Beadle's New York Dime Library (no. 1096) (1905 05)
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1890, By BeapLe & ADAMS. Copyriaut. Vol, LEXXVIL M. J. VERS & CO., Publ td Be ts 8 3 | ae a tO oO or o Lael * w te + = A la (JAMES SULLIVAN, PROPRIETOR), 379 Pearl Street, New York. Published Every Month a li ———— 2%, UY 1 GET THROUGH WITH YoU!” Yj i, ¢ Uf 7] Yy Yyf MAN OR DEVIL! YLL PROVE YOUR CHARACTER A SHAM AND YOURSELF A FRAUD BEFORS “STAND STEADY, = == yer; it — % es = = a BS AM Uy Mir... is OP ie Y i tA La SE ere SAE ELITE:
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2 _ The Mad Magicia The Showman Detective; THE MAD MAGICIAN. BY CAPT. FRED. WHITTAKER, AUTHOR OF ‘‘THE RED RAJAH,” ETC., ETC. CHAPTER 1. THE MAGICIAN. Tre hostelry of Don Jago D*Obrino was ful of men in every sort of civilized and uncivilized garb, talking all sorts of languages; yet alike in one thing, that every man was armed to the teeth, and looked as if eager for a chance to use his weapons on somebody or something. Don Jago D’Obrino, with the red hair and broad jaw of his Celtic parents, had the full dress of a Mexican cavalier—such as he had be- | come, Originally owning the humble but use- ful name of Jimmy O’Brien, he had gratefully accepted the change into Spanish, which had made it Jago D’Obrino and had become a thriv- ing and successful tavern-keeper in the border | town of El Paso. He had bought a ruined ha- cienda for a mere song, and had transformed it into a comfortable hotel rooms, mofe or less bare of furniture, but with the indis nsable attachment of a first-class bar- room, Here he dispensed ‘‘ American drinks” to the thirsty souls congregated at the border, in the days immediately after the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox Court-house, when men from both the disbanded armies flocked to the Southwest, to help the Mexican Republicans to throw off the yoke of Maximilian. An exciting and»romantic time was that, at El Paso. For the first time in many years, the Mexicans, instead of casting scowls at “ Los Yanquis, with the memories of Santa Anna to incite hatred and revenge, fraternized with la that talked English, if it carried revolvers an sixteen-shooting rifles. Gorgeous brigas in velveteen, with gold buttons, were on the best of terms with men in dirty gray, and equally dirty blue, who were being organized into bands of “ Juaristas,” to earry blood and fire into the camp of the ‘“‘ accursed usurper,” as every one called Maximilian. Ten companies had already been formed and ten more were talked of, while the question of who should command the ‘‘ American Regi- ment” was freely discussed, over all sorts of drinks, at the inexhaustible bar of Sefior D’Obrino, It took several gallons of whisky to settle who should be the colonel, while the rest of the field and staff made El Paso drunk, from the alcalde down to the beggars, before they could get the matter settled. The voting was of that thoroughly fraternal kind which prevailed among the soldiers who fought on both sidesof the American Cival War, immediately after its close, The question of whether the colonel should be a man who wore blue or gray had been decided by a toss-up, af- tera prolonged drunk, in.favor of the man in gray, for the reason that he ‘‘ had to fight against odds all through the war.” The particular man chosen wasa short, heavily- built fellow, with a bull-dog face, who was no- ted as a skillful fighter, on foot or horseback, and whohad served in the Texan Rangers, un- . der Kirby Smith, up to the last surrender. His name was Brooke, and it was said that he was one of those men from the North, who had been, at the beginning of the war, caught by the lamour of the Southern Confederacy, to which he had afterward Be because he was too proud to confess that he ad been mistaken. Such as he was, George Brooke had the name of being a pleasant fellow, though some said he was ‘not to be trusted in a tight place,” what- ever that meant in their ee The lieutenant-colonel and major were ex- Federal soldiers; the first a Massachusetts man, called. Davol; the other a New York German, who rejoiced jn thename of Hardenkopf. The staff of “Jobnny” for an adjutant, a ‘“‘ Yank” for quartermaster, and the other sitions were ory. divided, so that no jealousy might be elt. Then, in the absence of marching orders from Juarist paneer pe time began to hang heavily on the hands of the newly enrolled men; and in this state of affairs general, excitement was caused by the appearance of some huge posters, printed in § nish rorgeous cuts, announcing that “* The Renowned es the Mad Magician of Mystery and Mind-Reading, Emp . e 1. = _— Be- d the Veil” was com: o El Paso, r= ro cks represen ox form various wonderful the bills by pictures. The idea was a welcome one to most of the idle soldiers in town, who had plenty of money, such as it was, and nothing to buy but drinks. ‘They hailed the opportunity of getting rid of some of it and gry tee evening not altogeth- er dull by the aid of Doctor Satan, the more so ithat -he was to hold his exhibition in the ‘‘ pa- with innumerable | the new regiment comprised a’ and English, with | tio,” or inner court of the posada of Don D'Obri- no, near the bar. ‘ Here, on the evening when our story opens, the greater part of the ‘‘ American Regiment’ was gathered, with the field and staff in the front seats, staring at a curtain which Doctor Satan had hung up before his stage to conceal the mechanism Considering that the audience was a rough one, it was remarkably patient and good-na- tured. True, Sergeant Cassidy, of Co, A, who had come to the’ show, fresh from the bar, be- an to practice with his revolver at the chande- ier, just as the pianist came in to play the over- ture, but Colonel Brooke stopped his exuberance with the simplé.remark from the front seats: | ‘*Boys, this won’t do, There are ladies pres- | ent, and we must pay for that chandelier, if it gets broken.” | bone gt the frolicsome sergeant was lifted bodily and taken off by four stout fellows, and the pianist, a little, slender German, with-long, fair hair and mild-blue eyes, sat down and dash- ed off a brilliant fantasia with a skill that brought forth a round of clappings from all resent, while Corporal Casey shouted from the ack: | * Bedad! the little divil has the ‘lickstricity in his fingers, 8o he has, now, Play us ‘ Drops of Brandy,’ darlin’.” But the little pianist, who seemed to be as cool as a marble statue, in spite of the shooting, merely smiled and pointed to the curtain which at that moment slowly rose, disclosing a hand- somely-furnished room, with the usual stands and tables littered round it in the style familiar | to magic shows. | He.began to play a weird air ina minor key, | and Doctor Satan entered softly as a cat, ru | bing his hands and smiling as he surveyed the audience before him, And then, in spite of the fact that the men be- | fore him were used to strange ay oy a low buzz of surprise and something very like superstition ran through the men of the ‘‘ American Regi- ment” and the Mexican damsels that had clus- tered round the field and staff in the front seats, for the appearance of the doctor was very strange. -_ The reason of his name was plain: he exactly resembled the traditional representations of the Evil One. Wot a coarse medieval devil, but a refined modern fiend, in dress-coat and so forth. His face was of marble pallor, and his dark eyes blazed forth with a peculiar luster that daunted the boldest man present for awhile. He wore a mustache and imperial, twisted to points that went up at either corner of his mouth, with the peculiar sneering smile of the traditional demon of romance. His black, curly hair was arran to conceal anything like horns at either side of his’forehead. His hands were cased in black gloves, and the illusion was further carried out by the fact that as he opened his mouth to make his prelude a little. flame and smoke curled above his head, till he “hastily ,passed his hand over his mouth and stifled it t6 all seeming. . But when he spoke his voice was soft and musical in the extreme. as he said: ‘“Tadies and gentlemen, it is not often that J come out before an audience, as you know, The cold world is too cold for me as a rule; but I have made an exception in your favor. The weather in this part of the world is almost warm enough for me; and you, gentlemen, are used to giving your cnemies--ahem—you know what I mean—so that I feel, as it were, at home among yon, as I never felt. before. ii hope to see most of you again, when Jam at home, you know; and I feel sure that you will not disap- point me long. [I shall keep good-fires for you all, of course, and—” : Here he was interrupted by a ripple of laugh- ter that began to.spread through the court as the sharp Americans began to catch the joke, and take it good-humoredly. Tho magician smiled and went on in the same quiet tones: ‘“Tsee you understand me. Weare old friends. I will waste no more time on that, but begin at once, Lam insearch of recruits formy—well, call it my Home Guard. Captain Beelzebub tells me that he needs some real hard fighters. warranted not to shirk fire, and the first request T have to make is this: is there among you a gentleman who is willing to have his head cut off for the good of the rest, so that he ma bring them a message from tho other world, where I reign alone? Come, gentlemen, I am talking to soldiers who are not afraid of death “or the—well, of me. Who dares have his head cut off?” As he paused, rubbing his hands and looking round with his peculiar smile, a by & silence pervaded the court. The hardened soldiers had come expecting a common card-trickster, and — experienced a shock that fairly unnerved em, ; 3 Before they could recover from this the magi- cian went on in the same serene way: ‘‘ Perhaps you do not think I can do it? Well, T will show you that the—that J make no boasts I cannot back up. I can suspend the laws of ravity and hang a solid body of flesh and : blood in the air before your eyes, You shall see » | me doit for my first feat. I do notsay trick, for I scorn the word.” Then he softly clapped his gloved hands to- | gether, and at the signal a boy dressed as a. | page, with long, curling brown hair falling over his shoulders, came tripping in from the wings’ and stood beside Doctor Satan. The silence that: | pervaded the court was broken at the entrance of the boy by’a stifled exclamation that came | from the front benches: ~ “* My God !” The officers stirred in-their seats and looked curiously round at their new colonel, who had uttered the cry; and whose face, usually brown 'and ruddy, had turned of a gray pallor that | showed strong emotion of some kind as hestared | at the boy. His dark eyes were dilated, and he trembled violently, while great drops of sweat stood on his forehead, CHAPTER II. THE BLEEDING HBAD. THe evident emotion of the American colonel | did not escape notice; the more so that he occu- es the most conspicuous position in the court. he officers moved over toward him, asking, in whispers, ‘‘ what was the matter?’ and Doctor | Satan himself suspended proceedings for an in- stant to say, in his sweet tones: ‘‘There is no occasion for alarm, gentlemen. The experiments are entirely harmless, being executed in consequence of my power over the kingdom of nature, by which I can-do the most impossible things. For instance, I can make things appear and disappear, at my pleasure, vanishing into thin air, r beg the audience to compose itself for it will need all its strength of mind before I have done with theexhibition. Is there any one present who doubts my power to make things vanish into thin air?” ‘“‘ Begorra, I'd: like to see ye do it,” shouted the irrepressible Corporal Casey, at the back of the court. ‘'Seein’s believin’, ye know.” Doctor Satan smiled. “T recognize the familiar accent of old Ire- land. I love the Irish peopledearly, They sup- ply me with many recruits, I will show the gentleman what he desires before I hang up this boy in the air without any support. Pardon me a moment.” He made a sign to the bov, who fell back to the front of a table, while the magician went to the wings and returned instantly witha smail bird-cage in his hand, in which a pretty cana was hopping about, The moment be brought it to the fror*, in the glare of the footlights, the bird began to warble melodiously, and the ma- gician remarked, with his customary smile: ‘“You think you see this bird; do you not? You perceive that it-is in a eage and is alive and singing. You doubt my power to make it vanish, cage and all, Well, then, behold!” He had been walking to and fro, showing the bird all the time, and as he pronounced the last. words he extended his arms suddenly in the air, when, amid a buzz of astonishment through the audience, the bird vanished, cage and all! The magician, with the same smile and bow, turned away and went to the wings once more, remark- ic wand, with which ] ing: - ** Now I will get. my I perform my greatest feats of mystery. hile he was gone, the soldiers in the audi- ence, most of them countrymen, who believed implicitl in the power of the Evil One, began to talk cach other in low tones; while the Mexicans present, who were still more supersti- tious and ignorant, crossed themselves devoutly, and muttered prayers to all the saints in the | calendar. ; ; In the mean time Colonel Brooke, who seemed to be ashamed of the emotion he had exhibited at the mg gl ee of the boy on the stage, sat, wiping his forehead and glancing uneasily round him, while he affected to laugh at the tricks of Doctor Satan, whom he called ‘‘a shal- low charlatan, a mere mountebank, you know.” But even he admitted that the trick just per- formed had been one he could not explain, Before he could state his position peo th the magician came back with a naked sword ig eam- ing in his hand, which he waved im the air in a graceful salute, as if he were master ofthe wea- pon, as he said: ‘Behold, gentlemen, the magic wand with which J work my wonders. You, as s6ldiers will be able to appreciate it, for it has brought more recruits to my kingdom than anything else in the world. pat this weapon I can transform that boy, wb stands there, into a dead body, and change the body into a spirit, which will dissolve into thin air. Does any one doubt my power?” He looked round him, with the strange smile that made the points of his mustache go to his eyes; and as nobody answered, he proceeded: “ But before I do this, I will shew you my ab- solute power over my victira, Albert, are you ready to die?” _ t He addressed the pretty boy, who immediate- ly turned pale, and with a took of extreme ter- ror, faltered: “’No, good master, No, Slay me not, I be- seech thee!” : Doctor Satan waved his sword in the air over
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the boy’s head, and an immediate change came over the child, His eyes closed and his body be- came rigid and.immovable, while a vacant _ look stole over his countenance. ‘“* Albert, art thou ready to die?” asked Doctor In a stiff, mechanical way, the boy answered, monotonously : ‘© Yes—yes—yes!” Doctor Satan placed the point of the sword on the head of the boy, and waved his other hand in a secret ~ Albert instantly turned, walk- ing in a stiff, mechanical way, and went to a stool which stood at the back of the stage, on which he mounted slowly, the pianist playin soft music. the while. On the stool he turne and faced the audience, when they saw that his eyes were shut and that he seemed to be sleep- i ng. The magician retired a pace or two, and re- | marked to the soldiers, with his sneering smile: ‘“*T am about to do something that would frighten most ‘people, but you, as soldiers, are used to the sight of blood. Tam going to stab that boy to the heart. Now !” With the word he suddenly lunged ont with the sword, in the attitude of a fencer, and stabbed the boy, before their eyes, right over | the heart, whence the blood spurted out all over the stage. This time the buzz of surprise was changed into a low sigh of horror and amazement, as the boy, with a sudden change of face, gave a faint shriek, Then his head dropped on one side, and he stood there on the stool, to all seeming, stone- ox: ~ a The Mad Magician. The magician, as imperturbable as before, did not deign to notice the applause, but continued in the same loud tones: ‘* Where hast thou been?” **Tn the other world,” replied the head. ‘* What hast thou brought thence?” asked Doc- tor Satan. ** The secrets of the grave,” said the head. “Do they concern any here?” asked the ma- cian. ‘* Phéy do,” said the head, solemnly. The answer caused another hush, different from the first, for it excited expectation. The trick, whatever it was, having been performed, a new interest was being roused, and Doctor Satan made this more lively by turning and say- ing gravely: ‘My servants know the past, the present and the future, ‘If there be any, here that would have his life told him let him k. The head of the dead boy can reveal it to him,” There was a sound of whispering through the court, as each man tried to banter his neighbor into asking for the expected revelation; but no- body could be found to take up the rary till Doctor Satan, after a pause, shrugged his ' shoulders, and said; ‘*What! Soldiers and afraid? I had thought better of my friends than that. Well, if you will not ask, it shall be told without the asking, from you. Albert’s head knows past and pres- ent.” Then, turning to the head, he continued: ‘*Head of Albert, what seest thou before thee?” The severed head was seen to turn on the tripod and look through the audience with its talk that way. Pray consider who Jam before you use the language so recklessly.” The stout major smiled all over his face, but made no reply, and the magician continued to the head: **Can you tell us what will be the fate of this regiment?” **Tt will cover itself with the head, ‘‘and the usurper wi effort to enslave a free people.” Another round of applause still more hearty ted the words, and the ician, with a low w to the audience, said quietly: “This concludes the first part of our seance this evening. After the intermission I shall show some shooting feats that will astonish you still. further. But before I go, to relieve your natural fears, I will restore Albert to full life.” He went to the head on the tripod, pullin from his pocket a red handkerchief, with whic he covered the ghastly object. When he turned lory,” answered be shot for his ; round the head had vanished, and Doctor Satan | shook out the folds of the handkerchief, showing | boy came from the wings it_to be empty, when at the;same moment the , and bowed to the sol- diers as the curtain fell to slow music. CHAPTER ITIL. THE BULLET-CATCHER AND THE VISION, THE fall of the curtain was the signal for a buzz of excited conversation all over the court as the soldiers and officers discussed the per- formance they had just witnessed and specu- lated on how the illusions had been performed. Even in the present day such illusions are popular and very apt to excite wonder in mixed dead. Doctor Satan, with his white face and black, | large dark eyes. Then it said slowly: = | audiences, while at the time we write of—twen- horn-like hair, turned round and showed a spot | ‘I see the blue and the gray, side by side, as | ty years ago—very few ple in the United of blood on his own forehead, saying: oF shall ever be hereafter,” | States had ever heard of them, and ‘the Mexi- ‘‘My subjects obey me to the last, you see, e sentiment was greeted with applause, and | cans were blissfully ignorant of the resources of ppt The boy is dead, and my power has prevented | him from falling from that stool, I shall now cut him to pieces and make the pieces disappear before your eyes till he has become a disem- bodied spirit. Behold!” He walked up to the stool and deliberately the magician said: ‘*So much we all know, Who leads them?” ‘George Brooke,” answered the head. . ‘* And who is George Brooke?” continued Doc- tor Satan, while the officers and men began to look at the colonel, who was shifting uneasily on cut off the right arm of the boy, which he cast | his seat, as if ill-pleased to haye so much atten- on the stage. As it fell, he stamped on the tion attracted to him before his men, ground.and the arm disap The head was silent, till the magician repeated With the same weapon he cut off all the limbs | the question, when the answer came from the “et of the boy im succession, the pieces disappearing as he stamped on the stage, till nothing remain- ed but the trunk and the head, which seemed to be suspended in the air against a background of | dark curtains. Then Doctor Satan came to the front of the stage holding in his hand the sword which was dripping with blood, the s le of his gory hands and weapon sepals the oldest soldier there; and said, in a deep, solemn voice: ‘*T am about to decapitate my victim, and to reanimate the head, while my servants take.the body where it belongs. Behold!” He wheeled round, amid a silence that now be- came painful, while the Mexicans were staring at each other, and ; and even the practical cans looked a little uneasy. The way in which this singular magician ormed his tricks, made them, in such a. place and among such an audience, doubly impressive. Walking to the suspended body he deliberate- ly cut off the head and held it up in one hand, pee with blood from the neck, while two men, who had been concealed in the wings, sud- denly sprung forward, attired as demons and vomiting flames from their mouths, to snatch up the. body from where it still hung, and leap back as silently as they had come. hen the had disa , there stood Doctor Satan, wit the h of the poor boy in his hand, the fixed stare of an agonized death still on the features as the magician slowly said: “‘ He is dead—dead—dead ! No human power can bring bim from his aoe. Only mine can work thewonder. Can the dead speak? None but I can makethem, Behold!” He walked slowly across the stage, and placed the head on a tall pedestal, that stood in the cen- ter. It was com of three thin legs of wrought iron, less than half an inch in diameter, and under the legs burned a brazen lamp, made in the likeness of a coiled dragon, vomiting flames from its jaws.. Doctor Satan placed the head on the table, with his back to the audience, and waved his sword over it thrice, pronouncing some words, in a strange tongue, in a loud voice. Then he came to the front of the s and said aloud: * Head of Albert, if thou art dead, be silent. If thou livest, through me, speak. Dost thou liveorno? | . The eyes of the soldiers were riveted on the head placed on the tri : the rear of the court drawn their revolve muttering to each other all sorts of threa the a as a professor of the black art,anda murderer: | Then, to their astonishment, the eyes of the head were seen to and turn on Doctor Satan, while the mou moved and said: ** T live, th h This time the Sneis of suspense, that had held even the officers spellbound, was broken by a shout from Davol, of ‘‘ Bravo! bravo!” which was followed by a thunder of applause that shook the walls of the old hacienda. , and several men in* | | pale lip: ‘*The foe of those who once loved him; the friend of those who will soon scorn him.” The words were hardly pronounced when Brooke started up, ina towering passion, shout- ing furiously: “This has gone far enough! Keep your jug: gling tricks off my name, insolent mountebank! ho and what are you to take such liberties with me?” His excited manner and angry words raised a buzz from the soldiers and almost caused the scene on the e to be forgotten; but Doctor Satan, with a calmness that nothing disturbed, waved his hand and said quietly: ‘¢ Let the gentleman keep cool. He will need all his coolness for the time when I claim my own. I make no answers; I ask questions. If the gentleman wishes to ask he shall be answer- ed. e head of .Albert speaks; not I. Will Colonel Brooke ask for himself?” The challenge produced a singular effect on the man addressed, for he turned pale once more and said uneasily : : ‘‘T have no questions to ask, We all know this isa trick of the senses, produced by some means or other, Do your own questioning, and keep my name out of the show, or I'll find a way to make you repent your insolence,” he soldiers whispered ther and looked at the magician, who smiled in the same sneering way, ashereplied: , ~ “Phen the valiant colonel dare not question the dead? He is wise; for the dead know the secrets of the past.” Then looking round at the audience;he con- tinued slowly: “There are others present who may not fear the past. Who sits next to Brooke?” The head turned and spoke slowly: ‘‘ A brave soldier, who fought for his flag, and will yet shun the man he now obeys.” ‘* And the next?” pursued the magician, while Brooke frowning, but unwilling to expose him- self to ridicule, fidgeted silently on his seat be- side Davol, who blushed at the plain imputation in his favor, as he sat by his colonel. ‘‘Hard Head by name and nature,” replied the head on the tripod. ‘‘ He will die like a soldier, and all will mourn him when he goes.” “* Who will get him?” asked Doctor Satan, The soldiers began to laugh at their stout Teutonic major, who grew red as fire at the uestion, but smiled oven his broad face as the head answered: } : ‘He will go where all good soldiers go—to the and feast for- halls“of the brave, to drink ever,” There was another round of applause, which was changed to an audible laugh as the stout major remarked: a “Das ist. gute! Bier und wein, und lieber fraulein, _Gott in himmel! das ist gute.” Doctor Satan heard him and affected to shiver, as he said, in a tone of pecerndeg terror: ‘* My dear sir, do not be so inconsiderate as to modern magic. The prevalent opinion among the soldiers of the rank and file was that Doctor Satan, while, perhaps, not the EVil One himself, was a man who had dealings with forbidden arts, and one to be feared and shunned, if not to be killed at sight. The fact that the name of the colonel, whom all admired, had been brought into the show in a manner to throw ridicule on him, was one cause of the prevailing hostility to the magician, in spite of his wonderful performances, and pa aa Casey echoed the voice of a good many soldiers when he said: **Bedad, and he may be the divil himself, for all I know; but I'll see ay he can stop a bullet befoor this night’s over. D’ye mind that now, bo 7 See of his comrades—a simple backwoodsman from Tennessee—here interjected the remark: ‘If he’s the devil, ’tain’t-no use shootin’ at him with lead, boys. A silver bullet will fix the devil himself, I’ve h’ard ik tes mammy say when I wasa boy. And we hain’t got a silver bullet in the hull ridgemint.” He was interrupted by the sound of the piano, as the little German began to play another bril- liant fantasia, with popular airs interspersed, which brought down the house. When it was over the curtain rose again*and disclosed the stage bare of furniture, with a black curtain at the back covered with strange characters in pale blue from which flames seemed to be pro- ceeding, which produced ‘a very weird effect. Doctor Satan evidently understood the art of dressing his stage to produce the greatest and most impressive effects before he began. There was a pause for nearly a minute for the soldiers to feel the influence of the fiery char- acters, and then the magician ente once more, but differently attired. He wore a long robe of black and scarlet, embroidered with or- naments from which the same lambent flame proceeded, and carried in his hand the naked sword he had used in his first act. His head was covered with a black hood, which fell over his shoulders and made the pallor of his face more remarkable. He came to the front of the stage amid a hush that fell on the wildest after his amazing exhi- bition and spoke in his low, musical voice: **T come to show you that none can resist my power and that the weapons of mortals avail not against my person. Are you all armed?” The question produced @ deeper hush for it was entirely unexpected. Corporal Casey was the first to answer from the k of the hall, flourishing his revolver: ‘“We are that, bedad! and ye’d better mind what ye’re about, so ye had, now, All the div- ils in the world won’t stop a billet from this.” The magician opened his arms calmly, as if doing an ordinary thing, and pointed to a spot in the midst of his breast on which was worked a flaming heat. “Tf you think you can hit that straight,” he said, ‘‘fireaway. But if you are a blunderer fire not, for you might hurt a mortal.” Casey, rather taken aback by the boldness of the challenge did not immediately reply, but Colonel Brooke in the front seat jum up and cried savagely: “Will you give me the chance? The bo an, tell you t I can drive a nail at twen yards. : The magician turned on him with his singular ~ Si = fdas 4
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xX smile that had something in it doubly Satanic, as he replied: ‘You are the man of all others that I would show my powers before. You will yet be my subject, below, as you are now onearth. Fire at this heart and beware that you miss not your aim, or the bullet will rebound and wound you.” | ‘‘Tll take the risk of that,” replied Brooke, with a sneer on his full, sensual a. “Stand steady, man or devil! I’ll prove your character a sham and yourself a fraud before I get through with you, or Iam much mistaken.” As he spoke he drew out his revolver and ex- amined 1t, to be sure that the charge was all right. The other officers looked a little alarmed and the major exclaimed: ** Donnerwetter, Brooke, vat you do? You vant to kecl de mans, vem ke only make a leedle fun mit us?” ‘*The man has challenged me to put a bullet in his heart, and he cannvut complain if I do it,” said Br oke, witha maliguant sneer that he did not strive to hide. ‘‘ Ill stop his juggling for a while and teach bim a lesson. See if4 don’t!” The Mad Magicia ‘* Spoken like a true son of Erin. We will oon with the next a on the programme. ou have seen live boys killed and brought to life. Now you shall see the ghosts of the de- aly appear, and disappear at my will. Be- old! He fell back to one side of the stage, and waved his sword, the pianist playing soft music, as calmly as if nothing had happened The curtain at the, back of the stage parted, | and disclosed a black velvet backing, on which | stood out a figure, that excited a buzz of ad- He raised the pistol, as he spoke, above his | head, and then brought it down rt with the air of an old marksman, till it-pointed in the di- rection of the magician, A second later came the | flash and report, and Doctor Satan was seen to raise his hand. When the smoke cleared away the magician stood there unharmed, and called out in a voice whose sarcastic ring bad in it the true diabolical flavor: ‘*Take back the bullet, sir! Ha! ba!” As he spoke he threw something toward | Brooke; and the stont colonel recoiled, clapping | his hand to his face; for the missile, whatever it | was, had struck him in the eye and half-blinded him, Doctor Satan, secing the effect of his retort, said sweetly: ‘*T beg the pardon of the gentleman for hav- ing hurt him unwittingly; but the fact is that one of my servants carried that bullet to the place where it struck. Will the gentleman please fire again to make sure that there is no mistake?” Brooke, whose eye was painfully stung, was swearing viciously aud rubbing the injured optic, while the magician was talking. As Doctor Satan stopped, the colonel shouted: **You’ve half-blinded me with your infernal tricks; but here goes for you again.” As he spoke*he raised the revolver once more, when Doctor Satan called out warningly: ‘Take care what you do, sir, or the other eye may be blinded by myservants. Shootstraight or not at all.” Tl shoot straight enough for you,” retorted Brooke, scowling. Then he took a careful aim, and the second shot rung through the court, when the magician was seen to jerk hf head aside and raise his hand once more. The colonel, withcut waiting a moment fired four more shots in rapid succession at the ma- gician, aiming at different parts of his body, and at each shot Doctor Satan was seen to raise his hand, as if catching something in the air. When the pistol was emptied there stood the magician; his face as white and calm as ever, while he spoke aloud, amid an intense hush: “ Rive more bullets, sir. Here they are,” And he cast them at the colonel with a care- less toss; the whole five striking him in the face and eliciting a cry of angry surprise and pain, as Brooke staggered back, clapping both hands over his eyes and groaning: ‘Blind, by heavens! Curse the infernal hound!” Then came a rush of the officers to his side; while the soldiers, in the rear of the court, be- nto shout angrily to each other, and handle eir revolvers, A desperate fusilade seemed imminent. and was only stopped by the calm- ness of the magician, who came to the front of the stage, and said coolly: a ** Don’t get yD adage This is only oneof my illusions. "Your colonel did his best to kill me, and I only threw him back his bullets, which have not entirely blinded bim. I am only one, as you see; an you are several hun- dred, I have executed these feats for your amusement; and if you wish me to close the show, | will do so. But if you come to see a rformance, you should not be angry with me or giving you all the illusions in the bill. The reason that I do not wish any but marksmen to shoot at me, is because there are innocent per- sons behind the scenes, whom you might hurt and even kill, if you tired carelessly. You have seen that I am absolutely invulnerable to the weapons of tie bess marksmen in your regi- ment, With your permission I will continue my performance, and cl se this shooting busi- ”n The appeal was not without effect; the more so that the superstition of the greater portion of the audience was already excited to the ut- most, and that Brooke was well known to be the best shot in the regiment. Even Corporal nice Sy ge out: “ Av 1 had a silver bullet, I’d try ye, bedad; but as I haven't, get on wid yer show, and may Ould Scratch fly away wid ye.” y Doctor Satan laughed alond: miration and wonder, ery one her, in a panic as wild as that of Bull Run, the boldest intected with terror. Only the unlucky major and his comrades who were clinging to the rail in front of the stage were left behind, and their cries brought forth Doctor Satan himself, who made his ap- pearance in front of the curtain, carrying a torch which burned a blue flame, by the light | of which he surveyed the struggling men, smil- ing sarcastically and saying: “*Well, gentlemen, how do you like the per- formance? You seem to be indisposed. hy | do you not let go the railing? It is against my [t was that of a girl of extreme beauty, with | long curling bair of the palest golden tinge, but with dark eyes. She was attired in the snowy robes of a bride, and as the curtain drew aside, she cast her eyes from side to side, through the | audience, and smiled. The sight of this figure dissipated all the | | angry feelings that had previously existed, as if by magic, and a round of applause was given, at the end of which Doctor Retin spoke, saying: ** You see before you the spirit of a bride, who died, five years ago, in the far-off city of New | York, By my power she is enabled to speak, and by my power she will vanish. I am about to question her.” hen, addressing the figure, he said: ** Spirit of the departed, why comest thou?” The girl answered at once: ‘*To demand of the living the justice they never gave the dead.” ‘Of whom dost thou seek justice?” demand- ed the wizard. ‘*Of George Brooke,” replied the girl. Brooke, who was still rubbing his eyes on the front seats, and who had not yet seen the fig- ure, started at the sound of his name, thus, for the second time brought before the regiment, and looked at the white figure, Half-blinded though he was, the sight seemed to electrify him, for he started back and exclaimed wildly: **Clara Walden, alive! My God! What do you want?” The girl answered distinctly : : ** Justice for the dead and the living! Confess ne Sma ith’a wild ery, the colonel threw up his arms as if choking—every eye in the court riveted on him as he panted for breath. Then came a second call from the figure on the stage: “‘Geéorge Brooke, confess thy guilt! Death and justice are coming!” And then, right before the incredulous eyes of the soldiers, the girl vanished into thin air instantly; and nothing remained but the black background of the stage. In the same instant gis >: Brooke dropped on the pavement in a fit, and the curtain fell. CHAPTER IV. THE FLITTING BY NIGHT. To say that the astounding effect on the colo- nel of the tricks of the magician had produced excitement in the American Regiment is to state the circumstance in its mildest form, The men were half-crazy with curiosity to find what it was all about and crowded round the colonel as he lay on the pavement, shaking and foaming at the mouth, while they forgot all about the stage and what lay behind it, " y the time Brooke had recovered, which was not till he had been liberally dashed with cold water, the officers began to think of searchin the stage, and Major Hardenkopf advanced ant laid his hand on the low railing that protected the footlights from the front, with the intention of going hind the curtain to find out what had become of the magician. The moment he did so he uttered a terrified shout and stood at the front of the stage, grasp- ing the railing, convulsed from head to foot ap- parently with the same tremors that had agita- oe the colonel, but roaring for help and unable et go. Two or three officers ran to his assistance, and the moment they touched hin? were all seized with the same convulsions, roaring for more help, while the soldiers in the rear of the court, growing frantic with fear and anger together, opened a brisk fusilade at the curtain with their pistols, not daring to go near it after what they had just seen. From that moment the court of the posada be- came a perfect pandemonium of noise and con- fusion, in the midst of which the lights round the stage suddenly went out together and fiery tongues made their a rance in the air over the heads of the soldiers in the darkness that reigned in the court. t the proce bey loud explosions were heard as jets of white fire shot forth in several quar- ters of the court at once, and the voice of Doc- tor Satan was heard shouting: ‘Drive the presumptuous mortals from the court! Beélzebub, do thy duty! At them, As- modeus! Blow them to pieces! More recruits for the lake of fire!” a oe of — Ms in the ene seen ple panic that fiery tongues an r- pedoes had started, and out of the court rushed the soldiers of the American Regiment, the Mex- ican brigands, the women of the place, and ey- rules for any one to touch that.” Major Hardenkopf, whose face was pale, and ings as with ague, stammered out painful- ‘*Mein Gott! Ve—can—not—do—it—sare!” Doctor Satan smiled in the same sarcastic way, as he retorted: ‘* And you sought to harm me, did you, gen- tlemen? You and your whole regiment cannot do that. Do my tortures hurt? They are noth- ing to what I have in store for you when you come down to my winter home where I keep my fires alight. Wil] you promise, if I let you go for awhile, to leave this place at once and not seek to penetrate my secret’ any more?” ‘¢ Ye-e-s!” quavered the chorus, with an effect that was irresistibly ludicrous. The magician laughed scornfully as he said: ‘Then 8 and remember that, if you break ed words, the devil himself won’t save you, +0! As be spoke, the major dropped the railing, and the officers, who had been attached to him, so unwillingly, by the giant power of the elec- tric battery, found themselves free, but with every nerve racked, and with such a sense of weakness, that they could hardly s a of the hall, though they made the best of their way to the door, with all the speed they could muster, As they took their departure, Doctor Satan surveyed the empty court, in which he held his exhibition. It was dark now, save for the glim- mering light of his torch; and the faces of the frightened soldiers could be seen at the further door, peeping out of the safe retreat of the bar- room, as if they dared not enter the place till they were sure he had gone; i The magician smiled and turned his back, go- ing behind the curtain, where he was accosted by a rw Han ga of herculean frame, who said respectfully : sae boxes is packed, marse, and de glass all right.” octor Satan, now that he was not in front of the audience, had a thoughtful, weary look, = different from that he had worn before. _ The artful curls that bad taken the appear- ance of horns, had fallen, and one — t, by looking closely at his feet, see that his shoes had been made with a cleft, marked on the front, which disappeared on a closer inspection. The only traces of diabolism about him were the waxed ends_of his mustache, which were et by the stern lines of his handsome aee, “The sooner we get out of this the better, Tom,” he said, thoughtfully. ‘ Those fellows will get over their scare, and I don’t want to risk getting a shot, outside of the shell. Is the pa e open?” 0 “‘ Yes, marse,” was the instant reply. : I seem to dat, afore we runs up de curting, Can’t trust dem sogers, marse. Jess as app to shoot — Clary as any oderman. De waggin am loaded, and at de back wall, sah.” - Doctor Satan cast a swift glance round him, as he said: : “All right, Disconnect the wires from that il, and bring the battery out.” rail De ba : am in de wagon already, Marse “Horry,” was the reply, at which Doctor Satan laughed and patted the huge shoulders of the n affectionately, as he said: ‘*Oh, Tom, Tom, you never forget anything, [I don’t know what I should do without you, Come along, then. Look out you don’t get burn- ed with the wire.” Tom showed his white teeth in a grin, as he — to the stage in the dark, and unscrewed the fastenings of the electric wire that had ef- fected such wonders. He did it with glass-faced tools, and when his work was done. remarked: “Dat all right now, Marse Horry. Dey kin come all dey wants, naow, and dey won’t find nuffin’ of Hoodeo mtd Ya! ya!” The magician followed hissable guide through the dark recesses of the stage to the back, and downa Log passage in the walls of the old ha- cienda, which emerged in the starlit country, to find two heavy four-horse wagons standing there, round which was clustered a little group of men, who wore masks, and worked assilently as spir- its. As he came out, two of these men went back down the passage, and soon returned, car- rying with them the last vestiges of his ° ernalia. Then the magician mounted a black orse, which was brought up by Tom, and the whole caravan took its departure from the po- sada of Jago D’Obrino, by a way that none of the men in front suspected, and which took them out of El Paso into the ae country, As soon as they had left the vicinity of the they were clear of, the town itself, for
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SS ————e—eeeeeoaoE>DhaaD@aQleaaananquqm ee eeeeeeeew—w—aeaeeeomo Mr. O’Brien’s place was on the outskirts of El | halted, trying to muster courage for a further Paso, for the convenience of travelers. Now that the magician was out in the star- tion, The Mad Magician. advance. Doctor Satan; seeing their hesita- walked his horse toward them, and, as he light, he had drawn over his dress suit a pair of | advanced, leaned over the head of the animal, high riding dark cloak which fell over the haunches of the -boots, and covered his form with a | fine charger he bestrode, with the ease and | grace of an old horseman. the number of ten, all told. The boy, whoever he was, who. had excited | such interest in the audience had disappeared, or was in one of the wagons; it was not certain which, for the tilts were drawnclosely in front, and the drivers had no lanterns with them to show who occupied the interior of the vehicles. Out of the town they rode at a slow pace, the | wheels of the wagons inaking s0 little noise that | one might know something had been done to them to deaden the sound, The axles revolved silently and the wheels themselves rolled over the ground with a muffled sound, very different from the usual rattle and thump that accom- panies the passage of large vehicles. Doctor Satan seemed. to be a little uneas the cavalcade left the vicinity of the hostelry, for he keptin the rear of the little procession and frequently looked back as he rode, All was. quiet however till the wagons had passed out of sight, then the magician rode to the head of the procession and said, in a low tone of relief, to a man who was riding there: ‘“‘ We're well out of that, Charley. I thought Brooke had recognized me, and would get his whole regiment after us.” “T watched him closely from the wings,” re- lied the other, ‘‘and I saw from the first that e did not. You have changed so much, Horace, that I should not have known you if you had not proved it to me. ‘‘f do not fear him so much as Cortina and his ragged ruffians, There were a lot of themin the court; and I saw them watching the box- office as if they envied ys the money.’ + Doctor Satan laughed. ‘*{ don’t fear them, Charley. Ive got them so scared that they would as soon think of tack- ling the person they think I am as of trying to rob me.’ Charley shook his head Senne - “Dye lived in their confounded country longer than you, and I know them-well. If you hear hoofs behind you, look out for trouble, as sure asmy name's Uharley Walden. I only hope we get into the open country and amon the yuccas soon, Horace. If wedon’t— Hark!” He reined his horse sharply as he spoke and lifted his hand as a signal for silence. The wagons drew up and the horsemen halted with as ttle noise as they could make. : Then, on the night air, that blew faint and chill from the north, came the sound of horses at a gallop, and Charley Walden said: “T told you so. They have got over their scare and are coming to investigate this con- cern. Now there is only one thing for us to do, and that is to get into hiding before they get in sight or hearing of ourtrain. Let me see. I'll lead the way. The rést follow.” He turned his horse sharp to the right as he spoke and the cavalcade followed him off the road down a little gully that ended in a patch of wood, stunted, like everything else in that barren stretch of country; but sufficient to ~onceal the 7 ms.’ wthe advantages of the muffling the wheels had received was apparent, as the train went down over the dry grass; and when at last it halted in the patch of wood, dark cloths were thrown over the white tilts of the wagons, which rendered them almost invisible in the dark fcliage of the wood and caused Doctor Satan, who had remained behind on the road to mutter: ie ‘* That’s safe enough.” i He sat on his horse there, listening to the ring of the hoofs on the road, coming toward him, his black hors¢ and black cloak making him re- semble a dark statue, so still did horse and rider remain. The magician was looking back at El Paso, and presently saw the objects of his apprehen- sion coming toward him, a dozen. horsemen, at full speed, the ringing of their spurs and bits showing that they were Mexicans, in full trap- ings. “ Whether they saw him or not was not plain; but they continued to advance till the foremost had arrived w'thin a few hundred yards, when the men raised a yell, asif trying to encourage each other; but at the same time slackened their speed, till they gradually came to a walk and a halt; at some distance off. The cause of their halt was made sudden change in the appearance 0 gician, e He had been busy while they were coming to- ward him, in making some mysterious prepara- tions, with frequent visits to the saddle-pockets of his mount; ard now he suddenly threw back the broad Mexican sombrero he had put on for riding,and began to breathe firefrom hismouth, while he waved his hat in the air. The Mexicans—for they were robbers who ‘had come after him—saw the fiery light and pe by a the ma- as | and passed his hand down its face. The action was greeted with a cry of alarm from the Mexicans; and one of them wheeled his | horse to flee. The men of his company had also mounted | and were riding on the flanks of the wagon, to | He had reason to fear, The magician’s horse began to breathe tire like its rider, to all appear- ance, and the superstition of the ignorant rob- bers was fully excited at last. CHAPTER V. SATAN’S ACQUISITION. Doctor SaTAN continued to walk his horse toward the robbers, aid the excitement and hesitation,in the group grew more visible, as he | came on, with his flaming mouth and fiery | horse, They began to jabber to each other in Span- | ish; and, at last, the leader leveled a pistol, which he fired straight at the magician. The bullet whistled past Doctor Satan’s head, and he made a gesture, asif catching it, when he cast back, at the group of horsemen, some- thing which dropped at the feet of the front horse, and exploded with a loud report and a white flame, that sent every horse in the group claudia kicking in a frenzy of terror, in | spite of the severe bits of the riders. One of the animals drop in the road, and the magician cast a second missile, which pro- duced another explosion, that completed the — Another horse dropped and rose again, imping; while the rest of the horsemen, firing a few random shots, fled in dismay, leaving the man who had scared them master of the field. One of the horses had been killed by bis ex- plosive missile, and the rider, who had appar- ently been injured at the same time, lay under his mount, groaning dismally and unable to ex- tricate himself. Doctor Satan raised a silver whistle to his lips, and the sound brought to his side a couple | of horsemen from the wood, to whom he said quietly : “+ Search that fellow under the horse, and find | who he is. Make him tell you everything he | knows.” The two men bowed and oped up to the | wounded Mexican, who, as he saw them com- | ing, called out piteously, in Spanish: ‘* Mercy, for the love of Heaven, gentlemen! | Tam dying!” ; One of them sprung from his horse by the | snap man, and by a little exertion dragged im out from under the horse. Dying or not, he seemed to be pretty strong | et, for he gave them a hard struggle to get him | orward to Doctor Satan—the man crazy with fear, and yelling, in Spanish, allsorts of inyoca- tions tothe Virgin and saints to ‘‘help him and deliver him from the power of the Evil One.” When they at last got him near the magician, he seemed to be paralyzed with terror, for he dropped on his knees and stared at Doctor Sa- tan, shaking all over. Truth to tell, the appearance of the doctor might have shaken stronger nerves than those of a superstitious Mexican; for the man of magic had been at work trans ying his outward semblance while his men were a gling with the Mexican, and was now glowing a fiery skeleton, traced on his body, and carried in his hand a two-pronged fork, scintillating with fire. As the frightened Mexican sunk on his knees before him, the doctor said to him, in Spanish: ‘¢-You have dared to follow me, and° my men must take you where I reign alone. Are you ready to go there?” The Mexican shrieked aloud: ‘Mercy, mercy! Good Sefior Diablo! I will never do it again!” ‘‘You never shall,” was the grim reply. ‘¢Once my servant,alwaysmine. All thesaints in your calendar cannot save you now. I laugh at your lady of Guadalupe; I spit on your saints. You are mine, and I want a g fat Mexican to make the fire burn bright below.” He made a gesture as if he were about to transfix the trembling wretch with the fork, and the Mexican yelled wildly and shrieked: *T will do er tine oy, if you willspareme. I will be your slave! will bring you all the souls that you desire! Only don’t burn me yet, for I am not fit to die.” Doctor Satan laughed sarcastically. ‘““So much the better for me. No man can cheat me if I once get him in my power, and | you are a robber and a murderer, You are mine already beyond a peradventure. If I let you live a little longer it will only be to serve me, Do youunderstand?” os trembling wretch clasped his hands, ejac- ng: . ! “ & ‘ I understand, good master, and I will obey. Indeed] will: Only let me live a little longer to repent my sins.” he magician laughed again. ‘That is just what Ido not want. If youtry to cheat me, I shall kill you now.” **Then I won't t. Tl) be as wicked as you want me. I'll do anything to serve you. | ceremoniously. | member that, if you he, you die instantly and m | El Paso, with a spe | sidering the fall he had had under his Only help me and make me rich. A soul ie worth a good deal to you, is it not?” The accent of honest conviction in which he spoke was almost too much for the gravity of the magician, but be controlled his features enough to answer gravely: “Your soul is mine already. I do notneed te Buy it. If I let you live it will only be to serve me. Will you doit?” The Mexican raised his hand to Heaven, ejac- ulating eagerly: ‘*T swear by all the saints—” “That will do,” interrupted the doctor, un- ** Answer my questions, and re- men take you to the lakeof fire, to burn forever.” ‘*T will tell the truth—indeed I will,” cried the trembling wretch. ‘*Whosent you after me?” asked the magician, ‘* The American colonel,” was the reply. ‘* Who led your party e ‘* Cortina himself.” ‘* Whatdid the American colonel tell you?” “That you were not the—the—pardon me, master; but he said the Evil One himself. He told us to find your train and shoot you and rob the wagons. He said that there was plenty of money there, and a beautiful girl, and that all the men were to be killed—and—” ‘* And what of the girl?” asked Doctor Satan, sternly, The Mexican hesitated and at last burst out desperately : ‘*Tt was the colonel said it—not I, good mas- ter. He said that the girl must be killed, for, while she lived, he was not safe.” The magician nodded his head and turned ab- ruptly away, asif he wished a little leisure to think over what he had heard. When he came back, his face was grave and riety as he said to the trembling wretch at his eet: ‘“‘ Listen to me, and remember that I mean what I say.” ‘“* Indeed and indeed, I will obey every word!” protested the man. - “What is your name?” asked the magician, ‘* Diego Gonzales,” was the humble reply. ‘Then hearken, Diego, You will go k to your colonel. and tell him that you have seen me, and that, if he persists in following me, all his regiment will hot save him from the lake of fire. That I will come to him, in the midst of his camp, spite of all the sentries he can put round his tent, and drag him to the justice he has defied so long. Tell him that, if he ceases to pursue me, and -tries to live a good life, he may get the privilege of dying like a soldier; but that, if he makes another attempt to follow me, he will be hung, like the murderer he is, Will you give that message faithfully?” The Mexican listened, trembling; and when the magia had finished, he repeated the mec- sage, @ most word for word. tor Satan nodded and said quietly: ‘* Get up, then.” When the man had risen from his knees, the ician continued: * Are you hurt?” Diego passed his hands over his limbs doubt- fully, and said: ‘*T thought I was, sefior; but it seems to have ed away.” | ‘Then listen tome, I need a servant in your camp, who will bring, me news,” said the ma- cian, slowly. ‘“‘If you will serve me faith- ully, I will make you rich, and pay you, for every report that pleases me, five ounces of gold. If you bring me a false report, I shall send you down where eg belong. Now will you serve me faithfully?” a ‘‘] will, by all the saints in Mexico,” was the earnest reply. AiR Doctor Satan nodded again reassuringly. “Tf you do, it will be well for you. Go back now, and find out all ycucan. Meet me at mid- night, on the road from E) Paso to Chibuahua, at a solitary palm tree, that stands on a hill by the. Conchos. BO you know the place?” “T do, master,” was the trembling reply. “Ttis well,” said Doctor Satan. “Ment me at midnight, three days from to-morrow, at that place; and bring me all the news you have, as to” this American colonel, and his regiment. Now go, and do not attempt to look behind you, | or one of my imps may catch you by the hair, > fa you down below, when you least ex- Cc The frightened bandit needed no second bid- . ding, for he turned and ran off, on the road to ed that was amazing, con- orse, and his assertions that he had been ‘‘ dying.” The magician watched him till he gone out of sight, when he said to his men: ‘Bring up the wagons again. They will fol- low us no further, after that coward gets to them, wfth hisstory. I willrideonalone, Tell Mr. Walden to take the wagons round, by the best way he knows.” 2 He mounted his borse, which he had left fo the purpose of getting nearer to the nee it, and tee 3 oe, ie Me the ;. which grew rougher and rougher at ey as it advanced further into the Semele ot the d of Mexico.
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a By the time he had ridden a mile or two, he heard the dull rumble of the wagons behind him, and was joined by them, just as the character of the country began to change-—the mountains rising on either hand, and coming closer to the road, as they advanced. ‘All night long the little train rumbled on, east, the wagous were halted by the banks of a little stream, that came in from the mountains, and were parked in a dense oomrece or chapar- ral, that completely concealed them from view from any passengers that might come along. There the men of the train kindled fires, and pitched a tent, into which Doctor Satan entered, to seek the repose he needed so much. — CHAPTER VI. MARCHING ORDERS AND SILVER BULLETS. COLONEL GEORGE BROOKE, his bull-dog face setand gloomy, was seated on a stone bench out- side the tavern of Mr. O’Brien, at El Paso, on the morning after the entertainment which had terminated so strangely for him and others. — His next officer, Davol, was by him, studying the ground, on which he was tracing patterns with the end of his scabbard, as if in deep thought, and a silence had come between them. Oid Fritz Hardenkopf; the major, looking pale and flabby—as if his electric treatment, of the night before, had left him shaky enough—was eating a sandwich, made of the sausage and rye- bread dear to the German heart, though as dry as a chip from the journey it, had made, in the major’s baggage, from New Orleans. At last the colonel remarked moodily: *¢ Well, it’s no use talking of thefellow. Tl allow that he got the best of me with his con- founded tricks; but Til get even with him yet, if we meet him.” ‘¢ He seemed to have some special spite against you, Brooke,” said Davol, thoughtfully, ‘*Did you ever see the man before?” . Brooke bit his lip, and then answered, through his clinched teeth: “No, of course not. What put such an idea in your head? J don’t know the mounte- bank.” ‘¢ Then whatmade you drop off so when that irl showed up?” the other asked. ‘“‘ By the by, ys, how thedickens could that trick have been managed? ‘One moment she stood out, as clear as could be, and spoke out, too. I saw her lips move and heard her voice. She wasn’t a decep- tion, anyway. That was a real woman, I’d swear to it anywhere.. And yet, by George, she van- ished into thin air, like Smoke. I don’t see how the thing was managed. I be believe that conjuror has dealings with the old fellow down- stairs, after all. [’m not superstitious; but, by Jove, I have to believe my eyes. They don’t de- ceive a man.” The major suspended the munching of his sausage to say: — ~ “Dot is nodings, mein fréund. In de old coun- try, ve haf such dings, all de time. Dot is v’ot ve call de zauberwerk—you say vitchraft. Dem magic fellers,dey can turn into air, shust so ieokie: Ane dot vas sare out it.” shmoke; and dot vas ere vos about it. - Dayol shook his h Sbetipanelye as he an- swered: . _ “Smokedon’t talk. Smoke don’tcasta shadow. Smoke don ook righ ing, aan oye: ad : ri looked me straight in the face for n a iis, ‘Asl said, he wasn’t smoke, major. I have to believe my eyes, after showed me that gir], one moment, and she was gone. he has not dealings with the Evil One, how did he do it? You tell us, Brooke, at Ree can.” jrooke shook hishead gloomily. ** Don’t ask me; I am not in the business,” Hardenkopf here swallowed the last mouthful of his sausage, and observed slowly: — ™ nel, tit you efer see doug 1 before?” _ The colonel flushed deeply at no one but the phlegmatic major would have asked it. His thick skin and matter-of-fact tem- him careless of what he said and gon. made hi of the other officers id, when Davol or py would have hesitated. For a moment Brooke hardly knew what to answer, and then said and they stiffly : m That is Saat kee. 1 or Hardenkopf, that 2 concer m f alone, ‘lease to change the su le The old major coughed slightly, His imper- fect knowledge of the English language pert him impervious to any implied rebuke, and he ursued tranquilly: ac But all de mans in de regiment is talking about it, colonel. Deysay you cry outsome name or oder—Clara somedings. Vat vas dot name, Davol? You remember it, ven Broake tumble : as he vas deat? Clara ot name?” j . commander, ‘talk about it, Probably th nts . he : ww in fo ‘mer ) 6 a good Leliow, and when the first streaks of dawn reddened the | Dot gal she:vas mate of | out the next |, e question, for Val-Val— | The Mad Magician. Cortina, the well-known Mexican bandit chief, who played the réle of ** patriot” during the war against Maximilian, because it off op- portunities for plunder, was a man rather su- rior to the other Mexicans in his band, though is superstition had got the best of him when he fled from Doctor Satan. He questioned Gonzales closely on the particu- lars of his interview with the magician, and got more out of him than Brooke had, though the man feared the threats of the magician too much to let out the fact that he had promised to be- ‘*T mean dot gal v’at come on de stage and | come his servant. call out to you to confess somed’ings or oder,” When Cortina heard what Brooke had said answered Hardenkopf, doggedly. ‘* V’at she | about Doctor Satan being ‘‘ only a man who vant you to confess, colonel?’ Did you know dot | knew a great many tricks,” he said to his gal? Haf you peen a pad poy? Hey? V’atdey | men: call preeches promise—hey ?” ‘‘The American colonel is right. We were Brooke burst into an uneasy laugb. deceived last night; but there is a way we can ‘*Confound it, no, man! If you really'want | beat this magician, if he be the devil himself. to know, she was very like a lady I was engaged | We must cast silver bullets and go after him to marry and who died on her wedding day. | again. A silver bullet is effectual against That is all. I suppose the likeness startled me | wizards and any evil spirit.” and upset my nerves; that is all, I assure you. The proposition was one that exactly suited And now, like a good fellow, please don’t talk of | his ignorant hearers, and raised their spirits to it any more. It is very painful to me.” a pitch as bigh as their previous despondency The moment he said that, the good-hearted | had been deep. Hardenkopf got red and confused, saying hur- Cortina produced a number of true silver dol- riedly: lars, which he took from a bag in which were ‘‘T vas apologize, colonel. I tid not mean to | kept the funds of the troop, acquired by suc- hoort your feeling, I say no moor about it. | cessful robberies, and they went to one of the Dot vas all right.” | humble silversmiths of the town, who speedily Drawing out his pipe and lighting it, a rather | melted the dollars into a little pool of glowin awkward silence ensued, which was broken by | white molten metal, from which silver bul- the entrance of one of the soldiers, who came | lets were cast to fit all the revolvers in the par- riding up to the tavern and dismounted before | ty. the group of officers with a yellow envelope in Thus provided, the party, now numbering his belt. . They all recognized the colonel’s or- | thirty men, set out on the trail taken by the derly, who handed Brooke the envelope which | American Regiment, mounted and armed as he hurriedly broke open to ran his eye over the | richly as only Mexican bandits go, and —— contents. off gayly till they overtook the regiment, halted His face brightened and he exclaimed: for the noon meal,some ten milesfrom the town ‘‘Marching orders at last, gentlemen. Pres- | of El Paso, on the road to Chihuahua, ident Juarez summons the American Regiment Diego Gonzales was with the rest, and full of to march to the siege of Qteretaro, where the | high spirits, as he thought, in his ignorant su- usurper Maximilian has taken refuge, avd from | perstition, that he had at last found a way by whence we propose to drive him at once, Where is Adjutant Crocker?” - , es ll I find him, colonel?’ asked the or- erly. Brooke nodded, and the colonel began to dis- cuss the news in the digpabches that hé had just received. By the time he had read them aloud the pt jutant bustled up, and within half an hour frorh that time the camp of the American Reg- iment was a scene of apparent confusion, but real order soon came out of the chaos as themen took up their arms and packed their slender equipments for the march. As the trumpets blew the assembly, the colo- nel was attracted by the ans of a ragged Mex- a | covered with dust, who came limping up to him, and whom he instantly zed as one of the men he had sent out after the magi- cian the night before. None of the others had made their appearance, and Brooke hastily » aaa the man— Diego Gonzales —asking denkopf, with ‘the persistence that marked his race, answered rather testily: ‘*Wat dot pisness of yours, Davol? I am no leedle poy v'at go to school. I ask v’at suit me. Then, turning to Brooke, with his stolid Ger- | man face set like a rock, he pursued: ‘** Tid you efer see dot gal befoor, colonel?” ‘* What girl do you mean?’ growled. Brooke, who seemed uneasy as he found that his man- ner had no effect on the nerves of his phiegmat- ic major. which he could rid himself of his sup en- gagement to serve the Evil One, in the person of Doctor Satan, it; As they rode up to the regiment, they were greeted with a cheer, for the men knew them and had been accustomed to depend on the mounted Mexicans to do their scouting, a of the column. Brooke recognizing the troop, rode out to meet them, saluting Cortina with military pre- cision, and opening a conversation by say- ing: ; ™e Well, Captain Cortina, I am glad aot tm LAV come, for we anticipate some trouble. The pickets report some suspicious signs ahead, and wish you to ride on, and to make no scruple of shooting any person you find on the road who cannot show conclusively that he is a triend to the Liberals.” He said this so that all the men could hear him, but with asly look at Cortina, which the other understood, for he said: ™: : ‘‘ Well, did you get the and the girl?” ‘Your orders shall be obeyed, colonel. God Diego hesitated and on palo as’ a eirered save President Juarez!” * ut ow cad out: Then, lowering his voice as he ranged along- ‘* Seftor Colonel, we could not do it. He is no | side of Brooke, he added: ‘ Y man, but the Evil One himself. He threw |, ‘Have any signs been seen of the magi- of fire at us and killed muy horw.and sent. Vida . ~awhnatnite = - all the rng ga pions par g -weshall never | ‘' We have met some countrymen who saw see them again. I ane the only one.alive, sefior, pass by this morning, and who say he has and I was nearly killed.” at into ~ | a gaily twenty miles from Brooke frowned deeply. f ere. They rods b ssmorning. Are “Tell me all about it,” be said, harshly. men repay! They will not be afraid in the day- ~ Thus urged; Diego gave a short accountof the | time, willthey?” way in which his party had been worsted, say-| Cortina sh head. 4 ing nothing of his own promises, however,and| ‘‘Notnow. T eget cast silver bullets, you finally delivering the message which Doctor Sa- | know, and that will give them courage. hor tan ~ given him, at the sound of which my pare, colonel, I confess, I am afraid, in the Brooke changed color visibly. When the Mexican had finished the colonel on Pa lip thoughtfully, and, after a pause, : » ‘You did the best you could, and you shall night, at the appearance of the man, and mond. bare ber so 100, But in tho daytin i is different. men ‘ade y tim The trickster shall bekilled.” then. Then he hesitated, and added &till 1 not regret it. But the man has fooled you. He| ‘‘Itis understood that there are no ques’ ee: is no evil spirit, buta man like yourself, who | to be asked, you know, as to the money and the eae knows a good many tricks.. Are you sure you | girl. I don’t want any trou vith the men of : have seen nothing of Cortina, and the rest of | your regiment, you know—” them?” a Brooke held out his hand. - ‘* No, sefior,” declared Diego, in a frightened ‘Do just as you please about all of them, as sort of way. ‘‘ The Evil One must have caught | long as I never see the fellow again. He must them. Surely he must be the Evil One; for no man can breathe flames of fire, and throw things which kill horses and burn them up, without a have a good deal of money with him, for 1 find he has been taking a tour through all Texas, and there was plenty of gold there.” Seer gun or pistol.” Cortina’s eyes spar and he clasped ‘Brooke grunted impatiently. Brooke’s hand warmly. Then he turned and ‘ Well, well, find the others, and remember | rode off with his men at a hand-gallop for sey- that the day you catch him you will get plenty | eral miles more, till the mountains that had of money. Follow the vont,” we ey greeted Doctor Satan atsunrise that day loomed hs He rode to the head of his men, who were be- | up before him, and he descried some horsemen oe ‘to move out, and the ican stole off, | coming toward him on the dustyroad. Then he fas muttering as he went: ual reined » saying: ars “It is very fine; but all the same, if you had | _‘ Load yout pistols with silver bullets, Boys, beam Shere you would-have known it was the | Yonder comesthe accursed magician!” e himself, r oh 3 “4 ee ee Ho went to the quarters of his friends in the |, CHAPTER VII. ; mgr ys l there, in h tne DANTTES. a ssed. | clu: ‘Tue perty which notice of some om had attracted the na was of horsemen imp aaeeaerer cet
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0 en a es The Mad Magician. The horses were at a gallop when he saw where I am, and you shall come forward when ' at which the bandits met Gideon the Apostle. them, but came to a full stopas soon as the Mex- icans halted, while the flash of a glass from the jJeader of the strange band showed that he was = at Cortina through a telescope of some kind. The Mexican bandit, having no glass, was nevertheless favored with a pair of eyes as sharp as those of an Indian, and, after a close scrutiny on his own part, announced: ‘‘Thatis not the magician. It isa party of “Mormons.” The discovery produced not alittle excitement among the bandits, for it was well known that a Mormon expedition had entered Mexico, not iong before, with the object of founding a col- ony there, in which they could retain their own peculiar institutions, secure against the inter- ruptions of the United States Government at ‘the close of the American civil war. This expe- dition was said to be composed of men high inthe Mormon hierarchy, having three apostles and a band of the famous Danites with them, the whole forming a force whose aid or opposition was not to be despised by either side in the war that was then raging in Mexico. Therefore, as soon as Cortina spied the Mor- mons coming down the road, he made up his mind thatif they were friends of the magician he might have to giveup the enterprise, while if they could be got to take part in the assault on Doctor Satan, be should feel sure of success and ‘be able to defy superstition, After a little pause to examine them, he rode forward ata slow pace, watching the strangers closely, As he drew nearerhe perceived that «the leader of the Mormon band was a man he ‘had never seen before—very tall and thin, with @ long red beard, coming to a point near his waist, and a grave, solemn aspect. His companions were all powerful men, with the same air of gravity that marked his own face, They were attired, for the most part, in dark garments, and carried repeating rifles and a pair of revolvers each, in belts round their waists, while their saddles had holsters, from which peeped the ‘butts of other revolvers, Small as was the number of the party, it was evidently armed to the teeth; and the reso- jute air of its members showed they were not to be trifled with by such bandits as those of Cor- tina, who were armed, for the most part, with ‘sabers, pistolsand brass-barreled blunderbusses of the old ‘‘ trabuco” pattern. As the two parties approached each other, the mutual distrust and caution exhibited by each . “wasinstructive. Cortina slackened his pace from a gallop to a ‘trot, and finally to a walk, while*the Mormons advanced at the same slow pace, and as they came, threw their rifles to the front, laid them across their knees on the saddles, and brought their revolversinto a position for instant use. When they came within some hundred and ‘fifty yards, the Mormon leader waved his hand as asignal for the others to stop, and tock up his rifle, a motion imitated by his comrades. As the bandits continued to advance, he cocked the rifle, and the whole seven of the Mormons pointed their weapons at the Mexicans and ghouted: “HALT!” Then, and not till then, the order was obeyed; but Cortina, in an undertone, said to his men as the glanced at the Mormons: ‘* Be ready to charge them when I give the “word, We are five to one, if we can get close enough.” : But he halted, for all that, with his revolver ‘in his hand, and scanned the enemy warily. His own men had in their party some twenty revol- vers; but no repeating rifles, and their odds in number could not be used to advantage as long as they were outside of the range of their pis- ‘tols. be Poy » es was the first to open the rle crying in panish: as oa fim you for ‘Juarez and the Republic of Mexico,” cried “Cortina iu answer. Then he returned the question and the Mor- mon answered yoonep E ’ ‘Weare for the Republic of Mexico and the ‘Latter Day Saints.” ‘ Cortina replied in the same léud tone: ‘Then we are friénds, Let us advance.” And he urged his horse forward, when the “Mormon leader raised his rifle and shouted ssternly : : “ AWwT !”? ; 3 And Cortina halted, turning a little pale as “he did so, Then the Mormon continued: ‘Get your party go back and do you advance alone, after you have laid down your arms. This country is at warand no manissafe, If “you want to talk we must be sure you are friends.” Cortina hesitated and at last answered: J ““T will meet you alone, midway; but I will notlay down my arms. I have as much right -to suspect you, as you me.” The Mormon nodded. , “That is fair. Let your men retire to the foot of that palm on the side of the road, and my aen shall go back thesamedistance. I willstay your men are at the foot of the tree.” Cortina looked round at the tree indicated, and seeing that it was lessthan a hundred yards behind, nodded his acquiescence. ‘*T agree to the terms,” he said, Then he ordered his men back, remaining where he was, while the Mormons, at a signal from their leader, retired at a walk to a place tan equal distance. When both parties had got to their respective positions, the tWo men advanced and met midway. Then the bandit chief for the first time no- ticed that he had unwittingly put himself at the mercy of the Mormon. The six men, at the or- ders of the Mormon chief, had rifles pointed to- ward him,and he was well within their range; while the pistols of his own men could barely reach the chief and were utterly inadequate to carry as far as theriflemen, The Mormon leader on his part exhibited no sign of consciousness of his position. He kept his rifle in front with one hand on the trigger, ready to fire, and as Cortina got within a few feet, he said sharply: ‘Take care! No nearer!” The bandit had his pistol pointed at the other; but he halted and said, in a voice not quite dy: es That is the matter? I tell you I am a friend.” ‘* That may be,” was the stern answer, ‘‘ but you keep your pistol too nigh me. Put it down, and I will do the same.” > Cortina hesitated a moment and then lowered the pistol, when the Mormon chief threw his rifle into the hollow of his arm and said: “That is well. Who are you?’ ** Juan Cortina,” was the proud answer. The Mormon seemed to know the name well, for he smiled. ‘*T have heard of you before. I am Gideon, the Apostle of the Tone and the Latter Day Saints. What are you doing on this road?” Cortina saw that he had nothing to fear now, for the face of the Mormon had becomefriendly, and he answered at once: ‘*T am seeking an Imperial Py a conjurer, who has passed on the road to Chibuahua. It may be you have seen him. He has some wag- po ah and a handsome girl with him, disguised as a boy. = eyes of the Mormon chief glistened at the words, ‘* Indeed? What sort of a looking man is he?” ** A tall, slender man, very dark, with a face like’ those of the pictures of the Iivil One in the churches. He has two wagons and some men on horseback.” Gideon, the Apostle nodded thoughtfully. ‘* Then we have seen the man.” ‘Where?’ asked the bandit, eagerly. The Mormon smiled, ‘* Question for question. Why do you want to know?” ‘That we may kill the man and plunder his ons,” said Cortina, in the coolest manner. ‘*He has a quantity of money in them, and if you will join us, you can have your share.” -The apostle looked gravely at him. * —— in what?” “ tever you please,” said the bandit, eagerly. ‘The man has but ten at the most with him; and with your band, we shall have nigh to forty men, - Your men have rifles, and ne have swords. We can take his camp in ten minutes, if we fo about it in theright way.” Gideon the Apostle seemed to be considering before he answered: “And you say that thé man is a spy of the usurper Maxim r ‘*T am sure of it," said Cortina, eagerly, see- ing that the other was seeking a pretext to join him, ; The Mormon threw his rifle to his back, as a signal that he had no further fears of his inter- locutor. “In that case, I am ready to clean out the nest of traitors. We are the allies of the Re- ublic, and have promised to help the President y all means in our power, in consideration of the grant of land in the province of Sonora, which he has promised us.” ; Then, seeing that Cortina was waiting for him tos more explicitly, he added: ; ' **T passed the man in camp, some three miles back; but he was then breaking uP, to go on to- ward Chihuahua. We shall catch him on the road, if we ride fast, and if he is in the plain over which I came from Chihuahua, we can circle him as the Indians do, and pick off every man he has,” é Cortina; delighted at the idea, exclaimed: ‘The very plan for us. The sooner we join forces the better.” He beckoned to his men to come on, and with- in ten minutes after, Mormon and bandit were riding pace side b side, the Mormons talking Spanish, and ‘the Mexicans worse rs: a as they discussed the prospects of their raid. : CHAPTER VIII. THE ATTACK, THE camp of the magician, as the Mormon leader had said, was a few miles from the place Being at no great distance from the road, the p eof the Mormon deputation had been ob- een by the men on guard for the magician, and they had reported it to Doctor Satan, who was in his tent, asleep, at the time. The news had brought him out to see the Mor- mons, and as soon as the Saints had gone by on the road to El Paso, the magician orde his camp broken up, and started on the road to Chihuahua; his wagons going at a fast walk. Charley Walden rode beside him at the head of the party, and the two men conversed in low tones about the Mormons. Walden seemed to know the leader of the Mormuns by sight; for he said to his compan- ion: ‘* That Gideon is the leader of the Destroyin Angels, Horace; and. he means us mischief, i he can get a chance.” Doctor Satan, or Horace, as his familiar friends called him, made answer in the same guarded way: ‘* What makes you think so?” ‘* Because I know the man well. I saw him when I was in California; and he is one of the desperadoes that were sent out of the country by the Vigilantes. His real name is Scott, and he murdered ten men in one month, in his gambling-house at Frisco. He is a bad lot, and we cannot be too careful of him,” Doctor Satan nodded thoughtfully. “‘That may well be, but there is something you don’t know about him yet, Charley.” ‘** And what is that?” asked Walden. The magician’s eyes gleamed with some hid- den feeling, as he said: ‘That man was Brooke’s tool, in the matter you know of. He was the chief of the gang that took me—you know when.” Walden seemed to be much surprised at the news, for he said: ‘* Are you absolutely sure of that, Horace? Remember that it is five years, and the man must have changed since then. Besides—” ‘* Besides,” interrupted Horace, impatiently. ‘*F tell you I make no mistakes. He was one of the officers that took mo, and what is more, he was one of the attendants afterwards. He and I had more than one fight, and he knows me well. It is lucky that he did not see me to-day, for you know what an accusation he can bring, and what it is sure to mean among these super- stitious fools here. Either we must keep out of his way, or he must be killed to silence him.” Walden appeared to be thoughtful over what his companion said, “That is a had thing to happen just now, Horace. As far as Brooke is concerned we could handle him ; for his own superstition is a thing to be reckoned on. And he has no papers or proofs either. He uniformly denied having known an a oem your disappearance. Butif this fellow knows you he may give trouble. Still thereis this oneckance. He may not know you. You aresochanged that I did not know you myself, and he has no sharper eyes than I have, and only knew you for a short time.” The magician shook his head. “Tt not do to reckon on that too much. I am changed, but the eyes of Gideon Scott are sharp, and he is not easily deceived. I must disguise a little more to elude his notice, and if hecomes after me there is no choice forme. He must be killed, or he will ruin all our plans. to obtain justice.’ ‘“ Then the sooner he is killed the better,” said Walden. ‘‘If he meets Brodke he is sure to havea consultation, and the two, comparin notes, will be able to find out who 7 are, a take their measures to have you destroyed. be- fore you have accomplished your poem: I don’t see what todo except to go after and fight him.” orace rode on after this b, in a brown study for nearly a mile, buried in deep thought. At last he said in a low tone, as if revolving something he hardly dared to say aloud: ‘“‘ There is one way we can get safety, Char- le ” a %i And what is that?’.asked his companion. Horace looked round him as if apprshensive of being overheard, and said in almost a whisper: ‘* Change sides.” Walden started as if amazed. ‘* But we have no sides here,” he sajd. Horace smiled. ' ‘*Very true; but hitherto we have been among the Juarists. If we go to Queretaro we shall be as safe as anywhere else, as long as the city is not taken. Afterwards we shall be no worse off than if we were in the American Regi- ment. Walden did not seem to like the idea, for he said, gravely: ‘« But we don’t want to support that Austrian fellow. He is nothing but an outsider anyway, and we don’t want such in America.” The magician nodded. ‘That is true enough; but at the same time you and I are neither of us Mexicans, and we where we are safest. If we want to make rooke confess his crimes publicly, and make restitution, we must be in a position to exert opens on him, and now that this Mormon made his appearance, the tables are turned,. AOA, yell Aa
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8 By the by, I wonder how in the world he got to be a Mormon?” Walden shrugged his shoulders, ‘‘He had to make tracks from Frisco in a hurry, and I suppose he turned up in Salt Lake City in want of a job, Heis just the fellow the Saints want for one of the Danites, and that is why they have sent him on here. You know there is a deputation of over a hundred of them down here to help the Juarists, with the promise of a grant in Sonora if they turn out Maximil- ian? Itis lucky thatthe Americar Regiment is a good many miles behind, and that your friend Cortina got such a scare last night.” The words were hardly out of hismouth, when the sound of a shot, on the road behind the wagons, attracted their attention, and both wheeled their horses instantly to look back. The wagons were close behind them, with the attendants riding on either side, but far in the rear the magician had left a man, with orders to watch, and signal anything following. As they looked back now, they saw the white puff of smoke that floated past the head of this man, showing that he had fired his piece. His back was turned to the wagons, and he was in- tently observing something behind them, which they could not see fora dip in the road, He himself was about a mile off. Doctor Satan pulled out a strong glass from his holster, and leveled it at the distant scout. Présently he said; ‘*Some ono is following us, and he is going to signal. There!” As he looked, the man who had fired was seen to turn his horse and ride in a short circle, at a gallop, on the rising ground on which be had halted. _ Walden uttered an exclamation of satisfac- tion, ‘*Glad we taught them the Indian signal. There i an enemy on our track. Count the turns he makes,” They could see the horse make four turns, when the horseman fired his piece again; threw the animal on its haunches, and held up both his arms like a cross, ‘* Forty men,” said Walden, interpreting the signal, ‘‘Then the sooner we get to cover the better. Here comes Bob, like a good fellow,” As he spoke, the scout who had made the siznal put spurs to his horse, and came gallop- ing toward them, as hard as he could go, in a round him to examine the country for a defen- sive position, and saw one not far off, They werein the midst of a desert plain that stretched for some ten miles ahead, with groups of rocks scattered hereand there. One of these ups was not more than two hundred yards off, with a look about it of being some remnant of the ancient Aztecs, or their predecessors, the Toltecs, in the way the stones were arranged. Something like the Druia temples of Europe, a circle of huge stonessurrounded a central ~_ with a gateway left for entrance; and t magician at once directed bis w: to be taken there, and driven inside the circle, while his men disposed themselves behind the rocks, for a defense of the place against anything that might be coming after them, y the time they had got there, the scout came galloping up, and reported a body of Mexicans, with the Mormons they had seen in the morning, coming after the train at a can- ter. Hehad waited to count them, and report- ed them at about forty men, all told. He had hardly concluded his report when mounted figures came over the rise of in the distance from which the scout ha and within a few minutes developed into fort ho en, coming at the wagons at full fervor ina er unmistakably hostile, The magician seemed to be perfectly cool, in spite of the odds against him, for he spoke calm- ly to hismen, observing: ‘*Keep your fire till you see their faces plain- ly, boys; and take down the man with a’ red beard first. He is the leader.” The two drivers of the wagons had got off their boxes, hoppled the legs of their mules to revent their stampeding, and were added to he defenders of the train, rifle in hand, Tom, the buge negro, was one of them, and as his master spoke to the rest, he replied aloud: ‘*Don’t you be ’fraid, Marse Horry. We fix dem fellers quick. Dem only no~count yaller- hides, anyhow. Greasers! sho!” His accent was one of such indescribable scorn that it raised a laugh among the men. and Wal- den cried: “Good for you, Tom! coffee for them |” Tom grinned proudly at the suggestion, as he und come; We'll sweeten their said: ** Dat all right, Marse Charley. We give ’em what. dey want. Nigger good ‘nuff to fight when white man don’t wanter ‘list, Hey, Marse Charley? Tom shoot wellas any of’em, Look dar now. Ishow ye.” The enemy coming toward them had now de- veloped into a long line of horsemen, strung out into a regular Indian style; and it were ig to on, all at a ag the became evident that they the Indian tactics of { manner that showed he wished to get to shelter assoon as possible. Doctor Satan casta glance The Mad Magician. circling round the defenses of the little train, to confuse and disconcert the men behind them by an attack on many quarters at once. At first they kept out of gunshot, and swept round the whole circle, till their full force had been ih gps when the leader inclined his horse inward,.an example that was followed by allthe rest, who came sweeping down toward the wagons at a gallop, from all sides, The movernent was different from what In- dians would have mace, as it brought matters to a cYisis sooner. Within three minutes from the time the circle was complete, the leader was within gunshot; and Tom fired at him with such deliberate aim that the man with the red beard came tumbling to the ground, horse and all, when a rapid fusillade ensued from both sides, the bullets striking the rocks and knocking | splinters into the faces of its defenders, while horse after horse of the assailants fell, to rise no more, Then was secn the difference between Mexi- | cans and men of American race among the as- sailants. As soon as. the bullets began to fly thickly, Cértina turned tail, with all his men, hanging back behind the Mormons, who strug- gled on alone, till they nearly reached the stone circle, firing like demons, and flinching from no exposure as they came. Phe red-bearded Gideon, whose horse had been shot, was seen fo struggle up from the ani- mal’s body, and throw himself down behind it, from which shelter he opened fire with his re- peating rifle, with a rapidity and precision that showed him a first-class marksman. Charley Walden soon uttered a cry, as a bul- ing by their periodical raids.into Texas and alF over the northern States of the Republic of Mex- ico itself. These Indiansspeak Spanish fluently, and individuals of them, mingling with the In- dians of the plains who have submitted to their conquerors, come down from their mountains in. peaceful guise to trade at the towns for the ar- ticles they cannot’ produce in their mountain fastnesses, The soldiers never dare to go.after them, for they could not find them if the Indians did not: wish to be found. And when they wish to be found, it is apt to be in places where the soldiers are at such a disadvantage that they are: never heard of again. Now and then a white man has been found tm penetrate into these recesses as a friend to these: tribes; but only when he has some secret tie: that binds him to them, Among the chief of these ties is that of a certain secret society some- thing akin to Masonry, in which the Indians, from Canada to Central America, take a greats interest, and in which they perform various: fantastic ceremonies. Among the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico, known as the Zunis, this society is particularly active, and into its ranks, in our time, one white: man, at least, has been initiated, the results of whose investigations have been published, As the caravan of the magician turned into the mountains off the Chihuahua road, Charley Walden began to tell his chief a few things. which showed that he belonged to this society and on what he rested his hopes of securing their assistance, ‘Tf the first man we meet belongs to the let went through the fleshy part of his arm, and | higher circles, Horace,” he said, ‘* I can promise: another man fell dead under the aim of the dauntless Mormon; but such a fire was imme- diately concentrated on the dead horse, behind which he was hiding, that he was unable to send in another shot, while the defection of his Mexi- can allies had left him and his Mormon friends nearly alone. Four of the Mormons lay dead in front of the stone breastwork, and the others had fled, when Gideon suddenly jumped up from behind his dead horse, dropped again al- most instantly, to evade the volley that was fired at him; and was seen running off, covered by the fire of his Mormon allies, who came dash- ing down to occupy the attention of his foes, in true Indian style. What was more, he was seen to get off safe, or at least was not killed, though he might easily have been wounded and the fact not have been noticed, But he and his friends retired, and a lull came in the hostilities, when Doctor Satan and Walden counted up their casualties, and found one man killed and two more wounded, . One of these was the second in command, whose arm was bleeding, though the injury was not serious, while the other man had been by a bul- let. which bad cut his cheek open. But the attack was over for the time, and the enemy could be seen clustered on the rising ee beyond, where a fiercé dispute was evi- ently going on between the Mormonsand Mexi- cans, It went so far that some shots were fired, and a general free fight ensued in which Mexican and Mormon mingled in conflict, the affair ending in a confused flight of the-whole body in a man- eel made it difficult to tell which had ten. As they went, first one man then another was seen to drop from his horse, and Doctor Satan watching them intently through his glass, sar Wine a ‘“‘The Mormons have got the worst of it. The Mexicans were close enough to use their pistols andswords, I think we may safely break camp and march out.” : He watched a little longer, till the Mexicans had gone over the hill, still fighting, when he or- dered out the wagons again, and the little car- avan proceeded on its way toward Chihuahua. The wagons drove on at a more rapid pace than they had previously held, and the escort of men rode in the rear with many a backward look for fear of their foes coming after them. The dead man had been placed in one of the ve- hicles, for there was no time to bury him, and the whole caravan had an aspect of hurry and alarm that was a great contrast to the quiet way in which it nad hitherto proceeded, But nothing furth«r came to molest them till the sun began to slupe toward the west, when the mountains again came near to the road, and Walden said to Hurace: ‘There is a tribe of Indians round here that I know of, who can help us if they will, Anyway, the experiment is worth trying, and if we don’t get help somewhere we are going to come out of the small end of the horn, t us turn into the mountains here, I know the way to their camp.” CHAPTER IX, THE TOLTECAS, Away in the heart of the mountains of north- ern Mexico but within a few miles of the lines of travel. have lived, ever since the conquest of Mexico by Cortez, certain Indian tribes who have never yet submitted to the Mexican Gov- ernment, and who are only as exist- that we receive a cordial reception. If not, we shall be in great danger. But if we stay outside of the mountains we are in still ter danger, and we-cannot save ourselves by get- ting to Queretaro; for before we reach the place: we shall be overtaken by that regiment and. Brooke will order our murder,” Horace signified his assent to the proposition, by saying: ‘“‘T am in your hands, Charley.. There are times when my art is the thing to rely on; but just at present it has failed me, and [ have to trust to you to save us from our pursuers.” “T will do it,” replied Charley, cheerfully. ‘all you have to do is to follow me. By this time you may be sure we have been seen from. the watch stations on the mountains and they will wonder what we mean by coming toward them. I willride ahead and take my chances. If you never see me again remember that I tried. ap Pa to save you and Clara from harm.” is voice choked a little as he said this, and he wrung the hand of his chief; quickened the pace of his horse and rode off up the mountain gully they were ascending. pward and still upward the wagon toiled on till the sun had set and the plain was cove with darkness, When they had gone about a thousand feet in altitude, the magician ordered a halt, and went: toa projecting rock that commanded a view of the plain below him. 4 All was dark for many miles; butas he looked he saw some twinkling points of light beginnin to make their w\ Kary ences in the direction of Paso, and saw that they came from the watcli- fires of a camp, probably that of the American Regiment on its march to Queretaro, . Judging as well as he could, he thought the regiment noust be at least fifteen miles in his rear, He staid a short time on the rock and then re- turned to his wago1.s which he conducted up a ravine where they would be sheltered from view from the plain, Here he went into camp for the second time since leaving El Paso, and secured his animals in a position where they would be panne from attack, on all sides but the ront. The fires were lighted and the tents spread), after which the magician went to one of th wagons and said in a low voice: ‘* Clara, you can come forth safely now, The crisis of our life is at hand.” ‘As he spoke, the slight form of the boy who had assisted in the exhibition at El Paso, rose: from a couch arranged among the things in the wagon, alighted with the assistance of Doctor Satan’s hand, and entered tke tent which had just been pitched in the midst of the camp. This tent was sufficiently luxurious in its a pointments to challenge admiration, for the floor was spread with carpets and pillows, in oriental style, and a handsome lamp alread burning, hung from the roof of the tent by sil- ver chains, Now that the boy was near by, one might see that he was, as thereader must have seen, agirlin disguise, and none other than the one who had figured as a bride in the final sceye which had shocked Colonel Brookeintoa fit, j The dark brown curls that had been worn by the boy under the name of Albert, had been buta. skillfully made wig, while the golden locks of the girl were natural. The face and head were those of the girl called Clara Walden; but the dress was still that of sch aie ay, tn ell or boy, alarmed as she asked him quickly;
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Se The Mad Magician. **Oh, Horace, what has happened? I thought ‘that the danger was past after you sent off those robbers.” ‘*On the contrary,” he answered, ‘‘ it has only begua. Do you remember, Clara, my telling you of the man, Gideon Scott, who was the chief instrument in—in what we both know of ?” *“[ do,” she responded in a low tone, ‘‘ But, oh, heavens, Horace, do not say he is hereagain! if he should accuse you of—you know what— | every Oue would look with suspicion on what- ever you said, and we could never secure justice in this world.” That is just the danger,” said the magician quietly. ‘Listen. So far, this man has not seen ine, I tried my best to have him killed to-day, but he has hives like acat, and escaped, He has gone on his way to Brooke, and if they meet, the two will know what to do. I must | secure another disgui.e, before we meet again. This one has served its purpose. It has shocked | Brooke into acknowledging a part of the truth. The next must be one which be and Scott toge- | ther cannot penetrate.” : ** And what will it be?” asked tie girl, trem- bling. ‘‘ Ob, Horace, it I had dreamed of the danger in which you would run, | would rather have left it all undone. You and I, dear, can live together as happily, without what you call a “, us in any other way—” He e checked her sharply with a motion of his nd, ** Not so, Clara, We never could be bappy in hiding, and we should have to remain in hiding, all the rest of our lives. This man Brooke has blasted my life and yours. He snatched from my lips tne cup of happiness, five years ago; immured me ina prison from which there was no release, and since my escape, I find myself compelled to renounce the name I bear; hide ifrom all my kindred, for fear of being sent back 'to the same prison, and to skulk through life a fugitive. Not till I can hold up my head with all the rest of the world, can either of us kuow happiness, and till that day comes the struggle must go on. ‘* But his power is so great,” sho faltered. ** You caunot hope to harm him here, in a time of war, when he has command of a regiment,” ‘* He had command of a regiment when I first took up his trail,” said Horace slowly. ‘I chased him from place to place, hoping to meet him sword in hand, but he foiled me every- where. Now, at last, when the war is over, I meet him in another war. I bave done what I set out to do, a year ago, I have faced him at last. From henceforth I know the place where he is, and he does not yet know who I: am, or at least, if be suspects, he is not sure of any- thing. Now comes this man Scott, into the plot, He has turned Mormon—” ‘* Morinon?” echoed the girl with & shudder. “* Are you sure of that?” “IT saw him to-day and recegnized him through the glass, It is the same man, and he has come here with a band of the Danites to es- ‘tablish a Mormon colony in aid of the Juarists, Idid think thatour only chance of safety would be in joining the Emperor Maximilian at Quere- jtaro, but Charley has shown me that it is im- sible. The American Regiment will citch us tetore we , Nardone and our only chance of safety is in fleeing to the mountains, and claim- ing the protection of the Indians that live round here. Charley himself says hs knows some of them, through some Indiaui society tha’ he joined when he was in New Mexico, and he has gone off, up the mountain, to claim their friendship, and to do what hoe can for us. Ido not disguise trom you that his errand is a peril- ous one, and likely to fail. If it does fail, we shall be in the power of savage H.dians, inside of an hour, aot = shall all be massacred in short order. Now, Clara, are you willing to remain in this camp and take the risk?” She shivered slightly as she asked ** And what is the alternative i* we do not?” “ Falling into the hands of Brooke or the Mormons,” he answered, quietly, ‘* You know best whether we have any mercy to expect from him any more than he from us,’ The girl shuddered, as if trying to overcome some nervous feeling, and then said, with a visi- ble effort: ‘*Botter a death at the hands of the Indians than to fall into his hands again. But you will not Ict me fall into their hands if death will saveme. Will you, Horace?” He shook his head se “You know I will not. Ifthe worst comes to the worst we can die together, by their bullets or our own.” The assurance seemed to satisfy her, for she smiled at him, and then = her arms round his neck and kissed him solemnly, as if she were -taking leave of him for the last time, 4 Yo will die together, Horace,” she repeated. ““ That may be the best way out. of this tangle, dear, after all. I do not see where else it can As she spoke they heard the clatter of a stone rolling down the side of the mountain from above, and it fell beside their tent, as if some- thing had been thrown down to attract their @ttention. Horace and Clara both stepped out of the tent, and saw a bright light on the summit of a cliff above the camp, on which a group of Indians in full dress, with feathers in their hair, three of them holding torches, while a fourth, with Charloy Walden beside him, was looking down at the camp. | Doctor Satan at once hailed: ‘““What is wanted? Who visits the great medicine by night?” He spoke in Spanish, and the hail was answer- es by the Indian who stood by Charley Walden’s side. ‘*Who are you, and why come you into the land of the Toltecas without asking leave?” The summons was stern and. the voice by no means reassuring. The man of magic answered back fearless- fe I'am the great medicine-man of the white | people, and have come % see your medicine- men. I have sent my messenger before me to claim your hospitality. If you are friends I can make you rale over yuur enemies, Come down ; tomy camp as friends, and see what I have to show you beforu y.1 2y whether you are frierid cr foe.” | The Indian, who svemed to be a chief, answer- | ed at once: | ‘Thundercloud will come, and woe to the white man it our medicine is stronger than | his.” Then the torches were extinguished, and the magician rushed into his tent, saying to Clara, | hastily: Ms Get ready all the tricks we know. Our lives wil! depend on the fright we give these say- ages,” CHAFTER X, THE TWO MEDICINE-MEN, THERE was not much time for the magician te arrange his spparatus “the tent, before the Indians, who had haile4 .om the top of the rock, were seen approaching; and, had he not been well seconded by his assistants, he could have wade but a sorry ;show in the matter. But he had his apparatus made on purpose for use in his business, and by the time the Indian chief, who had called himself Thundercloud, | had entered the camp, all was ready. Doctor Satan, in his long robes, was seated at the door of a tent which contained several mysterious svands, with an easel, on which was placed a picture-frame, covered with a curtain. Thundercloud was a tall and dignified Indian, but he carried no arms, though he was followed by ten men, fully equipped for -war, among whom Charley Walden walked, sot quite in the character of a prisoner, but evidently watched with suspicion, for he had been de- prived of his weapons. a he got near his friend, he said, in En- lish: oN Got in the wrong box, Horace; If you can’t hocus-pocus them, it is all up with the show, and the rest of us, They belong to the society ; but doubt me, because 1 am a white man.” Doctor Satan’pretended not to notice what he said, as the Indian chief slowly advanced to- ward him. He noticed, behind the chief, a man in a fantastic dress, with the skins of all sorts of small animals hung round his neck, in whom he recognized the medicine-man of the tribe, in all probability. ' The conjurer had seen Indian medicine-men before, and knew that they were skillful in their art, as regards vetitriloquism end some sleight-of-hand tricks. He knew that the first person he had to overawe was this very medi- cine-man; and therefore, as the chief came close to him, he stretched out the naked sword in his hand, aud said solemnly: ‘S Be not too rash, chief. None but a medi- cine-man can enter that tent and live. I am the great medicine-man of all,” Thundercloud instantly stopped, with a sud- denness that was ludicrous, considering the dig- nity he usually assumed, and said to the medi- cine-man beside him: ‘* Let the Rattlesnake advance, and show the white man his power.” Rattlesnake—as he seemed to becalled —strode to the front at once, with a swagger in nis air that showed he expected an easy victory over Doctor Satan, He was a short, stout fellow, with a cunning face and a deep voice, which growled out: “I salute my brother. I am the great medicine-men of the Toltecas, and at my voice the spirits pf the dead come forth, and spesk to the living.” He was about to enter the tent, when the magician rose to his fect and stretched forth the naked sword, saying solemnly: ‘Let Rattlesnake beware, My spirits are more ees than his, and if he tries to braye them, they wul rack his bones with pains, and he will fall to the earth in a fit.” The Indian paused an instant, and the air of assurance left his face; but when he glanced round at his friends, and Neer what would be the consequence of defeat, stiffened up his courage, and answered boldly: ‘The spirits of Rattlesnake are the kings of the mountains, and the spirits of the white man are those of the plain. I will emter the tent, and drive them forth.” Doctor Satan extended his sword once more, saying: ‘If Rattlesnake enters that tent, my spirits ahi him with pains, to punish him for his es, Rattlesnake laughed aloud, though his face showed that the solemn address had its effect upon his nerves. He ae tr forward and en. tered the tent, going toward theeasel. In front of the ease] lay a small carpet, right at the door of the tent, and the Indian could not get in | without stepping on this or leaping over it, while | the door of the tent was so lew that, if he did so, he would brush against the curtains, Rattlesnake stepped on the carpet, and the next moment dropped as if he had been struck | by lightning, and lay there, knotted up in a heap, writhing like a wounded snake, and how]- ing at the top of his voice for ‘‘help” and | ** mercy.” Th2-other Indians, who had come with him | were so much astonished at the sudden fall of | their medicine-man, that they uttered an invol- untary exclamation of awe and fear, while Thundercloud shook iike a leaf, ashe stared at the writhing form of his trusted medicine-man, who had never befure been beaten, * Doctor Satan pointed to the fallen man, and said solemnly: ‘*My spirits are the rulers of the world. Let the chief own my power, and I qill be his friend. Let him declare me his foe, and every man in his tribe will be seized with the same pains that now rack that rash intruder on my | domain.” Here the cries of Rattlesnake became so agonizing that they cut short all further con- verse, and Doctor Satan said aloud in Spanish: ‘*Let the spirits cease to torture the rash man; but let him remain where he is,” The moment he said it, there was a boomin sound, as of low thunder, and Rattlernake re down on the carpet, imp as a rag, But silent, as if completely exhausted. Doctor Sataz proceeded. ‘* Let Rattlesnake remain where he is. If he attempts to moya, I will order my spirits to tor- ment him again, Now let the chief speak, Is he » ‘ling to make friends with the great spirit of the white man, or is it war?” Thundercloud hesitated a moment, and then said slowly: ‘*The spirits of the white man arevery strong, but we, are not sure if he be our friend. Even the spirits cannot stup bullets, and my follow- ers are armed.” The magician instantly stepped into the tent, and threw open his breast, saying, sternly : ** Let the men of Thundercloud fire 2t me and I will throw back the bullets to them. am make them burst in fire.” The bold challenge took the chief by surprise, and he said: ‘If the white medicine-man can do that, I will own his power to be above that of all our spirits. Let Tiger-tooth fire at him.” He addressed a tall Indian who had come with him, and who instantly drew a revolver and fired straight at the white magician. .Doc- tor Satan wasseen to make a motion as if catch ing the bullet, and cast it back at the feet of Tige tooth. here was a bright flash and a sharp report, at which even the stolid Indians started bac while Tiger-tooth, frightened out of bis wits f the first time inhis life, by his superstition, | seaapes his pistol, and fell on his knees, saying aloud: ‘This is the king of the medicinemen. will fight against him no more, or we shall all die like dogs,” Thundercloud, on his c ye ty counte- nance, and his voice shook, as he said: ‘“‘Itis enough. Weare willing to be friends with the white medicine-man, if he will let us, Weare as children before his power.” Doctor Satan waved his hand patronizingty, and answered: “That is nothing to whatI can do. Let Rattlesnake arise and leave the tent. My spirits are angry with him; for they tell me he is no medic.ae-man, but a clumsy bungler, Rattlesnake heard the words and rose slowly. crawling from the tent on his hands and knees. He was cowed to the inmost parts and showed it ay 7 Even when he had got outside the tent he did not dare to rise to his feet, but re- mained squatted on his haunches, his face full of fear and woe, as he.stared at the white —— as at asuperior being from another world. Then Doctor Satan went to the carpet in front of the easel, and drew aside the curtain which concealed the picture from view. This curtain had been attached te the frame, and hung over the picture itself and nothing more. en it was raised a blank space was discovered to the 2eTs. The magician pointed to the frame and said: “Is there a medicine-man in your tribe that can make the faces of the dead. appear in that picture, at command, and speak aloud?” Rattlesnake, seeing that the magician wag:
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10 looking at him, groaned out, in a voice that showed his terror: . , "No, no! It cannot be done!” I* « Ask then, oh, Thundercloud,” continued the magician, ‘‘whom shall I cause to appear on that picture, and speak to you ey Thundercloud, completely conquered by his fears, stammered: ‘7 dare not! Let the white spirit do what he will with us.” ‘* Good,” said Doctor Satan, promptly. ‘‘ Then the chief shall see what my power can do with the dead. Let the spirit of tne cloud of evening appear and speak to the red-nten.” e next moment the Indians uttered a simul- taneous grunt of surprise and fear, as the center of the blank space vanished, and the face of a girl, crowned with flowers, appeared in the open- ing, her eyes moving from side to side, as she surveyed them, They stared at the naked easel, with its three thin legs, then at the little frame, only large enough to contain the face, and then at each other, in stupid wonder. That wonder was changed to terror when the magician said: ‘Spirit of the evening clouds, whom seest thou here?} And the face of the girl answered distinctly, in Spanish: ‘*The chief of the Toltecas and his warriors. Let them beware how they hurt the white ma- gician or their tribe will be swept from the earth by the spirit of death.” . The white magician demanded in his turn: ‘‘ Who is the spirit of death?” * Thundercloud and his frien groaned aloud. CHAPTER XI. THE TREATY OF PEACE, From the moment that the black face vanish- ed the conquest of the Indians was complete. Thundercloud and his warriors fell on their knees, and implored Doctor Satan to ‘‘show them no more, for fear they would be dead men in the morning.” The chief swore, by all his gods, that he would bea good friend to the white man, and help him in anything he desired, to all of which Doctor Satan only replied: — ‘We care for no help, save in things of earth. Let your men come down from the mountains and guard our camp from foes while we sleep. But let no Indian attempt to enter the circle I rt draw round our place. Is that agreed to? |, . Thundercloud, trembling like a leaf, said that it was. ‘Then restore to my friend the weapons you Pere, taken from him,” said the magician, He olitited to Walden as he spoke, and Thun- dercloud instfntly gave orders to one of his men, who brought forward the rifleand pistols of the captive, and handed them to him with demonstrations of the deepest respect. Walden received them carelessly, as if he had felt no fear all the time, and observed aloud to oe ial enable ns mel ‘*-You see that the white man, who is a mem- ‘ir OF tile tacred exter gf the Snake and Sun, The Mad Magician. q told you no lies. From henceforth we are all friends together,” Thundercloud instantly made an ample ap- pology for having doubted the word of a rother, and retired from the camp in a dazed sort of state, which lasted him all night. True to his promise, a number of Indians came down from the mountains, and made a camp beside that of the magician, who had made a circle round his tents with a white cord, laid on the top of. stakes, in such a manner that it could not be crept under, and that any person who tried to enter the camp by stepping over it could hardly do so without touching it. One of the younger Indians, who had not seen the wonders of the tent, unwarily came near the cord and laid his finger thereon, whem he utter- ed a loud shriek of pain and surprise and drop- ped to the ground as if he had beenshot. At the same moment a bell rung in the tent of Doc- tor Satan, and the magician himself came out and called sternly to the Indians: ‘Beware what ye do! Awake or asleep, my spirits will punish ye all, if ye dare to lay a anger on my circle.’ ° nd as the unhappy young warrior, who had tried the experiment, crept away to relate his marvelous experience, it had such a wholesome effect on the rest that nothing more was done that night. The young brave had a terrible story to tell, of how, the instant he laid his hand on the white cord he had been seized with mortal tortures, which wurned like fire, and that he had seen a blue flame shoot from the tent of the magician as he came out when the bell rung. The general conclusion of the Indians was much the same as that of the Mexicans and more superstitious Americans in the regiment, that the white magician was in league with the bad spirit, and had the power to kill the whole tribe if he wished. And thereis nothing which the Indians fear so much as the ‘ bad spirit,” to which they make all their sacrifices, and in honor of which they hold the festivals, to which no white man is admitted, unless initiated, as Charley Walden had been in New Mexico. Therefore the rest of the night passed quietly round the little camp of Doctor Satan, and when the morning came all his attendants had enjoyed a sound sleep while the Indians were on guard all round them. No sooner had the first streak of dawn colored the east than Doctor Satan came from his tent. and with his own hands took up the white cor meet yy surrounded the encampment for the night. tis proceedings were watched with super- stitious fear by the Indians, expecting to see him drop, as had the warrior who had unwarily touched it wrpr gS But instead of this, the magician handled the cord asif it had been perfectly innocent, and cast it in a heap at one side, leaving a broad entrance to the camp. Then he beckoned to Thundercloud, who came forward, crouching as if in mortal terror. The magician smiled and said: ~ “My red brother need have no fear, as long as he obeys my orders. I come from the Great Spirit, and hold all the tribes in the hollow of my hand, Go to the summit of yonder rock and tell me whether the soldiers that left Ei Paso yesterday are yet on the march.” Thundercloud instantly answered; a ¥ young men have been pce ng Be fires all night, dread spirit, and they are break- ing camp, even now.” *Come and show me,” said Doctor Satan. He was attired, now that the day had come, in a costume such as he had worn canbe gf be- fore; his long robes having been assumed fora purpose, which having been served, the ma- gician was better without them, for many rea- sons, that will appear later. As he stalked out of the see, f he noticed one | of the Indians, who had seen him ar up the rope unharmed, go timidly toward the heap, where it lay on the ground, as if to touch it, The. magician turned to Thundercloud, and pointed out the man to him. _ ‘*Tell your warrior,” he said, ‘‘ that none but Tecan touch that rope and live. If he slay him- self, I answer for none of his blood.” Thundercloud called out angrily to the war- rior, who instantly slunk away, though he cast many a suspicious glance at-the camp. Doctor Satan calmly followed the chief to the top of the rock, which commanded an extensive view of the plain; and Thundercloud pointed out to him, in the distance, certain objects, which the Indian professed to see plainly, and which he said were the soldiers, breaking camp, coming forward on the road, The magician was unable to see them with the naked eye, but his glass revealed to him a dark mass, with glittering ae oe here and there, which he took to be the gleam’ of muskets and which convinced him that Thundercloud was viet hen he asked the chief: os = which side aré you, in this war in the _Thundercloud answered obsequiously : - On whichever side ‘the great spirit of the whites wishes me,” j of placing himself unreserved Doctor Satan smiled slightly. ‘You are an Indian, and they tell me thafi Benito Juarez is of your race; is it not so?’ Thundercloud admitted that it was, but add-- ‘* Juarez is but a slave-Indian, and we claim: no brotherhood with him. We live by the right: of our rifles and lances, and ask no favors of any Government,” ‘That is right,” said Doctor Satan. ‘I wish you to remain on the side of Juarez. Are you. willing?” Thundercloud brightened up at once. ‘*That is the side on which I belong; tho if the great white spirit had ordered me, I m have supported the usurper.” ‘* Listen, then,” said Doctor Satan, slowly. ‘*T have an enemy in that American Regiment,. that is coming hither. I wish to enter his camp in the night, or by day, so that he will not know me. Can you help me to a disguise?” Thundercloud looked puzzled at this, and a little suspicious. ‘Why not kill him at once, great spirit? If his arts are more powerful than yours, the Tol- tecas will follow him, rather than you.” The simplicity with which he avowed his: faith was so refreshing that Doctor Satan could. not help a smile. ‘You mistake,” he said, ‘* I do not fear this man; but he is in the midst of men I do not wish to hurt, and if I strike him with my a. I may have to hurt others. That is why I wish to be able to go into his camp with-- out his knowing me, You havea medicine-man. —a mere bungler—and I wish to takehis clothes. and go into the camp of the whites as a mem- ber of your tribe. Are you willing to let me go, if I leave all my goods behind me?” Thundercloud hesitated. ““We had thougat that we had secured you forever, to be our friend, and never to leaye us,” he said slowly. ‘‘ We will give you the handsomest maiden of the tribe, and horses and. skins, aS much as you shall demand; bnt we- thought you would remain with us, and give us victory over our enemies.” Again the simplicity of the savage excited a smile, He seemed to have a notion that the magician was a god on earth, but that he could chain him to the service of the Toltecas, For a moment Horace, or Doctor Satan, felt a slight- thrill of fear'at what right be the consequences: ly in the power of these Indians. For awhile they had been cowed: by their superstition, but if they discovered the deception, their vengeance would be exemplary, as he felt assured. The next minute his coolness returned, and he said to Thundercloud, with a severe air: ‘*Fool, did you think that J could be chained to the service of any mortal in the world? While I please, I stay with you; but the mo- ment I wish to leave you, I tell my spirits, and they will carry me away, through the air, in a cloud. I have said enough. Let your young men prepare a place for me, where no white, man can come to find us, There will I leave my tents and ‘wagons, for safety, while I go to the camp of the soldiers myself. When I re- turn, I will make your tribe rich forever.” The eyes of the Indian gleamed with pleasure at the last words; for he was avaricious, and he asked: ** Will you give us horses and gold and silver and rifles and all that we desire, great spirit? Will you give us victory cver our enemies, in the next battle that we fight?” ‘*T will give all this and more,” said Doctor Satan calmly. ‘‘I will make the Toltecas the greater tribe in the mountains; but if I am to it, you must obey my orders. Will you do this? ue : Thundercloud eagerly promised, and the ma- gician turned away and went back to the camp with him, where he issued orders to the Indians to retire, while his men packed up his bag- gage. fie stretched the white cord round the en- campment once more, to screen his preparations >. and Thundercloud, completely deceived, led. his nen away up the mountain, with the under- standing that, when the magician wanted him, a bugle should be blown tosummon him, — _. _ Doctor Satan told him, to secure a quiet time in packing, that any Indian who attempted to. pry into the secrets of the spirits that ruled the camp, would be stricken blind by the unseen powers, and the news, once spread, was sufficient to daunt the boldest. st By this means the atter “ants of the magician. were able to pack up the apparatus by which he had executed his illusions; and when the great iumbering boxes had been loaded into the. wagons, and not before, the bugle was blown to summon the Indian guides, and the little cara- van set off on its way through the recesses of the mountains, to the ravine in which the Tolte- cas had made their home, secure from interrup-. tion from the Mexicans. = Here at last they were safe from foes in the American regiment; and here the camp was pitched again, in the vicinity of the Tolteca. village, while octor Satan prepared for his ex- on into the camp.of his foes. pa
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ow, heey bea he: yw ee, ‘The Mad Magician. 11° CHAPTER XII. WHICH ENDS IN A BARGAIN, COLONEL GEORGE BROOKE sat in his tent—the . only wall-tent in the command—conning the evening roll-call, of thestrength of his regiment, which had been just made up by Adjutant Crocker, and talking of the prospects of the campaign. Around him lay the little shelter-tents of the soldiers, disposed in streets, with the old habit of discipline which they had acquired in the American Civil War, but with frequent gaps in the streets, where the soldiers, in consequence of the fine weather, had failed to set up their little shelters and had bivouacked in the open air. The pickets had been posted, and the Ameri- can Regiment was in a state of quiet content- ment, consequent on easy marching, delightful weather, and the prospect of brilliant fighting, very different from the savagecharacter of that to which they had been accustomed, at the hands of sterner foes, in the north. The universal sentiment among the men was, that the battles they were to be engaged in, were to be mere child’s play, compared to what they had already undergone individually; and the jollity of the camp was marred,by no feel- ing of apprebénsion as to the morrow. Golonet Brooke, however, seemed to be gloomy and despondent that mght; for, when he had looked over the report he remarked to the adju- tant gruffly: ‘** Yes, that is all very well.as to numbers, but how many of those men are going to stick, Crocker?” mB | oe they all will, colonel,” was the re- ply. ‘‘lknow we had a good lot to pick from, and chose none but the best men, with the best records. If they won't fight, the deuce is in it all. But they will fight, colonel, and do you credit. You needn’t fear for them.” Brooke cast an uneasy glance round him, The tent was lighted by a solitary tallow candle of Mexican manufacture, that gave but a poor light and made mysterious shadows in the cor- ners, “Pm not afraid of the men, as far as fighting goes,” he said, ‘‘ but they.are an pias: lot, and if their superstition gets the best of them they may go to deserting as fast as they enlist- ed. We have nothing to hold them here, you know. It’s different from what it was in our war. Then we had a Government on each side, and the men knew it, and fought their best. Now they don’t care a cent which side beats; and, by Jove, I don’t know that I do, myself, Crocker.” Mr. Crocker drew himself up slightly. He came from the haughty little State of South Carolina, and had been,brought up with an al- most superstitious rev ce for the idea of honor, ; : “*T sup you are joking, colonel,” he said. **T took the oath of allegianceto the Government of President Juarez, willingly, aud I don’t care to break it. I don’t think the men -would, either.” ** Unless this Emperor Maximilian were to of- fer a commission to every man in their army and make them all colonels,” said Brooke, with asneering laugh. ‘‘ Come, come, Crocker, that virtuous tone won’t go down with me. You don’t care for Juarez or Maximilian, any more than I do, if either offersa good price for chang- ing service, But you needn’t fret over it; for neither has done anything of the sort. What I mean is this: that confounded magician fellow has scared the men with his tricks, and I fully ieve that, if he were to make his appearance this camp, they would stampede, thinking him the Evil One in person. Have you heard an a ares Lim?” rocker looked still more disgusted. “*I don’t do much conversing with enlisted men, colonel,” he said, in the stiffest of tones: as for the officers, they think the man a very clever conjurer, and wonder how he managed yp frighten you in the way he did. That's all, oe emp aa in vexation. 6 dldn't Jrighten me, as you calf it. only startled by the resemblance of fe Wi 4 lady I once knew—in fact, to a lady to whom 1 was once engaged to be married, if you must know. Theshock was there; notin him. If I could only get a chance at the fellow, I would make him repent having worked on my feelings in the way he did.” “*T don’t think you will, colonel,” said Crocker, dryly. ‘‘ From what Cortina and that Mormon apostle say, the man has disappeared into the mountains, and the Indians have got him. You can trust them to take care of him, for those Toltecas have a pleasant little way of gcse man, as if he was a spread-eagle, and iighting a fire on his body for fun. They won’t scare for a cent at all his hocus-pocus, I guess.” The colonel stirred uneasily in his arm-chair, “That is true, too; but I shall not think the man safe till I see hisdead body. I say, Crocker, how would it do for us to open a parley with these Indians, now that we are right under their rocks, We need have no fears of them with our numbers, unless we go up into their mountains, and they might be glad to make friends with us. Why not find out whether the } I always act on the principle of believing the man is dead or not?” Crocker shrugged his shoulders. ‘* No reason in the world why we shouldn't colonel. But who is to take the message? 1 don’t fancy the job, for one. These Toltecas are not famous for observing the sanctity of a flag of truce.” ‘* We needn’t do anything like sending a flag of truce,” replied Brooke, impatiently. ‘‘ Let us send some of our Indian scouts or some of Cortina’s men after them, and get one of their chiefs to come to us. Wecan make sure of the fellow’s death then. They might keep him alive if we don’t know something definite.’ Crocker seemed to be a little surprised at the words of his chief. ‘* Look here, colonel,” he said, abruptly, ‘‘ you seem to be mighty uneasy about this man, What ishetoyou? I did not-take service in the Mexi- can army to help any man’s schemes of private revenge, aid if you have anything of the sort, I think it is due to the officers of this regiment that you explain to them what you mean.” Brooke flushed purple as he retorted, angrily: “*T would have you know, Mr. Crocker, that you took service to obey the orders of your commanding officer, and that if I give an order I expect it to be obeyed.” Crocker drew himself up to his full hight as he answered: “And I am ogee to obey them, sir, if they are lawful orders. If they are not, I shall take the responsibility of disobeying them, and stand- me os court-martial for my conduct.” olonel and adjutant looked at each other, and as the eyes of the two men met, the colonel dropped his own after a pause. **Very good, Mr. Crocker,” he said, sullenly. ‘I thought I had friends in my officers, and es- pecially in my adjutant. If not, I suppose I can stand it as wellas you can. Good-evening, sir. Crocker saluted stiffly and marched out of the tent, while Brooke, left alone to his own re- flections, lighted a pipe and chewed the mouth- piece savagely for awhile, puffing out gréat volumes of smoke to calm his nerves. Presently he walked to the door of his tent, and looked out. Before him lay the fires of the camp, and the low, hut-like shelter-tents of the soldiers scat- tered about. Many of the men had already wrapped themselves in their blankets or Mexi- can serapes, and were sleepipg round the dying fires, while a few more were In groups, talking about the incidents of the march, or telling stories, Beyond the camp rose the lofty moun- tains, in which the scouts had described the trail of the magician’s te ge as ending, and ‘be- which they not dared to follow them, As he was watching these thoughtfully a step near him caused him to turn, and he saw the tall figure of the Mormon apostle called Gideon coming toward the tent. Brooke seemed to know him, for he beckoned the Mormon in, ands the latter entered the tent said to him: ia ee Scott, have you found out anything e . Gideon Scott nodded. **T think I have,” he said, in a low tone, “Can any one hear us?” Brooke looked round him doubtfully. ‘“Yes, of course they can. The tent is thin and the cook has his quarters right behind it. Come with me and we will take a walk out nigh the pickets. There we can converse undis- turbed.” He picked up his sword and revolver and buckled on the belt, after which he led the way from the tent, through the cam , to where the outlines of the sentries could be discerned in the moonlight. To a challenge from one of the men Brooke answered that he was the commanding officer and gave the man the countersign in order to pass his post. That done, he led the way to a rock just out of earshot of the sentry, and said: ‘* Now speak low and quick. What have you heard?” ‘ Gideon pulled at his beard meditatively. ‘* Well, ['ve heard a good deal, and very little. Tam not certain of anything; but, if T am. not mistaken, this conjurer that has puz- zled you so, is no other than our man that I helped to lock up five years ago, Mr. Brooke.” rooke Started violently, ejaculating: “‘Tmpossible! He died and was buried. I saw his grave dug, and looked at his body in the coffin.” **Grave or no grave,” retorted the Mormon, obstinately, ‘‘ it is my belief that ‘it is the same man, Mr. Brooke; and if it ts, there is only one thing to do with hin—put him in a real grave, with no mistake about his being a corpse.” The intelligence seemed ‘to have stunned Brooke, for he madé no'reply for nearly a min- ute, when he said; : “Tf it be true—and I don’t see how it can be—” ** Make up your mind it is true,” interrupted the Mormon, ‘I wasn’t there to make sure of things, and that’s where the mistake came in, worst and making sure of things, If thisfellow is the one we mean, he can hang you and me, or, at least, make things hot for us in the States, Out here it is different, Brooke. We have the whip-hand of him, and we can kill him. sure if we go about it the right way.” ‘* And what is that?” asked Brooke, gloomily, ‘I'm _sure 1 don’t see what is to be done. I thought the fellow might be some one who knew our man—but I never dreamed that he was alive. And probably the gir] is alive, too,” ‘* Probably,” was the a reply. “It makes no difference to me. When you knew me last, I did not know what I know now. The Latter Day Saints are the fellows to fix things to suit themselves, Brooke. I joined them to save my life; but since !ve known them I have found outa good many things. What is to hin- der my bringing the whole of my men into your regiment, in a body, as a flank company. We are all mounted and armed well. Our fellows are all desperadoes who have killed their man and more than one apiece; and they could do such scouting for you as you could get no-one else to do for you. Say the word, and I'll doit, We have a hundred of them at Chihuahua.” Brooke grasped his hand eagerly. “Tt is a bargain,” he said, ‘I will muster them in, and with them I have no fears‘of what this mancan do, When can you bring them to the regiment?” Gideon appeared to be thinkimg awhile, and then replied: - ‘* Tn three days from now. In the mean time let him do all he likes, I’ll cut his comb when I get all my men together, though I’ll admit that e fights a good skirmish behind works.” Brooke rose from his seat on the rock, and extended his hand once more, saying: ‘That is a bargain. Take your men out, when you please.” The Mormon wrung his hand and walked away to the camp, answering the challenge and giving the word, as had the colonel: while Brooke remained on the rock, smoking thought- fully, in full sight of the sentry, for some quar- ter of an hour more. Then, as he knocked the ashes out of his pipe, and prepared to return to the camp, he was startied by the loud challenge of a sentry not far off, and perceived a dark figure, in the robes of an Indian, approaching the post. Brooke quickened his pace toward the camp, and reached it, just as the sentry cried: “* Sergeant of the guard Number Six!” Obviously the strange Indian wanted to get in, and had been halted in the act. The cry created a little disturbance in the guard, and Brooke took his away to the place, as the sergeant Came running up. They both reached the post at the same time, and found there a strange Indian, in the fluttering robes rags and skins of a medicine-man, who seem to be unable to speak anything but ‘a little broken Spanish ; but who kept rattling a gourd, and singing a low monotonous chant, in his own language, while he shifted from one foot to ~ other, as if dancing, and unable to keep still. : BOR age bos you vent with us?’ Cramp rooke sternly, as the men, recognizing i officer in the moonlight, made way for him. The Indian made some gibberish answer, with a good deal of pointing to the mountains; but they managed to make out from his broken Spanish that he wanted so see the great chief of the whites, to ask his friendship for the Tol- tecas, No sooner did Brooke hear that than he or- dered } is admission, and led him to his own tent. His envoy was already secured. CHAPTER XIII. RATTLESNAKE’S MISSION. THE eagerness of the colonel to get the medi- cine-man to his tent was such that he hurried him off without asking any questions in En- glish; being satisfied with what broken Span- ish he and the Indian could make out together. He saw that the man was a short, stout fel- low, with a hump-back and a stolid, stupid- looking face, striped with paint in all sorts of fantastic figures, such as medicine-men were in the habit of assuming, though there was a cun- rie gleam in his eye that showed he was no ool, The sentries stared after the strange pair in amazement; but the colonel never heeded it as he pe on to his tent, and preceded the Indian into it, When he turned round, he saw the medicine- man looking at him, out of the corner of his eye, from under the long elf-locks that hung down on either side of his broad face. ‘“How are you called?’ asked Brooke in Spanish. ‘* Rattlesnake,” was the answer in the same tongue. ‘‘Great snake—great medicine-man— call up the dead—ugh!” Brooke smiled. slightly, but concealed the smile, for fear of offending the Indian, whom it was his policy to conciliate. ; “You are a Tolteca,” he continued, ‘and pape ee their chief. Are you a chief, your- Se ee
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- he were making the most ordinary demand in a ‘truth of what “Battlesnake shook his head. “Can you take a message from me to the chief?” asked Brooke. Rattlesnake nodded. ‘*Can you answer me some questions?’ Again the Indian nodded, ‘“« Then tell me, have you seen a stramge white man in your mountains since yesterday?” Rattlesnake’s eyes glittered at once, and he eagerly answered: . "Yes, yes. I have seen him.” Brooke, equally eager, asked: ‘“ Where and when? Is he alive?” Rattlesnake laughed with a triumphant leer. ‘* The fires of the Toltecas are hot,” he said, in much better language than he had hitherto used. man, but Rattlesnake is a greater. We will pick his bones for the feast of the War-God, and make a necklace of his teeth for Thundercloud, our chief.” Brooke rubbed his hands with another smile as he asked: “Can you make me sure of this?” Rattlesnake grinned in answer. ‘*Come to the mountains and you shall see for yourself.” The colonel looked at him suspiciously. “Te I go to your mountains, how am I to know I shall ever get back alive, Rattle- snake?” : Rattlesnake shrugged his shoulders. “You nevér would,” he -repliec, coolly. “The Toltecas allow no white man in their mountains.” - Brooke bit his lips. The coolness of the In- dian surprised him, ‘“* What became of the men who were with this medicine-man? He had wagons and people.” Rattlesnake made a gesture expressive of scalping, as he said: ** All gone. The Toitecas are great warriors.” Brooke could hardly believe him, though he had no reason to doubt the Indian; but he asked after a pause: *“How am I to know that what you say is true?” Rattlesnake laughed in his peculiar manner, with a spice of malicious glee, as he said: ‘‘White man must take Rattlesnake’s word for it. We have their scalps and their guns and pistols. Here is the scalp of the white man; for Rattlesnake took it himself. when he showed his great medicine and conquered the other man.” And he coolly pulled from his pocket a small tuft of hair, with the skin still attached thereto, which he offered to Brooke. The colonel could not repress a shudder, and Rattlesnake grinned at the exhibition of feeling, as he added sarcastically: : “+ White man not like scalp? Tolteca love it.” And he tucked away the hideous trophy in his breast, as if it had been something precious, Brooke hesitated a little, and then his anxiety to hear of the death of his foe overcame his cau- tion as he asked: » ** Could you show, you e some more proof of the Pe M, , as to the death of this white man Rattlesnake retorted instantly : ** Ts he your enemy ?” j . Brooke scowled darkly. ‘‘He is my bitterestenemy, and I wish to be assured that he is dead, so that he never can trouble me again.” a : The Indian pointed toward the side of the tent next to the mountain, saying sententiously : “‘ Come up there, and see his body.” “T will goif Ican take my regiment with me,” answered Brooke, as a feeler how far he could go with the Indian, Rattlesnake grinned again. **The Toltecas do not like white men in the mountains. The soldiers have come before, but they never went away again. Come of yourself, the chief may welcome you, for the sake of what you can give us. We desire the friendship of the white soldiers who are to help turn out the stranger from the land of the Aztecas,” Brooke considered a little. There was some- thing in thé proposition of the Indian that rais- ed his wish to be assured of the death of the ma- gician;, but he did not dare trust himself in the power of the Toltecas. Then an idea struck him, and he asked: ; ‘ Why will not your chief come to me? I will guarantee his safety, and he shall go hence when we have done our business. You said that you came here to ask for our friendship. What do you want us to do for you?” “To give us some guns, and powder, and horses, and blankets, and knives, and swords, and whisky, and anything else that you may choosa to bestow,” the Indian, coolly, as the world. Brooke was taken aback for a moment by the way in which he se but remembering that he so Seal with an ignorant savage, whose only notion of a white man was something to be begged from, he said, as kindly as he could: 2 ane hot, Wo Five ? goa some presents, but I must see your chief, and be sure that my enemy is dead, Will you take that message to him or not?” | **The white man was a great medicine | = er LLL LL EC ri 5, i Roe wrk ¥ S~ ne hm ; I aC lesren + AOE 4 Foe, Tile fe ee he ee ay ret oe 4 f eae Oe, GN we FEF One ee ae te Be ema ey ee P Zig gl eae Fe ee eee, Le eee pie tue oane ota eee hie The Mad Magician. Rattlesnake nodded and was going to the door of the tent when he paused and asked coolly: | ‘How many s am*I to say you will give | for the body of the white magician?” “Twenty,” said Brooke, remembering that he | had some condemned muskets that were lumber- ing up his wagons. “I will give you twenty guns, fifty blankets, and a barrel of powder for the body of the white | magician and those of his men, if they have | been killed,” he added, making a mental calcu- | lation of what he had to spare, Rattlesnake nodded. ‘*How much for the girl?’ he asked, as h2 stood by the door of the tent, with a cunning leer on his face. Brooke started. ‘¢ What girl? ‘Was she killed too?” The medicine-man shook his head. ‘“We do not kill women. We keep them to cook for our chiefs: You can have her for fifty guns and two berrels of powder,” Brooke bit his lip. Let her stay with you. ‘*T do not want her, Good-night.” The Indian waved his hand with a dignified gesture, saying: ** Good-night. I will bring the chief,in the morning, to see you at the foot of the mountain. He will have ten warriors with him, and you can bring as many; but take carethat you show no treachery.” Then he went away, and Brooke threw him- self on his couch and took the fir t sleep he had been able to snatch, that night, full of all sorts of dreams of triumph. CHAPTER XIV. THE TRUCE FLAG, THE morning dawned over the American Regi- ment, and the bugles were sounding reveillé when Adjutant Crocker came to the side of his commanding officer, to tell him that some In- dians were signaling the camp, from the rocks at the foot of the mountain, and that 1t looked as if they wanted a parley. Crocker’s manner was stiff but respectful, as if he had not forgotten his little passage of arms with his chief, the night before; but Brooke showed no traces of the stiffness, as he roused up and said; _ ** All right, Crocker, my dear fellow. I know who they are. And, by the by, Crocker, think nothing more of what we said, last night. I was not quite myself, on account of something that had happened; and I hope you won’t men- tion the difference between us.” Instantly mollified, the generous young ad- jutant exclaimed: “Of course not, colonel. | Certainly not, sir. Shouldn’t think of such athing, you know. Shall I signa] the Indians to wait for yeu?” **No need,” returned the colonel hastily. ‘*Thoy are there by appointment, through that spy that came in last night: and if we treat rg rightly, Crocker, they will prove very use- ful as scouts.” ‘‘ Very true, colonel,” said the adjutant, glad to be on good terms once more with the man in whose confidence he necessarily was, to a great extent. Then Colonel Brooke hastily threw on his hat, as he buckled his sword-belt and sallied out, to see the Indians whom he had summoned, and who had come, true to their appointment. He went out of the camp and saw a group of Indians, with their finest feathers on, standing on the top of a spur of rock, that jutted out into the plain at the foot of the mountain, This rock was about six hundred yards from the camp; and Brooke, ordering the sergeant of the guard to follow, with a dozen men, walked toward the rock, till he had got to a point mid- way between it and the tents, where he halted. Taking his handkerchief from his pocket, he placed it on the top of his sword, and waved it to the Indians. The chief of the red-men, to show that he un- derstood the motion, took a white flag and rais- ed it on top of a™@lantr, which he waved to and fro; but showed no symptom of advancing from his rock. Brooke hesitated a little; and then, ving $ muttered order to has sergeant, to see that his men ‘‘ kept their eyes skinned for treachery on the part of the Indians,” he walked slowly for- ward, till he was within some hundred yards of the rock, when he halted again and waved his white flag. Glancing back, after he had done this, he saw that his own men had come to the edge of the camp, watching the scene, and evidently not quite easy in their minds; for ho saw the gleam of arms among them, as if they were ready to run out and epen fire on the Ifidians, at the least provocation. The sight encouraged him, for he knew that he was a favorite with the men, on account of bis bluff ways and apparent sincérity of pur- pose, as shown by a good deal of swearing, and insisting on sain | the best of provisions, from the towns, through which their route lay, by forced requisiticn. “They won’t let these red savages get away with me,” he muttered to himself, as he turned round toward the Indians again, and discove t the chief of the red-men was ~ oe ay) ce ES Lo Leica dys ethene see cel 10 Cob 8 AT i RRR at he 9 =) Aaah De c= att CEE 2 Ee SE AI RIN A IE a IDE LANE SES TS Le ELI — 5 z vs the rock to meet him, as if satisfied with the concession already given. Brooke waited till the savage had reached the plain, and met him at the foot of the rock, on the level ground. He saw before him a tall, dignified-loo chief, in full dress, witha hundsome plume o: eagle-feathers, that fcll down his back, in the Indian war-bonnet. The face of the chief was grave and dignified, the most remarkable feature being a very large, hooked nose, that gave him 8 severe and repel- lent ms ay Brooke saluted him courteously, and inquired 1n Spanish: ‘Is this the chief Thundercloud?” ‘*Tam called Thundercloud, and at my voice the earth quakes,” was the modest reply, in slow, measured tones. Brooke looked round and saw, close to the chief, the humpbacked medicine-man with whom he had conversed the night before. He beckoned to Rattlesnake and en ‘* That is the man that came to my camp last night and promised me that he would show me the body of my enemy. Are you ready to show it to me?” joy onl ne ny shrugged his shoulders slightly as he retorted: ‘* Rattlesnake told me that you would give us twenty guns and a barrei of powder, with blankets for fifty men, for the sight you wish to see. Have you got them here?” Brooke bit his lips. Evidently the Indian did not trust him far. “*T have pte my word that if you show me the bodies I will give you the guns,” he said, sharply. ‘*I am the big chief of the soldiers, and no man doubts my word.” Thundercloud looked at him with a quiet scorn that actually made the white man shrink, in spite of his fancied superiority in civiliza- tion, as he said, slowly: ‘*f am the chief of the Toltecas. Send one of your young men fur the guns, and the blan- kets and the powder. I wantthem. The Tolte- cas trust no white man in their mountains. They are the kings here. If you thiuk they are not, send for your whole.regiment to come here, and we will take the guns and blankets for our- selves,” As he spoke, Brooke, who was beginning to get uneasy at the tone used by the savage, glanced round and saw what surprised him. He stood within easy —-. of the rock from which Tbundercloud bad descended, and the shining barrels of more than a hundred mus- kets appeared tobe leveled on him from the edge of this rock, €ach with the face of an In- dian behind it. He had walked right into a trap, and had not noticed it. hundercloud av ed to be quite conscious of the state of affairs, for he grinned urbanely as be noticed Brooke’s glance, saying : ‘The white soldier can look all he wants, If he brings all the soldiers he has we can count man for man with him. Let him be wise, and send for the guns and blankets to pay us our tribute.” Brooke scowled, but could not help himself. He hastily tore a leaf out of his pocket-book, and scribbled a note on it to his quartermaster, in which he told him to send on a list of arti- cles which his colonel named for him: “Twenty of those condemned muskets of the Belgian pattern, which we had issued at El Paso, and which none of the men would tak: ; fifty Mexi- can blankets and @ barrel of that blas"ing-powder which we had in the railroad stores at Matamoras,” This note he sent off by one of bis men \ gave tbe man a whispered direction to ‘ i he men that their colonel was in danger of being shot down if he , and that he did not ex- t to get out of the scrape alive, if any rash move was made by the soldiers,” The man, thoroughly frightened at what he the sight of the dark faces behind the roc’ cismayed him), took the note and burried away as fast as he could walk, being only prevented from running by the fear of ridicule, in the face of two hundred Indians and the whole Ameri- can Regiment looking on, and ready to applaud or hiss courage or cowardice, as the case might When he had gone Thundercloud observed with a smile of as much suavity as a on gio prince of the best biood in Europe could have displayed to cover over a disagreeable inter- ude; ; “That is well. Now, if the white chief would like to see his foe, I am ready to show him, if he will trust to the honor of Thundercloud, Thave trusted to the honor of my white brother in not lo: king at the note he sent his friends,” “ But you could not have read it if T had giy- en it to you,” said Brooke, with something of a sneer in his tones, he being of a brutal nature which delighted in rudeness. Thun“ercloud smiled and took from his breast a pocketbook and pencil, with which, much to the astonishment 01 Brooke, he wrote; ‘The sefior must ot think that the chief of the ‘Toltecas, who has groduated at the University of mexico, ware same as & wild Indian or a peda of ad seen, (for not being an old indies tart 8 *
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‘Te —— He handed the leaf he had torn off to the col- onel, who glanced at it with manifest amaze- ment, and whose manner instantly became moro respectful as he said: ‘* Chief, I apologize for my rudeness. But I had no idea that you had been to college.” ‘The chiefs of the Toltecas are always open to the wisdom of the white man,” said Thunder? | cloud, sententiously. ‘‘ Will the white chief come and see the body of his foe, or does he fear to trust me?” ; Brooke hesitated a moment, and then said: “Well, no; I am not exactly afraid, chief, tend i don’t want to be taken captive, like a ool. The chief’s lip curled in a smile of quiet scorn. _ ‘if IT wished to take you prisoner,” he said, **T shoulddo it here and now. For you are in my power the moment I raise my hand, ‘Look at the muzzles of the rifles that cover you, and then say if you are in more danger going with me or staying here.” - : Brooke looked round him and shivered slight- ly. Yirhe Indians, who had been barely visible be- fore, had risen into full view with their rifles pointed at him at the gesture of their chief, Thundercloud allowed a low laugh to ripple over his frame as he said, quietly: ‘* You see where you are if I give the signal. Now, will you come with me and see the dead body of your foe or not?” Breoke hesitated a moment more, and then shame compelled him to say to the chief, re- signedly: ‘You have got me, anyhow, and I may as welltrust you. I will go with you, if you like, But it must not bé too far.” ‘ vote y atime seearamee: to the rock from which he had descended. **T have had him brought down there behind the rock on Le 3 pee to sbow you,” he said, ‘* but ou were afraid, and made me come out here, will take you there, and none shall make you afraid any more. But your men must stay here, I cannot answer for my Indians if they see more than one white soldier in a place where no. sol- diers are allowed under the laws of the Tolte- cas. Again Brooke hesitated as ho thought of the fact that he must ptt himself unreservedly at the mercy of the chief; but his curiosity over- e his discretion at last, and he asked: ‘‘ But will you surely show me mine enemy, dead ? Will you let ine assure myself that it is the same man, the white medicine-man who had the wagons and the girl? Can I be sure that I see him and that you will let me return to mine own unharmed?” Thundercloud waved his hand. ‘* A chief of the Toltecas has given his word. I will show you the man you hate. You shall see his dead face and pat vos hand on his cold body a if the heart ts or not. Is t enoug: Brooke nodded, and the Indian chief said gravely: ; ‘ ‘Come, then, and you shall see all I have r CHAPTER XV, THE DEAD MAGICIAN, THUNDERCLOUD waved his hand fenctonat as he spoke, and turned to go, while Tooke toll his men to wait for him, as he followed the In- dian. The chief had come out, attended by warriors, all in full dress and armed heavily, though he himself carried nothing but a highly ornamented pipe, in his hand , Brooke gave a slight shiver, which he could not repress, and then walked after the chief, holding his head up, and trying to look asif he cared nothing for what he was doing, though his heart was beating like a trip-hammer. . Tbhundercloud turned round the edge of the tall rock; and Brooke, following him, found himself in presence of more than a hundred In- dians, quite distinct from those who had lined the top of the , and all ding with rifles in their hands, ready to sally forth into the n. They were massed at the foot of a little gorge in the mountain, the entrance to which was covered by the tall rock; and all the way up this gorge Brooke could see men, crouched be- hind bushes and rocks, with arms in their hands, so thickly that he saw that, if he had tried to charge, even with his whole regiment, _ he would have had them cut to pieces, almost without a chance of fighting. . Thundercloud dropped back beside him and watched him — és a Sn scanned the forces isposal of the chief. atthe white soldier sees that, if Thundercloud had wished to fight, he could bave taken every soldier, and dried his scalp in our fires,” said the chief, in his deep tone : Brooke nodded, with another slight shudder, and dropved the subject, which made him feel more helpless than he had before. Thunderrloud led the way into the midst of his warriors, who drew apart as he came, eying the white man solemnly. re They did not seem exactiy hostile, but far from tefendly and the colonel felt much in the The Mad Magician. position of a lamb, in the midst of a pack of wolves, smang woe he had dropped unawares, The chief led him up the gorge, a little way. to where a group of Indians was gathered, in front ee ee but which we have always laughed at, as it. de- serves. But if my white friend wishes to see them I can take.him with me. But in that.ease, I.cannot guarantee his safety; for my men. of atepee or lodge, all fully armed. Here the | might get uncontrollable, if theysaw him, where Tolteca paused and said: no white man has ever been allowed to come be- ‘*Within that tepee lies your foe, Are you | fore.” prepared to see him?” ‘ Brooke nodded eagerly, and his old feeling of triumph enabled him to stifle his fears, as he went toward the tepee, when he was warned, by the touch of Thundercloud on his arm, that he was going too fast, as the chief said slowly: ‘*Before you enter that teut, you must prom- ise that, whatever you see, you say nothin aloud, unless I give you leave. The spirits o the dead are all round us here; for this is the burial-ground of the Toltecas, for many cen- turies.” | ‘*T will say: nothing,” protested the colonel, and -Thundercloud, with a wave of his hand, dismissed the guard from the door of the tepee, the men retiring to either side, as the chief and Brooke walked up. The tepee was made of bull-hides; buffalo be- ing scarce and rare in Mexico, and the herds of the rich haciendados being much more conven- iént for the por of securing skins. Thundercloud raised the flap which did dut for a door, and preceded the colonel into a dark space, lighted only by a small hole in the roof, from which curled the aromatic smoke of a small fire of pine-cones, which diffused a bal- samic odor through the interior of the tepee. uatted in the midst of the tent was a man in the dress of a medicine-chief, but different from Rattlesnake, who had remained outside, as if not worthy to follow his chief. This medicine-man, the moment Brooke en- tered the tepee, raised a low chant, rattling a gourd in one hand, and, with tbe oth r, beating on a small drum that lay on his knees as he squatted there, For a moment the colonel could not see what else the tent contained, in the dim light; but, as his nba grew accustomed to the gloom, he saw, by the side of the Indian, a y; laid out, at- tired in the garments in which he had seen Doc- tor Satan on the platform at El Paso, with the same face, but unmistakably that of a dead man now, The eyes of the colonel glistened with jov and hate combined, as he looked down, and he sunk into a fit of musing, from which he was roused by Thundercloud asking him: “Ts the man dead? k at his scalp.” Brooke peered closer, and saw that the whole of the upper part of the scalp had been torn off, leaving a hideous mass of flesh, from which the blood had fled in death, leaving the scalp still morerepulsive than if it had been fresh, on ac- count of the clots of dried blood. He shuddered slightly, and Thundercloud laughed, as he said: ‘*The white chief does not love scalps. Tol- tecas like nothing so well in all the world, except the pleasure of hearing a white man howl, as did, under the torture.” ‘*Did you torture him to death then?” asked Brooke, almost in a whisper. The chief grinned sardonically. ‘‘He died by inches, and we had to sew the pieces together, ta them in his clothes, to enable you to him. Look at his face, and that will tell the story.” Brooke looked closely, and saw from the lines of intense agony in the pinched white features, that Thundercloud had spoken truth. “The man is d -h,” he said, almost : ead enough, ) witha sigh. ‘‘ You shall have the guns and pow- ‘der [ promised you, at once.” Then he turned to leave the tepee, feeling sick at the stomach at the sight he had just witnessed when the chief said: ‘*Feel his hands and see if he be alive yet. Nothing like being sure of a thing, you know.” Brooke shuddered violently, and backed away, saying hurriedly: ‘No, no, it isnot necessary. I do not want todoit, The manis dead enough. I hated him’ while he was alive; but let him rest now.” Thundercloud laughed, a low, gleeful laugh, as if he enjoyed the evident horror of the other. “You white men do not even know how to hate. If he had becn my foe I would have cut out his heart, to roast. But you cannot do that now, because I ate it. last night, for supper.” Brooke controlled his growing nervousness to say: at I take it all for granted. But what became of his men?” ‘“Do you wish to #ee them too?” inquired Thundercloud, with an appearance of great so- licitude. Brooke hesitated. *“‘f should like to, of course, Are they not here?” Tia pete sete gc 4 a . am sorry I cannot oblige my white friend ; but they are all in the same case he this man be- fore you. Some are a mile away, up the hills; others have been sent to the secret temple of the War-God, to be sacrificed, as our fathers sacri- rnb yee the papi: men ee Malinche, (0 teach us a! our Lady o pe, and lot of stuff that the peons of the Yinin bitive, Brooke hastily held out his hand saying: “Tt is not necessary. I take your word for the rest, But—but—was there not a girl with them?” Thundercloud laughed, in the same low glee- ful way in which he had referred to the horror he had spoken of, before. “There was a girl. Do you wish to see her? You can, if you will.” Brooke hesitated a skort time. **T should like to see her,” he said at Iast. “Not that I want her, but to be sure of what you say. Isshedeaatoo? Rattlesnakesaid that 3 had been kept alive, for some purpose or other. Thundercloud interrupted him, with an abruptness that was in strong contrast with the courtesy he had shown hitherto. “The girl is alive. She 1s a captive at the temple of the War-God, and will be kept there, for a saovifice. when the time is ripe for the death of a girl like her. Do you wish to see her? I will have her brought to you, if you do.” Brooke shuddered again ashe said: _“ No, no, that is not necessary—but at the same time, if I could see her, I could. know whetherJ—I—” . Thundercloud interjected the question: ‘* Whether she were dead or alive?” Brooke admitted, by the motion of his head, that this was the case, and the chief continued: ‘“* What was the girl te you?” Brooke shuddered at the question; but some- thing in the position in which he was, compelled him to answer the Indian, without any paltering with the truth: **She was once going to be married to me; but I fancied she had died on her wedding-day. That is all. If I could see her alive, I should know if it were the same. or if I had been de- ceived by thisdead man, bere, when he showed me her picture, or something of the sort, at El Paso, a few days ago.” Thundercloud nodded sagaciously. : ‘*- You shall see the girl. She shall be brought here for you to see and speak with, face to face, Come forth from the tent, and Rattlesnake shall call her, with his charms.” He led the colonel from the , and when Brooke ed the open air, he found tbat the Indians, bo had thronged the gully in which stood the tepee, had eaeepcores as if they bad sunk into the ground. He rubbed his eyes doubtfully as he looked round; but there not a sign of a single savage left, save Thunder- cloud, who stood beside him as if enjoying hie rere age and Rattlesnake, who leered at him with his cunning, elf-hke face, as the chief spoke to the medicine-man apart, in their own bes Ses hen the chief had given his orders, the mediciné-man rattled his gourd and began a , which was echoed from within the tent the other medicire-man, with the same accom- paniment of the throbbing drum and frequent grunting chorus. ; is song lasted for a few minutes, at the end of which time the chief spoke to Rattlesnake again, and the medicine-man nodded, some » which brought trom Th the explanatory words, to Brooke: “* Rattlesnake is a great medicine-man, and he has called the girl. Go into the tepee, alone, and you can see her.” Brooke stared at him doubtfully; but, the In- dian repeating the invitation, the colonel raised the’ flap of the tepee and looked in. To his amazement, the other medicine-man had vanish- ed, taking with him the ghastly body of the slain Doctor Satan; and the interior of the te- pee was empty, save for a femalefigure, which stood in the center, attired in the same robes that had greeted his gaze on the platform at El Paso. Brooké entered the tent, and the gir!’s voice said, as it had said at El Paso: ** George Brooke, confess thy crime! Con- fess! Confess !” CHAPTER XVI. THE REGIMENT KEPULSED. BROOKE could hardly believe his eyes and ears as he saw and heard, in broad daylight, the girl he had fancied dead, : The interior of the tepee was dark, for the hole at the top seemed to have been stopped up, and the girl stood in the very darkest recess, but a flood of light seemed to emanate from her white robes, making her visible. na ee The colonel, in a choked voice, faltered: ‘*Clara Walden, in God’s name tell me, are you alive or dead? I have mourned you as dead, so long, that I can hardly believe you are alive in reality.” ; : . The girl answered him in the same voice: ‘George Brooke, dead or alive, I call on you to confess your crime. Repentance ean atone ee death is nigh, in a form you mow n The bewildered man made a step forward te xX > ‘ F a a
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tion, Brooke came forth from the te ‘Brooke: 14 The Mad Magician. inexplicable disappearance of the girlin an In- ame, beginning at the foot, which he had | dian tepee, with no machinery to account for an placed unawares on a skin rug, in front of the | illusion, that Brooke’s sense of the reality of girl. It darted through him, making every mus- | things was sadly shaken for the time being, and cle quiver with agony, and he hastily withdrew | he felt himself only too anxious to escape from his toot, yovald able to stand as he did so, recog- | the neighborhood at any price. nizing in the thrill the touch of a powerful elec- As Thundercloud menaced him, and shook his tric battery. : fist in the face of the white soldier, Brooke fair- ‘‘Clara,” he gasped, ‘‘ tell me, at least, are | ly turned tail and fied, followed by his adjutant a alive, and do you forgive me for what I did? | while the Toltecas raised a how] of derision and ou know how [loved you—” fired some random shots after the white men, Then he stopped and looked at the girl, who | which provoked a volley inreturnfrom the white began to fade away before his eyesin the dark- | regiment, though it was so far out of range that ness, till he could see the heavy folds of thehides | the bullets fell short and whistled harmlessly in the wall of the tepee, through her figure, as | round the feet of the horses in the wagons, it receded from his view. This volley provoked a general rush-out of the But even while it faded the same voice said: | Indians, who showed themselves on the rocks in ‘Dead or alive, George Brooke, thou wilt | all directions above the place of meetingin such never know, till it be too late, if thou dost not numbers that the American Regiment, which repent and confess thy guilt.” | had pluck enough to figbt any amount of Mexi- } got nearer her, when he felt a thrill pervade his rooke clasped his hands, exclaiming in tones | cans, actually stopped short and fell back out of of anguish: range in some confusion, followed by the scorn- ‘* Clara Walden, I will confess everything if | ful yells of the Toltecas, who saw the flight and you will only say you forgive me for the past. | defied the soldiers to come back. Ah! She is gone!” The wagons that had been the cause of the out- For, all in a moment, the girl had vanished | break were left behind perforce, the drivers dis- into thin air, as she had done at El Paso, while | mounting from their mules and running for her voice, seeming to come from the earth be- | dear life. The Toltecas, on their part, did not neath, repeated the words: seem to have such animosity against the white ‘*George Brooke, confess thy guilt! Confess! | men that they could pursue them far, so within Confess!” ten minutes the fuss was over and Brooke safe Then the horror-stricken colonel heard steps | for the time. and voices outside the tent, and a number of [n- Out of gun-shot from the rocks, the regiment dians made their appearancé round Thunder- | was re-formed, and the colonel made a short ad- cloud, jabbering excitedly to each other in their | dress to hisofficers, in which he told them of the own language till the chief called to Brooke: / forces he had seen, and of his conviction that ‘*Come forth, come forth! Your men are ad- | the regiment, if it had penetrated behind the vancing, and if a shot is fired by them it will be | rocks at the mouth of the ravine, must have the worse for you!” been cut to pieces. Thus recalled to the presence of real danger, Of the body of the dead magician, and of the which he had forgotten in hismomentary agita- | reason he had ventured into such danger, he said 6, and was } nota word, but ordered themarch to be resumed ; | and the Mormon chief, who had been waiting for leave to depart, left them, when they halted for the noon meal, and rode away toward the north- west, where he had told Brooke his comrades were in waiting for him. The tectrhent took up its march after dinner, in somewhat gloomy spirits; for the men, after what they had seen of the Indians, began to think that the fighting, even in Mexico, might for all of you.” not be quite as easy as they had expected; and Brooke ran out into plain sight, and waved | it was said that the Mexican emperor had a good his white flag, as a signal for the regiment to | many Indian warriors in his service, who were stop. He was seen and greeted with a loud ‘ the best soldiers in his army. cheer, while the regiment stopped its advance, The resolute attitude of the Toltecas had been the wagons alone continuing their progress to | a revelation to the officers of the American meet him. Regiment; and they had settled down to their _Crocker rode by the side of the leading wagon, | work, with the conviction that it was not to be and with him were the Mormons, who had come | so easy as they had imagined at first. with Gideon, their rifles ready for instant use, That night they camped in a plain, within as they came on. sight of the lights of Chihuahua, though these Thundercloud pointed to them and said to | were so far away that their guides told them they would be lucky if they reached the city be- fore sunset of the next day. The camp was made, and the guards set; Brooke sleeping soundly, his mind at ease on the subject of the dead ician, Nevertheless, at midnight, when badge? has was dark, and only the sentries awake, the col- onel was roused from.his slumbers by a tap on the shoulder; and looking up, beheld Doctor Satan, standing by his bedside, looking down at him, with his sarcastic smile. CHAPTER XVII. THE MIDNIGHT VISIT. For a moment the half-wakened colonel was too much amazed and demoralized to do aught but lie, staring wildly at his midnight visitor. The great Napoleon said that ‘‘ no courage is so rare as two-o’clock-in-the-morning cour: A and Brooke was not one of the few men who possess it. He stared at Doctor Satan, sweating at every pore, and trembling so that the bed shook, while the magician, with his sar- castic smile continued to look down at his vic- aap a word to relieve his embarrass- ment. Doctor Satan was clad in a Mexican dress, only differing from that of an ordinary cavalier in the fact that it was black all through; unre- lieved by a touch of color, of any kind what- ever. His white face, with its black mustache and brilliant black eyes, alone relieved the darkness of his dress; and as Brooke stared at him, the superstition he had vainly tried to smother, so Presently Thundercloud strode up to the col- | far, came over him in a wave, till the magician onel to say, fiercely: said, in a low deep voice: ‘* You promised meguns, and these are shams, ae Greorge Brooke, co: s thy crimes!” with the mark of the Government condemna- Brooke tried to lift his head a moment, and tiononthem. Your blankets are thin, and your | then made a discovery that frightenca him still powder is not {it to putin a gun. Get you gone | more than he had been before. with your presents, and take care that the Tol- He lay on his back in the camp-bed, and some tecas do not pay you a visit in your camp that | strong bandh had been fastened to his arms and will make you repent your treason, .Think | legs, as he lay asleep, fastening him down to yourself lucky we do not take you and these | the frame of the bed, while another had been men near by and carry you off, Away with | laid across his throat and prevented him from you, before my men get angry!” moving his head, save from side to side, with the Thecolonel was not by any means a coward, | risk of choking ever before him. but he had seen so much of the power of the In- This discovery completed his terror; and he dians in his brief excursion behind the rock that | tried to speak, his voice sounding in, a husky he was demoralized for the time. Besides this, | whisper as he faltered: there was something in the vision of Clara Wal- ‘* What do you want with me?” den that he had just seen, and the sudden and} Doctor Satan smiled sarcastically as he asked; hurried away down to the rock, and thence into the plain, to descry the whole of the American Regiment advancing in the rear of three wagons, which were being driven up to the In- dians, as if the soldiers had become alarmed at his long absence and feared treachery. Thundercloud led him out into full view, and said quickly: ; ‘* Order your men back or it will be the worse » * Send them back or there will be trouble,” Brooke knew that well enough, for he had seen that at least five hundred Indians were close at hand, in a strong position, with their rifles leveled over the rocks to steady their aim. He waved his flag warningly to the Mormons tostop, and asthey did not heed the signal, he shouted aloud: ‘*Mr. Crocker, halt that train on your life! Do you want to-see me murdered at once?” ~ The adjutant heard something and under- stood that his chief was halting him for some reason, The wagons pulled up ata word from him, and he rode forward alone to meet hiscom- mander, when Brooke exclaimed, agitatedly : ‘* Bring up the presents as quick as you can, and let us get out of this, The red-men have got us in a trap, and the whole regiment is not enough to charge that rock. Bring up the pres- ents at-once,” Crocker saw that something was wrong with his chief, from the way in which he spoke; so he wmade..no objection, but turned his horse and beckoned on the wagons, which came up at a trot, the Mormons obeying the signal to remain behind. When they were up, Thundercloud said some- thing in his own tongue to his men, some fifty of whom suddenly made their appearance from behind the rock and ran to the wagons, which they Baten to search with an avidity that was destined to be disappointed, as the excited jabbering and angry looks directed at Brooke plainly showed. “Do you know who I am yet, George Brooke?’ The colonel tried to answer, but could only whisper: **T am not sure, but I think you must be—” ‘*Who?” asked the magician sternly. ‘ An- swer truly.” ‘* Horace—Horace Arnold,” gasped the other, as he lay there, powerless to move, staring up at his relentless foe, : Doctor Satan smiled again, with the same sar- castic meaning, as he said slowly: ‘““Your memory is.good, sir—better than it was, Now, will you confess your crime against me, or not?” Brooke was about to answer, when the clash of arms was heard outside the tent, as the sen- try brought his musket to a ‘‘ port,” and they heard his voice challenging: : ‘Who goes there?” ‘* Relief,” was the answer, and the steady tramp of men approached the tent, while the usual formula of res for the countersign was observed, and muttered voices showed that the new man was taking orders from the old one. Doctor Satan, the moment the voices came near, placed his hand on the throat of the colonel as he lay, and whispered: ‘* Attempt to cry out and it will be the worse for you.” Brooke lay still till he heard the colloquy be- tween the sentry and his successor almost at an end, when he suddenly shouted: ‘“¢ Help!” The moment he had done so the hand of the magician closed on his throat, and he was un- able to utter another cry. But the first had attracted attention, and the magician looking round as he stood by the bed- sice, heard steps approach the tent, and a sha rap on the canvas outside, while a voice asked: ‘Whatis it, colonel?” ‘* Nothing,” replied Doctor Satan, in a low voice. ‘* Only a dream.” Then there was another short silence, as the man outside stood by the canvas listening, while Doctor Satan kept his hand on Brooke’s throat, compressing it so that he could not have cried out had he dared to make the effort. ‘You can go,” presently said the magician, in the same low tone, ‘‘Itis allright. [hada bad dream and cried out. What time is it?” “Nearly morning, sir,” replied the man out- side. ‘‘The last relief is on now before reveille,” 9 z ‘All right,” said Doctor Satan, calmly. ‘*You can go on.” ? Then they heard the steps of the man reced- ing, and presently the relief resumed its march, and nothing was left but the new sentry, in front of the tent, who paced his beat in silence. Then the cian released the throat of the colonel, and said, in a low, fierce whisper: ‘*Tuueky for you, sir, that your cry was not heard. For the last time, will you confess your crime against me or not? But Brooke, who had had time to think, while he lay there, had resumed some portion of his native courage, as he realized that his foe was not the supernatural being he-had thought, but flesh and blood like himself. Feebly, but with sullen energy, he answered; ‘* T- have nothing to confess,” : The magician compressed his lips, as he an- swered: tha good then. The time will come when you will, In the mean time remember this; I Shall be on your track when you least expect it, and you can never kill me till justice is done, You have tried, with all the chances in your favor; but nothing can shield you from me now. When. you, think yourselftsafestis the tinié that you willsee me. For the presentI go. Try to ery out now if you dare.” With that he drew from his pocket somethin wrapped in a handkerchief, which he pla Pipe the mouth and nostrils of the helpless sol- ier. Brooke tried to avoid breathing, but could not, and the faint, sickly odor of chloroform penetrated his nostrils speedily, making his head swim till he lost consciousness. The last thing he saw of the magician the dark eyes were bent on him, with the same menacing smile, and thén all was dark again, till he woke with 4 splitting headache, to find himself on his bed, the bands on his arms and legs gohe, his body free to move as he would. With a confused recollection of what\ had taken place, he raised himself on his elbow and saw that the light of day was coming in through the thin canvas of the tent, which was emp of anything but what had been there when he lay down to sleép the night before, ‘He rose to his feet, staggering, with a dizzy feeling that he could not overcome, and man- aged to clear his brain with a dash of cold wa- ter just as the trumpets of the regiment sound- ed reveille. The familiar blast roused him, and the whole camp was soon alive; the voices of the sergeants calling the roll in the streets, Brooke lay back on his bed and listened to them with a sense of companionship he had never felt before. The whole of the vision of the preceding night seem- ed to him foo horrible to be real, and he was re-
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The Mad Magician. 15 lieved inexpressibly, when the sharp voice of Crocker wan heard at the door of the tent say- ME Awake, colonel?” _ Ay, ay; come in, Mr. Crocker,” said Brooke, ‘And in came the adjutant, trim and soldierly ‘as ever, for Mr. Crocker made a point of shav- ing himself at night, and always presenting a neat a nce when he reported the result of xoll-calis, : ‘Brooke listened to him as he made his formal ‘report, with a sense of lively satisfaction, and when it was finished asked: ‘* Have you been to the guard-house yet?” ‘* No, sir; but the officer of the day is waiting to give his report as soon as you wish it,” was the reply. S “* Send him in at once, Crocker,” said Brooke, hastily, ‘‘ Something has happened during the ight which is unaccountable. Send him in.” rockerlooked at &is chief a moment as if he feared that the colonel was ill, but made no re- mark and wheeled round to go, Ten seconds later the tall form of Captain Pickett, an old comrade of Brooke, made its appearance, with . the red sash over his shoulder, that indicated his ffice,ashesaid: . ‘*Come to report, sir. All quiet all night.” Brooke stared at him as if amazed. ‘‘ All quiet, yousay? Has nothing suspicious ‘happened during the night, sir?” ch tain Pickett looked surprised. “Nothing that I have heard, sir. Has any- thing happened that you ask me such a ques- tion?” Brooke sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes, ‘¢ Rither your men keep careless watch, Pick- tt, or lam going crazy. And I don’t think I. am. A man got into my tent last night and -chloroformed me. He was here as the last re- lief went on, and I called for help; but no one came,” Pickett seemed to be unfeignedly amazed as he Said: ‘*4 man in your tent, colonel? Excuse me; ‘but it can hardly be possible. The guards had strict orders to admit no one into the camp, and I was on my feet myself most of the night.” ‘* Nevertheless, a man was here, and had me tied down, in my bed, while he threatened say life,” said Brooke, emphatically. ‘‘I shouted for help as they changed the sentry.” Pickett wheeled round instantly. ‘¢P}) find out that in a minute, colonel,” he said, nie ‘‘T know who was on here all night, and I’ll have both the sentries up to see you, Will thatdo, sir?” ‘ Just the thing,” said Brooke; and then he fell back on his bed, feeling sick at the stomach ‘from the reaction of the c oroform, and waited ‘till the officer of the day reéntered the tent, with ‘two soldiers, who looked scared at the summons to the colonel’s presence, expecting to be blamed ‘for something. Brooke turned to them to ask eagerly: Sle pie of you men went on in the last re- - ? ‘*T did, colonel,” said one; a stout, rather stu- pid-iooking fellow from Florida. ‘‘I relieved Short hyer, and the corp jest took me off to come and see yer honor,” ‘** Then you must have mere a cry for help,” waid Brooke, eagerly. ‘‘ anf didn’t you come into the tent at once, somejof you?” The Floridian stared at him with the expres- “sion of hopeless stupidity which comes over a Southern ‘‘Cracker” when confronted by a ‘problem too hard for his mind, as he said: ‘‘Tdunno, cunnel. Corp Stanley he went, and che told us how =~ said ’twere only a dream alone -and to leaye ye: . Twarn’t no biz of ourn, cunnel, ye know.” Brooke turned impatiently to Short, the man ~who had been relieved. a ais hear nothing? he asked, ‘‘I shout- ed for help as loud as I could, and some one came to the door of the tent. Who was it?” “‘ Corporal Stanley, sir,” was the reply, in a ‘brisk tone that showed the man to be a person i pee sacar oy eto the Floridian. e accent was that of a North and Brooke asked him: : owe ee ees - “Where do you come from and where does the corporal come from?” - **I come from New York and Corporal Stan- ley is from Vairmount,” said Short, promptly, “If ye want to know, cunnel, why we didn’t -come in, corp said as he was much inclined to -do it, but your honor said plainly that he was to o away and that it was all only ® dream. He Sian't like to take the liberty. That’s all, sir.” Brooke looked at the two men hesitatingly for a few moments and waved his hand, saying: “You can go, both of you. That is all,’ ‘What could it have been, then?” he asked Pickett, when they had both vanished. ‘‘T am ‘as certain as that you are standing there that a ‘man came to my bedside and had me tied down -to my bed, while he threatened me. But now it a hed ‘ Pickett coughed. “+T don’t want to be critical, colonel,” he said, “*but I have known a case of nightmare worse n yours, in which ib wap iqnpomstiie $8:die" i between reality and vision, [f 1 were - you I would say no more about it. If the man is real, he will come again, and we will watch ag him, We'll catch him at last, depend upon | it. CHAPTER XVIII. QUERETARO. : THE town of Queretaro, one of the most beau- tiful in Mexico, lies at the foot of mountains, which are at such a distance therefrom that they offer no command for artillery, while the | whole place is surrounded by fortifications able | to bid aetante to the best guns then to be found in “fexico., 5 : In the center of the town rose the pit pp | ile of the royal palace, with its flat roof an ttlements, that commanded a view of the country for many miles round. The great aqueduct, one of the wonders of Mexico, wound its way across the valley on its | lofty arches, and the gardens in which the city | was embowered gave it an appearance second to | none other in the beautiful land of Mexico. Near the town rises a little hill crowned with | a mass of buildings, of which a church spire is ) the most prominent, It is surrounded by other | buildings. A massive wall of unburned brick, | thick enough to resist all but the heaviest artil- | ee, makes the Church of the Holy Cross a ver- itable fortification, better than could have been found anywhere else in Mexico. This encircling wall was at least twenty feet | thick, being banked up with earth inside, so as to make a broad and commodious rampart on | which one might walk at ease, the rampart | itself being planted with trees which mace a | grateful shade in the sultry climate of Mexico | and one which was chiefly enjoyed, at ordinary | times, by the crowd of monks and priests that made their home in Queretaro, For Queretaro was, above all things, a strong- hold ot the church party in Mexico, where the sound of the church bell was never out of one’s ears and where tbe processions were forever fil- ing through the streets with crosses and ban- ners at the head, altar-boys and priests in gor- geous robes following. But, at the time when Queretaro became the refuge of the emperor of Mexico, the aspect of the place had changed greatly. The priests were as numerous as ever; but man of them had dropped their priestly robes and taken up the arms of the flesh, becoming soldiers, to save from destruction the religion in which thc y believed, as the only safety of Mexi- co; and which the emperor had promised to sus- tain, with his last breath. The French troops had been withdrawn, but Maximilian stayed, in the hope of en | sup- ported by the Church h’ had been nee a eee rty, whic all-powerful in Mexico, for so many years, and which he fondly trusted would yet make him triumphant, over all his adversaries, A few daysafter the American Regiment en- tered the town.of Chihuahua, a up of offi- cers, in brilliant uniforms was gathered on the ramparts of eretaro, looking toward the mountains of the north and the ‘‘ Hill of Bells.” which rose between the town and the moun- The officers were bare-headed, and grouped around a tall, fair man, with a flowing blonde beard, who alone wore his cocked hat, in a way that showed him to be the chief. * Nearest to the blonde gentleman stood a man with a beard as black a jet, and fierce dark eyes. This man wore a showy uniform of scarlet and ellow, loaded with gold-lace; and his face was and pecs without being by any means le. ugly or ignob. 1is was General Miramon, of the Imperialist faction, the ch friend and confidant of the ror Maximilian with whom he was now holding a consultation, as to the best measures to adopt, to defend Queretaro from the expected assault of the Republican army. ‘* Your majesty can depend on one thing,” said Miramon, ‘‘ that these Juarists will not like the troops you have been accustomed to see, on the other side of the water. They are not like your own men, ‘They have no uniforms, or such strange ones as no one else would call uni- forms; and as for artillery and regular horse, the best they can do is a lot of Indians and mes- tizos, with bare eo sandals, armed in every sort of fashion. Your majesty need have no fears that all the forces Juarez can bring to bear on Queretaro, can shake our hold on the province.” The emperor looked round on the country thoughtfully. He had heard this sort of boast- ful talk, ever since he had come to the country; and yet he had never seen the day when his own soldiers, save those who bad come from the other side of the water, could be depended on to stand the assaults of the same despised Juarists, who were now so summarily dismissed by Mira- mon, with a disdainful sentence, that failed to ocreare Ago ut, as he loo out over the country, he marked the white tents that showed how exist- ence of a force of men that must have numbered nearly ten thousand. He also beheld the bright brass guns, that stood in well-ordered parks, m the garden of the church below the ramparts, and said, with a moro hopeful air ? ‘mon, and answered bitterly: ‘* We shall not want for the material of war, gentlemen; if the men will only stand by me as they stand by Juarez. They have done well for him, after the way we drove him out to the Yankee country.” “Ay, your majesty, and we shall drive them there again,” said Miramon boastfully. The emperor shook his head, with a slight, mournful smile. ‘* Be not too confident, gentlemen. Youknow that the American minister has collected sixty thousand men on the fronflers of Texas, and if the Juarists are not enough to conquer, it may well be that these men, veterans of a great war, will come over the border in their turn.” Miramon curled his lip, as he retorted: “And if so, your majesty will see the whole country rally to your defense. Our army is very different from that which was beaten by its own dissensions, even before General Scott landed his troops at Vera Cruz twenty years ago. There is but one thing to unite all chennia in defense of the empire, and that is the threat of a foreign invasion.” Maximilian nodded his head thoughtfully. ‘*Perhaps that is why they fought so well against me, general. But we will not borrow trouble. How far doyour pickets extend to the north, toward the Juarists, and what is your in- formation as to the strength of their forces?” Miramon hesitated a moment, and then said, confidently : ‘*Our cavalry scout up to the gates of Chi- huahua, and the best information I have, is that the Juarists have but a beggarly ten thou- sand men or so, who are ill-armed and lack everything that we have.” _ Even as he spoke the emperor, who was look- ing over the hills toward the north, seemed to be attracted by something, for he turned his eyes that way, and finally raised his glass to look. ‘*There is some dust that looks like news coming to us,” he said, and the words caused ~ Miramon to look in the direction indicated, Presently the form of a horseman at full speed was seen coming down the rdad from Chihua- - hua, and he was coming straight toward the ramparts of the church buildings. Ten min- utes from the time he was first spied he drew up his foaming horse under the walls, and held up a dispatch. The emperor beckoned him. up hastily, and he came; a man tall and slim, wiry in figure, with a long, pointed red beard. He handed the packet to Maximilian, who opened it and read: “‘The enemy in heavy force are within one day’s march of Queretaro, with fifty cuns and a large train, *~ (Signed) Mera, GENERAL,’ The war had opened in grim earnest at 1 and the expression of the émperor’s face show that he realinst it CHAPTER XIX. THE MORMON ENVOY. , THE shades of night had fallen over the city of Queretaro, and the stars were twinkling in the heavens, with the peculiar luster that they exhibitin the dry climates of the upper table- lands of Mexico, when the Emperor M ilian, alone on the same ramparts from bg he had been looking when he _ received tch from: General Meja, his trusted subordinate, was pacing to and fro, in close conversation with the tall, red-bearded man, who had brought the missive tc him. There was no one near them, and the em- peror appeared to be listening to his companion, who was making some sort of a proposition, from which the Austrian recoiled. ‘* Tell me positively, sir,’ said Maximilian at last, ‘‘on what you base your hopes of being able to do as you say.” The man with the red beard coughed slightly ote inn pity that esty has to be ‘Itis a pity that your maj ken to in a different way from other people ho said in English, in which the emperor had ad- dressed him, for Maximilian was an excellent pry me like most of the highly-educated princes “Cruces to-day. i : iii 6 emperor made an impatient gesture. “Let that go. I know what you Yankeesare. You hate the forms and ceremonies which cus- tom has dictated in te old countries as the best foundation of a stable society. I can pardon anything to your ignorant bringing-up, save ore sary, 9 Tell me the truth and give me your grounds for telling it. I can excuse anything but deceit in you, in your present position.” The red-bearded man turned to bim eagerly: * And you won't take it ill? You won’t git mad with me, if 1 tell ye?” * Not if you tell me the truth and nothing but the truth,” was the cold reply. ‘ But you must lose no more time. I have come here to see what you had to communicate, against the ad- vice of General Miramon, who thinks you are animpostor. Justify my confidence in you by what you tell me, or I shall have to order you into arrest.” The red-bearded man ground hi> teeth be his forest of hair, as he heard the name of Miver «Ay, ay, | know Miramon don’t believe mag *
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Se we, an sr ae but I tell the truth, and he'll find it out, when | it’s too late. I tell ye, sir, that there ain’t so much as one honest man left, among all the Greasers that’s in your army. They’re jest waiting a chance to sell ye out to Juarez, and when the enemy git into position hyar, it won’t | be the butteries outside that ye’ll have to fear, | but the traitors inside.” : ‘Admit all that,” said Maximilian, a tiently, ‘‘and what have you to eg ou tell me you are a Mormon. I have heard of | those people, and that they live in the United States, a good many hundred miles away from here. What do you bring from them, and what do you wish me to do?” ‘“That’s business,” said Gideon—for it was | that worthy apostle of the Latter Day Saints | who spoke. ‘I can talk business as well as the next man, sir, and so you'll find out. I come from Brigham Young himself, the head of all the Mormons. We have an army of fifty thou- sand men, well armed, when we get all our men together, with a population of nigh a million | souls all told.” ‘And what of that?” asked the emperor, coldly. ‘‘I have heard of your men and their horrible customs. But what do you wish of | me?” Gideon shrugged his shoulders. ‘We want of you what all the world wants of everybody else: just to be let alone and have friends, instead of enemies. You know, sir, | that before that war, which they just finished, our a had a fight with the United States, | in which we could have done what we wanted with all the army the States could send against us, but didn’t want to get the country down on us for good. All through the entire | war, we had thin altogether our own way and none tointerfere with us. The Govern- | ment had enough to do, attending to the rebels, | to have any care for us, and we had all the | emigrants coming in to us, so we have nearly doubled our numbers during the four years they were fighting. Now comes the peace, and they are talking of getting up a railroad through the Jains, that will make the time from New York the Pacific coast only seven days, and bring our people right into the midst of all the Gentiles. Then a fight is bound to come, in the course of time; and Governor Young knows well enough that we can’t fight the whole Uni- ted States, if the cotton States could not do it. | He says it is time we began to think of moving out of our place, and finding one where no one will harm us; and he knows of no place so good as this country of Mexico.” The amaperce interrupted him harshly. “To what does all thistend? I ama prince without a kingdom; an emperor who will soon be a prisoner. I have no power to do anything beyond the four walls of this building. Why do you come to me? Why do you not go to Juarez? He has the power now,’ ‘We havé been to him,” said Gideon coolly, “and he has given us good terms, but not what | we want. If you will give us what we ask, we will give you our ee rt, and that of the | American Regiment, which has been raised and | is now inthe Juarist army. We will agree to rouse all the Indians in the mountains for you, | and to = you on your throne so that the States themselves cannot hurt you. For all | this we only ask your protection for our people, and the giving usa nook in your empire, where we can practice our religion in peace, with none to make us afraid.” Maximilian listened coldly, and when the | apostle had ceased, asked: ‘Tg that all you have to say? Put your plan into plain words.” ©)" make it as plain as daylight,” said Gid- eon eagerly. ‘‘I come from Brigham. Young | himself, and he is the supreme authority in the | Church of the Latter Day Saints. He has au- thorized me to come to Mexico, and :nake the | best terms 1 can, with either side in the fight. If you will promise that we have the province of Sonora for our own, to rule as we please, without molestation in our religion, we will help you at once, in the siege that is about to n. Ihave been in the American Regiment, which is in the Juarist army, and will be here to-morrow or next day at furthest. I have, in that regiment, as a flank company, a hundred men, armed in the best manner and ready to do anything and go anywhere. I can vouch that the whole regiment will follow us, and turn over to your service, if we give the word. We pro- pose to let the siege be laid to you, and then to make a sudden change of sides, in the midst of the fighting; to take President Juarez prisoner, and turn him over to you\to be executed as a traitor to you and the.Chureh. All we want is the promise, from you, as emperor, that the Mormons shall be-respected in all parts of your dominions; that the colonel of the American Regiment shall be made a duke, and his officers be made nobles as we shall agree afterward, On that condition we will come over to you; and you know that one Yankee, or man from the other side of the sea, is worth a dozen Mexi- a tal sighed slight] e emperor sighed slightly. at know that. It is the most hopeless fea- ture of all this unhappy nation, that its men eS seem to have no patriotism or courage, save in defense of their right to revolt from all sorts of authority. ° Well, sir, I will think over what you have said, and Jet you know in time. But this religion of yours; I am not so well informed as to its tenets as I might be. You are, of course, believers in the Scriptures?” Gideon spread out his hands deprecatingly, as he said: “We are the most devout people in the world, your majesty, and the only ones left, perhaps, who really and truly believe in the Scriptures | and their truth. e have a revelation from Heaven, and it is proven by miracles, that can- not be gainsayed.” ‘‘T have heard,” continued the emperor, ‘‘ that you have some peculiar tenets in your faith. Is that so? You are practicers of polygamy, I am told. If that is the fact it will make a differ- ence, for the holy church has declared, again and again, through its head, that we can only | tolerate the existence of one wife. A mar. shall leave father and mother and cleave to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh»- Polygamy is a ' damnable heresy, that only exists in the coun- tries where Mohammedans and such like wicked heretics and infidels have power. Whatever else I might do, it would not be possible for me to permit the practice of such a tenet in my do- minions. That must be clearly understood.” The Mormon apostle looked at the emperor as he spoke, and ground his teeth. The mild and | handsome face of the unfortunate Austrian rince did not conceal the expression of indom- — resolution which he wore when he said this, Gideon frowned as he retorted: *‘ Your majesty can choose, then, between the | loss of your crown and lite and the toleration of the practices which were followed by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; by King David, and every king of Israel; by all the prophets that ever lived. and which is nowhere declared to be a sin, We Mormons do as David did, and if we cannot find peace in one country we will seek till we find another where we can have as many wives as we please.” CHAPTER XX. THE ENEMY AT LAST, THE manner of the Mormon, as he spgke the last words, was that of extreme anger, and the way in which he brought out his Scriptura] illus- trations showed that he was honestly indignant at the way in which the pious empefor had char- acterized the popular institution of Mormonism. The names had their effect on Maximilian, who had never heard the institution of polygamy justified openly, and had had no idea of the strong defense that could be made for it. A little startled at the way Gideon spoke, the emperor said: ‘But, my dear sir, the names you give are all in the Old Téstament; and that dispensation has been superseded by that of the holy church, throughout the world.” Gideon’s eye flashed as he answered: ** Ay, and truly, and that church, in its turn, has been superseded by the new church of the Latter Day Saints, and the word of the Lord, sent by the mouth of Joseph Smith, his prophet. I come from the only man in our times who can claim prephetic authority, and, for the last time, I offer you the help of the church, if you, in your turn, will help us.” The Austrian prince shook his head sadly as he said: ‘*On such terms my alliance is impossible. I judgé no man, but I know that I cannot forsake my own church. Our interview is ended, sir, and you are at liberty to depart.” As he spoke, he raised his hand and waved it, as he stood out in the starlight, as a signal to some soldiers, who had been watching the inter- view out of earshot but in plain sight. Gideon sullenly saluted and turned on his heel to go when the emperor asked him: ‘Where do you go now, sir?” ‘*To the camp of Juarez,” was the short re- ply. ‘* T have done here.” he emperor waved his hand in salute, and the Mormon emissary took his departure, while Maximilian rejoined his guards. As he did so the leader of the guard, a young officer who was a devoted admirer of the em- peror, said excitedly: “Shall we not stop that man, your majesty?” ‘* And wherefore?” asked Maximilian, mildly. ‘* Wor fear he may go over to the enemy,” said the officer, The emperor shook his head, ‘* He came from them, and he will go back to them, Let him go, sir, I came to Mexico, not to destroy, but to buildup. If a sacrifice is de- manded I am the one who will suffer, and not ney people. Let the man go, and let fate do her worst.’ Then, with a slow step and a mournful air, he wended his way to his quarters, the last he was ever to occupy in this world, He reached his apartments. which were splen- didly furnished, and found there a dark-faced officer in a colonel’s uniform, to whom he said cheerfully: now?” ene Mag Mae cise. _ * Well, Lopez, and what say the scouts Colonel See Sa was the chief of scouts, and ine ee in the same boastful way Miramon had. used: ‘‘The scouts report that the enemy are de- moralized and ready to come over to your ma- jesty on a promise of ai te for the past. e have excellent news from the capital, and even if this fellow Escobedo, who commands the- Juarist forces, dares to lay siege to the town of Queretaro—” ‘¢ And he will do it, to-morrow night, at lat~ est,” interrupted Maximilian, coldly.” ‘* Re- member that, Lopez,” Lopez laughed as he answered: ‘*Then he will find himself between two fires, for we are assured of an army, raised by the church party ir®Mexico itself, which will be on the march hither as soon as it is known that the rebels are in arms against your majesty.” Maximilian shook his head doubtfully, say-- ing: a I should like better to see them here before they are needed to repel ah actual siege. But are you sure that you can depend on the men. now in the town to fight the last?” Lopez answered at once, with much confi- dence: ‘As sure as I am of my own fidelity, your majesty; and you can be sure that will last to the end of my life.” Maximilian looked at his subordinate pene- ig A ‘7 hope so, Lopes; but there will be great temptations thrown in your way when the Lib- erals besiege us actually.” Lopez colored deeply as he said: ‘‘T hope your majesty does not think that I could under any circumstances—” The emperor waved his hand wearily. ‘“*T accuse no one till the time comes. But we shall see what is to happen in due time, Now let us snatch what rest we can before the: guns rouse us from our slumbers.” He signified by his manner that he wished to ie left alone, and Lopez left the room bowing ow. When he was in the passage the Mexican col- onel muttered to himself in a dissatisfied man- ner: ‘*T wonder what he meant? Can he suspect anything? Butno. These fair-naired Germans are fools. They cannot keep their faces hke a. mask, as wecan. As for the price, we will set- tle that after awhile.” And he went to his quarters where he took out a letter which he: ad all alone by himself, as if to familiarize himself with its contents be- fore he concealed it between the lining of his boot and the onter sole, The letter was written in Spanish and bore the signature in a fine, running hand: ** EScoBEDO.” What the contents were will be disclosed in. the course of time and this story. Then quiet settled over the town of Quereta- ro, till the bugles of the garrison sounded re- veillé and the sun rose showing the whole coun- ve" round them as yet innocent of foes, he morning passed away and General Mira~ mon, who had the time on the ramparts, was beginning to jest with the emperor on the news that Meja had sent them, discrediting it entirely, when the lookout man at the top of the steeple of the Church of the Holy Cross fired a pistol to attract attention and began to wave a white and red flag to and fro in a peculiar man-- ner, signaling to the general and signal officer on the ramparts. Maximilian saw the flag wave, and said to Mi- ramon, with a smile of sad meaning: ‘““ You see, my dear general, that Meja has told us the truth. eenemy are coming now, or I am much mistaken.” Miramon was watching his signal-officer, who was conning his books in great haste, to inter- pret the waves of the flag. Presently the young officer looked up, and said, in a low tone, audible only to the emperor and Miramon: ‘The lookout signals a fight going on, at the top of the pass from Chihuabus. He thinks itis our own scouts, and an enemy.” ‘Tell him to watch and keep on reporting,” said Miramon, hastily. Ther, for some little time, the eyes of the gaz- ers on the ramparts were riveted on the top of the church-spire, more lofty than even their own position, and at last came the message again: ‘* He says that it is General Meja, with all his cavalry, and that a regiment of infantry is fighting him, and driving him back. He can see no guns yet,” ; ere the emperor jumped up, his usually mild and phlegmatic face showing symptoms of un- usual alacrity, as he said:, ‘“‘ Order the horses, gentlemen, and we will go and give Meja a hand. Itis not well to wait here, till they have shut us in. without so much as a blow in our own defense.” Miramon brightened up and made no objec- tion, for he loved an open fight in the field, as wellas any man. A few minutes later, the emperor, vas cently mounted and followed by a strong body Sot cedinet ech sepcay Ste Ra Bee. EL Fa ee ; if a
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d — | t apie aisha, eu eet = ~ of cavalry, was riding toward the point where the fight was signaled. His men were full of fire and enthusiasm; for it was their first fight under the eye of the em- ror, aud up to the time the French troops had Toft Mexico, the Imperialists had not suffered a reverse, while they had driven the president- elect, Juarez, to the shelter of ihe United States, from which he bad but just returned. Splendidly equipped and well mounted were all these young cavaliers, who rejoiced in the title of the ‘‘ Emperor’s Body-guard.” They were all young hidalgos, sons of rich men or rich themselves, and were tricked outin the bravery of costume, that obtains in no country like Mexico. They were well armed and full of confidence,so that their progress was rapid, till they had passed the aqueduct, and galloped up the slope of the Chihuahua high- road, in time to see a cloud of dustcoming down from the pass in the mountains, where the look- out had signaled the fight. _ It was less than ten miles from the city, when he had first descried it, and by the time the body-guard had got out, the dust had come close to the ‘‘ Monte de Jas Campafias,” or ‘* Hill of Bells,” which overlooks the city. There the body-guard paused a few minutes, to breathe their horses, and getin good order, when the rapid approach of the dust showed that their own men must be retreating in haste. The emperor cast a rapid glance over the field, and ordered a cautious advance, which brought them in contact with the dust in another mile or two. As he had anticipated, it proved to come from the cavalry of General Meja, who had been skirmishing, vainly trying to stop the advance of an army, approaching from Chihua- hua. Meja himself was excited and angry with his men for running, and the emperor ordered a charge of the body-guard to cover the retreat of the cavalry. The charge was just ready to start, when a broad flash came from a hill near by, followed by the humof around shot. The enemy had artillery after all. CHAPTER XXI,. INVESTED AT LAST. MEANTIME, up on the hill where the enemy had taken his stand, Gideon the Apostle, at the head of a troop of more than a hundred well armed and mounted men, was advancing before the skirmish line, thrown out by the American Regiment itself, which had been given the honor of the advance. The Mormon apostle looked excited and elated at the ease with which he had been driving the spiritiess horsemen of Meja, who had behaved so badly that their general was frantic with e. "Gidion had met them, some miles from the pass, when he had rejoined his own men, from the secret expedition in which he had taken hee letter to the emperor, with the cynical indifference to treason 5 either side, that bad characterized his whole conduct in the affair. He had made his treaty with Meja and the emperor, on an nae amaarerign 1 with Brooke, that if Maximilian came to the terms he de- manded, the American iment was to change sides, during the siege, Brooke depending on his own eloquence and the brilliant rewards he could offer, to shake the fidelity of the men to Juarez, and turn them to Maximilian. Whether he could have done so or not, is uncertain; but the unexpe firmness of Maximilian on the subject of a foreign re- ligion had ree all the fine plans, and Gideon had resumed the advance, the moment he had senee to Meja the failure of the negotia- ions. Now he was fighting the man he had been hobnobbing with, only a night or two before, and watching the operations of Captain Mil- leno, an Irish officer, who commanded the light battery which had accompanied the American Regiment and the Mormon cavalry. Bs the first shot went humming on its way toward the brilliant bod a | of the’ em- peror, Gideon exclaimed: “That will show the proud Austrian if he was wise to reject the alliance of the Saints. The sword of the Lord and Gideon!” He spoke to himself, with a wild luster in his eye that showed the man to be something of a fanatic, and sincere so far; though, in his conversation with Brooke, he had more than hinted that bis grip on the doctrines of the Lat- ter Day Saints was merely that of convenience, The fire of battle had roused all the enthusiasm he bad in his nature, and, for the moment at least, he was a sincere believer In the tenets of Mormonism. The battery was one of four guns, and opened fire as the horses galloped up into position, with a precision that was the pride of the Irish cap- tain who commanded them. He was one of the foreign officers in the Liberal army, who was asincere Juarist; and who, had he known the way in which Gideon and Brooke had been trading with the Austrian prince, would have been the first to reject with scorn any idea of onan fire - pany resea threw the ‘brilliant es- i Fn The Mad Magician. | cort of the emperor into dire confusion, almost j instantly, and the whole body set off at full i speed toward Queretaro, followed by the Mor- ! mons, firing their repeating-rifles as they went, { while the American Regiment came up at | double-quick time, and passed the battery, de- spite the shouts of Milleno, who did not wish his fire to be masked by other troops, but who was | compelled to limber up and gallop off, to find a | better position. This he speedily found on the Hill of Bells, from whence he could send his shot into the city itself, while the poorly disciplined forces of the emperor, at the first blast of serious war, re- treated within the walls that encircled the city and returned the fire of Milleno’s battery from oo ordnance they had: twenty picces, all told. Their aim was not as good as that of the train- ed artillerists who fought under the Irish officer, but their numbers were great enough to drive off the battery and compel it to take refuge un- , der the shelter of the hill. This slight success elated them so greatly that an advance was made by five batteries, together, followed mt a force of infantry and the em- peror’s body-guard, under the personal com- mand of Mirfmon, Meja and Maximilian himself, which drove the Mormons and the American Regiment back for nearly a mile and left the Imperialists in possession of the Hiil of Bells. ut as they stood there the gleam of bayonets came over the ridge from which Gideon had de- scended, and before the afternoon had come to an end twenty thousand troops had been brought into action, with batteries of artillery, which drove the Imperialists back, notwithstanding a sharp resistance, till, at sunset, the city of Quere- taro was invested on all sides, and the Hill of Bells finally occupied is Se strong force of in- fantry, the American Regiment at the head, while three batteries were playing on the city from various points. The emperor himself, see- ing the hopelessness of resisting the attack and defending the whole city, retired into the strong inclosure of the Church of the Holy Cross, where he babe serch for a desperate resistance, his en- emies increasing every moment. Brooke had m Eo in command of the force on the Hill of Bells, with Milleno in com- mand of the artillery at that point, and as night closed in the colonel] said to the battery leader : " 4 I think we have him pretty safe now, Mil- en. The Irish officer shrugged his shoulders as he replied: ‘A fox is never called dead, colonel, till his brush is nailed up on the barn-door. That Aus- trian fellow fights well, and, if he only had some decent soldiers, he might give usa good deal of trouble yet. For my own part, I wish I could see him safely out of this country.” ‘* He will never get out of this country alive,” said Brooke, with a scowl. ‘‘He has made his bed and he must lie on it. If we take him, we shall have to shoot him.” Millen started. He had been brought up in the English army, in his youth, and in becom- ing a soldierof fortune he had not lost his finer feelings. ‘ ‘Indeed, and we ought to do no such thing, colonel,” he said. ‘‘ He will bea prisoner of war, and the most we can do with him is to send him home to his people; on the other side of the sea. Why, man, don’t you know that he is the brother of the Emperor of Austria? To kill him would bring down the contempt of the civilized world on_us avd turn this war into a butchery.” Brooke sneered openly, as he reto : One can’t make war with kid gloves on, Mil- len. If he is taken he will have to be shot, for anexample. You foreigners don’t know what the Monroe doctrine is to us. Foreign princes must keep out of this continent or take the con- sequences. He has killed enough of our men un- der his order of execution.” Millen colored deeply, as he replied: ‘¢ Colonel Brooke, ye may be a good soldier, in your way, I’ not denying it; But ye havea ueer idea of the customs of civilized warfare. ra lend no band to any such atrocity, ye may be sure,” And the accent, which showed his irritation, showed also that he meant what he said, and would stand by it. Brooke made no reply, but set the guards for the night, and the camp of the Juarist besiegers was soon quiet, as the men made themselves comfortable after their long march to Quere- ro, Soon after tattoo the principal officers of the army were called to the tent of General Escobe- do, who was in chief command, and a plan of siege was given to them, The bombardment was to begin at sunrise and continue till the town was laid in ashes, while the troops were to occupy every avenue they could get hold of and invest the Church of the Holy Cross closely. The council of war over, Brooke walked back to his camp with the Mormon chief, from whom he learned the particulars of bis fruitless inter- view with the emperor the night before. Both agreed that, under the circumstances, if Maxi- milian shouJd be taken, he would have to be ex- ecuted, to prevent him giving any information of the offers he had received from the camp of 17 Escobedo. That point settled, the colonel retir- ed to his tent, remarking to Gideon: ‘““Tf Horace Arnold gets into this camp, he will be a smarter man than any one I ever saw. Gideon replied with a grin: ‘*T hope he will, If he does, let me see him scare me as he bas you, and | will own him a better man than I thought him.” Then they parted, Brooke going to his own tent, while the Mormon chief occupied one close by him. Brooke had no fears that night, for he had taken every precaution against surprise and had a sentry walking his beat in full view from his couch, Nevertheless, when he woke, which was in the dark, he found himself bound down to his bed, as he had been before, while a shadowy figure stood over him in the darkened tent, and the voice of Doctor Satan said close to his ear: ‘*George Brooke, I have come for the last: time, Confess thy sins or take the reward of treason!” CHAPTER XXII. THE SECOND VISIT. To say that George Brooke was surprised at the sudden coming of the magician (as predict- ed) in the very moment when the colonelthought bimself safest, is too little. He was completely frightened, and the sweat ran down his face and bathed every fiber of his body, as he lay in the bed in which he had beem bound, and stared up at his merciless interro- ator. < ‘*Confess thy sins and make restitution,” re- peated Doctor Satan, in the same grim way; and as he spoke, Brooke heard the step of the sentry outside the tent, with a distinctness that. surprised himself and made him think it still more of a dream. For, this time, he did not dare tocry out. He felt as if a heavy weight had been laid on his chest, which prevented him from uttering a syl- lable, if his life had depended on it. ‘A third time I ask; and then thy sins be wu on thee,” repeated the magician sternly. ‘‘ Wit thou confess, or not?” In a husky whisper, Brooke replied: _ . ‘*- You know, as well asI do. What am I to confess?” The magician looked down at him in thesame stern, pitiless way. ‘* Gonfess the crime that tore two lovers from each other; that gave thee wealth, and me a prison. Confess it all, and make restitution, now, before it be too late.” Brooke, in the same panic terror, which had already seized him at this third attempt to frighten him, answered: ‘*T will confess everything you wish. I will make what restitution I. can; but what can I do? The money is all gone, long ago; and for the rest, what do you wish? Horace Arnold, why have you followed me hither, to torment me? we cannot undo the past, any more than yow can, oa magician nodded his head gravely, as he said: “So much is true. There are things that none can undo; but there are others that can be atoned for.” ‘Tell me what to do, and I will do it,” said the trembling man, in a tone that could hardly have been i as his own, so weak and husky was it. Doctor Satan replied: ‘* Write out a full confession of all your wick- edness in the matter of Clara Walden and my- self, and take it to the general of your army. Leave it with him, for me, and it will be suffi- cient.” Brooke looked surprised as he asked: ‘*General Escobedo? Do you know him ?” “T know every one in the army; or how should I be here?” replied the magician in the same way. ‘' Write the confession, this comin day, and give it to him. mise this, and leave you now. Refuse, or break the promise,. and your doom is sealed.” % f premsen gasped the man, in the bed, in the same husky whisper as before; and the magician immediately pressed his hand with a handkerchief, on the face of the colonel, who felt the same strangling sensation, and faded away into insensibility once more, to wake with a splitting headache, and the morning light shining in at the side of the tent, while Crock- er’s voice was saying: * Roll-call all through, colonel. General Escobedo, sir.” Brooke rubbed his eyes with a sense that all was not right, but his remembrance of the pre- vious night was vague and dream-like, while the unbelief with which he had been met, when he related his previous mysterious experiences, kept him from saying anything to Crocker about this second visit. In fact, he was not quite cer- tain, at the moment, whether he had not dream- ed the whole affair, so little trace had been left. of his adventure. He mechanically took the —a held out: by the adjutant, and found it an order from the commander of the army to report at the head- quarters tent, at ten o’clock, for a council of war, Orders from: Se ag ee
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Bons ae — imagine eel a a ee Wiebe) Sai. caer in. oat OS Ee Pa ca es Ay te f -added, ‘‘so the sooner ye make up your mind to 18. = Sokal. tee ine thet ~~ The Mad Magician. eee ‘Council of war,” muttered the colonel. “* That means no fight.” He remembered the old adage about councils ~of war. ‘©All right, Mr. Crocker,” he said to the adju- tant, as the latter waited for an answer. ‘Dll be there on time. Send my man to me, and we'll have breakfast, sir. The roll-call is all right, I suppose, or you would have said some- thing about it. Any signs of the enemy making a sale, sir?” The adjutant laughed as he replied: “Nota whit, sir. All quiet as the grave, in- side and out. I say, colonel, these Mexicans are regular frauds, after all; are they not? I began to think that there might be exceptions among them, owing to the way those Toltecas came down on us; but the Imperialists are not worth the powder it will take to blow them outof their places.” Thus he rattled on for awhile, and then left Brooke to dress and have his breakfast, after which the colonel strolled out to see what was being done toward the prosecution of the siege. tt had struck him as rather singular that the bombardment, which had begun so smartly the night before, should not have been resumed in the morning, and he looked to see the cause thereof. Millen’s batteries were parked at the top of the Hill of Bells; the white cloths over the guns and carriages, as if the captain had made up his mind that there would be no firing that day. Millen himself was seated on a camp-stool-in front of the guns smoking a pipe and looking at the distant city of Queretaro, in a meditative manner. ‘¢ Whats the matter, Millen?” asked the col- onel, greeting him. The Irish officer looked up quietly. ‘The matter? What should be the matter, colonel? There’s nothing the matter, and that’s the pity of it, ye know.” ‘What do you mean?” asked Brooke, The artilleryman smiled dryly as he an- swered: “Haven't ye heard the orders?” “ Nothing but a council of war at ten.” ‘‘ And isn’t that enough, man?. When ye’ve ‘been as longin this sairvice as I have ye’ll know that councils of war always mean bargain and sale. We aren’t to fight for Queretaro at all, but some blackguaird inside is goin’ to sell the place to us.” And the Irish artilleryman spat on the ground in great disgust at the idea of such a thing; for he was an enthusiast in the military art, and loved a good battle. ‘‘ We'll have no fight this day, colonel,” he ‘put on your best uniform and make a speech in yer Spanish, the better ye’ll do this day.” _ Brooke scowled at the city as he sad: ‘* Tt doesn’t look much of a place to take, and if they don’t fight any better than they did yes- ‘terday I'd undertake to go in there with my own regiment,” “Ay, ay,” replied Millen, ly, ‘‘ but that’s not the general’s little game. This war wasn’t got up for the express purpose of. Siving the chances to the Americans to distinguish themselves and let the Greasers see how well they can fight. There goes the bugle for the council now. Will we go together, or are ye too roud to walk with a captain, now ye've got ire colonel’s epaulette on your shoulder?” Brooke laughed and took the arm the other proffered, for he had always liked Millen, who “was said to be the best officer the Mexicans had in their service. The two friends took their way to the great white marquee in which the council was to be held, the tent being distin- ished from the rest by a flag with the eagle of exico displayed on its folds. They found the officers assembling here, and Brooke had taken his placeto wait for the open- ing of the council, when he gave a sudden start and asked Millen in an agitated tone: ‘““Who in heaven’s name is that man yon- der?” The Irishman was surprised at the tone in which he ke, and at the evident agitation of the speaker, for Brooke was deadly pale and staring at the man he had indicated, as if it had been a ghost. ; The captain looked over in the direction in- dicated, and saw a tall, handsome officer in a uniform that he recognized. “Why, that’s one of Escobedo’s staff,” be said, quietly. ‘‘What’s the matter with ye, man? He won't bite ye, will he? But I don’t know him. He’s a new man—and. bedad, a devilish handsome one, too.” And the Irish captain smiled with honest pleasure at the sight of the man he had eulo- ~~ Brooke made no answer, but sat a° moment staring at the other. Then his gaze went rov- ing round the tent, and lighted on the Mormon apostle, Gideon Scott, who sat near the general. Brooke caught his eye at last, and indicated that he wished to speak to Gideon, The Mor- mon understood the ure, and came over be- ide his chief, who in a whisper; BE Baeh pee FESSEEQSD S244 ES PE.858.89, BhESS 2 6059 5 SS2E5 222 8 BE GR SEgasBaeE ** Don’t you see him? Haven’t you recognized him yet?” Gideon looked round him with such unfeign- ed amazement. that the colonel hastily and fur- tively pointed over to the brilliantly-clad staff officer who had excited his suspicion, whisper- ing: f The man in the yellow uniform, with the crimson sash. Don’t you know him, Gideon? That is the man I mean—Horace Arnold.” The Mormon chief turned on his camp-chair, and stared deliberately at the officer spoken of, whose side was turned to him, When he had finished his inspection, he said, quietly: ‘*Then he has changed more than you have, Brooke, for I swear I should never have known him, Is that Horace Arnold? Are you sure?” ‘Sure! Of course I am, man,” returned the colonel, irritably. ‘‘ Didn’t he come to my tent again last night—” The Mormon started at the news. ‘Tf that’s so it’s time he was stopped,” he said. CHAPTER XXITI. THE COUNCIL OF WA, Brrore they could say more the general rap- ped on the table, and opened the council, by saying: ‘Gentlemen, I have called you together to ask your advice, and to acquaint you with cer- tain facts. We are here, in the presence of the usurper who has so long enjoyed our fair coun- try, and we have him im a trap from which he cannot escape. The only question is, whether we shall storm the place and sacrifice the lives of brave Mexicans in crushing out this nest of traitors, or shall we wait a day or two, till the men in the employ of the usurper give him up to us.” Then he looked round the tent at the others, as who should say that he knew what would be their decision. For a little while there was no answer, and then Millen, though the lowest in rahk there, said quietly: ‘*Ts there any certainty that, if we wait, the town will be given up to us, general?” Escobedo looked at him as if surprised at the question, He was ‘a sly-looking Mexican, swarthy and polite, with a furtive glance and a reputation for intrigue. ‘It is imcompatible with the public interest to answer such a question categorically, Sefior Milleno,” he said at last; ‘‘ but you may rest as- sured that I should not have brought the mat- ter before the council, if I had not some reason for so doing.” ‘ Millen rose and saluted the general punctil- iously, as he said: “The information is all that is necessary, general. J only asked because I want a chance to practice my guns at the church of the Holy Cross, I think I could take down the steeple be- foro [ finished.” The little joke produced a laugh, and the neral continued: ‘* That is the natural impatience of our brave soldiers for a battle, in which the victory is gain- ed by hard blows; but a victory gained without the effusion of a drop of blood is better still. Let Colonel Don Diablo Satani tell what he knows.” All eyes were turned curiously on the gen- eral; for the name was so singular that it startled the boldest there. , As the general spoke, he indicated, with a wave of his hand, the handsome officer who had been sitting by him, and who had caused Brooke so much uneasiness, ‘ The face of this officer was the same which had been seen by the men of the American Regiment at El Paso, as ‘' Doctor Satan,” and the names showed that it was the same man, He was attired in a picturesqge uniform of yellow buckskin, with a scarlet sash round the waist, and wore quite a heavy armament, As the general spoke, this officer rose and bowed low, while he said in excellent Spanish: “The general commands that [ tell. what I know of the fate of Querctaro; and [ am ready. Within twenty-four hours, I have received an offer from one of the officers, high in the con- fidence of the usurper, to open the gates at midnight, when a certain signal is given; and to admit all the troops we wish within the de- fenses of the place, so that we may take Max- imilian prisoner, or kill him, as may be judged best for the interests of Mexico,” Millen, who seemed to be the least bashful person in the tent, here interposed: ‘* And where was the agreement made, sir? In the town, or out of it? That makes a dif- ference, ye know.” Don Diablo smiled. “The a ment was made before the high altar of the church, at midnight, when all the suite of the emperor was sleeping; and no one was thought to be near. Is the answer suf- ficient?” Millen sunk back in his seat, with a sort of ‘It is sufficient, sefior.. Never was found a SSS ee ee ee ee, _ ison that didn’t have a traitor somewhere in it. Id rather take the place by storm, ten times over, than have it sold to us,” The Mexicans present smiled, as if they were prepared to make allowances for Millen, who was looked on as an impracticable man in certain particulars; but the general said, kindly: “The sentiment is a just one, and deserves to be commended; but a general must be sparing of the lives of his men. The price demanded is a heavy one; but I shall take the responsi- bility of paying it, for the sake of taking this usurper prisoner.” Here Don Diablo, who had been listening to him, observed in the quietest of tones: ‘*Tt may be better for us all, general, if he be not taken prisoner, but allowed to escape. The consequencesof taking him prisoner might turn out serious, if not fatal.” ‘* Why so?’ asked the general, in a tone as if he wished the answer to be given to the council. Don Diablo understood him, and said distinct- y: ‘* Maximilian, a prisoner, must be tried; and either punished or sent from the country. Al- lowed to escape, he will become an object of contempt to the world. If he be shot, he will be amartyr, and the republic exposed to the re- ogee of breaking the laws of civilized war- are. Thatis why I say he should be allowed to escape, if it be a possibility.” As he finished, there was a murmur of assent round the council, which was composed of old and experienced officers; and Millen said: ““That is good logic, Sefior Satani, if that’s name. Maximilianis an elephant on our ands, if we get him; and the best thing we can do is to send him off quietly.” Here Brooke, who had not said a word all the time, but had been staring at Satani, as if try- ing to accustom himself to the sight of the man he feared so much, broke in; ‘*{ don’t agree with the gentleman, general. If you take this pretended emperor, and do not punish him for the murders he has committed, against the Liberals, people will say you are afraid of him, and even the Americans, who are your friends, will despise you, and perhaps come and take your country from you, satisfied that ie dare not defend your rights, as they have en bequeathed to you.” The sentiment produced another low murmur of assent, which proceeded from the younger soldiers present; and a cavalry officer jumped up, and cried out: ; ‘“*Ay,ay. Did not the usurper issue an order two years ago, by which my brother was shot to death, for no other crime but defending his country? And for that, they stigmatized him as a brigand, and he was murdered by these Im- perialists, with the man Miramon give the order for his exeéution. I say that, if we take this Austrian prisoner, we should make him drink of the cup he has given to others, and shoot him as an enemy to society.” This time there was a decided round of ap- plause and gingls of scabbards; and Escobedo, seeing that the sentiment of the assembly was changing, in a manyer that suited his real de- signs, said, in his most insinuating way: ‘That is well; but we have not taken the city et. Don Diablo will be empowered tocontinue is negotiations with the officer in the service of the usurper, and we will hope for a fortunate issue to the adventure. In the mean timeythe bombardment will be resumed, and we will en- deayor to make lodgments as nigh to the walls of the church inclosure, as possible. Gentlemen, the council is dismissed.” - The assembly broke up, and the officers stroll- ed away, while the orders necessary for the —_ investment of the city of Queretaro were issued. Brooke found himself, as the council broke up, near Gideon; and both were not far from the mysterious Don Diablo, in the character of aide- de-camp to Escobedo, The Mormon chief looked puzzled as he no- ticed that the staff officer did not look toward them, or evince any consciousness of their pre- sence, any more than of others, though he was less than ten feet from them, as they stood by the door of the council-tent. ‘* Are you sure that it is thesame man?” whis- pered Gideon t6 the colonel, as he watched the “Tf it be not, it is the most wonderful like- ness in the world; and besides that, the name is the same as that he assumed in the character of amagician at El Paso. It must be the same,” Gideon hesitated a moment, and then, with a shrug of the shoulders as if trying to throw off a weight, said curtly: “TV llsettle it, if it is.” And he stalked up to the strange officer and pace himself right in front of » saluting im eigrycré - and saying: ; ‘* Mr. Arno d, it is a long time since I’ve seen ou.” The Mexican officer turned his head slowly and eyed the Mormon from head to foot, with- out moving a muscle of his dark face, as he said in Spanish: ; % tis the matter, sir?” Gideon squared his big frame opposite the ~ ee Oe ee ee 4 | _ \:
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other. and retorted, in English, with an insolent smite: ** That won’t do, Arnold. You know me, and Iknow you. You’re Horace Arnold, and the “sooner you get put where you belong, the better it will i for the general.” The Mexican officer stared at him in the same puzzled way, as he said in Spanish: ‘I don’t talk English, sefior. What do you want with me?” Gideon hesitated a moment, and then, as he gazed closer at the other, he broke out angrily in English: ‘I tell you it won’t do, You're Horace Ar- nold; and if you’re out of the lunatic asylum, it is because you have made yourescape. il have you put back there, as soon as I can tell the general who you are.” ——— CHAPTER XXIV. THE FIRST VICTIM. GipEon had spoken in a loud voice, and his manner called the attention of several officers toward him. Don Diablo, on the other hand, spoke low and politely, and his manner was that of perfect calmness as he answered the other. Millen who was near by heard the disturb- ance, and came up to ask: ‘¢ What is the matter, sefiors?” He spoke in Spanish, and Don Diablo eagerly ‘turned to him, saying in the same tongue: ‘*This gentleman persists in talking English to me, sefor, when I have told him I do not. un- derstand him, Will you be good enough to translate for me, for you, I believe, talk the American tongue.” Millen translated what he had said to Gideon, who retorted in English as before: ‘*He talks as good English as either of us, captain, but he is trying to play roots on me, His name isn’t Don Diablo, but Horace Arnold, ‘and he’s an escaped lunatic, who has got down here on some wild-goose chase or other. [know him well, for I took him to the asylum when he was ordered there.” Millen stared at him doubtfully, and the Mex- ican officers, who saw that some trouble was brewing between the two, crowded round as the Mormon made his accusation. ; Don Diablo showed no sign of bps incrres d what was said till the Irish captain translated, when he answered at once: : ‘‘PThe gentleman is mistaken, at the least. How ant be what the gentleman says when I am in Mexico, and have lived there for many s*years?” . 4 Millen translated, but Gideon broke in on him before he was through. ‘* Ay, ay; | understand what you mean, well enough. But these lunatics are as artful as the devil himself, and [ know him well.” How do you know me?” asked Don Diablo, ‘when the reply had been translated tohim. As he spoke, he dréw up his tall form to its ull hight and stood up before the Mormon. Gideon was staggered for a moment, and then said: . ‘¢ Tf it is the same man, he has a scar on the back of his head under the hair, made by the end of aclub. It is a three-cornered mark, for the stick was a square one, and he got it with the corner.” F Millen again translated, and Don Diablo smiled as he said: ‘“‘Such marks are common enough, but no gure signs. Ifthe gentleman has nothing better than that, he is a fool, as well as a knave, and ‘there is only one way to check his imperti- mence.” So saying, he stalked up to the other before ‘Gideon was a of what he meant, and draw- ing off his long ae: struck the Mor- mon across the face with a loud smack. He had hardly done so, when Gideon started ‘back and whipped out a pistol, intent to shoot thim down at once. But before he could fire Millen and several other officers had seized his arm, erying in hor- ror-stricken tones, that ‘‘he must be careful; the general was near by. and they would all be ‘broken for such a fight.” Gideon was sufficiently cool to see that they were right, but as he was still foamipg at the mouth with rage at the public insult he had re- «eived, he was pacified by Don Diablo, who said sweetly: ‘** Let the gentleman possess his soul in peace. I will give him all the satisfaction he can de- sire ” ‘* The sooner the better,” said Millen. quickly. *‘This is a serious matter, sefor, for you have struck an officer before us all, and you are ‘bound to fight him at once.” ‘* Who will stand my friend, then?” asked the -staff-officer, in the same ee way, at which there was an instant proffer of service from near ‘a dozen officers, while Brooke came close to “Gideon and whispered to him: ‘* You must kill him, or we are not safe.” Gideon favored him with a ghastly smile as said: “TH make him repent the day he crossed Then they all strolled away from the tent in eT The Mad Magician. groups, and to the edge of the camp, where a place fit for the duel was found, with a rapidity and skill that‘argued long practice and willing- ness on the part of all present. The weapons to be used were agreed to at once. The sword was preferred, as making no nvise; for shots would have attracted the atten- tion of the provost-guard, and that might have been awkward; as the general might have been forced to take notice of a thing that he general- ly winked at, and pretended not to see or hear. Within half an hour from the breaking up of the council, Gideon Scott and Don Diablo, both men stripped to the waist, stood opposite each other, saber in hand. They were evenly matched in hight; but the frame of the Mormon was much the heavier of the two, and his eye had a glare of angry anti- cipated triumph in it, that showed he expected to be the victor. The moment the word was given, both men crossed swords with a clash, and then sprung back out of reach, to avoid an unwary blow. Then the Mormon rushed in with a sweeping cut, trying to beat down the guard of the staff- officer, who, on his part, parried the blow with ease,and returned a light slash, which might have disabled the arm of the other, and actually inflicted a scratch thereon, Scott uttered an angry growl, for he had rided himself on his swordsmanship; but the esson made him cautious and he played in a more guarded manner. Don Diablo, on his part, did not offer to at- tack for several passes, contenting himself with holding his guard well up, and keeping out of measure; playing at the wrist and sword-arm of the Mormon, who seemed to be bothered by the play, to which he was unaccustomed. At last Don Diablo gave a fine opening at the leg he thrust in advance, hoping to induce Gid- eon to strike at it. But the bait did not take as he had intended, for the trick was too old for the other to be cheated by it. Instead of cutting at the leg, he cut at the head, and pressed close on the Mexi- can, till he had fought his way to a half-arm rally, when he beat up Satani’s blade with his own sword, and suddenly swinging forward his left leg and hand, tried to grasp the Mexican’s sword-arm,.while he stabbed him with his own weapon. Tt was a ergn, 3 and skillful movement of the kind known as “ brigand fencing,” only tolerat- ed in a duel without rule. Most men would have been caught by it, but Don Diablo, with acounter movement asswift as the other, retired his sword-arm out of danger, and throwing forward his own left hand, caught the wrist of the Mormon, while he ran his saber through Gideon’s body, till the hilt clinked against the other’s ribs. A yell of irrepressible and down fell the Mormon desperado, the lood oe from his cane’ the saber falling from his nerveless hand as he fell, Brooke uttered a low cry of alarm and rushed to succor his dying principal, when Don Diablo, withdrawing the weapon from the body of the dying Mormon, said, in lish, in a low voice, to Brooke, as he knelt by his friend: ‘That is the first. nd your confession to Escobedo, or you will be the second.” Then he turned and walked away as if no had me a while the Mexicans, who come with him, followed him, their faces show- ing that they were proud of the way in which he had sustained the national honor against one, who, though an ally, was; after all, only one of the ‘‘ tos Yanquis,”- As they ong, Millen, who had come with them, observed to Don Diablo, in Spanish: ‘*'You handle the saber well, sir. Where did you learn, if the question is a fair one?” Don Diablo smiled, as he replied: ‘‘In several places, though I never took a regular lesson. In the mean time, captain, we shall have a little morefun to-day. The general thinks it may be as well to fire a few rounds, to make the usurper think we are making a regu- lar siege. If we show too quiet a face he may suspec something, and frustrate the treachery of Lopez. ‘ = Lopes 1” echoed Millen with a whistle of sur- prise. ‘‘ And so that’s the man that is to sell his master. Did you know that his head is forfeit, if he is not pardoned?” The other nodded, and as they reached the vicinity of Millen’s battery, the captain observ- ed in English: : ‘*By the by, Sefior Satani, I suppose you are aware that I heard what that Mormon said to ou? if He spoke carelessly, but the Mexican was not to be caught. Instead of this, he said in Spanish: “Do me the favor to talk Spanish. Ido n§ understand the English.” Millen shrugged his shoulders as be replied: “Tt was something very like English that you spoke to Brooke. By the by, sefior, if ever you were in an American asylum it would not hurt you here.” , Don Diablo smiled. ‘That may well be, sefior, As for what I said to Colonel Brooke, that was a secret be- oo eee —s and goes no further. Is that under- s The Irish officer bowed. “Tt is a matter of bonor between us, of course. Where are you going now?’ The Mexican pointed to the ip 6 “T am going thither with a flag of truce, to demand a surrender, which will be refused, After that we shall see what we shall see.” So saying he went off, and ina few minutes more was seen riding toward (Queretaro, with a flag of truce and a trumpeter. CHAPTER XXvV. THE FLAG OF TRUCE, On the ramparts of the Church of the Holy | Cross, during the eouncil of war in the Liberal army, a like council was going on between the ror and his staff. neral Miramon, who well knew that, in the | event of a capture of the place, his own life was | not likely to meet with much respect at the | hands of men whom he had fought so relentiess- | ly ashe had the Juarists, was gruff and silent, | and only gave his opinion when it was asked, / while Lopez, whose dark face was strangel pallid, talked a great deal and proffered | sorts of schemes. The emperor, whose education in Europe had accustomed him to thinking of soldiers as men | who would cheerfully obey orders and go to | death in pursuance of their leader’s plan, was surprised at the quiet which had come over the Liberal forces since dawn. He had fully ex- pected to see a renewal of the bombardment and to find the outposts pushed forward as far as possible, with frequent skirmishes, instead of which there was absolute quiet all through the Liberal lines, and the first sign of life displayed therein was at the sound of the trumpet which summoned the council of war. After a good deal of empty discussion, in which Miramon took but little part, the emperor asked the general: ** How iso, do you suppose we could hold out here, general, if the enemy trusted to a simple blockade? That is to say, how-long will our provisions last, and have we enough ammuni- tion tostand a siege, and return shot for shot?” Miramon bowed his head slowly. “If our only wants were those of provisions and ammunition, your majesty, we might defy the enemy. We have plenty of powder and shot, with troops enough, if we can depend on Baer, He — the last words in such a meaning tone, that Lopez, who seemed to be touchy on the point, broke in sharply: ‘“And is there anything to make General Miramon suppose that we can not depend on the troops of his majesty?’ Miramon curied his lip slightly as he replied; ‘* The soldiers will not fight witbout leaders, and there are men in our camp who do not wish to Sight, if they can help it. Lo u shed an as he.retorted: the mera speak fn riddles. He should explain ; e emperor, who saw, from the manner of the two men, that some pip existed be- tween them, here interposed, quietly: ‘* Let us have no quarrels, gentlemen, between friends. I have perfect. confidence in the faith of my officers.” Miramon turned round and looked at his —— in a singular manner, as he replied, lowly: ad Fis.well, sire, to have such confidence, if it be not like that of Cesar in Brutus. Emperors have been betrayed before this.” Lopez started forward, as if to make an angry reply; but the emperor, with his tall, stately figure, and placid, blonde face, stood between the two dark men, likea statue of peace, as he waved his hand and said in an authoritative manner: “ Gen enough of this. General Mira- mon, the best way to avoid these discussions is to open fire ontheenemy, Let Colonel Lopez go to the batteries, and order a brisk fire on the guns that are posted on the Hill of Bells. They appear to be of axe} and ought to be siieeioed easily. i on will arrange a sortie, with all the troops that are available, and we will try to drive these fellows from their posi- tion. Miramon was about to answer when a sentry, who was posted on the edge of the rampart a little distance away, shouted out: ‘*Flag coming! Flag coming! <A parley!” The emperor started at the sound, for it went against his notions of discipline for a soldier to make any such announcemeft without orders. Miramon frowned and turned toward the man with the same idea ; but Colonel Lopez, who had been watching furtively all the time, cried out with an air of relief: ‘‘ Tt is a summons to surrender, and they will give us good terms.” ‘Good terms!” echoed Miramon swurly. “‘ Ay, ay, for some of us; but how about the rest?” The emperor checked the impending squabble between the two men, by saying decitiadty: “That is not to the point, gentlemen. . This summons, before they have fairly opened fire, - OO ‘
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oh, We must be an evidence of weakness, or a trick. In either case, it must be attended to and an- The Mad Magician. ‘*The terms are generous, considering every- thing, sir; but they are not admissible. The swered. Let Colonel Lopez go and receive the | people of Mexico, throwgh their notables, in- officer who is coming, and bring him here at | once,” Lopez cast a triumphant glance at Miramon, who turned his oe g away at this evidence of the way in which his master trusted the man Miramon suspected of being in league for his betrayal; and then the colonel descended from the ramparts, and, outside the wall, found a handsome officer, in a yellow uniform, with a red sash round his waist. This officer gave his card as ‘* Don Diablo Satani,” and was conduct- ed by the colonel straight to the top of the ram- parts, to the presence of the emperor. On the way a few words,in an undertone, passed be- tween the envoy and the colonel, who intro- duced him to Maximilian, and left him to do his business alone with the emperor, undisturbed by listeners. Maximilian scanned the figure of the officer with some pleasure, for he had seldom seen a handsomer map, A glance at the card caused him to smile, as he said: ‘You have a wicked name, sefior, but your face belies it.” Don Diablo smiled as he retorted: ‘* Your majesty knows that Iam not as black as I am painted. But that is not to the pur- se. I have come to offer your majesty the t terms that can be obtained from General Escobedo,” Maximilian frowned slightly, as he replied: ‘*T am not aware, sefior, that I have asked for terms, or that the situation of affairs warrants your offering them,” Don Diabio glanced round him before he an- swered. Miramon was at some distance off, and Lopez out of ear-shot, as he said, in a low |- and confidential tone: “Tf your majesty knew all, you would think differe tly. I assure your majesty that we do not hunger for your life, but that, if this siege goes on much longer, it will be impossible to save it. Your majesty is already betrayed by those who should be your best supporters, and who have agreed to sell your life for pardon for themselves. I implore your majesty, not Lesa myself a Mexican, but a foreigner in their service, to take the terms I am empowered to offer to you, before it be too late.” The emperor looked surprised at the way in which the other spoke, and there was something in his own voice that approached confidence, as he asked Don Diablo: ste! i are a foreigner, of what nation are you? You speak the language too well for one.” - The staff officer answered him without hesita- on. ; “Tam an American, sire.” ‘* An American?” echoed the Austrian, with a ‘slightfrown. ‘‘Those gentlemen have done me the honor to talk a deal about me, and to preach some doctrine which er call by the name of one of their Presidents. It seems that they think this continent belongs to them, and - that no one else is to come here, without their permission. If you are an American, you can- not surely care anything for the life of one of the members of what you call, I believe, the ef- fete monarchies of Europe—is not that so, sir?’ The other answered him quietly: “The Monroe doctrine is one of self-preserva- tion, sire, and we cannot give it up without dan- , en to ourselves. But at the same time we ericans do not believe in political murders, under the guise of executions; and we have just concluded a war in which we have not permit- ted a single execution; though, if the same had happened in Europe, the scaffold would have run red with bloéd, after the guns had ceased g. Once more, your sihajeaty, Limplore you to listen to the terms I have to offer, and take them, while there is yet time.” The emperor was so far impressed with the earnest way in which he spoke that he answered more mildly: — ‘*Tell me the terms, sir, and I will give you an answer.” ‘* They are these, sire,” said the other, eager- ly. ‘The Liberal commander wishes to give your majesty a chance to escape, He will keep a slack guard, and permit your majesty to ride away in the night, to Vera Cruz, there to take refuge on boar — ship of the Austrian navy that you please, and to leave the country, with- out molestation.” ‘““And what of my staff and my personal friends, who have-clung to my fortunes, through good report and evil?” asked the emperor. “Your majesty can»take any of them with ou, without any hindrance from us,” said Don iablo, promptly. ‘‘General Escobedo will be only too glad to secure peace at any price; and your majesty is aware that you have no follow- ing, now, among the people of Mexico. The prop withdrawn, the people of Mexico have de- cided against you.” Maximilian uttered a heavy sigh. He could not deny the truth of what had been said; but his pride, as a prince of the house of Austria, would not sa him to accept .the terms of- fered, So otly; é y shook his head, as he replied qui- | vited me to assume the crown, which I have | If they wish to | worn for their benefit alone, drive me forth, they must say it, through their votes. As long as there are rebels in arms, it is the duty of the emperor, ‘as the people’s representative, to fight against them to the death. You mean well,.sir, but I am compelled to refuse the terms. I shall defend Queretaro to the last-man that will follow me, Don Diablo bowed silently and retired a pace, as if to signify that the interview was ended; but the prince, with the charming smile that showed the influence of his high European training, said to him: ‘*But before you go, sir, let me thank you, as an honorable enemy, for the sympathy you have shown toward me, and for the offer you have made me. Believe me that, if I were per- suaded there was no chance for me, I would accept your offer, But there is a chance. My wife is even now in Europe, arranging for help from the powers—” ’ Don Diablo started at the words; and the emperor, seeing that he knew something of which Maximilian was ignorant, asked him anxiously, with a quiver in his voice that he could not conceal: ‘“ What have you heard, sir? Has anything happened to her? I have received no news for so long that— I implore you, sir, if you have any news. good or bad, to tell me at once,” Don Diablo seemed to he affected by some strange feeling, for he hesitated to answer for a few moments, and then said slowly, as he drew from his pocket a New York newspaper: ‘*T know nothing, sire, but what is in here; and these telegrams are apt to be false, at any time. I entreat your majesty not to attach too much importance to it; but, at the same time it may be true; and looking at the truth will save your majesty from trusting to those who are but rotten reeds.” , So shying, he handed the emperor the paper, and turned away, leaving Maximilian staring at the heading: “Latest Strom Europe The Empress Carlotta in- sane.’ The first news that the unhappy emperor had of the illness of his beloved wife, came from the hand of an enemy, in a strange paper. By the time he had read it, Don Diablo was back in the Mexican camp, and the battery of Millen was opening fire once more. The truce was over, t CHAPTER XXVI. THE SORTIE. THAT day, soon after noon, the bombardment of the town of Queretaro was recommenced, but without vigor and with little effect, the bat- teries of the besiegers being only light field ar- tillery, not capable of effecting a breach in walls of the thickness and strength of the town, and i reagan those of the Church of the Holy Cross, which had been made the citadel of the ror. oward sunset the fire slackened and the em- ror, who was standing on theramparts watch- ing the approach of the besiegers, said to Gen- ee << Laaigelate en ow, if we could onlydepend on our tr we have a fine chance to make a satin ar at these fellows.” Miramon sighed deeply as hé replied: ‘That is the worst, your majesty—if we could depend on them. But, from what I have seen, there is no dependence to be placed on them ina Bent. The game seems to be up, and if we get a air chance to majesty to do is to take it and ride for Vera Cruz, where there are foreign men-of-war whose commanders will give you an asylum,” Maximilian frowned deeply. “*T came here on the invitation of the Mexican people, through their notables, and they gave me the crown freely. If I were to fly to save my own life, I should give color to all that has been said about my being a foreign prince, up- held by foreign bayonets, Live or die, I have become a Mexican, and live for Mexico. If the maar do not want me, let them say so and take my life. Iam not conscious of having done anything, save what was done for the glory and vantage of the country which I have made my own.” Then he added: ’ ‘* That officer who came with the flag of truce this morning was a fine-looking fellow and de- serves to be on a better side than he is now. He actually behaved like a gentleman when he spoke to me, though he came to demand a sur- acon before. a breach had been made in the walls, Miramen was silent, gloomily thinking of the future, and the emperor continued musingly : ‘*When this is all over, Miramon, I wonder what the world will say of usin history?” Miramon shook his head, as he answered: ‘‘ History has nothing a ee for those who get the worst of a battle, sire. We enn pe, the best thing for your can but make our fate respectable by dying like: soldiers,” The emperor drew from his bosom the paper which had been given him by the Mexican en- voy, and said quietly: ; ‘* Miramon, that time has come for us. Reed that, and you will see that our hopes are: vain.” : He had retained his calmness ever since the first reading of the paper which had brought. him such ill news, and had given no outward. token of the disturbance that oppressed him ;. but now, as he handed the same paper to his- faithful follower, he broke down for an instant, and as he turned his back on Miramon mut— | ederd those words which he was to repeat at his eath: ** Poor Carlotta !"” It was his only word of repining at his hard fate, and Miramon heard it with a sense of des- | Olation that nothing else had brought to him. | Hardened old revolutionist as the general was,, he had never before been brought in contact. with a character like that of ximilian, the simple nobility and unselfishness of which had completely taken him captive. He scanned the- ay a which brought the iJ] news, and then said. slowly: ‘*T hat is the end of all, sire. We shall be bet- ter off than the empress, for our troubles will be over in a short time; but bers will last till it pleases the good God to release her from thislife of sorrow,” The emperor made no reply save to wring the hand of the other in silence, and then walked away to the end of the rampart, where he found Lopez gazing at the enemies’ batteries, as if he enjoyed the prospect. The batteries on the ramparts of the church inclosure were re- plying feebly, and the siege seemed a8 if it lan-- pene for want of ammunition or spirit, but. looked round to’say to his master, cheer-- y: ful sha]l beat them off yet, I think,” Maximilian inclined his head gravely, as he replied : i ‘We could do it easily, if we had but a little spirit, What say you to headiig a sally from the walls?” — looked frightened, as he hastily said: ‘*{t would be too dangerous, sire. Suppose they should drive us back and get possession of the gates! We might be taken by surprise be- ‘| fore we could devise a proper resistance,” ** Nevertheless,” said the emperor, still more gravely, ‘‘IT donot think that it becomes the. tmperor of Mexico to stay here, and be taken like a rat in a trap, without a fight. Order out: allthe men that are available, and we will do. what we can.” Lopez made no answer but a salute, and with-. in half an hour from that time the gates were. thrown opényand’a heavy fire was brought to. bear from the ramparts of the church inclosure. on the besiegers outside; while a strong body of troops made a rush for Millen’s battery on the Hill of Bells, which the emperor had decided to- be the key of the position. 4 Miramon led the sally, and the emperor him— self was only dissuaded from going with it by the general, who represented his life was too valuable to be sacrificed in. battle, The Austrian prince yielded, but as the col- umn departed the last words he said to Miramon. were: ‘* The time is not far distant:when I may be- sorry that I did not go with you, and fall as a. soldier should on the field.”. : His words were prophetic, though at the time. no one suspected it. The sally was successful. so far that the column reached the Hill of Bells: in safety, and compelled Millen to limber up his guns and take to flight in confusion, the support: on which he had calculated from the Mexicans. giving way and fleeing Jike ne Miramon actually thought that he had a. chance of victory, and pursued his advantage: to the utmost, traversing the camp of the Jua- _ rists, and driving horse ard foot a distance of near a mile before his progress was checked. Then the extreme advance, that had hitb- _ erto experienced no serious resistance, found itself confronted for the first time by a line of men who stood firm and fired rapidly, causing severe lags in the ranks of the Imperialists, The march of the column was checked, and the men extended into a line to op the: others, when to their astonishment the opposing line suddenly lowered bayonets and charged headlong with a wild yell, such’ as had never: been heard in Mexico before, In front of the line could be seen a flag beside. the standard of Mexico, which was instantiy recognized by the Imperialists, and which ac~! ag for the unexpected spirit of the as- sault. A great cry arose of ‘* Los Yanquis! Los Yan-. quis!” and from that moment all the influence of Miramon, great as if was, could not keep his men to their work. Bit by bit, the lately gal- lant soldiers gave back, and the colors of the American Regiment waved in triumph on the. top of the Hill of Bells, just as Millen came timely ‘* If they can do no better than this, sire, we: | loping up, with the guns he had saved pa iS 2 ; retreat. eis seal a
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/ The sally, that had driven.the whole Juarist his dilemma; and it was left for Colonel Davol, The Mad Magician. army in confusion, was checked by the return ; the second in command, to say to the general: ~onset of a single regiment; and the emperor looking down from the rampart, murmured sadly: “Oh, if I had but such soldiers as that, in amy army, I could stay here forever.” He saw his own men, who had swept out so ‘bravely, coming back in a demoralized mob, ‘followed by the skirmishers of the American Regiment, yelling and firing as they came, head- ved by a brilhant figure in a yellow uniform, in which the emperor recognized the staff officer ‘who had come in under a flag of truce, that morning. Don Diablo was on horseback, waving his sword, a conspicuous object in the midst of the confusion; but he seemed to bear a charmed life from the way in which he remained unhurt, in the midst of a fire under which men were drop- ‘ping like leaves in autumn. The gr agp was finally compelled to go down to the gate himself, and personally take out a battery of artillery, to protect the re- treat of hisown men, before they could regain the shelter of the fortress they had left so gay- y When at last they were all in, he found that the sally had cost him, in killed, wounded and missing, more than five hundred men, while the survivors were so much demoralized that it would be impossible to get them out again, from the shelter of the fortifications, Reluctantly he was compelled to acknowledge to himself that the question of the fall of Faye gh had become merely one of time, and that, in the end, he must succumb, His men would not fight for him, and the American Regimert, by its very name and reputation, had completely cowed them all. In this frame of mind, he saw the sun set, and called together his staff for a last consulta- tion. CHAPTER XXVII. THE COLONEL’S RECORD, COLONEL BROOKE, his face flushed with plea- sure, stood by the guns of the battery his regi- ment had rescued, while General Escobedo, in presence of all his staff, thanked him for the service the American Regiment bad rendered, and for ariving. the usurper back to his hole, in the gardens of Queretaro.” Brooke Lad not behaved badly in the battle— that is to say, he had encouraged his men to advance, though he had kept behind them; and when they reached the summit of the Hill of . Bells, and the battery opened fire again, he was up with the rest of them, Nevertheless, he was aware that the man who had led the charge, in advance of the whole regiment, exposing himself in the most reckless manner, so that all the soldiers adored him, had been the staff officer of Escobedo, in the yellow uniform; the very man he had most reason to fear and hate at the moment. But as soon as the triumph had been accom- lished, this officer had disappeared, and now e was not to be seen, even in the midst of Es- cobedo’s staff, where Brooke had expected him to be found. And this it was, perhaps, which made him unusually modest and silent, while the eral was praising him for what he called the ‘‘he- roic way in which he had led his regiment to action.” i He was well aware that his own men knew the difference, for there are none so quick to see the conduct of their officers as American sol- ers; and the way in which the unknown staff officer had exposed himself in their front had had itseffect on the men of the American Regi- ment, who were looking for him everywhere. This became a it in a moment more, when the officer himself, who had been absent, came up in the rear of the general, and was greeted with a tumultuous cheering which sur- prised Escobedo, who could not at first under- stand its cause, and looked round him in sur- prise to see what was the matter, . Don Diablo rode quietly up and saluted his chief, whilethe men of the American ment roke ranks and cheered louder than before, so that the general asked Brooke: ‘$ ‘oat i the matter with your men, sefior? They usually the quietest in the camp, and to-day they seem to bave gone mad.” . Brooke colored and stammered that ‘ he sup- posed it was because they were glad to see the S reerine and that it was the custom of the merican soldiers to cheer their generals, when they saw them.” Escobedo smiled at the flattery, which he swallowcd without difficulty, and the scene ‘would have ended there, had not one of the sol- diers in the ranks shouted out: ‘*Three cheers for the Mad Magician, boys! He may be crazy, but he’s a fighter, and that’s what we want, just now.” ' Flesdbedio beard and understood, and seemed ed: : __. “Sefior ery who is this Mad Magician, coul he mortified ; xue ‘ile Don Diablo, with a smile on his ce, gave no assistance to him in ‘*The men are shouting for one of your staff officers, general, The one they call Don Diablo Satani; he it was who led our charge, and gave it most of its weight.” eaconene looked still more puzzled, as he asked: “ And why the e? Don Diablo is no ma- i gician, and he is not mad.” Davol shrugged his shoulders, as he said: ‘* As for being mad, I know not; but I will answer for his being one of the most skillful magicians that I eversaw. It is not possible that you do not know that, general? At El Paso he did things I never saw done before, and puzzled all of us.” $ ve general turned to Satani, to say with a smile: ‘* How is this, that you have been hiding your light under a bushel all this time? I had no idea that you possessed so many accomplish- ments as this gentleman asserts.” The pale face of Don Diablo never changed, as he replied: “The gentleman does me too much honor. 1 have a few feeble talents, which are entirely at your excellency’s service, but they are not so great as he represents. In the mean time, gen- eral, Colonel Brooke has a paper to present to you, which he promised to give you before the sun sets, which will explain a good deal that I cannot do, without telling a long story.” Brooke turned paler than before,as he stam- mered: ‘*Me? A paper! You are mistaken, sir. I have no paper to—” And he stopped, while Crocker, who had been watching him closely, ever since the staff officer had come up, touched Dayai’s arm, and took him to one side, where he whisrered: ‘‘Something crooked here, Davol; but I’m hanged if I can see what itis, The chief has some secret in his past life, which makes him afraid of that man; and I begin to think there is a crime hidden in his demeanor.” Davol, in the same tone, answered: ‘*No business of ours, anyway. It will be sure to come out soon; and for my part I don’t think our chief is quite the man we thought him, when we elected himcolonel, He didn’t show the grit that I like in a man, when we were ad- vancing. I like a fellow who says ‘Come on, boys!’ instead of getting in the rear and shout- ing ‘Go on, you scoundrels!’ Is that the way you used to do in the Confederate army?” Crocker flamed up in a moment, as he retort- ed angrily: ** Not a bit of it, as you Yanks ought to know by this time. But I own Brooke hasn’t panned out as well as I expected. The factis he was not in the army of Northern Virginia, and we took him on his reputation, which came to us largely from rumor.” ‘ ‘Where did he come from?” asked Davol. Crocker smiled, with a spice of malice as he said: ‘* From New York, I believe, originally. So ou see that it will not do to set down any of is short-comings to the account of the South, friend Davol.” Davol smiled, for he had no sensitiveness on the score of the valor of the respective sections of the Union, but he could not help the little thrust— ‘*No, the South has sins enough of its own to answer for, I believe, Crocker, so we can let her slide. New York City, I sapyess you mean he came from, that was always half Southern in its make-up before the war, and did all it could to help the South while it lasted. But we must find out what is the matter with Brooke. You can help me to do this. When did he come South, do you know?” Crocker shook his head as he said: **T don’t know, exactly ; but 1 can find out for you. Hecame to us from the West, and his re- cord isin my papers, He was in Kirby Smith's army, which was the last to surrender, you know. Davol looked a little disturbed at what the adjutant said, and replied hastily : ‘Perhaps it would not be exactly the thing for me to begin an investigation into the pas record of my commanding officer. People ight say I wanted to get the regiment by foul play; but at the same time, Crocker—” ‘““Attbhe same time,” assented the adjutant, “* we don’t want a man representing us who has a blot in his record. I am going to find out what it is, and if itis what I think, out of the ment he goes, by hook or by crook.” he said this he noticed that General Esco- bedo, who had been talkirg apart to Satani and the colonel, took leave of the latter with mark- ed coldness, saying, as he went: — “ . Ca 4 Seg look for the paper to-night, Sefior CHAPTER XXVIII. THE NEWSPAPER, THE night had closed in over the city of Quere- taro and the camp of the besiegers when Gi Brooke was pacing his tent, his face set in an anxious frown, while the disjointed words that escaped from his lips showed that ‘he was in nn Le tt tt ee nee ee wpe en tr ee ee ee 21 great agitation of mind and body, his disturb. ance actually producing physical pain. The sweat rolled off his forehead and down his temples, while the corrugation of his fore. head showed that he was suffering some secret torture. “Oh,” he muttered at last, ‘‘ why did I not kill him when I had the chance in safety?” ‘His meditations were interrupted here by e. om boxy the canvas of the tent, and he hastily cried: ‘* Who is there?” The voice of the adjutant replied: “It is I, colonel.” The colonel, with an air of relief, said at once: **Come in, Crocker. What is it? The roll- call?” The adjutant entered the tent quietly and his face was so grave that the colonel, with a faiter- ing voice, said to him; ‘Why, what is the matter, Crocker?” The adjutant held in his hand a newspaper, which he extended to his commanding otticer, saying in the grave tone which suited his face and air: **T have come, colonel, oni behalf of all the of- ficers, to ask if you know the contents of this journal?” me Brooke trembled perceptibly as he took the paper and glanced at the heading, saying: *‘ Why, what is this? An old paper. Why, this is four years old, sir. Huw am I to know what is in it?” “Tf you have no objection, colonel, you can read the marked column and tell us whether that is the same person that we think it is.” The yoice of the adjutant was calm but stern, and his commanding officer turned pal- er and paler as he listened. But he forced a laugh as he said: ‘Why, certainly, Crocker, if you wish. But what am I to look at,and what is the particular crime you accuse me of?” Crocker compressed his lips. “T am not aware that any one has accused you of any crime.” he said dryly. ‘‘ That is a matter for. yourself to settle, colonel. All we ask is, whether you are the George Brooke mentioned iu that paragraph or not?’ And as he extended the paper to Brooke with one hand he pointed with the forefinger of the other to an article, nearly a column in length, heralded by a staring display-heading. Brooke looked at the article indicated as if he had never seen it before, but the way in which the paper shook as he handled it showed that his ignorance was assumed. and the keen-sighted adjutant perceived it instantly. he article was headed: “A WEDDING INTERRUPTED! START- LING STORY OF CRIME IN HIGH ) LIFE)” and ran on from sentence to sentence in the — reportorial style, piling adjective on ad- jective. ; Crocker watched his chief as he read it slow- ly and saw that he affected to be perusing it, though his eye frequently wandered from the paper to the floor. e took a long time to read or pretend toread it, and when he was forced to look up at last, he said to Crocker with a forced smile that be- came him ill: “* Well, what has that to do with me, sir?” Crocker bit his lip. “* That is just what we wish to know, sir. Of course, if you are prepared to give us your word that you are not the person mentioned in that article the thing goes no further; bnt—” ** And suppose,” interrupted the colone], with an attempt at haughty composure, “that I do not choose to say anything on the subject at all; what then, Mr. Crocker? 1 believe I am colonel.” The adjutart colored slightly as he replied: “In that case, sir, I am desired, by the of- ficers of this regiment, to return and tell them your decision et once.” Brooke frowned as he retorted hastily : ‘Ttstrikes me, Mr. Crocker, that this savors very much of a mutinous combination. What business have the officers of my regiment with the private doings of their colonel, sir?” “Only this, sir,” returned the adjutant, as haughtily as himself, “that we are not under the laws of the United States, or the Confed- erate States either, but under those of the Re- public of Mexico; and that we shall appeal to General Escobedo, who is apprised of the tenor of this article, to cancel your commi:sion at — once, and to turn over the command to Colonel Davol or Major Hardenkopf. es soon as possible. We did not take service voinnterily to be com- pelled to obey a man we cannot respect.” Brooke bit his lip at the unexpected assault, for he had fancied the adjutant on his aide, alto- ether. gen Never mind that, Mr. Crocker,” he said, in a constrained way. ‘‘T am of course aware that gentlemen and men of honor are not to rest under the accusations contained in such a ment as that in this paper without eny defense. Well, sir, you can tell the officers of the regi- - = ss ; ‘| oe 9 7
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tie ” 22 ment that, out of consideration for their feel- ings, and for other reasons, I answer the accu- The general shook his head. ** No need of such athing. "You are subject sation, Iam not the person named in the ar- | to the orders of Don Diablo Satani, who will ticle, Iknow the animus of the man who has | conduct the column, and he will tell you what given it to you to read, and I will expose it at , todo.” the proper time. He is a fellowcalled Horace ! Arnold, who was sent to State’s Prison for a | Brooke hesitated. ‘*Is there no other officer of your staff that burglary committed on his own father, and he | can be Bama in the command?” he asked, slow- has never forgiven me because, being his next of kin, I inherited the money of the very father he sought torob. That is all, sir.” is tones were so dignified and grave that Crocker was for a moment taken aback, and Brooke, seeing the advantage he had obtained, went on in the same way: ‘*T am glad to give the officers this assurance, Mr. Crocker; the more so, that this matter has been on my mind forsome time. I have felt a good deal of pain to observe that a good many of my officers seem to have been disposed to be- lieve, without any sufficient evidence, the accu- sations of this man Arnold; but I can assure them that, if I have not, before this, come out and denounced him, itis only because we are con- nected by ties of blood, and I cannot expose him without giving scandal toinnocentpeople, whom he hasinjured. Thatis all, sir. Good-night.” And he led the adjutant to the door of the tent, and dismissed him there, with the authori- tative air of a colonel, so that Crocker actually found himself outside the tent before he knew where he was, with all his suspicions unsatisfied. The honest soldier shook his head in the dark, and walked off in the direction of Major Har- denkopf’s tent, muttering to himself: os Well, by Jove, this is a queer thing.” Meanwhile the man inside the tent, the instant the other had gone, resumed his uneasy walk. The constraint he had put on himself while Crocker was there had vanished, and he wrung his hands as he said, half to himself, half to something unseen, that he apostro hized : ** Oh, my God, where is all this to end?” The air returned no answer, and Brooke con- tinued to pace the tent till the trumpets, pierc- ing the night air outside, told of the hour of tattoo. As the last notes sounded, he heard a second rap on the canvas, in a sharp, impera- tive manner that caused him to ask: . “Who is there now?” ‘* Captain Roblado, from General Escobedo,” was the reply, as the tent door was opened and a Mexican officer entered, He was attired in the buff-leather uniform of the staff, and his manner was curt and imperi- ous, as he said to Brooke: ‘*The general wishes to see you at once, in his tent, sir.” “« will come,” said Brooke, stiffly. ‘‘ Give me time to put on my side-arms and dress uni- form, and I will come at once.” Captain Roblado shytaged his shoulders, ** As you aporb but [ should recommend you to hurry. The general is in no mood to wait.” ‘* He will have to wait for me, though,” said Brooke, obstinately, as he began to dress with unusual care, His face was paler than usual; for he foresaw that a struggle was imminent, in which he was likely to get the worst of it; but he had made up his mind, after being driven into a corner, that he would do his t to fight, and would not give up tamely, * After all,” he said to himself, ‘‘ the man has no proof of anything that concerns these Mexi- cans; andif he tells all the old story they will only laugh at him, They are different from these high-spirited men from the Corifederacy: Wish I Red isomn which side was going to win. I would not have been in this state, ay. But who in the world would have suspected that Horace Arnold should turn up, here, of all laces in the world, and in such a capacity? It Boats everything.” By that time he had assumed his best uniform and buckled on his sword, taking his way to the tent of the commander-in-chief, whom he found awaiting him, walking up and down the tent, and who saluted him with the forbidding greet- ing: "8 Well. sir, you have kept me waiting nearly ten minutes.” Brooke bowed respectfully but coldly, as he replied: ‘IT made all the haste I could, your excel- lency, but I could not come till I had put on my dress uniform.” Then Me added, in the same cold manner: **To what do I owe the honor of this sum- mons?” Escobedo eyed him doubtfully for a moment, as he answered; ‘Your regiment will be assigned to the at- tack on Queretaro, to-night, and you will get under arms at once.” 2 i CHAPTER XXIX, « MUSTERING FOR THE ASSAULT. THE summons was a sensible relief for Brooke, who had had a vagueexpectation that some new form of the persecution, to which he had lately been subjected, was coming. He bowed and stgmgucred, in some confusion: *T am much honored by the commission, your excellency, Is there to be a night assault?’ ly. ‘* Your excellency is aware that the gentle- man you speak of and myself are on bad terms; and that your excellency’s orders would be bet- ter carried out by assigning to the duty two ple who would work together, better than on Diablo and myself possibly can.” Escobedo modden. ** Exactly. By the by, I suppose you have got that paperready, of which Don Diablo spoke to me?” ‘*On the contrary, sir, I have no paper; and I do not Sy to give any,’ replied Brooke, boldly, ‘‘Il had the honor to assure your ex- cellency that Don Diablo had given you a false—” The general turned round on him suddenly, saying sharply : ‘Take care what you say, sir. Don Diablo is in the next tent, and if his honor is attacked, he will be sure to resent it, and I*shall not stand between you and him.” Brooke curled his lip as he answered: ‘** That is very true, sir; but I am not asking indulgence for my words. I can maintain them, in any place. Don Diablo, when he said that | had a paper to give to you, asserted what was not true.” The general nodded as if satisfied, and called Pa ut: ‘*Don Diablo, do you hear that?” He had turned his head toward an inner tent, and the words were followed by the sound of a person moving a chair on a board floor, while the curtains were parted,and Don Diablo Sa- tani came forth from the inner tent and said, 1 **T heard, rest, and I assert, on the con- trary, that only last night this gentleman prom- ised, on his faith as a Christian, to give to your excellency a paper, which was to be a full con- fession of the crimes of which he has been guilty toward me and other persons. If he de- nies it now,so much the worse for him. Re- pentance and sorrow might wipe away the crimes of the ye but, as it is, they must be exposed to the light of day. I am ready, when- ever your excellency gives the order, to lead the column to Queretaro.” He did not so much as look at Brooke, who was manifestly uneasy under his pres- ence, but who assumed an air of relief as he heard the staff officer give up, for the present the idea of forcing him to sign a confession o his crimes, whatever they might have been. Escobedo looked puzzled for a moment, and then said, briskly: ‘* Well, well, that can be settled later, In the mean time, it is important that nothing in this expedition should fail for want of A ob codéperation from both of you, Don Diablo, do you boca can work with this gentle- man, and he with you?” - The staff officer bowed. ‘* There will be no difficulty on oo amha All I ask of this gentleman is that he obeys orders, and we shall hold none but official communica- tion together.” A general nodded approvingly, as he re- Pe That is right. Official relations are differ- ent from private ones; and I can get on per- fectly well with a man I hate to the death as long as wo a. ~"*+ on duty together, These are the orders, gentie.. “ns Don Diablo will have the command of the column, which will consist of the American Regiment, supported by the regiment of Chihuahua and Don Jaime Mil- leno’s battery. The guns are to be drawn by hand, so as to make the least possible noise, and you are to seize the town and church inclosure as silently as possible. Itis expected that you will be masters of the place by sunrise.” Brooke listened intently, and asked him form- ally: ats Don Diablo superior in rank to myself, general, that heis put in command over me and other troops? I ask because I have reason to believe that I have more experience in ac- tion than he has, and that I may be better fitted for command than he.” Escobedo stared at him as if he hardly believ- ed his ears, and then retorted, with an accent of some scorn: “* Sefior Brooke, is it usual, in the American service, for the subordinate officer to dispute the official orders of their superiors? I merely ask for information.” Brooke colored deeply, but his tone was haughty, as he replied: “In the American service, general, a man is never put under his junior in rank; and the commander of a regiment is never put in sub- ordination to a simple staff officer.” ** Not even if that staff officer holds a commis- sion which makes him rank the commander of a regiment?” asked Escobedo, quietly. Brooke started Sr ped as he replied: ‘* Well, no, I don’t go as far as that, general. The Mad Magician. _— / But this officer has surely not such a commis- sion asthat.” <« ‘““Since when “does your own commission date, sefior?” asked the general,in the coldest of tones. Brooke replied: ‘* Since we left El Paso, general.” ‘* And when does your commission date, Don Diablo?” asked the general, quietly turning to Satani. The staff officer calmly took from his breast- pin a big envelope, which he passed to rooke, remarking: ‘The colonel can see for himself, general that it dates from last year, just after the end of the American war.” Brooke took the commission as if it had been made of red-hot iron instead of innocent paper, and found, as Don Diablo had said, that it was dated in the summer of 1865, soon after the end of the civil war in which he himself had served. He looked at it giomally, and then handed it back, with the remark to Escobedo: ‘*T see, general, and it is all-sufficient. It is ge as well to have these things settled. Now shall have no hesitation in obeying the orders that Colonel Satani gives me.” A faint smile crossed the face of Satani as the other spoke, and the general said, with au air of satisfaction: ‘*There, that is settled now. I apprehend that you will have no trouble in getting in and taking the town; but remember that, if there is any slip-up of the plans, the whole army is ready to support you, so that the regiment in advance will not be sacrificed. Good-night, Colonel Brooke. Don Diablo is competent to attend to all the rest of the affair to-night.” And he bowed them out, Brooke followin the man he now knew to be his superior, with a sense that all was getting to be very much as he did not want it to be. The other, when they were outside, made no allusion to the private affairs in which they were both concerned; but merely said to Brooke, as he turned his back on him; ** Get your regiment under arms at midnight, without any trumpets or drums, and be ready to march light. The men will not need their knapsacks or anything but a water-bottle, and fifty rounds. The muskets will not be loaded without orders, and the bayonet will be trusted to, till positive orders are given to fire. That is all, sir. I shall expect your adjutant to re- = ito me at half-past eleven in front of this ent. So saying, he turned away, and Brooke, feel- ing as if the whole thing were as much of a dream as ever, went to his own tent and gave Crocker the orders he had just received the very man who had come to his bedside so mysteriously, and whose character was still an enigma to him, as well as his position in the Mexican army. Crocker was delighted at the idea of active service, and especially of night service with the bayonet, in what might prove to be a desperate and daring assault. Brooke, who knew _ better what was likely to be the outcome of the expedition, was by no means depressed at the prospect. He was nots in loye with desperate assaults, but this one promised to be a merely victorious march, in which the American Regiment was to have the post of honor, and all the credit that could be got out of the affair, The hum of preparation was soon heard, as the sergeants went through the camp, rousing the men from their first naps, and telling them to get ready for a fight at once. The summons was gladly heard, for the men of the American Regiment were already heartily tired of the in- active life they had led since they came to Queretaro, and were willing to run into danger to escape another day in the blistering sunshine of Mexico, with nothing to do to pass away the time but playing at cards, with no money for stakes. By half-past eleven Crocker was able to go to the general’s tent to report, and there he found Don Diablo waiting, with his sword un- der his arm, while the bayonets of a regiment of Mexicans gleamed in the starlight behind him, and the dark outlines of horses and guns showed that the battery was waiting its turn. CHAPTER XXX. THE NIGHT MARCH, ‘* TELL Colonel Brooke to march his men here and take charge of the guns,” said the staff of- ficer. ‘‘ We are to drag them in by hand, and the Americans are sent first because the general trusts them to hold their tongues better than the Mexicans.” Crocker saluted and turned away, reporting to the colonel, who growled hh good deal at the indignity put on him by ‘turning his mén in- to draggers of cannon,” but finally obeyed the order, The Americen Regiment came marching si- lently up, and the horses were taken from the guns of the battery, ropes being furnished the men by which the guns were to be dragged by hand to the assault. Then Don Diablo gave the order to advance and
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The Mad Magician. 23 the whole column stole off through the darkness toward the flank of the camp, no one knowing where they were going. They had expected to be taken under the walls of Queretaro, but the staff officer led them by a long détour, which took them an hour to tra- verse and which made the men tired on account of the ups and downs in the road, which was rocky and uneven. At last they turned toward the walls of Que- retaro and halted ina grove of trees not very far from the western end of the town, where a gate was known to be situated. The men were told to observe strict silence, and Don Diablo went off alone toward the town on foot. Colonel Brooke was left in command, with strict orders not to move the men out or to al- lew any smoking or talking till the return of the leader, Brooke did not like the subordinate réle as- signed to him, but he obeyed orders, the rather that the officers of his regiment kept aloof from him, with marked coldness, and showed that the explanation made to Crocker bad not satisfied them. The contents of tbe paper which had reached him so mysteriously, by what channel he did not yet know, had changed all their minds toward him. The sense of isolation at last became so. pain- ful that he said to Major Hardenkopf, who hap- pened to be near him: . ‘¢ What is the matter, major?” The German shrugged his shoulders, answer- ing: EW ot should be de madders mit us, colonel? De order vas not to speak, and ve vas obey dem. Dot Satani he know his peesness, I guess.’ ‘¢ He knows how to slander other people,” re- plied Brooke, sharply. ‘‘ You need not deny it, major. I know that scoundrel has poisoned our minds against me, and Pll get even with im yet, when this trouble is over with us.” ‘¢Wat drouble vas you mean?’ asked Harden- kopf, innocently. “ This siege, or whatever you call it,” retort- ed Brooke, savagely. ‘‘I saw that infamous newspaper puragraph that Crocker showed me, and it is an infamous lie, all through. I never had anything to do with the matter, and it is only a similarity of names that has led him to do me this injustice.” ( The stolid German shrugged his shoulders again, as he replied: “Dot vas all right, colonel. You know v’at vas in dot baper?”’ ‘¢ Crocker showed it to me, and I saw some- thing about a man of my name who was said to . have done something very discreditabletoa man of the name of Arnold,” said Brooke, uneasily. Hardenkopf chuckled slightly as he re- rted: ‘‘ Yah! Dot vas de very thing, colonel. Dot man Brooke—I do not say dot you vas de same man—but dot man Brooke in de baper, he vas a doorty scoundrel—vas he not, now? He vas such a coward, you know, sooch a v’at you call a dead-beat ; is not dot de Eengleesh?” He seemed to take a pleasure in enlarging on the wickedness of this other Brooke and asking the colonel’s opinion on the subject, so that Brooke, writhing inwardly at the necessity, re- lied : ¥ ‘Well, what of that,if I am not the same man? Besides, [ don’t see that what he did was so cowardly.” , Hardenkopf uttered an exclamation of won- der,as he cried: ‘Ach Gott! Vat vas dot you say, colonel? V’y, dot man vas de most doorty of cowards! Deed you not read v’at he deed? You cannot haf, paid attention to it, or you vould not say so, Here Davol, who had been lingering near them, listening to the conversation, with sev- eral other officers, said quietly: ‘*T really cannot see how any man of honor could say that the conduct of the Brooke in the paper, whoever he may be, is not in the worst degree culpable and dishonorable.” rooke turned on his heel and walked away for a moment, and then came back to the group of officers, to whom he said, in a voice that struggled with his passion: 2 Centienién, you appear to take great plea- sure in talking on this subject, when the very name of it is disagreeable to me. I have told you, already, that [ am not the person in that per, and yet you persist in bringing it up be- ore me.” : ‘¢ Your name is George Brooke, isn’t it?” cried & Voice in the rear, ‘‘ and we all know that you came from New York just about the time men- tioned in that paper.” ‘*' Who says so?’ asked Brooke, furiously, “* Let the man come forth and we will see who is my enemy here.” t_as there was no answer he contented him- self with the defiance: ‘*T say it is all false, and a_plot to injure me.” Further dispute was prevented by the ap- pecaen of Don Diablo, who was seen coming ack toward the soldiers, and who issued orders for the column to take up its march again, Once more they stole silently out of the grove and skirted the walls of Queretaro till they ar- rived in the vicinity of the gate at which they e ted to obtain entrance. ere another halt was called, and Don Diablo fell back to the head of the American Regiment to say to Brooke, before his officers: ** Give me a company infront. Let the guns follow us closely, and the rest of the regiment come behind,” Brooke nodded to Crocker to give the order, and the first company of the American Regi- ment went forward with the staff officer, taking a qe pace, and leaving a considerable inter- val between themselves and the rest of the regi- ment. Brooke let them go forward, and then, as the guns were about to follow with the rest of his men, he said sharply: ‘‘Halt! Who ordered you to stir? I believe I command this regiment at present. When I have been dismissed it will be time for you handy gentlemen to take command, in your turn.” The angry tone in which he spoke had its ef- fect, and the movement which had commenced was stopped, while the distance between the regiment and the advance company increased every moment. The night was by this time far advanced, and the moon, which was in its last quarter, had just risen, so that the progress of the company, which had gone with Don Diablo, was stately visible from the regiment itself. On they went toward the foot of the ram- parts, and the faint light of the moon shorfe on their bayonets as they approached the gate, oe was to be opened to them by the traitor opez. till the American Regiment kept in its place, till Davol, who was growing uneasy at the gap between the advance company and its supports, ventured to say to Brooke: ‘* Had we not best go on, colonel? If there is any trouble at the gate we shall be needed.” rooke’s only reply was: ‘*T believe 7 command this regiment, sir.” And Devolstorpe’ back, frowning at the cold way in which he been addressed, but hesi- tating whether to make open trouble. Atiast some one was seen coming back at a run from the advance body of men, and a Mexi- can officer hurried up, saying: ‘* Why do you not advance, gentlemen? Don Diablo orders an immediate advance, The en- emy desire to have an excuse to surrender to force, and may resist, if they do not see plenty of men before the gate.” _ Brooke, in the same obstinate way he had pre- served all through, made answer to the messen- er: “Go back and tell Don Diablo that I under- stand my business, and don’t intend to run my regiment into.a trap.” he Mexican angrily retorted: ‘* There isno trap. This is a positive order. Will you advance your regiment or not?” ‘Not till I think proper,” returned Brooke, still more angrily, ‘‘Let him take his city alone, if he can.” The Mexican—he was a young officer who had come with Satani—was too much astonished to do more than return whence he had come, to give the astounding intelligence that the second in command refused to obey orders; and as he went off, a murmur rose among the officers of the American Regiment, when the suspense was put an end to by the sudden flash of a cannon. at ed pote, and the hum of a shot over their eads, Davol and Hardenkopf at once drew their swords, and shouted to the men, disregarding Brooke’s presence : “PORWARD!” ; The American Regiment broke into a run with aloud yell, and swept forward to the foot of the wall, where they found the gate open, and a whole battery of s beginning to fire. But, strange to say, the shot from these guns was sent high over their heads, and did not hurt a man in the assaulting column. It swept on at a run; entered the fortifications of the city of Queretaro, and within half an hour had mastered the whole place, and driven the few defenders who did their duty into the inclosure of the Church of the Holy Cross, the whole cir- cuit of which was occupied by the Liberals; while the American Regiment and its supports were in positions from which they could com- mand every window. As the sun rose, a flag of truce was hung out from the church. CHAPTER XXXI. TERMS OF SURRENDER, THs ike prea of the flag of truce was greet- ed by aloud cheer from the soldiers of all regi- ments that thronged the city of Queretaro, ard none cheered louder than the very men who had treacherously surrendered, the night before, ony a pretense of fighting which had deceived nobody. The pe that had been fired, as the Liberals entered the gates, had been purposely sighted high, and the appearance of resistance had ouly been made to hide the treason of Colonel pez. 1. Nevertheless, there was still left the church, with its formidable inclosure of high walls, within which was the emperor himself, with a small body of soldiers, and Miramon, with a few Mexican officers, who, knowing that they had no ehance if they surrendered without terms, were disposed to resist to the last and to sacrifice their lives, if necessary, in a battle, rather than tosubmit tamely to being slaugh- tered like sheep. The moment the flag was hung out, General Escobedo, who had entered the town with the soldiers, as soon as he found it entirely safe, caused a trumpet to sound a suspension of fir- ing, and rode up to the gate of the inclosure to demand its surrender. He was warned, by a loud voice from within to ‘‘ keep out of gunshot or he would be killed 3 a warning which caused him to beat a retreat with more haste than dignity. Then he went straight to Don Diablo Satani, to whom he said: “Go and give them what terms you please. But, above all, let the usurper escape, if it can be done without the soldiers knowing of the per- mission.” Satani nodded as if he understood, and said to his chief, in a low voice of confidence: ‘*T understand. You cannot guarantee his life.” ‘* No, no,” hastily returned the general, with an apprehensive look, for fear they might beover heard. ‘‘ The army demands his death; but the foreign governments may make trouble about it. If he escapes, it will be-all right. There must be plenty of ways by which it can be arranged. Surely he will not persist in being executed Tikka a criminal.” Don Diablo considered a moment, and then said slowly: “Tt will have to be done in the night time;: for there is no hope of escaping the vigilance of the soldiers, if they can see him.” Escobedo eagerly nodded as he replied: “That is the way. Grant him a suspension of hostilities till the night, and give out that we are arranging for a complete surrender of every-- thing to-morrow. That will blind them to what: is being done. Butabeve all, let there be no dis- turbance.” ‘* There shall be none, if I have my own way,” pe ste Satani. ‘‘At the same time, your ex- cellency, it is my duty to tell you that I have had trouble with this American Regiment, and that the colonel will not obey orders without: eat difficulty. Henearly spoiled all the plans, st night, by his disobedience.” Escobedo frowned, as he answered: ‘* We should have got on better, I sometimes think, without these Americans. One cannotdo: with them as with our own men. They insist. on fighting, when we can win by pegs But we must maoige to keep them civil, as long: as we need them. If the usurper gets out into the country, and raises troops, as he can easily do, in some partsof the republic, he will give us trouble yet. If I put him under arrest, this American colonel, who will take his place?” ** His second in command, who comes from a. different place. But it will not be necessary general. Ihave told you of the trouble, that. you may not trust too much to the regiment.. After the eee is over it can be disbanded.” **T should like to disband it now,” grumbled the general. ‘‘ These Americans think no one can fight save themselves. But we are losin time, Don Diablo. Take a flag, and treat wit the usurper.” e The staff officer saluted and went away to the: gate of the inclosure where, as soonas he present- ed himself, he was received and admitted into the church itself, being first blindfolded. The besiegers had been retired out of gunshot of the walls, and a truce had come over the fir- ing, the more so that there was no room for ar- tillery to be brought up to the gates, except in a position where it would have to be exposed to a heavy fire of musketry, and a hard fight must ensue for the ultimate victory. And the Liberals wanted nothing less than a fight, now that they had their enemy in a trap from which there was no escape, as they thought. Don Diablo was conducted into the defenses, and when the bandage was removed from his eyes he found himself in the midst of a large, darkened church, before the high altar. e windows of this church were stuffed full of sand- bags, and the whole place wasin a condition of defense very creditable to the experience of Miramon, who commanded the little garrison that was ieft. Colonel Lopez, who had betrayed the town, had vanished, and Satani knew that he was ‘os- tensibly a prisoner to the Liberals, who had treated him with pretended sevérity on purpose to hide the fact that they had won the town by treason instead of hard fighting.” General Miramon was the only person visible when Don Diablo opened his eyes, and his stern query was: ‘* Well, sir; and what do you want with us?” The envoy looked round the darkened church a moment, and then said quietly: ‘*T wish to see the commander of the Imperi- oleserre. tte “s as ‘ Yousee him,” was the shorireply. ‘‘ Wha’ do you ‘wish with him?” — 4 wires eS
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‘To offer terms for an honorable surrender,” said Satani. Miramon uttered a bitter laugh as he re- torted: ** And who is to guarantee that the terms will ‘be observed? I am not ignorant of the fact that my own life is not worth a single real if once I surrender to these brigands and cut-throats that call themselves Liberals. If I must die, it is better to die sword in hand than to be mur- dered.” ** Nevertheless,” said Satani, gravely, ‘I come from General Escobedo, with power to of- fer terms, and even if your own life is in dan- er, general, you have no right to forfeit the ves of the meanest of your soldiers, if your sur- render, when it has become a necessity, will pre- serve them.” Miramon compressed his lips with an air of pain as he answered: ‘*You give me credit for a gocd deal more generosity than most men can afford to enter- tain, sir. What comfort will it be to me, if I am executed, to think that other men get their lives?” é Don Diablo replied with the same gravity as befure: ‘*-You will have the satisfaction of doing a good action, and that is what a man needs in the shadow of death. But there is no need of dying atall. Weare alone, sir, and none can hear us. I can assure you that the general wishes to see you and the emperor escape if it can be ar- ranged in a way that wiltshow he is not an ac- eessory to the fact. We both know the igno- rance and prejudice of the populace, and that ‘your cause is hopeless; but, once out of Quereta- ro, and in Vera Cruz, where there are foreign men-of-war, the emperor can defy pursuit and ass the rest of his wads in peace and quietness an Europe, and you with him,” Miramon listened gloomily. xf Then the best you can offer is a secret es- ? That is the best,” was the reply, ‘‘ but it ought to be quite enough for men whose lives are otherwise forfeited, as you have said.” Miramon uttered a heavy sigh. ‘*You may be right. Perhaps you are, At all events, it is fitting that his majesty should should know of the offer. How is the escape to de made a possible thing, sir?” ‘Simply that, if you accept the terms, I shall announce that his majesty has consented to sur- render to-morrow, and that he has claimed a “day to wa't for succors that may come to him from Vera Cruz or Mexico, The truce will be respected, and to-night you can take horse and de away to Vera Cruz, horses being eg in the usual relays on the roads already. I Jieve I am right there?” Diiaee tere reatien road a unk ere is a regu , and unless your men have interfered with t, it must still exist, There are horses in plenty all the way.” ‘Then if you will tell his majesty, the sooner titer,” said Miramon agreeing with him, the general took his arm and conducted him from the church to a neighboring building in the same inclosure where they found the emperor, + the house which ha ed by the been formerly ng = Father Superior of the convent to which the church was attached. ‘imilian of Austria excited the surprise and ration of the envoy from Escobedo by the ect calmness and composure which he exhibited in the interview. One would have supposed that a man in his position ina besieged town, with the enemy in. on of the outworks, and the ultimate surrender of the place only a matter of a few hours, would have shown some marks of ye ‘tion; but the fair blonde face was as placid as ever, and the blue eyes shone with their usual . light, as the emperor extended his hand to the staff officer of Escobedo, saying: ; **Sefior Coronel, you are welcome, I am glad that General Escobedo has done me the pleasure of selecting a man whom I like to perform the Office that is necessary. You have come to an- - mounce thata surrender is inevitable.” **On the contrary, sire,” replied Satani, ‘‘I have come to ask you to make your escape at once, ge for the surrender the - “the staff officer. CHAPTER XXXII. THE LAST OF A DYNASTY, Tur emperor shook his head gravely. “The scheme is inadmissible, sir,” he said. **I came to Mexico by the invitation of its people, and I do not leave it unless they order me by an unmistakable popular vote.” Miramon stared at his master, and then at re who said, bons oe of ret wpe ‘ , your majesty, if you refuse escape what must be dene?” F ‘* That depends on what General Miramon has to say of the defense of this place,” said the em- peror, quietly. Leben addressing Miramon directly, he con tinued: “Tell me the truth, sir. Is this place defensi- ble, iad is it possible to repulse the besiegers at - 4 ¢ ; PSF ; a a = 3 + Fede Ne ee, ee ee ee The Mad Magician. Miramon hesitated a moment, and then, as if making up his mind to face the worst, said ab- ruptly: The church is invested, and there is no chance of prolonging the defense more than twelve hours,” ‘*Exactly,” said Maximilian, in the same calm tone in which he had spoken hitherto, without a trace of emotion, ‘*The fate of the empire is settled, and to prolong the defense now would only be a sacrifice of lives which are not mine to give. The question is decided, and my resolution taken.” Then turning to Satani, he continued: ‘*Tf I surrender to General Escobedo, can he guarantee the lives of my men and their treat- ment as prisoners of war?” Satani hesitated in his turn, and his voice had a sad ring in it, as he finally answered: ‘*[ do not wish-to deceive your majesty. The general will save-the lives of the soldiers, but those of your majesty and General Miramon he cannot guarantee, on account of the hatred with which you are regarded by the Liberals, since the issuance of the manifesto of a year ago, under which several Liberal] officers have been executed, for so-called brigandege.” For the first time in the interview the face of the emperor showed signs of agitation. His cheek flushed and bis eye flashed, as he replied: ‘* And in what capacity, then, am I to be recognized, sir, if they refuse me that of a pris- oner of war?” Satani bit his lip as he replied: ‘* That is not for me to say, sire; but there is a party in the camp which is loud for your trial and condemnation by court-martial for vio)a- tion of the laws of war.” The emperor flushed more deeply than before as he retorted: **A court-martial must be composed of of- ficers equal] in rank to the accused, and where is there to be found in Mexico a court that would have jurisdiction to try me?” “That is not for me to say, sire,” was the tranquil reply; ‘‘ but this I know that, unless your majesty takes the terms that are offered y General Escobedo, in secret, he can give nothing better in public, The indignation of the army will not be restrained.” ‘*Then,” said the emperor, firmly, ‘‘if the Mexicans are determined to bebave like savages, instead of civilized ey = I will put the full re- sponsibility on them, Go back to General Esco- bedo, sir, and tell him that I am read render if he will guarantee the lives o diers of my command,” ‘* And what is to become of your majesty?” asked Satani, astonished. Maximilian drew up his tall form to its full hight. , i I throw myself on the people of Mexico, who invited me hither,” he replied, proudly. ‘If they slay me, let them. I, at least, will not flee from the consequences of my own actions,” Then he signified, by a cold bow, that the in- terview was over, and Don Diablo Satani soy left the church, and was crn back to the tes, the formality of bandaging his eyes be- ing abandoned as being now only a farce, e returned to Escobedo and related what he had heard when the general actually seemed dis- appointed at the surrender, and said: **T had hoped he would escape. It will be im- maybe save him if once the soldiers see him nour power. We will wait till night, and re- new the agin If we shoot him, we shall never hear the last of it from the foreign em- bassadors. They will call us barbarians, and we shall be ostracised by the civilized world.” ‘*Then why not guarantee the life of the em- peror, and refuse to let any trial take place?” asked Satani, shortly. Escobedo shook his head. ** You are a good officer, sefior, and you know our people pretty well; but you do not know them sufficiently, yet, They will never give up the right of vengeance.” And the general, with a gloomy countenance, issued his orders for taking possession of the dis- puted inclosure of the church, much as if the triumph was on the other side, The capitulation was carried out at once. Precisely at the stroke of noon the gates of the inclosure were thrown open, and the little Im- —— garrison marched out and stacked arms resence of the Liberal army, after which the soldiers dispersed among their late enemies, greeting old friends, asif nothing had happened, and petng soaceenee on their part. Then General Escobedo himself rode to the, Fate followed by his staff, entering the church tself, and being met there by the emperor and bis staff, who greeted bim ceremoniously and tendered their swords, which were accepted in grim silence by the Mexic. ‘ +o sur- the sol- ‘ans, it took an hour to make the transfer of t i and then a buzz of excitement went through the Liberal army, as the captive emperor was seen to come forth, with General Escobedo, and pro- ceed to the center of the encampment, toa large tent, over which waved the flag that showed that official business was to be transact- ed within its p ts. teat curiosity as to what tran- spired in the big tent, r which the sentries 4 bes dye Ae bus Ce ae iol a re eT eae Nee ‘ r=. \ ' — So ton ins Bee ND Da ae ey } ‘ ee ee meee eee ——— ese from theAmerican Regiment, which had been assigned the post of honor, paced to and fro, and refused to answer questions. Officers in full uniform were seen to come in from various quarters of the camp, and enter the tent, after presenting some papers, to an officer, who appeared to have charge of the en- trance. The officers were a]l young men, and known to be ardent Liberals, but what business brought them there was a mystery which excited more and more curiosity, till the news spread that there was a ‘court-martial sitting, to try the usurper for his crimes.” The moment that piece of news went forth, there was great excitement and joy among the Mexicans, who rubbed their hands in glee at the idea of having revenge for all the trials that had been inflicted on their party, during the ascend- ency of Maximilian, At last, when the court had been in session about two hours, the doors were tarown open, and out came the officers in all their glory of full uniform and brilliant trappings, while a strong guard marched up, and carried off three figures, in the midst of them, Davol, who'was standing near the tent, whis- pered to Crocker: ‘* Which is the emperor, do you think?” ‘“* The tall one, with the light beard,” was the reply. ‘‘The dark one is Miramon, and the stout man ts General Meja. J hear they are all to bo shot, to-morrow, at dawn.” Crocker spoke in alow tone, with a gloomy air, and added: “*T hope they won’t detail ws to do the shoot- ing, Davol.” ome shrugged his shoulders, as he replied: ‘*Give the job to Brooke. He does not want to give up the command, and I would just as soon he should keep it for such.a service as that. But they won’t ask us. The Mexicans are wild to get the chance.” ‘** Here comes Brooke,” said the adjutant in a low tone, as the other spoke, ‘tSometbing has ae Se for he looks as if he was happy.” “Let him,” growled Davol sulkily. “‘ That Scott is getting better. and I sup that’s what makes him feel so good. I wonder if the scoun- drel will ever get over it, Crocker?” Before Crocker could answer, the colonel came up, saying briskly: ‘Gentlemen, I am happy to assure you that the court-martial has taken the bold course, and that our regiment is detailed to execute the vengeance of the Republic of Mexico on the usur- i, Davol curled his lip: : ‘* Not much boldness in shooting a prisoner, to my thinking,” he said. ‘ But what is that to us? 1 suppose this ends the war, and we are to be disbanded.” Brooke shook his head with a triumphant smile. ‘*No such thing, gentlemen. I have just been asking as to that; and I am assured that the Mexican Republic will be only too glad to keep us in service, as long as we choose to stay; ne there will always be need for our seevisee: the mean time, I have applied for the command of the firing-party that is to execute the venge- ance of the hiw on the usurper.” ‘*And I think that they will grant the peti- tion,” said Davol sourly. ‘I should not have asked the favor if I had been in your place,” Brooke parogpee, his shoulders, say'ng: “Every one his taste, I shall never be ashamed to be identified with a solemn execu- tion. Here comes the detail.” He pointed, as he spoke, to Cap‘ain Roblado, who came forward waving an envelope, which he handed to Brooke, who tore it open and read aloud as follows: “Colonel George Brooke. of the American Regi- ment, in consideretion of the valuable services ren- dered by his regiment, will report for orders at onee, BEDO,”’ ‘With a last nce of triumph. the colonel went toward iocobedo's tent, leaving the offi- cers staring after him. CHAPTER XXXII. AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER, WHEN George Brooke took his way to the tent of the Mexican commander-in-chief he looked as he felt, triumphant. The trials and tribulations that he bad suffered since he had first encoun- tered Doctor Satan were abou end, for he had learned that his colleague, Gid- eon Scott, who had been so sorely wounded in _ yo with ag staff gad of Escobedo, was a fair way to recovery and would very likel be able to sustain him in his denial vf ths charges that had been brought against him by the officers of his regiment f nded on & news- sol that had been handed to them y some person or persons unknown, probably by the very man who had played so many since he had come to the Republic of Mexico, Therefore it was-a shock and surprise to the valiant colonel to find in the tent of the com- mander-in-chief when he entered it the very man he most feared in the person of Don Diablo Satani, who was standing by bis general in com- pany with another officer, whose green sash rowed him to be of the medical staff, t to come to an |
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Escobedo looked grave and severe, and as Brooke saluted and stood awaiting orders, he returned the salute with a slight movement of the hand and said one ‘Sit down, colonel; I wish to ask you some questions.” Brooke obeyed, and looked frofn one to the other with a countenance that showed marks of agitation as the general began: 3 **You are .cquainted with a man called Gid- eon Scott?” “*T am, general,” **He is a Mormon?” ‘*T believe so, sir.” ** Are you of the same faith?” The question startled Brooke, who hastily an- swered: ‘* No, general. What could have put such an idea in-your head?” Escobedo frowned. ‘¢ Thatis not to the purpose. and do not answer them. You say you are not a Mormon?” ‘No, general,” ‘** Are you married or single?” The question caused another start, and Brooke hesitated a moment before he answered fully: ‘* Tam not sure.” Escobedo stared at him coldly. ‘*That is a singular answer, mean?” Brooke moistened his dry lips to answer: ‘It means that I was married, some years ago; but my wife died at the altar—at least, I thought so at the time. Lately I have seen some one who—well, I am not sure if it be I ask questions, What does it alive or dead. At one time I thougbt it a boy, at another a ghost. I—I cannot answer, gen- eral, but the man beside you can do so, if he has resolvei to end all his juggling with me.” His eyes glared with an expression of bitter hatred at Satani, who paid no attention to him, while Escobedo continued: ‘*T am glad that you have told the truth to me. Do you know a man of the name of Charles Walden?” Brooke hesitated a moment, and then, as if he had made up his mind to answer any an everything, replied: **'Yes, ldo, I married his sister, Clara.” “Would you know him if you saw him in?’ Brooke looked round the tent slowly, as if ex- ting to see some one, ana answered: ‘*T think I should; but he is not here now.” ‘¢ He will come in good time, sir. Doctor Me- lanio, tell this gentleman what has been told you by the man under your charge.” ‘Brooke turned toward the medical officer, who had hitherto not spoken, but who now said: ‘The man, Gideon Scott, who promised well up to last night, had a bad turn this morning and is sinking rapidly. He is bleeding inter- nally and we cannot stop it.. He has made a statement which is here, general, sworn’ to _be- fore the judge-advocate of the court that has just conclu its session on the case of the usurper.” 4 And he laid on the table a paper, in a large envelope, at the sight of which Brooke.sensibly chan color, as he asked: ‘“Té cannot be that the statement concerns me in any way, general. I have but the slightest acquaintance with this Scott.” . scobedo frowned. ‘He claims to have known you for many years, and to have been your accomplice in crime, sir. He is in the last pangs of death, when he is likely to speak the truth, if ever, and he has sworn to all he has said. In the mean time, there is sufficient in his confession to warrant my putting you under arrest, and for that purpose, give up your sword at once.” Brooke started to his feet, flushing painfully, as he stammered: , ~ “Under arrest; general? And for what crime? I have committed none in your service, and cannot be held accountable for—” Here he stopped short, as the general lifted his thin forefinger, with a warning gesture, to say slowly: ‘That is sufficient, sir. If you are wise you will give up yoursword. It is an offense to our service to dispute the orders of the general of your army.” : Brooke bit his lips and controlled his emotion with a great effort, while he took off his sword and handed it to the general, who waved it aside, and motioned Don Diablo to take it. The humiliation, to Brooke, of giving up the weapon to one he hated ashe did Satani, was bitter; but it was intensified as the staff officer said_to him, in a tone which*no one else heard: ** You refused surrender, It is too late now.” Then he took. the sword and went to the door of the tent, where he made a silent signal which brought im a. Mexican sergeant and four men, to whom he said: Fy! ha al = es at cue The general TS close confinement in the chureb,” crypt of the Sergeant, a stout, thick-set, swarth n from the plains of Chilabua, nodded’ an took the colonel’s arms, which he profeeded to beltind him with a rope, as coolly as if he The Mad Magician. had been a notorious criminal. Brooke, stung at the insult, criéd out, indignantly: ** General Escobedo, I protest a am an officer, not yet condemn treating meas if tence of death.” Escobedo looked up from his table at which he was silently writing, and said in the smoothest voice in the world: ‘You are what you are. for my actions. Take him.” And seeing the uselessness of resistance, the colonel, lately so proud, was pinioned and led off through the raidst of the soldiers in a man- ner that excited a general murmur of interest and surprise in the army, and in no place more than in the American Regiment. Indeed, the men of that organization, seeing their colonel in bonds, began to murmur among themselves, and run to their stacks to get their arms, when their movements were checked by Davol and the rest of the officers, who seemed to bein the secret, and who managed to keep the men quiet till Brooke had been got out of sight, Then the regiment was ordered under arms, and the habit of discipline kept them quiet, while a genera] order was read transferring the command of the regiment to Davol, ‘‘ pending the trial by court-martial of Colonel George Brooke for conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.” The reading of the order pacified the men, the more so that they all liked Davol, and had been cold toward their late colonel ever since the time when he had allowed the Mexican staff inst this, «I d, and you are were a criminal under sen- I am responsible officer to take the lead of the regiment in the battle of the previous day. Meantime Brooke was taken to the church, and. down into the subterranean crypt or chapel, which is found under most Catholic churches, in memory of the times when the early Christians had been compelled to hide their religious ceremonies in the catacombs of ome, e crypt of the Holy Cross was a loomy place, lighted by a few lamps, and here , with a sentry to watch uestions with rooke was confined over him, wae atl a all his vam foe the provoking Spanish phrase ten sabe’ (who knows), and utterly refused any informa- tion as to what he knew of the reason an result of the present dilemma of the lately proud colonel. His anxiety and sus hours went on, and still he was left, pinioned as se increased as the he had been brought there, the sentry’s step be- ing the only noise that disturbed the silence, for the ceiling was of vaulted stone, supporting several feet of earth, and no sound short of a cannon shot could have been heard, down in the crypt, unless the doors were opened. : e had been sent there at dawn of day or soon after, and his only means of noting time was , who was relieved that he must have by the change of his sen twice, from which he judg been there at least four hours, Then at last, when the third sentry came on, he heard voices at the top of the steps leading down into the crypt, with the clash of saber- scabbards, and down came several officers in full uniform, with their side-arms on, followed by a guard and some soldiers in undress uniform, laced carrying tables and chairs. - No one noticed Brooke, who had been in the remotest quarter of the crypt, andthe de- moralized officer saw that a court-martial was being formed, composed of officers from several Mexican regiments, with the major of his own men putoug them, and Crocker for the judge-ad- vocate, Y fs the court s” seated, the president said: ‘* Bring forward the prisoner, and let the ar- .ticles be read.” Brooke was taken forward to the table, and his tonds loosed, when the judge-advocate stood up and began to read the charges on which he was to be tried. Don Diablo Satani stood in the shade of a pil- lar close by, and Brooke met his eyes, with a glance of somber triumph, as he said in English, as if to himself: ‘* At last the time for justice has come.” CHAPTER XXXIV. THE COURT-MARTIAL, THE suspense under which Brooke had been laboring was chiefly as to what charges could be brought against him that woyld have any effect under the military law of Mexico, against which he was not conscious of having committed any of- fense. This Mies 2g was changed to apprehension when the first charge was read in the formal military style: *“*Conpuct UNBECOMING AN OFFICER AND A GEN- TLEMAN, ‘Specification‘—In this. that the said Geor Brooke, being a colonel in the service of the Repub- lic of Mexico, did (on such a date) endeavor to use the forces of the republic forth« furtherance of his private Mie hanes gree Don DiabloSatani, other- wise the Sefior Orazio Arnoldi, by ordering his men to fire on the said Arnoldi well knowing that the said Arnoldi was in no sense an enemy of the Re- public of Mexico.” 25 The time and place given showed that the at- k on the camp of the Mad Magician near EI Paso conducted by Cortina was meant, and Brooke looked apprehensively round the place to see if Cortina was present, his name being given as witness to the charge. The second specification recited that: “The said George Breoke, being an officer m the service, as _ aforesaid, did (on such a date) conspire with one Gideon Scott, aiso in the service of tne republic, to assas='nate the s2id Arnoldi, by a second attack on his camp.”’ And to this charge was attached: **The written confession of the said Scott, as evi- dence for the republic.” The third charge was ‘‘ disobedience of or- ders” in the night-attack on Queretaro, and the fourth that of *‘ cowardice in action.” in failing: to lead his regiment. To this.several witnesses, Mexicans and men of his own regiment, were named, and when the charges had been read, the culprit was asked ‘‘ whether he pleaded guil- ty or not?” By this time Brooke had recovered his equi- librium, and he at once answered: ‘‘Not guilty to all of this stuff. I demand the privilege of counsel, and to be tried fairly.” The president of the court—a grizzled Mexi- can colonel—nodded his head to the request,. saying: **The court will permit counsel. Don Jaime: Milleno has volunteered to act for you, if you wish. Do you accept him?” Brooke brightened up at once, for the offer pleased him and he accepted it. The president: zave some directions to un orderly; and the rish officer was sent for and came to the crypt where he seemed to be well acquainted with all present, and at once demanded that the trial proceed and the witnesses be subject to cross- examination. The first witness Called was ‘‘ Juan Cortina,’ who came in in full uniform, looking innocent arid mild, to testify that Brooke had ‘* employed him, by virtue of his superior authority as an officer, to attack the ae of the Mad Magician, telling him that he could have all the piunder of the camp if he wished.” His testimony was complete and established the fact of the attack and the. previous orders, and the court looked: sternly at the accused till Millen began to cross~ examine the late brigand. The Irish officer had the advantage of know-- ing Cortina well, and began at once by asking him some questions as to his way of life for the past few years, drawing out the fact that Cor- tina had served on both sides during the war and had been engaged in the plunder of more than one Liberal town, The ex-brigand winced under the questions, tried to bluster and evade direct answers, but Millen was inexorable, and ended by showing that Cortina had been a will-— ing accomplice in the attack on the camp, and that he need not have obeyed Brooke’s orders, had yaters eae ghee ; 4 it So Cortina own, an © judge-ad- vocate asked permission to read- the confession of Gideon Scott, taken on his death-bed, that morning. Millen instantly objected, ‘unless it was shown that the man had since died. If he were alive, he must be brought there, that he might cross-examined, if necessa 2 The Irish officer made an excellent speech in support of’ his objection, and the president announced that the court sustained it, ‘‘unless the man Scott could be shown to have since died, in which case. his confession would be read.” An orderly was sent for the medica] officer im charge of the hospital, who sent word that “the man Scott had died since the sun rose,” and Millen settled down into his seat witk an air of disappointment, remarking in an un-. - dertone: ‘* Just as big a scoundrel as Cortina; but death makes all men respectable. I'll do the best I can for ye, Brooke; but things look squal- ly now. Yothen a hush came over the court, while Crocker took out the paper, which he had told them contained the confession of the dead Mor- ta and began to read it aloud, in these words: “T, Gideon Scott, being about to die, and desirous of making my peace with my Maker, as far as E can by confessing the crimes that [ havecommitred, hereby swear that all I am about to say is the truth, in the presence of my Maker. ‘I ama native of New York. where I resided in the month of July, 18—. During that time made the acquaintance of George Br oke, at a gambling house where we both resorted. I lost a large sum of money to him. which I was-upable to pay, when Brooke offered to release me from the debt on con- dition that I should help him iv a scheme which wou'ld make us bothrich, The seheme was this: **Brooke had a cousin, one Horace Arnold, who was the promised heir of his grandfather, Senator Arnold. This Horace Arnold was engagi-o to be married to a lady called. Clara Walden, with whom. Brooke was desperately enamored, and whose for- tune was considerable. The senator was very fond of the young lady, who was his ward, and bad set. his hearton the marriageof Horaceto her. Brooke roposed to me that he should secure from some octors. who were willing to do any erime for a proper payment, @ certificate that cca Arnold a.
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_ terrupt; but as soon. as it was “ap to that moment, looked g “was an insane person. unfit to be at large, and that I should make an attempt to kidnap Horace Arnold on his wedding day, and have him confined in a dunatic asylum, while I should take a passage for anyself the same day, uncer the name of Horace Arnold, together witn @ woman he had enticed into ‘the fled the country on his wedding day, with intent to insult the lady to whom he was engaged to be mar- ried. ‘ ‘This plot was planned by Brooke, who provided all the necessary funds, and aiil bad to do was to | secure the men and kidnap the person to be cap- tured. This 1 succeeded in doing, and carried him off, though not without a desperate resistance, in which I had to stun Arnold wirh the blow of a cart Tung. But he was carried off, and nothing was known of what had caused his disappearance, while I got afriend of my ownto takethe passage under the name of Horace Arnold to Europe, where he disappeared **T nad resoived.that I could not trust Brooke for my reward if I did not rat ia the country, and pro- osed to hold the fear of liscovery over his head as ong as I could. “The plot succeeded on his part, and he also suc- ceeded in making the old senator believe that his grandson was a villain, and change his will, leaving his money to Brooke, “ The 1ext step was to get Clara Walden to marr Brooke, and in this, too, he succeeded, by persuad- ing hertbatshe had been neglected by the man she Joved, and thatthe only way to avoid humiliation, as a discarded bride, was to marry Brooke. “This plot, however, did not succeed till the lapse of nearly a year. and when the wedding to +k place it was just on the eve of the breaking out of the late civil war. ‘* Jnfortanately for the success of Brooke’s vil- Jainv, Horace Arnold, as I afterward ascertained, managed to get one of the at'eodants at the asylum to tonvey a letver from’him to Miss Walden, ~which reached her by a’special messenger just at ‘the moment when she was going from the church . vas the wife of George Brooke, and which took such saa effect on her that sne fell senseless on the floor of the church, and afterward died of disease of the heart. “Tne fact of the letter, however, got into the papers, dnd George Brooke fled the city of New ork, and went South, while I, in fear of a prose- ecution for my part of the plot, took a Western trainand did not stop till I had crossed the plains and fetched up in California,, There I remained for some time, till I went to Salt Lake Ciry and | “j ‘ined 1he Mormons, and did not see George Brooke again tijl I met him a few days ago, incommand of ‘a regiment, and learned from him that Horace Arnold td come to M-+xico, under the- name of ‘Doctor Satan, and was hunting for him, to revenge himself for the past. “Since then I have, under his Srogions, made several attempts to kill Arnold, the last of which «vas a duel; ia which I got the worst of it. Horace ae was mates Ay an Pe fe = T umbly pray that I may be forgiven for all my sins against him. Bites eho Gipron Scorr.”’ ee. es ‘paaneng. ut met atlae a ‘silence, Brooke fidgeting, but not daring to in- 7 Feit was finished: Millen sa was on = ‘3 A Bag t b ¢ _ “Y move that this be stricken out, It is ir- relevant to the charge and we have pom ie a do with what took place several years ago, loinl With ina ade OF constrnind tail to Bini: hy ee ee vi i ai 8 tL could for es Brooke, bt ye : __ Brooke eagerly nodd x Sisene, oo Was 2ebtton killed yourse by what ye before. ‘I'll ap- Sf his boomaph, Bie the ‘esi lent. look puzzled, ‘peal tot neral ; but I , e frankly, it’s no il Crocker rose and said ; .__ | use, If I was general myself, I wouldn't alter I fereipsind te: Sian ith, ty, eae the sentence, and that’s plain talk.” ut this is a dying, statement, and | And he left the place, following the court, nas a whole. Jt shows that the | and rooke in the crypt, with no one in this ser aman he tt t The resident cleared his throat, and said solemnly: wt oa ys is an impc t question. Clear the cota acpi gor Gs ‘prisoner and take him out.” A couple o took Brooke and_ his 1d hurried them Hash soldiers ccna of he Gry ad ha +R , were atthesame time. An interval of nearly half an hour pee in suspense, when they were read- mitted, and the decision of the court was pro- nounced as follows: ‘The confession of the dead man, Scott, will be admitted’ in its entirety, and the trial will proceed.” i , Brooke sunk into his seat, haggard and worn, as he heard the decision of the president, CHAPTER XXXV. yj eee F From the moment the confession was ruled in order, the fate of Brooke seemed to be decid- ed. Even Millen, who tor nepteoueestns ee oomy, thou ‘noted an e cw Ae and announced that he lot, so that it should appear that Arnold had | but. the sentry. aon Nissi th re faci ar tom ce ding be- ‘The Mad Magician. ported by a cloud of witnesses, who testified that the colonel of the American Regiment had fail- ed to lead his by ago in action, and had per- mitted Don Diablo Satani to act as virtual col- onel, leading every charge, and being always in advance. Brooke made no fight on this subject, but Millen succeeded in showing that a colonel of infantry is not always expected to go in front of his men, end that on many occasions such a | course would be wrong, as tending to prevent the men from firing, for fear of hurting their own Officer. The last charge, however, was the most seri- ous of all, and when Davol was brought in, to testify to the open refusal of Brooke to lead his regiment to the support of the officer charged with the night attack on Queretaro, Millen did not attempt to cross-examine him, and an- nounced, with a sigh, that he had ‘‘ no questions to ask the witness,” The testimony being all in, the president an- nounced that the prisoner’s counsel might argue | his case, and the Irish officer made a powerful plea for his client, on the ground that the pro- secution was evidently the work of anenemy, who had not come forward as a witness, and , that the real charge under which Brooke was being tried was for conductcommitted five years before, and for which he could not justly be held to answer in Mexico, Crocker, on the other hand, argued that ‘*the purity of the service must be maintained, ; and that a man of the past life of Brooke was not fit to be retained in the service of the great Republic of Mexico, and should be driven forth, with disgrace, even if he escaped the punishment of death.” The arguments over, the court was cleared for the last time, and Brooke taken away to the dark passage, where he waited in suspense, along with his counsel, for near an hour, be- fore he was summoned to meet his judges for the last time. , ¢ Then the judgment of the court was pro- nounced, that: ‘* They found the accused guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, but rs gp him of cowardice in action, shongh not of disobedience of orders. Wherefore the sentence of the court was that the said George Brooke be publicly degraded from his rank in the army, and declared unfit to associate with officers and gentlemen forever.” The sentence was to be carried into effect, as far as regarded the public degradation, next day, at dawn, at the same time with the ‘‘ exe- cution of the usurper,” after which the accused tee be sent to the frontier, as fast as pos- | 2... \ * 5 No sooner was the sentence pronouncéd, that cut off the lately proud colonel from his fellows, voice close to him, and looking up, sav goal as he must hr be called eauidlng e him. ara es ae The sentry had been ¥ wn, without the prisoner noticing it, and they were alore to- gether, ps . Brooke looked up with a dreary scowl, say- ing: er mira f “Why do you come to ine now ? You have triumphed. Js not that enough, or do you wish to exult over eter iG i ; ther,” returned | cousin, gravely. ‘*What I have done, I had to do to vindicate my own character against your schemes of the past; but I have not forgotten that ties of blood unite us yet, and I would not push you to the wall.” ‘Tam there already,” was the sullen reply. ‘* What more do you want of me now?” ‘* A free confession that your doom is just,” re ed the other, in the same grave tone. rooke laughed scornfully, ‘That Sb wifl never get now. Iam down as low asi can get. Besides that, you have left @ notbing to gain now.” ‘* You are wrong,” said Horace, quietly. ‘I can save you from the public auptaea and show you a way to escape in safety.” Brooke started ead tees at the other close- “Tf you will write out a full confession of your guilt, and let the fact appear that I never was mad, and that you knew it, I will furnish you the means to escape, this very night, and you can be at Vera Cruz, on board an Austrian man-of-war,in two days.” Brooke looked up in surprise, asking: ‘** How can you do that?” ** Because | have obtained permission from Escobedo to send one officer, with the last will and testament of the captive emperor, to be conveyed to Europe, this night. You are no longer in the Mexican service; but you can ac- cept this commission from the poor man who is to die to-morrow, and save Sees own life, while it will be reported that you have committed sui- cide, and the degradation will be pardoned you. Thaf is the best I can do for you, in memory of the time when we played as boys together.” Having said this much, he added quietly: ** You can think over this. I will takeott your bonds, give you the materials for writing, and leave youalone till night comes. When I return you can give me any answer you please.” Sosaying, he pointed to a table under a swing- ing lamp, erty with paper and writing ma- terials, and loosened the bonds of the disgraced officer, Then, without another word, he left Brooke alone. The clang of the door showed that he had locked him in; but Brooke, thinking escape still possible without conditions, roained all round his cell, trying. to find a way to get out. It was all in vain, The walls were hard stone, and there was but one door at the top of the steps, 4 down which Arnold had come. This door was of iron, and on the other side he could hear the : a Pt measured tread of the sentinel, which cut off all nee of escape. e paced up and down his. narrow limits like a caged tiger. for an hour or more, and at last, with a sigh of hopeless desperation, sat down at thetable. . His spirit was broken at last, and he began to write his confession in imitation of his late part- ner in crime, ’ Hour after hour he wrote on, covering sheet after sheet with closo words, till the clang of the i iron door roused him, and two soldiers entered the cell, preceding a lady élosely vailed, at the sight of whose figure Brooke seemed strangely ; disturbed, He rose from his seat, trembling violently, and tried to bow, but when the lady threw up her vail at last, he uttered a groan, as he ex- ‘ claimed: : 3 “Clara! Oh, my God! I thought that you a were dead!” it my whole life as you have?” : ie man had been in ‘‘ Yours I shall never be, but neither can I be his. Soa aaa tay husband under the law, and ‘though I love the very ground he walks on, yet yee; i tS ““What am I to do? I cannot undo what is 3) he done, I have written Sy compen # d ther n itis. Clara, would to oo und eS ast; but there is nothing I I cannot ee Pntig the knot. that binds us. -Only the y ; do that. You do not wish the disgrace of a ivorce— ; ; She shuddered slightly and waved her hand impatiently. . os 0, no, not that, not that. That would be useless, I haye to bear my burden, but you can make it lighter,” , ; i ‘*How?” he asked, vaguely. ‘‘If I can, I will. “a I promise you that.” kins he poiuted to the table, asking: \ = ‘Ts that full and without reserve? I know * you so well, George.” perp ches He colored dee ren went to the table, Then . ae. pat down and gan to write again, saying 1bverLy : . gf no ‘“Then you shall have it. No one else could have wrung it from me; but, by heavens, Clara, I do Jove you, and you shall seeit.” ~ nm he wrote rapidly for some time, and ee finally handed her the en saying: ‘Take it away, and if itis not full enough I Re will put in anything yousay. Can Ido more yer: than that? Now leave mein peace.” — She took the pape and bo haal ut. to leave the Willyes, eet fab femy voice: * 46 ‘* Will you not say that you forgive me The gil hesitated a idorent and ‘then an- swered solemnly: | : ee oe forgive you. Ask forgiveness of God, if ou ‘ iene Ieft the cell, and Saga as sink down by the taba, - Neg ae 4 Slat Sear igeier Page) ak 4 “a wiry
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CHAPTER XXXVI. CONCLUSION, Tue dawn of day broke over the fair city of ‘Queretaro, and the level raysof the early sun shone on the Hill of 8, whence the battery -of Millen had been withdrawn, while the vacant ‘pace was occupied by a square of troops, with fixed bayouets, One side of the square had been left partially open, and here stood three men, in full uniform, ready to die. The Emperor Maximilian, his tall form and blonde beard making bim a conspicuous object among the dark-skinned Mexicans, was in the center, while Miramon and Meja stood on either side of him. All three were unbound and fully dressed; but unaxmed, A Mexican officer was reading a paper, which was the decision of the court-martial of the day before, and the emperor listened to the reading in silence, till the officer addressed him, and told him that.‘‘if he had anything to say to the troops, he would be permitted to do it, before the order to fire was given.” The emperor shook his head at first, but -then seemed to alter his mind; for he drew himself to his full hight, and turned round to the sol- diers, who were bringing their pieces to a posi- tion to fire. ‘* Viva Mewico !” he said, in his deep, power- ful tones. ‘' Fire here!” And he opened his breast to them, The next minute came the rattle of a volley, and Maximilian of Mexico fell back, with his face to the sky, while Miramon and Meja dropped on their faces, and lay still. But not so the emperor. The volley had failed to kill him, and he writhed up, leaning on his elbow, the blood pouring from his breast as he struggled to sit up. There was a groan of pity even from the stolid Mexicans, who had come to gloat over his death. “hen the officer in command turned away his head, and said ina husky sort of way: ‘‘Winish him, sergeant, any way you please,” A3the sergeant hesitated an officer ran out anil went to the fallen emperor, whom he raised inbisarms, It was the staff officer of Escobedo, who had led the American. iment to the at- tack of the town, two days before, ; -As he raised the dying man in hisarms, Maxi- uilian opened his eyes and gazed up at the brizht sky overhead, murmuring: ** Poor Carlotta!” Then he fell back, and his face changéd to the s‘ill whiteness of death; his last words being a fee.ing of pity for another, So died Maximilian of Mexico, and the officer in command of the, troops, as soon as he saw that the struggle was over, cleared his throat and shouted his orders again to march from the wscene, ~ The soldiers wheeled off, and a small party advanted to the dead bodies, and took them away, after which.there was a sort of pause, till General Escobedo was seen riding up the Hill of Bells, followed by a brilliant staff, . The soldiers of the camp, eect rey in the air, began to flock round the bill, a listened to the reading of an ordcr, which an- nounced the result of the court-martial on the colonel of the American Regiment, who wasnow to be ‘‘ publicly degraded, in the presence of the whole army.” The order having been read, Eseobedo gave some directions to one of his staff officers, who went off toward the Church of the Holy Cross, ‘to procure the fa perros but was soon seen rid- ing back at speed. As he rode up and threw his horse on its haunches by his com- mander, his face was pale and agitated, as he stammered ; ‘‘General, the man is dead. His body lies in the crypt, but he has blown out his brains.” The general seemed to be but little surprised .at the news, for he only said quietly: “So much the better, sir.” “Then turning to his adjutant-general, he said m: ‘t Make the usual order dnd announcement, It saves a good deal of scandal and trouble.” Then he rode away, and the news spread through the army like lightning that the colonel of the American Regiment had committed sui- cide to escape punishment, and the general ver- dict was one of pity for him and respect for the way in which he had escaped. In the city of Mexico, a month or so later, the grand cathedral was all crowded with people end bedecked with flowers. to celebrate the mar- rice of Don Orazio Arnoldi, aiddecamp to resident Juarez and colonel of cavalry in the Mexican army, to a lady who was spoken of in the press of the city as ‘‘ the widow of the late Colonel Brooke, formerly of C. S. A., and late “ hoy American Regiment of the Army of Liber- The President of the Republic of Mexico and General Escobedo, who ae now famous as ” me tor of eS. egg the ogee wi eir presence, and the occasion wa that could be desired, ea , AS the new-made couple came out of the The Mad Magician. pido bee the bridegroom, in English, said to the ride: ‘*The mills of the gods grind slowly, Clara, but justice is sure to come atlast. Patience has wrought her perfect work.” Then they entered the carriage, which took them away to the suburb of nian gee Pe where they were to the honeymoon, and as the ve- hicle rolled off, the bride sadd softly: ‘* But it was all owing to you, dearest. Had you not had the courage of a lion and the skill of a wizard we should never have attained jus- tice. Horace Arnold smiled as he said to his wife: ‘* And yet, had it not been for Brooke’s plot, I should never have been known as the Mad Magician, I never told you where I learned all my tricks yet. It was in the lunatic asylum, where the great wizard, Hermann, was confined | at the time, he being really mad. He took a fancy to me and teught me all the tricks which I used with such success afterward on Brooke. I learned them to keep me from going really mad with vexationand anger at my detention, to occupy my mind while f was planning an es- cape; but, once out, they served me well and en- abied me to shake the fortitude of Brooke in the very place where he was most accessible. They =. me my appointment with Escobedo, and must say that the general kept my secret for me well. And best of all, they will enable me to give your brother an easy means of making a comfortable livelihood, now that we are pro- vided for, From henceforth I drop the charac- ter of the Mad Magician, lt hasserved me well, for it has' gained me my wife and punished the villain who stole her from me,” THE END, [BEADLE’S Half-Dime Library. 1 Deapwoop Dick. By Edward L. Wheeler..... 2 YELLOWSTONE JAOK, ws Awe = E. Badger, Jr... 3 Kansas Kina, By Buffalo Bill oe a 4 Tue Wi.p-Horse Hunrers. By Mayne Reid... 5 Vaaanonp Jon. By Oll Coomes 9 Tux ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN...... 10 Nav Topp. By Edward 8, Ellis ~~ —.. .... : 11 Tax Two Detectives. By Albert W. Aiken... 21 22 Tue Sea SERPENT. Col. J Lewis....... 23 Nick o’ THE NIGHT. gop gen OUND, ) By Edward L. Wheeler>...... ... y Crown. By FrankS. Finn ........ Hipven Loner, By T.C. Harbaugh ..... ED Wyupe. By Texas Jack ue Vglek EATH-F ACE, THE DETECTIVE. E. L. Wheeler vine Ben. By John J. Marshall..... Shied Hemyng.......-! 90 THe DreaD Riper, By G. Waldo Browne. .. 91 THe CAPTAIN OF THE CLUB. By Bracebridge Hamey ng.’ ..>- oS 2 3 i] ] a) Oo x ) g ts te = o ej B: m = g A = is) QO } = 5S r-) es) 2. a s gee 141 Sotip Sam. By Edward L. Wheeler 142 Hanpsome Harry. By Charles Morris....... se 150 LANCE AnD LAsso. Capt. F. Whittaker. ... 151 PANTHER Pav. By Joseph BE. Badger, Jr.... 152 Buack Bess. 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= ‘BEADLE'’S+* H ALF- DIME* LIBRARY. Eath Issue Complete ana and t Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, hy all Newsdeasare. | sublished Hvery Tuesday. BY OLL COOMES, 446 Kit Bondy, Detective; or, Silver Star, the Boy Knight, 68 Kit Bandy in Texas; or, The Young Mustanger, ,208 Kit Bandy’s Catch; or, The Boy Hercoles. ord Kit Bandy’s Right Bower; or, Baby Sam,the Boy Giant 444 Kit Bandy’s Swoop} or, Little Buckskin, tne Centaur, 478 Kit Bandy’s Slick Scheme; or, Old Tom Rattler. 661 Kit Bandy’s Deliverance; or, Banner Bon. 680 Kit Bandy’s Pard; or, Dauntless Dan, the Freelance, 701 Kit Bandy Rattleds or, The Iniant Giant. eos Kit Bandy in Hed ule; or, The Young Whirlwind. 99 Kit Bandy’s Big Ruatle; or, Saddle King Sam, 804 Kit Bandy’s Brigade} or, Dan, the Mountain Guide eee Kid Pandy’ s Brigade in "Arizona, 939 Kit Bandy’s Atar Engagement. 58 Jack Prew, the Nemesis, or, Eagle Kit the Boy Demon, 482 Jack Drew’s Drop or, Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 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Boo Minkekin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter 00 he's Foxfire, the Boy Spy; or, Old "Culed Arbuckle, Whip et Demon; of, ainbolt, the Ranger. ing Joe, the Boy Ranchero, 409 Hercules wr, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 4iz One, the 7’ ramp Detective. 457 Wingoafoot Fred 3 or, Old Polar Saul. Tamarae ‘Tom, the Sig Trapper Boy. Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. 2 ring Basall,-the Hermit Boy Trappe 652 Don Barr, thé Plains Freelance. 670 Nor way Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer. | 778 and Harry, the Wizard Rif 33 jee Jack, the: Detective Sport. neste {— BY T. 9. FLANAGAN, 909 pachipmenn Pant the Pirate Catchen ume Cowboy Captain. The 1 Tee idshipmen; or, The! Coraair-Chaser’s First BY DAN DUNNING, ‘St Fack, the Sceret Service Spy. f Bing und Je Jack ook Invincibles, or, The Diabotical Three, gait 7 Siete Ca Bea Farrel Fox and Wis Girl Ferret. 898 Farrel, Fox’s Sweep-Stakes, ! BY GEORGE 0, JENKS, Demon ‘tory or, ig , the Kid Detective, 1D waite Oceet 1 \ae Singer Detective; or, Owney io > iow Role, ‘The Pitcher Betective’s Follt or, Dan's Double Play. oe ae Detectives or. The Last Cruise of the por Se r Detoctive’s Tonghest T 7 ore » Beate rt i ia Fhoroughbreds or, or, non Every 2 BSiae, a4 nele Sam’s Detective in Obisage: BY WM. G. PATTEN, 20 Viole the Velyet Sport; or, The Jubliee of Jackto vanes. Wetory } or "Fo nthe: Snaper City Clea Out. ge ve is Vancrs"V2 UZ ofa 0 Craft Detective’s Cratt ‘ or, o ot Vane’s Ve grille “The Game a Coffin City. 7 bd idocq; port, 730 the Vanquished, or, The Like t = - Vistens or, Th Fiery Hand saued Upest cor, The Dovble Pace of bed Rogk, eer, en vein bee a ; my te ey are, a “Among g the Vultures. ‘he ‘Aas or, The Double Grip Witness wd =a i. how pte Yo ‘aacaagee q the’ Detective = Hs 9 : Old Misery the Man ay sre fe Cal, pre Never-Sey-Die aba Service Speciy? Mascot. y Nat, ve i Tenderfoot Detective, Bee ’a Double po T Retin New too Bob’s Bowery ot. BY COLONEL. DELLE RARA.' . i Fe ion of the Seas ov, The Vatled Lady. $ or, Gambler's Big Game, BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, i a ier or, The Witch of Darien. Sood The Doge's Denaaiet. rag. ony Express Rider. snd Tamtare} or, The Land ofthe Elephant Riders ° " or, The o! ‘ @ Be owt oapeatng or cirry Jabs Cote ra, ot! umed ao Se hatkes oft of the Rhine. a >, “— omer the Animal King; er, Round the World. la Fomer’ or, ap uae the hath aac eaPe War rail. BY OAPT. J. F. ©. ADAMS. ; m oy Nick Whifften’s Boy Spy. ; ae the * Great sho Shot of the Wate ; Tithes” "a wet ort or, i The Val The Scout of Cyeotene BY T. ©, HARBAUGH. 28 Nick o the Night} or, The Boy Spy of ’76. 87 The Hidden Lodge}; or The L Little Hunter. 47 Nightingale Nat; or, Tne Forest Captains. 64,Dandy ack or, The Ontlaws of the Oregon Trals. 82 Kit Harefoet, the Wood-Hawk; or, Old Powder-faca 94 Midnight Jaek 5 or, The Boy Trapper. 06 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 28 Kiowa @marley the White Musmnger. 189 Judge ¥ eh Jr.s or, The Boy Vigiante. 155 Goll Tr er, the ar rt; or, The Girl Avenger, 169 Tornado” njun Jack From Red Core. 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy; or, The Mad Hunter, 198 Arkan-aw ; or. The Queen of Fate’s Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Topknot’s Crusade. 281 Plueky Phil; or. Row, the Rei Jezebel. 241 Rill Bravo; or, The Rowghs of the Rockles, 255 Captain Apolli. » te King-Pin of Bowle. 267 The buckskin betectiv e; or, The King of Road-agents. 2RTY Old Winch; or, The Bocksxin Deap ary 204 erntmite Dan; 3_ or, The Bowle Blade of “nchat-: 802 The Mowntain Detective; or, The Tr.gger Pir Bally. B16 7 Eelipse, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Parda: «r, The Terror of Take-Notics. 886 Bie Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso. 845 Plitileas Matt; or, Ked Thanderbolt’s Secret. 856 Cool Sam ond Par’ 13 or The Terrible Six. R66 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. SRG Davtain. Outlase 3 or, ‘he B cenneor’s Girl Foo. 896 Ronogh Rob; or, The ! win Champions of Blue Blazes, 411 The Milken Laseot or, The Rosec Ranch Robin. pits Felix Fex, the Boy Spotter; or, The Gold Gang of New Yo.x 425 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox; or, The Mystery of Room 91. 445 The City Vampiress or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Again«t Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow ; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt. 477 The Exceisior Sport: or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Right, the One-Eyed Sport, 502 Branded "en, the Night ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Whar!-Spy Detective. 521 Dodger Dick’s« Beat Dodge; or, The Gotham Gold Gang. 598 Fox and ae igre - Bowery Shadows, 588 Dodger Bek 3 the Dock Ferret, 548 Dodger Dick’« Double: or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 658 Dodger Dick’s Desperate "Care, 5 $ eee er a Oe the Boy Vidoeg; or, The Gang of Three. 578 wo Shadows; or, Dodger Dick’s Stop Game, 582 Dod er Dick’s Prov or, The Man from Jersey. 594 Little Lon, the Street er Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guard, 626 The Champion Paras; or, The Lucifer of Silver Bar, 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. os Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. 6T1 Jersey cones the Boy Hustler: or, Shadowing the Shadower. add lappy tn the Boy Musician Detective, 1 tne Fred. the Camera har; wake ¥ Len, the Quaker City Ferret, tee And Dell, the Pavement Detective; or, ad Big Gare, oan aly Winka, the Bell Boy Detective. tex My a beats wee ony Bi ‘agama = a arle Ne e Boy on Guard; or, Toe Cam; iders, Sse be brs Tom, the Red Wizard sino aN Oliny the Hatters Ferret Frat p, the Battery Ferret} o1, once seuers Bg Bory meee's Big Bounce. ed ueeet;, the Bo~ Shadow, oar The » hy mm "Denver. RY ONARLES MORRIS, 118 WII! Bomers, the Boy Detective. 122 Vhil Mardy, ube Boas Boy. 126 Picayune 3 or, Nicodemus, the ight eal : 0 Detective Vet 3 or, The Hero i Ferae, Handaome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, lat im meer "Thoroug hbred, om; oT, ul Wildtre's ‘a Kacer. 187 Fee eee Harvor Poliee Boy. in Wildfire in Se Weede, 188 ee ¢ Railroad WO A To ard; . wil wilddee Wins and Looe 174 Rob Rockett; or, Mysteries 0° New York. 179 Bob Rocke per Bank Runner, a ky Wildfire’ 187 Fred Halyard, the Life gy Ray hen the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers. 189 Bob eet for. Driven to the Veal. 196 Shadowed ; or, Bod Kockett’s Went es Laie, are _ Past. the Thee. i Diotectt eo Ba0 Tom mer or, The Black Sheep of the Flock. = Sam Ch Xt bog Bast. 235 peter Sam, ROP sy $ oF eheezatonh Bart and File Gang, ek pastes 1 of, A Dakota Boy in Ch ng Sharps: 01. Rollicking Sik’s Flot Tratl, x the Detective + Re * pari iy Sim JoW®B; or, The Youn Dutoetion, bt apes a or, The Young Th: oe mower ot o t Dakotas or, A Mr og Lad Oerhseen thev vend Detective ony orne, the Vaga Iv Ba8 The "Reporter; teetives or, Fred Sitcrard, B67 Wide-A =e opes or, A by of the Times. Bt larry, iB ers or, The ieee ot the Boulevara, i Fire’ y Suck, th i i a Lost F erie Retropped Cashter a 8 Fre a Fis eri se Rly Sonera ny zs Logan. ¢ Pinkerton Ferret. Billy i Beek ¢ Jolly Vagapond. fs > ie-Awake Jerry, Devestives or Lessee | Alive. or, e vi cu Tal . 4x Wild Dick fee oo or, How He ough for Honor Boo e Boy Fireman: or, Rm Sharper, ben The geod 6 erste Bey D Detective, — ee zimm mm? the kek or, A Lamb Among Waee. ruce a rkansant or, The Wolf in the Fold, Bb ites aul th e Roy &peculator. am, the Daisy Detectives. The Orvis ” Pgtedtive s, or, nt Hale’s Big Beat. Rweep-ata i ct Potertive EA ae Noumea the Gamin Bro cer. at Turkey’ Ily. iat shine ‘em-op Detective, Flash ightain » the Mountain Mascot, BY peg ceeiey W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bow@ry Girl, pS. Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. 2 9 Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. Joe Le oe aft Angeles and His Boy Pard. 7 New ¥ ovk Nat. ‘ale of Triske Ind Traps in Gotham. Prot ev En d tek or, The Fortunes of a Founding, - Nimbl et tele, Circus Prince, 498 Taor sf tae Arizona Sport. ‘ 0 Cool med) the Half-Breed Detective. 518 Cool Colorado tn New York: or, The Cowboy's Fighs BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR UO. &, A. 1 Petal Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker, Buffalo Bill's Bet; or, The Gambler Guide, 677 Chineapin Dan BY J. W. OSBORN, 469 The Rival Giants of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Lack. Od Powder PEs, the Bey Miner ov, The Man Witheat af owder il, the Boy Miner The a 609 Rolly Dorrit, the \eteran Detective. m 620 Little Li mentng’s I. « League} or, The Mystery oi tnéieh 2 688 Pisghy ‘aul, the Prospector. 7561 Gold-Dust Dan, thet rail Patrol. ee Gold Dust Dan's Oath; or, Keckleas Rey, the 928 Gold-Dust Dan’s Snap-Shot. BY JOSEPH £. BADGER, JR, 2 Yellowstone Jack; or, The 48 Black. John, the Road-Agent; or, Tine Punts Seamed 65 Hurricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pi 119 Muatang Sam 3 or, The King of the Plains. as¢ a eg awk Kit; or, The Daugbter of the Ranch, ainty Lance the Boy Sport. ist Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Reseus. 160 The Black Giant? or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 pee Baad} or, Fighting Fire with Fire, 184 The Boy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Patm 208 The Bo ~ Pardsj or. Dainty Lance Unmasks. B11 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 610 The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ Leagaa 885 we Double Fist or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Woodat or. Dame! Boong’s Last Tkdix 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Tra « Second Tra 688 Chincapin Dan’s Home &tretch. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head. TOS Light-Ueart Lute’s Legacy. T18 Light-Heart Lute’« Last rail, 728 Silverblade, the Shoshone. 729 Silverbiade, the Half-Blood; or, The Berder ot Bap 789 Silverblade, the Hostile; or, The Border Beagie’s 748 BSilverblade the Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Pasd BY ¢. DUNNING CLARK, 85 Captain Paul; or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains, The Yankee Tajah $ or, The Fate of the Black Shores. BY LIFUT. Il. D. PERRY, U. 8. N. 176 The Roy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bam. 180 ‘The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow Well Kept. it 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Pots’, BY JAOK FARRAGOUT. 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy; or, The Witch of the Fert. i Sao The Sea Sorceress; or, The Boy Skipper. BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. ; ue Bick, or, The begeh Chief's Von engaanen, : e Land Pirates or, The League o 1l’s (Ha gpm ist The ie ata Hand; or, Backwoods Retribution. -neecker Guide or, The Los Mountal RY BRACEBRIDGE NEMYNG 89 Ialand Jim: or, The Pet of the Cate, 91 The Oaptain of the Club; or. The Rival Athlete = 01 Jack Harkaway in New York. MISQOELLANEODUS AUTHORS, 4 The tne eee, Hunters. By Capt. Meyne re er, 9 ie nturce of Baren Muncheausen, iitver’s Travels. Dean Swift. 14 Aladdin; »r, The Gesiaer 1 Lam 16 Robinson Orusoe. (27 Tiletrations.) 18 ey oe the Sailor. His Seven V. 22 The eee erpent; or, The Boy Cruse, By Jucn 88 The “ecan & ound} or, The Red Pigtes of the Carribees. pa . PI 56 The Hoy s own or The Arena Queen. By F 8. Finn. y rt The Woy eu the Boy. By Texas Rivers or. The Waaerfrown’ Camp. Bs By A.C. Ironm 95 tue the Missisaippe vy never. or, Ti 98 Robin shin How, oo. Outlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men 0” Green I 105 oid | ey the he tsar or, The Crow Captive. By Captats ‘ 12 ‘Mad HWuntert or, The Cave of Death. a Saxe, Pass. By Will Lisenbee. 809 Ly Danton, the Gent from Denver. By King Keene, of @ Secret Service Corps, g14 Ace High, the Friaco Detective, By C. E. Trp. 0 The Grim Lodgera in colSiey} &, ” Rab 881 The Chicago Dram opin fy J. @. Bothove, The Cn, rn . le B41 Prince "Charlie, the Cats Jaw Sport, By Bee Ritly i 1 the Swamp Fox. By 820 Blue. eht att, the titi cpt or, 4 or; The Devoe Baten tive’s Lone nt Ht ‘By Kin A New ia eels Tuesday ; The Half-Dime Library {+ tor sale al Newetal Bea cents por coy, oF aout by aall on secdint of he tens 4 on
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¥ ¢ ;Xoung America, _ Birt of bs Lora ay \ for the Maine Law, lot on the Battlefield, e Italian Struggle, ependence, Equality of M i of Man, Character ~§ the Revo'’n, ‘The Fruits of the War, The Sewing-Machine, ‘True Manhood, ‘The Mystery of Life, fhe Ups and Downs, r ring an Sg, A. Ward's Oration, “True Nationality, ‘Our Natal Day, Solferino, telligenee the Basis of e War, Li ; narge of Light Brigade, After the Battle, {The Glass Railroad, ase of Mr. Macbeth, ‘Prof, on Phrenology, Annabel Lee, Wi ‘ton’s Name, ‘The or Boy’s Syren, < Dime American Speaker, No. 1. \ By. J. Jeboom’s Oration, A Dutch Cure, The Weather. The Heated Term, Philosophy Le. An Old Bai Penny Wise, Pound Fool- True ge _ fish, Sat'd’y Night’s Enjoy'ts, “Tn a Just Cause,’ No Peace with Oppres- ion, A Tale of a Mouse, A Thanksgiving Sermen, The Cost of Riches, Great Lives Imperishable The Prophecy forthe Y’r Unfinished Problems, Honor to the Dead, ater of Patriots, Webster's Polit’l System, A Vision in the Forum, The Press, Woman's. Rights, Right of the Governed, My Ladder, Woman, Alone, The Rebellion-of 1861, Disunion. Dime National Speaker, No. 2. Dime Elocutionist, No. 5. SEC. L Prixcretes or True Exvpcratron.—Faults in Enunciation; How to Avoid Them. Special Rules and Observations. SEC. IL. Tar Art or Oratory. Sheridan's List of the Passions: Tranquillity, Cheerfulness, Mirth, Raillery, Buffoonery, Joy, Delight, Gravity, In- uiry, Attentidh, Modest , Perplexity, Pity, Grief, Melancholy Despair, Fear, Shame, Remorse, Courage, Boasting, Pride, Obstinacy, Authority, Commanding, Forbidding, Affirming, Denying, Difference, Agreeing, Exhorting, Judging, Approv- ing, Acquitting, Condemning, Teaching, Pardon- ing, Arguing a Refusing, Granting, De- pendence, Veneration, Tope, Desire, Love, Re spect, Giving, Wonder, Admiration, Gratitude, Cu riosity, Persuasiow, Tempting, Promising, Affecta- tion, Sloth, Intoxication, Anger, etc. SEC. DI. Tue Component ELEMENTS oF An ORA Tion.—Rules of Composition as applied to Werds and Phrases, viz.: Purity, Propriety, Precision. As applied to Sentences, viz.: Length of Sentence, eClearness, Unity, Strength. pets of Speech; the Exordium, the Narration, the Proposition, the Confirmation, the Refutation, the Peroration. SEC. IV. Representative Exercises IN PROSE AND Verse.—Transition; A Plea for the Ox; Falstaff’s Soliloquy on Honor; the Burial of Lincoln; the Call and Response; the —— Charge; eget f of a Life; the Bugle; the Bells; Byron; Macbet and the Dagger; Hamilet’s Soliloquy; Old Things; Look Upward; King William Rufus; the Eye; an Essa Onto Musik; Discoveries of Galileo. Union and its Results, Ohio, a6) BS Ou C on intry's Futuré, Oliver H , 4 Perry, SEC. V. OBSERVATIONS OF GOop AU'PHORITIES. eS man’s rs, | Our Domain . True Immortality Systems of Belief, Dime Humorous Speaker, No. 6. ‘et the Childless Weep, | The Indtan Chief, A Sad Story Poetry Run Mad, oad Country’s Clggy, The Independent Farmer | A String o Onions, Right Names, Tnion a Househol, Mrs. Grammar’s Ball, AT ¢ Story, Scientific Lectures, Neg eacie Bell, How the Money Comes, Cats, The Ager, The Scholar's Dignity, Future of the Fashions, Courtship, The Cockney, The Cycles of Progress, | Loyalty to Liberty, Debt The Codfish, A Christmas Chant, Our Country First; Last, | Devils Fate of Sergeant Thin, Biability of Christianity, and Always, Dow, Jr.'s Lectures, The Features’ Quarrel, The True Higher Law. British Influence, Ego and Echo. merican Voodchuck, e One Great Need, Defense of Jefferson, Fashionable Women, The Harp of a Thousand Ship and the Bird, National Hatreds, Fern Thistles, Strings, © ecumseh’s Speech, | Murder Will Out, Good-Nature, : The Last of the Sarpints, rial Expansion, | Strive for the Best, Gottlieb Klebcye The March to Moscow, rtha Hopkins, | Kar hlackenlichter’s snake, | The Mysterious Guest, Bashful Man's Story, | D of dness, osea Biglow's Opinions, | The Pump, Matter-of-Fact,Man, | Gates of Sleep, How the Money The Sea nt, ich and Poor. he Bugle, Hux-ki-do-ri’s Fourth of | The the Eclipse, A Hoodish Gem, July Oration The Shoemaker = he of the Law, Purity of the Struggle, If yon Mean No, Say No, | The Useful Doctor, Gelang! Git Up, Age, Jo Bows on Leap Year, | The Wa e Rats ef Life, Beautifui and True Lay of the emer, To the rs’ Union reowning Glory ef U.8., | The Worm of the Still, Lot Skinner’s Elegy, Teagat. Three Fools, and the Infinite, Matrimony, United States Presidents, -Weshington, La e of the le, Nothing to Do Vagaries of Popping the ur Great Inheritance, ee ington, Old Caudle’s Umbrella, uestion, ulogy on Henry Clay, e Deluge. - Old Grimes's Son, What I Wouldn’t Be, Paddle Your Own Canoe, | Yankee Doodle Aladdin, \ Dime Patriotic Speaker, No. 3. Papogy, tt “ Araby’s Fe Moskestare, erica to the World, History of Our a fire of Country. T. F. Meagher’s Address, Dime Standard Speaker, No. 7. ht of Self-Preserva- | We Owe to the Union, — | me World We Live In, | John Gettysburg ur Cause, Lincoln 's Me Woman's Clai No wr in | ven, . 9 @ Kentuckian’s @ Last Speech 0 hen | Authors of our Liberty. Mics Pruno's ‘Tos Kentucky 8 Pen he las, The Real Conqueror, ' | The Power of an Idea, ’ ng The Citizen’s Heritage, |The Beneficence of the The emen : h Let Me Alone, * ites capone Ba The Ends of Peace, (egy Fa rove of Our Natio Christian ” P ne a. Turkey Dan's “ration, A Fearless Pleu, ‘The People Always Con- ic, Nature and Nainre's God The Modern Good, (Sun, | The Prettiest Hand, Ossian’s Address to the | Pa A Independence Bell—1777, | Little Jerry, the Miller, The Neck, The Blarney Stone, - F Thoughts, The Student of Bonn The on Mati ‘The Broken H Life, The Bible, The Idler, The Purse and the Sword The Unbeliever, My ey, The Two Lives, M Courage, J vt or not Infallible, Sh So u not: Fanaticism, 2 Instability of Suecessful Agriculture, (Crime, Music of Labor, {quer, Prussia and A Wishing, Gocupation H and A % A Shot at the Donita. Dime Stump Speaker, No. 8. . J. M. Stubbs’ Views | The Limits to Ha: Hon. J. M. Stub! ppinens, ! Permanency of States, Liberty of h, New England and Unien, The Unseen Battlefield, Plea for the Republle, America, (Fallacy, ‘Right ef Secession” a Life’s Sunset, Human Nature, wyers, Wrongs of the Indians, Appeal in behalf of Am. ries of War,[{Liberty, A Lay Sermon, A Dream, Astrenomieal, The Meon, [zens Duties of American Citi Temptations of Citi ‘emptations of Cities, Broken Resolutions, There is no Beath, A Fruitful Diseourse, { A Frenchman's Dinner,‘ Unjust National Acqui’n The Amateur Coachman, John Thompson’s Dau’r~ House C It Is Not Your Baswices, Dime Juvenile Speaker, No. 9. A Boy’s Philosophy, Hoe Out Your Row, Six-Year-Old's Pretest, The Suicidal Cat, A Valediction, Popping Corn, The Editor, The Same, in rhyme, ae the Raven ecrmy | A Mother’s Work, The Same, Who Rules, A Sheep Stery, A Little Correspondent, One Good Turn Deservet The Fairy Shoemaker, My Dream, {[Another, What Was Learned, Rain, Press On, I’ll Never Use Tobaceq, The Horse, A Mosaic, The Snake in the Grass, | The Old Bacheler, Tale of the Tropics, Prayer te Light, Bromley’s Speech, Little Jim, The Same, second extract | Angelina's Lament, The Fisher's Child, Johnny Shrimps on Boott Shaks ian Scholar, rc: A Maiden’s Psalm of Life, | Cheice of Hou A Mixture, | Poor Richard's avings Plea for Skates, Who Killed Tom Roper, Playing Ball, Nothing to Do ‘ Why Honesty Best Policy, Live for Something. 4 Heaven, Lay of the Hen- Pecked, Ho fer the Fie Outside he , Wolf and Lamb, = ae in Love, : Ki rogs Asking for a King, Sick Lion, . es Country and Town 1__e, Man and Woman, Home, The Lotus-Planter, Little Thin A Baby's oquy, Re A Pea for I Night ates Christmas, Short Legs, Shrimps on Amusements, Fashion en the B Snuffies on Hlevtriclty, The Two Cradles, whe The Dime Spread-Eagle Speaker, No. 10, Ben Buster's Oration, Hans Von Spiegel's 4th, Josh *s Advi Drum-head Sermons, Schnitzerl's nee “ Woman's ‘ Luk gas 4 = 4 Pe) on the Situation, ~nature a : Hans Schwackheimer on nm from Hard-shell Woman's -enders, [Baptist, All fer a Nomination. The Value of Money, — Old Ocean, fSea, | Meteoric The Sea,the the open | Be Sure You are t, Star Bangled , | Be of Good Cheer, Stay Where You . | Crabbed Folks, [Shrew, Life's What You ,| Taming «a Masevline Where's My Money, Warmers, [Our Country, pee from ,| The True Greatness ot | *s Relation to Society | ‘The Cold-water Man,
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BUFFALO BILL NOVELS. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 994 Buffalo Bill’s Lone Hand. 989 Boffalo Biil’s Marked Bullet. 964 Buffalo Bill’s Life Raffle. $79 Buffalo Bill’s Relentless Trail. ,964 Buffa'o Bi.l's Invincibles, \960 Buffalo Bill's Blue Belt a reer Buffate Bill's Volunteer Vi ntes, Buffalo Bill at Bay. ; Buffalo BHI's Block Game, *986 Buffal> Bills Blaek Pard, $27 Buffalo Buil’s Biuff; or, Dus 4 Buffalo Bill’s uandary : or, 5 Buffalo Bill the Surgeon-Scout. Buffalo B&l’s League; or, Red Butterfly. ys Buffalo Bill’s Tangled Trail. Buffalo Bill’s Rough Riders. Buffalo Bill’s Secret Ally, 890 Boffalo Bill’s Life-Stake. 882 Ehe Three Bills: Buffalo ‘Bin Wild oe and Band- box Bill; or, The Bravo in Broade 874 Buffalo ' ill’s Buckskiy Braves. 869 Buffalo Bill's Road-A oak Round-w 863 Buffalo Bill's Dea‘h 837 Buffalo Bill’s Royal Flos 851 Baffalo Bill's Double may 845 Buffalo Bill's Redskin Ruse, 830 Buffalo Bill's Bovs in Blue. 826 Buffalo bi'l’s Sharp Shooters, 822 Buffalo Bill’s Best Bower. 816 Buffalo Bil’s Red Trail. a puta Bil’s Death-Knell. een o Bill’s Bhan s & Hand 787 tuffalo Bil’s Har Bg ot. 781 Buffalo Bill's Bran 77 Buffalo Bitl’s Spy Shadower 769 Buffalo Bill’s iiveepat 765 Biffalo Bill’s Beart “pili Ribbon Sam, 761 Buftalo BNl’s Mascot. 757 Buffalo Biti’s Double. 750 Buffalo Bill’s Big Four; or, Custer’s Shadow. 748 Buffalo Bill’e Finsh Hand, 739 Buffalo Hill's Blind: or, The Masked Driver. 285 Buffalo Bill and His Merry Men. '781 Buffalo Bill’s Beagles: or , Silk Lasso Sam, 727 Buffalo Bill’s Body Guard. 722 Boffalo Bill on the Wer-path. Dick the Sport. elvet Bill’s Vow. Bugle bus Pes uo sac 7) n uige. 628 The Co Bill’s Seren: The King of tie Mises. e ey Oe ; or, The Ab og od 6; or, Buck Taylor in Texas. io bartate B ‘s Chief of Cowbo 8; or, Buck Taylor 644 Buffalo 3s B wo ena or, Si'ver Ci aa Buffalo aaa } Grip; mer Pa -wt bpd a \ 829 Buffalo ; or, The League of Three, . pee Wild Bake ‘Go Trail; or, The Desperate Wild be Trum Card; or, He Wild Bill, the Pistol Dead Shon Br Buffalo Bill, ex The Indian Heiress, a7 = me ge 2s2¢8 —s - an a i Bil's Gold King. Lo aa *3 Wine; or, My Pards of the Plains, indian Detective. privet aad rderiand tion. Wisata Brae or, White Deaner’s Trail: Epon er; the lixile of the Platte. Bitl, the’ Whirlwind of ord ‘West. J ack, Pe Prairie Rattle Sharp; or, The Soldier's Sweetheart, Bullet Svort; or, Knights of the Overland. Death-Traiier, the Chiet of Scouts. By Leon Lewis, Ned Buntline, ete. (feo Bammalo Bi SE sui ’s Seer. c of Buffalo Bill’s Daring Role; or, Daredeath Dick. a 0 Bi'l’s First Trail; or, The Express Rider, Z an eae Sout Dashing Dand ae s- ‘ard; or, x ces % Burals Bill, the Buckskin King, Clue. ‘ $B Rip matahice meet tal-Ghewy'or, Burr's Master Case. See BY COL. THOMAS H. MONSTERY, 995 The Ozar’s Spy. 986 Iron Wrist. the ‘svuliuainae % Co eg Sam; er, The Monarchs of the Show. Rubio Bravo, King of the Swordsmen. BY J W. OSBON. rQ7 Ghadrach, the Sport Detectiv bert 922 ur, the Dandy | Sport. ; , (995 Shasta Sam, the Sparkter i 877 Cool sate Poe Dead Bhét. . my . ; 4 BB Royal! the bred, aye ete 4 : Hand. Cashie aj 803 The Bogu loth. | 642 d, Myste il 434 Lucifer Ly harp. rier a ine ldz Th 882 The Bonanza hasta Shad rele Knights, OCuste: _—— Do Dozen. | 240 Conrad. Detective. Frisco, D Den Detective. le-Quick Expert D Special’s Dile Ge eee Deal. 8p Th Rock, ats L, urdock, the Dread 596 Rust! § a eR PR BY CAPTAIN HOWARD HOLMES, 929 Gentleman George, the Showman Sport. 912 Genteel poe ie 8 seus 908 The Train Detect Kent Keen, the Cronk: Crusher, Nightshade in New York. Falcon n, the bocca Detective. 871 The 859 Clew-Hawk Keene's 8 Right Bower. 847 Hiram Lone the Harlem Detectiva, 849 Majer Bullion Boss of the Tigers 831 Shadowing the London Detective. 817 Plush Velvet, the Prince of Spotters. e s Broker's ent Bower. 788 The Night-Hawk Deteotive. 779 Silk Ribbon’s Crush-out. 766 Detective Zach, the Broadway Spotter, 751 The Dark Lantern Detective. 736 The Never-Fail Detective. 724 Captain Hercules, the Strong Arm Detective, 711 Dan Damon, the Gilt-Fdge Detective, 701 Silver Steve, the Branded Sport. $94 Gideon Grip, the Secret Shadower. 684 Velvet ed ‘the Mystery Shadower. 678 The Dude Desperado 871 Jason Clew, the Silk-Manded Ferret. 664 Monk Morel, the Man-Hunter, 654 Sol Sphinx, the Ferret Detective. Red Pard and Yellow. po Silent Sara, the Shadow Sphinx. re pe Sid, the Shasta Ferret. on Old Cormorant, the Bowery Shadow. 569 Captain Cobra, the Hooded ry. 55¥ Danton, the Shadow Sharp, 550 Silk Hand, the Mohave Ferret, 643 The Magnate Detective. 582 Jack Javert. the Independent Detective. 523 Reynard of Red Jack: or, The Lost Detective 512 Captain Velvet’s Big Stake. 505 Phil Fox, the Genteel Spotter. 496 Richard Redfire, the Two Worlds’ nena 487 Stmshine Sam, a Chip of the Old Bloc 480 Hawkspear, the Man with a Secret. 458 Coldgrip in Deadwood. = Captain Caer pee the pa gg n Co “J Trai 447 Voicano, the te Fusseo Sp 441 The California 8 nx, the W onder Detective, 421 Father Perret. the Frisco Shadow. 413 coetee Coldgrip : in New York, 407 Captain Cokigrip’ s Nerve; or. Injun +e = Captain Coldgrip; or. The New York Spo 892 The Lest Bonanza: or, The Boot of Silent: Hound. Band; or, Dread Don of Cool Clan. 374 Major Blister, the 8 365 Keen Kennard, the 852 The 347 Denver Cool 335 Flash Dan, the Nabob 821 California Claude, # the Lone Bandit. 294 Broadcloth Burt. the Denver Dandy. $41 The Shadow Sport from BY WILLIAM H. MANNING. 948 The Red-Gloved Detective. Gnich, New York. rt of Two Cities, 8 rate Dozen. ke, the Man witb “Sand.” the Dakota or, Blades of Bowie Bar. ow, 931 Frisco Frank at Gio 920 The Montana Miner nteel Sharper’s Combine B41 Graydon’s Double 838 The rt Detective’s “thi ‘own r Pete, the Race Track Detective, the Round-up — 74 Steve Starr, the Dock Deteetiv 764 The New Yerk Sb aor Detective Claxton, 4 Gabe Gall, the Gambolier from a on ios aie go saul, the Samaritan Sus pn oe ra . an with he pirchmark, Strawberry Saw n with t 646 Dark John, the bo Man 688 Mu ive. 628 Dangerous Dave, the Never-Beaten Detective. 611 Alkali Abe, the Game Chicken from Texas. r Rube; the Poona. Up Detective, ~ 585 Dan Dixon’s Double. . the Napoleon of Detectives cg) the Hots 1 gg e. alae 1 Garey’ Ke ean the Man wi Ba Old pees bo the Wily Detactive, pvaet Bi ite fedm grarie Soe, ’ m, the 513 ‘Texas Tartar, the Man wie we Nine Lives. 506 Uncle Honest, the heacemaker of Hornets’ Nest. | 498 Central Pacific Paul. the- Mail Train Spy. 492 Border Bullet, the Prairie Sharpshooter. 486 Karisas Kitten, the Northwest eenenene. Gladiator § the Samson of Gasenjeck. 70 The Duke of Dakota, ba eee Re 449 Bluff Burke, 442 Wild West Walt, the Mewatain Veteran Deep Duke; or, The of Two Lives, 427 The Rivals of Montana Mi ; 415 Hot Heart, the Detective 8 405 Old Baldy the B 207 owpayi aed Rube, the Strong Arm of 279 The Gol d Dragoon, wr, California BY NED BUNTLINE. 657 Long Tom, the Privateer. 638 The Sea Sp @21 The Red wateer; or,“The Midshipman Rover. Fire Feather, the Thiceaneer Ki King. 861 Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot. 122 Saul Sabberday, the Idiot ea? ae? fizard’ ar trike Reminole Prophet, 5 Rr geile pilin Ba 7a bes ‘é i Se So eg A or, the reo atthe tale Crime, , | | e 3 | Bloodhoun?. 996 Injun Dick, | ALBERT W. AIKEN’S NOVELS. Bick Talbot Series, = Dick Talbot at the Mines: er, Kentuck, the Sport.. 988 Reeky Mountain Rob. $76 Overland Kit; er, The Call. of White Pine. 741 Bick ralbot’s Close 737 Dick Talbot in A Steed: 733 Dick TaPbot. the King. 729 Dick Talbot’s Clean-Out. 725 Dick Talbot in No Man’s Camp, 854 Dick Talbot; o1, The Brand o' ‘Crimson Urosr 36 Dick Talbot; or, The Death-Stot of Shasta, Aiken's Fresh of obs Series. 825 Fresh, the Race-Track § a ; 660 The Fresh in Montana; or, , Bloke : Full Hand. { 3 652 Tie Fresh’s Rustie at Painted : 647 The Fresh at Santa Fe; cr, “fey aeiaiaiie Sharp, : 556 Fresh, the Sport: or, The Big Racket at Side Out, 537 Fresh "Against the Field; or, Blake, the Lion. 497 The Fresh in Texas; or. The Escobedo Millions, 461 The Fresh of Frisco on the Rio Grande. 97 The Fresh in Big Walnut Camp; or. Bronze Jack, Aitken’s Joo Phenix Series. 965 Joe Phenix’s Mascot, 959 Joe Phenix’s Double Deal. 954 Joe Phenix in Chicago. 949 The Doctor from en or, Joe Phenix’s Olue 944 Joe Phenix’s Rigu wer. 865 The Female Bar r Detective; or, Joe Phenix in Silver City. 799 Joe Phenix’s Great Blue Diamend Case; or, The/ New York Sport at Long Bra’ 793 Joe Phenix’s Decoy; or, bien: nof Three, 760 Joe Phenix’s Lone 749 Joe Phenix’s Big Bulge. 745 Joe Phenix’s Mad Case. 708 Joe Phenix's Siren; or, The Woman Hawkshaw, 700 Joe Phenix’s nown; or, Crushing the Crook 681 Joe Phenix’s Specials; or, Th ress Detective’ 687 Joe Phenix in rans Camp 632 Joe Phenix’s Master Search, 628 Joe Phenix's 7 ede WE ; or, the Dandy 6 a cea 620 Joe Phenix’s Silent Six 601 Joe Phenix’s Shadow ; or.the Detéctive’s Monitor’ 419 Joe Phenix,, the Kine of Detectives. | 161 Joe Phenix’s Great Man Hunt, 112 Joe Phenix, Private. Detective; or, The League, 79 Joe Phenix, the Police Spy. Alken’s Misc ellancous Novels, 980 The All-Around Athlete. n Jack, the Scalpe: 985 The a and W yt o New York = Detective Gordon’s Ola Guseower, the sient Smiter. 928 Old Sunflower. yseed Detective, 901 The Hotel Swell Sart or, The Siren : 892 The Country man Detective. 876 Gold Button Sport; or, hie ee 842 Teton Tom. the Halt-bi 835 The King 814 The err Yor ker yal Texas Sporte. a King Dandy, the Silver Sport. Gideon's Grin at Babylon Par, _ 717 Captain Pat — the Greencoat Detective, ; 674 Uncle Sun Up, rn Detective, : ~ The btw ole ht iS ctootiva The Frisco An octive: or, The Golden G ste Find,, 618 Keen Bi “ Hard co? Detective. 607 Old Benzin ae 594 Fire : Henan, the Silver = 586 The Simmer § Con rie 4 ra arp Detectiv 577 Tom, of Cali pte or, eile Shadow, Act.) 570. The Actress Detective; or, The In le 520 The. Lone Hand on xk Caddo, “ The Tine Hand in Te 562 Lone Hand, the Shadov. in Chin, the Chiseve m Decective: : or, Pursued to - er sBESSER8EE5 Crown 820 The ‘Genteel Spo tter: sor, ‘the Flash ef 2 The Spotter Detective: or, Girls of New otk. NEW ISSUES. tye i 1000 Buffajo Rill’s Grim Gaard. Col. Ingraha) 1 The Cer. Buroers of Sac By John W Osbo: 1002 Silver Git 8am, By Jos 1008 Gola "ban or, Bick Talbot tn Se By Albert $004 Buffalo Salis Death Deal. By Col. Col. pases. 1005 oot-Hills r “si . By Col. P. increbele™ 1006 The Sea JUST ISSUED. ~~ __ Dead Shot, By Aiken. be | 997 ee Hal, ue: he Sport from Hard | By af 08. Badge r, tain Seawalf, Privateer. By Ned Buntline. | 999 999 ‘The Velvet Hand The ieee Grip of Injun or, Dick, By Albert W. Aik A new issue every » wianeobea THE UWE LIBRARY is for sale by all Newsdealers. +o conte 06" C995 rere ~~ ov receipt of price. Se. ; _ reer b Nath Neh ne ee . =. ee
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_ BEADLE'’S*] )IME*[IBRARY. BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. Old Sobersides, the Detective of St. Louis, ce-Horse Wheeler, the Revenue Detective. Double Edged Detective. erick Mark. the Man from Nowhere, 898 Bilky Steele, the Stay-in Sport. Phe tter-Sport’s Neck-Tie Party. High-Water Mark; or, Silver-Tip Sid. {962 Hiata Rob, the Range Champion. 3855 The C .whoy Chief's Sure-Shot. 848 The Rival Red-Hat Sports. 837 Curly Kid, the Cheyenne Sport. 824 The Sofs Hand Detective. 815 The Soft Kund’s Clutch. Dan Dunn the Soft-Hand Sport. ‘796 The Frisco Detective’s Thug-Tangle, 489 Sam Cary, the River Sport. ‘80 The Dead Sport’s Double. (71 Prince John, Detective Special. 163 Dandy Don, the Denver Detective. 34 %be Man from Texas; or, Dangerfield, the Doowr Detective, %44 Sweepstakes Sam, the Silver Sport. 720 The Secret Six; or, Oid Haleyon. 712 The Man of Silk. 705 Bantam Bob, the Beauty from Butte. 693 Kent Kasson, the Preacher Sport. 683 Bob Breeze, the Rounder Detective. 675 Steel Surry, the Sport from Sunrise, 668 Solemn Saul’s Luck Streak 661 The Get-There Sharp. 661 SilvVestip St-ve, the Sky Scraper from Siskiyou. 645 Gopher Gabe, the Unseen Detective. 636 Dandy Darling, Detective. 627 Mossback Mose, the Mountaineer. 617 7 Gri ene Sharp's + up. ig 'y, the gadier of Brimstone Butte. 588 Sandy sands, the Sharp from Snap City. 576 Silver-Tongued Sid; or, Grip Saek Sharp’s Sweep. 664 The Grip-Sack Sharp; or, The Seraphs of Sodom. 5B5 Grip-Sack Sid, the Sample Sport. 547 The Buried Detective; or, Saul’s Six Sensations. 541 Major Magnet, the Man of Nerve. §85 Dandy Dutch, the Decorator from Dead-Lift ti Dandy Andy, the Diamond Detective. 8d Gabe Gunn, the cote a, Fae Ginseng. 504 Solemn Saul. the Sad Man from San Saba. vf Rattlepate Rob; or, The Roundhead’s Reprisal The Thoroughbred Sport. 474 Daddy Dead-Kye, the Despot of Dew Drop. s Old Bough and Ready, the Sage of Sundown Dutch Dan. the Pilgrim from Spitzenberg. 443 A Cool Hand; or, Pistol Johnny’s Picnic, 4483 La Seer Sam’s Dandy Pard hing ; or, Sam’s Dandy Pard. ae The Ghost Detective; or. The Secret Service Spy. 6 Monte Jim. the Biack Sheep of Bismarck. “09 Rob Roy Ranch; or, The Imps of Pan Handle, £03 The Nameless Sport. vdly Aim, the Duke of Derringers. ark Durg. the Ishmael! of the Hills. tain the Man.with a Record, 0 Ect tom 5 ser or, —_ key & hig er ing Jerry, the Gamecock from Sundown. 355 ag Steve, the Mad Athlete. +} Nor’ West Nick, the Border Detective. Masked Mark, the Mounted Detective. 839 Eagie Sam, the Hercules Hide unter, 249 Elephant Tom. o 241 Spitfire Saul, King of the Rustlers. 238 The tsiov of Tombstone. 202 Pirate 6f the Placers; or, Joaquin’s Death Hunt 180 Old "49; or, The Amazon of Arizona, 170 Sweet William, the Trapper Detective, 165 Joaquin, the Terrible : U4 Joaquin, the Saddie King. 141 Ka inox Tom, the Bul'y of Red Rock. 119A them Joe; or, The Yazoo Man-Hunters, 1065 Dan Brown of Denver; or. The Detective. 88 Big George; or, The Five Outlaw Brothers. 71 pooch Coot Blade; or, MiSSissippi Man Shark, 67 y Jockey; or, Honesty vs. Crookedness, 50 Jack Rabbit, tne Prairie Sport, psoas BY WM. G. PATTEN. re-Eye, the Thug’s Terror. On Nisiit Hawk, the Crook Shadower. The Prine of New York Crooks. 756 Old Burke, the Madison Square Detective. 747 Double-voice Dan's Double Disguise. feo Double-Volee Dan, the Aes or tuble-Voice n, the Always-on- 396 Double-Voice Dan, the Go-it Alone Detective nh po to ical Fe art urricane , the Cow Hotspur, 669 Old True Blue, the Trustee? " 668 The Giant Sport; or, Soki to Satan. 856 Old Piug Del . the Rough and 648 Geld Glove the Man of Grit. 641. Jaek, the Desert Nomad. - 631 Colonel Cool, the Santa Fe Sharp, 602 are Nameless. the Mountain Mystery. 871 Old Dismal, the Range Detective. 645 Hustier Harry, the Cowboy Sport, BY GEORGE C. JENKS. ig? The Arizona Detective. Silver Sam. the Shasta Sport. @ : The Sifer Sport’s Double. he Race-Course Detective. \ e Hayseed Detective, in Corden, the Twister Detective. Wild P-te the Broncho-Buster Detective. Foarless Sam, the Grand Combination Detective, Boston Bob, the Sport Detective. Jaunty Joe, the Jockey Detective. arp, the Rustler ere, the Tent Detective. rip, the Tenderfoot Detective Detective. BY WILLIAM R. EYSTER. $16 Two Dead-Square Sports, 902 Soft Velvet, the Man from Sandrock, 891 Genteel Jim, Sport-at-Large. 881 The Clubman-Crook’s Cat's-paw. 867 The Frisco Sport. 852 The Stranger Sport’s Shake-up. 828 Kirk King, the Man from Kirby. 818 Gentleman Dave, the Dead Game Sport 783 The King-Pin Tramp. 767 The Sport of Silver Bend. 718 Uncie Bedrock’s Big Bounce. 70? The Rival Rovers. 687 Double Cinch Dan, the Sport With a Charm. 677 Mr, Jackson, the Gent from Jaybird. 659 Gilt-Eadge Johnny; or, Roldan and His Rovers, 650 Luck Lester's ne Hand 634 Old Handcart’s Big Dump. 622 The All Around Sports. 608 Desert Alf, the Man With the Cougar. 590 Gentle Jack, the High Rollerfrom Humbug. 578 Seven Shot Steve, the Sport with a Smile. 668 The Dude Detective. 658 Hurrah Harry, the High Horse from Haicyon. 549 Belshazzar Brick, the Bailiff of Blue Blazes. 533 Oregon, the Sport With a Sear. 508 The Dude from Denver, 478 Pinnacte Pete; or, The Fool from Way Back. 459 pos Sunshine, the Man of Three Lives, 429 Hair Trigger Tom of, Red Bend. : 402 Snapshot Sam; or, The Angels’ Flat Racket. 396 The Piper Detective; or, The Gilt Edge Gang. 875 Royal pS pene the Three in One, 3856 Thr-e Handsome Sports; or, The Combination. 333 Derringer Dick, the Man with the Drop, 268 Magic Mike, “he Man of Frills. 229 Captain Cutsiceve; or, The Little Sport. 214 The Two Cool Sports; or, Gertie of the Gulch. 182 Hands Up; or, The Knights of the Canyon, 160 Soft Hand, Sharp; or, The Man with the Sand. 145 Pistol Pards; or, The Silent Sport from Cinnabar BY NED BUNTLINE. 657 Long Tom, the Privateer. 633 The Sea Spy: 621 The Red Privateer; or, The Midshipman Rover. 584 Fire Feather, the Buccaneer King, 517 Buffalo Bill’s First Trail. 861 Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot. 122 Saul Sabberday, the Idiot S € 111 The Smuggler Captain; or, The skipper's Crime, 18 The Sea Bandit; or, The Quéen of the Isle. 16 The White Wizard; or, The Seminole Prophet. BY JACKSON KNOX—‘ Old Hawk.” 888 Old Grips Still Hunt, 827 Detective Walden’s Web. 778 The Butler Detective; or, Old Grip’s Grip 770 The Showman Dete: tive. 762 Old Grip, the Detective, 740 Captain Clew, the Fighting Detective. 732 The Hurricane Detective. 643 Castlemaine, the Silent Sifter. 616 Magnus, the Weird Detective, 606 The Drop Detective. 595 Wellbaqsn, the Upper Crust Detective. 582 Joram, the Detective Expert. 574 Old Falcon’s Double. 561 The Thug King; or, The Falcon Detective’s Foe. 548 Falconbridge. the Sphinx Detective. 586 Old Falcon’s Foe; or, The Detective’s Swell Job. 515 Short-Stop Maje, tbe Diamond Field Detective, 509 Old Falcon, the Thunderbolt ive, 501 Springsteel Steve, the Retired Detective, 494 The Detective’s Spy. 485 Rowlock. the Harbor Detective. 477 Dead-arm Brandt, 487 Mainwaring. the Salamander. 462 The Cincus Detective. 451 Griplock, the Rocket Detective, ? 444 The Magic Detective; or, The Hidden Hand, 424 Hawk Heron’s Deputy. 886 Hawk Heron. the Falcon Detective. BY J. ©. COWDRICK. 752 The Suspect Sport of Daisy Drift. 626 Ducats Dion, the Nabob Sport Detective. 612 Sheriff Stillwood, the Regulator of Raspberry. 598 The Dominie Detective. 591 Duke Daniels, the Society Detective. 580 Shadowing a Shadow. 565 Prince Paul, the Postman Detective. 557 The Mountain Graybeards; or, Riddles’ Riddle, 519 Old Riddles, the Rocky Ranger 499 Twilicht Charlie, the ad Sport. : 472 Gilbert of Gotham, the Steel-arm Detective, 452 Rainbow Rob, the Tulip from Texas, 436 Kentucky Jean, the Sport from Yellow Pine. 422 Blue Grass Burt, the Gold Star Detective. 890 The Giant Cupid: or Cibuta John’s Jubilee. BY EBWARD WILLETT. 488 Flush Fred, the River Sharp. 868 The Canyon King; or. a Price on his Head. #48 Dan Dillon, re J of Crosseut. 337 Old Gabe, the Mountain ES aes 9 ; 327 Terrapin Dick, the Wildwood Detective, 815 Flush Fred’s Double; or, The Squatters* League 308 Hemleck Hank, Tough and True, 298 Logeer Lem: or, Life in the Pine Woods, 289 Flush Fred’s Full Hand. 274 Flush Fred, the Mississippi Sport. 248 Montana Nat, the Lion of Last Chance Camp. 222 Bill the Blizzard; or, Red Jack’s Orime. 209 Buck Farley. the Bonanza Prince. 129 Mississippi Mose; or, a Strong Man's Saerifice. BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. %67 The White Squaw, 234 The Hunter's Feast. 213 The Wild Huntress; or, The Squatter. 200 The Rifle Rangers; or. Adventures in Mexico. 74 The Captain of the Rifles; or, The Lake Queen, Specter Barque. A Tale of the ‘ Romance of the Plaies. 66 The 65 The Scalp Hunters 4% : Fublished Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM. t 911 The Blue Blockader; or, The Coast Grayhound,: 906 The Cuban Cruiser, 4 854 The Ocean Gipsy. 4 84 The Wild Steer Riders; or, Texas Jack's Terrorg| - 839 The Rival Monte Cristos, 805 The Last of the Pirates; or, Doom Driven. ' 801 The Water Wolves’ Detectrve; or, Trapping the Grave Ghouls. 791 The Coast-Raider’s Death-Chase, 748 Arizona Charlie, the Crack-shot Detective. 704 Invisible Ivan, the Wizard Detective. 685 The Red-skin Sea Rover. 679 Revello, the Pirate Cruiser; or, The Rival Rovers 672 The Red Rapier; or, The Sea Rover’s Bride, 662 The Jew Detective; or, The Beautiful Conviet, 640 The Rover’s Ret ibution. 635 The Ex. Buecanetr; or, The Stigma of Sin. 6% Red Wings; or, The Gold Seekers of the Bahamas, 615 The Three : uccaneers. 610 The Red Flag Rover; or, White Wings of the Deep, 605 The Shadow Silver Ship. 600 The Silver Ship; or, The Sea Scouts of "76. 693 The Sea Rebel; or. Red Rovers of the Revolution, 587 Conrad, the Sailor Spy; or, True Hearts of "76, 581 The Outlawed Skipper; or, The Gantlet Runner. 560 The Man from Mexico. 553 Ma.k Monte, the Mutineer; or, The Branded Brig, 546 Tr Doomed Whaler: or, The Life Wreck, * 530 The Savages of the Sea, 524 The Sea Chaser; or, The Pirate Noble. 510 El Moro, the Corsair Commodore, 493 ‘The Scouts of the Sea. 457 The Sea Insurgent: or, The Conspirator Son, 446 Ucean Ogre, the Outcast Corsair. 435 The One-Armed Buccaneer. . 430 The Fatal Frigate; or, Rivals in Love and Wag, 899 The New Monte Cristo. 393 The Convict Captian. 377 Afioat and Ashore; or, The Corsair Conspiraton 869 The Coast Corsair: or, 'The Siren of the Sea. 364 The Sea Fugitive: or, The Queen of tne Coast, 341 The Sea Desperado, 336 The Magic Snip; or, Sandy Hook Freebooters. 825 The Gentleman Pirate ; or, The Casco Hermits. 318 The Indian buccaneer: or, The Red Rovers, 807 The Phantom Pirate; or, The Water Wolves. 255 The Pirate Priest; or, The Gambler's Daughter. 246 Queen Helen, the Amazon of the Over! le 235 Lightning the Man of Chance. 224 Black Beard, the Buccaneer. 220 The Specter Yacht; or, A Brother's Crime. 210 Buccaneer Bess. the Lioness of the Sea, 205 The Gambler Pirate; or, Lady of the Lagoog, 198 The Skeleton Schooner; or, The er. 184 The Scarlet Schooner: or. The Sea Nemesis. 104 Montezuma, the Merciless, 108 Merle, the Mutineer; or, The Red Anehor Bran® * BY PHILIP'S. WARNE, 802 Dan Dirk, King of No Man’s Land. 583 Captain Adair, the Cattle King. 567 Captain Midnight, the Man of Craft. 544 The Back to Back Pards. 522 The Champion Three. 502 Bareback Buck, the Contgur of the Plats, 472 Six Foot Si; or, The Man f “ Tie To.” 431 California Kit, the Always on Hand. 404 Silver Sid; or, A “ Daisy ”’ Bluff. 380 Tiger Dick’s Pled : or, Tne Golden Serpent. 359 Yellow Jack, the Mestizo. 338 Jack Sands. the Boss of the Tewn. 299 Three of a Kind; or, Dick, Despard and the Sport, 251 Tiger Dick vs. Iron Despard. 207 Old Hard Head; or, Whirlwind and his Mare. 171 Tiger Dick, the Man of the Iron Heart. 114 The Gentleman from Pike. 80 A Man of Nerve; or, Caliban the Dwarf. 54 Always on Hand; or, The Foot-Hills Sport, 29 Tiger Dick, Faro Kiog; or, The Cashier's Crime, 4 The Kidnapper; or, The Northwest Shanghai, BY CAPTAIN MARK WILTON. 823 Hotspur Hugh; or, The Banded Brothers. 811 Heavy Hand; or, The Marked Men. 5 805 Silver-Plated Sol, the Montana Rover. 291 Horseshoe Hank, the Man of Big Luck. 285 Lightning Bolt, the Canyon Terror. 276 Texa; Chick. the Southwest Detective. 271 Stonefist, of Big Nugget Bend. 266 Leopard Luke. the fing of Horse-Thieves 263 Iron-Armed Abe, the rag eg Destroyer 258 Bullet Head, the Colorado vo. 237 Long-Haired Max; or, The Black a. 2 227 Buckshot Ben, the Man-Hunter of Idaho, 228 Canyon Dave, the Man of the Mountain, 219 The Scorpion Brothers; or, Mad Tom's Missi¢ 202 Cactus Jack, the Giant Guide. - 194 Don Sombrero. the California Road Gent, 176 Lady Jaguar, the Robber Queen. BY OLL COOMES. 619 Kit Bandy & Co , the Border Detectiver, 148 One-Armed Alf, the Giant Hunter. 99 The Giant Rifleman: or, Wild Camp Life. 43 Dakota Dan, the Reckless Ranger. : BY COL. THOMAS H. MONSTERY. 236 Champion Sam; or, The Monarchsof the Show 150 El Rubio Bravo,King of the Swordsmen, BY DR. NOEL BUNBAR. 919 The = —— ei The Patriot Privateer, 886 The King of Crooks. 858 Hemdber One the Dead-set Detective. 850 The Planter Detective. 730 Duke Despard, the Gambler Duelist. 604 The Detective in Rags; or, The Grim Shadowes, 500 The True-Heart Pards. A néw issue every Wednesday Readle’s Dime Library is for sale “ Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by oe receipt of twelve cents ea” ‘
Page 32
979 Buffalo Bill's Relentless Trail. Prentiss Ingraham. 978 The Dread Shot Four; or, Mr Pards of the’ Plains. by Cok W. F, Cod By~ Colonel ! 964 Buffalo Bill's Invincibles; = ‘The Sable Shad- | ower’s Sublime Sacrifice. ham. 960 Buffalo. Bill's Blue Belt Brigade; or, Sun- By Col. P. Ingra- flower Sam of Shasta. By Col. P. Ingraham, 807 Wild Bill. the Wild West Duelist; or, The Girl) 629 956 Buffalo Bill's Volunteer Vigilantes; or, The en Man in Blue. By Col. P. Ingra- am. ‘] ) 950 Buffalo Bill at Bay; or, The Gold Seeker's) Doom. By Col. P. Ingraham, $43 Buffalo Bill's Block Game; or, The Mounted — of the Overland. By Col. am, 936 Buffalo Bill’s Black. Pard; or, ' Boomers of the Big Horn. By Col. The 2. a old’ In Ta 927 Buffalo Bin's luff; or, Dusky Dick, the Sport. By Col. P. Ingraham. 921 Buffalo BilNl’s Quandary; or, Velvet Bil's a) ‘Vow. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, ) 915 Buffalo Bill da the Surgeon Scout; or, wan-go, the Redskin Rider. By Col, PY graham. 6- n- (900 Bu‘falo BIll’s League; or, Red Butterfly. By} Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 904 Buffalo Bill's Tangled Trail; or, Jack, the Man of Many Masks. Ingraham. 900 Buffalo Bill’ Rough Riders; or, Texas Jack’s Sharp-Shooters. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 895 Buffalo Bill's Secret Ally; or, The Texan's Deuble, By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 890 Buffalo Bill’s Life-Stake; or, The Pledged Three. By Col. P. Ingraham, 882 The Three “Bills; Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill and nd-Box Bilt; or, The Bravo in Broadcloth. y ColP. Ingraham. $74 Buffalo Bill's Buckskin Braves; or, The Card Queen's Last Game. By Col. P. Ingraham. 869 |e aegee Biil's Road Agent Round-Up; or, The erste terious Masked Man in Black. By Col. ngrahem. 863, a Bill's Death-Charm; or, The Man With the Scar. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 857 Buffalo Bill’s Royal Flush; or, The Pony Ri- der'’s jesrta-Fean, By Col, Sisnitns ingra- ham. , 851 Buffalo Bill's Double a or, The Great Scout's Big Three. By Col, P . Ingraham, 845 Buffalo 's Redskin Ruse; or, Texas Jack’s Death Shot. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. | 889 The Ranch King Dead-Shot; or, Texas Jack’s Proxy. By Buffalo Bill. 880 Buffalo Bill's Beys in ie “; The Brimstone - Band's et-out. By Co . Ingraham. \ $26 Ruffalo Bill's Sharp- anions or, The Surgeon Scout to the Rescue. By Col. P. ee ii Buffalo Bill's Best Bower; or, Montebello the map: Gold King. By Col. ‘Prentiss Ingraham. Gentleman By- Col. P; joovo0e0ve 000000000 900006000 000000000 P. Ingra-| 820 White Beaver’s Still Marauder’s Death-Track., By Buffalo Bill. Puffain Bill's Red Trall; or, The Road-Rider Rene gade’s Run Down. By Col. P: Ingraham. 812 } alo 3lil's Death-Knell; et The Red Hand | R. iders of the Rockies. By C | 07 Will Bil tie Wild Wes. Duelist; cr, The Clrl Hunt; or, The Miner 816 Mascot of Moomight Mime. by Bulialo ill. Grande seh. the Cowboy Chief. By Buf- falo Bi 794 Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Dead Shot; or, The Skeleton Scout of the Colorado, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Brand; or, The WRrimstone Brotherhood. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Spy-Shadower; or, The Masked Men at Grand Canyon. By Gol, ‘P. Ingraham, Buffalo Bill’s Ban; or, Cody to the Rescue. By Leon Lewis. Buffalo BUl’s Sweepstake; or, The Wipe-out at Last Chance. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill’s Dozen; or, Silk Ribbon Sam, By Col: Prentiss Ingraham, 761 Buffalo Bill's M mage or, The Death Valley ‘Victim No. 138. ‘ol, Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo. Bill's pe 0% or, The Desperado De- tective. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Big Four; or, Custe’s Shadow. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill’s Flush Hand; or, Texas Jack's Bravos. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, ; | 787 781 | 1%T 773 769 765 TST 750 Buffalo Bill’s Blind; or, The Masked Driver) | of Death’s Canyon. By Col. Prentiss Ingra- ham. Buffalo Bill and His Merry Men; or, The Robin Hood Rivals. By Col. Prentiss ingra- bam, Buffalo Bill’s Beagles; or, Silk Lasso Bam By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 727 Buffalo Bill’s Body,.Guard; or, The Still Hunt of the Hills, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 722 Buffalo Bill on the War Path; or, Silk Lasso ; Sam, the Will-o’ ~the-Wisp. By ‘Col. P. In- graham. 716 Buffalo Bill's. Scout Shadowers:, or, Tmer- ald Ed of Devil’s Acre. By Col. P. Ingraham. 710 Poca o Bill Baffled; or, The Deserter Des- o's Defiance. "By Col, P. Ingraham. Buckskin Brotherhood; or, ‘By Col. P. In- 735 731 697 pose ‘Bill's fe act nd Up a Lost Trail. graham. 691 Buffalo Bill’s Blind Trail; or, The Daughter of the Regiment. By Col. ‘Prentiss Ingraham. 682 Buffalo Bill's Secret Service Trail. By Major Dangerfield Burr. 667 Buffalo Bill's Swoop; or, the King of the Mines. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 658 The Cowboy Clan; or, The Tigress of Texas. | By pena Prentiss Ingraham. HE DIME LIBRARY is for sale by all Newadealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail, pre-paid, on re- ceipt of price. \ 1, P. Ingraham. | 59! Buffalo Bill's Winning Hand; or, The Masked Woman of the Colorado Canyon. By Col. P.| 517 658 The Lasso King’s Le ; or, Whe Tigers of Texas. By Colonel ntiss Ingraham. Buck Taylor, the Saddle King. Buffalo Bill's Chief of Scouts. By Col. P. Ingraham, Buffalo Bill's Bonanza; or, The Knights of the Silver Circle. By Col. P. Ingraham. The Gold King; or, Montebello, the Magnifi- cent. ‘By Buffalo Bill. Buffalo Bill's Daring Role; or, Daredeath Diek, King ef the Cowboys. By Leon Lewis. 9 The Dead Shot Nine; or, My Pards ef the Plains.- By Buffalo Bill, Buffalo Bill's First Feat: or, Will Cedy, the Pony Express Rider. By Ned Buntline, Red Renard, the Indian Detective; or, Gold Buzzards of Colorado. By Buffalo Ba The One-Armed Pard; or, a Retribution in [ Borderland. By Buffalo Bill. The Wizard Brothers; Trail. By Buffalo Bill. White Beaver, the @xile of the retSiasts 649 644 639 414 401 or, White Beaver’s | Aa Tongs Man’s Red Trail, By - Bu 2 Buffalo Bill's Grit oe or, path-hoyng. to Custer. By Col, Prentiss I Buffalo pire ‘Pledge: e; Three. By Col Wild Bill, the Whirlwind we the West. Buffalo Bill, a Texas Jack, the Prairie Rattler; or, The | Queen of the Wild Riders. By Buffalo Bill. a | The Pilgrim eo or, The Soldier's Sweet- }y heart. By Buffalo Bill, Government Scout ey and Guide. Wild Bill's Gold Trail; or, The Desperate 9 Dozen. By Col. P. Ingraham Wild Bill's Trump Card; or, The Indian Heiress. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Wild Bill, the Pistol Dead Shot; or, Dagger Don's Double. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. } Buffalo Bill, Chief of Scouts; or, The Doomed ¥ Dozen. By Dr. Frank Powel lL x Buffalo Bill's Strange Pard; 2 HS Dashing Dandy, the Hotspur of the Hills. By Major Db. Burr. 92 Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King; . Amazon of the West. By Major Dangerfi reid Burr. cae Knights of the \ 83 Gold Bullet Sport; <r. rhe ‘League of )| By{9 117 or, | Overland. By Buffalo 52 Death Trailer, the pots me a A —< Leve in a Frontier Fort. NEW ISSUES TO COME. 981 The Gold Lace Sport; or, The Texan Sam- son's Wide Swath, By Jes,-E. Badger, Jr. | 982 Chris Crewiey’s Winning Hand; or, The(# pagcely Vaict's Double Game. By A. P. | orris 983 Kid Gleve Kris, the Spot, By J. C. Cow- /j drick. Ready August 084 Buffale Bill's Life Raffle; or, The amy Boe | Three. By Cof. P. Ingraham 000000000 @00000000 9029000000