Beadle's Pocket Library (no. 311) (1889 12 25)
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fe Ni eae ) TIE SHAG No, 21] #2.50 Published Weekly by Beadle and Adams, Price, Vol XXIV ’ ‘ ' a Year. No. 93 WinLiam St., New YORE. Five Cents, ‘
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Frio Fred in Texas; oR, OLD ROCKY TO THE FRONT. A Tale of the Lone Star State. BY ‘‘ BUCKSKIN SAM” (Magor Sam 8, HAtr), AUTHOR OF ‘OLD ROCKY’S BOYEES,” ETC, OHAPTER I, SAVED, Our first scene opens amid the bottom-timber of the Rio Llano, at a point midway between the con- fluence of that river with the Rio Colorado of Texas, and Fort Mason. The time of which we write was ascore or more years ago, when the locality mentioned was _unset- tled, and in the line of march of the marauding Co- manches, Apaches an dother fierce red-men of the Southwest; when proceeding against the settlers in the vicinity of Austin and San Antonio, who on their recurn from their bloody raids, often dashed to the very guard-lines of the mil.tary stations, shooting down at their doors the settlers that had es- tablished themselves within a few hundred yards of the U. S. forts, and who deemed themselves perfect- ly safe from the merciless savages, The dense, towering timber is thickly entwined by flowering vines of many varieties, and each and every limb was draped with festoons of Spanish moss, while beneath the trees were tangled thickets of luxuriant undergrowth, The timber extends fully half a mile on either side of the river, and, at the more narrow portions of the stream, forms a dense archway of verdure, as if the noble trees had confederated in lovingly guard- ing the cool waters that nurtured their roots, from the burning rays of th» Southern sun. To the west of the line of timber stretches the open, flower-decked prairie, broken here and there between the Rio Llano and Rio San Saba by patches of oak openings, and at times by solitary mottes, of a quarter or half-acre in extent. irectly on the bank of the river, in a natural opening, is a camp-fire burning brightly, about which are several negroes of both sexes, busied in cooking; the blaze illuminating the arched opening, for the setting sun casts no rays within the dense bottom-timber, A half-dozen, white-tilted, heavily laden wagons are standing in the west side of the *opsn.” Buta single mule is to be seen, however, in the encamp- ment—a beautiful, fglossy black pony, with large, bright eyes, long mane, and a wav, tail that brushes the flowers and grass, as the beast impatiently whisks the flies aud gnats from its sides, At a glance one would judge that the pony was the favorite of a lady, especially as a side-saddle of fine workmanship hangs from a limb near the animal and also from the fact that the intelligent eyes of the beast are often directed to a fair maiden, who forms one of the group which we will now inspect. Seated upon blankets, which are spread upon the green sward upon the very bank of the river, and near to a Dearborn, are a party of three persons. One is a young girl of surpassing loveliness, of per- haps sixteen years of age. Her eyes are of a dark hazel, and most expressive; her hair is dark-brown. wavy, and hangs, girl-like, below her waist, held partially from free abandon by a tiny flowering creeper twined amid its meshes. Her face is of Grecian mold, perfeet and bewitch- ing; her cheeks, t .e color of the prairie-rose when first bursting into bloom, Of medium height, and with a form just develop. ing into womanhood, she is,indeed one that would Frio Fred in Texas. attract and hold the attention and admiration of even one of her own sex; and that in the most aris- tocratie gatherings of civilized life. A riding-habit, homespun, and of grayish tint, fit- ting her bust like a glove, shows the contour of her sylph-like form in every line. About her waist is clasped an embossed belt, sup- porting a small silver-mounted revolver and dagger. Her small, well-formed feet are incased in morocco boots, which extend nearly to her knees, Thus she sits, gazing in wonder, as the extent and magnifi- cence of the grand cathedral of Nature, withia which she res‘s, is fully appreciated. Near to her, lying at full length upon his back, and half-asleep, is a lad of perhaps fourteen, and so strongly resembling the maiden that the most cas- ual observer would at once decide that he was her brother. A belt of arms was also clasped about the boy’s waist, while a pair of rifles rested"against a bush at their backs. Beyond them was a third person, evidently their father; every cast of his features indicating this relationship. He sat with his hands clasped about his knees, and seemed to be of powerful build and great muscular strength, J He was clad in homespun, and buckled about his waist was a pair of army-size Colt’s revolvers, anda huge bowie-knife; while, upon the ground near him, lay a long-barreled, heavy rifl—a muzzle-loader. From the manner of this man it was evident that he was anxiously expecting some one, for he con- stantly swept the western side of the “‘open ” with eager and flashing glances. That all three were weary tcom a long day’s ride was apparent; and also that they had but just encamped where we find them. As has been mentioned, it was the sunset hour, and the bottom-timber was filled with gloom; the waters of the river rolling inky black before the trio, except in places where the lizht from the fires turned the rippling waters into molten gold, increasing the darkness of tle shades beyond. But the faintest zephyr stirred the drooping moss that hung in masses from the boughs, thus increas- ing the weirdness of the silent eve, and impressing the gazers with feelings akin to awe. Even the per- spiring blacks, flitting around the fires, seemed seized with superstitious dread, as they cast furtive lances around them, and toward the group near he river-bank. Not a word from human lips broke the semi- silence of nature. The stealthy movements of the blacks, as they glided here and there, seemed as if fearful of disturbing the weird spell It was a strange and most impressive scene The white wagon-tilts, the Dearborn, the pony. the negroes and the trio of whites, all revealed by the lurid flash from the camp-fires—a picture of wild beauty seldom seen, and never except in the beauti- ful land of which we write. Suddenly the silence is broken by the flapping of ane wings high up in the natural dome of verdure, anda mammoth buzzard, just dropping from the sky through a clear space between the limbs, catches a view of the human beings below, and at once checks its downward course, clutching at a limb and craning its neck, while its repulsive eyes were fastened upon them, The pony bounds with a snort to the end of its lariat, with arched neck and quivering nostrils, its bright eyes fixed in wonder, while the maiden sprung to a sitting re, and, with lips apart, azed at the red-jowled bird. The man unclasped is hands, rapidly clutched his rifle, aroused from his dreamy musings by the strange sounds which suddenly broke the stillness. So wrapped had they all been in their own thoughts, and oppressed by fatigue, that they were for the moment speechless, all evidently being apprehensive of some possible great danger, and unable to quite decide what it might be,
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Frio Fred in Texas. 3 Only for an instant stood they thus, when the huge buzzard darted directly between the youth and the maid toward the middle of the “open,” just as a coyote—the loathsome bird’s associate—ran by them, cowering and dragging its belly upon the sward, while it trembled with terror. Catching up his rifle, the boy dashed forward as his sister uttered a half-stifled scream, and crushed in the skull of the coyote with a single blow of the weapon; but, at this very moment, the voice of the man broke out, in pinged pleading and command, gasping as if life and death depended upon his words ~as, indeed, they did: “Lorine and Louis, stand in your tracks! Don’t move a muscle, or you are doomed!” Before, however, the words were half spoken, both the youth and maiden had partially turned and stood gazing up into the trees that towered above them, ‘Oh, dear! Oh, papa!” These ejaculations burst from the pallid lips of the young girl at the first glance upward. Then, still as a statue she stood. her eyes fixed in horror upon a low swaying limb, upon which crouched a huge panther, clawing the bark with nervous mo- tion, its white teeth gleaming, and its eyes blaziag like coals of fire, while it prepared for its cat-like bound downward upon the beautiful maiden, his coveted human prey. The words of the girl, addressed as Lorine,bespoke the relationship between her and the man, who, with rifle ready, stood firm in his tracks, but pale as a corpse; his eyes fixed upon the terrible beast that at any instant might spring upon his darling child and rend her limb from limb. Thus he stood, knowing that any suspicious move- ment would cause the beast to spring; he having gained his weapon at the very moment that the panther crawled free from the denser foliage The youth also stood still as death, fully realizin, the dread situation, his heart in his throat, and a his power of self-control forced to the front to with- hold himself from bounding between his sister and danger—a movement that he well knew would cause Ser to spring at once. suppressed their breath. The negroes beyond stood horror-stricken; soutry so from not being aware of the nature of the threatened danger. A terrible moment it was to our three friends—per- haps more terrible to that father, upon whom the nr of his child depended, than to the daughter her- self. Slowly, very slowly, by a hardly perceptible move- ment, the long rifle arose to an aim so gradual that to him who held the weapon, and who not for an instant allowed his gaze to wander from the panther, it seemed hours, He feared that he would never bring the gun to the desired elevation, yet he dared not make a movement that would draw the light- ning-like gaze of the beast and hasten the moment that might deprive him of his child He dared not think of the possibility of failing to pe his bullet in the panther’s brain—crushing A eee every such thought through fear of marring is aim. Faster the ringed tail lashed the sides of the fearful beast; faster the terrible claws tore the bark, scat- tering fragments upon the undergrowth. ‘Then, suddenly, the huge cat crouched backward, its eyes blazing, its back arched, its whole tremendous mus- cular strengih gathered for the long bound down upon the angelic maiden who, chilled with horror, stood as if petrified. At that instant a thunderous report broke the awful stillness, echoing and re-echoing through the arches of the bottom-timber, and followed by a tearing of claws that curdled the blond in the veins of the trio. Just then the panther’s form shot out from the foliage, writhing while yet in air, and fell at the very feet of the fair girl, who stood unable to move or speak, so great was her horror. The moment that the writhing beast struck the enough to get the dead-wood on the coyote, earth, the youth, with uplifted bowie, sprung in a mad and desperate bound upon the animal, and buried his blade again and again in the vitals of the beast, all the time the deadly claws tearing up the grass and flowers in the spasms of death. * My God! Ithank thee!” This cry came from the lips of the man who had fired the rifle; this, in soul-felt accents, as he threw down his weapon, and sprung forward, clasping the now trembling girl in his arms, while he added: “Oh, my darling, my child! Thank Heaven, you are spared to me! You passed through the terrible ordeal like a heroine—like a true woman; better than most men!”’ CHAPTER II. INTO THE DEPTHS. So great was the reaction, from almost certain death, in a most horrible form, that Lorine, sunk trembling, without the power of speech, into the arms of her father, her gaze yet fixed, in dread hor- ror, upon the dying panther at her feet. Louis, the youth, spruvg erect, with blood-drip- ing knife, and planting his foot upon the quivering east, circled his blade in the air, erying out: © Hurrah for us, father! We laid the monarch of ths Llano low. Lorine, you had a very narrow es- cape!” ‘The blacks stood spell-bound, not daring to a proach; each in the same position as when ala med; the pony snorting with terror, and striving to break free, while the buzzard had flapped its huge wings, and soared aloft, beyond the towering trees, af- frighted at the report of the rifle. “It was terrible, indeed—a fearful strain upon Lorine’s nerves,’’ replied the father to his son. “My poor child, calm yourself, for the beast is dead. Itremble to think of the consequences that would have followed, had I not rightly decided the cause of the coyote’s sudden dash from the thicket. Had I not gained a favorable position with my rifle at once, the panther would, upon discovering me a moment later in the act, have sprung at once. “Tt was amazing—those three sudden surprises. The appearance of the buzzard, the dash of the wolf, and the discovery of the panther, each follow- ing the other instantaneously. And it was not strange that we were all completely dumfounded.” “T was nearly asleep,” said Lonis; ‘‘and it was a right lively time for a few minutes, but I was aniek e buzzard made me mad, disturbing our quiet camp. and the wolf got the benefit of my indignation first, the panther afterward. “I tell you, sis, it made my scalp craw], to see the beast’s glaring eyes, and to realize that it was abont to spring upon you, Jeaving no opening for me to defend you. It seemed hours, father, before you pulled trigger, and I wondered what caused your de- lay; but for my life [could not tear my gaze from the panther.” “as skin would have made a fine robe, and it would be a good idea to keep it as a memento of this dread occasion, but I’ve slashed it bad with my bowie, I'm afraid.” 3 Louis spoke rapidly, and in much excitement, the young girl at length.replying to her father: “Oh. papal I never was so frightened before. I really had no hope of escaping; for I have, as know, witnessed the fearful work of panthers, when Thave been hunting with you. “T realized, in a moment, my great peril; but I had been so astonished and alarmed that { could not spring out into the ‘open’ to ayoid the beast. T could not move a limb, even had you not spcken to caution me against it.’” “It was providential that such was the case,” re- turned her father; *‘for, had you run, the panther would have sprung instantly upon you. We must guard against such dangers in the future. Beasts
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4 of prey are numerous and bold here, not having been hunted to any great extent. , “You were so deeply wrapped in contemplation Lorine, that I did not wish to disturd you, orl should have hurried up the negroes; for I am very hungry, besides feeling anxious in regard to Mr. Jackson. * He ought to have reported before this time.” ** Speak of his Infernal Majesty, and his appear- ance is assured!”’ cried out Louis with a laugh, as he proceeded to cut off the claws of the panther. Such was indeed the case, for the sound of a fast- gallo ing horse, and swishing of branches, were eard from the west, and soon a man mounted upon a panting horse, dashed at headlong speed from the timber, crashing turough the under- growth, and halting near the group, his features stamped with anxiety and apprehension, which, however, vanished as his eye roved around the camp. $ What in the name of wonder caused you to shoot Colonel La Coste?” asked the new-comer, ex- citedly. ‘Ihave had a hard run, tearing through the brush; for I was greatly alarmed, knowiog that we were in a locality where you would not” shoot unless in an extreme case of danger.” “You are right, Jackso1,” returned the colonel, pointing significantly at the dead panther. ‘Had I delayed firmg a moment, that beast would have torn my daughter in pieces.” Jackson gave vent to his feelinz:in ejaculations of surprise, and congratulated Lorine upon her es- cape, and the colonel on his nerve. This last arrival was attired in buckskin lezgins, and blue woolen shirt, with a sombrero, and high- topped boots, upon the heels of which were long spurs; while his belt held the usual revolvers and bowie. He was a man of strong bu'ld, bearded, and of medium height. His skin was much bronzed by sun and camp-fire, and he was a typical Texan in appearance, although a man of fair education and excellent manners. Poi i teat was the wagon-master of Colonel La loste. “ What have you to report?” asked the colonel, as his employee dismounted. ‘I have been quite anx- jous on account of your long absence.” ““T presume I have been away much longer than it seems to myself, colonel,”’ was the reply; ‘and I will explain my delay. “Tn the first placs, I was forced to order the team- sters to drive the mules up the river. fully a quarter of a mile, and then herd the animals, as the grass was notas good directly west from this camp as further up. Then, being anxious in regard to the scouts, I galloped out over the plain some three miles, thinking I might see them returniug from the San Saba; but not a glimpse of a human being did I discover.” “And what is the oceasion of this delay in the re- turn of Mr, Fred Fontaine and Old Rocky? Have you any fears of their having met danger? Do you think there are any Indians on the San Saba?” Lorine, who had entirely recovered herself, and manifested an anxious interest in the words of Jack- son, after the latter had mentioned the scouts, put these questions in a hurried manner, that betrayed her deep interest in the absent ones. / **T have no idea what has detained them, Miss La Coste,” answered Jackson; ‘and I cannot inform you whether there are any Indians in the vicinity of the San Saba: althongh I have a strong suspicion that the river is not free from the red demons at this season of the year.” “The scouts will doubtless return before morning.” said the colonel. in a thoughtful manner, “Did you intend to keep the herd out on the plain all night, Jackson?” “Not by any means. We must be prudent now. Ishall have the mules driven into the timber near our camp in about three hours. We must run no risk, but guard agaiust a stampede. The red Frio Fred in Texas. thieves would risk much to capture such a herd of fat mules.” “T presume so; but let us eat our supper, and banish all thoughts of the Comanche ., or our diges- tion will be spoiled. Come, Lorine and Louis, [hope the panther did not spoil your appetites.” The four then proceeded toward the fires, where the negroes had spread upon a piece of canvas a feast that could not have failed to be appreciated by any hungry human; the scent of broiled turkey, venison and fish filling the air, while the aroma of Rio and Java floated about the camp. Seated upon bundles of blankets the quartette of whites were now waited upon by the silent, but deep- ly impressed blacks, who cast frequent curious and solicitous glances upon Lorine, for they felt that their young mistress had been miraculously pre- served from a most terrible death. All were curious, and were, besides, filled with superstitious wonder at the strange happenings of a brief moment. The meal was eaten in silence by all except Louis, who rattled off many comments in regard to the recent peril of his sister, as well as upon the absence of Fred Fontaine and Old Rocky, the miss- ing scouts. The colonel was oppressed with fears in regard to the absentees, as well as was Jackson and Lorine, This was evident by their silence, and was stamped upon their faces whenever Louis made mention of the names of the scouts. However, all ate heartily, and then returned to their former resting-place; two of the blacks having, agreeably to orders, dragged the carcass of the panther from the camp, and spread it into the river. The blankets were now thrown on the bank, at some distance from the former position, and at a point where there could be no danger of wild beasts springing down upon them from the large branches of the trees. Then, Lorine, having changed her riding-habit in the Dearborn, seated herself, and Louis resting his head in her lap, lay outstretched; the sister ee with the brother’s curls, while her gaze wandere from the dark waters of th» river to the dense shades, she, at times, shuddering as if her imagin- ings were too real, and the weird somber night was Bite ost with horrors more terrible than the panther. Colonel La Coste and Jackson seated themselves near at hand, and igniting their pipes, conversed in low tones; while the negroes, after partaking of their evening meal, put things to rights, and re- paired to their assigned positions about the camp, with guns in hand, to act as sentinels, the women poepry themselves in a group, at a respectful dis- tance from their master. _ Thus an hour passed, Lorine declining to retire into the Dearborn, and go to sleep, saying that she felt in no way inclined to slumber. __ _Louis slept soundly, his head reclining upon his sister’s lap, and her hands upon his curls. The pony lay down also, curving his neck, and resting his head upon his shoulders, soon becoming oblivious to aught but equine dreams. Colonel La Coste and Jackson conversed in low tones, frequently gazing at Lorine, who still sat up- right, her eyes open, and apparently in deep thought, or greatly impressed by her surroundings. The two former frequently swept the camp and shades with keen gaze, and held their rifles across their knees; yet, for the time mentioned, no sound, nor sight of aught to create apprehension, or even to attract the slightest notice, was seen or heard by any in the encampment. The fires were kept burning by the negroes, who by turns guarded the camp, and the “open” was thus kept illumined to such a degree as to enable any Object to be clearly seen within the clear space, even between the wagons and the border of under- growth on the western side of the camp. But a change, far more sudden and startling than
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Frio Fred in Texas. 5 had been occasioned by the recent advent of buz- zard, coy te, or panther, was destined to transform the feelings and positions of all parties, and create abject terror and anguish. For, but a little time had passed, when Lorine La Coste, with a piercing s'riek, sprung to her feet, causing the sleeping Louis to be thrown roughly from her lap, and stand- ing erect, with staring eyes, and form trembling from head to foot, the maiden, with quivering arm outstretched, pointed directly at the margin of the oe but a short distance below their posi- ion, i Colonel La C:ste and Jackson bounded upright, the click of locks sounding with steely snap, as they cocked their rifles, both following’ the direction pointed out by Lorine. There, upon the bank, ina natural position, the firelight playing upon its eyes, its side covered vith blood and gaping gashes, stood the panther, that all knew was dead, and not only that, but had been hurled into the river, Only a moment stood the panther thus; not long enough for the dumfounded observers to reason— then it sunk to earth, and its disappearance was hae by the sound of a heavy splash in the ver. At the instant that the panther sunk, another piercing shri-k that expressed the deepest horror and despair, followed by a pleading ery for help, which ended in another sbriek of deadly terror, arcused the agonized father, Jackson, and the half- awakened Louis, and they darted forward, only to see the deathlike and despairing face of Lorine La re sinking beneath the black waters of the Rio ano} The blood congealed in their veins as, by the side of that loved face, they for an instant distinguished the hideous, paint daubed features of a Comanche brave, contorted with exultant hate. This was only for a moment. Then the inky waters rolled on, the ripple drowned by the wild, despairing, agonizing cries of the tortured father and brother! CHAPTER IIL. THE TWO SCOUTS, “DousB.yE up, and dang my ole puserlanimous per- ergrinatin’ pictur’, ef hit doesn’t make me *bout es mad es a rattler in dog-days, to guide a party o’ white humans plum an’ brash inter red-hot hellisnness! “Speshly, Pard Fred, when thar’s a petty-cut in ther lay-out. Purty air a time word ter sling in *gardin’ Loreen. But what in thunderation an’ ation air ther curnil wantin’ ter skute sich a len’thy stretch toward sunset for? “Why in ther name o’ Crockett an’ av’ridge com- mon-sense can’t he squat nigher ter civerlize, an’ not run chances 0’ losin’ his beautiful leetle gal an’ his own scalp an’ outfit, sayin’ nothin’ o’ leetle Louis, what air a slam-up kid. thet’s up ter all tricks an’ don’t skeer wo’th a picayune? “Mebbe so, ther curnil s’poses he knows his own biz; but I'm inclernated ter opine thet he’s a dang’d long way from knowin’ what sort o’ onhumans ther red heathun bees. He thinks he can stan’ off a war- party o’ torturers with a few niggers an’ a half- dozen *black-snake’ snappers; but he’ll want ter crawl inter a kiote hole when he gits his idees stom- peded by ther war-whoops 0? "bout a hundred painted perarer piruts. An’ hit’s comin’, pard! “Tsmells a peppery time ahead: but I’m dang’d ef ther scarifiers shill dance ’roun’ ther leetle gal, Loreen, long es Ole Rock keeps his grip, an’ kin crawl an’ c’ aw!” “Tt is very strange to me also, old pard. why Colonel LaCoste will venture beyond the Rio Llano. There are a thousand splendid locations to establish aranch, where he need not fear of being crowded by neighbors for many years tocome, if thatis what he is afraid of é “ He has an idea of passing his declining years in solitude, caring to associate with none except his son and daughter; all which seems to me to be some- what selfish and inconsiderate in him. “Miss Lorine ought certainly not to be torn away from all associations with her own sex, and should be surrounded with all that delights and makes attrac- tive civilized life. As to the dangers atead, none know them better than we do, and consequently we cin be of use to the wie ims of this misguided man’s selfishness, as we can with truth call it. Between hele and me, and the corral-gate, however, old pard, confess that I am sorry we ever struck the La- Coste lay-out,” “Cuss my cats, an’ dang my dogs! What’s ther difficult’ with yer o’ late, Pard Fred? Ef we-’uns hedn’t run ag’in’ ’em, they’d ha’ gut skulped outen ther dew, dead sure, an’ nobuddy ter resky ’em. Atween me an’ you, an’ ther kerral-ga'e, I’m chuck- fos o’ glad on ’count o’ hevin’ struck ’em es we~uns di id. “T declar’ ter thundecration thet I feels jist es though I war bein’ sawed in two with a oiled rain- bow when Loreen sots her pur:y peepers onter me; an’ when she speaks d’ree’ly chuck et me, I feels es though every ha’r 0’ my scalp war a jew’s-harp, rippin’ away et all kinds o’ tines, “T’m alwis ormighty narvous, thinkin’? mebbe so, *he'll begin ter sing et me; fer, ef she did, I’m dang’d sure I’d go plum crazy, turn inside out like a@ wagon-tilt struck by a norther, an’ rage like a bob-tailed buzzard toward ther Roarer Bow-re- Alice, es Joe Booth used ter call ther perrarer-fire streaks up north’ard. “But I plum fergut what ¥ war goin’ ter ax yer. Yer ’pears eters blue o’ late, an’ strange-like; an’ I opines, pard Fred, thet ther bright peepers o Loreen hes shot plum through ther bestest part o’ yer ’natermy.” The sprakers were the scouts Old Rocky and Frio Fred, both mounted upon splendid balf-breed horses, marked well for speed and endurance, be- sides being thoroughly armed. The first-mentioned was an old-time scout of great celebrity, small in stature and thin in flesh, being, to the eye of a casual « bserver, little more than bone and muscle. His eyes were dark-blue, ken and piercing, and were continually dariing glances here and there, through habit formed by a life spent amid te deadly dangers of the Southwest border. Frio Fred was young—not past three and twenty —above the medium height, and handsome in form and face as an Apollo. He showed, in sinewy limb and broad breast. great strength, and his eagle eye roved nervously, while his supple movements were in consonance with those of his horse. Taken alto- gether he was one to please the eye, and who would claim attention and admiration in any assemblage, especially from female eyes. Attired in Mexican style, with a profusion of but- tons, fringes and embroidery, and a red silk sash about his waist, Fred Fontaine would have been a striking and attractive object wherever met. His arms were like those of his comrade, but were highly ornamented in s Iver filagree work. By the side of the old scout he appeared almost foppish, adandy of the border; but one glance into his manly face and fearless eyes would banish any such thought in connection with his character. The horses showed signs of a hard day’s ride be- neath the hot sun; but the timber line in their front, marking the.course of the Rio San Saba promised a cool retreat, water and re t—in fact, only a couple of miles intervened between the riders and the river. For quite two minutes after Old Rocky had made his home-thrust question, Frio Fred remained silent, his eyes fixed upon the horn of his saddle, as if ob- livious of his position, or of the words that had been uttered. At length he looked quickly into the face of the old scout and spoke;
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6 Frio Fred in Texas. Old. pard, Ihave no secrets from you. My rea- sons for regretting having met Colonel La Coste and family are good ones; for, from the moment I gazed into the eyes of Lorine, when she was gathering flowers on the prairie down-country, and the stam- pede of mules came near trampiing her into a shapeless mass-from the moment that I rode up, elutched her in my arms, and gdlHoped with her to a yolnt free from danger—fromthat moment, Old ocky, Ihave been a changed man, as I well know you have realized. S “To sum it all up, and sift it out plain and square, Tlove Lorine La Boste better than all the world— better than life!” “Wa-al, what of hit? Thet’s jist ‘bout how I put things up; but what sticks in my crap air why yer feels so dang'd p’ison “bout hit. I alwis thought thet when a young pilgrim o’ your age run ag’in’ a female ’oman what struck his fancy, thet hit made him feel extry peart, an’ ehuck-full 0’ pure glad, ‘stead o’ wishin’ he’d never see’d her, “ Does yer s’pose Loreen feels sorter soft-soddered in ye-our direction?” “Tf you mean to ask whether she loves me or not, I will say that I do not believe she knows the mean ing of the word.”’ “Does she tumble ter yer? Does she know yer hankers arter her?” ° ** Most certainly not! I would not tell her for the world; and that is what bothers me. [am afraid of betraying myself when with her.” “°Cos why?” “ Because it is foolish in me to think of her. The colonel is a proud man, and wealthy. He goes heavy on ‘blue-blood ? while I am nobody and have literally nothing.” “Thet's what’s ther matter, ain’t hit? Thet’s why yer feelin’ bad *bout havin’ fell in with the fambly?” “Yes, certainly; and it is reason enough, I should judge. She is not for me—I know it—but I shall never meet another that will have the power to en- slave my heart as she has done, “You know that I insisted on accompanying you on this trip, although you wished to go alone, and I own up that I did not dare stay in her presence, I could not keep away from her in camp; andif I thought now that she was in danger, I would take a bee-line for the Rio Frio on the etal “ Although I feel that [am slowly sinking in the quicksands of hopeless love, still I cannot leave her on this wild frontier, exposed to the deadly perils which her foolish father eee “Wa-al, Ish'u'd smile! Dang’d ef I doesn’t heva hefty appertite ter laugh, right squar’, cut an’ out; an’ I would ef hit warn’t yeou, pard. Sich sort o lingo makes me sick enough ter puke up my knee- ns—dang’d ef hit doesn’t! I never knowed yer er wilt on along trail, er be short o’ sand in a ee scrimmage; so don’t g» back on yer record, red! “Tasserwates thet though Loreen air a slam-up angel, an’ jist es nice es kin be p»rduced on this byer ball o’ dirt, yer won’t be bringin’ her down a single peg by hitchin’ onter her. Thar ain’t a better rope- slinger er saddle-straddler o’ yer age nowhar under ther sun: an’ no female ’oman ever friz her peepers on a better slapped together human in er out o’ buckskin! Ye'r’ a man, every inch 0’ yer! “Dang ther odds. whether yer hes picayunes or not, hit’s all ther same, an’ Ole Rock asserwates thet Loreen hev gut solid sense enough ter cotton ter yer. She knows yer hes plenty 0” good p’ints, an’ no failin’s, an’ thet’s all thet’s needcessary. “Keep right on, an’ ef ther leetle gal doesn’t wilt right inter her socks when yer gaze et her, an’ tells her what's troublin’ yer, [ll op a dog-town, an’ take snakes fer grub ther rest o’ my pilgrimage on this hyer ball 0’ dirt! ‘ “But I’m bettin’ she’s gut a bankerin’ arter yer, an’ hes hed since yer skuped her up from afore thet stompede; but yer can’t spect a gal o’ her eder- cate an’ fotchin’ up ter slobber all over yer, an’ roll up her eyes, an’ sw’ar she'll blow her eye-winkers off with a smooth-bore, ef yer doesn’t vow yer loves her, like ther cussed fandang’ skippers et San An- tone what'll borrer four bits on yer nex’ minut’ fer ter git some chile con-carne. “Dangnation take ’em. They rub tha’r war-psint off on Ole Rock’s shoulder an’ hev tha’r pares fer nix. I never opens my pouch—not much! ‘** What in thunderation an’ dangnation’s ther dif- ficult wi’ yer, Pard Fred?” The last portion of the old scout’s remarks were unheard by fred Fontaine, for he jerked his horse quickly to his haunches, unnoticed by Old Rocky, he being in the rear of the old Texan, who, however, turned in bis saddle and perceived that Fred had halted. This it was that brought forth the last ex- clamation of the old scout. Yor an instant only did Old Rocky glance; then, guided by the fixed stare of Fred. he turned his head toward the San Saba, At the same moment the young man yelled: “Look dead ahead, old pard!_ There’s danger and death on the San Saba! God help the La Costes if there is a large war-party! What doesit mean? It seems to be reds chasing a red!”’ As he spoke, Frio Fred a gir up to the side of Old Rocky, who cried out in a frenzy of apprehen- sion: “Guss my cats an’ dang my dogs!. Ther con- demned Curmanches air chasin’ ther Tonk! Spur, Fred, spur fer life! We'll save Turtle, er lose our ha’r! CHAPTER IV. CONSTERNATION IN CAMP, Coronet La Costs and hisson Louis, as they gave vent to their bitter anguish at the sight of the death- like face of poor Lorine. disappearing beneath the black waters, side by side with the hideous, paiut- daubed head of the Comanche brave, both leaped with desperate bounds into the river; but Jackson, more calm, and realizing the utter foolishness of such a proceeding, stood in bis tracks_his rifle in hand, although for his life he could nt decide what movement to make in this dread emergency Full ten feet, the two, father and son, were forced to leap before striking the water; then they sunk from view, but soon reappeared, battling the cur- rent at the pone where Lorine and her savage cap- tor bad sunk from sight. Jackson, seeing that they were splendid swim- mers, and realizing that it would be useless for him to seek to influence them in the least for the present, but confident that they would soon exhaust them- selves and return to the camp, turned his attention toward the wagons, from which now came criés, and moans, and lamentations—the terrified negroes, guards included, having rushed en masse into one of the vehicles, Jackson perceived that not only was the camp in danger of being captured by lurking savages, but that the teamsters on the plain were liable to be at- tacked, and the mules SRP Destruction and death threatened the outfit, as well as the lives of Colonel La Coste and his famil. and slaves; indeed there seemed to be no other end- ing for the night, and the wagon-master felt that he was the only reasonable man, the only available force to content against the Indians, who, he felt sure, were in the vicinity. There was but one hope, and that was founded upon the possib'lity that the two Comanches who by their strategy, had succeeded in getting Lorine into their power, were scouts of some war-party. This, upon reflection, appeared reasonable, else why had not the camp been attacked at once? Convinced that this must be the true state of the case, Jackson rushed to the wagon, and yelled to the terrified negroes: “Hush your noise, every one of you or you'll draw the whole Comanche nation down upon us! Jump out here, boys, and guard the camp, or I'll
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Frio Fred in Texas. bf blow your cowardly brains out! Are you afraid of two skulking Indians that have already fled?” “Gol a’mighty, Mars’ Jackson!” spoke one of the slaves, in a trembling voice; ‘* I see’d more’n a hun- dred red debils. De woods am full on ’em!” “That's all bosh! Tumble ouv here, and obey orders, or the camp is lost, and you'll all be tor- tured. Your yells will guide the savages here, if there are any near at hand; so keep still as death— that is the only hope. Jim, kiok out those fires this instant!” Jackson soon saw that. but little could be trusted to the affrighted blacks, in case of an attack. They were ali trembling as with the ague. The appear- ance of the dead panther had been more than they could understand. Realizing this, Jackson quickly explained the situation, causing the men to crowd down somewhat their fears, and to mutter vows of revenge when the capture of their young mistress was made known to them. The wagon-master knew, however, that this would be but temporary; that, upon the first alarm, the terror of the negroes would return. It was a helpless and discouraging position, but Jackson kept cool and collected, while directing the slaves, and quieting the women and children by well-selected words. He then stationed four of the blacks at different 2 el about the wagons, with orders to remain firm at their posts, and shoot the first and every Indian they discovered; impressin upon them the fact that the lives of all depeude upon them. pon second thought he delayed the extinguvish- ing of the fires until these arrangements were made, and the Dearborn drawn amid the other wagons. Then he repeated his orders to the two blacks, who proceeded toward the fires fo kick the fagots aside. Tossing his rifle into the hollow of his left arm, with a satisfied expression at baving reduced the fears of the negroes, Jackson stood sweeping the surroundings of the camp for the last time, know- ing that it would soon beutter darkness. He began- now to be filled with apprehensions at the non- appearance of the colonel and Louis. Two slaves, with rifles clutched, proceeded with cautious steps toward the two fires, but suddenly came to a halt, in terror and superstitioys horror; for, out from a thicket, sprung the self-same pan- ther, its sides gashed and covered with gore, and its glaring eyes reflecting the fire-light. For about ten feet. the bo: rible thing glided, and then arched its back for a bound upon the blacks, who were struck dumb, and incapable of motion. It was only for an instant. Then, the s‘artling re- port of Jackson’s rifle awakened the forest echoes, and, with a blood-eurdling death-yell, a Comanche brave sprung into the air, the panther-skin falling from his form, The same moment that the shot rung out, the ne- groes whirled in their tracks to run, and piercing shrieks again sounded from the wagons; but the voice of Jackson broke through the commotion, as he yelled: “Stand your ground, bovs, or I'll blow your brains out! About face, and march up to that dead Indian. who has been masquerading in a panther- skin, It’s about time to get over your foo ishness, for you have got to fight now, or die!” “elar’ ter de Lor’, Mars’ Jackson.” returned one of the blacks; ‘‘ hit’s enough ter skeer de wool off’n our he':ds. Ef dey’d fight human-like, I’d stan an take bit.” “Oh, you'll get used to this. if you travel west much further, and don’t gt killed; but I'll tell you, honestly, you are more liable to become a victim if you run, than if you stand firm,” The two slaves and Jackson reached the side of the dead brave, the wagon-master Hee the Indian over with his foot, and exposing the hideous paint- daubed features, , ; Jackson would not have ventured in the fire-light, had he not become convinced that there was no force of Indians in the thickets—the proceedings of the savages, thus far, indicating that there had been but two engaged in the strategic attempts to secure pee Hie ee and thus gain glory by their daring achieve- ments, “You need not kick out the fire,” he now said, “for I do not think there has been more than two Indians abour the camp, and here lies one of them, his last whoop sounded. Hasten and quiet the wo- men! Their noise may attract others,’ Hardly bad the two blacks left the side of Jackson when the attention of the latter was drawn toward the river by heavy groans and the splashing of water, and with rifle reloaded, he ran quickly forward, dis- covering to bis joy, Colonel La Coste climbing up the bank, Lis form dripping with water, and his face the pallor of a corpse. “Thank Heaven, you have returned alive!” said Jackson, quickly, and in asympathetic tone of voice. *T have shot one of the red heathen. Where is Louis? And have ycu seen your daughter?” The colonel drew himself upward, his eyes filled with hopeless despair, his strong frame convulsed, and stood there, panting for breath. Jackson waited for his employer to compose him- self, meanwhile running bis piercing gaze up and down the river, but naught moving caught his eye, except the inky waters, and they told no tale o what had occurred in-their depths. At Jast Colonel La Coste found utterance, “My God!” he exclaimed. “This is more than I ean bear! My darling child isin the power of fiend- ish savages, and for aught I know, my boy Louis, also. Fir the love of Heaven, Jackson, give me some hope! Shall Il ever again look upon my little Lorine, so like her dead mother? Shall I ever again Hoe my brave boy, who dashed to the rescue like a nero? “Speak! For mercy’s sake, speak; or else put a bullet through my brain, and end this fearful, this unendurable agony ]”’ “Calm yourself, colonel!” returned Jackson; * in the name of reason, calm yourself! Do not allow the negroes to witness your weakness. Brace up, aud think, and work! In your present state you are of no more use than a wooden man. There are but a few Indians he,e now—perhaps none except the one who captured your daughter, ‘Louis is a keen-sighted, brave Jad, and may have discovered the red fiend, and is at this very moment fcHowing him to save his sister. I believe this is more than probable. Think of this, colonel, and cast aside your hopeless grief. “‘Mournin for the loss of Lorine will not help her. We must act, and promptly, or ail be massacred; for if that Comanche escapes, he will bring down a horde of his fellow-butchers uponus. Let us stir ourselves at once. “The herd must be driven in, or the mules will be stampeded and the teamsters slain. All depends upon your being and acting your own self, a brave man. Bend all your energies upon defense, and the recovery of your son and daughter, and hope for the best. ‘ “Tf Frio Fred and Old Rocky were here I should feel safe. We must dispatch a man to the San Saba in hot haste. The negroes, with the teamsters, must defend the camp, while you and I search the bottom for sign or trace of your son and daughter. Never despair, colonel!” From the moment that Jackson se Bes to_speak, Colonel La Coste seemed to recover himself, banish- ing his fears, as the wagon-master proceeded; and, when the speaker ended, the bereaved father ex- tended his hand, raised himself to his full height, and said, with deep feeling in every accent: “ God bless you, Jackson! You have more solid sense than adozen common men. I will follow your very reasonable advice and act, banishing my misery to all the extent in my power. Your programme must be acted upon. I will attend to the negroes. “ Order the herd to be driven in, and then put the
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teamsters on guard. Had you not better go for the scouts yourself? We cannot depend gee any man in the train, when close hunting after . Fontaine and Old Rocky is considered. “ Life and death to us all may depend upon the early arrival of those two brave and skillful scouts!” ‘Perhaps it is better that I should go,” was the reply. ‘The berd shall be driven in immediately; then you can take Big Bill with you, and search for your children. **By morning I hope to have the scouts here, and then the trail can be found and followed, Carry out the bill, and keep cool, colonel. Ill do my part, or die in the attempt!” While he was speaking, Jackson busied himself uipping his horse; and as he ended he sprung into his saddle, drove spurs, and waving his sombrero, dashed across the “ open,” disappearing in the un- dergrowth westward toward the herd. CHAPTER V. TURTLE, THE TONKAWAY. Axout two hours previous to the time that Old Rocky and Frio Fred discovered Indians dashing from the bottom-timber on the eastern side of the Rio San Saba, a horseman guided his animal slowly amid the trees on the we<t-rn si'e of the above- mentioued river until be gaine | the extreme margin of the timber, at the westward ben‘ of the stream, from which point he could command a view of the far-stretching prairie beyond. ‘The horse was black as ebony, with long, arching neck, and clean limbs that proved speed, while its flashing eyes spoke of flreand endurance. Itsmane and forelock were trimmed with scalps and tiny silver ornaments, with fish-bon + and feathers. while a@ jaw-strap served in place of a bridle, he saddle was of Mexican make, a turtle sh Il serving as a horn; a gourd, blanket and lassoes be- ing attached by buckskin strings. The rider was a man—a nobleman by nature. This was proved by poise of form and glance of eye, al- though his skin was red. He was nearly six feet in height, and straight as a forest pine. He stood erect as he dismounted, hold- ing the slack of the jaw-strap in his hand, his keen, black eyes seeming to pierce the foliage in his front, aod his sense of hearing strained to catch the slightest noise. : ‘aked from the waist up, he stood, his de P fringed buckskin leggins and moc asins richly bedecked with beads, porcupine-quills, and bear- teeth. A red sash about his waist supported his leggins, while his arms were an army revolver anda long scalping-knife. A short, s'out bow and a quiver of arrows bung racefully at his back, the quiver as well as the w sheath bedecked with scalps, In his left hand he clutched a Colt’s carbine, earrying a ‘‘ blue whistler,” or an ounce sluz. For an Indian, his features now daubed with the paint-bars of war, were regular, if not handsome; while his gaze was open and dauntless, and free from guile or deceit. x Upon his broad, bronzed breast was drawn in differen -colored pigments, an exact representation of a turtle. with head and paws extended, in imita- tion of energetic action. ‘ A bronze Apollo he was, indeed, with ‘sinewy frame, his flesh firm, and his muscles bulging out in knots; as his arms, half-bent, clutched strap and n in a grip that, seconded by the contortions of is facial nerves and blaze of eye, seemed to hold in check a volcano of hate and revengeful fury, Only an instant stood he thus. but during that brief space he had, without close inspection, decided the character of the sights and sounds, although yet afar off on the plain. kc Hastily securing the jaw-strap to a sapling,Turtle, the Tonkaway, the friend of Sam Houston, and all ' Frio Fred in Texas. true Texans, crouches low and gains a position where, parting the leaves, the open plain is clearly revealed to him. And, although he now sees fully three-score of horsemen dashing toward him, who, he well knows, would yell with fiendish delight as they tortured him to death—who would consider him a more im- —— captive than any white man, hating and earing bim as they do, more than even the detested Texans—though he knows all this, yet not a shadow of fear or apprehension is shown in his stoical face; naught except set teeth and eyes that flash intense fury, expressing the fiery passion that seethes in his brain and breast. Nearer and nearer they come Three-score of Comanches, their lances fringed with scalps, the steel points glittering in the sunlizht, and feathers flaunting in the wind of their terrific speed—on, half- bent in their saddles, the wild-flowing manes of the mustangs fluttering in their hideous faces, bound- ing, with headlong speed, while theic hoofs threw the flowers and Ss on a!l sides On, in a mad, savage mass, like the rush of a fierce norther, and Turtle knows that the hideous horde will pass directly by his covert toward the more straight course of the river. The Toukaway bounds to his feet, jerks his bow, and adjusts the string; then drawing an arrow, he inspects it, and fits the feathered shaft ready for its errand of death. For a moment he stands, wi'h left foot forward, his weight upon his right, and facing the point which the blood-eraving flends must pass. His nostrils are distended at every breath, his broad breast swells, his black eyes seem to shoot out shafts of fiery hate, while his lips curl away from his white. clinched teeth. A moment after, with the rush and trembling sound of a stampede of mustangs, on like an ava- lanvhe came the paint-aubed devils along the bor- der of the thick undergrowth, Just as the innermost mustangs shot past his covert, brushing against the very leaves and twigs in his front, the bow of Turtle bent until the feathered end kissed the Tonkaway’s painted cheek. A twang, and the deadly shaft cut the air and was buried to the feather in the side of a burly brave, whose arm was upraised to lash his steed. A horrible yell rung out, and with arms upthrown, the doomed warrior sunk backward, falling over the hams of his horse, to be trampled by the hoofs of the fast-gallopiug and dumfounded horde. Then there burst from every throat a far-sounding whoop, and the war-party came to a halt. Just then came the wild, peculiar and unmistakable war- whoop of the Tonkaway from the bottom, given in taunting exultation. and causing a score of red braves to lash their steeds in a headlong charge, crashing into the undergrowth with bows half-bent and arrows fitted to the strings. But he who had braved almost certain death to Satisfy revenge, was as cunning as he was daring, and not to be caught at a disadvantage by over- whelming numbers: for, at the instant he released his bow-string and uttered his taunting yell, he sprung upon his sable steed, and dashed northward throu -h the timber, emerging from it on the oppo- site side of the bend from the Comanches; all sounds made by him while breaking throuzh the under- growth being drowned by the confusion among the war-party, as they jerked their mustangs to a halt, in their amaze at hearing the death-siznal from the rear, and the war-cry of the Tonkaway that so close tollowed it. Heading his horse to pass around the bend to- ward his foes, Turtle cocked his deadly carbine, resting the weapon in the hollow of his left arm, jerked revolver and bowie to the front of his belt, ready for instant use, then gave a peculiee ery to his horse that caused the animal to shoot forward like an arrow sent from a bow; the noble beast well- knowing what his rider required of it, : | i | :
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Frio Fred in Texas. 9 It was a grand and magnificent sight, The bronzed Tonkaway chief, eagle-feathers and midnight hair flaunting in the wind, his graceful form slightly bent forward, his bright black eyes blazing wit vengeful fury—the war-spirit of his tribe to the | front, the war-ery of his people ready to burst from his parted lips. On, like a catapult projectile, shot the red rider and his sable steed, swooping around the bend upon a horde of painted demons, all eager for his blood, and craving to hear his dying gasps at the torture- stake—on, to almost certain death! No more daring act could be conceived, Reckless of life, insanely Saget fer revenge, for the blood of bis enemies—on, like an avenging spirit, darted the fearless Tonkaway chief. And, as his sure-footed horse plunged headlong, with fierce snort at the re- peated signals of its master, around the bend to the south, the war-cry of Turtle burst on the air in piercing intonations, filling the astounded ears of the Comanches, as they sat upon their steeds una- ble to comprehend the true position cf affairs. That a single Tonkaway. as the war-cry of the latter had indicated, had fired the fatal shot, and braved capture and death, was beyond their belief; but they were destined to have a startling proof that such had been the case, On shot the Tonkawyy chief, his whoop of war ringing, his black steed headed to pass southward, within twenty yards of the dazed Comanches; and, before the latter recovered themselves at beholding a single foe charging upon them, the carbine of Turtle vomits fire and lead, buriling through the massed Comanches, while howls of death. and snorts of prancing mustangs burst from the demor- alized horde of braves. A frightful whirlpool, made up of a mass of fren- zied steeds and mad riders. and from which flashed and blazed a hundred fury-filled, snake-like eyes, was now before him. And, into this mass, cut and tore five deadly slugs, one after the other in quick succession; each far -ounding report of the Tonka- Wway’s weapon being the signal of tearing wounds, and fearful howls. The paralyzed horde realized, when too late, the nature of the thunderbolt that shot past them;.for the cloud of feathered shafts that glinted through the hot, hazy air. in therays of the declining sun, fell short, and were wele med by the victorious taunting war-cry of the triumphant Turtle, who skimmed over the flower-bespangled prairie, quar- tering oward the Rio San Saba at terrifiec speed, and scorning to gaze backward at the yelling mob following him in mad pursuit. On, and on, flew Turtle, until he reached the bor- der of the timber, Then he jerked bis steed to a halt, and turning in his saddle, gave a gesture of derisin, seconded by his whoop of war, that rung back into the ears of the Comanches. Then he shot into the screen of trees, and through the same by winding paths, to the river. This he forded, and thence on to the border of the bot- tom-timber on the east side of the San Saba. Here he sprung from his faithful horse, and sweeping the eastern plain with keen gaze, uttered a single ejaculation, expressive of both surprise and anxiety “ Waugh!” _ Afr toward the Rio Llano, were two small black- ish as ag upon the plain, that none but the eagle eye of the Tonkaway could have distinguished as white horsemen; but Turtle could not be deceived. “Turtle, heap big fool,” he soliloquized; ‘ Co- manche hunt for Turtle. Come over San Saba. Then see my white brothers, Mebbe so Old Rocky lose scalp. Frio Fred lose sealp. Turtle lose scalp. Waugh!’ This last was said in self-condemnation. Then, as the vells of his pursuers reached his ears, he added, as he reloaded his carbine: “Turtle sound war-cry. plain, Then white brothers see. Then no ride yas where Comanche hide in bush. It is good, Barely was the Tonkaway again seated in his saddle, when the crashing of the undergrowth in his rear warned him that his foes were upon him. Whirling his steed, he faced them, as by twos and threés, they broke from th» thickets with vengeful and exultant yells; some of which were changed to death- howls, as the termble carbine again vomited fire and lead. A moment after, Turtle sped,over the plain, two- score of yelling Comanches in hot pursuit; and this was the view that caught the eye of Frio Fred, and brought forth the vehement, deep-meaning exclama- tion of Old Rocky, which closed a previous chapter. CHAPTER VI. FELLOW-PRISONERS. Poor Lorine La Coste, when she perceived the fearful-looking panther, its sides covered with the aping gashes inflicted by Louis, and which she cnew had been supposed dead, and had been thrown into the river, was fi'led with wonder and terror; for the Indian had so cunningly adjusted the skin, and was positioned in so natural a manner, that in the semi-darkness it seemed to be really the horrible beast, with yet life enough remaining to do mischief. But the-shriek that Lorine uttered, upon being thus affrighted, had barely died away, when the maiden was chilled with horror at feeling herself clutched and ee down t) e river-bank; another piercing shriek breaking from her lips as, turning uickly, she saw the hideous painted face of an In- dian near her own. The next moment she was in the dark depths of the Rio San Saba. Overwhelmed with horror, the beautiful girl sunk into insensibility, and was happily unconscious ¢ur- ing the time she was being dragged through the chill waters. This. however, was but for a flitting moment; as the cunning Comanche. elasping his valms over Lorine’s mouth, darted as quickly as the waters closed over him, directly beneath the same, and emerged, hidden by a curtain of over- hanging grass, and holding the head of the senseless maiden above the su: face. Intense exultation flashed in the glittering eyes of the savage, as, peeri g ont, he beheld Colonel La Costa and Louis swimming frantically about the river, and searching everywhere, except at the point nearest the camp. where they dreamed not, and with good reason, that the marauding Indian would linger. The cool water revived the unfortunate Lorine, and as she gave signs of returning consciousness, the brave quickly thrust a wad of buckskin, which he drew from his belt. into her mouth, effectually gagging her. Then. holding both her wrists in the tight clutch of one band, he easily maintained his position; standing in the water, his feet upon the more shallow bottom by the bank, his head only above the surface, while he pressed the fair girl to his side, his arm encircling her slender waist. Thus held by her captor, Lorine La Coste, with a heavy sigh. opened her eyes, and gazed around, ee at finding herself thus, and in almost total dark-’ ness. So benumbed was her brain by the terrible shock she bad experienced at the sight of the supposed anther. and at finding herself in the clutch of a hideous Comanche, that she did not, for the moment, even realize that she was gagged. The ripple of the river and splashing of waters rung in her bewildered ears, and she strove to ery out; then, not only becoming conscious that she was gagged, but that a strong arm was about her, sustaining her head above the surface of the river, while her wrists were held in a vise-like grip that Lead Comanche on , pained her exceedingly. Instantly the near past flashed upon her mind, all
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| i a 10 the horrors of her position darting through her brain like a flash of light, bringing with it naught but the most hopeless despair; at the same time the poor irl’s blood almost congealed in her veins, as she detected a pair of glittering eyes within a few inches of her face, and felt the fetid breath of her captor upon her cheek. Lorine trembled like an aspen leaf, and, shudder- ing, tried to free herself from the repulsive embrace. She now knew that she wasin the power of the savage who had dragged her from the side of her or and brother, and down the bank into the ver. The Indian tightened his grip and hissed in her ear, causing her fresh repulsion and horror. Tor- tured as she now was, terror driving the blood to her heart, yet she was doomed to sti'l greater anguish by the merciless fiend, who seemed to gloat and ex- with intense satisfaction at her manifestations of alarm. It was quite dark behind the sereen of grass, but the Comanche slowly parted the drooping blades, and revealed a sight that, had Lorine not been ageged, would have brought a shriek of joy to her ips; but only a gurgling sound escaped her. and this was instantly checke1 by the clutch of the In- dian about her throat. The sight was most tantalizing to the wretched girl, for she saw, not thirty feet from her position, her father and brother battlin< frantically against the current, and plunging here and there, diving be- neath the surface. The poor maiden realized that eg were search- ing for her, and at once understood the cunning trick of her captor, for she knew, by the play of fire- light on the trees opposite, that she was beneath the very spot where she had been reclining near her father and brother. How long she gazed thus, ten thousand torturing thoughts tearing through her sensitive brain, the hapless girl knew not; and her anguish of mind was far beyond the power of words, be they of whatever language, to express. But, when her brother disap- peared down the river, and seemingly unnoticed by her frantic father, whose search for her was ex- tended up the stream, then all hope left poor Lorine as the “ugh” of an exulting contempt broke from her captor’s lips, and he clutcled her, preparatory to lunging forward from the cover into the river. Then the mind of the torrified maiden was so shocked, that she became for a time dazed, and in a nearly senseless condition; during which time she was towed over the stream, into the rushes on the ae bank. tere the Comanche skulked for a time, knowing that the spot had been thoroughly inspected by the two whites, and watched Colonel La Coste climb up the bank into the camp. The Indian was now filled with apprehension for his own safety; for he had heard the report of Jackson’s rifle, and the death-yell of bis companion. But, no sooner had the colone! dragged himself up and over the bank, than the Comanche clutched Lorine in his strong arms, and dashing into the timber, proceeded down-stream, pnrallel with the same; the beautiful and pallid face of the maiden resting on his s oulder, and her long hair hanging - over his arm, At times the Indian would stop, standing silent and still stouig intently; then he would gaze gloatingly upon the pale face of his captive. his own contorted with mingled hate and triumph. After this he would hasten onward. It was during one of these halts that Little Louis, who had dragged himself from the water, and cast his dripping form prone upon the bank, panting and exhausted, and on the very verge of insanity—it was at this moment that the youth detected the move- ment of a branch, and raising his head, discovered, to his mingled joy and relief, though not unmixed with horror and apprehension, the Comanche brave holding Lorine, limp and apparently senseless—the Frio Fred in Texas. forms of both being plainly revealed ina patch of moonlight, So startling, so totally unexpected was the strik- ing, and, to him, terribls tableau, that the boy lay without power of speech or motion; and very providentially was it that his senses were thus blunt- ed, for he had time to realize that the least outcry or sound would have caused the Indian to dash away into the thickets, and tase more careful precautions, or perhaps murder Louis outright. But the youth was as cunning as he was brave and daring, and was gifted with a sense and reason be- yond his years. This he proved by remaining per- fectly quiet until the Comanche again dashed on through the timber, when he sprung to his feet and glided in pursuit, his bright eyes flashing with fury, his features filled with stern determination and daring. : His revolver was of course useless since his plunge into the river, but he clutched his bowie-knife, and stole onward, with set teeth, his eyes boring into the shades abead, and his sense of hearing strained to catch the slightest sound, as of the breaking of a twig. Had not Louis been so oppressed with torturing anxiety in regard to his sister. he a enemy. have practiced more caution, and profited by hav-,, ing witnessed the Indian halt uow and thep, to listen for sounds of pursuit. : As it was, he forgot this fact, or failed to consider it, and the cautious savage, upon again halting, and straining his keen sense of hearing, detected behind him the snapping of a dry branch—sufficient warr- ing, under the circumstances. to cause him to dart into a thicket, and there crouch to await his expect- ed pursuer; first, however, casting the terrified Lorine roughly to the earth. The next moment, his form bent forward, his eyes eagerly scanning in front of him, his knife clutched firmly, on came little Louis La Coste, using great eare and caution, but at the same time gliding quickly. bls saturated garments clinging to his slender form. The Indian at once recognized the boy as one of the two who had plunged into the river in search of hims+lf and bis captive, and this gave the brave much satisfaction, as he felt that the other must have given up the search and returned to the camp. So intent was the Comanche upon watching the approach of his intended victim, and gathering his strength to bound out from the thicket, that he noticed not the slightest movement in his rear, and lost sight of the fact that his captive had not been secured, in case she should revive. And this was a fortunate omission for those most concerned, as doubtless it was the means of saving the life of Louis, as will be shown; although it did not otherwise better the condition of our friends. The shock received by the captive as the Indian cast her to the earth gave her great bodily pain, but served to relieve her brain to some extent; as she sprung at once to a sitting posture, and, to her in- tense relief, saw the Comanche some paces from her, at the same instant realizing that she was no longer in bonds. Quickly tearine the gag from her mouth, Lorine, in great bewillerment, strove to reason as to her future proceedings and as to the cause of her eap- tor’s having left her, and being positioned as he now was, with uplifted tomahawk and bent as if ready to bound forward. Lightning-like came the conviction that the brave was bent on murder; and. who could be his intended victim, unless it were one of those who had been searching for her in the river? Wi'h this reasoning and conviction, she aban- doned her first formed resolution to spring to her feet and bound away into the thicket, shrie king for help, and decided to do all in her power to save her father or brother—whichever it might be—who, she believed, was now approaching,
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at Frio Fred in Texas. Li Bending her head, Lorine discovered through the foliage her brother Louis coming toward her hiding- place, as described, and her plood ran cold as she saw that the burly Comanche would without doubt send his tomahawk crashing through her daring brother’s skull did she not promptly prevent it. Without making the slightest noise, Lorine, with clinched teeth, arose to a standing posture, and stepped lightly forward, timing her movements to the moment Louis should arrive abreast of the mur- der-bent red-man, whose tomahawk was held pro- fom over his shoulder, the arm that sustained it pene raced, and the muscles knotted for a terrible low. Lorine La Coste well knew that she could not wrest the weapon from the grasp of the Indian, but resolved to clutch it with both hands and bear down with her whole weight and strength At first, the poor girl trembled as if stricken with ague; but when she fully realized that the life of her brother depended upon her, she banished all else, except her determination to prevent his being murdered. Buta moment or two was she thus kept in her terrible suspense, and life and death depend- ed upon the next. She caught a glimpse of the flowing hair in a patch of moonlight, and then, as she detected the hatchet thrust a few inches backward to give more force to the blow, Lorine grasped the weapon with both hands, and quickly jerked it toward her. At the same instant she gave a piercing scream of warning, and then shrieked out: : “Run, Louis! For God’s sake run, or you are ost! Totally unexpected was the strain, slight though it was to the Indian, and being from behind him, end not being braced against it, he lost his balance and fell backward, losing his hold on the toma- hawk, and clutching at the knife in his belt. Horrible as Lorine felt as the savege fell near] upon her, she sunk but to her knees; and then. with the quickness of thought, she raised the hatchet in the air and brought the blade down with all her ower into the face of the Comanche, who was then in the act of rising, his features contorted with baf- fled tae The keen blade was partly buried in the face of the savage, severing the nose and crushing one eye, but the struggling wretch in his rage sprung to his feet, covered with gore, and with upraised knife, dashed at his assailant, All this was in one flitting moment of time. The next, little Louis bounded over the bushes and springing forward, grasped the knife-wrist of the Comanche, plunging his own blade to the hilt in the broad, paint-dau breast. In a frenzy of fury at the act of his sister and her dread peril, Louis jerked out his bowie, and sent it crashine, with a horrible, grating sound, again and again through flesh and boné, his arm nerved with double strength, as poor aus sunk senseless and death-like upon the sward. With a fearful howl of death the Comanche’s strong form tottered, his eyes became fixed upward, his jaw fell, and a gurgling sound came from his throat, as the life-blood welled from his li . and he fell with a sodden sound to the earth. by the side of the beautiful girl—dead; she, too, seemingly lifeless! ape God! spare Lorine! My brave, my darling ne Thus cried out Louis La Coste, as he sunk to his knees, and bent over his sister, pressing his lips to hers, and chafing her delicate hands. And there. by the side of the hideous, blood-reek- ing corpse of the Comanche, the brave boy wept and sobbed, until Lorine opened her eyes, sprung up- ward and clasped her arms around him. Both were speechless with relief and joy and thankfulness, for they deemed the danger past. But as they thus upon their knees embraced and wept, their joy and thankfulness was cern. to dread and the deepest despair, for upon springing to their feet atthe sounds of crashing bushes, both thinking that their father and Jackson had come, a half-dozen Comanche warriors bounded upon them a “Ughs” of vengeful exultation from all sides. * Father in Heaven, protect and guard us. Oh, God! hast thou forsaken us?” Thus cried out peor, terrified Lorine from her in- most soul, as she was, as well as her brother Louis, bound hand and foot and hurled roughly upon the ground; the braves meanwhile uttering deep and meaning bowls, as two of their number bore the mangled corpse of their comrade away through the darkness, CHAPTER VIL. THE DEMON CHASE. “Cuss my cats an’ dang my dogs! Ther con- demned Comanches air chasin’ ther Tonk! Spur, Fred—spur for life! We'll save Turtle’s scalp, er lose our own ha’r!”” No sooner had these words left Old Rocky’s lips, than both he and Frio Fred darted forward over the level plain southwestward, their former course hay- ing been toward the northwest. F urtle had realized at once upon perceiving his white scouts. that to ward them from danger of death or capture, he must lead the Comanches on a chase atafar angle from his friends, who might thus escape notice by the infuriated savages, who were bent upon his own life. Thus the Tonkaway placed himself in great peril to detract the observation of his foes from the whites, for he could have galloped up the river and dashed into the timber beyond the line of his pur- suers, there secreting himself where it would have been impossible for them to have found him before the shades of night would aid bim in making his es-~ cape to the Rio Llano. - he s:If-sacrifice of the noble Tonkaway, however, went for nothing, as the read:r already knows; for the daring scouts turned their steeds and imme- diately dashed to the assistance of their red pard— his position, now, that of a single Indian pursued by a war-party of t'e same color; and the fleet black steed, together with a peculiarity of riding, to say nothing of a conviction that he was somewhere in the neighborhood, each and all convincing the scouts beyond doubt, as to the identity of the pur- sued. Not only this; but they reascned that the keen- eyed Tonkaway must have observed them; and, fea'ful of being the means of their capture, was leading his foes and theirs in a direction to, if possible, insure their safety. This filled them with admiration, and nerved them to more determined efforts to join the Tonkaway, and, at the risk of their lives. defeat the plans of the Comanches. Full half a mile had Turtle galoned fiom the timber, before the keen glance of i'rio Fred discov- ered him; the Comanches being half that distance in his rear, and the far-away reports of the Tonka- way’s carbine had not been noticed, on account cf the pre-occupation of Fred, consequent upon the rapid conversation of the old scout upon the most important of subjects—Fred’s love for Lorine La Coste. That the situation was most de perate and dan- gerous, both scouts realized; and the only hope of success in saving Turtle and thems~lves, was to in the Tonkaway—thus removing anxiety on both s ides and working together in common defense, trustir to escape by strategy, for they well knew they coul not depend upon ther horses. after a long run, as the day’s ride beneath a hot sun bad much fatigued the animals. : On, like a horde of fiends. swept the war-painted savages, after the detested Tonkaway, whose associ- ation with their pale-faced enemies had filled them with the deepest hatred, and longing for his blood,
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Frio Fred in Texas. nO So eager were they, so watchful of every movement of Turtle, that they for once failed to inspect the plain, and perceived not the white riders, Well knew the Tonkaway that, did his noble black meet with no accident, be could keeo clear of his foes, as their mustangs were flecxed with foam, and panting lab ‘riously, as they had swept past his covert on the west side of the San Saba; and he felt no anxiety in re’ard to his own safety, his breast swelling with merited pride, as he thought of his recent exploits, which would sound in his death- chant. But the anxiety that was deep in regard to his white pards at the start, became less as he realized that the Comanches had not betrayed, by the usual yell, their discovery of the scouts. It was, however, doubled, upon seeing t ‘at Old Rocky and Frio Fred had changed their course, and were coming, like the wind, toward him; whirling their sombreros in air, as a signal for him to join them. This was now the only move to make, and Turtle realized, with grief, that he had gotten his friends into a_ tight paces by recklessly seeking revenge upon his foes for the mere sake of revenge, and not to save others from their fury, as had been bis cus- tom. The Tonkaway delayed not a moment, but, jerk- ine jaw-str p, guided his horse into a course direct- ly north, almost at right angles with the pursuers, who quickly took advantage of his movement, and quartered toward him, with fearful yells, which were increased as the Indians caught a view of the two whites, The change of course of the daring Tonkaway would give the Comanches a chance to get within bow-shot distance, did he not swerve more to the east; but he scorned to avoid them, and reloading his death dealing carbine on the run, he rode on, ready to give another exhibition of his prowess. The opportunity soon came. The Comanches, notwithstanding the destruction they had witne-:sed among their own party, when TurJe, on two occa- sions, opened fire, galloped forward, with fierce war- whoops, and their bows half-bent. As presented tu the fast approaching scouts, the warlike scene was grand, and to them most t:ntalizing, from the fact that they could not reach the point in time to take a hand in the game; and as, from their position, the Comanches seemed much nearer to Tyrtle than they really were. both Old Rocky and Frio Fre1 were fille’ with deep concern and anxiety—the old scout rat'ling off “ cast-iron” words, and ejecting tobacco- juice spitefully, at every bound of his horse, At length Turtle began to perceive that his'ife de- pened not only upon instant action but un rring skill; for three of his foos were far in advance an‘ were making ready to send their deadly feathered shafts into his vitals. Insta itly his carbine sprung to his shoulder; but, at the same time that he pulled the trigger, an arrow shot past his head, the feathered end brushing his temple. But the br ve who sent the same, as he fitted a second one to his bow-string, threw up his arms in the air, his bow gripped in the agony of d-ath, and sunk over the hams of his mustang upon the prairie sward. His horse, with wild snorts, turned about, and dashed back to its mates as an- | other sounding report broke on the air, followed by another death-howl, which caused the pursuers to sen a cloud of arrows at the dauntless Tonkaway, as he swept on past the point of favor to them; his taunting and exultant whoop of war torturing their ears, as did the yells of the Texans, who now grad- ually swerved from their course, and in a moment after were gallop'nz by the side of Turtle, the Tonk- away—the trio, with eyes bent upon the frenzied | hor te who were again in fast chase, turning west | to dash into the friendly cover of the timber. This was now their ‘nly hope of safety, for the Comanches were seottered over the whole plain to their south, and all galloping furiously up the river, i “Whar, in thunderation an’ dangnation, did yer skeer up thet big batch o’ ha’r-t’arers, Tonk?” See yelled Old Rocky, as he half-cocked his car- ine. “Over San Saba,” answered Turtle, pointing west. “How many hes yer sp’iled fer futur’ fightin’?” ‘“M -bbeso, so many;” extending fingers, then clos- inz, and again extending—indicating vicht. “ How came they to discover you?” put in Fred, “ Turtle see Comanche come. Turtle hide in woods. Heap mai, Want hear death-howl. Shoot with arrow. Then jump on mustang. Sh otf gun fast, Ride quick to San Saba. Comanche yellheap, Want Turtle-scalp., Waugh! Comanche heap fools, squaws. Turtle show red-wolves he warrior,” ““Quss my cats, an’ dang my dogs ef yer doesn’t d» hit every time, Tonk!” pplebr 3 out Old Rocky, gazing at his Tonkaway pard with pride. “But why didn’t yer strike plum ter meet us? Didn’s yer know who we-’uns war?” “Turtle knew white brothers far as buzzard see dead buffalo. No want Comanche see. Mebbe so tie Fret, tie Rocsy, to tor.ure-stake, Turtle ride other way.” “Don’t never do hit again, Tonk, but head right for your eh We.three hev cut our way through a bigger hep 0’ howlin’ devils ‘fore now.’ “Heap more over river. Big war-party when at Palo-Pinto. Some ride Bandera. Some ride Colo- rado,. Some here. Mebbe so some on Llano,” “By heavens, Turtle, don’t say that, unless you ere sure of it! You torture me,” said Fred, quick- ly. Mie] hopes ter be nibbled ter death by dipper ducks, an’ hashei by red ants, ef yer didn't stop ther biz o my bleed me‘sheen by th t sort of gab, Tonk!” burst out the old scout, exci‘edly. ‘ What makes yer think thar’s any o’ ther red hellyuns on ther ano? We-uns hain’t see’d no sign toet-a-way.” “Why Comanches ride fast to San Saba? Turtle say they send braves to Llano. Mebb» so see train. See wheel-lodges. Then meet war parity on San Saba. ‘Tell chief, then ride in night to Llano. Ride in white man camp, when Texans sleep.” “Wa-al, ef ther condemned, or’nary perrarer — war comin’ on ther hum, hit does ’pear like hey ’spected ter meet some o’ thar pesky advance spies et a *pointed time hyeraways, fer thar warn’t no hurry fer ’em, ef somethin’ o* thet sort warn’t in thar p’ogramme. But I swan I’m hopin’ hit war somethin’ else what put ’em on ther whiz, Yer war too brash ter show yerself, Tonk, thet-a-way; an’ yer’ll slip up on hit som» time. : * Yor’d better laid 1 -w, an’ watched ‘em, a blamed sight; ’speshly es yer c’u’dn’t harvest tha'r ha’r, Ef yer’d bin nosin’ roun’ San Saba, I sh’u’d s’pose yer’d struck ‘sign,’ ef any o’ ther smoky sons 0’ Satan glided past hyer, towards Llano-way ” “Turtle see trail. So many braves —indicating twelve, by extending fingers—“‘go fast to Llano. Know my white brothers kill if see, Want wait, count war-party. No care follow frail of spies,” “ A dozen is enough to do mischief, if they strike La Coste’s camp,” asserted Fred, with anxiety in voice and feature. “We must get ont of this scraps. and return to the Llano, to-night, pard Rocky.” “Fit’s gut ter be did” agreed the old scout; “though hit ’pears jub’ous "bout now. I’m feelin purty pokerish. Mebbe so thar’s some o’ ther red skunks layin’ fer we ’uns i> ther timber.” “No ride in wood yet,’ advised the Tonkaway, “Ride up river to bend. Go in trees, hide, Dark come soon. Then go fast to Llano. My white brother's friends on Llano, Heap bad. Comanche spies they crawl in night. Get sealp, get captive for torture. No sound war-ery. Waugh! Heap bad. Comanche dogs.” “By heavens!’ exclaimed Fred Fontaine, “the more I think of it the more I fear that something is wrong inthe camp, The-red fiends must have been
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Frio Fred in Texas. 18 hid in the Llano timber to-day, or we would have met them on the plain.” “Thet ain’t so sartain” asserted Old Rocky, “Ther painted piruts c’u’d ha’ hid ina motte ef | they see’d we-’uns comin’. Thet air, ef they’d gut half-way toward ther river. I sw’ar I’m gittin’ half-full o’ hyderfobiz indig’ an’ must hash red meat er bu’st. Ther yells o’ ther heathun makes me ilyus. “ Tonk’s advice air good. Strike up erick out 0’ shot from timber, an’ dash in a mile from hyera- ways.” AJ now rode side by side, meck and neck, and speaking rapidly during this hasty consultation, the yells of the Comanches sounding close in their rear. Their course, agreeably to the suggestion of their Indian ally, was chang-d, quartering up, and in the direction of the river; thn, keeping out of bow-shot from the \imber, they proceeded for a mile at head- long gallop, making a spurt to get asmucb ahead of the war-party as possible When at the distance mentioned, al! urged their horses in the timber, disappearing from the view of the infuriated Comanches, who well knew, by this t me, that they had lost their advantage and that the capture of their cunning foes was now, to say the least, doubtful, CHAPTER VII. IN BONDS. THe sudden pnd unexpected change from free- dom and security, gained by a most desperate and daring act, to captivity, with probable torture, or a fate far worse than either, was most terrible to poor Lorine La Coste. She had, through the negligence of her first cap- tor, become free, and had removed her gag, besides being enabled to, without doubt, save the life of her brother —Louis having in turn done the same by her —an! forashort time had helieved that the way was open ror her return to the camp and her sor- rowing father, but the appearance of the savages, evidently drawn by the death-howl of their com- rade, the binding of her brother and herself so ap- palled and terrified the poor girl that her despair was as death-like as possible, and yet be enabled to live through it. _Louis was horrified beyond measure, more on his sister's account, however. than his own. For he be- lieved that his search for her had placed Lerine in a far more dangerous position than before, for but one Indian had then held hr captive, and now a half-dozen braves had them at their merey, the war- riors meus infuriated at the death of one of their party at the hands of himself and Lo ine. Besides this the boy had heard the report of a rifle souning from the direction of the camp, and thonght that te 'ndian had been killed who had masqueraded in the panther’s skin to favor the one now dead in capturing Lorine, If this were so, it would incense their red captors still more, Louis believed that the partner of the Indian, whom he bad, with Lorine’s help, slain, would have og oe his ma‘e, had he not been shot in the camp. n consequence of this, the refleciions of the vate caused him to regret most bitterly having allowed himself to lose sight of the Indian Who bore Lorine away, and who had evidently stopped to listen, and thus heard his approach. Louis was filled with self- SONA EAE AI, but repining was worse than use- less. He felt no hope of rescue by bis father, as the lat- ter could know nothing whatever of trailing, and all the blacks and teamsters would be wanted to guard the wagons—the negroes being of little use in an emergency through their terror of the Indians, If the scouts returned from the San Saba, whither they had gone to ascertain if any war-party of savages was in the vicinity, Louis well knew that ! they would use every effort to rescue himself and sister; but their return was not looked for until the following night, and who could tell what might transpire Curing that time? These though:'s and conclusions flasbed through the mind of the brave youth, during tie time he was being bound by the hideous Comanches, and he shuddered with dread for his poor sister, as their snake-like eyes flashed glances of hatred inco his, and their exuitant taunts met his ear. He could see that the braves were infuriated by fr uzy as the dead warrior was berne away, and th t they brandished their weap.ns toward the camp. This satisfied Louis that the new-comers had dis- covered the wagons, or the mules on the west plain, and had followed the trail of the latter far enough to judge of the location of thecamp. Healsojudged that the savages were aware of the inability of those in camp to attack them with any chance of success, or they would at once have hastened from the spot, knowing that the death-howl of the brave must have been heard at the wagons, and the shriek of poor Lorine as well, However, Louis knew if these sounds had been heard, and their character rightly interpreted, that his father and Jackson would rush to the rescue, consequently he was anxious for the Indians to move on, for he felt sure that if his father followed, he would be slain, He had _ been nearly insane with anguish until meeting Lorine, but now he felt cool and calm; forcing himself to feel thus for her sake, It was a comfort to be near her—a captive with her—an i he vowed that he would keep his wits about bim, and eulye in every way to free himself, and release er. Side by side lay the captives, and Louis turned his head and gazed into the face of his loved si-ter, dis- covering that her eyes were fixed vpward upon a patch of sky, discernible through the tree-tops. She did not appear to be conscious of her sur- roundings Her eyes were glassy and unnatural in their expression, and her fair face drawn with ter- ror, and pale as the face of a corpse. It was agonizing to Louis to look at her. “ The youth feared that his sister was dying of fright, or losing her mind, and he cried out: “Lorine, don’t despair! While there is life there is hope. For Heaven’s sake, look at me—speak to me! Do’you hear me, Lorine?” Slowly the eyes of the young girl rolled in their sockets, her head turned slightly, and she gazed ipto the eyes of her brother. But such a gaze] Tt caused the youth to feel faint and sick. “Wor God’s sake, sis, don’t despair! What has come over you? Don’t you know you are the bravest girl living, and, but a short time since, nearly killed a savage with hisown tomahawk? Cheerup! Frio Fred and Old Rocky will follow these fiends and save us yet.” At the mention of the scouts the eyes of Lorine brightened into a_more natural look; and, after a ny spasmodic efforts, she cried out, in a gasping whisper: “Oh, Louis! Do you think we shall be rescued? Do you believe that the scouts will return from the San Saba in time? Fred Fontaine isso good and brave, and knows so much about the Indians, he might save us.” “And he’ll do it, Lorine—never you fear!” re- turned the boy, delighted that he had imparted some hope into his despairing sister’s mind. ‘ Fred and Old Rocky are the best trailersin Texas and they won't stop to sleep. after they find we have been capttired, until they trace the inhuman mon- sters up. . Ha ig wer give us a couple of days’ respite, before brainirg or torturing us. we're all right; for the boys will brave everything before you shall come to harm. Besides. ’m not going to lie like a stick of wood, if Iam tied, I'll watch keen for chances ty
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Sota Soe Frio Fred in Texas. RA ‘outwit these merciless torturers, so, Lorine, do try and brace up, for they might take a notion to tor- ture us if they saw we were weakening and likely to die on their hands.” “You area brave little fellow, Louis,” said his sister, ina more natural tone. ‘ You have saved my life to-night, and proved yourself a man; and I may reatly upon you in our most fearful position. But for you, [should have died of fright and de- spair. These Indians are most horrible—more so than I ever dreamed of. Ob! I shudder to think of our fate should we not escape from them.” “We'll get away, sis; I feel confident of it, All I askis for youto bear it as well as you can until something turns up, If they intended killing us, they would have done so at once. They think of taking us to their village for torture, but I don’t in- tend they shall do so—not much! “Here they come! Make believe you don’t care for them. Don’t show any more fright than you ean possibly help.” While Louis and Lorine had been conversing the four Comanches had stood at the verge of the thicket, listening intently. But, as the youth announced their return, and advised his sister, the quartette of demons strode to the side of their cap- tives; a peculiar signal having sounded near at hand, followed by the trampiog of horses. Lorine and Louis were immediately clutched by two of the braves and carried roughly from the thicket, and thence to the side of the two warriors who had borne away the dead Indian. These braves held the jaw-straps of a number of mustangs in hand, and, after a short conference in their native tongue, the captives were seated upon mustangs, bound to the backs of the animals in haste; then the warriors all mounted, and pro- ceeded toward the river, fording at once, and con- Lae on through the timber toward the western plain. Upon the margin of the bottom-trees being reached, the captives were taken from the backs of the mustangs, and bound to two wg oo in standing positions; the ee being lariated to trees, where the animals could crop the long bottom-grass. This was done in a hasty manner, and then five of the braves, in single file, strode away, heading south toward the wagon-camp, leaving one of their num- ber to guard the two captives, * Here is a splendid Opening for us to escape,” said the boy, “if I could only get_my hands loose. Have they tied you very tight, Lorine? Do you suffer very much?” “Lam not secured tight enough to prevent free circulation,” was the reply; “but I cannot hope to work myself free. They made sure of that before leaving me. Is there any prospect of your loosing your bonds?” ‘Not that I have found out so far, sis; but I am working for escape, although I do not feel much hope in that direction, I must confess, Do you know where the braves have gone?” **No,” said Lorine; ‘ do you?” “T haven’t the remotest idea, but I ‘ opine,’ as Old Rocky would say, that they proceeded at once to our camp, and I expect soon to hear the crack of Jackson’s rifle, and some revolver-shots.” “Oh, heavens! They will kill papa! Would to God we had not come to this awful border. Why, oh, why, did we not remain in our old home?” “Don’t commence to fret now. As to the va 3 they are all right there; for I know Jackson wou d have the mules driven in, as soon as he knew the Indians were about, and among them they can de- fend the wagons. Indeed, I honestly believe that those five braves wil] never return here; and if that should be the ca:e, I reckon one warrior won't be ‘able to keep us in this fix ve’ long.” 4t this moment the single brave strode t-ward the brother and sister, an | forced wads of buckskin into their mouths, preventing further conversation, He then cast bimself upon a blanket, lying at full length, his elbows on the ground, and his head sus- tained in his hands. Thus he lay, gazing toward the point where his comrades had disappeared, listening intently for any sounds from that direction. Poor Lorine, her long wavy tresses disheveled, her apparel torn and spattered with blood from the slain brave, her face pallid and haggard, bound to the sapling, gazed with anguish and deep appre- hension toward her brother; presenting a icture, in the bars and arrows of the moonlight, that would have melted a heart of iron, The brave boy, beside her, strove not to be affected by her Bupeatance, but assumed a,hopeful aspect, and struggled still to free himself, although each movement gave him ex- eruciating pain, as tue cruel cords cut into his flesh, Full haif an hour passed thus, Poor Lorine’s head gradually suk forward, her long hair vailing her face, and hanging below her waist. The sudden. change, from hopeless despair to freedom and, the presence of her Lrother, and the lunging again into the same state as at first, only increased by her loved brothers peril, and from fearing that the warriors who had hastened toward the camp would slay her father—a!l this avalanche of dread anguish benumbed her overtaxed brain, and she sunk into a comatose state. Louis suffered greut mental torture, witnessing the bowed form, and realizing the state of his sister; but he was soon destined to feel nearly as despondent and despairing as Lorine, for, with a headlong rush, crashing through the undergrowth into the litule ‘“Copen,” like flends of the night, galloped a half- dozen more paint-daubed, hideuus Comanches, who gave a whoop of exultation as)\they perceived the captives, a his proved to Louis that they were fully aware of the strength of his father’s party, and feared them not: indicating that more of the fiends were in the vicinity, CHAPTER IX, A TRIUMPH. IMMEDIATELY upon the disappearance of the trio— Turtle, Old Rocky, and Frio Fred—into the shades of the timber, a peevliar yell rung from the Coman- che chief, followed te series of signs and gestures toa numb r of his braves, who were near to the timber south of the bend, when our friends had en- tered it. These braves quickly waved their hands, in com- rehensive answer, and lashed their horsea into the ottom-timber, passing through the same, and cross- ing the river; proceeding at once to take positions at different points on the opposite side of the stream from the scouts, to make sure that their enemies did not ford it. The main war-party, directed by the chief, sta- tioned themselves at intervals, completely around the bend on the margin of the timber, all on foot; the mustangs being left in the care of a guard at some distance down the river. Each brave had attached the jaw-strap of his animal to the beast’s fore leg removing the loop from the jaw to the neck; thus allowing the mustangs to feed, but pre- vented by the strap from running, The chief now had the hated Tonkaway and the two white scouts completely surrounded by a cordon of braves, and he felt positive that, upon closing in, the trio would be at his mercy, and could easily be captured, Should he accomplish his object and be enabled to earry the three as captives to his village, it would be more honor—more of importance to his nation, than had he driven two thousand horses toward the Llano at the end of his war-trail; for the scouts and Turtle had sent many of his warriors on the ‘long dark trail,’ and were more feared than a score of mere ordinary enemies of the Comanches,
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Frio Fred in Texas. i6 a gS a eed the chi-f, Rolling Thunder, was de* termined that our friends should not escape him» and stalked from one end of the crescent of braves on the river-bank to the other, and around the bend, giving his directions, and promising that any war- rior who should effect a capture of one of the hated trio, should wear an eagle-feather in his fillet, as a reward, and a sign of advancement toward thé rank of a w iz-chief. Notwithstanding the hundred and one daring es- capes of the trio, when escapes were deemed impossi- ble, and that many braves had sounded their death- howl on each oveasion—all of whjch was known to the Comanches—yet they were confident now that their dreaded foes were at their mercy. But to return to our friends. No sooner had Turtle and the scouts entered the timber, than each sprung from his saddle, and led by the Tonkaway, all proceeded toward the river, one after the other, going in a winding way arouna thickets, and avoiding the breaking of twigs as much as possible, although they well knew that in half an hour it would be impossible for the Comanches to follow their trail. Before reaching the river the Tonkaway led his horse into a thicket, soon emerging into an ‘‘ open,” entirely surrounded by dense ana thorny under- growth impossible to penetrate, except at the point where he had entered. Frio Fred and Old Rocky followed; the latter say- ing in a low voice: “Reckon yer’ve bin hyer afore, Tonk? rp ef this ain t a condemned cozy hole ter lay low inter! Cuss my cats, I needs a leetle rest es well es my nag!” “Little rest we'll get for the next twenty-four hours,” said Fred in a despondent tone. ‘‘ Old Rock, IT shall go madif we linger here any length of time. We are wanted on the o River, I am positive, I feel it in my very soul.” “Talk no good om war-path,” exclaimed Turtle, quickly. ‘Comanches got sharp ears. Goto Llano when dark comes, Turtle says we go. Turtle’s tongue is not forked. Ihave spoken.” By this time the bridles were slipped, hung on the horns of the saddle, and the girths loosened; then all proceeded to rub down their horses with green grass, while the animal tore the same from the sod with avidity. This done, the Tonkaway tightened his belt, and by a gesture indicated his desire for the scouts to follow him. > At the entrance to the “open’’ he made a | alt, saying in a low tone: “My white brothers stay here. Comanche er me down trail. Kill with knife. Turtle go see what Comanche do. Turtle belt empty. Want scalp.” With these words, the Tonkaway glided from the side of the scouts, and disappeared in the thickets; Old Rocky whispering to Fred as he did so: “Quss my cats, an’ dang my dorgs, ef ther Tonk ain’t et his ole tricks! I'll bet a half-dozen *Merikin eagles ag’in’ a June-bug that he scoops in some ha’r this trip, an‘ gits ther persish 0’ every red-hellyun in ther outfit!”” “T presume he will,” admitted Fred, in the same grade of whisper; ‘‘ but it will take him along time, and the lives of all at the Rio Llano may depend upon afew minutes’ delay in our reaching the camp. I think it is useless for both of us to remain here. We ought to know if the way is open, should we oe id ford, and make a detour around the red fiends. “Jumpin? Jerusalem!” Old Rocky nearly strangled in his endeavor to whisper this ejaculation, in his sudden excitement, with his mouth full of tobacco-juice; but he recoy- ered, and continued manif¢sting proofs, by gesture and grotesque grimace, that a no very agreeable thought had flashed upon his mind. “ Pard Fred, we-uns air a passal 0’ puserlanimous, soft-headed dang’d fools! Ther Tonk ain’t no bet- ter, What yer hes just spit out ‘bout ther river sent ) a idee inter my brain-box thet knocks me "bout blind. We-’uns hev glided in hyer wi’ our nags, an’ shut ourselves plum up without a show fer nothin’, Dang hit! We can’t stir in ther bush wi’ ther hos- ses, without ther red scum hearin’ us. an’ makin’ a rush onterus, whar we hadn’t gut any more show than a mouse in a rattler’s hole. “Ther hellyuns’ll crawl inter ther bottom, all ‘roun’, an’ lay fer ter ketch onter our locate. Ef we starts out in ther dark, they’ll jump on us afore we kin cl’ar the timber. The tramp o’ our nags jist givesus away, Don’s yer see, pard? ““Now yer hes spoked o’ hit, thar’s biz over ther drink fer us; but we’uns can’t skute thet-a-way with our nags. Hit ’u’d be jist like our settin’ to ter scalp our own kerbases, an’ makin’ a die o’ hit, Cuss my cats! What war we thinkin’ bout? We- Ee ae scouts; we're idjuts—dang my dorgs ef we hain’t! “ T believe you are right, but it was the only thing we could do, situated as we were. But what do you bet doing, over the river?” “Hit warn’t ther only thing, by a jug full! We e’u'd ha’ p’inted plum ‘erost ther plain, fer ther Llano.” ‘“Why, in the name of sense, did you not propose it, then; and not now, when itis too late? By heay- ens, you are right! We should have struck for tle Llano. But would cur horses hold out? There is the inching point. You forgot that, I fancy.” “Not by a dang‘d sight! But I ‘lowed ther red hellyuns’ nags war sorter fresh, which war wrong, ‘cos ther Tonk said they comed ‘crost ther west lain, jist on ther whiz; we c’u’d keep clear on ‘em *m dead sure; but they’d ha’ lunged in on ther camp soon arter. * Now I’m jist b’ilin’ over wi’ pure indig’ an’ hit makes me sick enough to puke up my toe-nai's, ter think we hes spilled our own gravy thet-a-way. Ther Tonk air allers so hot arter ha’r thet he doesn’t ingineer things squar’ outside o’ his hankerin’ ter skin skulls. “Thar’s only one way out o’ this, but by the bones o’ Davy Crockett, we’ve gut ter meander toward ther Llano ef we hes ter wade knee-deep turough Curmanch’ bleed!” “Suppose you explain yourself, now you're at it,” said Fred. € “ We hes ter leave ther nags, glide over ther drink an’ jist go hot an’ heavy fer ther red scum, what I’m dead sure bees watchin’ ‘long ther river, We've gut ter jist tortur’ ’em an’ make ’em yell, jist like a thousan’ wi ecats, which ‘ll draw ther heft o’ ther lurkers this side over "mong us; they thinkin’ we're skutin’ fer free range thet-a-way. “ Arter we've gobbled a few an’ gut all ther yell outen ’em we'll slit tha’r wizens an’ skin tha’r heads, an‘ then come on ther lightnin’ skute fer our nags, Nex’ we'll make a dash through ther few what’s hyeraways, an’ them everlastin’ly whoop-er-up fer ther Llano, an’ Lorine.” Fred clutebed the hand of the old scout and wrung it warmly, as he said: “Good for you, old pard! You're worth a thou- sand common men in an emergency. Every word you have spoken is solid sense. We were fools V'll admit, but the mistake was excusable in our excite- ment and worry. You propose the only way out of the scrape, that I see. 5 “T have been so anxious in regard to the train that I’ve not had my usual wits about me. I wish Turtle would return. He thinks more of a scalp, than anything else when Comanches are around and I have always thought his intense hatred toward those of his own color very strange.” *““Cuss my catamounts an’ scarify my scalp, ef yer wouldn’t be jist es bilyus ag’in’ em ef yer war in his fix! Ther condemned Comanches stoned his squaw ter death with her pappoose at her breast; capturin’ her when he war ona hunt, sides fillin his ole dad an’ marm’s bestest ‘natermy with arrers,””
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is Frio Fred in Texas. * Great Heaven! Is that so? Turtle never told me a word in regard to it.” “T reckon not. An’ ef yer sh’u’d spoke o’ hit yer’d wish yer hedn’t, fer he’d go r’arin’ an’ tarin’ wi’ hyderphcbies an’ skute fer Curmanch’ ha‘r, no matter whar he war. So take keer, Pard Fred.” “Tll not mention it, then; fr surely he is venge- ful enough at any time, and no wonder, I’m afraid he'll be too daring yet and be taken.” “Tl risk ther Tonk, an’ I’ll bet he'll sow up soon enou.h fer we-’uns ter kerry out our p'ogramme. Let’s stop waggin’ tongue. Let's listen, fer hit’s time some o’ ther scarifiers war nosin’ 'roun’ hyer. Lay low, pard!” ‘or along time the two scouts sat, a dead silence ruling the bottom, which grew darker and darker. ‘Lhe noise made by the horses tearing grass w snow scarcely perceptible. The intense anxiety and im- patience of Fred,in a measure shared by the old scout, were at length, however, relieved by the low ““waugh ” of the Tonkaway, who, in whispers, re- vealed the state of affairs—namely, that they were surrounded by Comanches, and escape by the river was cut off by a guard being there stationed, who could, with safety to themselves, shoot them from their horses, if they attemped to swim the stream. Then Old Rocky explained his plan, which was received with approbation by Lurtle; and, althouga it was a move which they did not like—thus to leave their prized steeds—they were under the necessity of doing it nevertheless. Just after sunset, the trio made their way stealthily to the river, and down the same; the Tonkaway springing upon, and knifing the sentinel next to the bank, wichout creating an alarm. Then all swam the San Saba, at a point above the guards, and made their way to the rear of the line. The crisis was now close at hand. A half-dozen braves were there stationed, Turtle having ascertained the exact-position of each during his reconnoissance; and three of t:ese must be slain, without their giving a death or danger yell—a most difficult feat, but which was duly and promptly ac- com plished. After this, at a given signal, each sprung upon a particular ove of the remaining braves, from the rear, with lassoes. They then bound and disarmed them, amid their terrific yells. Next, having secured them to the trunks of trees, they slashed off their scalps and ears, and otherwis- mutilated them; glid- ing up the river again, and swimming across it, while the bottom rung with the shrieks of their vic- tims, causing the greater number of the warriors on the east side of the stream to rush, with sounding whoops, plunge into the San Saba, and swim to the scene of commotion and combat—all believing that their three hated foes were escaping in that way. Hotore the Comanches fully realized the nature of the ruse, Turtle and the fexans were galloping madly through the timber on the east side of the river; the rattle of their revolvers, and the howls that followed, porns that they had met wich some opposition in their flizht from their covert. The San Saba bottom was now filled with a demo- ralized mass of Comanctes, incapable of reason or action; and, during that time our friends cleared the timber, and shot forward over the plain, toward the Rio Llano, where they were, at the time, anx- iously looked for, not to say greatly needed. “Dang my dorgs, an’ cuss my cats! If we-’uns didn’t bamboozle ther cussed searifiers!” Thus yelled O)d Rocky, from the safe side of the San Saba. cae, CHAPTER X. : IN THE CAMP. Arrer the id abel of Jackson, the wagon- master, to order in the herd of mules, and then to gallop at full speed to the San Saba, for the purpose of finding Old Rocky and Frio Fred, and g+tting them to return to the rescue of Lorine and Louis— ec eneininenensteeeeae after this, Colonel La Coste bustled about the camp, giving orders to the negroes. and putting every- thing in shape and order for the defeuse in case of an attack. Although suffering great mental agony, the old man strove to conceal it, and to cheer up the slaves who had been great y terrified. Taking into consideration that the colonel felt keenly the fact that he was responsible for it all, in having brought his children and servants into dan- ger, when warned and advised against it; his mind was most certainly in a fearful state of torture, and only by a herculean « ffort of will w. 8 he able to re- tain command of himseif, and refrain from grasping his rifle, and wildly flying through the dark woods in search of his darlings. The herd, of some fifty mules and a dozen extra saddle-horses, were soon driven in by the six team- sters, three of whom were Mexicans; Big Bill, the herd-master, and two other Texans being the only ones that the colonel believed he could depend upon, For the Greasers were greatly terrified; muttering, as they cast glances of dread into the dark shades of the timber: © Los Comanches! Los Dia'los |” Certain mules that were recognized leaders by the other animals were secured, and the others allowed freedom; of which, however, the beasts did not take avantage, having had time to graze suffi- ciently, and being fatigued by the day’s travel. The herd was driven ¢losely in, standing about the secured aximals on the border of the camp; as much to give warning of danger approaching as aught else. When th: camp was ina favorable condifion, Big Bill and the two other teamsters were summoned to a consultation by the colonel; the Mexicans and the negroes being stationed as guards, at different points. The negresses and their children, af:er the arrival of the herd and the teamsters, being assured that all wus safe, fell into deep slumber; ail huddleu to- gether in one of the wagons reserved for them on the trail. Colonel La Coste now revealed to his men all the occurrences of the evening; but hardy had he ceased to speak—Big Bill peng engaged in medita. tion—when a piercing shriek broke the silence of the bottom-timber, sounding from down the river, but some distance ‘away. The shriek was followed by the fearful deutb-howl shot out by the Co- manche, as Louis plunged his knife again and again in the breast of the brave, already so terribly wounded by Lorine, : Jolonel La Coste sprung from his sitting posture to his feet trembiing and ghastly pale, as he cried out, in agonized voice: “Oh, my God! The red fiends are murdering my child! Lorine, my darling | come—I come!” Unheeding the hasty remonstrances of Bill and his pards, the colonel hatless, his rifle clutched tigh’ly, and his gray hair flying wild, sprung madly upon the first horse, he came to, dashing furiously to the river, plunging down the bank into the stream, and swimming the horse across Big Bill cried ou* as the colonel monnted: “Saddle up, pards. Quickes yer kin fer yer lives, an’ we'll hump hit speedy arter ther boss! Thet war ther leetle gal’s yell, dead sure; an’ I sw’ar. ef rosa ape Vl hash every red in ther Llano bot- om In less than a minute the three Texans had forded the river, and dashed in search of their employer, and to rescue his children, pointing down the stream; but the colonel was not t>» he seen or heard. He, as well as the teamsters, passing to the east of the thicket, where Lorine and Louis lay bound. The braves there lay listening to their rush through the undergrowth; sounds that caught not the ears of the bound captives, dazed by the sudden change from freedom to torturing captivity. And on galloped Colonel La Coste on the bare- . a
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: a : Frio Fred in Texas. Rae backed horse; the animal rendered frantic, as the rider, by furious blows of the rifle-barrel, still plunged madly here and there; his eyes star mg into ed thicket, as if expecting to discover a horrible sight. yer close in pursuit, et ae the three teamsters, at intervals apart, until all knew thav they had assed beyond the distance from which the shriek faa been uttered. Then they came together, and spurred with increased speed, until finally they sur- rounded the crazed colonel, and urged him to return to the opposite side of the river, This he agreed to do, becoming suddenly as pas- sive as a child, big tears roiling down his cheeks, and relieving his overburdened brain. The rough Texans themselves were greatly impressed, and brushed their eyes with their sleeves, at the sight of this strong man in his agony of heart and soul; and the thought of what had probably happened to bis children. both of whom they loved so well. The stream was forded, and the trio proceeded more pot wnat carefully examining the thickets, and passing within half bow-shot of those they were in search of, just previous to the arrival of the last half-dozen savages. The whoop of the Comanches, as they discovered the captives, caused the four Texans to jerk their horses to a halt in sudden amazement, for all the Indians had joined in the whoop, which broke the silence of the night ina startling manner, and caused the whites to judge that there was a much larger number than there really was. But they were destined to be much more startled much more amazed, for, before they could whirl their horses to venture toward the last poi: t of alarm, the most fearful shrieks of dread and hor- ror rung from the camp ahead, followed by a few rifle-shots and ringing war-whoops. Then came the thuadering crash of the terrified mules, stamped- ing toward the west plain at headlo’ g speed, the tie of the negroes breaking continuously on the air, The Texans sat their horses, dumfounded for a moment. Then Big Bill yelled: “Come on, curnil! Come on, boyees! Ther dang’d red piruts hes bu’sted up our hull outfit !”’ Colonel La Coste spoke not a word for he had not joe power, his appearance being woeful to contem- plate. Ruin, utter ruin and despair seemed fated to be his portion for the remainder of his oe upon earth. Childless in his cold age, with the consciousness that he had been the means of his own sad bereave- ment, wishing and ae for the death that would not come to relieve him, he sat, stolid in his misery. Must this be his fate? Thus he questioneil himself, and settled that ques- tion by vowing, with upraised, clinched hand, that it should not be so—that, if his darlings had met their fate, he would die avenging them; that the same blood-stained hands that had slain them, should be slain by him, or slay him—he cared little which! Not in words was this vow made, but in thought and in spirit, his tongue and lips quivering in inef- fectnal attempts to form the words. All this, as the tumult, so suggestive of massacre. sounled from the camp, and before Big Bill could recover from his amazement to shout out the words that we have recorded. Then, like an avenging spirit, on, crashing through the undergrowth, with cocked revolver in hand, dashed the ol man; his ey: s blazing with fury, and a thirst for revenge, his snorting, frenzied steed fly- ing, regardless of bush and brier, like an arrow shot from a bow, through the bottom-timber, leaving the teamsters in the rear all convinced that their em- loyer had lost his mind and would surely meet his death at the camp, at which they could not hope to arrive in time to be of any assistance to him, Yet they urged their horses by prick of bowie, at terrific speed, though having little hope that the Mexicans and negroes were alive, But to understand matters, we must return to the camp. After the colonel and his teamsters had left on their important mission, nothing was heard except the movements of the animals, that, pestered by in- sects, kept up a continuous whisking of their tails and gee ed the Mexicans and negroes, although they disobeyed orders, and coilected together near the wagons, with one exception, conversed in regard to the situation in guarded mutterings; though they felt safer from attack since the Texans had ventured into the timber—believing that, if the Indians were near, the whites would immediat+ ly detect the pres- ence of the red marauders, and that they should be warned by the sounds of conflict, rear as it was to their position, The exception referred to was a dare-devil Mexi- can, Who, carbine in hand, took his post at the very spot where Lorine had been dragged into the river; he sitting o the bank, his legs hanging over, an sd het his eyes on the river, and the opposite ani, The fires were kept burning, for the very good reason thatit would have been quite dark in the *‘open ” otherwise, and thus have favored the lurk- ing savages, did the latter make an attempt to enter the camp, or to stampede the animals. The guard, in a group, however, took the pre- caution to stand between two wagons, in order to avoid serving as a target for tleir lurking foes, should any approach. The how] and shriek proved that there were Indians at some distance, but as the Texans, guided by those sounds, had gone to inves- tigate, those in camp feit less apprehension than previously. Hence, Pedro, more than all others, reasonin; thus quietly, puffed his corn shuck cigarette aad toyed with the lock of bis carbine, his back to the camp, where, as a matter of course, no danger was to be apprehended. However, the Mexican was luxuriating in false security, for, but little time passed when the form of a Comanche stole slowly along the limb of a tree to the left of Pedro, the eyes of the brave glittering with a thirst for blood, and-perfectly panther-like in oer ad Pedro gazed over his shoulder upward he would have seen this warrior, and, could his eyes have pierced the foliage of the thicket at the foot of the tree, he would kave discovered four more braves eagerly watching their comrade, who must remove the Mexican without causing an alarm to make a way across the ‘open,’ where the herd of mules were now principally standing and half asleep. Without the slightest noise the brave worked his way until he reached the nearest point to the Greaser that the strength of the limb allowed, then he gathered himself like a wild beast for the sprin downward, his long scalping-knife tightly clutche in his hand, The doomed Pedro still smoked listlessly. The moment, with the savage, for action, arrived, and he shot downward, striking the Mexican on tle shoulders, and sencing him headlong into the river. At the same instant the Indian dived into the whirl- oon formed by Pedro's plunge, and, as he arose, alf-strangled and wildly beating the waters, the palm of the warrior was pressed tightly over his mouth, the glittering blade hovering but an instant in the air, and then plunged, with sickening sound, into Pedro’s throat, severing the jugular vein. As the. blood spurted, mingling with the clear waters. the Comanche thrust his victim beneath the surface, and with a gurgling sound the ill-fa'ed Mexi- can sunk in the waters of the Rio Llano, The brave then climbed from the river, where he was met by two others, and the trio, screened by the bank, proreeded along the same until the gained the border of timber that tined the sout part of the “open,” there separating to crawl in
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18 Frio Fred in Texas. a i among and sever the ropes of the mules that had been secured. This accomplished on each side of the camp, the animals, snorting and prancing, and thoroughly awakened, getting more frightened each instant. Just then the yelp of a black, a pre-arranged sig- nal, sounded on the night air. At the same moment the yell of the newly- arrived Indians, where Louis and Lorine were con- fined, rung through the arches of the bottom-tim- ber, and a flight of arrows glinted in the firelight, wounding several of the negroes and killing one, Then came the stampede of the herd of mules. Pandemonium followed. The Mexicans and blacks bounded into the wagons, and blazed away at their foes in an irregular manner. Two fell dead, and the remainder bounded on after the herd, leaving the amazed Greasers and blacks muttering prayers and thanks for their deliverance; while the women and children filled the air with shrieks of terror. But a moment after, Colonel La Coste plunged wildly into the camp on his terrified steed; but no foe was there—not a human being was in sight, except the corpses of a negro and the two Co- manches, Soon, however, the teamsters spurred their horses into the camp, gazing in amazement at the harness thrown from the les and trampled, and at the dead; while, out from the wagons, crawled five negroes and two Mexicans, their faces ashen. and the cries and lamentations of the women and children proving that they were certainly alive, although the tumult they created would have led one to suppose that they were all desperately wounded. The Texans did not linger a moment, however; for Big Bill shouted: “All right here! Come on, boyees! We must stop the si pede, or we are lost. How many reds do you find, Antonio?’ @ Mexican thus addressed held up three fingers in aoe ‘“*Whoop-er-up, boyees! We'll clean ‘em!"’ And away galloped the four Texans, the colonel again riding madly in the lead. CHAPTER XI, CHECKMATED,. THe moonlit plain. west of the Llano timber line, was destined to be the scene of startling and amaze cs Be during the night that followed. t the same time that the herd of mules and horses broke from the timber, and stampeded head- long over the prairie, the two scouts, Old Rocky and Frio Fred, with Jackson and the faithful Tonk- away, were within view; and, in their rear, thun- poke! : score < Sp encits fa ts chase, with othe n a scal Z line on fag; mustan, et further back, ¥) ng The six braves, who put in an appearance, were from down the Rio Llano, at the “open,” where Louis and Lorine were bound to trees, after passing a few words with the single warrior who guarded the captives, in regard to the state of affairs, hast- ened immediately to = the stampeding party; leading the mustangs of the stampeders with them, and guided by sound, which enabled them to reach their comrades, by taking a quartering course, at the point in.the timber where the herd of mules broke forth. The three warriors quickly mounted the horses that had been led to them, with ejaculations of satisfaction; and one, being of rank. immediately ordered two of the new arrivals to return, and start with the captives toward the Rio San Saba, Then the seven Indians, in a long line, sped on, yelling like fiends of the night, and urging the af- hted mules at ter speed over the plain. ery unfortunately, Colonel La Coste and the three venmaters: did not break from the timber for a See ee a acre ee ee a ee eee eet eee eee ee eeee————e————e—————E——EE———————eee moment after the two Indians on detached service had plunged into the same; or they might have gone in chase, with awakened suspicions in regard to finding the lost ones, by thus following But this was not fated to be and the Texans, with great speed, skimmed over the prairie, in hot pur- suit of the seven braves who were running the ani- mals; resolved to slay the Indians before attempt- ing to head off the mules—a feat that would be diffi- cult, and that would necessitate a long gallop. But the bewildered and agonized mind of Colonel La Coste underwent a change, when he discovered that there were no captives held by the savages; that neither Louis nor Lorine were in_ the Paw. Not daring to entertain the idea that his children had been slain, he resolved to abandon the chase, and ——— the Llano timber again; this time by bim- self, In fact, the colonel was in a sadly demoralized state; and no wonder, as the reader must admit. The old man had gradually, as the thoughts ruled him which led to his decision, failed to urge his horse as before, and he fell into the rear; consequently his men sped on without him, their interest in the chase venting them from noticing his absence until too late to ask explanations; although the Texans hein correctly as to his intentions, and did not lay blame to him. And thus the parties in our frontier drama were positioned on the realistic stage—that is, the stam- sweeping over the plain to the west; six yellin, Yomanches urging the animals to frantic speed, an the three Texans in the rear of the Indians, with weapons ready, to let fly ‘‘ blue whistlers” into the backs of their red foes, who were not aware of any pursuers being in their rear. And beyond the stampede, to the west, were Old Rocky, Fred, Turtle, and Jackson, galloping upon their panting, foam-flecked steeds; having caught sight of the stampede, and filled with deep appre- hension in consequence. They had been greatly agonized when, on meeting Jackson, they learned of the capture of Lorine. and the disappearance of Louis; while the hideous band of Comanches thun- dered in their rear, but too far distant to be the cause of any great ge The scouts, with Jackson and the Tonkaway, pointed directly for the stampede, to head the ani- mals, toturn them in a quartering direction back to- ward the Rio Llano; for they discovered the team- sters in the rear of the stampeders, and endeavored to play into the hands of their friends—Big Bill and his pards. k his was accomplished most admirably, as the as- tonishment of the stampeders was so great on pe ceiving whites approaching with an Indian in their company, that, although they nee their mustangs to a halt, they failed to hear the on-galloping team- sters in their rear, until they were startled by a far- sounding report—the three carbines of Big Bill and his pards exploding as one, at close range, each bullet finding its mark. Three of the seven braves, with horrible howls of death, threw up their arms and fei] from their affrighted steeds, that, now riderless, galloped in among the herd of mules, For a moment the sur- viving reds were dazed and thunderstruck. and that moment sealed their doom; for Big Bill and _his pards were upon them with their revolvers, sending spherical messengers of death tearing through the vitals of the savages. With yells of exultation, the teamsters now guided their horses to the north, and were soon assisting the scouts and Jackson to turn the frenzied mules, This necessitated a wide deviation to the south from the ceurse to the camp on the Llano; which, how- ever, was not taken advantage of by the pursuing war-party, as they knew not the location of, or ats ng in regard to the camp of Colonel La On over the plain had they swept like a whirl- wind, with naught but the lash of quirts, the snort X
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. Frio Fred in Texas. i9 of mustangs, and the rattle of arrows in the dry skin quivers; but, as they reached the point where the seven braves lay dead, and peniper by the Tonk- away, who had left his white pards to manage the stampede, for the purpose of gaining these trophies —as the Comanches came upon the mutilated slain of their advance scouts, they filled the prairie air with firndish whoops, yells of fury, and howls for the slain; not knowing previously the cause of the report of fire-arms, which they had but faintly dis- tinguished in the distance. hus was the scene changed, and most quickly; the stampede flying on the back track, ariven by the scouts and teamsters, with Jackson and Turtle —seven brave, determined, and daring men—while the seven reds, who, but a few moments previous had been hastening on the stampede, lying dead and scalpless on the prairie; while a horde of their comrades who had arrived too late to assi-t in securing the valuable herd. or in saving their lives, were howling over them, and giving vent to their ae and thirst for revenge, in bloud-curdling whoops of war. And the silvery moon rolled on in the arch of blue, illuminating the savage scene, as well as others, of more interest to us; for the strange hap- penings, and the maddening disap; ointments, and catastrophes, were not destined to fall upon the in- vians alone, ‘Thus far, during the time that the various actors men ioned had been on the plain, the whites had had the advantage in every move; their forces be- ing joined, the herd turned, and on the way back, and the stampeders all slain, but now, a change was rung; for suddenly, the horde of Comanches, with terrific shots of exultution, lashed their mustangs on a southeasterly course, toward the Rio Llano—the herd and drivers going directly east; their whole atten'ion bent upon keeping the mules from turning in any other direction. The whoops of the savages, however—the significa- tion of which was understood by the scouts and Turtle—caused them to halt, and gaze with amaze- ment to the north; when a sight met their view, which filled them with the most intense apprehen- sion and anguish. At the instant that this met the eyes of Frio Fred, he reeled in his saddle, and cried out: “By heavens! There are Lorine and Louis! They are lost—they are lost!” But, notwithstanding his despairing words, he drove spurs home, end shot north, as fast as his overtaxed horse could bound; Old Rocky fairly shrieking out, in his surprise and dread: “Cuss my cats,an’ dang my dorgs! Thar’s ther leetle ones, sure as shootin’!” He then followed close after Fred, as did Turtle and Jackson; the iteamsters bringine up the rear, and all lashing and spurring without mercy. No anxiety about the camp any longer ruled the whites or the Tonkaway, and the stampeding mules were entirely forgotten for the time being. Yet at the start there was no hope; for the horses were all badly fagged, and they perceived that the mustangs, that came from the timber of the Llano, fairly flew over the plan. Upon two of these were bound Louis and Lorine La Coste, the pale faces of each being plainly seen by their agonized friends. It was the extreme of torture—soul-racking, sickening torture—to all con- cerned, except the cowardly Comanches. And none were more agonized than a single horse- man, who galloped shrieking in the rear of the Indians, who were lashing the mustangs, to which the captives were bound, at headlong speed. This was none other than Col nel La Coste, who bad dis- covered his darlings from the timber, and who was now galloping madly in pursuit. Only three Indians were with Louis and Lorine, but these were on fresh horses, and sped like the wind to join the war-party with their captives, yells | ; ‘ . taunting, as they gazed in their rear at the pursuing colonel, but the old man had procured a fresh horse, that had been caught in the bottem by the diag-ro flying around a sapling trunk during the stampede, and he spurred the animal on with his bowie, in a state bordering upon madness, feeling that his brain. would burst, and his heart craw] up into his throat and stifle him, did he not save his children, And all this his friends saw; and all realized that it wasamong the impossibilities for them to hope to reach the unfortunate youth and maiden before they were swallowed up by the thundering horde from the Rio San Saba, But, for all that, they plunged onward, although they well knew that they were killing their already overtaxed animals, And Colonel La Coste gained upon them rapidly f-r he had secured a remarkably fleet animal, .an the frantic man jerked h's revolver as be drew near poor Lorin: and Louis—they turning their heads, their features. drawn in an agony of apprehension and terror, gazing back at their father, and then at the scouts, and realizing that, nothwithstanding the grand efforts which they and the Tonkaway were putting forth to rescue them, they were doomed. At length the hindermost of the three braves, who were in charge of the captives, halted, with bow half-bent and arrow fitted to the string, and the next instant sent his his feathered shaft through the air in his rear. . The colonel! fell from his horse to the prairie, as if shot through the brain, and both Louis and Lorine uttered piercing cries of anguish, the latter sinking forward senseless, and her hair mingling with the mane of the mustang to which she was bound, Frio Fred grew faint and sick, and his brain secmed like molten lead as he saw a brave dart forward and sustain his darling, holding up her fair head by the hair with his murder-eursed hands— all the whites giving vengeful yells when the: ene colonel fall from his steed, as they believed, ead. But a few yards intervened, at this time, between the war-party and the captives; and Fred, rendered frantic, struck his bowie-knife into. the hams of his wear-.ed horse, With a cry that was almost human, the poor beast sprung into the air and fell prone upon the prairie; the blood gushing from its mouth and ote Fred himself being hurled senseless to the earth. At the same moment, Louis and Lorine were sur- rounded by the Apache horde, which turned en masse, and hastened headlong, on the back track, toward the San Saba. “Cuss my cats an’ dang my dorgs! Somebuddy knock my brains out an’ feed me carkidge ter cat- fish! This hyer big bali o’ dirt air flip-flopped ther wrong way.” Thus yelled the old scout, as he jerked h's horse to a halt, gazing alternately at Colonel La Coste’s body in the distance the stunned Frio Fred, who lay near his dead steed, and tle galloping war- party. Then he added, as he ejected a squirt of tobacco- uice: “Tm sick enough ter puke up my knee-pans!”’ CHAPTER Xi. PLANNING A RESCUE. Unper the circumstances, taking the general character of his mode of expression into consider- ation, it was not strange that Old Rocky made use of the language with which our last chapter closes; and the outeries of Jackson. Big Bill and his pards, indicated Jittle less astonishment and hopelessness, as the: joined the old scout, all sitting upon their anting horses, and gazing after the fast-flying Jomanche horde, with Louis and Lorine in their midst. of exultation shooting from their lips, and cries of | Of all the actors in this savage, warlike secne, who ek
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were on the cause of right, none seemed to have their wits about them except Turtle the Tonkaway, who, with a “‘ Waugh!’, that expressed much of dis- gust and anxiety, sprung from his black steed, at the epee where Frio Fred lay, and poured water from his gourd over his face, and between the lips of the young scout, who soon sat up on the sward, in a bewildered manner; his temple, bruised, swol len and bleedi 'g, from an ugly blow, received when he was thrown from bis horse, by his carvine,which he held in his hand, striking his head as he was hurled to the earth. A portion of the war-party had halted at the vint where the seven braves lay dead; and, grasp- ing the corpses, they drew the same up before them in their saddles, joining the main party, who had charge of the captives, with their hideous burden; thus adding to the appalling look of the situation, although Louis and Lorme were now, providential- ly senseless, as the observers well knew. Big Bill hastened, with bis pards, to ascertain the condition of the colonel, who, it was found, had been struck by the arrow on the side of his head, the same making a ragged furrow in his scalp, and stunning him, The Texans had soon the satisfaction of seeing their employer open his eyes; he, as well as Frio Fred being unable to comprehend the near past. But neither of them remained long in this state, The surroundings, and the sight of the fast-moving horde of Comanches dashing back towari the San Saba, bringing allthe dread truths to their mind; and it is probable that no other two men on earth suffered greater mental agony, as they realized that Louis and Lorine were being borne afar over the plain. toward the haunts of the wild tribes, by the merciless Comanches, lhe colonel was assisted to where Fred stood, all collecting at that point. and Old Rocky breaking out, in tae style of a eet} Be “‘Guss my catamounts! Ef this ain’t bilyus, boyees —dangnation bilyus but thar ain’t no use standin’ hyer gavin’ at ther last eend 0’ ther cirkis. Es ter whoopin’ up on ther whiz, an’ lungin’ arter ther condemned searifiers, hit can’t be did, owin’ to our critters bein’ slimsy es wet buckskin. Ef we'd ha’ hed fresh stock under us, we’d reskied ther leetle ones. “Don’t look so dang’d down in ther mouth, cur- nil; but brace up, an’ we'll git up an’ git fer camp, et fer fun, an’ then skute on ther fly fer ther San aba. “Oh, my God! Hast thou forsaken me?”’ Thus cried out Colonel La Coste. from his inmost soul his eyes fixed, and staring upon the fast dis- appearing horde of merciless red fiends. who bore away with them all that he loved on earth. As for Frio Fred, doubtless he would, in his frenzy, have spring upon his horse, and dashed in pursuit of the Indians, braving almost certain death to rescue Lorine and Louis, were it not that his horse lay dead upon the plain. The little time which had foreed. from various causes, all to reason on the situation, only prevented a disastrous dash to certain death, without order, or lan of action; and, from thus reasoning, all were oreed to accept the advice or orders of Old Rocky, and proceed at once to the camp on the Rio Llano. As some of the horses. from which the Indians had been shot, were wandering on the prairie one was now lassoed for Fred, and the colonel’s caught also; then all proceeded toward the Llano, discov- ering that the peters herd had made a halt on the borders of the timber, the animals being now quietly feeding. Old ors f as the party had covered half tne dis- tance, cried out to his pard: “Fred, ther Tonk hev got some so’t 0’ fresh idee inter his kerbase, ter sarcumvent ther condemned kiotes—I’m takin’ my afferdavy on hit! *’Cos why? Thar he air, jist shootin’ inter ther timber like sixty.” Frio Fred in Texas. ee ee | And such was the case, Turtle having, without a word of expianation, galloped ahead alone. * Jumpin’ Jericho! Ther Mexicans er ther. nig- gers “ll shoot him, dead sure!” Thus exclaim d big Bill, as| he drove spurs, and galloped in baste, to prevent injury to the Tonk- away. “Dang'd ef Bill ain’t kerrect!’’ answered the old scout, with some concern. ‘They'll think ther Tonk air a Comanch’, ther blamed idiots! “ Howsomever *—more relieved—*‘ they shoots so ormighty wild, bein’ so scarey o’ ther reds, they they might pop away, ther hull caboodle on’em, avi not harm a ha’r.”” A somewhat disconnected account of the occur- rences at the camp after his departure was gaiued from the colonel, by Jackson, both Old Rocky and Frio Fred listening eag. rly in regard to the search for Louis and Lorine, the shooting of the Comauches in the camp receiving due attention from the scouts, Old Ri eky gave his opinion of the matters, after a short deliberation, and tearing off a fresh quid of “nigger-head.” ‘** Boyees, things hev bin mixed up in a cur'ous sort o"way. Ef Fred hed stopped ahindt, ther hull biz o’ ther reds *u’d ha’ bin bu’sted, an’ ther leetle ones ‘u’d be hunk, ’stid o’ in a tight box.’’ These words added fresh misery to the youn scout’s mind; not so intended, however, by his old ard, who proceeded, after a vigorous squirt of obacco-juice over his horse’s ears: “Thar’s one dang’d sure thing, an’ thet air, ther condemned scum’ll skute back hyer, arter bleed, ha’r an’ mules, Ef tha’r nags hedn’t bin in a fagged fix, they’d ea on, an’ stud a good show ter wiped we-’uns out slick an’ clean, while we war scattered- like, an’ then scooped in ther hull camp outfit. Ther corpuses on ther perrarer made ’em red-hot, an’ ef hit hedn’t bin fer seein’ ther captives, ther hull batch on ’em ‘u’d ha’ lit down onus, Hit ‘u'd ha’ bin ‘Good-by, John,’ then, fer ther hull on us! “They’ll strike ter ther San Saba, dance an’ howl over ther corpuses, an’ rest tha’r nags; then ther heft on ’em “ll strike back byer chuck-full o’ hyder- hobic, eager fer bleed. They ll leave some wi’ ouis and Loreen in a sly aces layin’ low fer tha’r eomin’ back. Then they’ll meander towards ther head o’ ther Brazos. “Fit war dang’d strange how we-’uns didn't strike no sign on ther Llano that ’u’d oo us a idee thet reds were sneakin’ roun’. They played a purty thin an’ wored out old game on ther curnil, which they wouldn't ha’ tried on, ’ceptin’ they knowed, by *zaminin’ ther outfit he war fresh. “Tshu’d jist laugh my errigatin’ ditch sore ter see ’em play a panther-skin game on me, er Fred. Thet’s why all ’u’d ha’ gone hunk, ef yer'd stopped ahindt, pard.” “For Heaven’s sake, don’t cause me to feel more misery than Iam_ burdened with now, Pard Rock,” pleaded Frio Fred, in a tone that proved how deeply he suffered, “Tt was to be and there is an end of it. The thoughts of what Louis and Lorine are now suffer- ing nearly driveme mad. I must have a horse that is of good bottom and speed, at once; for I will not sleep until the colonel’s children are free, or I sleep the ‘leep of death. Every moment of this suspense is agonizing. Their fate is too horrible to think Colonel La Coste reined his horse nearer to that of the speaker, and clasped his hand with a warm and thankful grasp; but he could not speak for emotion, the tears running down his cheeks. The overwhelming numbers of the savages had plunged him again into hopeless despair. The old scout witnessed this act, but quickly turned his head, a moisture in his own eyes that his voice and manner gave the lie to. “Thar ain’t no use in bein’ womanish "bout this | byer thing, curnil; fer hit only bothers an’ hinders ’
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Frio Fred in Texas. 21 ther smooth runnin’ 0’ what’s gut ter be did. Hit’s plain sailin’, furesIkin see, Thar ain’t enough on us ter go in brash, an’ rake things; an’ ef thar war, thar wouldu’t be so much show ter git ther lectle ones out, wi’ no skin broke. Ther Tonk, an’ Fred, an’ this hyer ole raw-hide ripper kin piay our sly games on the painted piruts, es we hes m,ny a time afore, Hit ’ud be ther bestest ‘rangement fer yeou ter stay wi’ ther wagons, niggers, an’ Greasers, ‘long o’ Big Bill an’ his 1wo pards. “*Yer’ll hey ter move camp up toward Fort Mason, er mebbe so there'll be a hefty ’nough crowd 0’ scarifiers run in on yer ter scoop yerin, Then we'd be in bout es bad a fix es afore, even if we did whiz back wi’ Louis an’ ther leetle gal.” * Don’t ask that of me, my old friend,’ returned the colonel, ina feeble voice, which, however, grew stronger as he continued; ‘I shall go and fight like a demon to get back my darlings. What is the train, or the slaves, or even my own life, when put in the scale with their safety? They are in the most deadly peril. The savages may murder them at any moment, and you cannot, by anything you may say, change this belief, or my purpose, “Tshall go, as soon as1 can get a fresh mount, even though I should go alone.” “Thet’s jist what I s'posed yer’d spoke,” said Old Rocky; “‘an’I can’tsay a word ag’‘in’ hit. But ef yer goes wi’ we-’uns yer hes ter do as we sez, er er li spill yer gravy, an’ ther leetle ones "ll be tor- ur’d ‘sides all on us bein’ scooped in. I hes sed thet hit’s gut ter be worked onder the bush, by sly scoutin’. “We-uns must sarcumvent the red hellyuns some sort o’ way; fer thar ain’t no show ter win by lunzin’ in brash on sich a hefty war party. “ Why, they’ jap tha’r sticker, inter ther leetle ones fu'st pop, et they even see’d thet we-‘uns war makin’ a lunge inter thar camp.” “7 am willing to act under your orders, Old Rocky, to be sure,” agreed Colonel La Coste; ‘ but, for Heaven’s sake, don’t speak of the red fiends mur- dering my children! I know that you and Fred, and your friend Turtle, whose brave deeds are known near and far, are experienced in the ways and habits of these monsters; and I know nothing about them, except what I have to-night learned by the most an- guishing experience. **You have asserted confidently that the Coman- ches will not kill or torture my darling ones before reaching their village; and this fact relieves me greatly, as it leaves hope of rescue before that time. Should they, or a portion of them, return to the Liano, and be defeated in their plans to capture the train and herd, would they not become infuriated, and in this state, when they went back to th: San Saba, have the ees both tortured, as a balm for their disappointment, and to assuage their fury? oy cannot help thinking that it would be so, and this is my great fear now. But, you, my friends. know them, and perhapscan satisfy my great drea on that eet “Weil resky Louis an’ Loreen afore ther con- demned ha'r-t’arers gits back ter ther San Saba, er Tll_chaw b’iled owls fer grub ther nex’ six moons! So jist sot thet down in yer mem’rander book, When Turtle, an’ me, an’ Fred goes fer heavy biz on ther jump, things hez gut ter squirm an’ wilt, I kin tell yer; an’ don’t yer disrember hit! “Dang my dogs, ef we-’uns ain't gut inter camp, an’I hain’t sorry, I swa’r? Cuss my cats! What did I tell yer? “ Jist gaze et our Tonk! Somebuddy choke me right smart, er I shill laugh, even when I feels es thouzh I war bound to plant 8 hull fambly an’ dis- tant bleed relations, cats an’ dorgs countedin! Ef that ain't a purty sight, ll swaller a catfish, tail fu’st, an’ without cuttin’ off horns—” When Old Rocky first began to speak, the colonel had quickly jerked his revolver, cocked the weapon, and would have fired directly over his horse’s head, had not Frio Fred spurred up, and clutched the old man's arm in a vise-like grip, saying, in a low voice, not interrupting his old pard: “Hold, Colonel La Coste! For Heaven’s sake, don’t shoot! That's Turtle, the Tonkaway!” Just ahead of them, and approaching, mounted upon one of the Comanche horses, equipped in the same manner as when ridden by its slain master, was Turtle, attired in the costume and weapons taken from the corpse of one of the Indians slain in the camp. His turtle to/em was covered by a breast-plate, and the war stripes of his foes were daubed upon his featuies, So well arranged was his disguise, that the colonel had attempted to shoot him. CHAPTER XIIL ON TO THE SAN SABA, “Whar sort of a idee’s gut_crawlin’ ’roun’ under ther ruts 0? i ha’r now, Tonk?” asked the old scout, as Turtle, seated on the wild-eyed Comanche mustang, rigged and painted exactly in imitation of its former rider, now slain, presented himself to their view. “Yer doesn’t mean ter sashay toward ther San Saba an’ lunge inter ther camp o’ ther red hellyuns, es thiugs ‘pears ter p’int, does yi r?” “Turtle ride to Comanche camp,” asserted the Tonkaway. ‘‘Save young white brave Save Lily- Face, Comanche no kill like Dove-Eye, Turtle’s squaw.” _ The eyes of the Tonkaway biazed like those of an infuriated panther as he thus spoke; but bis stoical face exhibited no emotion oi berwise. Old Rocky tad not heard his red pard mention the tragical fate of his squaw for a year or more, and he now knew that the Tonkaway was in a vengeful mood that would brook no dictation or even advice, Consequently he guarded his next words to his In- aian comrade, “Can't yer wait awhile fer we-’uns, Tonk? We'll jump fresh stock an’skute quick es we kin, an’ I sw’ar we need yer now, ef any time. “Tl gin in thet I'm worrytated a hefty sight *gards yer Roin’, fer they'll find out yer ain’t simon- pire Curmanch’, an’ they’il tortur’ yer, This hyer. hing “ll end in our hevin’ a bigger job on our paws than gittin’ Louis an’ Loreen outen tha’r clutches, 1’m afeard.” ““Comanche get shot in wheel-lodge camp. Co- -manche get kill with knife in bottom, Young white brave, be kill. Try save Lily-Face. Both get free but more Ccmanche come. Tie beth up. Big Fox get kil in camp, when braves run fast; stampede mules. Mebbe so other braves no see die, Big Fox, he Comanche, Turtle, he Big Fox now. Waugh! It is good. Without another word the Tonkaway whirled his uirt in the air, bringing the torturing lash around the hams of the mustang with a hiss and soundin whack, and the animal, with a snort of pain an fright, shot through the party of whites and disap- peared, crashing through the undergrowth m their rear toward the plain which had been so recently the scene of the startling and strange events we have recorded, Pe z Old Rocky ejected a squirt of tobacco-juice vi- ciously into the busbes, and then said in a tone that showed his disapp: intment: “Tlit’s too dang’d bad! Hit makes me sick enuff ter puke up my ham-strings ter see ther Tonk git onter one 0’ his r’arin’, t’arin stompedes arter bleed an’ ha’r, “He’s bilyus es a hungry yaller wolf, an’ yer e’u’dn’t persuade him ter make a crook in ther trail he’s decided onter, no more’n yer c’u’d drive a wile hog on a bee-line! “Dang’d ef I ain’t afeard he’s checked through ter kingdom come, without ha’r; an’, jist es likely
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Soe Frio Fred in Texas. es not, thar won’t be enough meat left on his car- kidge arter ther torterers gits through with him ter feed a new-borned catfish. “Fred, we-’uns hes gut ter run ther thing alone, I reckon. We hes gut ter save Louis an’ Lorine, an’ mebbe so ther Tonk besides. Things air gittin’ mix- eder an’ mixeder.”’ All had, by this time, started on toward the camp, as Turtle Se ely the old scout grumbling thus, as he rode by the side of Frio Fred, whose features told plainly how desperate and hopeless he consid- ered the position of the mriden whom he secretly loved; notwithstanding the encouraging words Old Rocky had made use of since the sad scene on the |e and which Fred knew were spoken for the enefit of the almost crazed father of the captives, “Tl risk Turtle,” said the young scout, striving to throw off his despondency. ‘‘ We know that he speaks the Comanche tongue as well as that of his own tribe; and, although it may be kaown that Big Fox was shot, it would not seem stravge or remark- able that he was not killed, and had returned. “The Tonkaway understands his business, and will doubtless arrange everything; for his life hangs by a hair, if he enters the Comanche camp, whica I have no doubt he will. Few men would take such a risk fo save others, and they of a different race, and with whom he has never evenspoken, Turtle is one of Nature’s noblemen, if his skin is red,” “Thet's whar ye’re gitfin’ him down fine, whar he b’longs. Dang hit! What did he mean *bout Louis gittin’ away with a Curmanch’, an’ sottin’ Lore n free? He’s foun’ out somethin’ fresh since he struck ther Llano, an’ that’s what's sot him a-goin’, Ef Louis socked a knife through a brave, Turtle ’u’d go through fire ter free him.” “ He’s a true man, that friend of yours,’ ex- claimed the colonel, arousing himself from a laby- rinth of dread thoughts. ‘I feel that much depends upon his exertions. Perhaps Big Bill will know what the Tonkaway discovered in regard to my children, and where they were secreted. “ “Turtle must have had some time to investigate, for we have necessarily traveled slowly since he left us in the first place.” “Waal, hit may all come out hunk; but I’m wor- rytated "bout Tonk, ’cos he’s so ormighty brash. He can’t ’spect ter keep a grip on his ha’r alwis; *specially when he’s runnin’ his head plum inter ther wu'stest Carmanch’ lay-out he kin find. Hyer we air, boyees! An’ Big Bill hev gut things straizht- ened out. Reekon he kin splain what ther Tonk hey bin doin’ since he ’roved.” As the old scout spoke, all broke into the camp, finding that the fires were blazing, and Big Bill with his pards bustling about, having replaced the har- ness, and set the negroes to mending the broken portions. The mules and horses were all huddled together in the ‘‘ open; having been driven in from the plain by the two teamsters. Bill had ordere 1 this, as he dashed on alone, to prevent any harm be- falling the Tonkaway, whom the Mexicans and negroes would suppose to be a Comanche. everal fine saddle-horses were lariated to a wagon-wheel. These were in good condition, show- ing but little bad effects from the stampede. he Mexicans and the negroes were in a sadly de- moralized state, the latter being greatly affected by the killing of one of their number by the Coman- ches. But they were all greatly rejoiced at the re- turn of their master, and those who they felt would protect them from murder or capture. Bill had ordered the women to preparo a meal and extra food for the trail, and also to prepare coffee immediately upon his arrival. For this Jackson complimented him on haying more solid sense on the occasion than any one in the party. In afew words Pill explained that Tur- tle had sprung from his horse as soon as he reached the camp, the speaker having overtaken him and prevented the guard from firing at him, but with much difficulty. The Mexicans had reported the disappearance of Pedro, and the direction from whence the shriek of Lorine, and the whoops of the Comanches had been heard was pointed out to him. Turtle had then darted into the timber on the run, with torch in hand, to study the “sign.” He had then discovered the body of the Mexican, caught by a fallen tree that Jay partly in the stream. The Tonkaway succeeded in finding the place of conflict between the Comanches and the youth and maiden, and also the place on the west side of the river, where the two captives had been secured to saplings. This had been more from instinct and a knowledge of the direction whence the sounds had proceeded than aught else, : “There is no doubt,” said Bill, ‘that Louis killed the Indian that had Miss Lorine captive, and that he then rescued her, but both were retaken by some new arrivals.” “ Dang’d ef leetle Louis ain’t a rip-snorter fer his inches! Curnil, yer orter be proud of him, an’ I sw’ar I begins ter think he kin doa Bese towards makin’ ther git-away easy arter we cuts him loose, Md air, ef we-’uns bees lucky enough ter ’complish it.” ‘There is no time to talk or linger,” said Fred, al- ready engaged in saddling afresh horse, ‘I shail go mad if we are not son on the plain,” Colonel La Coste, with a hard, set look that was ares to behold, also hastily equipped another orse. Our friends were soon ready. “Thet’s ther p’ogramme clean throngh.” agreed Old Rocky, ‘‘ but I ‘lows we’-uns hev gut ter load up wi’ some grub an’ coffee afore we starts on ther rampage, ’sides packin’ somethin’ ter chaw ‘long 0’ us. I’m goin’ fer coffee on ther jump, fer thar’s, hefty biz ahead, er I’m a double-barreled liar! “ We-~uns "Il need all the strength an’ vim the law ‘lows, ter oe oe through ther scrape without git- tin’ our heads skinned; though I’m sottin’ out cals kerlatin’ ter git ther leetle ones, er sarve es ther big- gest draw in ther Curmanch’ fandango. I allers spected ter draw my last breathes ter the music 0’ Injin yells, wi’ ther condemned scariflers hoppin’ ‘roun’ me; an’ hit won’t stop this hyer big ball o’ dirt from whirlin’ ef I goes on ther fly ter kingdom come, on ther San Saba, tryin’ ter resky a gal angel from ther red whelps 0’ Satan.” The old scout now whispered to Frio Fred: “Hit "pears ter me, tng thet ye’r’ kii:der givin’ yerself away, es ’gards Loreen, I sw’ar yer hez acted es though ye thought a heap more 0’ her than her own dad does; an’ he cou ldn’t h’Ip noticin’ hit, ef his head warn’t full o’ grief an’ tortur’ hiss: If. All ther t’others hes see’d thet ye’re actin’ a dang’d sight more bilyus than ther thing calls fer, without ther gal war a bleed-relation; an’ they doesn’t sot hit down thet-a-way.” “Thanks, old pard,” returned Fred; “but I can’t help it. I believe I'm going mad. The thoughts of Lorine being the victim of that hellish horde of demons will drive me mad. I must act. “She must be saved at once. Think of the pos- sible consequences of ten minutes’ git Great heavens! I dare not think of it. And that brave yorth. too—think of him, dying a lingering death 7 ete! that would put the very fiends to the us “Hit won't do ter think o’n thin’, ’ceptin’ sar- cumyentin’ ther condemned kiotes. Yer brain air on ther whirl, an’ yer won’t be wo’th shucks, ef yer doesn’t simmer down ter biz. Ther leetle ones air ae td half a moon, fur es thet goes Ill afferdavy on hit! “Ther cusses hes lost some braves, what gut tha’r heads skinned, an’ ther squaws et ther village ‘Il howl! fer victims ter tortur’, They'll take ’em up toward ther head o’ ther Brazos, an’ we-uns ’}l hev pee o’ show ter resky ’em, ef we play our p’ints, it’s bad enough ter hev ther ole man ’long. One crazy human in ther outfit ll] do a heap o’damidge,
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—- Frio Fred in Texas. 23 ' I’m ‘lowin’, without hevin’ two; which ‘ll bu’st us plum up, an’ ther leetle ones ’!] be goners. “So, brace up, an’ come ‘roun’ nat’ral ef yer wants ter hev Loreen kick parrarer flowers free an’ airy ag’in, while yer walk ‘longside o' her, an’ she shoots love from her peepers inter yourn, es she thanks yer fer savin’ her life.” “Thanks, again, old pard,’’ said the young man, with much agitation, as he grasped Old Rocky's hand; “Ill be mysel€ once more, and more than myself; for there’s the strength of a giant—the will of a dozen men—in me, from the time we get near the red demons. “Ye gods! How I could rush into that war-party! I believe that we two, with Turtle, could save oer ine and Louis, by a headlong da-b, if we could get near enough to them, on the borders of their camp.” “ Hit’s too risky, an’ yer knows hit, Fred, Ef thar war a red, nigh ter ’em, he’d knife ’em at onc’t, We-uns hes ter glide easy-like, an’ I sw’ar I b’lieve peu nare ter tie ther curnil, er he'll bu’st up ther ull biz ‘“Howsomever, we'll watch him, an’ see ef mebbe so he gits more nat’ral-like.”’ One of the negroes now summoned all the party to break their fasts; and this was a welcome call to the two scouts, who had not eaten since the previous morning in camp. They now persuaded Colonel La Coste, by ever: possible arzument, to fortify his stowach wit] nearly a quart of black coffee; Jackson taking this time to request him to make one of the party, as well as Big Bill, who had felt hurt at being left out, by apparently common consent. “Dang’d ef I thought o’ hit afore!” exclaimed the old scout, speaking with his mouth nearly full of corn-pone. “IT reckon, ther two pards o’ yourn kin take ther train up-stream, an’ sorter lay low inter some bend, whar hits easy ter stan’ off ther reds, ef they runs up toward Fort Mason, which I air opinin’ they won't dar’. “ Jackson an’ Bill, yer kin come erlong, es we-’uns can’t jist ’zactly tell what sorter ope we hes ter play; thatis, ef ther curnil ‘ll risk his outfit in sich a circus, “Ther niggers won't be scarey, arter yer glides outen this cae What did yer say, curnil? Thet yer'll take ’em ‘long?” ; “We'll take all the men, and let the women run the train, if there is use for them,” answered Colonel La Coste, quickly, as he recovered partially from his fit of mental abstraction, upon being thus dir. ct- ly Pe eee] and, heariog the question repeated, he said: “Let the train goto the dicken+! If I can only get back my children, I care for nothing else in the wide world.” “Ya as, thet’s all very fine,” remarked Old Rocky; “put we-’uns don’t ‘low ter lose nothin’, ef hit kin be helped. b , ‘“‘ Jackson kin git ther train hitched up, 8 soon es he kin, an’ start ’em off. Yer kin go, Jackson, an’ Bill 100: fer yer won’t be needed. Yer two pards kin run ther train, an’ keep things straight, 1 reckon.” 3 In another minute all was bustle and confusion in the camp. The mules were quickly harnessed, the utensils packed, and the women and children, relieved and elated to leave, what they one and all considered an accursed spot, all clambered, without more ado, in- to their wagon, The dead negro had been buried, by order of Jackson, so there was no further delay; and the slaves, with tears in their eyes, and much lamenta- tien at leaving their old master, who might be killed, and in regard to the two missing ones—their young master and mistress—to>k the places of the dead teamsters; one of Big Bill’s pards acting as wagon-master. The train rolled out of camp, with orders to turn up the river upon reaching the plain, keeping on = border of the timber, and not to halt for ten wiles. Fifteen minutes after, the two scouts, with Colonel La Coste, Jackson, and Big Bill, all well mounted, and the latter leading the black steed of the Tonkaway—Jackson also having two extra horses- all proceeded to the plain, and galloping down the river, on the border of the timber, for five miles or more, turned upon the plain, going at head- long speed toward the Rio San Saba, west. Thus keeping such a distance from the war-party, in the track they had taken in their return; aiming to strike the San Saba, some five miles north of the point at which the Comanches had formed their cordon around the scouts and Turtle, and where the Indians, with their captives, would undoubtedly en- camp upon their return from the Rio Llano, CHAPTER XIV. LEAVE HOPE BEHIND, Wuen the half-dozen Comanches, on their wild- eyed steeds, plunged from the undergrowth into the small “* open,”’ on the border of which Louis and his sister were secured, the former was most terribly concerned, and for three reasons, First and foremost, notwithstanding the Bhd of bush and branch, and the snorting of the torture: mustangs, together with the whoops of the hideous Savages, Lorine manifested no knowledge of the Bans of the new arrivals; her fair form being ent forward, her whole weight upon the bonds which bound waist and wrist to the saplings, and her long hair hanging nearly to the sward, com- pletely vailing her features, To behold this was most agonizing to Louis, who had striven with all his power of wi'l to control him- self, and not to reveal to his sister the hopeless despair that overwhelmed him upon her recapture, and himself being taken by the Indians. Secondly, the arrival of the Comanches at the point where he had slain the brave who had first captured Lorine, and this second party led the youth to decide, with good reason, that there were many Indians in the vicinity, who by runners had com- municated with each other. Thirdly, from the fact that the present party had given a low whoop, simultaneously, so near the- camp, the location of which their manner proved must be known to them—this indicated that the had no doubts as to their being able to massacre all in the camp, and then plunder it. As they galloped away, with the horses of the first party in the lead. Louis had no further doubt in regard to a regularly eee plan having been carried out to slay all that belonged to the wagon- train, and appropriate all their effects, As all this flashed upon the mind of the intelligent boy, who fully believed that his father had been killed by the Indians—and the teamsters and ne- ane as well—he almost shrieked, in his agony of spirit, From the fact that the herd of mules, which he knew had been on the plain grazing, had been driven in, as the stampede proved, Louis knew that his father had returned from his search after Lorine, to the camp, and had ordered in the ani- mals, consequently tte colonel and the whole force of teamsters must have been with the wagons at the time of attack, and all, without doubt, had been massacred, After the departure of the six braves the youth, observing that the single Indian who guarded them was faced toward and intently listening to the din at the eamp, made a most desperate effort to break loose; and, as he had previously worked at an at- tempt to burst the buckskin thongs, perspiring much in his exertions, which served to moisten and stretch the skin—he, to his joy, realized that he could pull out his right band,
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24 This meant freedom to him and to Lorine. Tu his pocket was a jack-knife, which, in the haste of the Indians had excaped notice when they dis- armed him. He quickly thrust his hand in now, and jerked out the knife, opening the blade with his teeth, and trembling greatly in his excitement. The next moment he had slashed himself free, but he remained in the same position as he had been, endeavoring to think what next he should do. or, in other words, how he should proceed to kill ee single brave who stood between him and free- iom, And now, to his utmost disappointment, verging upon despair, the brave half-turned, and proceeced to readjust the saddles on the mustangs; after which, he threw himself upon the sward, cirectly oponite Lorine, where he could watch both cap- ives. To describe the feelings of Louis La C_ste, at this moment, would be impossible. All chance of liberty seemed wrested from him, for he knew that if he made a movement, which gave the supple, sinewy brave the slightest sus- picion that he had loosened his bonds, t e Indian would pounce upon, and perhaps kill him at once; for, except his pocket-knife, he was without a wea- pon, So excited and nervous was the youth at this un- looked-for state of affairs, that his brain reeled, and the sweat stood in great beads upon his forehead; for he feared that he would fall prostrate, and thus end all hope of escape. He quickly leaned backward against the sapling, placing his head against it, and clutching at the rough bark to maintain his position, as it had been when bound, He dared not now look at the hideous, nape Mosh ae fiend at his feet, lest he mizht betray is secret in the mere glance. Thus the boy remained for a long time, being forced to bring all his strength of will and boy to the front to retain his position, his limbs at times trembling greatly; and when at last the warrior arose quickly, and stepped to his former position tu listen again to the sounds of the stampede, and the ells now far away toward the west plain—then the rave youth set his teeth and determined tat he would risk all in one grand attempt to slay his Co- manche guard. The warrior had left his bow and quiver of arrows on the ground where he had been lying; but Louis well knew that he could not draw that bow sufficient- ly to send an arrow with any force. This he had learned from Old Kocky, as it required practice from childhood; the bows being made more stiff each year of practice with them, There wai no other weapon at hand, however, and he determined to clutch an arrow and plunge into tae back of his red foe, at _a vital point. The long scalping-knife in the belt of the warrior, he might, by a sleight. of hand, obtain, and use it with electric-like velocity the next instant after lunging in the arrow. Delay, he had learned, was dangerous; and, as his thoughts were like flashes of light, the Indian had not stood a moment when the daring youth clutched an arrow, and with one far- reaching bou.d, plunged, with all his strength, the steel-pointed shaft into the warrior’s back, below the shoulder-blade, the wiapen luckily failing to come in contact wi'h either rib or back-bone. No sooner had the arrow entered the Indian than the latter, with a horrible yell writhed backward, etd oy to whirl and grapple with Louis, at the same time clutching wildly at the knife-hilt. But the was quicker. and jerk: d the sca!ping-knife from the belt of his foe, driving, with the quickness and strength of desperation, the weapon to the hilt in bis victim’s painted breast. But the brave caught Louis in his death-grasp, his features contorted with awful agony, his snake-like eyes bulging, his mouth agape, and blood welling over his lips, Thus, reeling, trembling, and panting, stood the Frio Fred in Texas. pair; a white boy and a burly red brave—the boy sick with horror, and the brave on the borders of de th! Thus, for an age it seemed to Louis, they stood. Then the eyes of the Comanche rolled sky- ward, a horrible death-howl, almost stifled by a burst of blood, came from the doomed wa: rior, and he fell witn a sickening thud to the sward, bearing Louis with him as he went, Thus both lay for a moment; the youth so_ para- lyzed with sickening horror, and weakened by his herculean efforts and the fear of failure, that he could aot move—the death-clutch of the Indian upon his throat impeding breath, At this moment poor Lorine revived, and raisin herself erect, tossed back her hair by a movemen of her head—not knowing where she was or what had occurred, The first sight that met her horrified gaze was her brother clutched in the grasp of a Co- manche, both prostrate and covered with blood, an arrow of moonlight playing around the ghastly face of Louis, now rendered still more so from contrasts with the stains of gore. She could not see his eyes, but tho rlaring and glassy orbs of the dead brave seemed to gaze into and pierce her very soul, congealing tho blood in her veins witb horror. In the uncertain light, she could not see that Louis was panting—that he lived, and that the Comanche was coid and dead! For an instant, Lorine’s tongue clave to the roof of her mouth; but it was only momentarily, or her heart would have broken, She gave a piercing shrick, her eyes fixed upon Louis; and that shriek acted upon the youth like a alvanic battery. He wrenched himeelf free from he hideous and revolting corpse, and sprung to his feet, tottering as if stricken with palsy, bloody knife in hand, to his sister; who, with fixed stare, gazed as in a trance, as much affected by the sud den relief. at finding him still alive, as she had been Stee she discovered him, as she supposed, mur- ered. Gasping for breath and speechless, Louis at length reached the side of his sister, and slashed the cruel cords that had cut into her tender flesh; the maiden falling forward, now unable to stand, on ac- count of impeded circulation. Himself as helpless as his sister, Louis fell with her, each clasping, in a stiff and unnatural manner, their benumbed arms about the other. But soon there followed a crashing of bushes, and two mounted braves urged their mustangs into the “open,” nearly crushing the brother and sister be- neath their boofs. With yells of fury and howls for the dead, the warriors sprung to the earth; and, before Louis and Lorine fully comprehended the terrible change, they wer: bound upon the backs of mustangs and bein; hastened through the wood wes’ward; the dea brave being also secured to his saddle, his limbs beund beneath the animal’s belly, his bow lashed to his back and head, pa ted him’ thus in a natural position on his last earthly ‘ide. The two braves urged the horses of the captives and that of the corpse at headlong speed, soon bre k- ing from the timber and out upon the moonlit plain, over which they were now rapidly forced, both dazed with this new despair, Twice had they been free, twice nearly ready to hasten from a slain foe; and then found themselves again bound captives before they had time, in their bewilderment, to realize what had occurred, This was enough to break up all hope, to be foreed to decide that they were doomed; but yet another most tantalizing experience was destined to be theirs—again were their hopes to be awakened, only to be dashed to fragments, and they were once mnORS hurled into the most dense and dark depths of despair. ot a word had passed the lips of either since Louis had cut Lorine free from the sapling. Under the circumstances this was not strange,
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, Frio Fred in Texas. — 25 EIU ISDS These sudden changes, from captivity to freedom and back to captivity; the suffering from their crue! bouds; the fatigue and agony consequent upon im- peded circulation; the horrible scenes through which they had passed, and the but too probable dread and awful torture and death to come—all this nearly seared their brains; and it was some minutes after they had set out upon the plain, before the un- fortunate victim of Indian cruelty realized that they had gotten free from the dark bottom-timber, and were now speeding over the prairie in the calm so a Both had closed their eyes in an endeavor to col- lect their dazed thoughts; and, when they gazed over the plain and discovered the strange panoramic scene—that is, the stampediug herd, with the In- dians in pursuit, and the whites in the rear of the reds, in chase of the latter—all these galloping west; while, from that direction, Sati three white men and an Indian, evidently pursued by a large body of Comanches—when this sight burst, on the view of Louis and his sister, they were dumfounded with amazement. This, however, soon merged into relief and intense 1%; as they saw the whites shoot down the seven ndians, ard realized that both parties of their friends would soon be together; while the large party of pursuing savages were quite a distance i) The sight gave Louis new life and hope, as well as to Lorine; the former crying out with joy: “Look, Lorine, look! They have rot killed our men. There is Ola Rocky, and Frio Fred, and Jack- son! Yes, and I verily believe there is the Tonka- way Indian the scouts have told us so much about.” “Thank Heaven! There is a chance for us yet. Oh, sis, wasn’t it terrible, to be taken again, after such struggles tobe free? Butyou must bear up, or you will die!” Ki Louis, I cannot bear to think of going through the same horror again. Where can poor father be? And why has not some effort been made to rescue us? Surely our lives are of more import- ance than the mules!” ** We have experienced enough of changes and ter- rors,” said the boy, ‘to know that events may oc- cur that we would not have dreamed of as possible. We know nothing of what has happened to prevent them from rescuing us. I do not believe that they could trace us up, but I am sure they have done their best. But do not look in our rear, Lorine! As sure as fate, there comes father, riding like the wind, and all alone!” The excitement of their guards, and a deviation from the course previously traveled, caused Louis thus to look bebind them, when he discovered their father riding wildly in pursuit But poor Lorine, thus directed by Louis, no sooner saw her parent than she burst into tears of joy the most intense. This the words of her brother in- creased, as he again cried cut: “The scouts are coming, Lorine! And all our men are with them, asI live! They have discovered us, and will save us! “Look, do look! It is perfectly fearful! There is a large war-party, who are trying to reach us in ad vance of our friends, and these red devils are urging our horses toward them, But they can't—they must not! “Oh, Father in heaven, save us! save us! Do not allow the merciless demons to conquer!” _ - “Tecan see nothing of all that, Louis.’’ said the girl. “I am blinded by tears that I cannot wipe away. What do you mean? Are we not to be saved after all? “‘Oh, what did you say? 1 shall die—I shall die, if Fred does not rescue us! I am fainf—deathly faint—and my tears seem to be drying up!” Side by side the captives rode, and the youth was now prevented from saying more by realizing that one of the guards was about to shoot at Colonel La &. Coste, who was now fast nearing them, with revolver in band. The poor boy could not articulate a word. His agony of mind was terrible. Lorine’s eyes cleared just in time to see her loved father shot, and fall from his horse to the prairie sward. is Then she gave a piercing shriek, and Louis uttered a groan of deepest anguish. Both then gazed toward the scouts, and the team- sters, and were just in time to see Frio Fred’s horse fall dead and the young scout himself hurled to pia sorely, where he lay motionless, and apparently ead. Then, yells of exultation, of savage joy, almost deafened them; and they found themselves amid a great horde of war-painted, feather-bedizened te oe main war-par.y, that had now gal- G) fj urely, now there was no hope! Their friends could not save them! Lorine sunk forward, her long hair mingling with the mane of the mustang to which she was bound; and the yelling demons, on all sides cf her, firing in one mad whirlpool, that was for a moment headed back in the direction of the San Saba, and now lash- ing their mustangs at headlong speed. “Oh, God! Take us home!” cried out Louis La Coste, from his inmost soul. But his prayer was not answered, CHAPTER XV. A FORLORN HOPE, Again was the long-suffering and most agonized Louis tortured beyond conception. Had there ever, since the world was created, been a youthful mind more overwhelmed with excru- eating agony of heart and soul, in so short a time? Louis believed it to be impossible. Had he not been blessed with an evenly-balanced and strong mind, he would most certainly, under such an awful strain, have gone insane. He had seen his father shot down in an endeavor to save his children, and this sight had well-nigh blinded him and stopped the beating of his heart. Then the fall of Frio Fred’s borse, hurling the young scout to the earth, apparently lifeless—and all this in a moment. The failure of the scouts and teamsters to cut off the pair of savages who held himself and his sister captive, was a most unexpected and despairing fact; and, as the horrid horde of yelling demons swept down upon and inclosed them in a perfect mass of snorting and frenzied steeds flying here and there, bearing their frightful forms, with flaunting feathers and scalp-decorated lances, it was a sight that Louis La Coste felt could never be forgotten by him were he to live a thousaud years. Indeed. it must, in fae as well as innight dreams, Launt bim, for it had been indelibly branded upon his brain. And, to cap all this horror, the sight of poor Lorine, senseless, and upheld by her long hair in the saddle. by the clutch of a red, fiend-like Co- manche, who galloped at her side, her deathlike, angelic face upturned to the silvery moon—held thus, in that cruel clutch—this was most agonizing and most terrible. 2 : In the anguish of his soul, poor Louis shrieked aloud; but his ery was drowned amid the clamor of the yelling horde, as they » pees on, their quirts hiss- ing through the air; on, toward the San Saba— toward torture and death; death to him, and far worse than death to the beautiful, innocent, and helpless Lorine. ‘And, awful as were the sights, and sounds, and thoughts, to the suffering youth, his dread surround- ings were made more fearful still. For, with devilish object, the galloping demons caused all the mustangs
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upon which the dead were lashed—extra horses hav- ingserved for this purpose—to be driven in around the captives. Louis thanked God that Lorine was unconsciou:. that she saw not this terrible sight, that she had been insensible during the hellish gallop, And he prayed most fervently, for strength to bear it all, © preserve his faculties for his sister's sake although there seemed not the slightest hope that he or any one else could be of further use in mitigating her sufferings, or saving her from a fate of which he dared not even think. So great had been, and was, during the scenes on the plain, the strain upon the boy’s mind, that, be- fore half the distance to the Rio San Saba was passed he had arrived at a state of mind between sanity and insanity; his brain, being as it were, partially benumbed, and beyond the feelings of intense mis- ery, anguish and despair, that had so tortured him previously. And on flew the fiendish horde, like demons let loose from some inferno, for the night, to curse the earth; and who, bent upon improving their brief allowance of time, flew like dry leaves before a gale; the hoofs of their mustangs fast flying through the beget grass, causing a weird and rushing sound, like the warning breath of a flerce “ norther.”” This speed, however, was moderated presently, from necessity; for the mustangs could not long maintain that headlong gallop. Equine animals of other blood and rearing, would have dropped dead upon the plain. Yet, although there seemed to be no object for this terrific speed, it was certain that the red chief, Rolling Thunder, would not have al- lowed it except tofavor his future plans. | He had realized, at once, that the scouts, the Tonkaway, and the other whites would, with their fast-shooting eich kill at least haif of his war-party before he could hope to capture them. Already he had had proof sufficient to make him prudent. He had not given up the idea of securing the mules, and plundering the camp on the Rio Llano; but he resolved to move toward the object, witha certainty of success, having decided to retura to the San Saba, Osranise a@ stronger party of braves, as far as numbers went, and then, mount- ing fresh mustangs, gallop toward the Rio Llano at once, His haste was occasioned by the knowledge that he would be forced to send out some of his young warriors, to collect the small scouting-parties to- gether for the proposed expedition, The death of such a number of his warriors, many of whom had been scalpe(, infuriated the chief; and he knew that the only way to cover up the disaster and death, and to keep his followers from laving this to mismanagement on his part, was to secure as many white Sapir es as possible for the torture. That Turtle, the Tonkaway, must be taken, Rolling se gg had sworn by the bones of a thousand chiefs, The renegade red must die by slow torture, amid the hootings of the squaws and young ones, of the village at the head of the Brazos. He would not allow an arrow to be shot at the hated Tonkaway; who must be taken, even were a dozen warriors sacrificed in the attempt. At length the Comanche horde, long before the day began to dawn, galloped slowly to the timber that marked the course of the Rio San Saba; and were greeted by fearful howls as the scalpless dead were discovered, followed by exultant yells, as the white captives were unbound from the panting mus- tangs, after the river had been forded. It was an admirable position for a camp, that chosen by the Comanches; being upon the west bank of the river, the ground for some distance from it gradually rising, and clear of bushes or stone. A carpet of dead leaves, compact and springy, covered the ground, upon which not aspear of grass was visible; the space described being Frio Fred in Texas. arched with branches, from which depended droop- ing moss, in fes oons, that contributed a weird look | to the wild scene. A space fully a hundred feet long, extending back from the river some sixty feet, the bank of the stream without undergrowth, and some twenty feet above the water, which, directly at the bank, was thick with reeds and rushes. Such was the peculiar ‘open,’ the like of which is often seen in the local- ity of which we write. Poor Louis and Lorine were immediately, with jeers and triumphant ejaculations, hurried in a rough manner to the west side of the camp, the fair girl as yet unconscious, and carried in the arms of a urly brave. She was there placed against a tree- trunk, in a standing Bas iy being secured to the tree while sustained by the Indian, and the lariats wound about her in a way that would have caused her great suffering had she been conscious, im- peding circulation and thus benumbing her whole system. Louis groaned in agony of soul as he witnessed this merciless and most cruel act. He was then thrown upon his back, and four stakes having been driven into the ground, the savages bound his wrists and ankles to the same, drawing his limbs tightly, and leaving him in a crucified position, in which he was forced to look upward into his sister’s face. And poor Lorine—should she recover—must wit- ness the torture of her brother also. The words of advice given es Old Rocky to Turtle caused the Tonkaway to view his proposed plan ina somewhat different light. He began to reason be- fore he reached the border of the Rio Llano timber that it would not be prudent to join the Comanches on the plain, as his failing to join the party with the captives would be judged as very strange, even though he had been supposed to be wounded, and would serve to draw the attention of all the keen- eyed Comanches upon him. All the stampeding party had been slain, and the two braves who were with the captive probably knew this and that Big Fox had been instantly killed, Thus reflecting Turtle decided to follow the war-party, but to keep far in the rear and avoid be- ing seen. He could then skulk into the camp, and with greater safety and much more hope of success in assisting the captives, from the fact that he was now in the “ make-up ” of a Comanche warrior, This decision he communicated to one of the teamsters, who had been delayed by a long chase up the river after a valuable horse that had broken away from the stampede, and he bade the teamster inform the scouts that he would be on the lookout for them as soon as he had ascertained the position of affairs at the San Saba. By this change of arrangements, the Tonkaway was forced to gallop more to the north, striking the timber of the Rio San Saba at some distance from the camp of his foes. Then, under cover of the timber, he pe as near to the camp as was prudent, with his horse, and then left the animal in a dense thicket. Fifteen minutes later the faithful Tonkaway was reconnoitering the Comanche camp, crawling snake- like through the undergrowth, and thus ascertain- ing the position of all the sentinels. And, from the limb of a tree, over the singular “open,” he in- spected the whole encampment; noticing especially many particulavs in regard to the captives, whose torturing positions could be plainly seen. The sight of “ Lily-Face,” as Turtle had dubbed Lorine, caused him great anxiety. He longed for the early appearance of the rescuing-party, for he feared that the poor girl would die if not soon re- lieved from both her mental and physical agony, But they must speedily arrive. The Tonkaway well knew that the scouts and the other members of their party would reach the San =
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Frio Fred in Texas, 29 _ re Saba soon after he himself did, as they would not delay in the Rio Llano camp, and besides would have fresh horses, which they would by no means spare, Still, for all this, there might not be time to per- fect and perform a plan of rescue before daylight would be upon them, and force them all to delay proceedings until the following night. With these thoughts filling his mind, Turtle made his way up the river again to the place where he had left his horse, without having been detected in his most hazardous mission, Just as he reached the thicket a chorus of most hideous howls, from at least two-score of throats, sounded from the Comanche camp. ““Waugh!? burst from the Tonkaway, with an es oe that expressed his great satisfaction and relief. The horrible howls proved that the Comanches were solemnizing the death dance over their slain. No more agreeable sound could, in the estimation of the listening Tonkaway, have disturbed the night air, forit gave promise of drawing the attention of the warriors from the captives, and in that way favored a rescue. While listening to the demoniac sound, a panther- like shriek, followed quickly by an imitation of the howl of a black wolf, repeated three times, was detected by the keen-eared Turtle and with another “Waugh!” expressing increased relief and pen he bounded through the undergrowth and up the river, CHAPTER XVI, READY FOR THE RESCUE, Wuen Turtle had reached such a distance from his horse, as he believed placed him in the vicinity of the point from whence the signal had proceeded, he halted, and imitated several times the hoot of an owl. This was soon answered by another wolf- how! near at band. Two minutes after, the Tonkaway glided into the thicket, passed through, and emerged on the oppo- site side, into a small moonlit space. Here he stood erect with fulded arms, and within a few feet of five men, who there sat their horses, * Dang my dogs, old pards, ef ye hedn’t spit ther pertickler music I ’spected, I’d ha’ planted my sticker deep inter yer ’natermy; fer I sw'ar ye’re jist ther pictur’ of a cussed Curmanch.” Thus rattled off Old Rocky, in a Jow voice. “ Lily-Face tie to tree. No know nothing. Young white brave tie on ground. He heap torture, Heap good time save captives.” “Then, for God’s sake, let us hasten!” said the colonel. “You must not go, colonel,” put in Frio Fred. “You will hazard the lives of your children, for you do not realize the extreme caution that is necessary. How is it, Turtle? Can we take the horses nearer?” “Turtle mustang two shoots—” pointing toward the Comanche camp—‘‘ Lead all mustang up river. It is good. Stay with horses, white hair chief. Comanche got sharp ears. ’ All now dismounted, Colonel La Coste groaning, and in a woful state, at being denied the privilege of assisting in the rescue of his own flesh and blood; * put, as all led their horses up the river stealthily, Frio Fred, in a low voice, reasoned with the o man, and finally succeeded in pacifying him—per suading him that his friends knew what was best in the emergency. The colonel was then left in care of the animals, and in a state of mind bordering a insanity. Each moment was an hour to him; in fact he could not have suffered more mental agony and anguish, and continued to live. But a little distance from where they had left the colonel, the scouts, with Jackson, Bill, and Turtle, halted for consultation; the latter explaining the \ position of the camp, and where the guards were posted. These, it so happened, were just five in number—one for each. “Every dang’d one on ’’em must be wiped out,’ said the old scout, ‘an’ not ‘lowed ter gi’n a death- yell; er we’re bu’sted, dead sure! Me an’ Turtle ‘il take ther pa’r on ther souih side; Fred, ther cuss back o’ ther camp, nex’ ter ther leetle ones; an’ t’other two, Bill an’ Jackson, kin hash as they’re a mind ter. “Thet’s ther p’ogramme, an’ ef hit kin be did, we'll play a leetle circus onter them, that'll skeer ther bugs all outen tha’r scalps.” “Good, heap good! Old Rocky great brave!” ae Turtle. ‘Come! No time talk on war- ath.”? Pa Hold on a minut?!’ ordered the old scout. He then gave explicit instructions to Jackson, as to the manner in which they should proceed to kill the sentinels, without allowing them to give a dan- ger-signal, or death-yell. The Tonkaway then point- ed out to Big Bill and Jackson the two guards, whose lives they were to end. The party then separated on their desperate mis- sion, all fully instructed in the terrible programme. Leaving them thus, we will now proceed to inspect the Comanche camp. At the time when Turtle, peering down from the tree branch, examined each detail, that might favor a rescue, or prove the reverse, the Comanches were feasting upon the flesh ofa horse which they had killed for the eee: But this repast lasted not long, for, after the de- rture of Turtle from his lurking- place, Rolling hunder, the Comanche chief, issued an order, in a low, guttural tone; and all the braves proceeded to repaint their faces in a more hideous manner than before. This done, Rolling Thunder indicated his further wishes by rapid gestures, his eyes blazing with vengeful fury toward the captives. At this several braves rushed to the spot where Louis and Lorine were bound, the fair girl having now partially re- covered consciousness, though dazed with horror, at the awful position in which she found herself. Most appropriate now was the cognomen of * Lily Face” which Turtle had bestowed upon her; but perbaps “‘Snow-Face ” would have been even more 80, as she was now the pallor of death, and indeed nearer death than life. When the savages approached her it caused not the slightest change in the expression of her coun- tenance, or any light in her eyes. Both she and Louis were cut loose and roughly pede ed into the middle of the “‘open;” but, being unable to stand, they were bound to the same stake, back to back. This was quickly accomplished, and then the blood-smeared, sealpless corpses of the slain braves were laid, ina horrivle circle, around the tortured pair; the bodies being placed upon their backs, and = glassy eyes seeming to glare fixedly at the cap- ves. Louis shuddered, but Lorine’s frozen face betrayed no emotion whatever. The poor maiden was beyond being further eee or horrified. hen, forming two circles, one within the other— the outer one being the braves of inferior rank—the hellish horde gave vent to a series of demoniac howls, such as would curdle the blood of the bravest man who ever lived. But the hapless pair started not. At the first howl all assumed a crouching position, and tne red fiends, with slow hop and gesticulation, keeping time with their howls, circled around their dead and the captives—the inner ring one way and the outer ring the opposite—then, changing, and moving in faster time, to the horrid accompapi- ment. These sounds betrayed nothing to the Tonkaway, beyond the fact of the death-dance. He had no sus-
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icion that Louis and Lorine had been removed Stns the border of the camp where, by the removal of the guards, they could have been approached without the rescuers being observed. For a long time the death-dance was continued; changing, at length, to terrific bounds in the air, the warriors whirling like tups, and jumping on every side, hacking the air with their weapons, and feign- ing to hurl them at the captives. urtle, although the interior of the ‘‘ open”’ could not be seen, knew at once, by the yells and whoops, that the plans which had been made were now as Taakut—that the captives had been removed to the middle of the ‘ open.” Bending forward a short distance—Old Rocky at his side, and perfectly safe from discovery—the Tonkaway halted, and pointed forward, clutching with the other hand the shoulder of the old scout. “ Guss my cats!” hissed Old Rocky; ‘‘ our gravy’s spilled, dead sure! Tonk, we’ve gut ter dash in on our critters, er ther leetle ones air goners!” “Good! Turtle sound war-cry when on mustang, Ride fast. Shoot quick. Save Lily-Face. Save young white brave. Come! Get Fred. Get other white brothers. No time talk. Whoop heap. Shoot heap. Ride heap fast. Wah!” As it providentially happ ‘ned, Frio Fred had not gained much distance from his pards. He was now caught by them, and dragged backward; the old scout taking him in charge, and explaining, at a safe distance the situation of affairs. The relief of Colonel La Coste, upon being told that he was to have his wish, and charge to the res- cue of bis children was intense, All now sprung upon their horses—Old Rocky saying, quickly: “All on yer, cut, s ash an’ shoot es much as yer kin, an’ es lively es yer kin; au’ me an’ Fred “ll jist wade in wi’ yer, fu'st dash, on ther speedy trizger- sulin’ biz; but nary ons on yer make a move ter her leetle ones, fer that'll bu’st ther huil ’range- ment.’’ “All set!”? came from the whites. “ War-ery of Tonkaway on Turtle’s lips,” was the quiet response of the red pard of the scouts. “Then foller and glide easy-like, ontil yer hears me whistle. Then everlastingly jab spurs, an’ split yer throats a-yellin’. @it/” The five determined rescuers, with teeth set, reins in left, and ‘‘sixes” in right, at full cock. with every nerve braced for the desperate attempt—cer- tain death before them, if the slightest miss was made—all stole through the bottom-timber, toward the whooping horde, yet whirling and bounding around the corpses, and the captives. CHAPTER XVIL OUT OF DESPAIR AND DEATH. Tum rescuers all knew, that, at the instant of alarm, the captives would be butchered in cold blood, if those who sprung forward for this hellish purpose were nob instantly shot in their tracks, They knew, too, that success depended upon Lorine and Louis being cut loose at once. If all had this object in view, it would end in the one hindering the other, and thus be the means of the death of all; hence the arrangement that Fred and Old Rocky should attend to this part of the busi- - ness—the others to spur in between them, and the foe. and cover their retreat, With slow pace the horses were walked, until on the edge of the undergrowth. With his bow ready, and arrow fitted to string, revolver and knife in belt for use also, Turtle now shot forward, giving his signal Like an avalanche of death, the Texans close followed, Old Rocky and Frio Fred in the front, and dashing through the space that had been caused by the Tonkaway’s pnr- posely sending a hurtling hail of lead into the breasts of the braves, who strove, after the momen- Frio Fred in Texas, tary amazement caused by his arrow-shot, to reach the side of the youth and maiden, and plunge their knives into their hearts. Never was there a more complete surprise, In the wrangle and s‘ruggle that followed, and amid the signal yells of Rolling Thunder, the scouts succeeded in cutting the captives loose, and catchin, them up before them on their horses; the colone: and Turtle, like avenging fates—the former filled with insane fury and herculean strength—mowed’ their way in and out of the mass of writhing, yelling fiends, that were being trampled upon by trenzied steeds, that flew here and there, snorting with terror. The flash and glint of knife and hatchet, and a hurrying of red forms to positions designated by the chief, in a moment afer the first terrible charge, proved that Rolling Thunder still retained his prese .ce of mind, and, before our friends had realized it, they were encompassed on three sides by a double row of braves—the fourth side being that of the camp nearest to the river. *“@Qit fer ther drink er ye’re goners! Git, an’ glide down ther bank)” As he thus yelled the old scout, with Louis in his arms, urged bis horse forward, followed by Fred with Lorine. The next moment the horses were swimming with the current, as sounding plunges were heard in the rear. Turtle ani Colonel La Coste, battling for life, saw Jackson and Big Bill dragged from their horses and cut to pieces. They saw, too, that the scouts had escaped into the river; but the maddened colonel fought on, bleeding from many a wound, At last the Tonkaway, with a whoop of defiance. clutched the bridle-rein of the colonel's horse an urged the beast over into the inky depths at the very instant that a cloud of arrows flew over his heal. some of them tearing his eagle-feathers as his steed shot down into the Rio San Saba. The waters of the river were shaded by the high bank from the fire-light of the ey and were con- sequently quite dark, especially to the Comanches, whose eyes were blurred by the blaze; and the ar- rows, as the Indians shot into the river, were with- outaim at any object. “ Hyer we air, Tonk!” cried out Old Rocky, when Turtle and the colonel had gained some distance down-stream. ‘‘ Cuss my cats, ef we didn’t sarcum- vent ther hellyuns! Curnil, glide up hyer speedy. Whar in thunderation air Bill an’ Jackson?” “On long dark trail,” replied Tur le, laconically. ‘Jumpin’ Jerusalem!” exclaimed the old scout, “Wa-al. hit can’t be helped. Es hit is, thar’s a fa’r show fer all the rest on us ter git out with our ha’r.” Colonel La C ste spurred gece to the side of the animal ridden by Frio Fred, but called out, as he saw his daughter safe, though unconscious: “Keep her, Mr. Fontaine! You have saved my darling, and she is yours, if God spares her. I haye not been blind, and I know what you have felt for each other!” This he said, and then spurred to the side of Old Roeky who held Louis, still benumbed and helpless. The old colonel felt young once more. “Nn time fer gab!” warned the old scout, as the evlonel greeted Louis. ‘Toller the Tonk! Ef he can't git we’uns outen this speedy, hit’s good-by, big ball o’ dirt.” “Waugh!” was the exclamation of the Tonk- away, as he listened, and interpreted the Babel of sou ids over the stream, ‘Ride fast. Keep in bush. Mebbe so all scalp. all torture.” With these words. Turtle lashed his mustang through the timber, followed by his friends. Upon gaining the eastern border of the timb-r, all in their rear became still as death—ominous of the death that it seemed impossible almost to escape, for all knew that the Comanches were, by this time, mounted, . Here, Turtle, in place of turning down-stream, headed his mustang southward, and all proceeded, at as fast a pace as possible, and keeping within and
Page 29
j Frio Fred in Texas. 29 on the border of the bottom-timber. Thus, fora quarter of a mile; then, as the stream made a bend westward, they emerged from the trees, and gal- loped at full speed south, until the gray streaks of morning began to light up the Orient. By this time they reacued a point where the oak openings extended from the River San Saba to Fort Mason, and at once headed for that military post. There they arrived in a most exhausted condition, before the middle of the day. A detachment of infantry, with five days’ rations, was at once dispatched to the Comanche camp, much to the amusement of the scouts and the Tonk- away, who knew that the Indians would be aware of the approach of the soldiers, acd would either defy them, ambush them, or ride away from them at their leisure. Not one of our friends was fr. e from wounds, but all were kindly cared for—Lorine being uursed by the wife of an officer at the fort. Soon all were fully restored. The wagon-train being found, was escorted to the post by a detail of soldiers, on the day following. It is almost needless to say that Colonel La Coste gave up his resolution to lo ate beyond the San Saba. Not only so, but he returned and settled on the Rio Guadalupe, where he lived, prosperous and happy, for many Py and proud always of bind eps son-in-law, Frederick Fontaine, or Frio red, Lonis became a noted and daring scout, and after- ward an extensive ranchero; but none of our friends ever forgot the services of the faithful Tonkaway, who was always wele me at the home of “ Lily- Face,’ and frequently accompanied, on long scouts, Frio Fred, the happiest man in the Lone Star Siate, and his pard, Old Rocky Neither were the services, and death in their de- fense, of Jackson and Big Bill, forgotten, ‘Their remaivs were buried with all the honors of war, beneath a moss-draped oak near Fort Mason. 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BEADLE’S POCKET LIBRARY, (a | 1% The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil's Island. By Capt. Mayne Reid. i 126 Blue Blazes; or, The Break 0’ Day Boys of 82 Seth Jones; or, The Captives of the Frontier. By E.S. Ellis. 83 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. By E. L. Wheeler, 84 The Dumb Page: or, The Doge’s Daughter. By Captaid Frederick Whittaker, 85 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island, Edward §. Ellis. 86 Jack Harkaway in New York. Hemyng. 87 The Hussar Captain; or, The Hermit of Hell Gate. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 88 Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or,-A Strange Stroke for Liberty. By Edward L. Wheeler. By By Bracebridge 89 Bill Biddon, Trapper, or, Life in the Northwest. EY. Edward §. Ellis. 90 Tippy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion. By George Gleason. 91 Mustang Sam, the King of the Plains. E. Badger, Jr. 92 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, the Red Pirates of the Caribbees. By Samuel W. Pearce. 93 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy; or, The Mystery of the Stronghold. By Charles Morris. 94 Deadwood Dick as Detective. Ng E. L. Wheeler. 95 Buck Buckram; or, Bess the Female Trapper. By Captain J. F, ©. Adams. 96° Gilt-Edged Dick. By Edward L. Wheeler. 97 The Black Steed of the Prairies, By James L. owen. 98 The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe. By Juan Lewis. 99 Bonanza Bill, the Man Tracker; or, the Secret Twelve. By E. L. Wheeler. 100 Nat Todd; or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive. By E. 8. Ellis, 101 Daring Davy, the Young Bear Killer; or, The Trail of the Border Wolf. By Harry St. George. 102 The Yellow Chief; or, The Half-Blood’s Ven- geance. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 103 Chip, the Girl Sport. “Ey Edward L. Wheeler. 104 The Black Schooner; or, Jib Junk, the Old Tar. By Roger Starbuck. 105 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective. By Charles Morris. 106 Nizht-Hawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, By Joseph 5. Badger, Jr. 107 Jack Hoyle’s Lead; or, The Road to Fortune, By Edward L, Wheeler. 108 Rocky Mountain Kit, the White Mustanger. By T. C. Harbaugh. 109 The Branded Hand, or, The Man of Mystery. By Frank Dumont. 110 The Dread _ Rider; or, The Texan Duelist. By George W. Browne. 111 Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks, By Edward By Capt, Mayne Reid. L. Wheeler. 112 The Helpless Hand. 113 Sear-Faced Saul, the Silent Hunter. By Oll Coomes, 114 rey. Paul, the Mountain Boy. By T. C, Har- aug. 115 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gor- ‘on’s Gulch, By Edward L. Wh eler. 116 Jabez Coffin, Skipper; or, Lost in the Polar Regions. By Capt. I, Whi: taker. 11? Fancy Frank of Co loraco; or, The Trappers Trust, By * Buffalo Bill.” 118 Will Wildfire, the Thoroughored; or, The Win- ning Hand. By Chas. Morris. 119 Blonde Bill; or, Deatwood Dick’s Home Base. By Edwar i L. Wheeler. 120 ac Qld, the Boy Trapper. By T ©. Har- augh, 121 Harry Armstrong, the Captain of the Club. By Bracebridge Hemyng, (Jack Harkaway). 122 The Hunted Hunter; or, The Strange Horseman of the Prairie. By Edward 8, Ellis 13 ane. a the Boy Road-Agent. By Edward L. Wheeler 1% Judges Lynch, Jr.; or, The Boy Vigilante. By T. <i Harbaugh. By Jos. | 127 Tony Fox, the Frank Dumont. ‘erret; or, Boss Bob’s Boss Job, By Edward L. Wheeler. 128 Will Wildfire’s Racer; or, Winning Against Odds. By Charles Morris. Rocky Bar. B: By Joseph E, 129 Eacle Kit, the Boy Demon. By Ol] Coomes, 130 Gold Trigger, the Sport; or, The Girl Avengers, By T. C. Harbaugh. 131 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick's Big Strike. By Edward L, Wheeler. 182 Dainty Lance, the Boy Sport. Badger, Jr. 133 Wild-fire, the Boss of the Road. By Frank Du. mont. 134 en the Harbor Police Boy. By Chas. orris. 185 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party. By Edward L. Wheeler. 136 Old Rube, the Hunter. By Capt. Hamilton Holmes. 187 Dandy Rock, the Man from Texas. By G. Waldo Browne. : 138 Bob Rockett, the Boy Dodger. By Chas. Morris. 139 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy, By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 140 Captain Arizona, the King Pin of Road-Agents. By Philip 5. Warne. 141 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. By’ E. L. Wheeler. 142 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. By Ol Coomes. 143 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. By Jos. &. Badger, Jr. 144 Little Grit, the Wild Rider. By Col. Prentiss In- graham, 145 The Tiger of Taos; or, Wild Kate, Dandy Rock’s Angel. By Geo, Waldo Browne, 146 The Cattle King; or, Cortina’s Right Bower. Py Frank Dumont. 147 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, the Scamps of the Sierras. By Edward L. Wheeler, 148 Thunderbolt Tom; or, the Wolf-Herder of the Rockies. By Harry St. George. 149 on Rockett, the Bank Runner. By Charles orris. 150 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom. By G. Waldo Browne. 151 The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow Wel! Kept. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 152 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. By W. H. Eyster. 153 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. By BE. L. Wheeler. 154 The Boy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the War- Path. By Jos. E. Dadger, Jr. 155 Gold Plume, the Eoy Bandit. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 156 Will Wildfire in the Woods. By C. Morris. 157 ace poate, the border Boy. By T. (. Har- augh, 158 Deadwood Dick’s Doom: or, Calamity Jane's Last Adventure. By E. L. Wheeler. 159 Patent-Leather Joe’s Def-at; or, The Lady Road-Agent. By Philip S. Warne. 160 Buffalo Pilly, the Poy Bullwhacker; or, The Doomed Thirteen. By Col. P. Ingraham. 161 Bob Rockett. the Cracksman. By C. Morris, 162 Little Hurnicane, the Boy Captain. By Oll Coomes. 163 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, the Rivals of the Road. By E. L. Wheeler. 164 Tornado Tom; or, Injun Jack from Red Core. By 'T. C. Harbaugh. 5 165 Buffalo Bill’s Bet; or, The Gambler Guide, By Col. P. Ingraham. 166 Will Wildfire Wins and Loses; or, “A Trtmp Card.” By Charles Morris. 167 Dandy Rock’s Pledge; or, Hunted to Death, uy George W. Browne. :
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BEADLE’S POCKET LIBRARY. 168 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hills Jezebel. By Edward L. Wheeler. 169 The Boy Champion. By Edward Willett. 70 Bob Rockett's Fight for Life; or, Shadowed in New York. By Charles Morris. 171 Frank Morton, the Boy Hercules. By Oll Coomes. 72 The Yankee Ranger; or, Dusky Darrell. By Edwin Emerson. f 173 Dick Dingle, Scout; or, The Frontier Angel. By Edward §, Ell's. 174 Dandy Rock’s Scheme; or, The Golden Hand. By G. W. Browne. 175 The Arab Detective; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp By Edward L. Wheeler. 176 Will Wildfire’s Pluck; or, The Hidden Hand. By Charles Morris. 177 The Boy Commander; or, The Maid of Perth, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 178 The Maniac Hunter; or, The Mysteries of Night Island. By Burton Saxe. ; Ti9 Dainty Lance; or, The Mystic Marksman. By J_E. Badger, Jr, : 180 The Boy Gold-Hunter; or, Navajo Nick’s Scout. By T. C. Harbaugh. . 181 The Seapegrace Son. By Charles Morris. 182 The Dark-Skinned Sco.it; or, The Freebooters of ths Mississippi. By Lieut. Col. Hazeltine, 183 Jabez Dart, Detective; or, The Hermit Trapper. By O11 Coomes. 181 Featherweight, the Boy Spy. By Edward Wil- ett. 185 Bison Bill, the Overland Prince. By Col. Pren- tiss Ingraham. 186 Dainty Lance and His Pard. Badger, Jr. 187 The ray ped Tiger King; or, Dark Paul’s Plot. By Charles Morris. 188 The Ventriloquist Detective. By Joseph E. A Romance of Rogues. By Edward L. Wheeler. 189 Old Rocky’s Boys; or, Bonito, the Young Mus- tang-Breaker. By Maj. Sam. S. Hall. 190 Sim Simpkins, Scout; or, The Faithful Mountain Mastiff. By James ‘L, Bowen. 191 Dandy Rock’s Rival; or, The Mysterious Wolf Rider. By Geo. Waldo Browne. 192 Hickory Harry; or, Roaring Ralph, the Ventrilo- uist. By Harry St. George. 193 Detective Josh Grim; or, The Young Gladiator's Game. By Edward L. Wheeler. 194 Prospect Pete, the Boy Miner. By Oll Coomes. 195 The Tenderfoot Trailer; or, Plucky Phil, of the Mountain. By T. C. Harbaugh. 196 The Dandy Detective; or, The Abducted Boy Mystery. By Charles Morris. 197 Roy, the Young Cattle King; or, The Texan Sport Unmasked. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 198 Ebon Dan’s Mask; or, The Rival Leagues of the Mines. By Frank Dument. 199 Dictionary Nat, Detective; or, Bill Bravo, the Bear Tamer. By T. C. Harbaugh 200 The Twin Horsemen; or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 201 Dandy Darke’s Pards; or, The Hawks of High Pine. By Wm. R. Eyster. 202 Tom, the Texan Tiger; or, Old Luke's Luck. By Oll Coomes. 203 Sam, the Office Boy; or, The Tables Turned. By Charles Morris. 204 The Young Cowboy; or, The Girl Trailer’s Tri- umph. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 205 The Frontier Detective; or, Sierra Sam’s Scheme. By ©. L. Wheeler. 206 White Lightning; cr, the Boy Ally. By T. C, Harbaugh. 207 Kentuck Talbot’s Band; or, The Red Lasso. By Captain Mark Wilton, 208 Trapper Tom’s Castle Mystery; or, Dashing Dick’s Disguise. By Oll Coomes, 209 The Messenger-Boy Detective; or, The Tables Turned, By Charles Morris, 210 The Hunchback of the Mines: or, Reckless Ralph, the Road-Agent. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 211 Little Giant and His Band; or Despard, the Duelist. By P. S. Warne. 212 The Jimtown Sport; or, Gypsy Jack in Colorado, By E. L. Wheeler. 213 The Pirate’s Prize; or, The Mysterious Yankee Schooner. By C. Dunning Clark. 214 Dandy Dave, of Shasta; or, The ’Frisco Flash o’ _ Lightning. By T. C. Harbaugh, 215 Daring Dan, the Ranger; or, The Denver Detec- tive. By O11 Coomes, 216 The Cowboy Captain; or, Ranger Ralph’s Ruin. = By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 217 Bald Head of the Rockies; or, The Ang’l of the Range. By Major Sam S. Hall. 218 The Miner Sport; or, Sugar-Coated Sam’s Claim, By Edward L. Wheeler. 219 Buck, the Detective; or, Paul, the Boy Pard. By Albert W. Aiken. 220 Crack-Shot Frank; or, Bill Bounce, the Moun- tain Bravo. By Charles Morris. 221 Merle the Middy; or, A Waif of the Waves. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 222 Rosebud Ben’s Boys; or, The Young Prairio Rangers. By Oll Coomes. 223 Gold Conrad’s Watch-Dogs; or, The Two Pards of Vulture Bar. By T. C. Harbeuch, 224 iver Fe gus, the New York Boy. B; GL, iken. 225 Dick Drew, the Miner’s Son; or, Apollo Bil, the Road-Agent. By Edward L. Wheeler. 226 Dakota Dick in Chicago; or, Jack, the Old Tar. By Charles Morris. 227 Merle, the Boy Cruiser; or, Brandt, the Buc- caneer. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 228 The Preacher Detective; or, The Boy Ventrilo- uist. By Oll Coomes. 229 Old Hickory’s Grit. By John J. Marshall. 230 The Three Boy Sports; or, The Sword Hunters, ES Captain Frederick Whittaker. 231 Sierra Sam, the Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. 232 Merle Monte’s Treasure; or, Buccaneer Brandt's Threat. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 233 Rocky Rover Kit; or, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Trail. By Ensign C. D. Warren. 234 Baldy, the Miner Chief. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 235 Jack Stump’s Cruise; or, The Montpelier’s Muti- neers. Ly Rozer Starbuck. 236 Sierra Sam’s Double; or, The Three Female De- tectives. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 237 Newsboy Ned, Detective; or, Two Philadelphia Gamins. By Charles Morris. 238 Merle Monte’s Sea-Scraper; or, Little Belt’s Droll Disguise. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 239 Ben’s Biz Boom; or, The Boss Miner’s League. By Capt. Mark Wilton. 240 Sharp Shot Mike; or, Columbia Jim onthe War- Path. By Oll Coomes. 241 Sierra Sam’s Sentence: or, Little Luck at Rough Ranch, By Edward L. Wheeler. 242 The Denver Detective; or, Dainty Dot at Gold Gulch. By T. C. Harbaugh. - 243 Dutch San’s Dilemma; or, The Mysterious Mountain Monster. By Maj. L. W. Carson, 244 Merle Monte’s Disguise; or, The Capture of Brandt, the Buccaneer. By Col. P. Ingraham, 245°B Idy’s Boy Partner; or, Young Brainer.|’s Steam Man. By Edward S. Ellis. 246 Detective Keen’s Apprentice: or, James Jumper the New York Gamin. By Charles Morris. 247 The Girl Sport; or, Jumbo Joe’s Disguise. By Edward L. Wheeler. 248 Giant George’s Pard; or, Arizona Jack, the Tenderfoot. By Buckskin Sam, 249 Ranch Rob’s Wild Ride; or, Old Winch The Rifle King. By T. C. Harbaugh. 250 Merle Monte’s Pardon; or, The Pirate Chief's Doom, By Col, Prentiss Ingraham,
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BEADLE’S POCKET LIBRARY. 251 The Deaf Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp. By Edward Willett. 252 Denver Doll’s Device: or, The Detective Queen. By Edward L, Wheeler. 258 The Boy Tenderfoot; or, Roaring Ben Bundy of Colorado. By Capt. Mark Wilton. 254 Black Hills Ben; or, Dutch Jan on the War- Path. By Maj. Lewis W. Carson. . 255 Jolly Jim, Detective; or, The Young Protege’s Victory. By Charles Morris. 256 Merle Monte’s Lost Cruise; or, The Sea Robber at Bay. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 257 The Boy Chief of Rocky Pass; or, The Young California Pards. By Maj. E. L. St. Vrain. 258 Denver Doll as Detective. By E. L. Wheeler. 259 Little Foxeye, the Colorado Spy. By Oll Coomes, 260 Skit, the Cabin Boy, By Edward Willett. 261 Blade, the Sport, or, the Giant of Clear Grit Camp. By T. C. Harbaugh. 262 Billy, the Boy Rover; or, Terror Tom of Texas. By Col. P. Ingraham. 263 Buster Bob’s Buoy; or, Lige, the Light-House Keeper. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 264 Denver Doll’s Partner; or, Big Buckskin the Sport. By E. L. Wheeler. 265 Billy, the Baggage Boy; or, The Young Railroad Detective. By Charles Morris. 266 Guy’s Boy Chum; or, The Forest Waif’s Mask. By Capt. Comstock. 267 Giant George’s Revenge; or, The Boys of ‘‘ Slip- up Mine.” By Buckskin Sam, 268 The Dead Shot Dandy; or, The Rio Grande Marauders. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 269 The Quartzville Boss; or, Daring David Darke, By Edward Willett. 270 Denver Doll’s Mine; or, Little Bill’s Big Loss, By E. L. Wheeler. 271 Ebony Jim’s Terror; or, Ranger Rainbolt’s Ruse. By Oil Coomes. 272 Kit, the Girl Detective; or, Dandy Dash in Cali- fornia. By T. C. Harbaugh. 273 The Girl Rider; or, Nimble Ned’s Surprise. Jos. E. Badger, Jr, 274 Dead Shot Dandy’s Double; or, Benito, the Boy Pard. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 275 Fred, the Ocean Waif: or, The Old Sailor’s Protege. By Charles Morris 276 Deadwood Dick Trapped; or, Roxey Ralph’s Ruse. By Edward L. Wheeler. 277 The Idiot Boy Avenger; or, Captain Wild-Cat’s Big Game, By Albert W. A ken. 278 Arizona Alf, the Miner; or, Little Snap Shot's Lueck. By T. C. Harba sgh. 279 Colorado Jack, the Tiger; or, The Ghost of the Trailer. By Frederick Dewey. 280 Dead Shot Dandy’s Last Deal; or, Keno Kit’s New Role. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 281 Ned, the Boy Pilot; or, The Pirate Lieutenant’s Doom. By Jack Farragut. 282 Buck Hawk, Detective; or, The Messenger Boy’s Fortune. By Edward L. Wheeler. 283 Roving Sport Kit; or, The Ghost of Chuckaluck Camp. By Edward Willett. 264 The Showman’s Best Card; or, The Mad Animal Tamer. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. 285 Old Rocky’s Pard; or, Little Ben’s Chase. Buckskin Sam. 286 Dick, the Dakota Sport. By Charles Morris. 287 Ned, the Boy embers or, The Sea Sorceress’ Cruise, By Jack Farragut, By By { ' 288 Deadwood Dick’s Disguise; or, Wild Walt, the Sport. By Edward L. Wheeler. Colorado Nick, the Lassoist; or, Old Si’s Protege, By Major H. B. Stoddard, 290 Rube, the Tenderfoot; o-, The Roy’s of Torpedo Gulch. By Major E. L. St. Vrain, 291 Peacock Pete, the Leadville Sport; or, Hawk, the Boss Miner. By Albert W. Aiken. 292 Joe Morey, the Night-Hawk; or, The Black Rider, By Jos. E. Badger, Jr 293 Dwart Jake, the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon’ Man Hunt. By Edward Willeit, 294 Dumb Dick’s Pard; or, Eliza Jane, the Gold Miner. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 5 White Wing, the Ferret Flyer; or, Old Dirk, the Oyster Pirate. By Charles Morris. 296 Govinda, the Tiger-Tamer; or, The American Horseman Abroad. By Captain F. Whittaker, 297 Arizona Giant George; or, The Boyees of Sardine- Box City. By Buckskin Sam. ; 289 298 Daisy Doll’s Dash; or, The Ten Colorado Pards, By is C. Harbaugh, ‘ 299 The Balloon Detectives; or, Jack Slasher’s Young Pard. By Harry Enton. 300 Deadwood Dick’s Mission Wheeler. 801 Dandy Duke; the Cowboy. By Major FE. L. St. Vrain, 302 Big Benson’s Bet. By T. C. Harbaugh. 803 The Hotel Boy Detective; or, The Grand Central Robbery. By Charles Morris. 804 Bald Head’s Pard; or, Creeping Cat's Cunning. By Buckskin Sam. 806 Dusky Dick’s Duel; or, The Demon's Trail. Harry Hazard. 306 Spotter Fritz; or, The Store-Detec‘ive’s Decoy. By E. L. Wheeler. 807 Nick, the Boy Sport; or, Three Plucky Pards. By Maj. E. L. St. Vrain. 308 Double-Iisted Mat: or, The Mystie California Giant. By Jos, E. Badger, Jr. 809 Old Graybeard’s Boy; or, The Girl's Ruse. By C. Dunning Clark. 310 Kit, the Girl pee or, The Mad Sailor’s Legacy. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham 811 Frio Fred in Texas. By Bue s' in Sam. 312 The D‘tective Road-Agen't; or, The Miners of Sassafras City. By Edward L Wh eler, 813 Honest Jack’s Protege; ‘r, The Dwarf’s Scheme, By Philip 8. Warne. Ready January 8, 314 Clip. the Boy Sheriff; or. The Two Crooks of Montana, By Edwar. Willet. Ready January 15 815 Tom, the Arizona Spor'; «r, Howling Hank from Hard Luck. By Mojor E. 1. St. Vrain. 7 Roady January 22, 816 The Street-Arab Detective; or, Dick Dorgan’s Do ble Dealing. Bv Charles Morris. Ready January 29. By Edward L, By ‘Brapie’s Pocket Liprary is for sale by all News- dealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on re- eeipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York, ,