretas in which they had traveled, six in number, were drawn up in a square, in such a manner as to f peau: all the cattle and horses, which stood crowded together within the inclosure. Sol- diers and gauchos, rifle in hand, were put in parties of six in each wagon, the edges of the tilts be ae to affo eg a tie nek bie rest 0: ¢ pURtee Wore Cai e ground, een the wagon wheels, or clustered around the narrow Gtndaen that was left. When ‘Pl ago _ The voice of Captain Hernandez was heard shout- ing: * Not a shot till 7 fire! Take heaaoan? ,t careful aim at the Vy
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Vy ese Lance and Lasso. 17 Then there was a dead silence in the carretas’ even the animals seeming to be cowed into stillness, as they heard the rush of hoofs and the awful yel of the incensed savages. Tom Bullard was seen to sweep fearlessly across the front of the advancing charge, and fire aa shot of his revolver into the mass, at short range. It was impossible to tell if any one fell, for the dust and confusion, but Tom wheeled about and galloped past the carretas in triumph, throwing the empty pistol in as he passed. Then, with a rush, the Abipones, were on them. Almost at the instant Tom Bullard swept past, sere Hernandez, who sat on his horse in the midst of the narrow entrance, fired his revolver at Nagua the handsome war-clhief, a signal that was followed by a rattling volley from the side of the carretas, With a fiercer yell than ever, the Indians swept on and charged home. Old Nabidagua drove his long lance through the tilt of a carreta, just missing a gaucho behind it, but pinning the man’s hat to the opposite side. Not an Indian flinched, a the volley told well, and the carreta tilts were rid- dled with spears. The men between the wheels were routed out in less time than it takes to tell, and the long lancés drank blood again and again. But the fire of breech-loading rifles and revolvers at afew feet distant soon proved too much, even for the daring Indians. After at least twenty of the'r number had been shot down, the whole band broke away as swiftly as they came, and disappeared in a cloud of dust. During the attack Captain Hernandez sat on his horse by the entrance to the inclosure, a revolver in each hand, and such was the unerring accuracy of his aim, that not an Indian reached him alive. Five in succession cha’ him, and each met a bullet in full career. Old Nabidagua alone eluded him by dropping over the side of his horse as Hernandez fired but the old chief was too wary to rise and tempt a second shot. As soon as ever the Indians had withdrawn, Tom Bullard came tearing up from the wood in which le had been hiding. He found the ground strewn with dead bodies, both of men and horses. Three gau- chos and as many soldiers were gasping in the ago- nies of death on the ground, the victims of the first charge of the terrible Chaco lancers, “Give me another revolver, fellows,” shouted Tom, ‘‘Comeon, Cap. Your horse looks asif he couldruna streak, Let’s give ’em fits.” But the captain would not allow it. “No, no, senorito, you are brave and skillful, I ad- mit, but we’re not over our danger yet. Load up your arms, men, and you, senorito, come inside.” He spoke with an air of authority, like one accus- tomed to be obeyed, and Tom insensibly yielded ‘to the tone and rode in. He found Don Luis and Manuel looking out of the | carretas while giving orders. Jack Curtis had re- ceived the graze of a random lance which had Gone through the fleshy part of his arm, and Dona Inez was binding it up for him. Tom was warmly greeted b: advanced to Hernandez and ties of another attack. “They’re forming uietly. ‘* This time they’ll be fiercer than ever, but if we beat them off they’ll leave us alone.” **The men must all come inside the corral,” ob- served Don Luis. ‘‘ Those long lances are not to be despised. I never saw men e nge home in such a reckless manner, We must fire from the inside of the line of wheels. We may be outside the reach of their weapons then.” The captain nodded, and fixed his eyes on the distant cloud of dust, that showed where the In- dians were galloping wildly up and down, reforming their ranks. . Don Luis busied himself in calling the men out of the carretas, and forming them in a dense line inside the corral, so as to fire throvgh the wheels ae the spokes, and still be out of reach of neces. Then the captain gave some hurried orders to his own men, and the old Pai three more men, ran out of the entrance two or three lassoes, which they hurriedly knotted together as they ran. uis and the boys were watching the proceedings, unable to understand them at first, and the Indians were just beginning to move. They caught a glimpse of a cloud of dust, full of gleaming lances, and then they saw Sergeant Gon- zalez and his men draw their heavy sabers, stick the points mto the earth, and throw their whole weight on them to drive them deep in. That was the last that was noticed of them, for the Indians gave a tremendous yell just at that moment, and came tearing in faster than ever. Still Sergeant Gonzalez and his men remained out- side doing something with the sabers and lassoes, and it was not till the Indians were almost on them that they ran in. Then Game a second charge, as fierce and resolute as the first, but not so fortunate. Just as the line of horses came to the place where the soldiers had been busy, there was a tremendous confusion horses and riders came down together, and roll headlong on the earth, and the whole body swayed vr ratthin 11 h tas, at th A rattling vo pealed from the carre at the end of which tte Sehptadn's voice was heard, eae “ Out, soldiers; charge them with the pistol! have them!” T’.c next moment out ran all the soldiers, revolver in. hand, led by the captain; and ran toward the scone of confusion, which was only some thirty feet from the wagons, but where the Indians seemed to Don Luis, who then the probabili- ayan sergeant, with | for one,” said the captain, | } } i we | ty | . had tripped and fallen over it. | swered. hat | | be stayed as if by a magic spell, for not one came, nearer. It was easily explained, after all. ; Sergeant Gonzalez and his men, having driven in their sabers, had stretched a lasso from hilt to hilt about eight inches from the ground. Every horse , It was strange to notice the different demeanor of the Abipones on foot, when the soldiers attacked | them dismounted, with the same men on horseback | charging down. They seemed different men, so cowed and fearful were their looks as the pistol bul- lets rattled among their naked bodies. They turned and fled with hardly ashadow of resistance, leaving | several dead on the ground, while the few who were | mounted came charging down as boldly as ever up to the fatal line of the lasso, There again another phenomenon was observed, These wild horsemen, perfect Centaurs as they were, seemed unable to clear this trifling obstacle. The least leap in the world would have done it, and yet they all recoiled from the rope, hesitated, broke, and finally fled in utter confusion. “‘ Safe for one day,” said the captain, as he watch- ed them. ‘Don Luis, we may safely go into camp behind a rope barrier. They won’t attack us till we move out.” CHAPTER XXV. A DESPERATE RESOLVE. THE great flaming ball of the sun sunk to rest be- hind the wild plains and scattered forests of the | Gran Chaco, and illuminated with its rays the rival camps of savage and civilized men, The carretas were no longer drawn up in a square. nee were ranged in two columns, with horses and cattle standing at picket-ropes on each side so as to afford ample room, for each while bundles of cut grass in front_of the animals prevented them from stra: into ape 77 At a distance of fifty feet from the animals stretch- ed a low fence of stakes and ropes, slight in appear- | ance, but in reality as strong as was necessary. The stakes had been cut in haste in the neighboring | wood, up to which the rope barrier extended, an the t s of the trees effectually protected one side of the camp. Within that slender barrier they had fotind them- selves, from experience, perfectly safe, their enemies yee equestrian Indians, who never dismount. The | w was perfectly free to those on foot, for the thickets rendered it impassable for horsemen except at a walk. The Abipones, so formidable and reckless in a charge, were totally unprovided with missile wea- ons, Saving and except the bolas, which was useless n a wood, Under the orders of Captain Hernandez, who seemed to be experienced in Indian warfare, the stakes had been driven and the ropes stretched, in spite of the attacks of the Indians, The working- —— ha the shelter of the woods to retreat to, ept on at their work till their enemies were close by, when a volley from the woods drove off their as- sailants. The new inclosure once made, the camp was moved into it, with ample room; fires were lighted, and the adventurers prepared to encounter a siege. “These Chaco Indians are obstinate fellows,” ob- served the captain, as he stood by the fire, puffing a cigarette; ‘but I think I know a trick that will be too much for them, in the end.” Don Luis was ins ting the distant warriors =m. 99 agilass, and he put it down with a grave ace “They have not done with us yet, Alonzo,” he an- “They are lighting thice fires in a Hine. You know what that means.”’ The captain started slightly and looked at the In- | dians. Just out of gunshot the savages had gone | into camp, to all seeming, and three distinct columns | of smoke, ‘ack and heavy, as if fed with damp fuel, | were slowly rising into the air against the glowing | sunset sky. Our four boys were Serer around a fire near | their elders, and a fifth lad, of apparently the same age as Louis Ledoux, dressed in the picturesque — dress that all wore, was looking earnestly at on Luis, as he spoke. The fifth lad, however, tas of such singular beauty of face, and sported jet-black curls of such wonder- ful length and luster, that it was easy to see that a girl, perhaps a woman, was there, in the boy’s dis- guise It was none other than Dona Tnez Lozada, who been pameeees to adopt this dress from the simple fact that the whole caravan contained not a shred of female attire; and the scanty garments of the Chaco became out of place in the midst of cloth- ed and civilized men. “What is the matter, Alonzo?” asked the girl, anxiously, as the captain watched the distant smoke. ““What does that mean? Is there more danger at hand yet?” 7 “T fear there is,” said Hernandez, vely. * Would we were safe out of this infernal place. Yonder is a signal that will gather other tribes with- intwenty-four hours, and they will harass every step of our way home, if indeed we ever get there.” But can we not beat them off?” asked ) anuel Garcia, who had been listening attentively. “ After all our losses, remember we count forty-seven rifles still, besides the revolvers of your men.” Ay, but we shall have to fight ten, perhaps twen- times our number, if we stay here,” said the cap- tain. ‘What of that?” said Don Luis, cheerfully. “ Their numbers are only in the way, as long as we ~ d here. Their horses can never enter yonder wood, and we may defy the whole Chaco there.” | chance of esca ‘Ay, but how long must we’ stay there?” asked Hernandez. ‘‘Remember that these Indians have | never yet allowed a hostile expedition to enter the Gran Chaco, and return in safety. Here we are like- ly to stay till we are starved out, when once the ovas and Marimones come to help the Abipones.”’ ‘But can we not weary them out?’’ asked Manuel. “There is plenty of game_in that wood which stretches for several miles. We can live as long as wer can.” e captain shook his head. “*Senorito,” he said, ‘‘ forty or fifty mouths eatu a great deal of game, and our friends outside wi soon find means to drive off the rest. You must re- member that there are plenty of tribes not far off. who are used to the woods, and will bring bows and arrows with them. No. If we stay here our fate is only a question of time.” “What do you advise, then?’ asked Don Luis. ‘‘T know you too well not to be certain that you have a scheme for our deliverance.” “T have,” said the captain. ‘‘It is our only chance, and Iam free to confess a desperate one, at that. I will tell you what it is presently. First, I must visit my men, and find from the old captives where- abouts we are. Then I shall know my course.” He moved away, as he spoke, toward tho groups of soldiers clustered round the fire, drinking their mate, and chatting together as carelessly as if no enemy had been near them, while the boys at the fire overwhelmed Don Luis with questions. Tom Bullard was the only one of the party who was silent. With the dress of a civilized being, Tom had resumed all his old gruff, quiet ways, much lost in thought and yp Ney See seldom. His intercourse’ with the silent, stoical Indians had rather strength- ened his habit in this respect. He listened to the inquisitive Louis, who wanted to know every thing, to Manuel, who asked less but offered more advice, and finally to Jack Curtis, whose fighting-blood was up, and who wanted to defend the camp at all hazards. . Don Luis, at last, when he had heard every one with a smile, turned to Tom, and said: “Well, Master Bullard, and what’s your opinion? I suppose it’s worth as much as the rest here. What do you think we'd better do?” ** Pull up stakes and mizzle,”’ said Tom, curtly. Then he poured. himself out a cup of coffee, which he had been watching all the time as it boiled on the fire, and said no more. Don Luis was a little puzzled. He had been so long apes A the Spaniards that he had almost for- gotten his English slang. “What do you mean?” he asked. ““Vamose the ranch. That’s Spanish.” And Tom grinned as he sipped his coffee. yom moment Captain Hernandez came back to the 5 = “Tt is as I suspected, Luis,” he said, in a low tone. “We have been skirting the Vermejo, and though we are seventy miles from its mouth we are not ten from the Pileomayo, which lies to the east of us." “ And what of all that?” asked Don Luis. “Simply this: we must get there to-night.” “But how? We shall be attacked on the way.” “Not necessarily.” “ How will you avoid it?” “By keeping up the fires and stealing off.” ‘** But the noise of the wagons will betray us.” “Not if we do not take them.” “What? Do you propose to abandon the car- retas?”’ “Tt is our only chance. It is already dark. You see those three fires that the Abipones have lighted? Well, they will be the means of bringing down hosts of enemies before to-morrow noon, AS we are, we are compelled to remain in camp if we hope to de- fend ourselves. Once let us start, and all our fire- arms will not protect us from the rush of these savages. t us give them their due, Luis. They are as brave as lions. With a naked breast and a cane lance they laugh at our fire-arms. There is no for us here.”* **But how will we be better off if we leave the wagons? They would ride over us in a moment.” ‘“They must not sec us,” “Well, then, how shall we prevent it?” “ Listen, and I will tell you.” Don Luis settled himself in an attitude of atten- tion, while all the boys and the re apa Dona Inez clustered round the handsome we 4 The shades of night bad already fallen over the scene, the brief twilight was gone, and the stars were shining down on green savanna and dark for- est, while the chorus of innumerable insects had already begtin in the forest. The fires gleamed red and bright, shining On the hide tilts of the wagons, on the tethered lines of cattle and horses, on the bright uniforms of the soldiers and gauchos. In the dim distance could be seen the flames of the Abi- pone Indians’ a and the dark forms of the sav-' ages, flitting to and fro across the blaze. “See,” said the captain. ‘Our enemies think they have us safe, and they do not even take the recaution of setting a watch, for they know their riends are coming to their help. Well, then, let us kindle up all our fires, take a supper, feed the horses well, and then, lea he wagons and some of the cattle as blinds, steal off with the horses about unidnight and we shall b on the banks of the Pilco- mayo before morning.” * But how shall we've any better off there?” asked Don Luis. ‘We shall, in the first place, have a method of re- treat, by water, if the worst comes to the worst. We can build a raft, or, if necessary, canoes.” “But suppose we are attacked ‘before we have time to build them?” “Then we shall be no worse off than now. The
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18 Lance and Lasso. ——— yee SSS... banks of the Pileomayo are covered with forests; and wecan stop all the cavalry of the Chaco, by cutting down a few trees. There. we shall have a chance with our fire-arms, and the river is behind us for a last resort.” ‘* But, suppose the Indians discover our intention and follow us? They may catch us in the open pam- pa, and annihilate us.”’ * We must trust to luck for that. If we get agood start, we may outrun them to the river.” * ae how are we to know what pace to take in the ark?’ “ That’s the only difficulty. One of our best mount- ed men must stay behind to warn us by a signal, whenever the enemy discover our absence, Then he will have to ride for his life.”’ ‘Ay, that is easily said, but who will undertake such a risk?” **T will,’ said Tom Bullard, speaking for the first time. ‘Give me a revolver and a rocket and I'll in behind all night. They can’t cateh my black.” e rest all loo in great surprise at the lad, as he uttered these words. The service was one of such danger that it was expected that one of the dra- ns, used to death and peril, would undertake it, ut when “Plug” made the offer, no one inter- fered. “My said the captain, ‘‘do you know that the man who stays behind will probably be chased oe be ws by merciless devils who ten miles in bro will spit him like a lark if they catch him?’’ “T know it. ** Ay, ay, boss,’’ said “ Plug,’’ coolly. Let’s see them catch me, that’s all.” Captain Hernandez looked keenly at the square, saturnine face of the boy before he answered. He had seen him that day for the first time, and remem- bered his reckless behavior before the Indians. “You will do,’ he said, at last. ‘‘I accept your offer.’’ CHAPTER XXVI. THE BRONZE PRINCESS. Tue profound stillness of midnight, only broken by the monotonous chorus of insects that sung the livelong night through, had settled over the two camps. The Abipones lay on the open pampa beside their horses, or around the smoldering embers of their dying fires, without even a sentinel on guard. There was no moon that night, or at least it did not rise till toward morning; and the light of the stars was vailed with a thin curtain of mist. The camp of the Buenos-Ayreans was to all ap- arance as calm as the other. The fires were burn- ing low, and the cattle were lazily che the cud beside their wago while the prostrate figures —— in ponchos that lay near the still flaming brands were still as the grave. Only a single figure was sitting up, and occasionally moving from fire to fire to cast on a few brands, This figure was to all appearance that of an Indian, dark, bronzed, and almost naked, although a close examination of his person would have revealed the fact that he Wore a pair of revolvers, one on each hip, in black holsters. uch as it ire this re was none other than that of our old friend *‘ Plug,”? who had voluntarily renounced his clothes once more, to personate an Indian better. Presently the lad stopped and listened intently. Then he stole off to the nearest wagon and threw himself on the ground to listen with greater readi- ness. He fancied that he heard a rustling in the grass, and he was not mistaken. Ere long he not only heard it again, but distinguished the outline of an Indian’s form, creeping toward the wagons. Tom softly pulled out a revolver and watched patieucys as the stranger slowly crept up, and ere = ang under the rope that encircled the encamp- ment, A moment later, and the watcher saw the in- weer. creep through, and raise its head to look around, All was still as death. The recumbent figures never moved, and the Indian slowly rose up, reveal- ing the jeweled coronet and flashing eyes of the princess Malmora! Yes, it was Malmora herself, beautiful as ever. glittering with gold, as she stole past the fires, an came straight toward the place where Tom lay, as silently as a spirit. In a moment the lad understood her object. The black steed, that he had eopuures so cleverly that very day, stood close beside him, fastened to one of the wagon wheels. It was evident that the princess had come to regain her horse. Tom quietiy replaced his pistol and rose to his feet, keepi d the horse, and close to the animal's forelegs, so as to blend his body with that of the horse. hen he pee round under the mane, and saw Malmora coming; and at the same instant, the horse, scenting his mistress, began to neigh a welcome to her. e girl stopped, irresolute, and glanced around her, as if fea that the sleepers would waken. Then she came forward with a swift, noiseless run, as if resolved to escape at any hazard, and in a moment was beside the horse, Already her hand was_on the bridle, when Tom suddenly dived under the horse, caught the girl round the waist, and threw her to the earth, when he said in low tones: “ Stir a limb and I'll shoot As ene Malmora was so utterly taken by ee that she did not even scream. She lay trem ling and looking pleadingly up at Tom, who bad a revolver in his hand, and whom she instantly recognized, Now of course Tom never meant to shoot Malmo- ra, He felt quite ashamed of himself for even frightening her, but he knew that it was a matter of life and death to give his friends time to escape. They had been gone barely an hour, and if mora gave the alarm the I them in the pampa. The success of the dummy figures to represent sleepers told him that the dis- guise was likely to prove efficacious. “eh tng = do you want here, Malmora?’’ he asked, sternly. Malmora looked fearfully up. She was quite cowed, “Pardon me, son of the stranger. horse.”’ Tom smiled, “You can’t have him yet. _I left One-Arm’s horse for you. I want this one till I leave the Chaco.” Malmora trembled violently. “And are you going to kill me?’ ‘* Perhaps,” said Tom, mysteriously. ‘‘It depends on yourself. Will you swear by the Great Spirit, if I let you rise, that ie will be silent? If you give any alarm I will kill you instantly.” “LT swear,” said Malmora, with eagerness. ‘I will not say a word but what you bid me.” “Then rise,” said Tom, grufily. He was too cautious and distrustful however to be off his guard, As the girl rose he wreathed his left I wanted my hand into the long mass of hair that fell down her | back, so as to prevent her escaping, while not im- peding her movements or hurting her. cocked revolver in his right hand, ready to use at the first sign of treason; and thus he walked Mal- | mora in between the wagons to where she could no longer see the camp of her friends. ow that the she seemed to be entirely at her ease, for one who wasa prisoner. As she passed one of the recumbent figures, she gave it a push with her.foot, and it re- quired no more to give her a full clew to the mys- As she sat down by the litile fire between the wagons, she turned a glance of admiration on Tom, sayin ying: ” The white stranger is but a boy, but he is a great warrior. What will he be when his head is gray?” “T’m sure I don’t know,” said Tom, smiling. ‘What makes you say that?’ “You have deceived the Abipones, and your friends are gone,’’ said she, Tom started. “How do you know? Don’t you see them asleep?” “IT see logs and stones,” said Malmora, gravely. “The poncho does not always cover a man’s heart. The ild of the Sun, the pale girl, and all the strangers have fled in the night. They are fools. They cannot escape the vengeance of the Children of the Chaco,” Tom smiled. He thought differently. , “Your tribe cannot hurt us,” he said. ‘‘ They tried to-day, and see the bodies of your warriors d on the pampa.” ‘That was behind ae fortress,"’ said the prin- cess. ‘They have lett it, and where can oe flee that we cannot follow? The Children of the Chaco are swift as the condors of the mountain, and see far. How can the strangers escape?” ““And do you mean to say that you would help them to slay the Child of the Sun?’ asked Tom, re- membering the girl’s infatuation for Curtis. Malmora frowned, and grated her white teeth. “The yellow hair is a cowardly capincha,” she said, savagely. ‘I will drink his heart’s blood when Icatch him. My father will burn him at a slow fire for deceiving me. You are a man in deeds, and Mal- mora is sorry that she ever listened to the lyin words of the Child of the—bah—the yellawhawes capincha.” ‘om whistled. “Here's a change,’’ he muttered. Then turning to mora, he asked: “And would your father really forgive me, who have slain so many of his best warriors?” Malmora smiled bewitchingly. “We have both forgiven you, she said. ‘He longs to have you in the tribe. you are such a al- | ians might yet overtake | He kept a | 1 was out of immediate danger, | | | | old Nabidagua jeaped over the rope from the out side, swinging his bolas. Tom’s revoiver was out; ard before he started he “emptied six chambers in the very faces of Gil Verde and his friends. He saw the renegade drop, and Nabidagua staggered and _let fall the bolas. Then, with a yell, away went Tom ebro a glade in the woods at the full speed of the black horse. One instant he was surrounded with foes; the next, he was alone in the woods. He beard yells be- hind him, but he knew the Chaco Indians too well to fear them on foot. : The wood was at least two miles in breadth, and would have proved a puzzler to him, but for the fact that friends had been ie already. The glade was thickly marked with hoof-tracks, and his horse seemed to be able to follow them, even in the darkness. It seemed less than five minutes before he saw the forest open, while the faint giow of the rising moon shone through a gap in the trees ahead. Then he felt the firm savanna under his feet, the moon rose up and showed a broad, distinct trail be- fore him, and he found himself on the road to the Pilcomayo, going at a stretching gallop. For at least an hour the pace was kept up, the moon rising higher and higher every moment. Tom began to wonder if his friends had yet reached the river, as there was plenty of time for them to do, when he heard the dull thud of hoofs in rapid pur- suit, a long way off. “Catch me if you can,” muttered the boy, as he urged his horse to full speed, and had the satisfac- tion of hearing the sound grow fainter. A quarter of an hour later, a black bank of forest stretched itself across the horizon, and Tom knew that the river was reached. Then he paused a moment in some doubt. It did not last long. The thunder of hoofs behind came plainly to his ears, borne on the ht breeze, and, as he looked back, a bright red glow in the western sky showed where the wagons. were envel- oped in a grand bonfire by the exasperated Abi- nes. Tom knew that it would never do for him to taken now. Even old Nabidagua would hardly forgive him, But where were his friends? He scanned the belt of forest with great eager- ness, but all was dark and silent, He looked for the tracks, and found that, in his ride, he had insen- sibly diverged from them till they were lost. Now the situation was indeed grow serious. Could he tell for certain to which side the track lay? His friends were hiding away. Had they seen him, and if so, could he find them? In this emergency Tom hesitated only a moment. Then he pressed his horse with his heels and flew to- ward the wood. In a trice he was under the shade of a forest of m trees, and riding full speed through its arches. hep the moonbeams flashed up into face all of a sudden, reflected from the surface of rippling wa- ter, and he knew he had reached the Pileomayo, The black steed thrust his head'into the water up to the eyes, and drank deep draughts of the cool stream, standing midleg in the water. Tom sat still on his back, listenin sys but he could hear nothing of his friends. He thought over what he should do, while the horse was still drinking, and finally came to a bold conclusion, Drawing his omy revolver, he proceeded to charge it with great deliberation. He knew that his ursuers could not have seen him since he had en- ered the shadow of the wocd, and judged that the would probably stick to the trail he had aaineed. One captive was nothing to the chance of forty. Whichever way his friends were, it was necessary to signal his presence. As soon as he had reloaded his revolver he rode out of the water to the edge of the wood. The Indians were almost in sight in the moonlight, and plainly in hearing. e fired it toward Bang! went his revolver, as them at a lofty angle. He didn’t hope to hit any one, but it went against brave foe, you would be a brave friend. Come back | his principles to fire at random. with me, and you shall be king of the plains, and I be queen. We will a“ your cowardly friends, take their fire weapons, call all the tribes together, and drive every st r into the sea.”’ “Very nice,” said Tom, sarcastically. ‘Tell me, what would you say to a man of your tribe who should come over to us and lead a band into your se- cret haunts when you were or et “We have no traitors,” the girl, proudly. Oree ever came to us p Proce Eh end * ou want me to desert my friends,” “No, no, Malmora, it won't do. If you | “Noman *‘And yet said Tom. love me as you say, you must leave your people and come with me.” “That can never be,’’ said Malmora, firmly, ‘I know it,” said Tom, kindly. ‘ Very well then, let us part friends. {f you will promise not to give the alarm till I have departed as long a distance as the breadth of your town, I will leave you now. Your horse you cannot have till my friends are safe. Then I will turn it loose on the Chaco, and you can have it back.”’ Malmora shook her head sadly. “Tt is too late,” she said. ‘‘I came alone; but as soon as I am missed others will follow me. Perhaps even now they are in your camp, You have no choice but to stay with us,” Considerably startled, Tom sp Had Malmora been a man, he would down in his anger. As it was, he ran out between the wagons, threw himself on the black steed and prekee up the bridle, only just in time to escape death or capture. Even as he did so, the bulky form of Gil Verde, followed by a dozen warriors, rose up from the grass; and to his feet. ave shot her e flash was answered some distance down the river, and Tom turned back into the cover at once. He knew all he wanted. , Replacing his revolver in the holster, he rode his horse straight into the water, and a moment later was swimming rapidly down-stream, The current was so swift that he had not the em ape difficulty in proceeding. His horse swam nobly, aided by the stream, and they passed by the banks at the rate of six or seven miles an hour, He heard the savages yelling furiously above him, and from the direction of the sound he judged that he was leaving them fast. As he had ones they rere going straight toward the place he d just Tom couldn't help laughing as he went, to think how nicely he had fooled them; and he swam bold- ly on, keeping near the middle of the stream in the strength of the current. Almost before he realized it, he heard voices at a bend of the river below him, and changing his course, the swift current landed him just at the foot of a sloping bank, at the top of which stood asentry, who shouted: “ Halt, or I fire! Who are you?” “A friend,’ cried Tom, Bayly: “and a wet one, too, master soldier. Are they a here, for the enemy will be on you in five minutes,” Si, senorito,”’ said the soldier, joyfully. ‘ You are a brave lad, for we all thought you were gone. The devils Fy semy so when you fired that shot, that we thought they had you.’ Tom laughed as he came up the bank. oat will take a good many steps before that © amigo.
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* Who’s that?” cried the voice of Captain Hernan- dez, at this juncture. “Who are you talking to, sentry?” “The senorito, come back,” answered the soldier, promptly. Then there was a rushing through the bushes; and Captain Hernandez, Louis Ledoux, and all the meh, crowded round Tom, hugging and praising rim. “My brave lad,’’ said the captain, half choked with emotion, “ you are the bravest, noblest fellow I ever saw! Thank God you are safe! Ay demi! when [saw the firelight, and heard the horse-hoofs of the Indians, I thought surely you were gone, till I heard your pistol and saw the flash. But come up here now, and see if we have not a fort that will bid defiance to all the Indians of the Chaco.” Tom went up the bank, and was fain to acknowl- edge that the position was strong. A number of palm trees mad bedh cut down at the edge of the wood and in a semicircle to either shore, making a breastwork and abattis that no Indian would think of charging over. To prevent the reckless red-skins from spearing the defenders behind it, a row of spiky bushes had been laid outside the breastwork to keep them at a distance, and ax and hatchet were still at work, extending the barrier. As soon as Tom arrived, all work was suspended. The close proximity of the Indians drove every one to his arms, and for some minutes a paus eee succeeded the busy activity of the ost. Then they heard the trampling of hoofs, and their relentless enemies hove in sight once more, sweeping along the edge of the forest. CHAPTER XXVILI. THE WARNING. Tue Indians did not seem to be perfectly certain of the position of our friends, for they came gallop- ing past the edge of the breastwork, within fifty feet, all gathe in a dense body, and perfectly ex- osed, r Just as they reached the center of the little forti- fication a loud voice shouted a warning, and the whole body sheered off in confusion. The revolver of Captain Hernandez cracked, anda close and well-delivered volley of rifles followed, the bullets tearing their way through the dark mass of men and horses with fearful effect. As if stricken with a perfect panic, the survivors fled lilke the wind, leaving d and dying horses and men by the dozens behind them. Their numbers seemed to be much increased, as could be seen even in the dark, from those who had attacked in the morning. ‘*Somo other tribe has joined them,” said Captain Hernandez, as he looked at the retreating mob. “There are at least six hundred warriors there. Ha! we've no time to lose. I thought they wouldn’t stay mec Here they,come again. Load up and keep cool,” Sure enough, the dark mass on the pampa was agitated by a tumultuous movement, and in a very few minutes down came the whole body with a fierce yell, in one of their resolute charges. The earth trembled beneath the thunder of hoofs: a front of glaring eyes and tossing manes became visible in the moonlight, while dark, weird figures crouched above, and a forest of lance-points glitter- ed before the horses’ heads. Like a vision of. the night the strange Sone burst on the sight, while one shrill, gathering yell rose higher and higher nary the thundering of feet and the snorting of the steeds. Then, with a tremendous shock, the Indian horse- men crashed oe the fringe of palms that hid the breastwork, and came dashing up to the very foot of the breastwork. Even as they came, a second volley was fired, but they = not seem even to notice it, except by a fierc- er yell. Then there was a shock and crash, as the horses blundered into the abattis, plunging wildly about up to the very barrier, their savage riders thrusting their spears over the bulwark, and raising their horses to leap. But, just as with the 0 before, so now with the log, the singular anomaly was presented of per- fect horsemen utterly unable to leap, and horses that seemed to be spellbound before a four-foot barrier. Many of the wild steeds, entangled in the prickly abattis and plunging to get out, reared themselves up high enough to have leaped the barrier and again, but they never seemed to think of doing it and the shots of the revolvers that now rattled about their ears so incessantly soon settled the ques- tion. Fierce and desperate as were the Indians, the rain of death was too severe, and they fell back at last, leaving twenty dead es and a number of badly wounded men and horses. As they galloped off, Captain Hernandez observed: “We are safe for to-night. Let us make our fires and if to sleep. They will not attack again before daylight.” The captain proved to be se There were but three eens boars penpals, illmorning, but these were rfect quie They could ay the Tatiana lighting fires upon the mpa, and, as in the evening before, the fires were hree in number. When the day broke three black columns of smoke were seen ascending into the air, and the effect was quickly apparent. Even as the sun rose, Phay could see little strings of horsemen emerging from the distant woods, and making their way toward the fires. It was plain that the latter were signals, and that the whole of the tribes of the Chaco were assembling to punish the intruders on their soil. pause of silent | Iaance and Lasso. 19 Don Luis began to look much troubled as he ‘“My son is very brave for one so young,” said scanned the increasing forces of the savages. The forty-seven men on whom they could depend had been reduced by three more in the last night’s as- sault, having been speared as they stood behind the barricade by those Indians who had blundered through the abattis, The dead bodies of the enemy were out of all pro- | rtion to those of the whites, but the latter could | ess afford their losses, however small. Captain Hernandez was the first to utter words of | encouragement as the daylight came. The brave officer was as cool as a cucumber, and his soldiers were equally at their ease, to all appearance, “Cheer up, lads,” he said, laughingly. “Had we stayed with the wagons, we should ten times worse off than we are, for there would be no means of escape and nothing to eat, As it is, the river lies behind us, full of fish; we are intrenched so strong- ly that all the Indians onthe Chaco cannot dis- lodge us; and we have plenty of ammunition fora lon fight." “we sh kept_here for weeks unless we find a way to give those devils the slip. Isee no earthly way to doit, either.” “Never fear,” said the dragoon, boldly. try the effect of a vigorous defense first, and if that does not answer, why, we must even make a raft and float ourselves down the river. If we cross, we Nabidagua, ‘ Thrice has he foiled our best warriors. He is braver than all the rest of the white men. As for them, they are cowardly capinchas, that flee to the water; but my son is a jaguar that faces his prey and tears it.’ Tom bowed his head. * What do you want, then?’’ he repeated. The lad was certain that the adroit flattery of the old chief covered some ulterior design, and he was not going to fall into a oe ““T want my son,” said the old man, gravely. “He was well treated with the Abipones; no cord shackled his limbs. We gave him a horse to ride, He was to wed the youngest daughter of Nabidagua, a maiden whom all the warriors toiled after in vain. Why has my son left the children of the Chaco, whose horse-hoofs are terrible in the ears of the whites? While he was with vs, he wasa man. Now he has joined himself to the cowardly whites, whose fire-weapons slay from afar, who hide behind logs: | and who fear to meet the lance of a naked warrior, n my opinion,” said Don Luis, in a low tone, — “Tshall | shall be comnpanstively out of danger. The other | bank is free of foes. ‘**How long will it be so?’ asked the estanciero, poem. “They can swim the stream on their orses without mnch trouble.” “At all events,’’ said the captain, impatiently, “it’s no use to borrow trouble. We are safe where we are, and those fellows are pretty well disgusted with their losses. Let us go to breakfast. e shall all fight better on full stomachs,” The matter-of-fact soldiers were already employed in preparing the morning meal, as coolly as if no enemy were near them. The fish in the river were so plentiful and voracious that ten minutes sufficed | to catch enough for the whole party, and they were soon broiling on the coals. The boys, young and light-hearted as they were easily caught the infection of Hernandez’s cheerful spirit, and Manuel Garcia was the only one who looked serious. He knew the real danger as well as his father, for Manuel had heard terrible tales of the | reckless daring and implacable revenge of the Chaco Indians. While they were eating their breakfast, the Indi- , ans were slowly assembling, till a cloud of mounted warriors, at least a thousand strong, were gathered together in the distance. hen there was a movement in the mass, and four glittering figures rode out from the throng, and came galloping toward the bulwark that surrounded our ty. bi flag of truce,”’ said the captain, as he watched | them. ‘“ That's a point in our favor. If they chose to attack, we should be badly off, for they rg break in at some point, and then where woul our chances?”’ Tom Bullard, who said nothing, as usual, went to the bulwark and looked at the four advanc cava- liers. The old ornaments that glistened on their | bodies told that their rank must be that of caciques, | for no one but the elders wore any sort of jewels. As they came closer, he recognized the white locks of old Nabid whose left arm was bound up in a sling. By his side rode two other old men, each a perfect counterpart of the old cacique, tall, ‘rect, and still muscular and powerful, while their abundant hair was snow-white. The fourth member of the party was no other than the Princess Malmora, mounted on a piebald s.eed, that Tom recognized as belonging to Nagua, the war-chief. As they came nearer, it was observed that all were unarmed, while the princess carried a green branch, which she waved as she came, in ken of amity. “Senorito,’’ said Captain Hernandez to Tom, “you have already done so much for us that I can- not ask you to do more; stiJl I wish that you would meet those ple and ask what they want. You a, their uage. Sergeant Gonzales shall go wi ou.’ “ All right, bag said “ Plug,” curtly. He lea on his horse, put the animal at the bar- rier, and leaped him over with an ease that showed that the pampas horses only needed a little training to pocorn aed Joneses, Teen a . r yan sergeant follow a gap was left for the pur- pose, and both walked the x meet the envoys. Tom and Gonzales each carried a revolver in his hand, for the tales of Indian dang vai” were too fresh in the minds of each to trust to the seeming absence of mnepens among the old cacicues. When the latter were about fifty feet off, ‘ Plug ” presented his pistol, and shouted: “Halt! W, our horses, or I'll fire.” The Indians, with one accord, curbed their foam- ing steeds, and advanced at a foot-pace to where Tom awaited them. because their hearts are small. Come back to us, and let us exterminate the whites; then shall my son be king of the Chaco.” “Ts that ally’? asked Tom, quietly. “Not all. My son must give up the horses he has taken from us.” ‘* And what if we do this?’ asked the boy. “Can my companions go, free?” ‘Not so,” said Nabidagua, gravely. ‘ They are in our power, and their lives are ours. Still, we will give them their lives, if they Will give up their wea- pons and horses,” “Then we may as well stop talking,’’ said Tom. “Tf you want our horses and weapons you must come and take them. Good-by."’ As he spoke, he waved his revolver with a gesture of dismissal, but the chief did not stir. ““My son will think better of this,” he said. “We will give the whites till sunset to decide. When tbe sun touches the mountains it will be too late. Even my son’s life will be forfeit. Beware.” e quietly turned his horse away, and was follow- ed by the three caciques. Malmora impetuously ap- proached Tom, and looked earnestly at him. ‘Why will the Jaguar-heart refuse?’ she seid peeeine . “ We have forgiven him all, and spared 559 sfor his sake. To-night mercy is at an end.” “Look at those breastworks, and tell me if we need ask for mercy yet,” said the lad, proudly. “You will see when it is too late,”’ she said. “Farewell.” A moment later she was galloping away, and Tom returned slowly to the ramparts. When he reported the result of the interview, Cap- tain Hernandez looked grave. He said nothing about it to any one, but immediately issued orcers to min cigs the log ramparts, and to extend the abattis y cutting more timber. The light stems of the palm trees yielded to the blows of the ax with an ease that was astonishing to Be , those used to hard woods. Louis noticed it, and spoke to Manuel. “Manuel, how is it those great trees come down so a Tt seems as if they were made of nothing ut pith.” Manuel pointed to one of the prostrate palms. ** It’s not far from that,’’ he observed. ‘“ You see there is only a ring of hard wood outside, and the inside is all full of this pith, as soft asso much new bread. Most of these palms are sago yalm, and if we had them on the dock at Buenos Ayres, they would be worth a good many dollars. Asitis, they're light as cork.” ere Louis noticed that the men under Hernandez s orders, having cut and trimmed off the palm logs, _ began to roll them down toward the river, by whose | eir horses out of the wood | said banks a number of them were soon collected. This puzzled the boys, who could not conceive that any defense was needed on that side. The Indians on the plain were to be seen lazily clustered round the fires, apparently taking no interest in the motions of the whites, although fresh accessions of strength were constantly reaching them. Such was the eg ri of affairs, when Captain Hernandez, noticing that noon was approaching, and wishing to save provisions, proposed t our boys, who were not strong enough to do the heavy work of hauling logs, should cross the river on a little raft roe of palm logs, and try to shoot something for nner. All consented with alacrity, and Manuel Garcia, who was known as the oldest and most prudent, was put in charge of the party. “ By no means venture out of sight of the river,” mn Luis. “As long as hg see and hear us, = are comparatively safe; but there is no telling ow many of the foot Indians of the forest may te hidden in these shades. Therefore take care.” CHAPTER XXVUI. THE PECCARIES ON THE WAR-PATH. THE voyage over the river was safely and speedily rformed, two of the light palm logs, lashed ogether with lassoes, being ample to float our four “Keep your revolver ready, senorito,”’ muttered | boys and Dona Inez, who had joined the party at her Sergeant ‘Gonzalez. I’ve known them to throw knives before this.”’ Tom took the hint. ** Halt; you're near enough,” he said. “What do you want?” “T don’t trust those devils. | own The three caciques halted, and each raised his | hand to his head in a gesture of high-toned cour- tesy. Old Nabida, request. The young girl seemed as happy as a lark, now that she was under the protection of her lover, Captain Hernandez, and was up to any sort of fun and frolic. . - As for the captain, he saw her ee with perfect unconcern, for The well knew that all the real danger a muttered a few words to the | lay in their front, as the foot Indians of the forest rest, and it was evident that they all recognized and are generety exe peaceable. | The iittle admired Tom, was poled across without any diffi- a ae ee
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\rounded by the vicious little “moment. The next, culty, and our young. acventurers. landed at the entrance cf as beautiful a forest as they had ever seen. All the luxuriance of tropic vegetation was displayed around them in the utmost variety. The dark-green leaves of the caoutchouc or india-rubber tree contrasted with the bright foliage of hundreds of palms, while the flowers of yp sani orchids hung in heavy festoons from the trees; and, hid behind their clusters, the ee OO te agile mon- keys skipped about from branch to branch, and looked down, chattering and screaming, at the in- truders on their haunts. “Oh, what a beautiful place!’’ exclaimed Dona Inez, enthusiastically, ‘‘And what lovely birds!” she added, a moment later, as several tiny humming- | ast them birds, erp like winged jewels, flash the leafy in the rays of the sunlight, as they pierce screen above. Then came a loud screaming, making such a discordant din that they all shut their ears involun- tarily. A flock of pong and dluae macaws went Bying past them, and disappeared in the recesses of the wood, A step further and they roused more game. There was a great rush and grunting, and a herd of capin- chas dashed past them and plunged headlong into the river, some of them dropping off the bank twenty feet above the water, without fear. One of them was not quick enough, however, for Manuel’s double-barrel was at his shoulder like a flash, and one of the capinchas rolled over, with a charge of buck-shot t#rough his lungs, é carcass was rolled down the bank in short order to the raft, where it was loaded on, the raft firmly secured by the ends of the lassoes, head and stern, while the young hunters proceeded further into the wood. They seemed to be in a perfect paradise of game, for at every step something started up and vanished. Louis soon had a bagful of parrots and macaws, which he had shot with his revolvers; and even Dona Inez had caught the enthusiasm, and was try- ing her shooti wers with a little revolver she had borrowed of the captain. Insensibly, they wandered on, away from the riv- er, forgetful of Don Luis’s injunction, till Tom Bul- lard, who sauntered slowly in the rear and had not yet fired a shot, was the only person who could catch a glimpse of the water. Dona Inez was in advance of all the rest, with | Jack Curtis near her. The little lady had made sev- eral fair shots, and she was growing ambitious to excel. She had given her empty revolver to Jack to load, and borrowed his full one. She stole forward, full of eagerness, and suddenly stopped. “Oh, see there, Senor Juan,” said the girl, de- lightedly, pointing, ‘‘ yonder lie a herd of capinchas asleep, and I shall take one to keep company with that of Don Manuel.” There, sure enough, were a lot of creatures like small pigs, lying stretched in a sunny glade at their ease; and they-bore sufficient resemblance to capin- chas to deceive a girl who had never seen but one, Dona Inez reste low-spreading tree, took careful aim at one of the aniaals and fired, just as Manuel Garcia came up from the rear with Louis. At the sound of that, shot such a commotion en- sued as surprised every one. The supposed capin- chas leaped up with a chorus of fierce grunts, and revealed themselves as so many little, rough-loo!x- ing, black pigs, with white lips and eyelids, which suddenly charged down on them without a shadow of hesitation, **Pecearies!’ cried Manuel, in horrified tones. ‘Run for the river, quick, Senor ity while we hold them at bay! They'll cut us to bits.” There was no need to tell Inez to run. She drop- ped her pistol and fled the instant she saw the sav- age little creatures, and as luck would have it, ran directly toward the river. Tom, who was sauntering coolly in the rear, no sooner saw her terror than he drew a revolver, crying: “What's the matter, senorita? Indians?"’ * Peccaries,”’ was the breathless reply, as the girl fled past him to the raft, with a white face. Tom’s countenance clouded. He knew the dan- gers of the peccaries of old, and had heard too many stories of their ferocity not to fear for his friends. He heard revolvers cracking in his front, squeals and grunts and cries of pain, and he ran forward to the fray, a pistol in each hand. He had not far to go. In i ig Bretr he saw the fight, Manuel, Jack Curtis, and Louis Ledoux, sur- a 4 ions ‘ mt gaa which were grunting and sna eir Ss. The lads were ding at their assailants, and_strik- ing at them with their pistols to keep them off. Al- ready Louis and Manuel had been cut in two or three places, and there seemed every chance that they would fare badly, when Tom ran in and fired shot after shot, with all the cool deliberation for which he was noted. is fifth shot released the friends from their most formidable enemies, and the peccaries all turned on Tom, “Run!” shouted he, as he blazed away his last shots, as fast as he could wt the triggers. The sudden burst,stayed the fierce creatures one ey were in full pursuit, as Tom bounded away to the river, followed by his friends. Had it been a long race, the peccaries would have most undoubtedly killed them all. As it was, they all four reached the bank with only tri- Sins. cnet and the next moment leaped far out into e river. Almost in the same breath, the pecearies followed! Jack Curtis went down under the water, and as he went, he heard a loud scream. It proceeded from Dona Inez. | | her revolver on the branch of 2 | ’ | where the soldiers had perceived the Lance and Lasso. —— ——_ + CHAPTER XXIX. THE BOY WARRIORS. Wuen Dona Inez reached the raft, she instinct- ively ran out to its very end, where she dropped on | her knees, bewildered with terror. She had not even sense to cast off the fastenings, and the raft lay along the shore, entirely exposed to any creature that should come there. A moment later, she heard the plunges of heav bodies in the river, as the four boys jumped in, fol- lowed by the peccaries. It was lucky for her that the chase was down-stream, ard that the peccaries were poor swimmers, for the strong current kept them away from her. ; She saw Tom Bullard and the rest dive and disap- pear, and a moment later old Plug’s black head came to the surface close to shore, and he scram- bled up the bank not fifty feet below, and ran up the beach toward her. A single peccary managed to follow him, but the current had swept it lower, and Tom reached the raft before the fierce little beast was fairly ashore. Then with a pluck such as no other animal possess- es, the peccary came rushing along the bank to re- venge itself on Tom, all alone as it was. But the Western boy’had not been idle all this time. The head-fast of the raft was cast off before the none reached him, and the current swept the logs away from shore in an instant. Tom caught up the pole, for it was too late to cast off the other fast, and sprung on the raft in front of Dona Inez. Without a shade of hesitation the peceary rushed at him, and scrambled on the slippery logs, grunting and snapping its tusks. Tom retreated to the very end of the raft, and allowed his enemy to advance more than half-way, when the pole swept the air with all his strength, and knocked Master Piggy into the river, with a splash. “Plug” only tarried long enough to see that the current had carried his foe below him, when he dropped his pole, ran to end of the raft, drew his | knife, and cut the stern-fast, so that the raft glided away down-stream. s He heard agreat shouting on the Monger bank, sir peril, but there was no time to lose. He knew that his com- | rades were in the water, surrounded with foes; and he caught up the pole, and with a fierce shove sent the raft whirling into the full strength of the cur- rent, Then he had time to look for the boys, He saw them in the midst of the river, nearly a quarter of a mile below him, and the black heads of the implac- able peccaries were all round them. Tom uttered a short but heartfelt prayer for help, and began to drive the raft down with all his girengtb Luckily the river was very shallow there, and his pole was long. In avery few shoves he found himself flying down-stream and rapidly gain- ing on the swimmers. ‘Take the other pole, senorita, and help,’’ he panted, as Dona Inez, now that the immediate dan- ger was over, looked quieter. “Shove hard, as you see me do, or we shall lose our friends. Quick!” The young girl jumped up, eagerly enough, and cena up one of the long poles that lay between the two logs. Slight as was her strength, the assistance was noticeable. Theraft went flying along, and in a very few minutes swept round a turn of the river out of a of the camp. The swimmers were not fifty yards below them. *Courage!’’ shouted Tom, as he noticed that his three friends were some distance from the peccaries, and that the latter were scattered about and trying to reach the shore. ‘* We'll be on you directly.’ Dona Inez, hearing the words, redoubled her ef- forts, and a few minutes later the three bo 8, nearly exhausted from swimming in their clothes, were ha on the side of the raft. Tom threw down his pole, flew to their assistance, and hauled out ‘“‘ Kitty ” the first. The poor lad was pale as death, and the blood was flowing from several cuts on his body. Manuel was next and he fell on the raft beside Louis, too weak to stand. | Jack Curtis was only sigbiy Gat and managed to scramble up without Kyi en Tom took a look around them, and for the first time realized the perils of the past, and those that remained. They were out of sight of the camp, racing down the river at the rate of eight miles an hour, and the banks, on one side at least were full of enemies. “Come, Piclzle,”’ said Tom, fly. “We'reina fix, if you don’t take hold. ou’re not as weak as the rest. Takea ing! man, and send her scooting, or we'll lose our hides.” “Pickle needed no second invitation, Bold and daring by nature, the last few months had rendered him self-reliant. Like Tom, he had become somuch accustomed to Indian habits that he had relinquished the irksome clothes that the rest of the party wore, a circumstance that told in his favor in the water, and had saved him much fatigue. He picked ws pole, and gallantly went to work ie help Tom stem the current and work up- stream. But theysoon found that such a current was not so easy to stem. They were rid of the peccaries, who had scattered in disgust, but the current kept on sweeping them down, in spite of their efforts, “*Tt’s no use, Plug,” said Jack, at last. ‘We can only sheer off to the further shore. No man alive could stem this current. We're safe there, and we can make our way back by land,”’ “How about the peccaries?” said Tom, curtly. “ They’re ashore,”’ “We must take our chances,” said Jack. ‘I don't see what else we cando, I lost my revolver in the river, and all ee aes are soaked if I had it. We can't do anything but starve on this raft.” Tom made no answer. He still retained one of his pistols in the holster, where he had instinctively laced it, when he scrambled ashere, and he knew hat his copper cartridges were waterproof. But he knew also that his was the ouly weapon in the party save knives. The rest were on the bottom of the river. Without a word, he helped Jack to shove the raft shoreward, and they eventually reached it, after be- ing driven at least half a mile further. Sust as they did so, they heard a tremendous yell- ing far up the river, followed by the crashing of a volle , and the incessant rattle of firearms that tells of a brisk fight. ‘ “They’re attacking the camp, Plug,” said Jack, hurriedly. ‘We can never get back alive.” “We're just as well where we are, then,” said Tom, dryly. ‘If they beat ’em off, good. If not—”’ Here Manuel Garcia, who was slowly recovering his strength, sat up on the raft and ejaculated: “Look out, Plug; here comes the enemy!” The raft was lying alongside of a steep bank, where the bushes hung over the water, till their lower branches dipped. Tom and Jack, at either end, held on to the bushes, and kept the little strue- ture stationary. As Manuel spoke the boys heard a yell on the opposite bank, and a large troop of In- dians, with glittering lances, came plunging through the underwood, and dashed their horses into the water without a moment’s hesitation. Manuel slowly rose up. With great presence of mind he had been bandaging his numerous cuts all the while he Jay on the raft, for though none of them were deep, the loss of blood was considerable. As for little Louis he lay on the raft, nearly insen- sible, tender-hearted Dona Inez were over him, for Louis was a general favorite. The boy’s cuts were numerous, and the Spanish girl had done her best to bandage them, but without resioring him to consciousness, In this state of affairs, fifty savages were swimming toward them, eager for their lives, and the racket up-stream announced that a fierce battle was going on there. It was Manuel Garcia who here showed himself the most collected of the party. Even Tom began to feel desperate, and as for Jack Curtis, the remem- brance of what was in store for him at Indian hands made him shudder violently. “ See here, fellows,” said Manuel, in the old school- boy fashion that reminded them all of old times; aes things are not so bad as re think. Plug and t Pickle are both able to pole the raft, and though I can’t work, I can shoot. Tom, I know your pistol’s. a ‘Smith and Wesson,’ and carries ben cartridges. Lend it to me, and while you two fellows pole, I'll shoot. One thing we’re sure of—they’ve no fire- arms, and we have the heels of them on the river. Cheer up, fellows! I wouldn’t have the boys at old Wolcott's know we flunked into a scrape we couldn't | mh our way out of. Keep cool; we’re not dead yet.” Tom Bullard quietly unbuckled his belt, and gave it to Manuel. “Wiseman, you're a gilt-edged brick,’ he said, emphatically. ‘I own I was getting skeered; but gl Jingo we'll git out of this scrape, if there’s any t out at all. hat’s the orders, Cap?—you're cap- ain now.” Manuel turned his eye on the swimming horsemen, and scanned them keenly ere he answered. The river was several hundred yards broad at this ih comparatively shallow, rocky, and very swift. e consequence was that the Indians, boldly as they rode in, made but little progress. Near the further shore there was some footing, but the violence of the current was so great that the horses could only advance a step at a time, and when it came to swimming depth, they were swept far down the river. “*T think we can wait awhile,” said Wiseman calmly. “They can’t get at us here, you know; and if we wait till eee come close, we can pop them off at our leisure. Hark! the fight’s beginning to slack- en up the river.” In fact, the sound of musketry was slowly ceasing, and only heard in occasional dropping shots, thoug the yelling came as loud as ever, The Indians on the other side, who had not ridden into the water, divided into two parties. While one rode up the river-bank, the other dashed in and be- an to swim vigorously across, taking a slant across fhe current that promised to bring them ashore at a point far below the rait. “Now we'll soon see,” said Manuel, quietly, as he ushed out the empty cartrid of Tom’s pistol. lew the water out of the chambers and barre and proceeded to reload from Tom’s pouch. “Phey think they’ve got us this time, Plug; but they'll find their mistake out in a short time. I like to cheat those savage devils.” Ng “You bet,” replied Tom, laconically. “If we only had another pistol, I wouldn’t care for the whole tribe.” By this time the swimming horsemen were far be- low them, and one of them was landing on the same shore. Ashe rode out of the water he uttered a tri- umphant yell, brandished his bm hy re caine gal- loping along the narrow margin of the stream under the bank, His yell was answered from the opposite side, but much igher up-stream, and they saw the other party of Indians dash in far above them, and come foaming down the current with a rapidity and at threatened to bring them down on on a course the raft in a very short time. “Keep cool, Pickle,”’ said Manuel, sternly, to Jack for the latter was looking nervous and excited, and evinced signs of letting go the bushes. ‘Keep hold with PA right hand so, Now cross your pole, so that the end may rest on that rock that sticks half out of the bank. Plug, you dothesame. Now when
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Lance and asso, = —— SS ae I call out, ‘Shove off!’ both let go and shove with all your might. We'll go down-stream like a bird and | water below, cheat them all. Ready now.” A chorus of yells below announced the landing of more Indians. Manuel looked round and saw ab eer twenty come tearing along tho bank at full speed. The first who landed had dashed into the water again, not thirty feet below them, and stood midleg in the swift current to intercept them. He could go no further, for the overhanging bank and the cur- rent prevented his riding in the water. _A second glance up-stream showed a mob of In- dians, grim, silent and eager, almost upon them, and swimming fast. Manuel sat down so as to steady his aim. ‘‘ Shove off!”’ he cried. The raft, released from its bondage and obedient to the powerful shove of the poles, shot out into the stream like an arrow, gliding past the waiting war- rior just out of reach of his lance. A yell of savage fury announced that the Indians expected and were prepared for the trick, and the next moment every horseman below dashed into the stream, and swam boldly out to intercept the flight of our young friends. The nearest warrior wheeled his horse and came swimming after, so near that his lance almost touch- ed Jack Curtis, who retreated several feet in some trepidation. ‘The Indian, by a desperate, effort, forged a little nearer, and Jack cried: ‘* Shoot him, Wiseman! shoot him!” “Knock him over, Pickle!’ said Manuel, sharply. Loom antes ons on him, Your pole’s longer n his lance, you fool.” . Emboldened = the. command, Jack lifted his twenty-foot pole from the water, and brought it down on the pean of the Indian’s horse, who swerved aside and fell back instantly. : “Good for you!” shouted Plug, as he poked his own long weapon into the face.of another animal. “That’s yoursort! Keep off the horses, and the men are nowhere,”’ ? At that moment came a violent shock of the raf as they ran right into another horseman who hac got before them unnoticed, Manuel wheeled round, ust as the Indian poled his spear, and shot him it h the heart, the pistol neeeit touching him, With a shout, the warrior fell back and sunk, but the st: les of the horse to get out of the way of the raft ola edits progress so much, that three of the intercep Indians were enabled to get close by. Tom Bullard felt a — a in his right thigh, as a lance grazed him, and turning savagely round, dashed the point of his pole in the face of Nagua, the Abipone chief. e saw the Indian stagger back, and repeated the blow in his horse’s face. At the same time the raft drifted clear of the incum- bering horse, and Tom heard two rapid shots from Manuel's pistol. Then they went flying down the river leaving their foes behind, and there was but a single Indian left in ee net aa Lend that one was evidently fright- ened an escape. “ By Jingo, Pius, ite Malmora,” shouted Curt: excitedly, as they shot down, and recognized the gol coronet and jewels of the wild princess, Tom turned and looked. en, with a violent shove, he sent the raft whirling past her, dropped his pole, leaned over, caught the girl by her lon hair with one hand, by the arm with the other, an ulled her on the raft with a skill and strength that k her entirely by surprise. “Now, my lady,’ said Tom, grimly, ‘ you've given us enough trouble for to-day. I guess you'll make a good hostage.” CHAPTER XXX. THE GREAT RAFT. We must now return to the camp, where we left Captain Hernandez and Don Luis hard at work ssvangthening their defenses, while the boys went over the rivestohunt. For some time after their departure the sound of axes was incessant, and every available hand was employed in cutting down m-trees and ro. logs. Don Luis, with two or e men, kept watch at the breastwork, and carried the bushy and spiky heads of the palms, to extend the abattis in front, Captain Hernandez, on the other hand, was b engaged near the water-side, where it soon became evident that he was making a raft. A splendid raft it was, too, the light round logs of m-wood being exceedingly buoyant, some fifty or more lassoes available; for, gaucho or soldier, every man in the party was provided with one; and the work proceeded with astonishing rapidity, once the logs were cut. By the time twenty logs were in the water, the structure was strong enough to sustain the whole but the captain was not satisfied till every | a. used up, and a broad, dry raft floated alongside the bank, secured at each end to keep it from drifting down-stream. “There,” said the dragoon, with a deep sich of relief, as he tried the raft by stamping in different tere “let the devils come now: we're ready for em.’ The words were hardly out of his mouth, when the shriek of a girl sounded from the opposite wood followed by a burst of pistol-shots, and shouts and | cries of anger and terror; and then, down the bank came faving Dona Inez, and cowered on her knees at | It seemed but a moment | the end of the small raft. later, when the four boys kenpeoren below, and plung- ed into the water, followed by the peccaries, ‘*Cut loose the raft, Inez, and push off!’ roared the captain, half-frantic at the danger. ‘They'll tear you to pieces.” There were | | of As. he spoke, several peccaries rushed into the and tried to swim to the little raft, the first object they saw in their blind fury. Inez, zed with terror, stirred not. ‘* Thank God!” cried. the captain, as he saw Tom Bullard land and run to the little raft. ‘‘ There’s one with his senses about him.” He saw the brief struggle on the raft, the victory over the peccary, and saw the little vessel shoot away down-stream after the boys. He knew that nothing more could be done; and his confidence in Tom was so great that he ceased to call out directions. Instead of that, he began to hurry the preparations for the voyage, for he well knew the danger that those on the small raft would run, should the Indians pursue them. “Lead the horses on board,’’ he shouted; and_the obedient soldiers brought the animals forward as soon as the words were spoken. The face of the large raft had been covered with bushes and grass, so as to fill the interstices between the logs, and afford a footing for the horses, but the poor creatures floundered and tumbled about sadly. Patience and knowledge of horsemanship conquer- ed all these difficulties, however, and the greater art of the animals were on board, when Don Luis, rom the rampart, shouted: ** Quidado! Los Indios! Cuidade!”’ Ina trice, the embarkation was abandoned, and the whole of the garrison rushed to the breastworks, where they beheld a new and fearful peril approach- ing. “ine Indian camp, lately so quiet, had vanished like c. Instead thereof, a horde of mounted savages, that seemed to stretch round the whole visible horizon, was moving slowly down on them, at a walk. “ Fill your front kets with cartridges,” said the captain, hurriedly.. ‘‘Those fellows won't be sto ed so easily. If they break in, follow me to the raft, and push off; but retire fighting, or we’re lost.”’ He had hardly finished, when the Indians raised a ell, shook their lances, and came sweeping down ike a whirlwind. There was no time for more orders. Instinctive e ref man waited till the wave of horsemen was al- most up to the abattis, when they sent in their first volley, which rolled over the front rank like nine- pins. But such was the determination of the Indians, that the rush was not even checked. The sur- vivors bounded over the bodies of men and horses, stumbling and tripping, but still defiant as ever, and in a moment more were crashing through the bushes of the abattis. ‘Load up! Keep your pistols full for the last!’ yaad Hernandez, in excited tones, as he thrust a resh charge into his rifle. The order was obeyed, and a second volley sent into the entangled horsemen, within ten seconds of the first. The effect was fearful at that short range, the bodies of men and horses positively blocking up the way. Brave as were the Indians, and closely as or rushed to the bulwark, they could not force their animals over the dead bodies. For a moment there was a check, during which the wild men dashed up and down, yelling and brandishing their spears, in the vain search for a gap. A third volley tore through their dense masses, and they recoiled involuntarily to a little distance. Then part of the huge mass broke off from the rest, s0 formidable at full speed, was nearly useless. A rapid fire of pistols soon cleared the of the raft; and as it kept its way in the middle of the stream, the power of the current swept it swiftly Sone the river, past the enraged and disappointed es. But the latter were far too untiring and implacable to give up the chase. The party that had gone down the river tapes to yell loudly, and the whole force of the Indians went off at a tearing gallop down the river-bank, as if determined to intercept them at some known spot. dat eaen Meaveat”? ejantioned, its Luis, - the: n temporary ; ‘*they cannot catc us now, I a Captain Hernandez made no answer. He was at the head of the raft, looking anxiously down-stream. It’s strange we don’t see anything of che boys and Inez,” he said, at last. ‘I could swear those fellows went after them. The same instant they heard ashot ahead of them peasy fo lowed by two more. The shots indicated the close proximity of the small raft, and, sure enough, as they swept round the bend of the stream, the ght of Manuel, running the gauntlet cece 8 e In 8, and finally scraping safe past. , | | Their own numbers and weapons rendered them fearless of the few Indians that were ieft; and as they swept past the struggling horses, ey opened a scattering fire. It was nearly harmless, however, for the wily savages dived at the flash, and the great raft on in ee In a few vigorous shoves they neared the little raft, justas Tom captured Malmora, when all hands j ined in a cheer of joy, that was echoed by the sav- e yells of the Indians on shore. he occupants of the small raft were transferred to the large one, and away they went, floating down the turbid Pilecomayo, in comparative safety once more. CHAPTER XXXL. A GIRL’S DARING. Ovr reunited party on the great raft were now in much better sp The Indians being totally un- provided with missile weapons, and ly destitute of boats, the voyageurs could afford to laugh at them as, they Paha along. The boys especially were wild with delight, and even poor little Louis, who was comfortably bestowed on a bed of grass, smiled with a look of contempt, as he watched the Indians racing along the banks of the river, which grew broader and broader at every mile passed. The horsemen rode at a tremendous oe and quickly distanced the raft, which now only drifted with the current. The woods grew less and less thick on the banks, and it was obvious’ that the Pilcomayo was bearing them down to the open pam- pas, but still their enemies rode on ahead, nearly as numerous as ever. Captain Hernandez was' the Only one on the raft who seemed to be af all uneasy. He stood at the head, watching the fast-vanishing Indians, and when Don Luis made a ular remark about the latter wasting their pains, he said, gravely: ‘*T wish I was certain of that. | Now, to my mind, it looks as if they had some plan of mischief, or else why do they keep on?”’ : “Let them have all their plans,”’ said Don Luis, contemptuously. ‘‘I laugh at their plans, Alonzo. We have the daughter of their head cacique a erro and her head shall pay for any mischief they do.” é The ne eee had not noticed the presence of Mal- mora on rd, he had been so much taken up with his own special betrothed. He turned with much interest, and exclaimed: ‘Is that true? Then it explains all. You notice that those fellows seem to be all of one band? No doubt it is the one to which she belongs, and they are following us toreseue her.”’ as well to put her ashore then,” sug: mig) t eave us, : “Not a bit of it,’’ said the captain, laughing grim- ly. ‘‘ You’d make a poor soldier, Luis. Letus keep on, down the river. Every mile tires their horses, and leaves us fresh. They shall ransom her with enough horses to remount our whole crew or she shall be food for fishes. - * But surely you wouldn’t hurt a woman?’’ said the estanciero, surprised. “No,”’ said Hernandez: ‘but they sha'’n’tknow that. A eacique’s child-is well worth a hundred fresh horses.” “How shall we get them if we tire them out?” asked Don Luis, with a smile. “Get them from the tribes below,” said the dragoon, sharply. “I'll teach thesenaked savages to bunt a Spanish hidslgo. They shall pay for every man I'vetlost; thirteen as good d ns 2s ever wore spur, speared by those wild devils of Abipones. Por Dios, my blood’s up, and Til have revenge. © The captain's eye flashed. He wasa true Spaniard after remorseless when he had the wer, though brave under peril. It seemed that he had the er at last, as he looked at the ceful form of Malmora, and remembered that she was a ca- —- daughter. hey swept on now, not quite so rb gel as the river grew broader, but still at a brisk pace. The woods diminished to patches, the stretches of sa- vanna became larger. At every turn of the stream they still saw the Abipones ahead, and also distin- guished the smoke of signal-fires in several direc- tions. **T don't like those fires,’’said Don Luis. ‘‘fome cf the pedestrian tribes live below us, and they use bows and arrows ard canoes. They might give us trouble, if they join hands with the Abipones.” ‘We shall scon see,” said the captain. ‘For my artI think we'd best cheer over to the further k. We must be getting near the Paraguay; and if so we shall be safe on that side, the river here be- ing too broad to swim. Besides, we have nothing to eat, and it comes near sunset: Those lads made such a mess of their hunting, that they left all their game up the river.” “‘ Agreed,’ said the estanciero, as he looked at the level sun. Accordingly the raft was sheered over toward the eastern shore, as soon as the water shallowed suffi- ciently to use the pol s. In about an hour’s time they were moored beside a little Vigan of palms, that proved to be full of game, and likewise of jaguars. Three of these fierce creatures were roueed in as many minutes, but our adventurers were getting too much accustomed to them to fear them any longer. The soldiers no Io fired wide, and the very volle ——— down two, and mortally wounded the third, which was di tched with pistols. Then a seg: aelvenials line swept through the peccaries and capinchas, pirs, queer- trunks like that of an elephant cut short. wood, and roused up deer. ; besides two ta’ looking beasts, wit: In a very few shots game enough was secured to
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Lance and Lasso. feed the whole party; and the fires were lighted in security, after fhe manifold perils of the Chaco, in the short —— twilight. ‘* What a change from last night !’’ said Dona Inez, thoughtfully, as she stood by her lover’s side, gazin off over the smoothly-flowing river. ‘ Who woul have thought: that we should be as safe as this to-night, at the time when those raging demons were galloping after us, trying to destroy us?” ‘*We are by no means safe or ” said the soldier, in a low tone. “‘I shall not feel secure till we have assed Asuncion and Corrientes. The fishing Indians low us may puzzle us yet. Besides that, we are not safe even now from the Abipones swimming over after us. Ha, what’s that?’’ As he spoke, there was a sudden commotion among the herd of horses that had been landed and was feeding near them. A dark figure was seen to spring up in the midst of the herd as if by magic ng a shrill, girlish scream of triumph, and away went the whole herd, snorting and squealing, over the fires, ye ne the camp, and down the river-bank like a whirlwind. The whole thing passed so suddenly that no one summoned his presence of mind till the last hoof was = all but the captain’s horse, which was tied to a ree close by. It was a regular stampede. _ Then Hernandez uttered a great Spanish impreca- tion. “ Tt’s that cursed Indian girl, I'll lay my life,” he roared. ‘* Where is she?” ‘Gone, senor capitan,” said the voice of Tom Bullard. “Lend me your horse, and I'll stable every hoof in an hour.” ‘*Take him, lad,’ said the dragoon, hurriedly. “He has English blood, and he'll run them down. You're a light weight. Here, take my pistols." “T want none for a girl,” said Tom, curtly. ‘‘ Lend me a lasso.” As he spoke, he was mounting. q ‘*There’s one on the saddle,’ said Hernandez. “Away with you.” xP! !” cried Tom, and away he flew. There was not much supper after that. The meal was hastily swallowed in silence, and all hands went aboard the raft in pousy silence, sheered out into ee a and poled down the river as fast as they could go. Fora long time they could hear the thunder of hoofs on the bank, but these grew fainter and fainter at last, for a stampede always is carried at a fear- ful speed. The raft floated on, the darkness grew thicker and thicker, and they could no longer hear the horses. “That Indian girl must be an artful devil,” ob- served the ca’ ,in a vicious tone. ‘She looked so meek and utiful, I never distrusted her. How did she get off?” “* Rasy enough,” said Manuel Garcia, who was standing by. “It’s my impression that Plug was half spoony on her. He told me to-day that he thought it was a shame to keep her if we were safe. It’s my belief he helped her to escape, thinking she’d take only her own horse, and that she’s played him false. But if she has, Tom’s the boy to catch her again, if any one can.” “Tl bet on Plug,” said Louis Ledoux, feebly, as he listened to the conversation. ‘‘You can go to eer, safe, Cap. You'll see the horses in the morn- CHAPTER XXXII. OLD PLUG’s BEST CATCH, Tre sun rose over the broad pas of the south- ern Gran Chaco, near the borders of the province of Santa Fe, and revealed a lovely laniscape. Little patches of wood were scat over the plain at wide interv: like islands in the and through the midst of all ran the broad and id Pileomayo, on its way to join the still broader seer & A group of Indians, clad in mantles of fur, stood on the banks of the river, eagerly watching the water. A 2 mt appearance was visible in the midst of stream, toward which their eyes were directed. A low bank of black mud, in the midst of the river, was, to all appearanee, alive with moving creatures, and what was more wonderful, the island seemed to be in motion. The Indians were all armed with bows of great size, with arrows over a yardin length. The mov- ing island was sheering slowly over to their side of = evens and there seemed to be some excitement about it. The course of the floating island, if island it was, was steady up-stream, and one of the Indians ob- served: “It is time. They are within shot. Now let us prove who has the best eye.” As he spoke he drew an arrow to the head, point- ed it toward the sky at an angle of forty-five de- grees, and let fly. The arrow rose neh in air, described a graceful curve, and descended on the top of one of the mov- ing creatures. “Well done, Sago!’’ cried a young Indian, as he drew his bow; “the turtle is yours. Here goes for 9 ne. Allof the Indians let fly their arrows in the same manner, but not with equal success. One flew right | over the shoal of turtles, for this it was at which all were aiming; two more went into the water between the animals without injury, but four more stuck = the turtles, and the Indians uttered a triumphant out. The turtles were coming up the river to lay their eggs, and they were so wary, that the sight of a boat wo e them dive. e Indians on the banks. of the Pileomayo were wont to shoot them in this manner as they passed them, knowing that every } turtle struck was sure to float at the top of the wa- ter, when dead. With great joy they were Bente to launch a canoe, to take possession of their prizes, when the thunder of hoofs behind them caused them to start and look round. A numerous troop of mounted Indians, whom the recognized as their masters, the Abipones, were gal- loping slowly and weariedly from behind a copse to the river-bank, We say their masters, the Abipones, for it is a strange fact that the equestrian Indians of the Chaco maintain a sort of feudal rule over their humbler brethren, who live by the river and cultivate fields, and compel them to labor for their support, both round their own holds, and by sharing the produce of the fisheries. Not that the Abipones, Tovas, and others, are hard masters. On the contrary, their servilude is light, and only exacted at certain seasons, besides being paid for, in kind, by the produce of their rai‘s. In front of this party of Abipones, rode the white- haired cacique, Nabi a, and his first question was to the point. “Have you seen a at raft of timber, full of white men, pass down the river?” “No, dread lord,’’ said old Sago, obsequiously. “Then we have not ridden in vain,’’ said the old chief. “Get out = boats quick, and ferry us across the river. e dogs are on the other side.” The slavish foot Indians were not used to bandy words with their masters. In a few minutes several large ‘‘ dug-outs”’ were launched, and the Abipones were prepared. “Bows and arrows,” said the old chief, gruffly. ** The lance for the land, but we are fighting water- ae like you. Give us the bows.” th equal readiness, the docile Guaranis yielded their weapons, and procured more from the village close by, till all the Abipones, to the number of nearly two hundred, were armed. Some of the bows were of hu stiffness, that no man could fully bend them with his arms. The Abipones seemed to be perfect! conversant with their use however, for old Nabi- dague smiled grimly, as he took an enormous bow about seven feet long, with the remark: “Tt will shoot as far as the fire-weapon of the white man, and pierce as many breasts at a pinch.” As he was examining the weapon, and while the boats were putting off, one of the Abipones uttered a cry and pointed to the other bank. A number of horses, without riders, following a single figure on a black steed, and pursued by a man on a gray horse, were galloping along the further bank of the river, full pe : The keen eyes of the old chief recognized his daughter in a minute, and all the Abipones raised a simultaneous yell. “It is Malmora! Shecheats the white capinchas!" shouted the old cacique, joyously. ‘Who says that an Abipone girl is not better than a white dog? She has stampeded their horses and escaped.” As if to confirm his assertion, the girl turned her course when she heard the yell, and dashed boldly into the stream, followed by all the horses. As she came, the black lasso of the man on the y horse was seen to fly in the air and to e over her age: p her from the steed on which she ff hig = _ ~ cm son oe wage , ar again, and by the of Manco Cay e shall die now.” The whole of the canoes, nine in number, each holding some twen ae ope warriors, and pad- dled by obsequious Guaranis, put off into the stream and made their way across. At this place, the Pilcomayo was some third of a mile in width, the current running about five miles an hour. The dead turtles, floating with the trans- fixed arrows sticking up in the air, were p without notice, and the boats were near the middle of the river, when the crack of rifles was followed by the whizzing of bullets, and the huge raft bore tele . the canoes, the crew firing rapidly and ac- curately. A scene of confusion immediately followed. The Guaranis were a very different race from the fierce Abipones. They stood in mortal dread of the fire- arms of the whites, even more than of their fierce masters. With wonderful unanimity every Guarani dogo his paddle and dived over , prefer- ring the risk of drowning to the certain death of bul- size, and of such lets. The Abipones were not discouraged, however, Their warriors picked up some paddles, and stood boldly toward the raft, while the bowmen began to shoot with wonderful rapidity. The old chief and several others sat down in the canoe, caught their great bows between their feet, aud drawing them with both hands, sent a flight of arrows, six feet in length, hurtling among the crew of the raft, But the contest was too unequal to last. The showers of bullets that came whizzing among | the crowded canoes did fearful execution, and when | a rifle-ball from tho heavy weapon of Don Luis Gar- | cia made a hole in Nabid *s canoe the size of a man’s hand, the overloaded vessel filled and sunk in a moment. The Atabonesy diehesrtened at the fate of their ehief, drew back, and the nuge raft glided in be- tween the Indians and the herd of swimming horses. A moment later, Tom Bullard swam alongside, with Malmora a prisoner, and he and the girl climb- ed on the raft together. “Let us through Cap, let us through,” cried Plug. excitedly. * She's given her word to make peace for us. You can trust her now, for her father won't fight, if she’s i: danger.” Malmora was as food as her word. She ran to the ! side of the raft, where her countrymen were again concentrating, and addressed them in a speech of such efficacy that a pene was quick'y arranged, The Abipones, disgusted with their ill-success, were ready to comproniise, and before nightfall the raft was on its way down the river, while Malmora was restored to her friends, and on her road to the in- most recesses of the Chaco. The adventurers were safe at last, and sunset saw them in the safe territory of Santa Fe. CHAPTER XXXITI. WELCOME HOME. A Werk later the estancia of Don Luis Garcia was ina great state of excitement and festivity. The es- tanciero was giving & great feast; the commander- in-chief had loaned him a perfect camp of marquees, oxen were roasting whole for the peons, and all the fashionables of Buenos Ayres were coming to attend the barbecue, Especially was there a concourse of gay dra- goon {officers, with bright uniforms, jingling sabers and horse furniture of velvet, covered with old lace. The news was spread that the popular Cap- tain Don Alonzo Hernandez, was going to be madea major, and that he was to be married the same’ day that he received his commission. The expedition to the Gran Chaco had been a suc- cess in the main, At the expense of some twenty killed and wounded, the captain and Don Luis had inflicted terrible losses on the Abipones, and, by the lucky accident of Tom’s ig tome of Malmora, had succeeded in making good terms. Old Nabidagua had been so much disheartened by his final failure, that he had consented to ransom his daughter with a hundred of his best steeds, and their value compen- sated for all the losses of property sustained by the estanciero, ‘“What was the reason, Plug,” asked ‘ Kitty,” earnestly, as they stood at the door of the estancia house, pmo Cae the ge meen “that you let Malmora go, that night iseman told the captain that you were spooney on her, and that she played roots on you.” ‘* Kitty ’’ was still very pale and weak-looking, but he was able to walk about, and he followed Tom everywhere. Old “‘Plug’’ was quite restored toa civilized state now, and you would never have fancied that he had lived among naked savages, as one of them, only a week before. To be sure, his clothes fretted him oe the first day or two, but as the ie at Buenos Ayres are quite cool, he soon realized the comforts.of clothing once more. Tom looked about on the row of marquees, where the aeons were spreading dinner, and his look was much more gloomy than the day seemed to deserve. “Never you mind, Kitty,’ he said, in a tone of stifled regret. ‘‘I know it wouldn’t have done for me to stay among those fellows, but Malmora was a right retty creature, and when I heard old Hernan- dez blowing about what he was going to do with her, I felt d of sorry forthe poor little heathen. I helped her to escape, ‘tis true; but she fooled me. for she took all the horses, and I was mad enough to eat her. I caught her at last, just in the nick of time, and the poor little thing, even then, tried to persuade me to go with her and leave you, Tt all passed so quick, I’d hardly time to tell her why I wouldn’t go, but she saw I wouldn’t, and the plucky creature even then forgave me. If she’d set on those Abipones, they might have hurt us pretty bad. As it was, their arrows killed several of our men. But she actually saved our lives by proposing peace, for they all obeyed her, and old Nabidagua would have given every horse in the tribe to save her. She was a brave girl, and if she’d only have come with us—but never mind. Don’t you chaff me about her, Kitty, for she was a good girl as ever stepped, if she was a savage. And that was. the last Tom could be induced to speak about the little Indian princess. ‘Kitty’ respected his silence. ut now the great event of the day took place. The festivities were all conducted in the open air, for in that delightful climate the houses are regarded as mere sleeping-places, and people live out-doors three-quarters of the year. Captain Hernandez, in full uniform, his breast covered with medals and crosses, emerged from the house, leading Dona Inez, who looked perfectly love- ly in her bridal attire, and was followed by a troop of bridemaids. Officers of the ‘oon regiment, clattering with sabers and spurs; rich estancieros from neighboring farms gay in embroidered vel- vets; peons in their Sunday finery, with enormous spurs jingling with little bells; Don Luis in his na- tive costume, with our four lads equipped as minia- ture estancieros; the whole procession gathered in the open space before the estancia, and the horses were brought up. Then was seen the full splendor of a rich estanciero, for all the horses were furnish- ed by Don Luis Garcia, more than a hundred in number, and all were of a single color, a delicate mouse-tint, prey esteemed by Buenos Ayreans and known by the title of lobunos, or “ otter-like,’ from their resemblance to the otter. Don Luis had several such herds, each of one color, and the dobunos were the favorite of all.”’ Now the whole party mounted and rode away in a gay cavalcade, to where the bell of the little chapel on the estancia was ng its welcome, and whence, an hour after, Dona Inez issued, a new-made bride. Then there were feastings and dancing on the grass in front of the house, under the great ombu tree, and one sport peculiar to the country, and possible only among a nation of born horsemen. Don Luis Garcia was the first actor in this, and the feat deserves notice. All the male guests were ranged in a long line on the pampa, on horseback, about twenty feet apart, with their iassoes ready ee 4—_—_—_----- Satan: Sonal =
Page 23
— for use. Don Luis, with a cigarette between nis | teeth, galloped full speed from one ‘end of this line to the other, at the exact distance of a lasso-cast, while every ‘man inthe line threw his coiling-rope, bat ing to entangle the legs of the estanciero’s horse. ah was.Don Luis’s speed and dexterity that he fee the gantlet in safety, till opposite old. Sergeant Gonzalez, the best lassoer on the pampas, by repute. Then, just as his horse came floundering head over heels to. the earth, the dextrous rider leaped off, and hted.on his feet, eo coolly puffing the cigarette, amid a round of applause. The feat was afterward apempied by. ry others, but without the success of Don of them fell at the third: or fourth cast, and rolléd over on the ground; some did not come near enough, and Captain Hernandez, Manuel Garcia and Tom Bullard were the only ones who managed to,come on their feet with still lighted cigarettes. As the lasso party broke up, the sounds of the itar came from‘under the ombu tree, and the fap y guests were soon whirling in the mazes of fanda ango and bolero, There let us leave them, safe and content, for our young readers have doubtless come to. the ¢on- clusion that, being well out of their troubles, it is time to close our tale of LaNcE AND Lasso. THE END. The New York Fireside Library. 1 Was Sue His Wire? Mrs. Mary Reed Crowell, 2 Fieemnc From Love. Harriet Irving. 3 Dm He Love HER? Bartley T, Campbell. 4 A SrraNGE Woman. Rett Winwood. 6 Two Grrts’ Lives. . Mrs: Mary Reed Crowell. 9 Toe War oF Hearts. Corinne Cushman. 10 Letanton Grance. Miss M. E. Braddon, 11 Tus Fatse Wipow. Mrs. Jennie D, Burton. 12-13 Lost ror Love. Miss M. E. Braddon, 14-15 Toruers or THE SEA. Victor Hugo. 16 Tue QuapRoon. Catharine A. Warfield. 17-18 Uncte Smuas. J. 8S. Le Fanu. 19-20 Deap-Sea Frutr. Miss M. E. Braddon, 21-22 Lirrte Kate Kirpy. F. W. Robinson. 23 SowIna THE Wryp. 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B 4 _BEADLE'S } Deadwood Dick, THe PRINCE OF THE 2 Yellowstone Jack; or, THe TRAPPER oF THE ENCHANTED Grounp. J. E. Badger, Jr. 3 Kansas Hing’ or, THe Rep Ricut Hanv, By Buffalo Bill (Hon. Wm. F. Cody). The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Reid and Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 5 Vagabond Joe; Tie Youna WANDER- 6 Bill Biddon, Trapper; or, Lirz THe Norrawsst. By Edward 8. Ellis. ” The Fiying Yankee ; or, THe OCEAN oy Seth Jones; or, THE CAPTIVES OF THE The Adventures of Baron Mun- chausen, 10 Nat Todd; or, Tom FATE OF THE Sroux Captive. By Edward §. Ellis, 1] 4 The Two Detectives; or, THe 12 Gaulliver’s Travels. A Voyage to Lilliput, anda Voyage to Brobdin By Oll Coomes, 1 4. Aladdin; or, THE WONDERFUL Lamp, 1 5 The Sea-Cat; or, THe WircH or 16 Robinson Crusoe. His Life and Surprising Adventures, (27 illustrations.) 17 Ralph y, The Boy Bucca- neer. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 1 by Sindbad the Sailor. His seven voy- The Phantom Spy; or, THe Prot oF THE Prarriz. By ‘alo Bill. 20 The Double Daggers; or, Drap- - woop Dick’s Der1ance. By E. L. Wheeler, 21 Frontier Angel. A Romance of The Sea Serpent; or, THe Boy Ropinson Crusogr. By Col. Ri uan Lewis. 23 Nick o’ the Nig! t; or, THr Boy Spy or 76. By T. CO. Harbaugh. 24 Diamond Dirk; or, THz MysTERY OF THE YELLOWSTONE. By Col, Ingrahara. 25 DaveuterR. By Roger Starbuck. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. By Oll Coomes, QR Buffalo Ben; or, Dzapwoop Dick 29 The Dumb Page; or, THE Docr’s Davauter. B Fo Whittaker. 30 Roaring Ralph ckwood, TH: P.eckiess Rancer, By Harry St. George. Prarrizs.. By Oll Coomes. 32 Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian; or, Taz Girt Drap-Suor. E. L. Wheeler. 33 Rep PrraTes or THE CaRBees, 8. W. Pierce. Oregon Sol; or, Nick WHIFFLEs’ Boy Spy. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 35 By Edward L, Wheeler. 36 THe ARENA. oe 8. Finn. 37 The Hidden Lodge; or, Tux Litrie Hunter or THE ADIRONDACKS. Harbaugh, Texas Jack. 39 Edward L. Wheeier, Roving Ben. A story of a Young American. By John J, Marshall, 41 *= 42 The P tom Miner; or, DrEap- woop D1ck’s Bonanza, By Ed. L. Wheeler. A3 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rube; or, Tse Niear- 45 Old Avalanche, the eat An- nihilator. By Edward L. Wheeler. 46 Glass Eye, the Great Shot of the htingale Nat; on, Tax Forest 47 a ensie By T. 0. Harbaugh. 48 Black John, the Road-Agent. 49 Omaha Ol); or, Deapwoop Dick IN : Danerr. By Edward L. Wheeler. 5O Burt B er, THE Trapper. A Tale of the Northwest. By C. E. Lasalle, . By Archie ©. Iron. 5 The White Bu A Tale of Srange Adventure. Charlies E. Lasalle, Roav. By Edward L, Wheeler. ina Jew. By Oll Coomes, OvrToasT. Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 9 Frontizer. By Edward 8. Ellis. Forronsgs or A Bowrry Gir. A.W, Aiken. 13 The b Spy: author of “‘ Vagabond Joe,” etc. Darren. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker, 19 ages. From the Arabian Nights. 22 Kentucky Rangers’ Life, By E. 8. Ellis. The Boy Captain; or, THe Pirate’s 26 Cloven Hoof, the Demon. By Edward L. Wheeler. IN Diseuise. By Edward L. Wheeler. 31 Keen-Knife, THe PRINCE OF THE The Ocean Bloodhound; or, Taz Wild Ivan, THE Boy CiaupE DuvaL; The Boy Clewn; or, THE QUEEN OF 38 Ned Wylde, Tax Boy Scour. By Death-Face, the Detective. By Lasse Jack, Tux Youna MusTAnc- Oll Coomes. Rider. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 4A Bat HAWKS OF Kentruckxy. B St. George, West. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 51 The Bo es; or, THE UNDER- 83 fg 4. m5 the Girl Miner; or, RoskBup | HALE -DIM=E 53 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., THe Boy Paenix; or.THRoves T0 THE DeaTu. E. L. Wheeler. 54 Ned Hazel, Tue Boy TRAPPER; or, THE PHANTOM Princess. By J. F. C. Adams. 5 5 Deadly-Eye, Tua Unknown, Scout; By Buffalo Bill. 56 Nick Whiffies’.Pet; or, IN THE Vauuey or Deats. Capt. J. F. C. Adams, 57 Deadwood Dick’s Bagless or, Tax Parps or Fioop Bar. E. L. Wheeler, 58 The Border King; or, THE SECRET For. By Oll Coomes. 5 Old Hickory, or, Panpy ELLis’s Scatp. By Harry St. George. oO The White Indian; or, THE ScouT 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, Taz Rep RIFLE Tram. 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Browne, The Captain ° Bracebridge Hemyng, (Jack Harkaway.) 92 Canada Chet; or, OLD ANACONDA rn Srrrina Boty’s Camp. By E. L. Wheeler. 93 The Boy Miners; or, THE ENCHANTED Istanp. By Edward S. Ellis. 94 Midnight Jack, Tue Roap-AGEnt. By T. C. Harbaugh. , 9 5 The Rival Rovers. By Lieutenant Col. Hazeltine. 96 Watch - Eye, Toe Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. 97 The Outlaw Brothers; or, THE Captive oF THE Harpes. By J. J. Marshall. £9 ow, Robin Hood, THe OuTLAWED Eri By Prof. Stewart Gildersleeve. 99 The Tiger of Taos. By George Waldo Browne. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. By Edward L. Wheeler, 1 Oo Jack Harkaway in New York. By es, Hemyng. 10 Dick Dead-Eye Tue Boy Smuc- auger. By Col. tiss Ingraham. 103 The Lion of the Sea. By Col. Delle Sara, 10 De :@woo01 Dick’s Device. By Edward L. Wheeler. Se oe or THE YELLOwsToNE. By J. F.C. Adams. | 4 By GrorGF LIBRARY. 10 5 Old Rube, Tue Hunres; or, Crow Captive. By y H. Holmes. 106 Old Frosty, the ide. By T. C. Harbaugh. 107 One-Eyed Sim; or, Tur Apan- ponED Forest Home. J. L. Bowen.” 108 Daring Davy, Tue Youne BEaE KILLER. St. George. 10 Deadwood Dick as Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. 110 The Black Steed of the Prai ries. By James L. Bowen. 1 1 The Sea-Devil; or, THz Mmsuir. mAN’s Lecacy. By Col. P. Ingraham. 1 12 The Mad Hunter; or, THE Cavs or DeatH. By Burton Saxe. 1 13 Jack Hoyle, THz Youne Srrcu LAtoR. By Edward L. Wheeler, 1 1 The Black Schooner. By RoGcry STARBUCK. 1 1 The Mad Miner. : WaLpo Browne. il The Hussar Captain. By Col PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 1 1 Gilt-Edged Dick, Tur Sprort-Dz TECTIVE. By Edward L. Wheeler. 1 1 Will Somers, THE Boy Drrzco atveE.. By Charles Morris. 1 1 9 Mustang Sam; or, THE KING oy THE Puains, By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 120 The Branded Hand; or, THE Mar or Mystery. By Frank Dumont. 12 1 Cinnamon Chip, Tue Grau SPORT By Edward L. eeler. 122 Phil Hardy, The Boss Boy. | Kiowa Charley, Tie Wars owa ey, THe Wurtz Muy } 123 TANGER. By T. % Harbaugh. 124 Tippy, the Texan; or, THE Youny HAMPION. By Geo. Gleason. 12 5 Bonanza Bill, Miner; or, THs FremaLe Forarr. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 12 fen, Sear Pete; or, NicopEmus, Tae Doe Detective, By Chas. Morris, 127 Wild-Fire, Tur Boss or THI They By Bic Phew ras ip e Youn vateer ; or, THE 128 PIRaTEs’ eS Bai hey H. Cavendish. 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double. A Story. of Wild-Cat City. E. L. Wheeler. 13 Detective Dick; or, Tax Hrro in Raas, By Charles Morris. 131 The Golden Hand; or, Danpy Rock To THE Rescur. G. W. Browne. 132 The Hunted Hunter; or, THE ®rrance Horseman. By Ed, 8. Ellis. 133 Boss Bob, THE KING or THE Boorsiacks. by Edward L. Wheele1 1 34. Sure Shot Seth, THz Boy Ririty MAN. By Oll Coomes, 13 Captain Paul, THz MoonsHinen or Kentucky. By C.D. Clark. 136 Night-Hawk Kit ; or, Tue Daven- TER OF THE RancnE. J, E. Badger, Jr. 137 The Helpless Hand; or, BAck- ‘woops RreTrisuTion. Capt. Mayne Reid. 138 Blonde Bill; or, DeEapwoop Diox’s Home Base. By Edward L. Wheeler. 139 Judge Lynch, Jr.; or, THE Boy Viaiiante. By T. C. Harbaugh, 1 40 Blue Blazes; oR, THE BREAK 0’ Day Boys. By Frank Dumont. 141 Solid Sam; on; THe Boy Roap- Aerxt. By Edward L. Wheeler, 1 42 Handsome H » THE Boort- ‘ BLACK DreTecTIvE. By Chas. Morris. 143 Scar-Face Saul, THz SILENT Hontrr. By Oll Coomes. 1 44 Dainty Lance, THE Boy Sport. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 1 45 Captain Ferret; or, Boss Bop’s Boss Jos. By Edward L. Wheeler. 146 Silver Star, THz Boy Kyicnut. A Prairie Romance. By Oll Coomes, dy May 11th, 1 4 Will Wildfire, Tax THorovcn- By Galle 49 A Game of Gold; or, Drap- woop Dick’s Bieerst Hrr, By Edward L. Wheeler. Ready June ist. 50 Lance and Tasso} or, THE CuIL- DREN OF THE co. C Whittaker. pests supe 8th. ay aeaeee 1 5 ras er “——_ THE PRAIRIE ATE; Or, Darmnry LANCE TO THE RESCUE, By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. Ready June 15. A new issue every week. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealem, Ove cents per copy or sent rma on en each. Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. — 12 Alexander Patten.