Beadle's Pocket Library (no. 481) (1893 03 29)
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5 Amt a Nt is SAE fo ed Te 1 > Copyrightod, 1893, by Bravia any Avama. Entered as Second Class Matter at the Now Tonks N. Y., Poas Office. 4a) lial mi March 29, 1893. No. 481, $2.50 Published Weekly by Beadle and Adaws, Price, a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM St. NEw YoRK. Five Cents. 2g Mu Vol. XXXVI. SHE GATHERED UP THE LEATHER CORD, AND WITH A DEXTEROUS THROW, CAST THE LOOP OVER THE YOUNG SOLDIER’S HEAD.
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Mustang Rider Roy. Mustang Rider Roy; VHE BRIGANDS OF TEXAS BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, AUTHOR OF ‘‘KIT CARSON, KING OF GUIDES,” “YOUNG DICK TALBOT,” KTC., ETC. CHAPTER I. IN THE JAWS OF DEATH, ALONG the bank of the Rio Grande—the river that separates the State of Texas from the Re- public of Mexico—walked a young man, The double-barreled shot-gun carried upon his shoul- der proclaimed him in search of game; the dress of the hunter—the whiteness of Ifis skin—told that he wasan American. Besides, he was on the Texan side of the river. In person the sports- man was a tall, well-built young fellow; possibly five-and-twenty years bad passed over his head; his face was of the Anglo-Saxon type; ligit yellow hair curied in little ringlets tight to his head; his eyes were dark blue, approaching a gray in tint, save when the sunlight sbone upon them; a mustache and little imperial of the same tawny hue as the hair graced his lip and chin; his features were regular and pleasing, and the squareness of the chin told of firmness and of self-reliance. For dress, the hunter wore the blue uniform of Uncle Sam, and the single bar upon his shoulder told that he held the rank of lieutenant in the Army of the Republic. It was evident thaf the officer was not on duty, for he was without sword or sash, and wore an undress blouse instead of the regular unifofm coat, The bank of the river was fringed with tim- ber, and from the timber extended, inland, the prairie—a rolling one, fragrant with tall grass and meny-hued flowers, for it was in the pleas- ant month of June, As yet the bunter had roused neither bird nor beast to test his marksmanship; still on he went up the stream. At last be came to where a lit- tle creek—now nearly dry—rau from the prairie into the river. Itrequired but a moderate jump to span it, and, asthe other bank looked firm and solid the sportsman determined to leap across, So, nerving himself for the effort, he sprang over. The leap was a good one, and he struck fairly upon the low yellow bank, oppo- he and found himself up to his knees in the mud, “The deuce!”-he cried in vexation, mnie pickle. [’'ve got more than I bargained or He attempted to draw his legs from the mire, and gain the firm ground, but, on making the effort he found, to his astonishment, that he was unable to move an inch; his feet and legs seemed glued in the soft earth, Then, to his horror, he became conscious that he was gradually sinking, and the truth flashed upon him—he wasin a quicksand. Though he bad often heard of such snots yet this was the first one he ever had seen, Slowly, little by little, he felt the ground giving “ This is’ way beneath him, and itsoon became evident that, unless be could contrive some means to escape, the United States Army would be one lieutenant the less, in an hour’s time. _ What was to be done! No trees or bushes were within reach. Asa first expedient, he fired off both barrels of bis gun in quick succession; the sound might attract some one to,bis aid, but travelers along the bank of th» Rio Grande were few and far between, Some herdsman scouring the prairie in quest of cattle possibly might hear the reports, yet there was but one chance out of a hundred if he would seek for the cause. Inch by inch the young officer felt himself sinking into the grave, He was, indeed, in the ‘*jaws of death,” Vainly lie tried to throw bim- self over on his side so as to oppose more resis- tance to the action of the treacherous morass, but the quicksands clung around his legs with a giant’s power, n agony the young soldier groaned aloud, He was a brave man—had won his grade on the bloody fields of the Mexican war, then but a few years past—had faced death at the cannon’s mouth—had sought for it amid Canolles’ glitter- ing lances—had escaped all the perils of the bat- tle-field, to perish now so horribly—to be swal- eee up in the maw of the bottomless quick- sand! The bauks of the little stream, like those of the Rio Grande, being fringed with. bushes, shut from the eyes of the soldier the view of the dis- tant prairie. Assistance might be passing at any moment and yet the soldier, unable to see, could give no warning of his awful position. The quicksand had reached his waist; at the rate he had been sinking, an hour more would bring it above his head. Desperately and_ almost without hope, the im- prisoned man cried for help. The prairie winds bore back the echo of his voice and seemed to mock his despair. At last, hoarse with shouting and almost’ frantic with agony, the young man resigned himself to his seemhingly inevitable fate, Still he sunk. The surface of the quicksand had reached his breast, The little glade which, when he entered it, seemed so fresh in its beauty, now wore to him the aspect of a tomb. He watched with painful intensity the yellow wall-- rising so steadily around him; he counted the moments when those sands would enter his mouth and choke the breath from his body. The agony of such a death was appalling, even in the anticipation of it, Then he thought of the wonder of his com- rades when his absence should be discovered that night; of the search that would be made, and the-fruitlessness of that search. “T shall disappea ir from the world utterly,” he said, bitterly. ‘ Well, there is none to mourn much for me, Oh! why didn’t 1 fall in Mexico gloriously, instead of dying, here, the death of a dog? Then to the listening ears of the doomed man came a sound rolling over the broad expanse of the prairie—a sound that caused his heart to beat quicker—his blood, almost. stilled in its flow by the near approach of the grim king of terrors, to leap wildly in his veins. And what was that sound—the sound that promised hope 4 , ~
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ec Mustang Rider Roy. and help to the death-encircled man? It was the clear-ringing ‘‘ thud” of a horse’s hoofs striking the firm earth of the prairie, Eagerly the young soldier shouted, and the free winds seized upon the hoarse voice and bore it far away over the swells of the rolling prairie. The minutes were minutes of torture to tbe helpless man. Would the horseman hear the “aba or would he pass on and leave him to die? The sound of the hoofs’ beat came nearer and nearer, and each stroke upon the sojl raised a new hope in the breast of the sinking man, Then the heart of the young soldier leaped with joy, for, on the bank of the little creek ap- peared a horse and rider—the horse a cream- colored mustang—the rider a Mexican girl of surpassing beauty. The soldier thought at first that an angel from _ heaven had descended to his aid, but. the clear, musical tones of the girl’s voice convinced him that she was but mortal. “Senor, you are in the quicksand!” cried the he did not say so. He already was half in love with the girl who bad rescued him. “Then you do not regard Americans as your foes?” the officer asked. **No; why should I?’ replied the girl. ‘TI have never met with any thing but kind treat- ment from them. Besides I am an American too, now, for I live on the Texas side of the Rio Grande, and of course I must love my broth- ers.” Wenie, as he gazed upon her fair face and sparkling black eyes, in his heart wished that she would. extend a little of her love to him, . “You say you live near Tacos?” he asked. «Yes, only a mile on the El Paso road. You will come and see me, senor? My father will be glad to welcome you. My name is Juanita Torres.” “* And mine, Philip Wenie, a lieutenant in the United States Army, But I haven't thanked you yet for saving my life. Only for you I should have been buried in yonder quicksand,” said the officer, earnestly. ‘Oh, please don’t speak of that,” said Juanita, *zirl. < “Yes, can yon aid me?” asked the soldier. re ** Yes, senor, I can save you.” ‘*any one would-have done the same, Besides, : “ How?” asked the soldier, anxiously. my horse did more than I, for I but cast the Le “With my lasso,” answered the girl, and then | lasso to you, while he pulled you out; so you see blushing at the earnest gaze of the young officer; she gathered up tbe leather cord, and with a dexterous throw cast the loop over the young soldier’s head. ws ‘Fasten it beneath your arms, senor,” she said. ‘‘The other end is fast to the horn of my saddle. I will then start my horse and pull you out, The soldier obeyed the instructions; the girl started her horse with great caution, and, in a minute or so, the young lieutenant stood on the bank of the creek, saved ! Lieutenant Philip Wenie—for so he was called —had looked on many a beautiful girl in the course of his life, but never in his eyes had girl appeared so lovely as the Mexican maid who had saved him from his terrible danger. - “Are you burt, senor,” asked the girl, gath- ering the lasso up into little coils. “No,” returned the lieutenant: ‘‘I attempted to jump across the creek, and bad no idea that the shore was a quicksand.” ‘You are an American soldier?” asked the & 5. giz], plancing at his uniform, **TDo you come from Sante Fe?” ‘Yes, but some timne ago. At present I am stationed in the little village yonder,” and the soldier pointed down the river, “Tacos? asked the girl, in wonder. “ Yes.” - “I did not know any soldiers were ‘stationed at Tacos; I Jive scarcely a mile from there,” said The young officer could not repress a smile of gladness when he discovered that she lived in the neighborhood. _ “ Very likely,” he said, in reply to her speech. “We came but yesterday.” » ‘ And do you intend to stay?” asked the girl. _ ** Yes; for awhile at least.” “Tam glad of that!” cried the girl, quickly. And the lictitenant was glad of it too, although you owe him the thanks, not me.” The lieutenant shook his head gravely. “I’m afraid that if you bad not come along with the horse my chances of safety would have been small. I assure you I shall never forget the service, and possibly, some day, 1 may be able to repay it.” ‘*Now, if you say asingle word of thanks, I shall be angry. Are you going to Tacos?” she asked. ‘ “Yes,” he answered. ; “ Well, I goa wile that way with you, and I will point out my father’s house to you.” ‘““With pleasure!” cried the lieutenant, de- lighted at the chance of remaining in her society. * So together they proceeded in the direction of the town. The lieutenant had the greatest desire in, the world to appear to good advantage in the eyes of his fair companion, but, as he was covered to the armpits with the yellow mud of the quick- sand, he could not help confessing to bimself that he was not in the best possible condition to make an impression upon the heart of a young ~ and handsome girl. ‘* How came you to discover mein my perilous position?” he asked, as they proceeded slowly along, the girl accommodating the pace. of her steed to that of her companion on foot. “T heard the reports of your gun, and I thought it was the Pathfinder,” she answered. “The Pathfinder?” said the lieutenant, in sur- rise. ; PMA Yes, senor; Manuel, the Pathfinder, is my father’s chief herdsman. Ue promised me some game for supper; so, of course, when I heard the shots I thought it was he, and thinking to surprise him, I rode directly where the sound came from; but there, instead of the herdsman, I found you.” : ‘Tt was indeed a lucky chance that sent you to ~ fe a P 5 Oh rtd es te
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ey eee Mustang Rider Roy. my aid, Another half-hour and the quicksand would have closed over my head, I shall never forget the service you have rendered me,” said Wenie, warmly. “Yes; but you must forget it, or at least not speak of it. You will make me thin« I have done something noble, instead of which I have done nothing but a simple duty. That is my hous? yonder,” and the girl pointed to the left. **Gool-by. Remember—come!” and the girl rode off, Wenie looked after her, his heart in a blaze with passion’s fire, CHAPTER IL. THE EXPEDITION TO TACOS, Tue lieutenant watched the girl until she dis- appeared in the distance, hid from view by the * swells of the rolling prairie; then he continued ou his course to the village. The young man, like all other young men, had fnciel himself in love a score of tines or more, but never bad he seen a woman who had so com- pletaly taken possession of his heart as this fair young Mexican, He determined to follow up ths acquaintance thus so strangely begun. In a short time the lieutenant reached his quarters in the village, changed his clothes, aud soon removed all traces of the danger that he had passed, Tae village of Tacos was but a collection of + few scattere | houses clustered around what had formovly baen the mission-housa, for, like near- ly all tha Mexican settlements on the Indian frontier, Tacos had’bean originally foundel by the prie3ts—the mon who, with ths Biblo in one hani and the sword in the other, dared th» perils of the wildernsss to establish the trus faith, But the Mo:xican revolution, which broke the Spinish yoke, did much to diminish the power of the priestaool, and, after that time, nearly all the frontier missions had been abandonel; so that, when the company of Fe- eral cavalry, sixty stroag, filed Sy fours irto Tacos, thay founl tiat tho oli mission-hous> and its aljoining buildings, with a few repairs, would serve alnirably for quarters. Now then, what brought a company of United States solliers to tt insignificant valley? True, it was on the Rio Gran le, the frontier line between Mexico and Texas; but as there was peace between the two countries, an “‘army of observation” was hardly neeled, Had yotiasket the soldiers themselves they could not have an- swered sitisfactorily, but had you put the ques- tion to the offiser in command of the expedition, Major Curtin, an eldarly, gray-haired soldier, a mijor by brevet. wao had greatly distinguished himself duriny tha lats war, you would have learned that the cavalry were there to watch the * Brigan 1s of the Prairie.” Who were they? All along the frontier, from the Gulf_of Mexico in the south to the boundary line of New Mexico in the north, ‘here existed a, band of rob- bers—m3n bound together by fearful oaths— who depredated alike on Mexican ani American soil. The horses or beeves stolen in Mexico would be hastily driven across the Rio Grande to Texan soil and disposed of there; the plunder secured in Texas or New Mexico would be taken into Mexico and sold there. The actual number of the band—that is, those who did the plundering—was supposed not to exceed thirty, but it was currently reported that they had con- federates—men high in reputation among their neighbors, men of wealth and settled position— on Doth sides of the Rio Grande, who aided tha robbers in their escape from justice, and as- . sisted them in disposing of their ill-gotten booty. So formidable had this band become, so daring their outrages, that they had received the title of the Brigands of the Prairie. Indeed, on more than one occasion they had met the Mexican troops and boldly given them battle until the stolen herds were driven safely away. .It was to watch these daring villains, and if possible to bring them to justice, that the United States soldiers had been dispatched to Tacos, in whose vicinity, it was understood, the headquarters of the outlaws were, while it was also a favorite point of theirs for crossing the river. Lieutenant Wenie had hardly finished chang- ing his clothes when an orderly informed him that Major Curtin, the officer in command of the detachment, desired to see him, The lieutenant proceeded at once to the quar- ters of the major. The major, who was seated ata table, writ- ing, wasa tall, powerfully-built man, probably fifty years of age. His figure showed no sign of devay, and the iron-gray hair and beard alone told of age. “Sit down, lieutenant,” he said, indicating a chair: ‘‘ you’ve been out this afternoon?” ““ Yes; you rentember I asked permission,” re- plied the lieutenant. “ True; so you did. I had forgotten. I sent an orderly to your quarters about three.” * Anything particular, major?” “Well, yes, there is,” the major answered, slowly. ‘‘ By the way, did you go up the river, as you proposed?” ‘ “ Yes; [had quite an adventure, too,” replied the lieutenant, and then be briefly related how he became fast in the quicksand and was re- leased by the girl. “Aha!” cried the major, “that was quite ae atventare. Was the girl an Amazon of red skin? “Far otherwise, and very pretty,” replied the lieutenant, warmly, ‘'One of the prettiest little oval faces that my eyes ever looked upon— not so dark in complexion either as most of tne Mexican women, but of a hu3 as though she had been tanned by the sun, Then her hair is as black as jet; her eyes as dark as her hair; a good full eye with an honest look; and then, in figure she’s a little fairy of a woman, with such a dainty little hand!” A “ Why, lieutenant,” cried the major, in aston- ishment, ‘‘I should judge you to be in love with the lady!” y “So I am,” replied Wenie, honestly; ‘‘ that’s. the honest truth. I am in love with her.” * You learned her name?” “Yes—Juanita Torres.” “ Ah!” and for a moment the major was si- lent; then he said, abruptly: “I know her father, Juan Torres, very well, His house is about a mile from here, on the El Paso road—a 2
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a Pe eon / Wustang Rider Roy. wealthy man, and one of the largest cattle- raisers in this part of the country.” ** You know him?” said Wenie, in surprise. **Oh, yes; very well. Before I entered the army I resided in Santa Fe; I was a trader then; this Torres also lived in Santa Ke; he andI were rivals for the hand of the same girl; she was a Mexican like himself, but preferred me to him, and we married; my wife had a sister a few years younger than herself; this sister Torres afterward married.” - * Why, major!” exclaimed the heutenant, ‘ I uever knew that you had been married. I never heard you speak of it before.” “Because the subject is somewhat painful; but as you are in love with this man’s daughter, it is my duty as your friend to let you know with what sort of a man you will have to deal. ‘This Torres, like nearly all his nation, was of a treacherous and revengeful nature; I do not think that he ever forgave me for marrying Inez—that was my wife’s name—and though he had apparently consoled himself for her loss by marrying her sister, yet in his heart I am satis- fied he cherished plans of yengeance against me. A year passed, and the world went well with me; an infant son was born; my wife, tomy eyes, grew more and more beautif@l each day. I was as happy as man could be, but when my boy was some eight months old a terrible blow fellupon me, ‘The nurse, with the infant, went out one afternoon as usual; the child and nurse never returned, The loss of the infant broke my wife’s heart—she sickened and died. This sorrowful event is the reason why you have never heard me speak of my married life. try to keep my sorrow locked fast in my own breast.” And the grim old major bent down his head in evident pain. “ And did you not discover the fate of your child?” 4 ‘No, never,” the major answered, sadly. “*Both nurse and child disappeared as utterly as if the earth bad opened and swallowed them up. The search for them was long and fruit- less. At last all came to the conclusion that the nurse, w.th the child, had wandered too far out on the prairie and had fallen a prey to wild beasts.” ** And did you, too, come to that conclusion?” asked the lieutenant. “ 0O. ” * No?” cried Wenie, in surprise. “*T believed that the child lived. I believe that the child, now grown to man’s estate, is still living. Idid not blame the wild beasts of the prairie for the loss of my boy; I ascribed the calamity to a buman foe.” “To a human foe?” cried the lieutenant, still more astonished. “Yes, to a human foe,” repeated the major, solemnly. ‘‘To one who bore mé a secret hatred, a hatred that he did not dare to show openly, but a hatred which he wished me to feel, and so ke struck me in my tenderest points —my wife and child; he stole my child, and it killed my wife. Could vengeance go-further.” * And did you not bave . suspicion as to who that foe was?” asked We .e. 4 e Oh, yes; during the search he was by my | é side, the most untiring of all—the last man to give up the child as lost, and then he piously said that it was Heaven’s will.” “ And that man’s name?” asked the lieutenant, anxiously, for he bad a sbrewd suspicion as to what the name would be, “**Was Torres—the father of the girl who saved your life, and with whom you are in love,” replied the major. ‘* But had you any proof that he was guilty?” “No; if Lhad, I would have killed him with my own hand,” said the old soldier, flercely. ‘The villain, if he did commit the deed, cover- ed up his tracks too well for mortal eye to dis- cover them; yet in my soul | felt sure then, and o still feel sure, that it was bis hand that dealt me the terrible blow. After this occurrence— as you will probably suppose—I had but little taste for business, gave up my.store, and de- voted myself to discovering traces of my lost boy. For three years I kept a steady watch upon all the movements of Juan Torres, but my patience availed me notbing; no clew could I discover, Then I gave my. child up as lost, and I sought forgetfulness of my misery in the bustle of the great Eastern cities, Years passed; the war came, I enlisted at once. I won my present grade; and now you know the history of my life. When, at Santa Fe, I was ordered on this expedition, and I learned that Torres had a hacienda near here, I thought perhaps fate might place in my way, after this lapse of years, some clew to tell me of the fate of my lost boy.” : “Major, I hope sincerely that such will be the case,” said the lieutenant, earnestly, ‘* You have my deepest me ’ “T hope so,” replied the major. ‘* You see, however, what my opinion is regarding the father of this girl. By the way, to judge from your description, this Juanita must be strikingly like my wife, her mother’s sister; you can judge, therefore, how beautiful my wife must have been when I married her, and you can also judge how deeply I felt the blew that tore her from me,” “Yes,” replied the lieutenant, and in his own mind he fully realized how hard it would be for him to part from the beantiful Juanita, should he succeed in once winning her. * And now, to business,” said the major, ““Have you any idea why we are detailed for duty here at Tacos?” : “None in the world,” answered the lieuten- ant. ““-You have heard, of course, of the Briganda of the Prairie?” SEY en? : ‘“ Well, our present occupation here is to hunt down and destroy the famous band of robbers,” “*Ts it possible!” cried the lieutenant, in glee at the prospect of active service. “Yes; [ have already explained to Lieuten- ant Williams the object of our expedition. This, of course, must be kept a profound secret, for if these fellows should once guess our Geslin, good- by to our chance of rie ehg’ up the band. rom information received at headquarters it is believed that the band have a refuge some- where near here; it is even intimated that some wealthy Mexican in the neighborhood is one of Bait PROCS
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Mustang Rider Roy. hs leaders of the brigands—not an acting loader, but a planning one.” “But, major, how do you expect to detect these fellows, for they will most certainly keep quiet while the troops are in the neighborhood?” asked the lieutenant, “Very true; but there isa spy among them, who, if the brigands have a headquarters near here, will most surely find it out. These fellows will not suspect that we are sent here to operate against them, and will not, probably, change their programme on our account. By the way,” said the major, suddenly, ‘‘ are you going to visit this young lady whose acquaintance you madein such a peculiar manner? “Yes, of course; I again confess to you, major, that I am too deeply interested in her to give her up,” said Wenie, candidly. “Ttis but natural,” replied the major. “I was young ntyself once; I can understand the feeling; but, Wenie, if you go to the house of Juan h rres, keep your eyes about you.” The lieutenant looked at the major in aston- ment, : “ What do you mean?” ‘*Simply, that if there is any man in this neighborhood who knows anything about the Brigands of tte Prairie, Pl bes my commission against a bottle of wine that Torres is the man.” The major spoxe in a tone of conviction, “*T hope not, for her sake!” cried Wenie, “Don's despair; the daughter may not take after the father. I hope, for your sake, she does not,” said the major. And after a few more words the officers part- ‘CHAPTER III. THE GAY CAVALIER. THE shades of night had descended upon the prairie; all objects were wrapped in the same gloomy mantle; the moon—pale mistress of the night—rose late, and her silver beams had not ier fallen upon the broad surface of the green plains. We willleave Tacos to the darkness and the gloom of the still June night, and take the road leading north, to El Paso; but, ere we shall have procesded a mile or so on our way, we sball come to a large hacienda—that is, in Mexi- cin. the houses of a landed proprietor who raises eattle—and that hacienda is the home of Juan Torres, the wealthiest man for leagues around, and the father of the pretty Juanita. The hacienda of Torres was, like nearly all the Mexican houses, a large, square building, built of adobe—the sau-burnt brick of Mexico— and in its frowning grimness resembled a fort- ress more than the peaceful dwelling-place of a cattle raiser, : The house was a very old one, and around it quite a deal of shrubbery bad sprung up, mak- ing, as it were, a fruitful basis in the grassy wilderness, The entrance to the house faced directly to the road, though a hundred paces from it, and the approach toit was through a little lane Aree with half-grown trees and full-grown ushes. As we have said, the night was very dark, and as the windows of the hacienda—Mexican ») home, fashion—looked only on the square court-yard in the center of the building, no rays of light came from tbe house to illumine the darkness that surrounded it, Yet, in the darkness, close to the house, be- neath the shadow of some little trees, as if seek- ing concealment more than the inky blackness of the night afforded, stood two persons engaged in earnest conversation—one a man, the other a woman, The woman was but a slender girl of eighteen, yet lithe and graceful in form as the bending willow; the tint of the pure oval face wasa rich brown, as though the hot prairie sun had kissed her oft and passionately; her eyes a jet black, eyes full of pascion—full of fire; her hair as dark as the bue of the raven’s wing; her lips, little, pouting and exquisite in their color and dewy freshness; her form, perfection itself— that of a girl just budding into womanhood; even the coarse garments that she wore could — not disguise the matchless beauty of her perfect form, and yet, this beautiful creature was a peon girl, but one degree removed from a slave! These peons form a large proportion of the in- habitants of all the Mexican frontier towns, They are the descendants of the Indians, civiliz- edand tamed by the mission priests—the free spirit of the savage degraded to the menial offices of the slave. Thus it comes that the- peons are the drudges of the Mexicans. Athd this lovely girl was one of that degraded race. She was the waiting-maid of Juanita, and byes eg name was called Rita. And the man that stood by her side, holding secret converse with her, shielded from observa- tion by the inky mantie of the night—who was he? Nota peon, for the whiteness of. the fea- tures—could we see them in the darkness—and the richness of his attire, would quickly prove that. No, he wasa Mexican, and, judging by his garb, a wealthy one, for his embroidered pantaldons are of the finest clothy his yellow boots of the softest and best of leather, the frill- ed white shirt that covers his manly chest is made of the finest linen, the jacket is as richly ornamented as the pantaloons, his broad-brim- med sombrero is trimmed with gold lace, and the handsome striped shawl cast carelessly over his left shoulder has not a superior in price in all the broad lands of Mexico. The face of the oung man—for he was young in years, scarce- y reaching twenty-five—was a handsome one, save that his full lips had sometimes a peculiar curl, and his dark-gray eyes—almost black in hue—had an uncertain, treacherous glance. And the name of this young Mexican, who was so forgetful of the dignity of his race as to meet the peon girl Rita, with love on his lips, after nightfall and in the gloom of darkness? He was called Roy Lara, a nephew of Juan Torres, but hitherto a stranger to the hacienda of that gentleman, for, seven days before, no one of the household, save the master alone, knew that such a person as Roy Lara existed in the world, Without warning he had made his appearance; Juan Torres received him with open arms—called him his much-loved nephew— and lamented that family reasons had hitherto kept him a stranger to hi _=4 ene Pe uncle’s hearth and
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Mustang Rider Roy. And in the: seven days that Roy Lara had spent at the hacienda of Torres he bad done - much; he bad shown himself to be one of the best and boldest mustang riders; with the pistol, rifle or knife, few men were bis equal; and he had managed—how, even he himself could not tell—_to make his pretty cousin, Juanita, hate him, and her waiting-maid, the even prettier Rita, to adore him, Hence it is that we find ee now holding a love tryst with the peon irl. **Ob, Roy, and do you really love me?” asked the girl, yielding herself readily to the fond em- brace of the young Mexican and holding up her lips to receive his passionate kiss. “Do I love you, Rita?’ he cried, passionately; -“‘you are the light of my heart. Till my eyes fell upon your face I never fancied woman, but now P feel that I am devoted, heart and soul, to ou. **Can J believe you?” asked the girl, striving to see his eyes through the darkness—those mir- ors of the soul, that are so hard to hide deceit, But darkness hid the gray orbs from her view, and, had she seen them, they would have proved the tru.h of his words, for they were full of passionate Jove. ‘ **Can you believe that the stars shine when your own eyes see them? Can you beliéve that the waters of the Rio Grande roll onward to the ocean? Can you believe that truth is truth? Then believe in my love,” ‘* But I am only a poor peon girl,” she mur- “mured, “What of that?’ he said. ‘Love is not measured by station, By Heaven, were there no other way to win you, I would strip off this gaudy dress I wear and ina peon’s garb work daily in the fields for your sake. Oh, foolish child! will you not believe I love you?” “Yes, yes, I do believe it,” she said, softly, clinging to her lover’s breast. “That’s right!” he cried, imprinting a kiss upon her full, red lips; ‘‘ but do you love me?” ** Yes,” said the peon girl, softly. ‘** Better than any one else?” “Yes, better than my own life.” ** And when I will it, you will fly with me?” **Wly with you?” she cried, astonished, “Yes, fly wit” me,” he repeated. ‘I cannot make you miné aere, If you love me you must go with me; you must follow my fortunes, for good or evil, for llfe or death.” “You are right; I will go with you,” she an- swered. ‘“ That will prove that I love you, for ito} fe with you I shall leave my brother, the Pathfinder, whose love has been all in ‘all to me. Yet for your sake I will leave even him; I will leave the whole world for You.” **' You are an angel of a girl,” cried the Mexi- can, “‘ and now I am sure that you love me.” ‘**' You shail see that I do,” she said, earnestly. _*T shall arrange matters so that within a week orso I can make you mine. I do not think any one in the hacienda has any suspicions that we care for each other.” “Tam afraid my brother has,” she replied. ‘Ah, indeed! hat makes you think so?” he asked, anxiously. ‘“*T noticed this afternoon that he seemed to ba watching us, and that was the reason that [ | avoided you. My brother has a hot temper, and if he suspected our love and thought you meant me wrong, he would kill you, for he is as fierce in anger as a cougar,” said the girl, still clinging to the breast of her lover. ‘“* He is different, then, from peons generally; they are not given to brave deeds,” replied the Mexican. ‘“*My brother is not like a peon,” the girl answered, ‘‘ He has never worked in the fields, but has always roamed over the prairies. He is called the Pathfinder, for he knows the land for many a league. He is expert in the use of all weapons, and so brave that even the Comanches fear him.” ““There is no danger,” replied Roy. ‘I will arrange your flight so that no one will suspect that had a hand in it; and then, far away from this spot, we will find happiness—happiness such as mortals seldom enjoy on earth.” “And you will always love me?” asked the girl. : ‘* Always!” he returned, passiunately, and sealed the pledge with a kiss upon the red lips so - fondly upturned to his, Then, steps approaching up the little road alarmed the lovers, “*Some one is coming!” cried the girl. “Fly to the house, quick,” exclaimed the Mexican. , ‘‘I will remain here; the shadow of the trees will conceal me.” | “No! no! If it is my brother I must meet him, Go quickly!” cried Rita, and Roy noise- lessly ran through the darkness to the house. Rita remained quietly in the shadow of the trees. Would she be noticed? Useless thought! The neW-comer, whose eyes seemed to bave the cat-like faculty of seeing in the dark, came straight to her. : “ Rita,’”he said, ‘what are you doing here?’ and the voice told her that it was her brother, the Pathfinder, who spoke. **The house was warm; here it is cool,” she answered. 5 “* Are you alone?” he asked, suspiciously. i “Yes; do you not see that I am?” she said, reading her brother’s suspicion in an instant. ‘Rita, I have something to say to you,” and her brother’s voice had a touch of sternness. “Well?” she asked, “This stranger, Roy Lara, bas his thoughts upon you, **Do you think so?” asked Rita, her voice -be- traying no emotion. “And you love him !” The darkness concealed the start that the pct 2. gave at these words, ‘*You do not answer,” said the brother, after a pause. ‘What should I say?” demanded Rita, ‘If I deny it, you will not believe me.” “For I know it is the truth; my eyes, that can read the dimmest trail on the prairie and can tell where the wolf has passed, are not de- - ceived when the king-wolf is around in buman shape. Do you know why Roy here?” asked the Pathfinder. “ No,” “Tt is to marry Torres’s daughter, Juanita.” © ‘Tt is impossible!” cried Rita, “Tt is the truth. Would to Heaven it were comes
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si — Te ee LS Mustang Rider Roy. not, but it is the truth,” said the herdsman, sad- ly. “She is far too good and pure for such as he. Alas! alas!” ‘ Whiat difference does it make to you?” asked ita, in wonder. ‘* You are not her keeper!” ‘*No, not her keeper. She is my keeper, I love Juanita, myself!” and the stately head of the peon sunk upon his breast as he made the confession. “What?” exclaimed Rita, in astonishment; “you, a peon, dare to love the daughter of our master?” “ Why not?” returned Manuel, ‘ Do not you, a peon, love the nephew of our master—a man that seven days ago you had never seen—who may be, for aught you know, stained with the blackest of crimes? Juanita and I have been brought up together; five years her senior, I have watched over hey like a brother, but, till this man came to woo her, I did not dream that Tloved her. But now I know that it is so.” “My poor brotter!” cried ‘Rita, caressingly passing her arms around his neck. “‘ Yes, Iam poor,” he returned, bitterly; ‘* poor in birth and poor in love, But, sister, remem- ber my warning; beware of the love of this man!” “T shall remember, brother,” she said, as to- gether they proceeded to the hacienda, Then, like a snake, from beneath the covert of the bushes, crept a listener—a man who had heard allthat had passed—a man dressed rough- ly and poorly. ; “So,” he said to himself; ‘‘a sort of a trian- gular love affair! Good! All's fish that comes tomynet, This may aid me in some way. Aha! Tio, the Rat, thou art rightly named, 4nd must have had the devil for a godfather. But, now, to enter the enemy’s camp.” And with a firm step, the roughly-dressed fellow ean the door of the hacienda and knocked loud and lustily. CHAPTER IV. THE LEADER OF THE BRIGANDS. Iw his private chamber—lighted now by wax- candles stuck in massive gold candlesticks—sat the owner of the hacienda, Juan Torres; a man well in years, yet showing few traces of age, Small and slender was he in figure; bis face was of the true Mexican type, sallow and thin, lit up by piercing black eyes; the lips—over which curled a thin mustache, black in hue like the hair of its owner, but streaked here and there with silver lines—were thin and closely com- presset—lips denoting treachery and low cun- ning; his garb was that usually worn by Mexi- cans of the better class, for, though the hacienda of Torres was situated in Texas, yet, like many others on the Texan frontier, he was, to all in- tents and purposes, as much a Mexican as though he lived miles westward from the Rio Grande, . The other occupant of the chamber was Torres? nephew, Roy Lara, Roy bore but little resem- blance to his uncle; his skin -vas much fairer; he was much larger built in person; the eyes alone betrayed the relationship. S “Sit down, Roy,” said Torres; ‘I desire to have a few words of explanation with you,” “TY am completely at your service, uncle,” aoa Roy, edrelessly flinging himself into a: seat, “Now, to begin at the beginning, we com-° mence about the time of the earliest remem-* brance, which was when you were about six: years old,” said Torres, watching his nephew’s: face with his cold, glittering eyes, . ** Exactly,” responded Roy, with a look of astonishment at the strange beginning; ‘‘ though ' { don’t really see what you want to go quite so- far back as that for.” ‘“* Wait and you will see,” said Torres, coolly. . “At the age of six years where were you?” “Living with an old peon woman, my nurse, . near the city of Mexico, in a miserable little: hovel,” replied Roy, with a shrug of his shoul-- der, as if the remembrance did not please him. . “That is right,” returned Torres; ‘* your his-- tory was an extremely simple one, Your mother, , my sister, married a man who deserted her and’ her infant child; she died, you were left; you: had no claim on me, for I eee disowned my sis- ter for her marriage. What would have been® your probable fate in this world had I not ex-- tended to you a helping hand?” ‘and the eyes of ’ Torres looked searchingly in the face of he*put tne question. - probably have starved,” replied! yy as: “T shoul Roy, bluntly, ‘* Right; the chances are that you would have: done so, but I gave you my hand, and you lived; tierefore, you owe to me your life; is i not so?” asked Torres, “Yes, [ acknowledge the debt,” reptied the ~ young man, ‘Good. Then, at the age of six, I took charge of your fortunes, I sent you to school till you were ten; then I sent you to, the prairie to learn in the school of life. ‘You, were an apt scholar, When you were sixteen, few men'on the fron- tier could ride or fight better than you.” “That, I believe, is true,” said Roy, honestly, and without a tinge of boasting. ‘I have never yet met my master.” _ But, to proceed, ever since you were sixteen, you have been one of the Brigands of the rairie; you have distinguished yourself—” “ Yes,” interrupted Roy, dryly; ‘‘so much so that an head on the other side of the Rio Grande is worth a hundred ounces.” “That shows how dangerous the Mexican Government thinks you. ou know that, ten days ago, at our ranch on the Rio Pecos, Miguel Jeeta chief of the Brigands of the Prairie, - died, “Yes, from an accident in the shape of a. loaded pistol in the hand of a drunken brigand,” observed Roy. “Such accidents will happen in bands like» ours. Garcia’s death leaves us without a chief. . You are aware that our band in principle is a. republic; the next chief will be elected within a . week; forty of our band have the right to vote » for that chief, and of the forty votes I control | twenty that I can surely count on.” Roy stared at his uncle in amazement. . “Why, then, that gives you the power to» elect the chief that controls our band.” “‘Exactly,” replied Torres, “and I want a. chief who will act my will. ia was a hot-- headed fool, who imagined that he alone hadi
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/ tiently, Mustang Rider Roy. brains; he crossed me once too often; the result, his death.” Roy made up his mind that, of all the scoun- drels he had met during his career—and the number was great—bis uncle was certainly the greatest. “Well, uncle,” said Roy, ‘‘I don’t exactly un- derstand what this has to do with me.” ney, that I am about to make you chief of the Brigands of the Prairie,” said Torres, calmly. ‘* What!” Roy started, as if he had received an electric shock, ‘I chief?” **'Yes; you are devoted to me; you will do my will; you shall befehicf of the brigands; I will be the brain of that chief. Is it a bargain?” “Yes,” cried Roy at once; “I agree.” “Now, for another subject,” said Torres, ‘You know it is my purpose to form a union between you and my daughter?” “Yes; but as the young lady seems to have taken a violent dislike to me, I don’t exactly see how you are going to carry out the idea.” “Roy, you know that [ am rich?’ “Yes,” replied the young ian. “All I have will go to my daughter’s ‘hus- band.” : Re Well, I am perfectly willing, if she is,” said OY. F “She must be willing!” cried Torres, fiercely. ‘She has the stubborn spirit of her mother, but hi will bend her to my will, She must marry you. “Good; forceis a great persuader. she almost hates me,” observed Roy. “You have not tried to win her love; you mye been blindly infatuated with the peon girl, ita. . “The deuce!” cried Roy to himself, ‘* what sharp eyes that precious old man has!” ““Why do you seek this girl?” asked Torres, “Well, honestly, I love her,” said Roy. “Yes, as a child loves a new toy; and, like the child, you will soon tire and throw it away.” ‘““'That’s extremely possible,” said Roy, coolly; “that has been the case with all my loves be- fore.” “Be careful,” said Torres; “this girl has a brother, a stout fellow, who will probably call you to account if you wrong his sister.” “Tshall act cautiously, rest assured,” replied I know Roy. ay the way, did you know that there is a detachment of United States soldiers in Tacos?” “The deuce! no!” cried Roy, with a start, ‘** Yes; a full company of cavalry.” : “Can they suspect our retreat on the Rio Pecos?” exclaimed Roy. “No; there isn’t any danger of that being discovered. One of the officers has seen Juanita.” “Well, what of it?’ asked Roy. “She saved him from the quicksand by the _ bank of the Rio Grande; he was sinking when ' she came to his aid. She invited him to call here.” ** He won’t discover anything.” “Roy, are you blind?’ asked Torres, impa- “ Juanita is half in love with this offi- ger, whose life she has saved; give them but a few opportunities for meeting, and not all the persuasion and force in this world will make Juanita marry you.” ‘What is to be done?” asked Roy. ** As yet, nothing. When Juanita told me of this chance meeting I told her that the visits of this officer here would not be pleasant, and that I should not receive him. I shall instruct the servants when this officer comes to give him such a reception that he will not repeat bis visit,” said Torres, ‘Ah, uncle, we shall ‘*Bravo!” cried Roy. win the game,” “Yes, but we must play with loaded dice,” returned Torres, coolly. ‘‘ And, to commence at once, tell one of the servants to send Juanita tome. I shall tell her that she must lcok upon you as her affianced busband; and, boy, be care- ful in regard to this peon girl, Rita. Do as you will with her, but mask it from the world,” And with this sage injunction in his ears, Roy withdrew. ‘Strange how I love that boy,” the old man gidenvagst to himself after Roy had left the apartment. ‘I love him far better than I do my own girl; itis for her sake, I suppose, for Heaven knows I hated the father with all my heart, The entrance of Juanita put an end to his meditations. “You wished to see me, father,” she said, and it was plainly evident from ber manner that there was but little love between the father and daughter, “Yes, my child,” said Torres, looking intent- ly in his daughter’s face; ‘‘ you bave grown to womanhood ; it is time to think of a husband for ou.” - Juanita trembled at this beginning. She had understood fully the meaning of the glances that Roy Lara had bestowed upon her; and in her heart she hated him, Why, she could not tell, for he never offended her in any way, but some secret instinct warned her against him. “How do you like my nephew, Roy Lara?” pean her father, when he found that she did not speak, rs do not like him,” answered Juanita, hon- estly, ‘“l am sorry for that, for he is to be your future husband,” returned the father. ‘* Whether I love him or no?” asked Juanita, in amazement, “You urea foolish child; you do not know the meaning of the word love!” cried Torres, testily. te “Tt know that I can never love my cousin!” ex- claimed Juanita, passionately; ‘‘ I know that I hate him.” “Hate him!” cried her father; ‘why do you hate bim?” nl “Tdo not know,” replied Juanita,“ but his very presence is distasteful to me.” “Do you love any one else?” questioned Torres, uietly. A punsing blush spread over Juanita’s cheeks ard forebead at the question. : “whom should I “No, no,” she murmured; love?” - ‘* How can I tell?” said Torres, coldly. ‘* Young ladies of your age sometimes take fancies into
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AERO R Ae AS Ree A eer A eT: + 10 their heads; but, fancy or no fancy, you may consider your fate settled; within a week you will be married to your cousin Roy,” “Then you do not care whether I love him or do not love hint?” asked Juanita, in amazement. “No,” replied Torres, shortly. * And does he care as little for my feelings to- ward him?” demanded the gir). ** He loves you, and will marry you, let that suffice,” said Torres, determinedly. “ Father, hear me,” exclaimed Juanita, all the strength of her woman’s nature aroused, ‘tT do not love Roy Lara, and of my own free will, I shall never marry him.” ‘You are a foolish child,” returned tho father. “Go to your room; you will think better of this; time will convince you that you had best submit and do my bidding.” ‘* Never, father!” cried 5 uanita, as she left the apartment. CHAPTER V. THE MEETING ON THE PRAIRIE, THE next morning came clear-and beautiful. After breakfast, Roy saw in the court-yard a man whose face seemed strangely familiar to him, The man was evidently a stranger; his dress was poor and well worn; in size he was about the medium hight—in face a Mexican, Roy called Torres’s attention to the man, and asked who he was. **Oh, a poor devil who came along last night, begging for work,” answered Torres, ‘‘ and as, by his own account, he is a good herdsman, [ engaged him.” ‘Tt is strange how familiar his face is to me,” said Roy, slowly, as if trying to place the fea- tures in his memory. “Tt isa common face,” said Torres, ‘It is evident that the poor devil has suffered from want in the past.” And so the subject of the Stranger, wao was no other than the listener in the bushes of the preceding evening, who had called himself Tio, the Rat, was dismissed, After breakfast, Juanita mounted the horse— the cream colored mustang—and rode off. At first she role directly north, toward El Paso, then, fairly out of sight of the hacienda, she made a wide circuit round to the south aad rode toward Tacos. What object had Juanita in this early ride? She could hardly have told herself, save that in her heart she had a s2cret hope that she might meet the young offizer whose life she had saved, and whose image since that moment-had ever been before her. Riding briskly on, the town of Tacos soon rose before her, and then to her joy, galloping up the road from the town, she saw the young lieuten- ant, who, if truth be told, had ridden forth that morning iu hopes of meeting with the fair Mexican girl. The delight at the meeting then was mutual, “You are in the saddle early,” said the lieu- tenant, as they met. ‘“ Yes,” she aoe striving to conceal the joy which sparkled in her eyes, ‘I love to ride, . “Tf you will accept my escort, I shall be pleased to accompany you,” said the officer, FR ap” a Mustang Rider Roy. ; * I shall be delighted,” replied the girl, truth- ully. So, side by side, the lovers—for such, in truth, they were in heart, although their lipshad never declared it—rode along, They turned their course toward the river, and reaching it rode along parallel with the Rio Grande. ‘*Pardon me,” said Wenie, as he noticed the slight cloud upon the face of his fair young com- panion, ‘‘ but you do not look welll this morning —you seem sad; are you ill?” ‘“No,” Juanita replied, with a half-smile; “but,” and she looked earnestly at the young officer to note the effect of her words, ‘‘I am going to be married,” ‘* Married!” cried the lieutenant in despair; ena his face showed plainly how keen was the ow. £* Yes,” continued Juanita, delighted with what she saw in the face of her companion; “married to a man I do not and can not love.” “Why, then, do vou marry him?” “Tt is my father’s will; he forces me to it.” “Surely, your father should consult your happiness before proceeding on a step like this,” said the lieutenant, in amazement, Juanita shook her head err “My father cares very little for aught else but his own pleasure, He intends to force me to marry, whether I will or no.” “By Heaven!” cried Wenie, hotly, ** he is not worthy the name of father. Is there no escape for you?” ; **T can see none,” replied Juanita. ‘* In seven days I am to be married.” ‘or amoment Wenie was silent; busy thoughts were in his, mind. Should he stand tamely by and see this beautiful girl sacrificed, and she, too, the only girl that he felt he ever had really loved—sacrificed to a man she did not love? No, he would speak, and win or lose all. ‘‘ Juanita,” he said, and his strong, manly voice trembled as he spoke, ‘‘ I have only known you a few hours, but it seems to me as if years had passed since we first met. You are the first girl that I have ever seen that I felt I could love with my whole heart, I should have kept this a secret, but what you have told me makes mespeak, Juanita, I love you, and I can not be distasteful to you. Can you love me a little?” The two horses had stopped, the riders were side by side, “No, not a little,” replied the blushing girl, ‘but, like you, with all my heart.” Overjoyed, he clasped her gently in his arms; their lips met in the pure and holy kiss that true love gives to true love, : ** Mine! forever mine!” cried the lieutenant, as he looked full into the dark eyes that now gazed so lovingly into his. ‘* Yos, forever and forever,” replied Juanita. ‘But your father will never consent to our marriage,” said "the lieutenant, ‘* No, never,” “Will you go with me, then, and become mine despite his wishes?” asked Wenie, anxiously. “Yes, to the end of the world. My father does not treaf me as a daughter; why, then, should [ give that obedieace which should be his due?” .
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Mustang Rider Roy. “There is a priest in the village; he shall | marry us, and once you are mine, I defy ail hu- man power to take you from me, Can you leave your father’s hacienda to-morrow about this time without exciting suspicien?” “Yes,” answered the girl. ‘*T will’ meet you here, and in the interval I will see the priest and prepare all things for the ceremony. {f must lose no time, for, if your father or this favored rival of mine—to whom perforce they intend to marry you—sbould dis- cover our love, they may devise some plan to separate us. Do you consent to this hasty union?” “Yes,” answered Juanita, trustfully giving her hand to her lover; ‘‘ your willis my will; whatever you say, I will do. But now let us part, that we may not be seen together, and our plot be suspected.” 2 “Warewell, then, beloved,” cried thé lieuten- ant; ‘‘ remember to-morrow,” “T shall not forget,” exclaimed the girl, gaz- ing with those eyes so full of love into the face of her lover, A warm pressure of the hands, and they part- ed; the lieutenant taking the road to the vil- lage, Juanita that which led northward to ber father’s house, Hardly had she faced her horse about and commenced her homeward joarney, when, to her dismay, she perceived ber cousin, Roy Lara, on horseback, approaching rapidly. ‘Could he have seen me part with the lien- tenant?” was the question that mentally passed through her mind, and as Koy galloped up she cast a searching glance at his features, trying to read his mind in his face. The attempt was fruitless, though, for Roy’s face wore the usiial half-sneering smile conimon to it. “Taking a gallop, my fair cousin?” he said, smilingly, as he halted his horse before her. “Yes,” she replied, curtly, drawing her horse off to the left, as if to pass him; but, with a quick movement, he wheeled his horse around and rode beside her, ; *“ Homeward now, Juanita?” he asked, j ‘*-Ves,” she answered, She took but little pains to conceal her dislike, “Tl keep you company, then,” he replied. - * By the way,” he said, abruptly, as they rode along, ‘ you have had an escort this morning, I presume. Was that not one of the officers of the troops stationed at Tacos, that I saw you part- ing with just now?” Juanita felt that it would be useless to attempt to disguise the truth, “Yes,” she answered, *‘ iti was,” ‘“ Was it the same officer whose life you saved yesterday, in the quicksand?” he said, carelessly. ‘Lieutenant-- By the way, what is his name?” “‘ Wenie,” she answered, and then the next in- stant could have bitten off her tongue for speak- ing, for her quick eye noted the look of exulta- tion that flashed over Roy’s face when he learned the name of his rival. * Juanita, do you know I’ve half a mind to be jealous?” he said, slowly. ‘‘ To see my affianced wife riding alone with a dashing young officer, and he, too, but fhe acquaintance of a day, is not very pleasant.” ; “Tudeed!”and Juanita’s lip curled in scorn; “om I your aflianced wife? I was not aware that you had done me the honor to ask for my hand.” The coolness of the girl disconcerted the re- doubtable Roy, who was certainly not troubled with bashfulness, ‘Your father arranged the whole affair,” he replied, ‘‘and I thought, of course, that it in- cluded your consent; but to make the matter fully understood, Juanita, I love you, and ask you to be my wife.” “Senor, Lam sorry, but I do not return your passion,” said the girl, coldly, ‘‘ and I must de- cline your offer,” : ‘Tt is your father’s will!” exclaimed Roy. “You will find that my father’s will does not bind my hand!” exclaimed Juanita, indig- Hanis while the hot blood mounted into her cneeks, ‘You refuse me, then?” asked si “Yes,” replied the girl, firmly, ‘* I do!” ‘Perhaps you are in love with somebody else,” returned Roy, sneeringly—“ perbaps with this North American officer—this cursed Gringo! Let him beware how he crosses my path, for if he does, not all the fiends below can save him from my vengeance.” ‘Threatened men live long, senor; possibly the life of this American will not be shortened by your words,” replied Juanita, in scorn, ‘““We shall see!” cried the Mexican, hotly; “but his wife you never will be.” on “Your wife I never will be!” returned Juan- ita, all the fire of her nature aroused. “That remains to be proved,” replied Roy; “ but for this officer, I will take care of bim.” Juanita understood the covert threat, but she had little fear; she felt sure that her lover was more than a mateb for Roy Lara. “T shall tell your father of this stolen inter- view,” continued Roy. “Tell what you please. I judge, from what little I have seen of you, that it is like your nature to play the spy; but the interview was not, as you say, a ‘stolen’ one. I met the offi- cer, by chance, openly on the prairie, I did not dream that my steps were watched, or that my cousin would descend to play the spy upon my actions,” - The tone of the girl was full of bitterness, and the young Mexican felt keenly the sting of her words, By this time they had reached the bacienda, Both dismounted, gave their horses to the charge of the servants, and entered the house. Juanita proceeded at once to her chamber, while Roy sought Senor Torres. “Well?” questioned Torres, when Roy entered his room, for he saw plainly by bis angry look that something had happened. “Juanita has been riding with this officer— curse him!—upon the prairie,” cried Roy. ‘* Ah!” and the brows of the old Mexican grew dark witb anger. ‘‘ How do you know?” “T saw them part on the ro d near Tacos, and, judging from the tirae that Juanita left the house this morning, they must have been to- gether two bours at least,” ‘That is bad,” said Torres, musingly, ‘ Can this officer be in love with her?” ; Nothing more natural,” returned Roy; “ she
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Mustang Rider Roy. saved his life, thing, she is in love with him.” Torres started, and his face plainly showed his anger at this intelligence. at is to be done with this headstrong girl?” cried the father. ‘“Send her away until we can arrange everything for the marriage—send her to our ranch on the Rio Pecos. Let her go there at night; be kept closely housed after she is there, ee she will not suspect the character of the lace.” 2 “The plan is good!” cried Torres; ‘it shall be carried out. She shall depart this very night, This soldier shall be thrown completely off the track.” “Do not fear him,” said Roy, and a peculiar expression appeared on his face, ‘ [ shall see him this afternoon; he has come between me and my purposes; he is in danger.” ‘*Be careful. Remember he has many at his back.” ‘*My mustang is swift; I can easily escape. No one in the village knows me; besides, I shall leave here to-night.” Roy left the father to his reflections, which were not altogether pleasant, and went to his own apartment, There he examined the charges in his pistols, tried the point of his knife, and made all preparations as if for a deadly en- counter, _ CHAPTER VI. A SOLDIER’S WAY. Tue hour of two in the afternoon found Roy Lara on his mustang and riding rapidly toward Tacos. He had detertnined to execute speedy and certain vengeance upon the young officer who had dared to come between bim and the beautiful Juanita. Tacos wa3 not without that usual ae to civilization, a little drinking-house; and to this Roy directed his way. The house was a little, one-story structure, built of adobe, but not in the usual Mexican fashion of asquare, with a court-yard in the center, for the windows looked directly upon the street. Roy’s keen eye noted the surrounding of the house as he approached. He dismounted and entered; his well-trained beast remained quietly where he had been left. The little room that Roy entered was deserted. He seatad himself by a little table close to the window and called loudly for the host. The keeper of the house, an oily little Mexi- ean, came bustling into the room. ** Welcome, senor,” he cried; ‘‘ what will the senor ba pleased to have?” * Aquardiente,” (a Mexican liquor), said Roy, “and can you find a messenger to carry a mes- saze to an officer of the garrison here?” ‘Yes, senor,” replied the host; ‘‘ [ll bring him to you.” | The host disappeared, but returned in a mo- ment, bringing the liquor, and behind him an- other Mexican. b “ This is the man, senor; he will go,” said the ost, ] At all events, Iam sure of one Roy looked at the Mexican, and to his aston- ishment saw that it was the same fellow whose face had attracted his attention in the court-yard of the hacienda that morning. lt was indeed Tio, the Rat, After placing the liquor upon the table, the host discreetly withdrew, “You are in the household of Senor Torres?* asked Roy. “Yes, senor,” rin. ““What brings you here?” ** Pm fond of liquor.” The answer was sufficient, “Do you know me?” asked Roy. “That depends upon circumstances,” returned Tio, with another grin. **'You are a sensible fellow,” said Roy, ‘and, at the present time, I am an utter stranger to you; you never saw me before; you under- stand?” ‘Yes, senor,” replied Tio. * And if, in an hour or so, you are questioned as to who or what I am?’ **T shall know nothing!” cried the vaga- bond Mexican, who formed such a contrast to the other. “Exactly! I see that you understand me; you shall not lose anything by it,” said Roy, ‘Now, will you bear a message from me to Lieutenant Wenie, one of the United States officers here?” ‘* Yes, senor.” “Say to him that a gentleman desires to see him here on particular business,” “ Yes, senor; I'll fly at once,” and the Mexi- can departed on his errand. “Aha!” said Tio to bimself, as he walked toward the quarters of the soldiers; ‘‘ what does Roy Lara want with the lieuténant? I must know.” Roy in the mean while drank a little of the potent pars loosened the pistols in his belt, = 9 that his knife played freely in its scab- ard, Within ten minutes Roy saw a manly form, decked in the blue of Uncle Sam, pass the win- dow, and in a second more’ Lieutenant Wenie entered the room, Roy had chosen a position with his back to the window. ** You sent a message to me, sir!” said Wenie, addressing Roy, the only occupant of the room. When Wenie had received the message that a Mexican gentleman desred to speak with him, his first thought was that it must be the father of Juanita, who had, by some means, discover- ed the secret of his daughter’s love. He was surprised then, when he found that it was a young man about his own age who awaited him, » ‘* Yes, senor,” replied Roy, in answer to the officer’s question, ‘I had that honor. Be seated, senor,” he said, motioning to a chair on the op- posite side of the table. The iieutenant sat own, ; The table was between the two men, the win- dow right at Roy’s back. ‘Now, sir, your business with me?” asked Wenie, unable to guess why the Mexican should wish a private interview with him, replied the other, with a
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Mustang Rider Roy. “You are acquainted with a lady called Juanita Torres?” In a moment the truth flashed upon the young officer’s mind; the man before him was his rival. ‘* Yes,” he answered; ‘‘ I am.” ** You are in love with this lady.” “Tam too much of a gentleman to dispute your word,” returned Wenie, bowing with mock politeness, A red spot gathered in the cheeks of the Mexican at this answer. ‘**T suppose you are aware that the senorita is engaged to be married?” said Roy, striving to preserve bis coolness, ‘* How should I be aware of the fact?” ques- tioned Wenie, blandly. “ Possibly the lady herself may have inform- ed you.” * Possibly,” returned the lieutenant. * Has she not told you?” said Roy.” ** Ah, excuse me,” replied Wenie, with formal politeness; “‘you put a direct question; you really must excuse my answering it.” “Tn six days the lady is to be married,” said the Mexican, feeling that be was getting angry. “Tndeed?”’ cried the lieutenant, coolly, ‘‘ Who to? Are you to be the happy man?” “That matters not,” replied Roy, shortly, feeling tbat he was no match inv coolness for the American. , * As you say, it matters not,” said Wenie. * Only I was about to congratulate you, if you were to be the happy bridegroom.” The Mexican felt that there was bitter mock- ery in the words so lightly spoken, and the blood began to leap fiercely m bis veins. “Senor, you must give up all thoughts of Senorita Torres,” he cried, ‘“ Must!” returned the lieutenant, coolly. “That is a word foreign to me. But, senor, do you not think that you are proceeding rather rashly? You come to me and say that I must give up all thoughts of a lady that perhaps I never have thought of—at least you have no proof that I have indulged any expectations in that direction.” The lieutenant was skillfully leading the Mex- can on, to see if he really hed discovered any- thing. a vee ** Bnough that we have a suspicion, which, in our minds, is as strong as a certainty,” replied Roy, his hand seeking the handle of bis pistol— the movement concealed from the eyes of the lieutenant by the table ‘* We,” said the lieutenant, laying a peculiar stress upon the word; ‘and who—if [ may be so bold as to ask the question—does awe consist of?” ‘* Her father and myself!” replied Roy. “Ah, now I am sure of it!” cried Wenie. “You are the gentleman to whom in six days she is to bo wedded. Ry the way, I haven’t had the pleasure of learning your name yet,” ‘*My name does not concern you,” “Oh, yes, it does,” replied the lieutenant, “for [have an idea that you and I will meet hereafter.” “T think not.” said Roy, grimly, clutching the butt of bis pistol firmly as he spoke. ‘“ Rut you have not answered my question,” he ecn- jay" “Will you resign all thoughts of the ly Zz ‘First prove to me that 1 have thoughts of her; then V’ll tell tell you whether I'll resign them or not,” said the lieutenant sec nt ‘ ae ia are jesting with me!” cried Roy. ercely. ‘* Never was more serious in the whole course of my life,” returned the officer. “You will find that this is no laughing matter!” exclaimed the Mexican, thoroughly angry, and only waiting for a favorable oppor- tunity to put his plan in execution. ‘* Laughing matter?” said Wenie, with a eculiar look—a look that boded danger to the exican; ‘‘oh, no! you will find before we are through that lamas much in earnest as you are. “Tf you do not give up the senorita, force may be used!” cried Roy, in a tone of menace. ** Force!” repeated Wenie; ‘‘ the very thought that bas been in my mind for the last five minutes, and I've been thinking whether to throw you through the door or through the win- dow.” said Wenie, in bis quiet way. ‘‘ You need a lesson, and I think I'l give you one,” ’ ‘What! you give me a lesson, dog!” cried Roy. This epithet had hardly passed his lips, ere the firm hand of the American had dashed the ves- sel of liquor full in his face, Half blinded with the drench, Roy sprung to his feet, but before the Mexican could strike, with a powerful blow, given with all the strength of the muscular arm of the American, Wenie struck Roy in the neck, right on the jugular vein. Through the open window went the Mexican, stunned and sense- less, “Well, he did go through the window, after all,” said Wenie, quietly to himself, as he looked on his he)pless foe, ; The host, alarmed, rushed into the room, fol- lowed by the Mexican, Tio, who, from the door- way, bad watched the scene. é ‘* May the Virgin save us!” cried the host, as his eyes fell upon the seuseless form of the Mexi- can extended on the ground outside; ‘‘the man is dead!” **No, he’s worth a dozen dead men,” replied the officer. ‘‘ Bathe his head; he'll soon come to. ‘And, giving this advice, Wenie departed. ‘* Bring some liquor!” cried Tio; “ but first, help me to bring him in. That devil of an American must have an arm and fist like iron, Together the host and Tio brought the sense- less man into the house, After repeated applications of liquor to his temples, Roy slowly revived. ‘Ah! my head!” were Roy’s first words. ‘Santa Maria!” cried Tio, ‘‘a horse couldn't have kicked harder;” and be lost bimself in ad- miration of the deftly-given blow, Soon Roy managed te stand upon his feet and comprebend what had passed. For the first time in his life he had met his master, . Terrible was the oath of vengeance that he swore, —— Weak, and with his head swimming from the effects of the terrible buffet, Roy mounted bis horse, and, attended by Tio on a patient little mule, took the road homeward, Butone thought was in his mind—vengeance!
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CHAPTER VII. THE FLIGHT BY NIGHT, On the road to the hacienda, Roy arranged his plans, First, Juanita must be removed from the neighborhood of Tacos—removed froin all chance of ever again seeing the young lieutenant who had given him such a terrible lesson. Sec- ond, Rita, the peon girl must become bis, and, in order to effect that, she, too, must be removed from the hacienda—removed from the watchful care of her brother, Manuel, the herdsman, The ranch of the brigauds by the Rio Pecos offered a secare retreat. Isolated from the world, Rita ouce there, there was but little danger of her being discovered, Then, too, there were brigands enough there to hold the ranch against a host, should it, by any fatal chance, be discovered, Bat who was to convey Rita there? She must have, as an escort across the prairie, one that he could trust. Roy’s eyes fell upon Tio, the ap- p rently half-starved vagabond, riding demure- ly behind him, And as Roy looked upon him, nzain he felt sure that be had seen his face before, ‘* What is your name?” Roy asked, suddenly. * Tio,” answered the humble follower. “6 Lio!” *Ye3, senor; by some of my old friends in Mexico I was called Tio, the Rat.” ‘Tio, the Rat?” repeated’ Roy; ‘‘a strange name! Why did they call you that?” “ Bocause, I suppose, I possessed the rat-like faculty of living upon almost nothing, and get- ting it without paying for it,” responded the Mexivan, with one of his peculiar grins. * Bave L not seen you before, somewhere?” asked Roy. A peculiar expression passed across the face of Tio, unnoticed, however, by his companion, ‘ Yes, senor,” he answered, “ In Mexico?” ‘Yes, senor.” “ Where?” “Does the senor remember a certain New Year’s night in the prison in the City of Mex- ico?” aske 1 the vagabon1. * Yes; twas on that night that [escaped from it; you then must know who I am? said Roy, “Yes, senor; one of the leaders of the Bri- gands of the Prairie, I remembered your face the instant I saw it. J escaped from the prison with you that night,” “T remember now,” cried Roy; ‘‘but you were dressed then like a gentleman, and not in wretched rags like these.” * Ah, senot!” cried Tio, witha sigh; ‘ For- tune smiled upon me then, Since that time sbe has frowned upon me.” “ Well, since you know our secret, join us; become a Brigand of ths Prairie; what say you?” asked Roy. **T shall be delighte1, senor,” responded the other. “A brave future is in store for you,” said Roy. * And now you can do me a service.” “Command me, senor,” cried Tio, quickly. ‘Are you accustomed to the prairie? Can Aplg amcor way by night, with no other guide an the stars?” _ Yes, senor,” replied the other, readily. Mustang Rider Roy. “Do you know in what direction the Rio Pecos runs?’ “ Yes, senor; it is Bo the east of us, almost parallel with the Rio Grande,” “Right, Now the service I wish you to do is this: there is a lady in yonder hacienda whom I wish you to conduct to a ranch on the Rio Pecos; the ranch is about a hundred and fifty miles from here, I have arude map at home by which I can show you the exact position of the place. Do you think you can conduct the lady there?” “Ob, yes, senor; without a doubt!” cried Tio, and he could hardlytonceal his exultation, for he understood fully that that this lonely ranch on the Rio Pecos was the headquarters of the Prairie Brigands! Tio the Rat hada strong desire to penetrate to that stronghold. Reaching the hacienda, Roy, after warnin Tio to keep his tongue between his teeth regard- ing the expedition on foot, sought Senor Torres, Eagerly the old Mexican questioned him con- cerning the young officer, ‘*T have not been able to accomplish any- thing,” was Roy’s truthful reply. “Juanita must be got out of his way to- night,” said Torres, thoughtfully, “ Have you thought of a plan?” asked Roy, ‘*-Yes; I shall tell my daughter to prepare for a journey to Santa Fe, and start away the mo- ment the snades of night close over the prairie. That report spread among the household will put this officer on the wrong track, if he misses the girl and makes inquiries after her, You must depart at once for the ranch; reaching it, select ten or fifteen men and return to escort us across the prairie,” ‘“* Where shall 1 meet you?” asked Roy. | . ** At the old ruined ranch, twenty miles from here, on the El Paso road. When I reach it to- night I will halt, wait for your arrival, then send back my people; they, of course, will think that we have kept straight on for El Paso.” “ Bxcellent,” cried Roy. ‘* This North Amer- ican will be thrown completely off the trail; but if be should™happen to have a mountain- man in his company—one used to trailing—he “might be able to follow us.” : “There is little danger of that,” said Torres, ‘These are regular troops, and the mountain- men, used to the free life of the prairie, are not apt to exchange it for the dog’s life of the com- mon soldier.” “You will wait at the old ranch till I come, then?’ said Roy. “Yes,” replied Torres. ‘‘Make a detour when you approach, so as_to come from the north—the El Paso way. Jt is Gur_people that we must deceive; they must think that we are going to Santa Fe.” ; “TH to horse at once and set out!” cried Roy, and forthwith he left the room. He did not go to the stables, however: but proceeding cau- tiously, he entered a small room adjoining that of Juanita—the room of the peon girl, Rita. “Where is your mistress?” he asked, cautious- ly. Yi She is sleeping,” replied the girl. “Good; we are not likely to be disturbed, then. Rita, are you prepared to fly to-night?”, “To night!” exclaimed the girl, in surprise,
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“ Yos, to-night,” repeated Roy. ‘Tam about to set forth now; that will remove all suspicion that I have anything to do with your flight.” ‘But am I to go alone?” asked Rita, in won- der. ‘No; of course not,” replied Roy. ‘‘ Have you noticed the stranger that came yesterday— the common-looking fellow in the garb of a herdsman?” : = “ Yes,” answered the girl; ‘‘ you mean Tio?” “T see you know his name; he is the one I mean. At nightfall he will be waiting with two horses outside the hacienda, just beyond the spot where we held our last meeting. You will go tohim. Mount one of the horses; he will act as your guide and protector: you will fly— fly, to finally find shelter in my arms,” “ Ah, bow happy!” murmured the girl. ‘You will do this?” he asked. “ Yes.” “ ‘Be sure you are not observed.” Then press- ing a farewell kiss upon her red lips he left ber. On his way to the stables he met Tio, To him he explained the plan of operations, pointed cut the two mustangs to use, ordered bis own mustang to be saddled, and then, with Tio, re- turned tothe house. In his room he gave the herdsman a rudely-drawn map, and pointed out the route that he must follow. ; Tio declared that he could find the road blind- fold. Then, satisfied that everything would pro- gress favorably, Roy swung himself into the saddle and phioped off, bending his course ap- parently for El Paso, Torres summoned his daughter. Upon her appearance he informed her that she must pre- pare to set out at night for Santa Fe, . The words struck a chill to the poor girl’s heart. Resistance to ber father’s command she khew was useless. And then, Juanita thought of the despair that would come upon her lover, when, in the morning, he sought the meeting- place by the flowing Rio Grande, and she came not. Then the thought flashed through ber mind, could she not convey the news to ber lover that she had been burried off to Santa Fe? Yes, she could do that, and he might follow and save her. Briefly Juanita responded to her father, and said that at nightfall she would be ready, Once in her own room Juanita puzzled her brain how to convey the news to her lover. | Then she suddenly thought of Rita, her waitivg- maid, and of her brother Manuel, the herdsman. If they would, they could aid her. felt a reluctance to confess her love to her wait- ing-maid, for, of course, Rita would suspect the truth, but, for her loyer’s sake, she resolved to brave all. Opening the door that led to her waiting- maid’s room, she called her, Rita came instant- Me Rita,” said Juanita, a slight blush beginning to bloom upon her cheeks, I wish you would do me a service.” © “ Senorita has only to command,” replied the peon girl, simply. 5 -“T am going away Se ES to Santa Fe. There is some one in Tacos”—and Juanita hesitated slightly—‘‘that I wish to inform of Mustang Rider Roy. it ater en LLL, ee Yet, she | my departure. I wish to send a note, and neither my father nor my cousin must know of ~ It was all plain to the shrewd eyes of the peon girl: her mistress Lad a lover in Tacos; it was that lover that she wished to warn, The heart ot Rita beat for joy; if Juanita loved some one in Tacos, she did nut then love Roy Lara, and the peon girlfelt that the young Mexican was all her own, Little did Juanita realize the schemes, the object of which was to unite her and her lover, “Do not fear, senorita,” cried Rita; ‘I will speak to my brother and he will take your letter safely, and no one will know of it,” Then, suddenly, to the mind of the peon girl came the thought of her brcther’s confession of his hopeless love for his master’s daughter. Would he then take the letter thal might be the means of bringing her to another’s arms? No! no! Rita truly felt that ber brcther’s interest in keeping back tle letter was fully as great as hers to have it delivered, What, then, was to be done? Suddenly she thought of the Mexican who was to act as her guide and escort in that night’s flight; he weuld take it— would imagine that it was hcr_own message, for she need not mention Ler mistfess’s name. Yes, she felt that plan would do. Meanwhile, Juanita, at the little table, had been writing ber note—the first note of love in all her life. It began: “My Own Drar Pariip:— “I have just been told by my father that I must go at once to Sante Fe. We start at nightfell, Ido not know the meaning of this strange journey, I think, though, that in some way wy father has Jearned of our love, and it is done to separate us. t ome imes, too, I think that we are not going to Santa Fe, but thet I have been wld that was my destination, so that, if I contrived to communicate with you, it might deceive you, and prevent you from following me _| elieve me, Philip, Ido not co of my own free will, but because I am forced to, shall never cease to love you as Jong as I live, and will be faithful to you forever and forever. Do not ive me up, but follow and rescue me from the 1ands of my cruel relatives. “Your Juanita,” The little note was sealed and then addressed, “Taeutenant Wenie.” Rita, with the note, hestened to find Tio. That worthy readily ngreed to take it, and an hour afterward Tio was in Tacos. Unfortunately, Wenie, with a squad of men, had gone down the river after some stray borses, and so it happened he did not receive the note till near ten. Bitterly he de- plored the ill-luck that gave bis opponents such a start. At nightfall precisely, Senor Torres, his daughter, and a large escort set out. Almost at the same time. too, Rita and Tio were galloping across the prairie eastward, ‘ : Major Curtin sat up late that nigbt, carefully examining a paper spread out on the table be- fore him. This paper was a rude map; on it was traced the courses of the Rio Grande and the Rio Pecos, The map was exactly like the one that Roy Lara had given to Tio, the Rat, to uide him across the prairie to the ranch of the frigands, powerful ally she would have in Rita, in all,
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é son Ti Lie aoe ET ere ak =e CHAPTER VITI. THE PATHFINDER ON THE TRAIL, ToRRES and his party reached the old ranch, There they halted until the next day, when they were joined by Roy and some fifteen stalwart fellows armed to the teeth. Roy explained that the Comanche Indians Were on the war-path, and he had engaged his escort in El Paso; so those that came with Torres were sent back to the hacienda, and he and his daughter proceeded on their way with ta2 escort headed by Roy. The Pathfin ler, who was one of those who ac- companied Torres as far as the old ranch, when he returned to the hacienda was astonished to learn that his sister was not there. Those who had remained behind had noticed her absence, but had thought that she had accompanied her young mistress, The peon felt at once that his worst fears in regard to his sister had been realized. Yet, whither had she gone? That he could not guess. Had he not seen Roy Lara at the head of the escort with Torres, he woul instantly have sus- pected that she had fled to join him; and then the thought flashed into the mind of the peon, might it not beso now? Possibly Lara had pro- videl some retreat for his sister, whore, at his leisure, he might visit ber. Phe thought was madness to the mind of the young herdsman. He instantly resolved to learn the truth, tc trail the flving girl to her refuge; but, how had she gone? and who had she gone with$ for it was Lene evident to Mauuel that she had not fled alone, ‘ Then Manuel looked through the householl to see who was missing; all were there save the stranger who had come but recently, and who had said he was called “ Tio, the Rat.” Tk was plain, then, to tho Pathfintor, This man was a tool of Roy Lara, and he instantly concladed that it was all a prearranged plan— the entrance of Tis into the hacienda of Torres, and the flight of bis sister, “But they cannot have flown away!” cried Manuel to himself. “ Their horses must have left their hoof-prints on the prairie, VIl track them as the wolf tracks the wounded deer, aud, like the bloodhound, I'll die on the trail but Dll run the game to earth,” Brought up from his earliest infancy on the prairie, possessing the Indian gift of marvelous ear and eye—which even the deadening influ- ence of the half-civilization that he had passed through had not tampered with—the Pathfinder could follow’a trail with the unerring skill of a Comanche, Burning then with tho desire for vengeance the brother proceeded to his task of mingled love and hate, » The prairie just around the hacienda had been trampled over by so many steeds—the horses of the cavalcade—that to find a clew to the presence of the two fugitives was quite out of the question. So be went a thousand good yards from the house; then he commenced ta trace a circle around it, carefully examining the soft green sward as he went. Not a blade of grass—not a wind-blown leaf from the shrub- bery that surrounded the hacienda—escaped his attention. Mustang Rider Roy, —e_— SCE The Pathfinder had completed a quarter of the circle, when suddenly he stopped; his keen eye bad caught sightof hoof-prints, C examined them; ten minutes’ careful inspection of the trail convinced him that it was the trail he sought, The herdsman returned to the hacienda, took his rifle, a supply of ammunition, his horse from the stable, and then set out upon the prairie trail. Once out where the grass had not been tram- pled, Manuel followed the trail easily, On pressed the herdsman, till the shades of night came and forced him to relinquish the chase, Manuel slept that night beside the trail. The morning sun found the herdsman again upon the track, and ere that sun shone at mid- day over the prairie, the trail had struck the wooded- banks of the Rio Pecos and bad turned northward, following upward the course of the stream. Manuel proceeded witb caution; he felt that he was on the eve of a discovery. A sudden turn-of the stream brought to his view a large ranch—thbe house built of hewn timber, and surrounded by a heavy stockade fence, Evidently the place had been builn to stand a Slege, A little log-house on the outside of the stock- ade and near the bank of the river attracted Manuel’s attention, nestled as it was down among the trees that grew on the bank of the stream, yet it seemed to shun observation. The Pathfinder concealed his horse ‘carefully in the timber, and then, on foot, taking advan- tage of the trees and shrubbery to shield him from observation, scouted in toward the little lone house, He soon gained a position which commanded a full view of the hut door. Hardly had he gained his position when from the door of the stockade came Roy Lara, and advanced foward the but. Every muscle in the body of the peon thrilled, as, from his covert unseen, he looked upon the face of the man who he felt convinced had decoyed away his sister. His hand sought the rifle; the life of Roy Lara would have been worth but little had the steady arm of the peon leveled the long piece; but a second thought restrained him; so he watched and waited, As Roy Lara approached the house, a man with a gun in his hand rose from the bushes near it—the man was Tio, who had apparently been on guard. ‘Has any one attempted to approach the house, Tio?’ asked Roy. ‘No, senor,” replied Tio, ‘You are tired of watching, I suppose,” “Yes, senor; I haven’t got over the effects of that night ride yet,” ‘* What is the girl doing?” How the brother's heart beat when he heard Roy ask the question; for, from his hiding-place he could both see and hear—nearly every word distinctly. He had little doubt that the girl re- ferred to was Rita, “She was asleep on the bed, senor, the last time T looked in,” responded Tio, ‘You need not watch longer,” said Roy, ‘*Go and refresh yourself,” losely he:
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Mustang Rider Roy. ae To did not wait for a second bidding, but hurried at once toward the ranch, Roy, with a careless glance around, entered the little house, and the door closed behind him. For full five minutes Manuel waited; then un- able longer to endure the suspense, he deter- mined to satisfy his mind as to whether his sis- ter was in the house or not, whatever migkt be the cost, Cautiously he left bis covert and stole round to the back of the house, thus shielding bimself from all chance of discovery by any one coming from the ranch. Behind the house, fastened to a tree, Manuel found two horses; he recognized them at once as being from the stable of Torres, and guessed rightly that they were the two that had con- veyed the fugitives. Approaching the hut with the caution of the panther stealing upon its prey, Manuel discov- ered a little opening in the timbers, by which he commanded a full view of the interior apart- mene The room contained Roy Lara and ita. . When Roy Lara entered the room, with a scream of joy, Rita had flung herself into his arms. ** You are come at last!” she cried. ‘Yes, dear one,” he replied, soothingly. ‘ Did you fancy that I was never coming?” “T have not seen you for so long,” said the girl, sorrowfully. ‘Why, it is but a few hours since I had you in my arms,” he answered. “The time has seemed very long to me,” she said, mournfully. ‘ “Cheer up, Rita,” he said, imprintiug warm kisses on her fresh, red lips. ‘t Now I am by your side, never again to part from you.” ‘That makes tne feel so happy,” said the girl, looking up into hisface, trustingly. ‘‘ When you are by my side I feel a paradise; when I am alone I have no desire: to live. We shall be happy now, shall we not?” she asked, reclining trustfully on bis breast, ‘*Happy!” he exclaimed, ‘t yes, as happy as the day is long.” Then his warm, kisses again ressed the dewy lips—kisses that were given ack with interest. For the moment they were pappy—bappy in the happiest of all dreams— ove. The sudden opening of the door rudely dis- turbed the lovers; Roy Lara was by a powerful arm stricken to the floor, even as be had been stricken by the American, though this time the blow was not quite so heavy, nor so skillfully struck. He still retained bis senses only to sce over him the frowning face of Manuel, the herdsman. CHAPTER IX. A RIDE FOR LIFE, Futty did Lara comprehend the peril of his position. : “Utter not one sound of alarm, Rita!” cried the Pathfinder: and Roy, as he looked into the fierce eyes that glared so threateningly into his own, felt that the Indian was indeed in savage earnest, The fierce light gleamed in his eyes like that of the cougar when it is ahout to spring upon its prey. ““Oh, my brother, spare him!” cried the peon girl, stretching her hands imploringly. ‘“‘ Listen to me, sister,” he answered, I am about to take you from this wolf, If you refuse to go Pll kill him on the spot, as I would kill any beast of prey.” “No, no!” she cried; ‘spare him, I will go with you.” ‘*T will spare him on one condition: that you go with me quietly and without any attempt to return to him; but, first tc secure this dog, so that be cannot give the alarm after our depar- ture. Bring the blanket from the bed.” Rita obeyed his order, trembling with excite- ment and fear, “Cut it into narrow strips, three or four inches wide,” the Pathfinder continued. Roy made no attempt at resistance; though young and powerful of muscle, be felt that he was no match for the desperate brother, Then taking the strips which the peon girl had cut, the Indian bound first the hands and then the feet of the Mexican, rendering him as helpless and as powerless as an infant; and, as a final precaution, the peon rolled up a piece of the blanket in the form of a ball, and with a strip of the same fastened the ball securely in Roy’s mouth, thus gagging him most effectually. Lara, after the Indian had fimshed his task, could neither move nor speak, The Pathfinder then cast a hasty glance through the coor. No one was in sight. “Come,” he said to his sister, sternly. ‘I will take you far from this den of infamy, and from this man who would destroy you.” With one farewell glarce at the one whom she idolized, and without a word, Rita followed her brother to the horses. The chance of escaping unseen was desperate; they must pass within full view of the ranch. The Pathfinder felt that their only hope lay in the speed of their steeds. By the side of the beasts Manuel spoke gain. “Rita,” he said, ‘I know that you are blind to your own good. I know that this Mexican snake has fascinated you to your ruin, I have sworn by the bones of our mother that I will save you from him,” ; Once mounted, they proceeded slowly past the house. Beyond it lay the open space, over which he must cross to gain, the prairie, full in view from the ranch. | 2 ‘“Be ready, sister, for a sharp gallop,” he said, as they entered upon the open space. No one was in sight. The heart of the Pathfinder beat high with hope; he had gained the edge of the prairie, when, through the door of the stock- ade, came a noisy group—a half-dozen or so of the brigands. The instant their eyes fell upon the peons they comprehended that somethin, was wrovg; they knew that their young cbie' had a girl in thé little log-house, yet here she was, on the prairie with a stranger, apparently flying. j With a wild yell, some of the brigands rushed to the stable for horses; others fled to the log-house to discover what bad become of Lara, a
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18 - to find bim bound and gagged. They released him at once. Wild with rage, Roy sprung to his feet. ** Horses!” he cried, ‘“‘ Pursue them at once!” then dashed from the house, ‘Twas the custom of the brigands to keep a dozen horses or so saddled at all times, ready for any emergencies; so that Roy, rushing from the house, found thé horses ready on the prairie.” Snatching a carbine from one of the men, Roy vaulted into the saddle, and, at the head of ten of the brigands armed to the teeth, rode after the fast-flying fugitives, So quick had been all these movements—so little time had they taken, that the peons had hardly ten minutes’ start; and, on the broad, open prairie, here with scarcely a hillock to ob- struct the view, they could easily be seen at a distance of five miles, instead of the two which separated them from their pursuers. On went the chase—each party urging their horses to.the utmost. Five—ten miles have the horses of the pursued an the pursuers passed over, Then, turning in ths saddle, the Pathfinder measured the distance between himself and his pursuers. The brigands were gaining ground! and his ear catching the heavy breathing of bis horse, convinced bim that the pace was telling hard upon the ani- mal, ‘“A few miles more and they will overtake us,” murmured the Pathfinder, between his teeth, ‘* Caramba!” and he hissed out the oath from his firm-clinched teeth, ‘if I die, other blood besides mine will relden the prairie. My poor beast is nearly done for; I’ve a mind to pull up and make a fight for it; there’s not more thar a dozen, and my rifle and revolver are good for six lives, to say nothing of my knife.” And what were Rita’s thoughts? Alas, poor girl, ber heart was so ful! of anguish that thought had almost ceased. She knew full well tiat, in the event of a conflict, she must lose either a lover or a brother, or both must perish. To» beautiful but hapless girl wished that she was in her grave. “ Ouramba!” eried the bandit chief in glee, as he saw that he wasgaining upon the fugitives; “another half-hour and we shall overtake them.” ‘¢ Toeir horses are tiring,” cried Tio, who rode next to Roy, foremost in tae chase, ~ ‘“Yos, their horses are winded, while onrs, as yet, are fresh,” responded Roy. “ Oapitane, will not this peon be likely to show fight?’ asked one of the brigands, a huge rea-headed fellow, who answered to the name of Legro. “Well, are we not ten to onc?” demanded .~Roy. “If the dog shows his teeth, we'll pull them out for him.” __ At which piece of pleasantry the brigands in bearing laughed loud and long. * Ah, comrade!” cried Tio, quietly to himself, the process of extracting thé teeth of yonder dog may be more difficult than you imagine, and may cost more lives than one. By the beard of’ my grandfather, if there is to be a fight he'll not be apt to spare me, that’s certain; so, for the | present, my place is in the rear.” And having Mustang Rider Roy. come to this conclusion, Tio, without attracting attention, quietly tightened the rein on his horse and let the others pass him. He soon was the rearmost rider. Intent upon the chase, none of the brigands noticed this little maneuver. Safely. located in the rear, Tio chuckled to him- self, ‘Now, then,” he cried, jocosely addressing his speech to the animal on whose back he sat, ‘let the sport begin as soon as possible; you and I are out of danger, But may the good Mother of God protect that brave soul!” he ejaculated, with real fervcr. Still hotly on, riding for life, pressed the pur- sued, and still hotly on their track followed the brigands, A stumble, and the horse of the peon went down upon his knees, A yell of joy burst from the hoarse throats of the pursuers. Quickly, however, the practiced hand of the Indian pulled the horse to his feet, and still onward over the prairie went the race for life, ‘This cannot last much longer!” cried the peon, as he noted how rapidly bis enemies were gaining upon him, and what signs of distress and exhaustion his horse was showing. Eagerly the hunted man surveyed the broad prairie. Mile upon mile it stretched on, one vast, unbroken plain. It never before looked so boundless and forbidding. What would not the Pathfinder have given then for one little clump of timber—a single wooded knoll—in wkich he might seek shelter— which he might turn into a fortress, and from its cover defy his foes! He felt that he was doomed, and only for the iron will that clinched his firm-set teeth, he would have groaned aloud in agony. Then, when he looked upon his sister, the knowledge that his death would give her again into the hands of the man he hated, Roy Lara, the Mex- ican, was maddening. Convulsively the Pathfinder loosened the knife in his belt; the dread thought was in his heart; be would kill her rather than she should fall the prey of the man who had charmed her as the serpent charms the bird, “Yeu,” thought the desperate brother, while still he rode furiously onward, ‘‘I wil] stab her with my own hand if the worst comes to the worst, for there is no way to save her, Surely, our parents will look down from Heaven and bless the deed! It is not murder; it is but saving the lamb from the wolf.” CHAPTER X. ‘THE COUGAR SHOWS HIS TEETH, “PREPARE your weapons, men!” shouted Oy. t was evident to the brigand that a few min- utes more would give the fugitives into his hands. Eagerly the brigands unslung their carbines. Human bloodhounds, this chase, which must end in death, was to them but pastime. Tio, safe in the rear, watched the proceedings with interest, ‘““By Old Nick himself, the patron saint of these fellows, but this will be as rare fun as @ — bull-fight,” he cried, Le Pn ee Beet ee As
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sg DIRE: pa fe DORE OT) Mustang Rider Roy. Again the brave Pathfinder’s horse stumbled ‘and went down upon his knees, ‘*By heaven!” cried Roy, ‘‘ he’s thrown!” And it was apparently so, for when the horse rose to his feet his master had disappeared from his bick, and the pursuers could discern a dark muss, evidently the form of the Pathfinder, ex- tended upon'the prairie. | A yell of joy burst from the throats of the brigands at the sight. ; “Bah!” cried Tio, disgusted, ‘there is to be no fight, then, after all—no fight! I wanted to see half a dozen of these fellows laid out on the prairie, Well, there’s one consolation, there'll be more for the soldiers to kill.” Rita had dismounted, apparently to help her brother, and yet Roy noticed, as he rode toward them, that she remained standing by ber horse, not twenty paces from the prostrate man. The brigand suspected some ruse, The thought struck him how improbable that the herdsman— notoriously one of the best riders around, and used from boyhood to taming wild steeds of the prairie—should be thrown from a tired horse, and knocked senseless, too, by contact with the prairie’ssoft surface. Instinctively Roy slackened the speed of his horse; the brigands, with a sort of vague apprehension of danger, followed his example, The ruffisns were now within rifle range of the Pathfinder, an:| were approaching at a gentle gallop. Tio. still in the rear, and scent- ing danger from afar, bad slackened the pace of his horse to a walk. Suddenly, then, from under the belly of the peon’s horse—which was stunding broadside to the brigands—came a little puff of white smoke; the sharp report of a rifle followed, and the brigand who rode just behind Roy reeled im his saddle, clutched vacantly at the air, and tumbled from his horse, shot through the breast. Roy saw that the shot had been aimed at him. **Bravo!” cried Tio, safe in the rear; ‘‘ the Pathfinder begins to show his teeth, Now draw them, Senor Briganius!” ‘ Maddened with rage, Roy rose in his stirrups. “Forward!” he cried, ‘Shoot down the man, but spare the girl!” The brigands rushed onward, impatient to avenge their comrade’s death. “Reserve your fire till within pistol range!” eried Roy. ‘He is defenseless: don’t let him escape! Make this his last trail!” As the brigands galloped rapidly toward him— reserving their fire in obedience to the orders of their leader-the moment they got within revolver range the intrepid and self-possessed peon opened fire, Crack! crack! crack! Three little puffs of white smuke, the three sharp reports, and three brigands tumbled from their saddles, one shot dead—pierced through the temple; the other two badly wounded. Instinctively, and without waiting for orders, the riders pulled up their horses and discharged a scattering fire upon their desperate game. But, so confused was their aim, that nota single shot struck the peon or his horse, behind whose body he was now sheltered. ; The brigands had halted on receiving the deadly fire, and two or three showed a disposition _ toretreat, Almost mad with rage, and wild at the thought of losing four of his comrades, Roy urged them on. “ Cowards!” he cried, ‘* will you retreat from one man? On and erush him!’ But his men hesitated; they had guessed, from the rapidity of the fire, that the Pathfinder was armed with a revolver, that wonderful North American weapon of which. they had heard s@ much and knew so little. At this moment the hunted peon again opened fire. Twice he discharged the revolver, thus emptying the chambers of the weapon. Hach shot was aimed at Roy Lara, for, could he dis- able that ruffian, the others would retreat, The second shot toppled Lara from the saddle. The Pathfinder gave vent toa fierce shout of joy, which was answered by a cry of dismay from the attacking party—the members of which speedily retreated out of range, bearing, their stricken leader with them. Fortune, however, favored the brigand chief, for the balf had mere- ly passed through the fleshy part of the shoul- der, making but a slight wound. “ Are you hurt?” inquired red-bearded Legro, as he paused with the wounded leader at a safe distance from the deadly fire of the peon, “* Not seriously; the ball has only ent through my sboulder, My horse, starting at the mo- ment, caused me to lose my seat,” answered Roy, as he sprung into the saddle again. “Caramba!” cried the peon, in sdespair; “Satan himself aids this man. Four times have I missed him,” Rita, who had been watching the combat with straining eyes, now fearing for her brother, now for her lover, cpposed to each other in this deadly combat, when she saw the brigand leader fall—dead, she imagined—killed by the ball from her brother’s pistol—could not endure the fatal sight; her senses failed, and, with a faint sbriek, she fell apparently lifeless upon the greund, The moment the brigands retreated, the Path- finder proceeded to reload his weapons. His rifle loaded, he felt in his pouch for the bullets of tke revolver, when, to bis dismay, he discov- ered that he had nothing but rifle-bullets, too large to fit the other weapon. “By the Virgin!” he cried, in dismay, ‘my revolver is useless, I have but my rifle—one sbot—one life, and they are yet seven to one, Should they make another attack I am lost, Tl Joad the barrels with powder, though; the dog may frigbten with his bark if he cannot bite. In an hour the sun will be down: night will come; if I can but baffle them till then, amid the shades of darkness I can escape.” Loud and hot was the discussion among the Mexicans, They already bad lost four men out of eleven, which left but seven in the field, and one of these—Roy, their leader—was already wounded, “Tf you had closed in upon him when T or- dered, he would now be in our power or life- less!” cried Roy, bitterly. ‘Pardon, capitano!” cried Legro, who was a sort of a leader among the brigands, though ~ bearing norank. ‘Tbe fiend is armed with re- volvers: besides, we’d emptied our pieces, and before we could have cut him down with our sabers, he could easily have shot us down, one
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Mustang Rider Roy. by one. He shoots with wonderfull skill, that Pll swear,” “Bah!” cried Roy, in anger; ‘‘hoe had fired five shots; that is the number of chambers a revolver has; the chances are a hundred to one that he was helpless when we retreated.” Perhaps,” growled Lezro, sullenly; ‘ but, then, he may have two ur three more revolvers, and what man wants to run into certain death? i fear no living man, but I don’t want to be shot down like a dog in cold blood, without a chance for my life.” “ Yes, yes, that’s true! that’s so!” came from the lips of three or four of the brigands, who felt but little relish to again encounter the Path- finder with his death-dealing weapons at close quarters, “Tt is clearly impossible to gain anything by making a direct attack,” said Roy, musingly. “Oh, clearly!” cried Legro, and the rest of the band echoed his words. “Ina short time night will come,” said Roy. “Yes, and then good-oy to all hopes of kill- ing this vipér,” responded Legro. ‘In the darkness he can easily escape. He knows the prairie like a bee, and will disappear like a snake,” ‘Could we not place | sentinels around and so- hem him in?” asked another of the band. “No!” cried Roy. ‘At whatever part of the lin* ha attempted to break through, he would fii | bnt one man to oppose him. One shot then would open the way for the peon’s flight. I have a plan, though, that may suceeed.” : And eagerly the brigands gathered around to isten, CHAPTER XI. THE WOLF AT BAY. ‘My plan is simple,” said the leader, fore we failed because we all attacked together in one body and from one point. Now, my idea is to surround and attack him from all points, His attention Mere thus diverted, for he cannot watch all of us at dnce, some one of our number may be able to disable him, or, at all events, disable the horses. That would place him with- out means of escape. “Now,” continued Roy, ‘there are seven of us here. We will forma circle around him, keeping out of range of his fire. Then, when the circle is complete, we will all dash in upon him simultansously, I will give the signal for the advance by discharging my pistol. Remem- ber, disable the horses if you cai not the man, and do not expose yourselves recklessly to the fire. We can not afford to lose more men.” Which caution was entirely unnecessary, for none of the cut-throats had any desire to expose their precious lives within range of the peon’s deadly fire. “Now, then, prepare for the attack!” cried Roy. ‘Tio, you remain here; this will be your station; the rest follow me. Remember, men, the signal for the advance isa shot from my pistol. "7 And Tio was left, much to his own satisfac- tion, just where he proposed tu remain—out of rifle reach. : é Roy, with the brigands, galloped off to form o Ba." the circle—which would soon be a circle of fire, eager to consume its prey—around the death- doomed man. Some five hundred yards or so, Legro dropped out of the ranks and took hisstation there; the rest. of the band rode cn, Another five hundred yards another brigand stopped, and so they went on, until, at_ last, Roy alone was left to gallop onward. Therr he, too, stopped, wheeled his borse around to face the prey, and the peon was completely encircled by the prairie bandits. This maneuver had not been unobserved by the Pathfinder; he understood its meaningonly too well, : ‘* Ah, the cowards!” he cried; ‘they intend to dash in upon me as the Indians surround and dash in upon the wild buffaloes, I fear my race isrun. Iam almost powerless for defense, too; one load in my rifle is butone life. If I badmy revolver charged, ’'d make some of them rue the attempt to run me down like a wild beast, But let them come!” cried the braye~brother, defiantly, as he drew back the hammer of his rifle and leveled it across the back of the horse, direct at Roy. ‘' He will never touch Rita’s hand again,” The brigand captain looked around: the cor- don of men; motiontess they sat in the saddle, carbine in hand, waiting for the signal. Sharp and shrill rung out on the air the re- port of Lara’s pistol. Seven horses felt the spur stroke of seven pair of heels, and the brigands rode in to the attack. Narrow grew the circle as they closed in upon the prey. The Pathfinder reserved his fire till Lara was fairly within range; then the sharp report of his rifle broke upon the air. Full at Roy Lara’s heart,had the ball -been aimed, but the brigand captain was fated not there to die. The chief had caught the glint of the fast-dying sun on the shining rifle-tube—had guessed the moment of the discharge, and, causing his horse to rear, the beast had received the ball full in his chest, and, with a convulsive groan, had fallen upon his knees, then rolled over on his side, mortally wounded, Roy nimbly disengaged his feet from the stirrups, and, as the beast fell, leaped from his back to the ground. Losing bis balance, however he fell prostrate. A wild whoop rung from the lips of the peon as he witnessed the fall and supposed death of hisenemy. Quickly leveling the revolver and wheeling upon the foe advancing in his rear, he fired. The blank charge was as fully effectual in one sense as if it had contained a ball, for the brigands advancing in that direction turned their horses about and retreated far more rapid- ly than they had advanced. Wheeling quickly, the Pathfinder fired first at the brigands approching on the right, then at those on the left, Panic-stricken at their leader’s fall, they fired their pieces at random at the single foe; then, following the example of the others, retreated fast across the prairie, Roy, by this time, had gained his feet. A ery of rage broke from Manuel’s lips. =~ “Ts this man a fiend,” he cried, ‘* that I can- not kill him?” - And what would not the peon have given to have had his loaded rifle in his hand again—
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’ to haye had one more chance at the life of his foe}! Roy snatched up his carbine from the ground, where it had been thrown by the shock of his fall. On foot then, carbine in band, reckless of * the consequence, be dashed in upon the peon, as though single-handed he would crush him; but there was method in the madness of the leader. The moment be arrived within range he leveled his curbine and fired; the shot strnck the Path- finder’s horse just behind the shoulder; the wound was mortal, and the horse sunk upon the prairie, stricken unto death, : Manuel discharged two barrels of the really harmless revolver at the brigand, and he, think- ing that he heard the whistling of the bells about his head, and conscious that he had de- prived the peon of the means of flight, retreated across the prairie to where tke brigands, all assembled together and well out of reach of the peon’s fire, were watching the mad movements of their leader. But when they saw the horse of the peon fall—saw Roy retreat; unharmed— they sent forth a sbout of triumph, They admired foolhardiness in others, though they had but little inclination to indulge in it them- selves. Thanks to the blank cartridges in the Jn- dian’s revolver, Roy Lara rejoined his band unbarm:<d. ** Catch me a horse, some of you,” he said. A brigand dashed off in chase of one of the riderless horses, The horses had not strayed far, and the fellow speedily returned with one, Roy, again in the saddle, prepared to as- sail the single foe, who still so bravely held his owa, “That was a daring attempt, capitano!” cried Leg:ro, in admiration. “Tf you had but closed in upon him, the affair would have been ended,” replied Roy; ‘* but as it is, | bave cut off his retreat. One horse re- mains for the two; either he must abandon the girl or sacrifice bis own life,” ““ Why, capiténo, the bullets of this red devil seem to have no effect upon you, Twice he bas failed to kill you,” said Legro. “ T was not born to die vy the hand of a peon!” exclaimed Roy, scornfully. “Recharge your pieces, you that have fired, We'll dash inupon him again, If we cannot kill him we can disable the other horse, and then he is wholly in our power.” ‘ be brigands who had fired proceeded to re- oad. The carbines charged, again they gather around their leader to receive his last instruc- tious, The Pathfinder, who had reloaded his wea- pons, still using but powder alone for his revolver, for want of bullets, had waited pa- tiently for some new movement on the part of his relentless foes. By the death of his horse he was uncovered on that side to the fire of the attacking party. - A sigh escaping from his sister's lips aroused him, Rita was recovering from ber swoon, The brother hastened to her side; the brigands were s‘ill quiet, apparently holding a council, “Ts he dead?” were the first words that came from the lips of the peon girl, Mustang Rider Roy. 21 i ““No; he is unharmed. The Evil One protects him,” answered the brother, ‘“And you have not been wounded?” she asked, ‘* No; but the struggle will soon be over. The. next attack will probably cost me my life; then you will be free to go with this man, for whom you are. willing to peril your soul!” : “Oh, my brother!” cried the girl, rising to her feet, ‘* Would that I had been dead and in my aie grave ere I had brought you into this peril! ‘‘ Would you rather die with me than lead a life of shame?” “No, no, brother!” cried Rita, sinking upon her knees with uplifted band, ‘‘I am not pre- pared to die! Spare me!” “Spare you!” exclaimed the Pathfinder; “spare you, so that when I am cold in death you will rush to the arms of this fiend? Spare you, so that you may bring disgrace to the blood of your dead mother? No!” CHAPTER XII. THE MASTERS OF THE PRAIRIE. - “SPARE me! spare me, brother!” implored the kneeling girl, and then ber eyes wandered wildly across the prairie toward the brigands, as though she expected that help would come rg them to save her from her brother’s steel, ; “See!” she cried, igen “They are re: treating! See Manuel, brother, they are fly- ing! Astonished at this sudden maneuver, Pathfinder turned his gaze upon his foes, The girl had spoken the truth; the brigands were in full retreat. Spurting their horses like men mad, they were flying at their topmost speed across the prairie. “Strange, I cannot understand’ the meaning of this!” cried the peon, as he watched the rapid and unceremonious flight of his foes, ‘ What can have caused it? Then the peon swept his eye around the horizon to see if he could discover the reason for this unaccountable proceeding on the part of the brigands, The Pathfinder’s searching glance soon dis- pi ag a body of horsemen advancing from the west, 4 aoe the very powers of evil against me?” he oxied. “What is it?” exclaimed Rita, gazing in as- tonisbment into her brother's face. ‘See there!” he cried, pointing to the body of horsemen advancing from the west, ion see a body of horsemen advancing rap- idly. “ Yes; they ride with the speed of the wind,” gloomily replied the peon, ‘*Dear brother, you are saved then!” “ No; I am lost!” returned Manuel,” “Lost? cried Rita, in astonishment, “Yes; we are both lost!” despairingly cried the peon. ‘Look again! Can not you guess who they are?” “Thay are not Mexicans, for they do not wear sombreros,” said the girl, still shading her eyes with her hands and gazing intently at the fast- approaching, strangers, “They are not North the
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Mustang Rider Roy. Americans, for I can not see the gleam of their sabers.” ** Would to heaven that they were the soldiers of the Republic; then we should be saved. Now we are lost,” returned the dejected man. The dark mass had now approached so near that, to the eyes of the gir], it began to separate into single horsemen, ‘* They are Indians,” she cried, suddenly, ‘Ves, Comanches,” returned her brother. “oTis a foray against the frontier. It was their appearance that caused the speedy retreat of the Mexicans,” ‘* What can we do?” questioned Rita, “Nothing. In a few minutes we shall be prisoners in their hands, Resistance is useless, and would only exasperate them.” “What will be our fate?” asked Rita, anx- } iously. “You will become the wife of some chief, and they will make a slave of me.” “Oh! such a fate will be terrible!” cried Rita, in anguish. “It 1s our destiny; wo are doomed,” replied Manuel. “But in their hands as_ prisouers, there is still a chance for estape. The Indians, evidently, ara about to attack some frontier town, perhaps Tacos; if so, the soldiers there— of whom they can hav? no knowledge—will give them a warm reception, and we stind a faint chance of release; therefora, do not breathe a word of the presence of the North Americans in the village.” ; “T will not,” replied Rita. ‘‘I would do any thing—dare any thing to escapa from this dread- ful fate.” On came the red warriors, the masters of the prairie, sweeping down upon tha two peons as the eagle sweeps down upon its prey. On they came at the best speed of their hardy little ponies, gayly adorned with the brizht war- paint and the many-colored fe thers that formed their head-dresses and fluttered from their long lances waving proudly in the wind. It was quite a large war-parby, numbering perhaps fifty warriors, led, too, by chiefs of note, The party were on their yearly foray against the Mexican frontier settlements, Their course was to be marked with blood, and the smoke and flame of the burning ruins that they left in their track, - Jt was apparent that the party had not struck a blow yet, for no trophies of victory adored their persons. They had probably crossed the Rio Grande below El Paso and struck inland to avoid observation. Upon approaching within rifle-shot of the peons, the warriors separated, and branching out to the right and left, inclosed the twoina circle, and then halted. The Pathfinder discharged his rifle in the air, His ravolver he had previously cast down in the grass, so that it shootd not fall into their hands; then he drew the knife from his belt and threw it far from him on the prairie, and held out his hands siznifying that he was unarmed. Two of the Indians, apparently the chiefs of the party, advanced, As a rule the wild master of the prairie de- spises his “ civilized” brother, the Mexican, and not without reason, But the two chiefs havin noted the bodies of the slain brigands, h quickly arrived at a correct solution of the situ- ation. The two chiefs who now approached were strikingly alike in person, though one was old and the other young—evidently father and son, ‘*Did my red brother kill these men?” asked the elder chief, speaking excellent Spanish. ** Yes,” replied the peon. * Alone?” ‘6 Yes,” **Wah!” ejaculated the young chief, ‘ My brother is a great brave.” “Does my brother live in the lodges of the Mexicans?” asked the old chief, ‘* Yes,” the peon answered, ‘* Yet they are dogs, and try to kill him?” “A man may have foes even among the people in whose lodges ho dwells,” said the herdsman, ‘* My brother speaks straight; his skin is red —his heart is not white, Why will he live in the lodges of the pale-faces?” ‘* He was born there,” responded Manuel. “Tet him be born again, and this time a Comanche,” said the old chief, tersely. ‘*Tt is good,” said the other chief, ‘t the Iron- pan is a great chief; be will be a brother to the red warrior who has dwelt in the lodges of the pale-faces,” _ ** And the Gray Bear will be bis father,” said: the old chief; and then his eyes falling upon the girl, ho asked: ‘* Squaw?” “No; sister,” replied Manuel. ‘* Wah! she is as fair as a prairie-flower,” said the old chief, Rita at heart trembled at the compliment, though outwardly she preserved her calmness, ‘* Does my brother know the white lodges by the big river, there?” and the old chief pointed southwest in the direction of Tacos, “Yes; Tacos,” said Manuel. “Ugh! .good!’ said the Gray Bear; “my brother will lead my warriors there?” “Yes,” Manuel promptly replied. ‘How long?’ questioned the chief, “We shall reach thera before light in the morning,” Manuel answered. “Tt is good!” answered the chief, ‘ Let my red brother take his rifle again; the Comanches ave his brothers; he is a great warrior; the Gray Bear will fight for the Long-rifle,” the In- dian had already named the new recruit to the Comanche ranks. So a horse was brought and the Pathfinder mounted and set out with the old chief in ad- vance of the war-party. Rita was placed in the center of the warriors. And so they took up their line of march for Tacos. ¢ CHAPTER XIII. THE ATTACK ON TACOS, WE will return now to Lieutenant Wenie. When he yeceivei Juanita’s note on bis return from his expedition down the river, his conster- nation was great, Wenie saw plainly that his love for Juanita was suspected by her father, and that be had taken the girl away to prevent
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Mustang Rider Roy. her from communicating with him. What was to be done? Vainly he pondered over the affair, The Mexicans had four or five hours’ start; should he follow in pursuit? and then what excuse had he should he overtake them? True, he loved Juanita, and she loved him, but be could not very well take her by force from the arms and protection of her own father, The lieutenant was puzzled; he resolved to seck the advice of Major Curtin, Repairing to the major’s quarters, he found him there as usual, Briefly to the major the young officer ex- plained matters—related how be had met the senorita on the prairie, and how she had agreed to become his wife; and, lastly, he told of the flight of Torres and his daughter, and showed the major the note he had received, The old soldier read the little note carefully. “Tt is evident,” be said, thoughtfully, ‘‘ that the girl loves you.” “Yd stake my life upon her truth!” cried Wenie, warmly. *¢ Well, { believe you could do so with safety,” replied the major. “It is plain that the girl takes after her mother, who was a good woman, ~and not after her father, who is a black-hearted scoundrel, I am fully satisfied, Wenie, that that man knows something of the fate of my lost boy, and one of these days—not far distant either—I may bave him iv so tight a place that he will gladly tell all he knows,” “But, major, what do you advise me to do?” asked Wenie. ** At present—nothing,” was the major’s curt reply. ** Nothing !”-cried Wenie in astonishment. ** Nothing,” repeated the major. ‘* What else can you do? You can’t follow on this man’s track with a body of United States soldiers, and say to him; ‘I love your daughter; give ber to me or I'll take her,’ There’s nothing in the Army Regulations that provides for any such action as that ” “True, true!” replied Wenie; ‘‘ you are right, major. But if they take her to Santa Fe, there they may force her to marry this Roy Lara that I have told you of,” said Wenie. “ Well, in the first place,” replied the major, thoughtfully, ‘I do not think there is any danger that the girl will be taken to Santa Fe; and then, the next thing is to force the girl to consent to the marriage, and, from your descrip- tion of the lady, I fancy it will be no easv mat- ter. They are not likely to use actual violence in the affair, though I have no doubt that both of these men “are capable of it. Take my word for it, she will not be taken very far from here, and they will have to keep a close watch upon her to keep her from communicating with ou,” we Then you think that she will contrive in some way to let me know where she is?” said Wenie. , : ‘Precisely so,” responded the major. ‘* But, lieutenant, you need not remain entirely quiet ‘and do nothing, You can bribe some Mexican in the village here to visit Torres’s hacienda on some pretext, and in a careless way question the servants and the inmates of the house in regard to the whereabouts of Torres and his daughter, In that way you might be able to pick up some information of value to you.” “Your suggestion is good, major. IT will act en it the first thing in the morning,” said Wenie, rising to depart. “ By the way, lieutenant,” said the major, ‘I have discovered where the hiding-place of these brigands is located.” “Indeed!” cried Wenie, in astonishment. “‘'Yes; a secluded ranch on the bank of the Rio Pecos. I have a rude map of the road thither, and of the defenses of the place. It’s quite a strong place, defended by a stockade wall,impregnable, except against artillery or a sudden or unlooked-for attack.” ‘* When do you propose to move against them?” asked Wenie. ““As soon as I receive further information. My spy is even now in the brigands’ strong- hold,” “Is it possible?’ exclaimed Wenie. ‘He must be a daring fellow. But good-night, major,” * Good-night, lieutenant,” returned the elder officer, and Wenie repaired to his own quarters. The lieutenant’s slumbers that night were far from pleasant; bis rest was broken by con- fused dreams; and when the morning came and he awoke, he felt but little refreshed by his night’s rest. The morning duties over, Wenie sought among the Mexicans of the village for a mes- senger to visit the hacienda of Torres, there to gain tidings, if possible, of Torres or his slaughter. Tbe messenger was soon found, who, for a golden-onnce—to him a fortune—undertook to perform the task. After receiving bis instructions from the lieu- tenant, the Mexican departed on his mission. Long seemed the hours to the liettenant, un- til the Mexican returned, which event occurred about noon, The messenger had learned comparatively nothing—that is, nothing that could give the anxious lover a clew to the destination of his be- loved Juanita, “The Mexican told the lieutenant of the sud- den departure of Torres with his daughter, and and an escort, for Santa Fe; the halt at the ruined ranch and the appearance of Roy Lara with his armed followers; then, how the escort from the bacienda was sent back, and how Torres and his daughter had proceeded on their way with Roy and his men. . Wenie paid the Mexican his promised fee— much to that worthy’s delight, which he showed by instantly going end getting gloriously drunk; and the lieutenant went to the major’s quarters to tell him what he had learned. Curtin listened attentively; when Wenie had finished, for a moment he remained silent; then he abruptly cried: “Lieutenant, it isas I suspected. I did not want to tell you of my suspicions last night, be- cause I had really no good reasons for them, and I thought you felt bad enough without my say- ing anything to make you feel worse,” “What do you suspect?” asked Wenie, in alarm, :
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Mustang Rider Roy. “Well, lieutenant, I hardly suspect nov; 1| am sure of it. This story of the appsaran:e of this Lara at the ruined ranch wth a boly of armed men, opens my eyes atonce, This Lara, lieutenant, is ene of (he principal leaders of the Brigands of the Prairie; Torves, as I susnected, is secretly in league with the brigands. The armed men that Roy Lara healed were the brigands themselves.” “Then you think—" and Wenie hesitated to utter the fearful words “T think,” said the major, slowly, ‘‘ that the girl Juanita is now at the stronghold of the brigands on the Bio Pecos.” “Then we have an excuse to rescue her,” cried the lieutenant, a gleain of joy lighting up his features; ‘we can attics toeso villains, de- stroy them, and free her; that is strictly in the line of our duty.” You are right!” exclaimed the major, ‘‘ and we will perform that duty, I should have pre- ferred to wait until [ heard again from my spy; but, as it is, the case will bardly bear delay; therefore, we will set out at once, The bri- gands’ stronghold is, [ should judge, a score of leagues from here; but, by crowding the hors’s, we can reach it by sunrise. The attack must be a surprise, or else within their stockade thoy might be able to hold us at bay, I will give the orders instantly for the movement,” But, as the major rosa from his chair, a Mexican, breathless with haste, rushed into the room, ; ** What the deuce do you want?” cried Curtin, annoyed at the unceremonious entrance. “Oh, Senor Major!” cried the Mexican, and then paused for breath. “ Well, what is it?” “The Indians! the Comanches!” “What?? And the major started in astonish- ment. - **Oh, senor, they are on their way to attack us—a large war-party—a hundred warriors!” cried the Mexican, And then, when tha messenger had recovered his breath, he told how bunting after stray cattle on the upper Rio Grande, eoncealed in the shrubbery by tha river’s bank, be had seen the Indias cross the river, and strike in- land. Tacos, being ths nearest town, was, of course, the objective point of the expedition; and the Mexican had hastened at once to give the alarm, “This puts a stop to our expedition, lieu- tenant,” said the major, ‘‘for we must attend to these red demons first. We'll zive them such a reception that the story of it shall strike ter- ror throughout their tribe. It is very evident that they do not know of our presenco here. They will not attack us till about midnight, or early morning—that is their favorite hour. To- night, Wenie, we'll attend to these red-skins, to- morrow to the yellow-birds!” : So the major and lieutenant went forth to prepare for the expectel attack, Each house received its complement of sol- diers; those at the no’ 2 end of tho town, the int supposed to be the urst likely to feel the ndian attack, had a double number. Forty men were ambushed in the houses—the remain- ing twenty were posted in the corral back_of the , mission, ready to mount and dash upon the savages upon their retreat fron the crossfire of the houses, When the shades of night descended upon the village, few would have supposed, so calm and iet was the little street, that each dwelling a fortre:s, bristling with weapons and teem- inz with armed men. The hours passed rapidly on, midnight came, the major and the lieutenant made a final in- spection of their men, urging increased caution. Not a gun was to be fired until a shot from the major’s revolver gave the signal for the attack, The major himself took post upon the flat roof of the mission-house, lying at full length behind the low railinr, Concealed from sight, he com- manded a full view of the single street upon which Tacos was built. The hours passed slowly away; the first gray streaks of the coming morn began to line the eastern. clouds, when, to the watching ears of the major, came the tramp of many boofs, A few minutes more and the street below was filled with dark forms, The Comanches had come. The morning light was in the eastern sky when the Indians entered Tacos, 7 No sound of alarm hal been given, the town was apparently buried in slumber, The Comanches gained the little square before the msssion-house, the center of the town; then, rising in his rude stirrups, the Gray Bear gave the loud war-whoop, the signal for slaughter. Hardly had the sourd of the loud war-cry of the red chief broke on the still morning air, when it was answered by the shrill crack of a revolver, Up into the air convulsively went the arms of the Gray Bear; he reeled from the saddlo, and fell headlong to the earth, a lifeless mass, Hardly had the crack of the revolver answer- ed the yell o tho Indian, when a sheet of flame burst from each side of the little street, and the carbine-balls came thick and deadly among the red warriors, Panic-stricken, they turned to fly, hardly returning the fire of the soldiers. 3ut the major, heading the squad of mounted men, dashed upon them; the soldiers poured from the house3; and the Comanches, disdaining to ask for quarter, were cut down like sheep in the slaughter-pon, and of the band that rode so boldly to the attack on Tacos, hardly ten of them ever crossed the Rio Grande, to bear back to their tribe the story of their defeat by the ~ blue-voated chiefs in the street of the little Mexi- can village, The loss of the soldiers was but slight—a single man killed and ten or so slightly wound- ed. Few of the Indians being armed with fire- arms, accounted for the slight loss on the part of the troops, But the Pathfinder and his sister—where were they? They were not among the ten who fled, or the party that lay wounded or dead. CHAPTER XIV. ° A DESPERATE GAME. THE pistol-shot of the major warned the Path- ~ finder that in some way the soldiers had learned of the approach of the savages, and were pre- — pared to receive them, As they had ridden into _
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Mustang Rider Roy. the town, Manuel bad endeavored to elude the vigilance of the Indians, by whom he was sur+ rounded, and give some alarm to arouse the citizens and soldiers; but the savages kept a wary eye upon him, and he felt that the attempt would cost him his life, and not be of much ser- vice to his friends, He felt sure that the sol- diers, once aroused, could easily beat off the In- dians. So he wisely rode quietly into the place, The single shot revealed to him the trap that the Comanches had so unwittingly stumbled into, To think was to act, with Manuel, Instantly he tumbled out of the saddle to the ground, just in time to escape the bullets hurled so thickly into the ranks of the Indians. The moment he struck the ground he ran to the shelter of the nearest house, and there remained till the brief fight had ended. He knew that all efforts of bis in behalf of his sister would be fruitless, and the trusted to Heaven to protect her, and a good Providence answered the expectation, The escape of Rita was almost miraculous, In the center of the savages, their bodies were ‘the ramparts that shielded her from the deadly fire that mowed them down as the grain falls before the sickle; and then the fiery Indian spony that she rode, scared by the firearms, car vied her rapidly up the street, far from the scene of slaughter. She could not control the beast, so, with a prayer upon her lips, she leap- ed boldly from his back. The soft earth re- ceived her yielding form with searce a bruise. Regaining her feet, she hastened back to the town, and soon was in her brotber’s arms. The soldiers chased the panic-stricken Indians far over the prairie; and then, at last, growing eeaty of slaughter, the major checked the pur- suit, The sun was just rising as the little squad of troopers rode back into Tacos. The lieutenant approached the major. ““There’s ten of the Indians whose wounds I think are not mortul. (Cve had them taken into the little drinking-shop. I suppose we'll have to take them to Santa Fe as prisoners,” said Wenie. “Yes: I will dispatch a courier at once to Santa Fe, with an account of this affair, It's about the soundest thrashing that these maraud- ing tigers have ever received along the border. They'll not be apt to make another raid across the Rio Grande, in this direction for some time, I’m thinking.” “Tm afraid that our expedition to the bri- ands’ retreat’ will have to be delayed another ay,” said Wenie, not feeling over-pleased at the idea either. ‘*‘ We will have to bury these dead red-skins, and attend to our own wounded men, as well as to the wounded Indians,” “That's true,” replied the major. it is better as it is. In the mean time I may re- ceive some information from my spy that will greatly aid our attack.” ¢ Though chafing, at heart at the delay, yet the lieutenant calmly proceeded about his duties, By afternoon, Tacos had* resumed its wonted _ appearance, though here and there blood-stains on the walls and on the earth still bore witness to the terrible struggle. . ¥ . Just as the dusk of evening was coming on, a _Mexican rode into Tacos, and inquired for Lieu- Perhaps | tenant Wenie. He was speedily conducted to the lieutenant’s quarters. ‘* Well?” said the lieutenant, as the Mexican, who was not remarkable for his good looks, ap- peared before him? “You are Lieutenant Wenie?’ asked the Mexican. Yes,” answered Wenie. ‘* Will the senor look at this?” asked the man, drawing from his breast a little note. The lieutenant’s heart gave & leap of joy when his eyes rested upon the delicate inscrip- tion of the note, for he saw that it was Juanita’s bandwriting. Eagerly he tore it open. sentence: It contained a single ““You may trust the bearer.” « There was no signature, but each letter of the delicate handwriting was graven on Wenie’s heart. He knew full well that the note was written by bis beloved. ““Where is the lady?” the lieutenant question- ed, eagerly. ‘*At the hacienda of her father,” answered the Mexican, ° ** Ah!” cried Wenie, in joy; ‘‘she has return- ed then?” : **Yes; the senor brought ber back this morn- ing early and secretly,” said the Mexican. “ How then, did you know of her return?” de- manded Wenie. ,‘ The senor employed me to watch her,” * And you have betrayed your trust?” “Yes, senor; I felt pity for the poor senorita, Besides, I am to have five golden ounces,” “Tf you can procure me an interview with her, you shall have ten,” cried Wenie. “If the senor found it out, I shall lose my place,” said the Mexican. “Pil find you another,” replied the lieutenant. “*T promised the senorita to find you and tell you of her return; but, to carry you back with me is dangerous,” ** Remember, ten golden ounces,” said Wenie, The Mexican’s eyes sparkled. Wenie renewed the temptation, ‘* Ten golden ounces will make a gentleman of you, : “Yes, senor.” “It is a fortune,” “Yes, senor.” : You accept?” ie **-Yes, senor,” ** You are a worthy fellow!” cried Wenie, full of joy. “Remember, P'm to have another place if the senor turns me ff,” said the Mexican. “Yes, yes,” replied Wenie. ‘* When do you wish to go?” ** At once.” i ‘“‘Tmpossible, senor. Remember, the hacienda is on a prairie; your approach could easily be seen; in an hour it will be dark, Cats can see in the nigbt, ot men,” ; : ‘‘ Bit there is a moon,” said Wenie. - “The night will be cloudy,” replied the Mexi- can. ; ‘Tn an hour, then, you will come?” **T will wait here with the senor, if the senor will let me,” replied the Mexican, ~
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26 - Mustang Rider Roy. ‘ t * Cortainly!” cried Wenie, pacing rapidly up and down the floor, hardly able to conceal his impatience, How slow, to Wenie’s mind, the hour was in passing. Never before bad ‘an bour seemed so long—never were the shades of night so tardy in descending. To while the time away, Wenio questioned the | Mexican as to whither Juniata had been carried, | and as to the reason of this sudden return: but, the Mexican Iphew nothing except that’she had returned, and had employed tim to warn the lieutenant, He further expiaine? that she was afraid to write more than the brief line for fear it might be discovered. With this unsatisfactory account, the lieuten- ant was perforce obliged to be content. Five miriutes alone remaine | of the hour. “Will you tell the boy to-saddle my horse? you will find him just back of the house,” Wenie aid to the Mexican, After be tia:l departed on his errand, the lieutenant threw off bis uniform cont, buckled a belt around his waist, to which was attached two holsters, each carrying a re- volver; then he slipped on his loose undress coat @and was prepared for the night-adventure, Tough apparently unarmed —the skirts of the cont concealing his revolver—in reality he was fully prepared for danger. Hoe had determined that if he could possibly carry off Juniata that night, he would do so, He was ready now. todo battle with a score for her sake, Hardly had the lieutenant finished his prepa- rations, when the Mexican returned, and after him came the servant with a hors, Wenie leaped into the saddi>; the Mexican mounted his mnle, and the two set out, As the Mexican had foretold, the night was dark, Heavy banks of clouds covered the sky; only now and then at rare intervals the moon- beams shone dowa upon the prairie. “Té looks like rain,” said Wenie, as they gal- loped onward. “The senor dogs not fear the raia?” “Not on this errand,” replied the lieutenant; “a rain of liquid fire could hardly keep mea back,” On rode the two. Tacos was left behind, and they galloped over the prairio, Already they had accomplished half the distance between tho town and the hacienda, when something pecnliar about bis Mexican cuide attracted Wenie’s at- tention. A. suspicion of treachery shot across his mind, for, lover though he was, yet his pas- sion did not blind him; he was still the eool, cautious soldier, What it was about tho cuile that had excited his suspicion he could not tell, excent that it was a stealthy kind of a watch that the Mexican seemed to be keeping ahead— a watch that he seemed to wish the lieutenant | not to see, Wenie resolved to ba upon his guard. Cau- tiously he slipped his right hand—the Mexican was riding upon his left—under the skirt of his ct, and drew his revolver; as his arm was hi nging down carelessly by his side, of tourse the Mexican could not see the weapon as they rode onward. The hacienda was iu sight. Wenie began to think his fears were foolish. A few minutes | more, and Juanita might be folded in hisarm;. { t nt Just then they arrived at a little house that stood by the road. As they reached it, the Mexican suddenly threw his arms around the lieutenant, aud essayed to drag him from the saddle; at the same moment, five or six borse- men dashed around the corner of the house— which had concealed them from view—upon the two. The truth flashed upon Wenie in an instant; it was an ambuscade, Prompt was the lieutenant to act. Hardly had the arms of the Mexican closed round him ere the right hand, clutching the revolver, came down with crushing weight upon the Mexican’s head. The gripe of the arms relaxed, and the treacherous dog tumbled out. of the saddle, Leveling, Wenie fired at the horsemen approach- ing; two shots checked their advance and two saddles were emptied. The horsemen fired; the bullets whistled around the lieutenant’s head; one struck him in the side. and Wenie felt that he was wounded, Quickly he wheeled his horse and flew at the animal’s topmost speed for Tacos. A volley from the pistols of the horsemea saluted his retreat; a ball pierced his shoulder. Tbe horsemen did not attempt to pursue him, It was plain pursuit was useless, ‘Oh, Satan protects bim!” cried the leader of the assailants, who was no other than the bri- gand chief, Roy Lara, The brigands looked to their wounded; one man, shot through the temple, was dead. The Mexican guide hadonly been stunned, and was now recovering, The other, who had fallen from the saddle at Wenie’s fire, lay on the prairie groaning with pain; it was Tio. “ Are you badly hurt?” asked Roy. “* Yes,” gasped Tio, “I’m shot through the lungs—leave me to die in, peace,” and with a convulsive gasp Tio sunk back. “Leave him to his fate,” said Roy, as he sprung into the saddle, ‘‘ Poor devil! he insisted upon coming to-night, though I never saw him” eager for 2 fight before,” The brigands rode fast for their retreat, Roy's plan had failed. Longing for vengeance, he had resolved to kill or capture Wenie. The Mexican who had proved so treacherous to the lieutenant, had been admitted to Juanita’s pres- ence apparently secretly, and had offered to / carry & message to her lover. Juanita, little suspecting the haunt she was in, or the man she was trusting, had written the line that the crafty Roy had used as a bait to lead the Amer- ican lieutenant into the snare which Roy had designed should prove his death. And now, after all his plotting, the Mexican was riding homeward; his foe was still alive— unharmed for aught he knew. Bitterly the brigand cursed the evil fortune which seemed to surround him, bnt still more bitter would have been his curses could he have looked that night, an hour later, into the quar- ters of Major Curtin, and seen the man who was conversing with the major there—who was ap- parently telling ® pleasant jest, at which the stern old soldier laughed long and heartily—the man was the spy who had just tetarnal: from the brigands’ stronghold, x. .
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Mustang Rider Roy. CHAPTER. XV. THE SURPRISE AT NIGHT. LirkuTENANT WENIE rode fast for Tacos; he felt some slight dnxiety in regard to his wounds, for they might possibly be serious, although the pain was but trifling. Arriving at Tacos, the lieutenant went at once to the quarters of Major Curtin, and briefiv telling that astonished officer of the ambuscade that be had so luckily escaped, requested him to examine the wounds, As the lieutenant bad hoped, his hurts were but slight, and the major, who was something of a doctor, speedily dressed them. **There,” said the major, when he had fin- ished. “In a week Vli warrent that bardly a trace of your wounds will remain,” . “They will not prevent,my going with the expedition to the brigand.’ strougbold, I hope?” asked Wenie, anxiously. *Oh, no!” cmed the major; ‘ we'll start to- morrow, early.” ‘Very well,” said the lieutenant. tire to rest at once. as quiet as possible.” ‘Decidedly; you'll bave exercise enough to- morrow. I expect these fellows will show fight,” replied the major. Toe lieutenant proceeded at once to his quar- ters and retired to rest. The major again spread upon the table the rude map, on which was traced the road that led to the brigands’ retreat by the banks of the Rio Pecos. As the major bent over the map, he heard a knock at the door. “Come in,” said the major, a little impatient . at being disturbed. An orderly entered. “* What is it, O'Neal?” ‘A man wants to see ye’s, major,” replied the soldier, saluting. “What sort of a man?” ** A little yaller Mexican, sur.” ‘* Weil, show him in.” In a moment the stranger entered the room. The major cast the glance of his keen eyes upon him, ** Well?” asked the officer. % “The senor is Major Curtin?’ asked the stranger, who was a wiry little Mexican, with eyes as keen asarat’s and as black as a jet bead. ** Yes,” replied the major. ; The Mexican then took from his girdle a little keen-edged knife; with the knife be proceeded to rip open the lining of his ragged jacket. The major watched the proceeding with interest. om its hiding-place between the lining and the jacket, the Mexican drew out a Jetter, “Will the senor look?” asked the Mexican, with a courtly bow, tendering the letter to the officer. The major had already guessed who and what the stranger was, and so the contents of the let- ter m the bold hand of his Excellency, the Mexi- can President, did not surprise birr.. After reading the letter, the major spoke, “T presume, then, I have the pleasure of ad- dressing Senor Castello, Chief of Police of the city of Mexico?” “T will re- I suppose | had better keep ’ “Yes, senor,” replied the Mexican. ‘You will pardon my want of courtesy in not offering you a chair,” said the major; ‘ but your strange dress—” ‘Don’t spesk of it, senor. If I wear the dress of a beggar, 1 must not expect to be treated as a gentleman,” said the Mexican, gracefully taking the offered chair. ‘“ But now to business, Of course, sepor, you are aware that the Presi- dent is as anxious to crash these Brigands of the Prairie, who plunder alike your people and mine, as your Government; and as it was ex- tremely necessary, in order to make the blow decisive, that some -one should penetrate into their stronghold, and knowing no one whom [ thought more fit for the office, I took it upon myself, That is the reason, senor, why 1 he- came your spy and you see me in these rags, I have just returned from the brigands’ strorg- hold, by the Rio Pecos,” * Ab, indeed!” exclaimed the major, “You received a rude map, a few days ago, tracing out the route thither?’ “ Yes,” ““T sent it to you,” said the Mexican. ‘‘I did not dare to bring it in person; for of course you are aware, senor, that if the brigands had dis- covered my object in seeking their haunt, my life would have been worth but little.” “*Tt was indeed a mission of danger,” replied the major. %¢ * True; but the reward, if I succeed, is great,” said the Mexican. ‘* Then, besides, I like once in a while to throw aside the cares of office. There is a sort of pleasure in bunting human game: it reminds me of what I was before I camie under the notice of his Excellency, General Santa Ana, who was graciously pleased to ele- vate me to my present position.” Z “‘T had determined to attack the brigands to- morrow night,” said the major. “Good!” cried the Mexican. ‘ I will lead you; they will be like rats in a trap.” And so the officer and the spy arranged the details of the expedition—the raid that was to bring death or captivity to Roy Lara and all his band. Tke consultation finished, the Mexican bade the major good-night, and left the house. Hardly had tne Mexican gained the street, when, in the darkness, be ran against. some one who was passing. A moment the stranger look- ed into his face; then u ery of passion broke on the night air, A grip of iron encircled the Mexi- can’s throat; backward he was cast to the earth, a knee upon his chest held him firm; before his eyes flashed the brigbt blade of a knife, that even now was uplifted to strike him in the throat. Astonished at the unexpected assault, the Mexican. had hardly made a motion of resistance —indeed, had he resisted to the utmost of his power, if would have availed but little against the muscular force of his unknown assailant. “Dog of a brigand!” hissed a hoarse voice, that the Mexican knew full ‘well, ‘‘ prepare for death. You was the guide that led my sister into the hands of ber betrayer:; now, Tio, see if our rat-like cunning will save you from my nife,” The voice was the voice of the Pathfinder, and
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Mustang Rider Roy. the Mexican held beneath his knee was, indeed, no other than Tio. Tio, whom we shall hereafter call by his pro- per name of Castello, had but feigned to be wounded when, on the prairie, he had fallen from his horse at the lieutenant’s fire, Having procured all the information that be desired in regard to the brigands, his next movement was, of course, to impart that information to the commander of the United States forces in Ta- cos; but, in order to do so, he must-escape from the brgands, and, if possible, without causing them to suspect that they had harbored a spy in their midst. How successful bis plan had been we have seen. “Tam not a brigand!” gasped Castello, hard- ly able to speak, from the grip of the Indian’s hand upon his throat. ‘‘lam Major Curtin’s spy!” ‘“*The American’s spy!” exclaimed Manuel, in astonishment, relaxing in his grip upon the throat of the Mexican, * Yes, a spy,” repeated Castello, “Tf you are lying—” said Manuel, fiercely. ‘* By the Virgin, [ swear I speak the truth!” cried the Mexican, ‘ Roy Lara and all his band are doomed,” “Are you speaking truth?’ asked Manuel, removing his knee and permitting the Mexican to rise, ~ ‘As TI hope to be saved,” replied Castello, not sorry to gain his feet and escape from the iron clutch of the peon, “ Doomed!” cried the Pathfinder, ‘* Alas that they are not!” “Say not so, brave Pathfinder,” the spy re- sponded; ‘forty hours will bring destruction upon the Brigandsof the Prairie. The Ameri- - cans ride for their destruction.” “Tt is but the justice of Heaven,” returned the Indian. “Tf you seek revenge upon Roy Lara, ride with u3 to-morrow and you shall have it,” said Castello, “The troops indeed, will need the guidance of the Prairie Pathfinder.” “Good; I will go with you. When do you start?” ‘At early dawn; but we shall not attack un- til after midnight; you know it isa hard day’s ride from here.” f “Yes; at early dawn, then, I'll be with you. Tlong again to take the trail of the desperado band.” And then the two parted. AG will now return to the retreat of. the brig- ands. Lara and his men had returned from their un- successful expedition. cursing their ill-luck, Torres listened to the tale of the lieutenant’s escape with evident ill-bumor. “This North American has as many lives as a eat; twice you have failed.” “The third time may be more successful,” re- turned Roy. ‘‘In the end I may triumph.” “That is true.” replied Torres, “Your daughter does not seem now to be any more favorably disposed to me than she did be- fore,” said Roy. “Once your wife, she will learn to love you,” | replied Torres, ** Roy, vou should bave been my son, for I think of you as one.” ““ A strange way you have of showing it,” re- sponded Roy. ‘* You might have reared me an honest man, instead of making"me what I ayia brigand and a villain,” “Years have changed my plans,” the Old man replied, slowly. ‘** When { reared you in the school of vice I intended you but as a tool, an instrument of vengeance, which I was to:= upon another’s head, evenif the struggle «__. your life; but as you grew to manhood I learned to love you. I loved your mother once, boy; and your eyes are hers. Now I have given up all thoughts of vengeance—all thoughts of the vengeance that I meditated even before you were born. Now I will try and make youa better man. That is why I wish you to marry my Juanita; but I will explain more fully to- morrow. Good-night.” And Torres left the apartment, Strange thoughts were in the mind of the brigand captain. He knew that there was a mystery connected with his birth, and often he bad wondered why his skin was whiter than his Mexican companions, and yet his eyes and hair as dark as theirs, In his heart, Roy Lara could not help con- fessing that he care but little for the fair Mex- ican girl, Juanita, Another face was before his eyes; another love filled bis heart. Rita, the peon girl—she it was who held captive the bri- gand leader, “Shall IT ever see her again?’ he cried, pas sionately, as the remembrance of her beauty and truth rose upin his mind. Bitter was the thought that then she was in the hands of the marauding red-skins; bitter was the thought. that never again should he look upon that face, And, with these gloomy thoug!ts for his com- panions, the brigand captain retired to rest. Midnight came. .All was still within the stronghold, With their usual precaution, though they little feared an attack, the outlaws had ‘posted a sentinel within the stockade, by the fa. This sentinel was relieved every two urs, wo o'clock came; a new sentinel had taken his position ; *swas Legro. ; Carbine in’band he paced up and down before the gate. Careless was his watch. He did not. notice that a dark figure, which sealed the wall to the right of him and dropped noiselessly to the earth inside, was creeping cautiously toward him, On came the figure, slowly but surely, stealing forward with all the stealth of the pan- ther. Hid by the shadow of the wall from the notice of the sentry, it cane within six feet, of the end of the little path that measured the beat; then the figure halted—waited until the sentinel had turned his back, and then; with the quick dash of the hungry tiger, the Path- finder sprung upon the brigand. The steel glit- tered for a moment in the air, then was driven to the hilt in the body of the ruffian, which fell heavily to the earth. Manuel quickly opened the gate, and the sol- diers, headed by Major Curtin and Lieutenant Wenie, poured in, The surprise was complete, Taken defense-— less in their beds, the brigands made but little —
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Mustang Rider Roy. resistance. A few scattering sbots, a gleam here and there of steel, and the struggle was ended, . Almost bloodless had been the conflict; nearly all the brigands had been captured—some half a delun only escaping. Among the prisoners was tfor origand captain, Roy Lara. vorres, rushing from bis apartment, alarmed by the noise of the attack, bad been struck by a heim at once, random shot and mortally wounded, 7 ‘ben Major Curtin heard of this he hastened ad The eyes of the dying Mexican gleamed with a strange luster when he gazed on the face of the man he had hated so Litterly, * Curtin,” be said, slowly, for life was ebbing fast, *‘ 1 kave wronged yeu deeply.” **Make what amends you can, while life is left you,” solemnly replied the major, as he knelt by the side of the dying man. “Your son, the child of Inez,” gasped the Mexican, feebly. **Does he live?” eagerly questioned the stern old soldier, now melted almost to woman’s ten- aerness, *- Yes; and—” With his ear close to the lips of the dying man, the major listened to the story of the past. CHAPTER XVI. THE LOST SON, WITHIN an hour from the time be received the wound, Torres, the Mexican, was dead, Juanita, rising from the side of her dead parent, found consolation in the arms of her Jover There was now no obstacle to ber union with the man she loved, ‘Vhe expedition, with the captured brigands, returned to Tacos, Major Curtin sat alone in his quarters; a sad look was upon the face of the old soldier. It had been noted by his men that, since the cap- ture of the brigands’ stronghold, a weight seemed to be upcn bis mind. The major sat with bis head resting upon the table, supported by bis band; the gleam of the light—for it was night—shone full upen bis face —upon the features that bore the marks of care and sorrow, The major was talking quietly to himself— muttering is the better word—as though his thoughts were so intense that they must find vent in speech. _‘* Let me see,” he muttered; “the old Roman, Brutus, gave his son to death. Rome, his country, first, before ties of kindred. \AmIa Brutus? No! no!” and the old soldier shook bis head sadly. The major’s meditations were interrupted by the entrance of the orderly, O’Neal, “ A lady wants to see ye’s, major.” ** Who is she?” “Don’t know, sur, but she looks as if she’s been eryin’.” ** Well, sh er in.” : The orderly withdrew, and a woman, with her face concealed in. one of the shawls so common to the lower class of Mexican women, entered the room, ~ 7 “Well, madam?” asked the major. The girl removed the shawl and revealed the features of Rita, the peon girl. ** Ob, senor,” she murmured, ‘* Roy Lara.” The major started at thename. —, ‘*“ Well, what of him?” he asked, striving to appear calin. * | have Leen told tbat he is to die,” “It is likely,” replied the cfficer. ‘Oh, senor,” criid Rita, wringing hér hands in anguish, * his death will kill me also,” “Ab!” the major started; ‘‘you are called Rita, are you not?” ** Yes, senor,” ‘Your brother has told me somethifg about ee pe this unfortunate young man, ou love him? ‘** Yes, senor; love him better than life!” : bas You would forsake home, friends, all for nim ? “Yes, senor; all!” ‘ “This poor girl teaches me my duty,” the major muttered between bis teeth. Then he paced up and down the room a moment, as if in deep thought, and then he suddenly stopped be- fore the girl. AP Would you like to see this man?” he asked. ‘“Yes! yes!” answered the girl, eagerly. “Come with me, then,” he said, casting over his shoulders a long cloak and putting on his at, ; Rita followed the major down the street until they arrived at the adobe bouse that held Roy Lara a prisoner, A sentinel paced before the door. ; The major and Rita entered. Roy, bandcuffed, lay on a rude bunk in one corner of the room. The moonteams, shining in througb an opening in the wall, revealed to him tbe presence of his visitors. * Rita!” he cried, with joy, and in a moment the peon girl was folded to bis heart, The major stood quietly by and looked on, ““You will excuse me, senor,” said Roy; ‘* but this girl is the only thing that I have in the world to love. She is the only creature on earth that loves me; can you wonder, senor, that I am glad to see her?” It was evident that the reckless brigand cap- is had been changed somewhat by his down- all, “Are you prepared for death?” asked tke major. Yes, sencr; I bave but one tie to bind me to the world—this love that has come tosmile upen me in my prison and light my passage to the rave, . a Suppose by’ any chance you should escape death; do you think that, in the future, you would live a different life” ‘** Yes, senor,” eagerly replied Roy; ‘I am not all bad, and I feel sure that this girl’s love would make mea good man. I wasnever born for a brigand, but was made one by an uncle whose memory I detest,” The majcr took from his pocket 4 key and un- locked the handcuffs, as hesaid: “ Yes, I know of Torres and bis great crime; know that he pur- posely wrecked your life, but it isnot yet too ate to shake off the fate which his evil heart desigu- ed. Let what there is left of nobility in your soul grow and you are saved—saved /” NO SA
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0 ‘There were tears in the soldier’s eyes, and his voive was choked by emotion. Roy aud Rita gazed upon him with astonish- mnt. \ ; “Now, girl, you follow me;and you, sir, watch your opportunity, when I engage the sentinel in conversation, tv slip out through the door and down the street; the’ shadow of the houses will eoneeal you. At the end of the street wait for me.” The old soldier did not give his astonished list- enars a chance to reply, but beckoning the girl to Follow, he left the house, The major went directly to the sentinel and engaged him in conyersation, Rita, standing near the door, served as a mask for Roy. A sacond more, and Lara was at liberty, and glid- ing cautiously down the street. With a brief injunction to the sentry not to disturb the prisoner, the major, with Rita, fol- lowed the fugitive. At the end of the litt'e street they found Roy. “Wait,” said the old soidier, as he left them. Clasped in each otver’s arms and lost in wonder the lovers waited the return of the old major, In ashort time the soldier returned, leading Gwo horses, ** Mount and fly.” he said, briefly. The moment they were in tlhe saddle, he took Roy by the hand. * Have you money?” he asked, “Yes,” Roy answered; ‘*f£ have letters of eredit from Torres,on his banker in New Orleans, sewol inside my jacket, besides some gold in my bett,” ‘Go, then, to New Orleans, and Heaven speed you,” cried the major, grasping Roy’s hand warmly, “Keep faith with this girl; lead an honest life, and—you will see me again! Go, go! Gd bless you, my son!” Of went tha fugitives, wondering at the Strange maoner of the old soldier. Little did Roy Lara dream that he wasindeed the son of the American major—the child stolen by Torres when an infant. This was the secret that the dying Mexican had revealed to Curtin, This it was that had saved Roy Lara, the Mus- tang Rider. Tne eseape of the fugitive was discovered in tie morning, bat, as the major said carelessly that pursuit was useless, nothing was done, Toa only man coat might have followed on their trick, the Pathfinder, had departed for Sante Ho to bear the ne vs of the defeat of the brigands, and to rebura with further orders, Juanita and Wenie were married; true love metits reward, The lieutenant, throwing up his commission, took charge of the vast estates t> which Juanita was heiress, and he soon be- came one of the men whom Texaus were proud to honor, The Brigands of the Prairie never recovered from their defeat; from that time forth they be- Came a matter of history, And the-Pathfinder? Whenhe returiiel, 2 secret was given him to sp by the major. That secret removed the iz which had pierced to his very soul when he raed of Rita’s flight with Roy Lara. ~The <6 of Juanita for a while oppressed him; bus tae loving hearts of her and her devoted hus- Mustang Rider Roy. | band soon won him from his sorrows, and he be- came, thenceforward, the trusted agent and frien | of the rich propre’ v‘—a friendship which he prized more than al! things in life, THE END, BEADLE AND ADAMS’ STANDARD DIME PUBLICATIO Speakers. Each volume contains 100 large pages, printed from clear, open type, comprising the best collec- tion of Dialogues, Dramas and Recitations. The Dime Speakers embrace twenty-five volumes Komikal Speaker. Youth’s Speaker, Eloquent Speaker. Hail Columbia Speak- er. Serio-Comic Speaker, Select Speaker, . Funny Speaker, 2, Jolly Speaker, Dialect Speaker. Recitations and Read- ings. Burlesque Speaker American Speaker. . National Speaker. | Patriotic Speaker, Comic Speaker, Klocutionist, Humorous Speaker, Standard Speaker, . Stump Speaker, Juvenile Speaker, . Spread-Eagle Speaker Dime Debater. 2 Exhibition Speaker, { 13. School Sveaker, | 25, 14, Judicrous Speaker, These books are replete with choice pieces for the School-room, the Exhibition, for Homes, ete. %5.to 100 Declamations and Reeitations in each book, Dialogues. : The Dime Dialogues, each volume 100 pages, em brace thirty-five books, viz.: Dialogues No, Vighteen. Dialogues No, Nineteen. Dialogucs No, Twenty. Dialogues No, Twenty-one. Dialogues No, Twenty-two, Dialozues No. Twenty-three, Dialogues No, Twenty-four. Dialogues No. Twenty-five. Dialogues No. Twen Dialogues No, Twent; Dialogues No, Twenty-eight. Dialogues No. Twelve, |Dialogues No. Twenty-nine, Dialogues No. Thirteen, |Dialozues No. Thirty. Dialogues No, Fourteen, |Dialogues No, Dialogues No, Fifteeu, |Dialogues No, Thirty-two. Dialogues No. Sixteen. |Dialogues No. Thirty-three, Dialogues No,Seventeen Dialogues No, Thirty-four, Dialogues No. Thirty-five, 15 to 29 Dialogues and Dramas in each book, Dialogues No, One. Dialogues No, Two. ogues No, Three. Dialogues No, Four, Dialogues No, Five. Dialogues No, Six, inlogues No, Seven, Dialogues No, Wight. i yo. Nine, Dis s No, Ten. Dialogues No, Eleven, Dramas and Readings. 164 12m Pages, 20 Cents, sm For Schools, Pariors, Entertainments and the Am= ateur Stage, comprising Original Minor Dramas, Comedy, Farce, D ess Pieces, Humorous Dialogue and Burlesque, by soted writers; and Recitations and Readings, new nd standard, of the grea celebrity and interest. Edited by Prof. M. Russel. The above publications are for sale by all newe- deaiers or will be sent, post-paid, on receipt cf price, ten cents each, bY BEADLE AND ADAMS, 98 WinilaM sTREET, N, Y. ;
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BEADLE’S POCKET LIBRARY. ‘ SSR SS SEE: i See SS Ee aE Se ee ere 252 Denver Doll's Device; or, The Detective Queen, By Edward L, Wheeler. ; 253 The Boy Tenderfoot. By Capt. Mark Wilton. 254 Black Hills Ben; or, Duteh Jan on the War- Path. By 39 Lewis W. Carson 255 Jolly Jim, Detective. By Charles Morris, 256 Merle Monte’s Last Cruise; or, The Sea Robber at Bay. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 257 The Boy Cnief 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 Bov. Ry Edward Willett. 261 Blade, the Sport; or, the Giant of Clear Grit Camp. By T. C. Harbaugh 262 Billy, the Boy Rover. 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 Par'ner, By Edward L. Wheeler. 265 Billy, the Baggage Boy: or, The Young Railroad Detegtive. By Charles Morris. 266 Guy’s Boy Chum; or, The Forest Waif'’s Mask. : By Capt. Comstock. 267 Giant Geo:ge’s Revenge. By Buckskin Sam. 268 The Deadshot Dandy. By Col. P. Ingrabam. 269 The Quartzville Boss; or, Daring David Darke. By Edward Willett. 270 Denver Doll’s Mine. By Edward L, Wheeler. 271 Wbony Jim’s Terror; or, Ranger Rainbolt’s Ruse, By Oil Coomes. 272 Kit, the Girl Detective. By T. C. Harbaugh. 273 The Girl Rider; or, Nimble Ned's Surprise. By Jos, E. Badger, Jr. 274 Dead Shot Dandy’s Double; or, Benito, the Boy Pard. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 27 Fred, the Ocean Waif; or, The Old Sailor’s Protege. By Charles Morris. 276 Deadwood Dick Trapped. By Ed L. Wheeler. 277 The Liiot Boy Avenger; or, Captain Wild-Cat’s Biz Game. By Albert W. Aiken. 278 Arizona Alf, the, Miner; or, Little Snap Shot's Luck. By T. C, Harbaugh. : 279 Colorado Jack, the Tiger. By Fred. Dewey. 280 Dead Shot Dandy's List Deal, or, Keno Kit’s New Role. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 281 Ned, the Boy Pilot. By.Jack Farragut. *282 Buck Hawk, Detective; or, the Messenger Boy’s Fortune. By Edward ‘L: Wheeler. 83 Roving Sport Kir. By Edward Willett. - 234 The Showman’s Best Card; or, The Mad Animal Tamer. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker, 285 Old Rocky’s Pard. By Buckskin Sam. 286 Dick, the Dakota Sport. By Charles Morris. 287 Ned, the Boy Skipper. By Jack Farragut 288 Deadwood Dick’s Disguise, By E, L, Wheeler, 289 Colorado Nick, the Lassoist; or, Old Si's Protege. By Major H. B. Stoddard. 290 Rube, tbe Tenderfoot: or, the Boys of Torpedo Guich. 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 Dwarf Jake. the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon’s Man-Hunt. By Edward Willett, 294 Dumb Dick’s Pard. By Edward L. Wheeler. 295 White Wing, the Ferret Flyer, By Chas. Morris. 296 Govinda, the Tiger-Tamer; or, The American Horeeman Abroad. By Captain F. Whittaker. 297 Arizona Giant George; or, The Boyees of Sardine- Box City. By Buckskin Sam, 298 Daisy Doll’s Dash. By T. C. Harbaugh. . 299 The Balloon Detectives. By Harry Enuton, 300 Deadwood Dick’s Mission. By E. L. Wheeler. 801 Panay Duke, the Cowboy. By Major E. L. St. 05 Dusky Dick's Duel. By Harry Hazard. 806 Spotter Fr'tz; or, The Store-Detective’sBecoy By E. L. Wheeler. —_— - 807 Nick, the Boy Sport. By Major E. L. St. Vrain; 308 Double-Fisted Mat: or, The Mystic California Giant. By Jos. BE. Badger, Je. 309 Oid Graybeard’s Boy; or, The Girl’s Ruse. By C,. Dusning Clark. 310 Kit, the Girl Captain. 811 Frio Fred in Texas. By Buckskin Sam. 312 The Detective Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sassafras City. By Edward L, Wheeler, 313 Honest Jack’s Protere. By Philip 8S. Warne, 314 Clip, the Boy Sheriff By Edward Willett 815 Tom, the Arizona Sport. By Maj. E. L. St. Vrain.” 816 The Streeé Arab Detective. By Charles Morris. 317 Buckskin Ben of Texas. By Buckskin Sam. 818 Colorado Char ie’s Detective Dasa; or, The Cattle Kings. By Edward L, Wheeler, 319 Frisky Fran’: in Idaho. By Roger Starbuck. 820 Cool Sam’s Girl Pard. By T. C. Harbaugh. 821 Billy, the Kid from Frisco, By J. C. Cowdrick. 322 Fred Flyer, Detective. By Charles Morris. 323-Dead Shot Ike in Montana. By R. Starbuck. 8% Kit, the Denver Sport. By Edward L. Wheeler. 325 Dusky Darrell the Camp Detective; cr, The Dandy’s Daring Dash. By Edwin Emerson, 326 Roy, the Boy Cruiser. By Colonel P. Ingraham. 327 Ned, the Roving Miner. By Harry Hazard. 328 Rocky Ben's Band; or, Big Pete’s Big Haul. W. J. Hamilton. 329 Dave, the Colorado Wrestler. Vrain, 330 The Denver Sport’s Racket; or, Kit’s Big Boom, By Edward L. Wheeler, 331 The Coast Detective. By Roger Starbuck. 332 Dakota Dan in Canyon City. By Philip 8. Warne. 333 Bootblack Ben, the Detective; or, Pooler Jim and His Pard, By Anthony P. Morris. 334 Frisco Tom on Deck. By George mes oA Morse. 335 Ben Bandy, the Boss Pard; or, The Plucky Parson. By J. Stanley Henderson, 336 Fred, the Sport, in Brimstone Bar Camp. By Edward L. Wheeler, 337 Daisy Dave the Colorado of Dead Line City. By Col. P. Ingraham. By By Maj. E. L, St. ‘Galoot; or, The Boss By T. OC, Harbaugh. 338 The Go'd Bar Detective, By Maj. KE. L. St. Vrain 339 Rardo, the Boy Gypsy. By Wm. G. Patten. 340 Billy Bubble’s Big Seore, By Charles Morris, 341 Colorado Steve's Dash. By Philip 8. Warne, 812 Snap-Shot'Sam. ~By Bucksin Sam. 343 Mike, the Bowery Detecrive. By E. Ll. Wheeler. 344 The Drummer Sport. By Edwgrd Willett. $45 Joques, the Hardpan DetecttVe; or, Captain Frisco the Road Acert. By J. C. Cowdrick. 346 Joe, the Chicago Arab, By Charles Morris, 7 Middy Herbert's Prize. By Col. P. Ingraham, Sharp-Shoorer Frank. By Buckskin Sam, Buck, the Miner, By Maj, B. L. St. Vrain, Ned, the Slab City Sport. By Kd. L. Wheeler, Roeky Mountain Joe, By Col. 'T, H, Monstery, New York Tim. By Charles Morris, The Girl Pilot. By Roger Starbuck, Joe, the Boy Stage-Driver. By Maj. St. Vrain, Texas Wrank’s Crony. By Bucks*in Sam, 56 Idaho Ned, Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. 357 Guy, the Boy Miner, By Col. P. Ingraham. 338 Jersey Joe, the Old Tar. By_Mrs, Orin James, 859 Dandy Dick's Dash. By Oll Coomes. 369 Jim’s Bix Bonanza. ty W. J. Hamilton, 361 Oregou Phil, the Sport By Philip.S. Warne, 362 Kit, the Bootblack Det«ctive. By E. L. Wheeler, 363 The Ocean Racer. By T. C. Harbaugh, 861 Fritz’s Old Score. By Ned Buntline. 365 Crack Shot Harry. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 466 Gold Dust Rock. By G. Waldo Browne, 367 Fred’s Bold Game, By Paul Bibbs. p> 868 Jim, the Sport in Wake-up By Ed. L. Wheeler, | 369 Captain Blake’s Jonah. By Roger Starbuck, 870 Denver Kit’s Double Ty Major H. B, Stoddard, $71 Blue Blazes Dick. By T. C. Harbaugh 872 The Sea Cat's Prize. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, + 873 Larry O’Lynn's Dash. By Joseph F. Henderzon, 874 Jim, the Sport’s Bie Boom; or, The Bonanza wee King’s Rival, By Edward L. Wheeler.
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. BEADLE’'S POCKET LIBRARY. Detective Stories. 470 The Ranger Detective. 454 The Darky Detective. 437 Detective Jake’s Clew. By H. B. Stoddard. 3 6 Detective Paul’s Right Bower. By C. D. Clark. 887 The Boy Detectives. By T. C. Harbaugh. 875 Bowery Bob, Detective. By Jo Pierce. 862 Kit, the Bootblack Detective. By E. L. Wheeler, 356 Idaho Ned, Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler, 845 Jaques, the Hardpan Detective; or, Captain Frisco the Road A ent. By J.C. Cowdrick. 843 Mike, the Bowery Detective. By E. L. Wheeler, 838 The Gold Bar Detective; or, Iron Ike, the Sclid Man. By Major E, L. St. Vrain. 833 Bootblack Ben, the Detective; or, Pooler Jim and His Pard. By Antbony P. Morris. 831 The Coast Detective; or, The Smuggler Shad- . ower By Roger Starbuck, $25 Dusky Darrell, the Camp Detective; or, The Dandy’s Daring Dash. By Edwin Emerson, $22 Fred Flyer, Detective; or, Abe Blizzard on Deck. -_ By Charles Morris. ae $19 Frisky Fran« in Idaho; or, Old Skinflint the Shadower. By Roger S’arbuck, 818 Colorado Charlie’s Detective Dash; The Cattle Kings, By Edward L. Wh-eler 816 T:e Street Arab Detect:ve; or, Dicx Dorgan’s Double Dealing. By Charles Morris. 812 The Detective Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sassafras City. By Edward L. Wh eler. _ 806 Spotter Fritz; or, The Store-Detective’s Decoy. By BE. L. Wheeler. _ 303 The Hotel Boy Detective; or, The Grand Central Robbery. By Charles Morris, 299 The Balloon Detectives; or, Jack Slasher’s Young Pard. By Harry Enton. ? 295 White Wing, the Ferret Flyer. By Chas. Morris. By Harry Hazard. By Mrs. Orin James, or, 293 Dwarf sabe, the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon’s | Man-Hunt. By Edward Wiuett. 282 Buck Hawk, Detective; or, the Messenger Boy’s Fortune, By Edward L. Wheeler. 272 Kit, the Girl Detective. By T. C. Harbaugh. 265 Billy, the Baggage Boy Detective. By Cha:les Morris. ( 258 Denver Doll as Detective. By E. L. Wheeler. 255 Jolly Jim, Detective. By Charles Mortis. 252 Denver D i's Device; or, the Detective Queen, By Edward L. Wheeler. 251 The Deaf Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp, By Edward Willett. 246 Detective Keen’s Apprentice; or James Jumper, the New York Gamin. By Charles. Morris. 242 The Denver Detective; or, Dainty Dot at Gold y Guleh. By T. C. Harbaugh. - : 237 Newsboy Ned. Detective; or, Two Philadelphia Gamins. By Charles Morris. = 236 Sierra Sam's Double; or, The ‘Three Female De- tectives. By E. L. Wheeler. 228 The Preacher Detective. By Oll Coomes, 219 Buck, the Detective. By Albert W. Aiken. 215 The Denver Detective. By O)l Coomes. 209 The Messenger Boy Detective. By C. Morris. 205 The Frontier Detective. By E, L Wheeler. 199 Dictionary Nat, Detective. By. T.C. Harbaugh. 196 The Dandy Detective. By Charles Morris. 193 Detective Josh Grim. By WU. L. Wheeler, 188 The Ventriloquist Detective. By E. L. Wheeler. 183 Jabez Dart, Detective. By Oll Coomes. 175 The Arab Detective By i, U, Wheeler. 127 Tony Fox, the Detective By EB. L, Wheeler. 105 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective. By Charles Morris. : 69 Detective Dick. By Charles Morris. 62 Will Somers, the Boy Detective. By C. Morris, 18 Death-Face, the Detective. By E, L, Wheeler. = | 283 | 261 Wild West Sports. 465 The Texan Sport; er, The Mustang Hunter, Frederick © hittaker, 442 Dirk, the Sea Sport. By Roger Starbuck. 85 An Irish Sport Abroad; or, lat Malioney’s Ad- ventures. By C. L. Edwarés, Jove, the Rover Sp .v. By A. H. Post. Charley Ssylark, the Sp rt. By Major Henry B. Stoddard, Dick Talbot, the Sport. By Albert W. Aiken. The Deadwood Sports; or, Diamond Dick’s De- liverance, By Lieut. S. G. Lansing. Short Jin’s Big Boom; or, The Bonanze King’s Rival. By Edward L. Wheeler. Short Jimin Make-Up; or, Foghorn Fan to the Front. By Edward L. Wheeler, Oregon Phil, the Sport; or, The Marshal of Two Bits. By Pinlip 8. Warne. 850 Ned, the Slab City Sport; or, The Detective's Big Seconp. By E. L. Wheeler. The Drunimer Sport; or, Dasher Dick's Dilemma. By Edward Willett. j Fred, the Sport; or, In Brimstone Bar Camp, By EB. L. Wheeler. The Denver Sport’s Racket; or, Kit’s Big Boom. By Edward L. Wheeler. Kit, the Denver Sport. By E. L. Wheeler. 315 Saige the Arizona Sport, By Maj r E, L. St. rain, By 861 344 y Paris. ae Pete, tue Leadville Sport. By Albert . Aiken, ‘ Wild Walt. the Sport. By Edward L. Wheeler. Die’, the Dakota Sport. By Charles Morris. Roving Sport Kit, By Edeard Willett. Blade, the Sport. By ‘I. C, Harbaugh, The Girl Sport. By Edward L, Wheeler, 230 Taree Sports. By Capt. Frederick \ hittaker, 218 The Miner Spor’. By E. L. Wheeler. 212 The Jimtown Sport By Edward L Wheel r. 197 The T xan Sport Unmasked. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 130 Go d Trigger, the Sport, By T. C. Harbaugh, 103 Chip, the Girl Sport, By Edward L, Wheeler, 283 286 247 LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 469 Donald’s Death Shot. By Lieut. Col. Hezeltine. 470 The Ranger Detective. By Harry Hazard. ‘471 Roving Ritle. the Crackshot. By T. C. Harbaugh. 472 Joe a dJap’s Big Find. By Edward Willett. 473 Left-Handed Pete, the Double-knife. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 474 Gypsy Mag, the Mountain Witch, By C. D. Clark, © 475 The Mad Skipper. By Roger Starbuck, 476 Sandy Bill of Texas. By Edward Willett. 477 Squire Boker’s Ranch. By Mrs. H, J. Thomas, 478 The Yankes Peddler, By C. D. Clark. 479 Nick, the Detective. By Edwin Emerson. 480 The Village Sport. By James L. Bowen. 481 Mustang Rider Roy. By Albert W. Aik: n. 482 New York Ned in California. By W. J. Hamilton, Ready April 5th. A New Issue Every Wednesday. Beapvie’s Pocket Lisrary is for sale by all News- dealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on re- ceipt ofsix cents each, Bead vp ADAMS, Publishers, ee iam Street, New York,