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Published Every (Jjeadle (f, \ gm: 77m. @117)? is}; 97's, Ten Cent. ,_ 00” N 0 1 5 3
Week. 93 WILLIAM STREET, N. Y.. September 28. 1331. $5.00 a Year. °

A STORY OF THE TEXAN WAR.

 

BY' GUSTAVE .AIMARD,

Avrfion 0F “LOYAL HEART.” “PRAIRIE FLOWER," “THE TRAPPER’S DAUGHTER," “ THE BANDIT AT mun”
“THE BORDER mums,” “ Tm: mmsoo'rzms,” ma, ETC.

 

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The White Scalper.

 

 

The White Scalper.

A STORY OF THE TEXAN‘WAR.

BY GUS’I‘AVE AIMARD,

amen on “THE nonmm RIFLES," “was man-
noo'rnns," ETC., m.

 

CHAPTER I.
A nacomvorssaucn.

Cononnn Mrnnsnsz, after leaving the Jaguar at
Salto del Frayle, gitle along the Galveston road,
toward the town. hile gal oping, be reflected;
and the more he did so, the more impossible did it
appear to him that the Jaguar had told the truth.
In fact, how could it be supposed that this partisan,
brave and rash though he was, would have dared to
attack, at the head of a handful of adventurers, a
well-L quipped corve ,mnnnedb anumerous crew,
and commanded b one of the est officers in the
Mexican navy? The capture of the fort seemed even
mom improbable to the colonel. .

While reflecting thus, the colonel had gradually
slackeued his horse’s speed; the animal had passed
from a gallop into a canter, then a trot, and finally
fell into a walk with drooElin'gq head, and snapping
at the blades of with i reach.

Night had set n; a complete silence brooded over
the country, only broken by the hollow moan of the
sea as it rolled over the shingle. The colonel was
following a small track along the coast which
greatly shortened the distance separatin him from

alveston. This path, much used by ay, was at
this hour of the night completely deserted; the
ranchos that stood here and there were closed, and
no light gleamed throu h their narrow windows, for
the fishermen, fatigue by the rude toil of the day,
had retired to bed at an early hour.

The young officer‘s horse at length stog near a
scrubby bush, whose leaves it began nib 'ng. This
immobility aroused the colonel from his reverie, and
he looked about him to see where he was. About a
musket-shot ahead was a rancho, whose closed win-
dows allowed a thin pencil of light to filter through
the interstices of the shutters. The colonel struck
his re ater and found it was midnight. To 0 on
wonky-he madness; the more so, as it would im-
possible for him to find a boat in which to cross to
the island. Greatly annoyed at this obstacle, which,
su posing the Jaguar’s revelations to be true, might
enfsil serious consequences, the young ofllcer re-
solved on pushing on to the rancho before him, and
try to obtain means to cross the bay.

After drawing his cloak tightly round him, to pro-
tect him as much as possible from the (lam sea-air,
the colonel caught up the reins, and givin is horse
the spur, trotted sharle toward the ranc 0. When
a few paces from it, e dismounted, fastened his
horse to a larch-tree, and, after placing his pistols
in his belt, made a long circuit, and stealtle crept
up to the window of the rancho.

1n the state of fermentation then existing in
Texas, the olden confidence had entirely disappeared
to make way for distrust. The times were past
when the doors of houses remained 0 had day and
night. Hos itality which was tradit onal in these
parts had 0 ang into a suspicious reserve, and it
would have been an act of imprudence to ride 11 to
a stran e house, without first discovering who or
it was t at of a friend. The colonel, being d
in a Mexican uniform, was forced to act with great
caution.

This rancho was a large, square house, with a. roof
in the Italian fashion, having in front an azotea-
covered portillo. The whitewashed walls were an

eeable contrast to the virgin vines, and other
fights which ran over it. This rancho was not in-
closed with walls; a thick hedge, broken through at
several places, alone defended the approaches. The
dependencies of the house were vast, and Well kept
up. All proved that the owner of this mansion
carried on a large trade.

The colonel, as m- have said, had softly aplproached
one of the windows. The shutters were c osed. In
vain did the. colonel lplace his eyes at the slit, for he
could see nothing. he could not see, however, he
conld hear, and the first words that reached his
ear appeared to him very serious, for he redoubled
his attention, in order to lose no portion of the con-
versation. Enian once again our privilege as
romancers, we enter the rancho, and allow the
reader to witness the singular scene icing on there,
this mpst interesting part of whic escaped the
co one .

In a rather small room, dimly lighted b a. smoky
candle, four men, with gloomy faces an ferocious
glances dressed in the garb of Cam lnos, were
assembled. Three of them, seated on utaccas and
cquipals, were listening, with their gims between
their legs, to the forum, who, with his arms behind
his back, was walking rn idly up land down.

The broad brims of t e vicuna hats which the
three first wore, and the obscurity prevailing in the
room on] allowed their fa‘oes to be dim dy seen.
The fourt , on the contrary, was barehea ed; he
was a. man of about fort , tall and well-built; his
muscular limbs denot a ar from common
strength, and a forest of black and curly hair fell
on b wide shoulders. He had a lofty forehead,
aquiline nose, and black and piercing eyes; while the
lower of his face disappeared in a long and
thick ard There was in t e appearance of this
man something bold and haughty, which ired
respect and almost fear.

At this moment, he seemed to be in a tremendous
passion; his eyebrows were contracted his cheeks

'wd.and_at times, when he Eiaelded to the emotion
he tried in vain to restrain, eye flashed so fierce-
ly, that it forced his three hearers to b0w_their
hheads humlbly.t At the moment align wefigntered

eroom, esra Brappeared eon uinga.
discussion that had n goin on for some time.

“No,” he said, in a powe 1 voice, “th can-
not go on thus any longer. You dishonor t e holy
cause we are defending by revolting acts of cruelty,
which ure us in the opinion 0 the population.
Itis not imim Our oppressors that we shall
in proving to the masses that we wish
their welfar . However sweet it ma be to avenge
an insult received, where men put ves for-

 

ward as defenders of a principle so sacred as that
for which we have been shed n our blood the last
ten years, every man must prac ice self-denial, and
forget all his private animosities to absorb them in
‘the eat national vengeance. I tell you this frank-

hy, painly, and with no reserve. I, who was the

I rst that dared to utter the cry of revolt, and in-

augurate resistance; I, who, since I have reached
man's estate, have sacrificed everything, fortune,
friends, and relations, in the sole bogeoof seeing m
country one do free, would retire in a struggf
which is daily ishonored b excesses such as t e
red-skins themselves would isavow."

The three men, who had been tolerably quiet up
to this moment, then rose, tprotesting simultaneous-
ly tgat they were innocen of the crimes imputed

o t em.

“I do not believe you,” he continued, passionate-
ly; “I do not believe you, because I can prove the
utter truth of the accusation I am now makin .
You deny it, asI expected. Your part was reaalvl
traced, and you might be expected to act so:
other paths were closed to you. Only one of you the
youngest, the one who perhaps had the greatest
right to employ reprisals, has always remained
egual to his mission; and, though our enemies have
t ed several times to brand him, he has ever re-
mained firm, as the Mexicans themselves allow.
This chief you know as well as I do; it is the Jaguar.
Only yesterday, at the head of some of our men, be
accomplished one of the most glorious and extraor-
dinary exploits." .

All (pressed round the stranger, and eagerly ques-
tione him.

“ What need for me to tell you what has occurred?
You will know it within a few hours. Suffice it for
you to know for the present, that the consequence
of the Jaguar‘s daring achievement is the immedi-
ate surrender of Galveston, which cannot hold out
against us any longer." _

“Then we triumphl" one of the Campesrnos ex-
claimed.

“ Yes' but all is not over yet; if we have succeed-
ed in takin the town of Galveston from the Mexi-
cans, they ave flfty left. Hence, instead of ‘ving
weajy to immoderate joy, and imprudent confl ence,
r ouble our efforts and self—denial, if you wish to
remain v ctom to the end.”

“But what is to be done to obtain the result we
desire as much as you do?" the one who had already
spoken asked.

“ Follow blindly the counsels I give you, and obey
without hesitation or comment the orders I send
you. Will you promise me this?”

“ Yes " they exclaimedI enthusiasticaléy- you
alone, 130): Benito, can gui e us safely an insure
our Victory."

There was a moment’s silence. The man who had
just been addressed as Don Benito went to a corner
of the room hidden behind a. curtain of en serge.
This curtain he drew back, and behln it was an
alabaster statue of the Virgin Soledad, with a lamp
burning in front of it, and then turned to the others.

“ On your knees, and take 03 your hats," he said.

They obeyed.

“Now,” he continued “swear to keep faithfully
the promise you have ust made me; swear to be
merciful to the conquered in battle, and gentle to

 

the prisoners after the victory. At. His pzicc l
pied e myself to support you; if Hot. 1_ m .~ ii \-
medfiitel from a. cause which is at least niche...“ u ..,
ifnotlo ."

The three men, after giously crossing themselves,
stretched out their rig t arms toward the statue,
sayin , in a firm voice:

‘Wge swear it, by the share we hope in Paradise.“

“It is well," Don Benito replied, as he drew the
curtain across again and made them a sign to rise;
“ I know you are too thoroughly caballeros to break
so solemn an oath.”

The colonel, confounded by this sin r scene,
which he did not at all com rehend, d d not know
what to do, when he fancied e heard an indistinct
sound not far from him. Drawing himself up, he
concealed himself behind the hedge, rather alarmed
as to the cause of this noise which was rapidly
approaching. Almost immediately he noticed
several men coming gently up; they were four in
number and  a. fifth in their arms. They
walked straight to t a door, at which they tapped
in a uliar way.

“ he's there?" was asked from inside.

One of the new-comers replied, but in solow atone
that it was impossible for the colonel to hear the
reply. The door was opened, and the strangers en-
tered; it was then closed again, but not until the
opener cast a Ecru glance round him.

“ What does this mean?” the colonel muttered.

“It means," a rough voice said in his ear, “that
you are listening to what does not concern you,
ttiolonel lilelendez, and. that it may prove dangerous

ou.’

e colonel astounded at this unexpected answer,
and especiall at being so well known, quickly
drewa pistol rom, his belt, cocked it, and turned to
his strange speaker.

“ On my word," he answered, “there is no worse
danger to incur than that of an immediate death,
which I should not at all ob ect to, I swear to you.‘

The stranger began laug ing and eme from
the thicket in w ich he was hidden. e was a
powerful-lookin man, and, like the colonel held a.
pistol in his hon .

“ You are aware that dueling is forbidden in the
Mexican army." he said, “so take my advice. sir
and nt up that pisto which, if in ex oded iii
entefi very d b e consequences or you."

“Lower your, wen. n, first,” the colonel said,
coldl , “ and then I w see what I have to do."

“ 9 good." the other remarked, still smiling
as berth-m his pistol into his belt. The colonel
imitated him.

“And now," the stranger continued, “I have to
converse with you' but. you see, this spot isbadly
chosen for a secret interview."

“That is true," the colonel interrupted frankly,
assuming the tone of the singular man with whom
he had so unexfiectedly mat-

“I am delig ted that you are of my opinion.
Well, colonel, as it hi so, be kind enoughi to accom-
panymeandlwillleadyOn toaspotw ch is per-

ly adapted for our interview."

“ am at your orders, caballero," the colonel an-
swered, with a bow.

 

tgrtilome, then," the stranger added, as he made a

s .

The colonel followed him. The at r led him
to where he had tied his horse, by the si e of which
another was now standin .

“ Let us mount," he 

“ What for?" the young officer asked.

“To be off, of course. Are you not returning to
Galveston?"

“ Certainly; still—" .

“Still,” the stranger interrupted, “ you would
have had no objection to prowl a little longer round
the rancho, I presume!" ‘

“ acolrlifess it.“ h

“ e , on my onor, on are wron , for two ex-
cellent reasons: the firs:I is, that yougwill learn no-
thing more than you have surmised,——that is to say,
that the rancho is the head-quarters of the insurreco
tion. You see that I am frank with on."

“ ' And now, what 5 your second

“It is very, sim 1e: you run the risk of being
saluted with a bulle , at any moment, and you know
that the Texans are good marksmen. '

“ Certainly; but you know also that this reason
possesses but slight value for me." '

“ I beg your pardon; co e does not consist in
my opinion, at least, in cing one's life th-
out reason: it consists, on the contrary, in being only
killed for a good prioe,—that is to say, for a motive
worth the trouble."

“ Thanks for the lecture. caballero.“

“Shall we be OK?"

“At once, if you will be good enough to tell me
who you are and where we are going?‘

“ lam su rised that you did not recognize me long
ago, for we ave been on very intimate terms."

“ That may be; the sound of your voice is familiar,
and I have heard it before, but it is im ssible for
me to recall either when or under w at circum-
stances."

“By Heaven, colonel! you will allow me to
remark that you have a precioust short memory.
But since our last meeting, so many events have
occurred, that it is not surprisin you should have
forgotten me. With one word will recall every-
ghianlg to, your mind—I am John Davis, the ex‘slave-

e er.
“You!” the colonel exclaimed, with a start of

surgrise.
“ es, I am that person."

“Ah! ah!" the colonel continued, as he crossed
his arms hau htily and looked him in the face, “in
that case we ve an account to settle."

“I am not aware of the fact, colonel."

“You forget, Master Davis, in what manner you
abused my confidence in order to betray me.”

“I? You are in error, colonel. To do that I must
have been aMexican, which is not the case, thank
Heaven! I served my count as you serve yours.
get is, all; each for himsefi in a revolution, you

ow.

“ That proverb may suit you, Master Davis. I
grant, but I only know one way of acting honorably,
with uplifted head."

“ Hum! there would be a good deal to say on that
head, but it is not the question at this moment. The
proof that you are mistaken and unjust toward me
i-. that a few minutes ago I held your life in my
1 : : Ii  rd was unwilling to take it.’

'- l ‘ “fire wrorigifoi‘alusmar to you that unless
\‘ml toll in yourse s a ours in a second "
it) said, as he cocked a pistol. y ’

“ You are in earnest. then ?"

“‘lgost earnesé. besaid D ."

“ on are ma ," avis with a of his
shoulders' “what strange idea'js this 0% to in-
sist on killing me?"

“ Will you defend yourself; yes or no?"

“ Wait a moment. What a man you are! there is
no way of having an explanation with you."

“ One word, then, but be brief."

“Why play with the butt of your pistol so? Ven-
geance is only real, when complete. A shot fired
would be the for your death for you would be
surrounded an attacked on all sides at once before

on had even time to place a foot in the stirrup.

on allow this, I sup 2"

“ To the point, Mas r Davis, for I am in ahurry."

“You admit," the other said, th 1113 old
stoicism, “ that I am seeking no unworthy subter-

   

fuge to avoid a meeting with you?“

I know that you are a brave man."

“Thanks! I do not discuss the validity of the
reason which makes you wish to exchange bullets
with me. I sledge word tobe at your disposal on
an day, an at any our you please, with or with-
ou witnesses. Does that suit you?”

“ Would it not be better to mount, gallop into the
plain that stretches out before us, and settle the
aflair at once ?"

“ I should like to do. so, but, unfortunately, I must
for the present, deprive myself of the pleasure. I
re at to you that we cannot fight, at least not at
this moment."

“ But the reason, the reason?" the young man ex-
claimed, With feverish impatience.

“The reason is this, as you absolutely insist on
my telling it you: I am at this moment intrusted
With ve .great interests; in a word, I am charged
by the c ief-of the Texan army with a mission of
the utmost im rtance to General Ruble, Military
Governor of alveston. You are too much of a
gentleman not to understand that this prohibits me
risking a life which does not belo to me."

The colonel bowed with exq te politeness and
lggfimked the pistol, which be restored to his

“ I am confounded at what. has taken flees," he
said. “ You will excuse me, senor, or having
allowed my passion to any me away thus: I

how worthy and delicate our conduct
an?) n until:er the circumstfapoes. I venture

c on pardon me
“NE? {another word about the past, colonel. So
soon as I hfivelgziiminated my tmission, lagged 11311;?
the honoro ng myself a your 0 . o
if nothing furltaher keeps you here, we will proceed
t ther to Galveston. ’

I coca tgiadly the offer you make me. There
is a trucegetween us; be good enough till further
orders to consider and treat me as one of your

I!

“That is settled; I was certain we should end by

l

' The White Scalper.

3.

 

 

understanding each other. To horse, then, and let

us start.

“I ask nothi better; still, I would observe that
the night is hal spent, and it will be impossible for
us to find a boat in which to cross over to the
island."

“ That need not trouble you, colonel; I have a
‘boat waiting for me, in which I shall be delighted to
offer on a place."

“ um‘. all the measures of you revolutionary
gentlemen seem to be well taken."

I “The, reason is very simple; would you like to
{no .v it "

~ “ I confess that I am curious in the matter."
‘» “ It is because, up to the present, we have appealed
to the hearts rather than the urses of our con-
fidants. The hatred of the exican Government
renders eve intelligent man a devoted partisan;
the hope of ii rt gives us all we want; that is our
whole secret. Ygu are aware, colonel, that the
spirit of opposition is innate in the heart of every
man' insurrection or opposition, whichever you like
to call it, is only that s]: rit anized.”

“ That is true," said be cc onel, with a laugh.

The two enemies, temporarily friends, mounted
and set out side by side.

After riding in silence for some time, John Davis
suddenly drew rein and motioned to the colonel to
do likewise.

“ Have we arrived ?" asked the latter.

“All but. The boat you see tossing about at the
foot of the cliff will convey us to Galveston."

“ But our horses?"

“Don’t be uneasy; the owner of that wretched
rancho will take all proger care of them."

John Davis raiseda w istle to his 1i and blew it
twice sharply. Almost immediate] e door of the
rancho o cried and a man a pear .

“Hallo ihalloh, Johni" avis shouted.

“ Is it you?" he asked.

“Yes; unless it be the demon who has assumed

lame.“
fisherman shook his head with a dissatisfied

"Do not‘iest so, John Davis," he said; “ the n ht
is black an the sea rough; so the demon is abou ."

“Come, come, old porpoise," the American con-
tinued, “ at your boat ready. for we have no time
tolose. {his senor is a friend of mine. Have you
an alfalfa for our horses in our cabin?"

‘ I should think so. Eh, edriello, come hither
muchacho. Take the horses from the caballero,and
lead them to the corral." ,

At this summons a tall young fellow came
in from the rancho, and taking the horses
b die led them away without sa lug a word.

“ Shall we go?“ John Davis as ed.

“Whenever on please," the fisherman growled.

“1 ho you ave men enough?“

“ My wo sons and I are, I should think, enough
to cross the bay."

“ You must know better than I."

“Then why ask?“ the fisherman said, with a

awn-
y the

‘ shrug of his shoulders, as he proceeded toward the
boat

The two men followed him and found that he had

not deceived them. The sea was bad, being rough

and lumpy, and it r uired all the old sailor‘s skill
to sue ully cross 6 bay. Still. after two hours
of incessant toil, the boat came alongside Galveston
jetty and disembarked its fpassengers safe and
noun ' then, without waiting or a word of thanks,
the sailor disappeared in the obscurit .

“We part here " said John Davis, the colonel;
“for we each to low a dinerent road. To-morrow

mo at nine o‘clock I shall have the honor of
n myself at the neral‘s house. May I
hope that you have ken him of me in suflcient-

1y favorable terms or him to grant me a kind

race tion?‘

“ lpwill do all that depends on myself."

“ Thank you' and good-nlfilaig."

“ One word if you please, fore parting. "

“Speak, co one]. -'

“A moment before your arrival. I saw four men
can-{lug a fifth, enter the rancho to which acciden
had rought me. Who is that man?"

“I know no more about him than you do. All I
can tell you is, that he was picked up dying on the
beach, at eleven o‘clock at night, b some of our
men stationed as vedettes to watch t bay. Now,
who he is, or where he comes from, I do not know
at all. He is covered with wounds; when icked up
he held an ax still clutched in his hand, w ch makes
me suprse that he belonged to the crew of the
Liberta corvette which our friends so success-
frilly boarded. That is all the information I am
able to give cu. Is it all you wish to know?"

“ One w more. Who is the man I saw at the
rancho, and to whom the persons with him gave
the name of Don Benito?"

“As for that man you will soon learn to know
him. He is the supreme chief of the Texan revolu-
tion' but I am not permitted to tell you more.
GQPA'bxyiv in“: ,3"! meet 88am. at the general‘s."

g .

The two men, after bow courteous , se rat-
ed and entered the town fill-gm oppositelysideg’fthe
colonel proceeding to his house and John Davis
in all probability, to crave hospitality from one of
the numerous conspirators Galveston contained.

CHAPTER II.
isinth A ‘ditugv'ith hihall

Tum e rs l y w c n

spreads a mystery w ch has remained up to 1::
' regent, incompre ensible. It seems that an elec.

c current bears them along at headlong speed,
and takes a cruel pleasure in spreading them every.
where. ,

The most minute precautions had been cat.
en bvthe J at and El Alferez to kee their
double expedl on a secret until they found tl’me to
make certain arrangements use to secure
the results of their dari attempts. 0 means of
communication were at t period extremely rare
aid difficult. Only one man, Colonel Melendez,
was cognizant of what had happened, and we have
seenthat it was impossible forhim to have said an -

 scarce two hours after the even
we ave were acoom ed, a vague
rumor ran about the town.

This rumor like a rising tide swelled from instant
on instant, and assumed gigaiitic proportions; the

 

truth, buried in a mass of absurd and im ssible
details, disappeared almost entirely to m e wa
for a monstrous collection of re rts which ter -
fled the population and plunge it into extreme
anxiety.

Among other thin , it was stated the insurgents
were advancing on t e town with a formidable fleet
of twenty-five ships, having on board ten thousand
troops, amply rovi ed with cannon and ammuni-
tion. Nothing ess was spoken of than the immediate
bombardment of Galveston by the insurgents, large
parties of whom, it was stated, were scouring the
country to intercept all communications between
the town and the mainland.

Terror never calculates or reasons. In spite of the
material impossibility of the insurgents being able
to collect so considerable a fleet and arm , no one
doubted the truth of the rumor, and t e towns-
people with their eyes anxiously fixed on the sea,

0. ed in each gull whose win flashed on the
horizon, they saw the vanguard o the Texan fleet.

General Rubio was himself very much alarmed.
if he did not place entire faith on these stu id
rumors still one of those secret forebodings, t at
never deceive warned him that ave events were
preparing, an would soon burst eathunder-cloud
over the town. The colonel's prolonged absence
whose motive the general was ignorant of, added
still further to his anxiety.

Unfortunatel , through its position and commerce,
Galveston isa boroughl American town, and the
Mexican element is foun there in but very limited

r0 ortions. The general was perfectly aware that

he orth Americans who re resented the mercan-
tile house sympathized wi 11. the revolution, and
only waitefi for a favorable opportunity to raise. the
mask and declare themselves overtly. The Memcan
opulation itself was not at all desirous of running
Elie risk of a siege: it preferred an arrangement, no
matter its nature, which would protect them.
Money has no country, and hence, politically re-
garded, the population of Galveston cared very
little whether t was Texan or Mexican, provided
that it was not ruined.

In the midst of all this,the general felt embarrassed,
because he had but a very weak armed force,
incapable of keeping the population in check, if the '
desiredto revolt. Aftervainlyawaiti thecolonels
return till eleven o‘clock, the gene resolved to
summon to his house the most influential merchants
of the town, in order to consult with them on means
to rotect individuals, and place the town in a
pos tion of defense, were that possible.

The merchants responded to the general’s sum-
mons with eagerness. At about half an hour after
midnight, the geueral’s saloon was crowded: some
thirty me ts, the elite of Galveston, were
collected there.

His excellenc , Don Jose Maria Rubio, was essen-
tially a man 0 action frank, loyal, and convinced
that in all cases the best way of dealing isto 0
straight to the int. After the first complimen ,
he began s , and explained clearly and dis-
tinctly the s ate 0 their situation, and claimed the
assistance of the notable inhabitants of the town to
ward off the dangers that threatened it, promising,
if that help were assured him, to hold out against
thei whole revolutionary army, and compel it to
ret re.

The merchants were far from expectin such a.
re nest, which literally stunned them. ter con—
su ting in whispers, the oldest and most influential
of them undertook to re 1 in the names of all, and
began speaking with tha rankness which forms the
basis of the Anglo-American character.

“ Senor gener " he said in a firm voice, “ we are
extremely pained biotbe sad news your excellency
has though it right communicate to us, for none
are more affected than ourselves by the calamities
of our hapless country. We deplore in our hearts
the situation into which Texas is sudde cast, for
we shall be the first assailed in our f lines and
affections. We should be glad to make the greatest
sacrifices in order to prevent disasters and ward off
the fearful catastrophe that menaces us. But alasl
what can we dot—nothing. In spite of our good
will and warm desire to prove to your excellency
that you possess all our s pathles, our hands are
tied. Our assistance, far rom helping the Mexican
Government, would, on the contrary. injure it, be
cause the populace and vagabonds who flock to all
sea orts and who are in a majority at Galveston,
deléhted at having found a pretext for disorder,
won (1 immediawa revolt, apparently to defend the
insurrection, but in reality to plunder us. This con-
sideration, therefore, compels us most reluctantly
to remain neutral.”

“ Reflect, senores," the eneral answered, “ that the
sacrifice I ask of you s buta trifie. Each of you
will give me a thousand gash-es; it is not too much,
I suppose, to arantee e security of your money
and l or with the sum a‘fiou collect, I 11pledge
myse f to preserve you from harm by co acting
a, sufficient number of men to foil any expedition
made against the town by the insurgents."

At this point-blank a peal the merchants made a
ftglghtful grimace. whic the general did not appear

no ice.

“The offe I claim from you at such amo-
ment " he con nucd, “is not exorbitant; is it not
just that in the hour of need you should come to the
aid of a government under whose protection you
have grown rich. and which, although it would have
been dperfectly justified in doing so, has, up to this

emanded nothing from you?”
c merchants did not know what to answer.
They were not desirous to ve their mone in
the defense of a cause whic their secret orts
tended on the contrary to destroy, but when thus
pressed by the sacral, their embarrassment was
extreme; they id not dare openly to refuse, and
still less to say yes.

A leaving them a few moments for reflection,
5061118 that they could not make u their minds to
answer him, he continued in his c est voice and
with his most pleasant air:

1-69. sonores, that the reasons I have had the
honor of laying before you have not convinced you,
and I am really vexed at it. Unfortunatel , we are
in one of those fatal crises where long deli rations
are in his. Ever since the President of the
Few c appointed me Military Chief of this State,
I have ever been anxious to satisfy yo and not
make you feel too heavily the weight of t power

“it

 

intrusted to me taking on myself, on sewml
occasions, to m fy any harshness in the orders I
received from high uarters with reference to yuLl.
I venture to believe t at you will do me the justice
of saying that you have always found me kind and
complaisant toward you."

The merchants naturally burst into affirmations as
the eneral continued:

“ nfortunately it can no longer be so. In the
face of this obstinate and unpatriotic refusal you so
peremptorliy give me, I am, to my great iwzrct,
constrained to carry out literally the orders I have
received—orders that concern you, senui'es, and
whose tenor, I repeat, I find myself utterly unable
to modify."

At this declaration, made in a sarcastic voice, the
merchants began shivering; they understood that
the general was about to take a brilliant revenge,
although they did not know yet what was about to
happen. The eneral kept smiling, but the smile
h something liter and mocking in its expression.
which was far from reassuring them. At this
moment a clock standing on a bracket struck two.

“Caramba!” said the general, “is it so late as
that already? How (Algiekly time passes in your
agreeable comgalxliy. nores, we must wind up the
business. I s o d be in despair if I kept you
longer from your homes—the more so, as you must
be esirous of rest."

“Intrutli,” stammcred the merchant who had
hitherto spoken in the name of all, “ whatever plea-
sure we feel at being liere—"

“You would feel greater pleasure still at being
elsewhere," the general interru ated with a laugh
“I perfectly um erstand that, on Lionel, hence
will not abuse your patience much longer. I only
ask you fora few minutes more and then I will set
you at liberty. so be kind enough to sit down.”

The merchants obeyed while exchanging a glance
of despair on the sly. The eneral seemed on this
night to be deaf and blind, or he saw and heard
notliiii . He struck a bell; at the summons a door
open , and an Officer walked in.

“Captain Saldana," the general asked, “is all

. figmral,“ the captain answered, with a re-
spectde w.

“Senores,” the Governor continued. “I have re‘
ceived from the Mexican Government orders to lay
on the rich merchants of this town a. war-tax of
sixty thousand piastres in cash. As you are aware,
senores, a soldier can only obe . Still, I have taken
on m self to reduce this con ribution by one-half,
desi g to prove to you up to the last moment, the
interestl take in you. You would not understand
me; nothin is now left me save obedience. Here is
the order," e added, as he took a paper from the
table and unfolded it “it is perem tory' still, I am
madlyto grant you five minutes 0 ma e ugnfiour
min 3' but when that riod has elapsed, I s be
compelled to do in uty, and you are sufficientl
well ac ualnted wi h me, senores, to know that
shall do t at all hazards."

“ But, general," the old merchant hazardcd,
“ your excellency will permit me to observe that the
sum is enormous."

“Nonsense, senores; there are thirty of you—it
oni amounts to two thousand piastres per head,
wh ch is only a trifle to you."

“ Business has been very flat for some years, and
money is becoming excessively scarce."

“To whom do you say that, Don Lionel? I fanc
I am better aware of that fact than anybody else. '

“ Perhaps if on were to grant us a dc ay of a
fortni ht, we in ht manage to scrape together one-
half t e amount."

“ Unfortunately, I cannot grant you an hour."

“ In that case eneral, it is impossible."

“Nonsensei l eel certain that you have not re-
flected. Besides, that is no affair of mine; in asking
you for this money. I carry out the orders I have

received; it is for you toni’udge whether on will
consenglorpot. 1, person , am complete out of
r.

the an

“Really general," the old merchant continued,
deceived, in spite 0 all his craft by the governor‘s
tone, “1138.11th is impossible f
smallest amount."

All bowed in affirmation, supporting the rammks
of their spokesman.

“ Very good," the neral continued, slill in a.
coolly mocking tone, ‘that is clearly understood,
then. Still, you will not, Itrust,render me responsii 1-:
for the consequences which this refusal may entail
on you.

“ 0h, eneral, you cannot suppose thati"

“Thngks. You heard, captain?“ be added. turn-
ing to the officer, who was standing motionless by
the door; “order in the detachment.”

“ Yes general."

And the officer quitted the room. The merchants
gave a start of terror, for this mysterious order
caused them to reflect seriously, and their anxiety
became the greater. when they heard the clung of
arms in the patios, and the heavy foot-falls of ap-
proaching troops.

“What is the meaninfinof this, neralf" they
cried in terror, “ can we ve fallen ate a trap?"

“What do you mean?" the horn] said. ‘ Oh, I
beg eyour garden, but I forgo to communicate to

on be on of this order, which concerns you par-

icularly; however, that will be soon done. I an
instructed to have all persons shot who refuse to
subscribe to the loan demanded by ibe government,
in order to get over the seiious embarrassmeuts the
malcontents occasion it.“

At the same instant the doors were thrown wide
open, and a detachment of fifty men Silently sur-
rounded the American merchants. The latter were
more dead than alive. Certain that the general
would not hesitate to execute the threat he made
them, the merchants did not know how to get out of
the scrape The. Governor himself had made no
change in his demeanor—his face was still gracious,
and his voice gentle.

or us to pay the

“Come, senores " he said, “ accept my
heartfelt sympathy: Ca lead my these gentle-
men, and rent them the kin ess their and
position claims."

no then bowed. Ind prepared to leave the room.

“ One moment,“ the old merchant said, quite
appalled by the apgiaroach of death: “ are there no
means of settling t business, general?"

“ I only know one—paying.“

, o‘clock; all ma

4,

The White ‘Scalper.’

 

 

"I am well aware of that," he said, with a sigh;
“ ut alas! we areruined."

“ t can I do?"

"Alas ” the r merchants exclaimed, in chorus,
“ on not us, surely, general; we are fathers
0 families! what will become "of our wives and
children?”

“I ity you,_but, unfortunately, as do no more
than 31st. ’ _

“General " they cried, failing at his knees, “in
the name 0 what you hold dearest, have pity on us,
we implore cu.”

“I am res ly in despair at what has occurred, and
should like to come to your aid: unhappily, I do not
see my way, and then, again, you do nothing to help
me." ~ »

“ Alas 1" they repeated, sobbing and clasping their
hands desperately. ‘ - r

' "Iain well aware that you ave not the money,
and 1there is the insurmounta lo dfiiculty, believe
me. However, let us see,” he added. - 7

There was a‘ rather lengthened silence, during
which you might have heard the heart-throbs of
these men, who knew that life and death depended
on the man who. held them panting under his eye.

' “Listen ” he continued, “this is all I can do for
you, and, believe me, that, in acting thus, I assume
fullenirmous responsibility; there are thirty of you,

t in l" ~ -

"Yes excellency," they exclaimed, unanimously.
‘ "Well, only ten of you shall be shot. You'shall
select them yourselves, and those you designate will
be immediately led into the atio and executed.
But now, ask me for nothing urther, as I shall be-
constrained to refuse you; and that you may have
time to make your selection carefully, I grant you
ion minutes.” ‘

This was a roof of incontestsble cleverness on
the part of t eneral. By breaking the agree-
ment that had hit erto prevailed among the mer-
chants, b o posing them to one another, he was
certain o ongoining the result wished for. For we
prefer to suppose, for the honor of the general,
whose career up to this day had been so free from
excesses. and acts of this nature, that the threat of.
death was onlya mode employed to cause these
men, whom he knew to be opposed to the govern-
ment he re resented, into undoxng their purse.
strings, and t t he would not have been so cruel as
to shoot in cold blood thirt‘y of the most respectable
townsmen. - '

Whatever General Bubio's intentions m‘ ht-have
been however, the Americans behaved im, and
acted accordin . After two or three minutes’ hes
itation, the mere ts came one after 'the other to
give their consent to the loan. But their tel-giver-
nation had cost them a thousand dollars apiece. v

till, the general did not let- them oi! so ehea l .
The Americans were led home one after the e or
by four soldiers and an omcer,.whose instructions
were toshoot the prisoner at the slightest attem t
to‘eocope.and itwas'not fill the rsl had e
two thousand piastres in his ban that a second

risoncr was sent home in the same manner. This
event on until the whole sum was collected, and the
only persons remaining in the saloon were the
general and old Lionel. '

-“ 0h,excellencyl" he said reproachmlly, “how
isit ble the you. who have hitherto been so
kind us. could have had the thought of commit-

such an act of cruelty r"
e general burstout lau hing.
"‘ Do you no I woul ave done it?” he laid,

with a m is shoulder. - .
The me struck his forehead with a gesture
of despair. I * .
“Ah!” he exclaimed. " we were idiots.“ '
“Hang it, did‘you have such a badoplnion of me?

Oaramb senor, I do not commit such acts as that."
"A " he merchhnt said, with a hmgh, “.1 have

not $3? Iyet.” '
“ “ ic means?" . -
I“ That now I know what I have to eXpect. I shall

not a .“
“filly, I behaved you cleverer than that.”
“Why so?"

“What! you do not understand that a man may
hesitate to execute thirty lH‘ersons, butiwhen it comes
to only one man, who, e yourself, has a great
number of misdeeds on his conscience, his execu-
tion is considered an act of justice, and r carried out
without hesitation i“

“ Then you would shoot me?"

“Without the slightest remorse." a .

“Come, come, general, you are decidedly sin-on-
ger than I am."

“You flatter me, Senor Lionel.“

‘ “No, I tell you what I think; it was cleverly

a. ed ’1 .

l . .
p “alou are a 'udge."
" "Thanks," he answered, with a. modest smile.
“To spare you the trouble of having me executed,
I will execute agree}! " he added, good-temporally,
as he felt his co pocket. '
Hedrnwouta pocket-book crammed with Bank
ofhngland notes, and made up- the sum of two

thousand which he laid on the table.
" I have now on y to thank you," the general said,
as he picked up the notes. -

' “And I you, excellency," he answered.
“Wh so?"
K “ Because ou have given me a lesson by which. I

shall profit w en the occasion otters.” .

u"I‘uke care, Senor Lionel,” the general said,

i “ you will not, perhaps, come acrossa

man so good-natured as in self." . .

The merchant restored portfolio to'hia pocket,

Wed to the general, and went out, It was three

h been finished in less than an
our.

v "Poorsoam after those " the gen—
eral'sald whonplsi’owasallo‘rti'e' “oh, if we ad not to
deal with mountainous campeainos we should

era! ’I-id  heopenedflae
“ .' In econ as a
660 ,, “Colonel Islands: 'asks g‘ww you will
Mgr-tumble nugadtmeimimm
"‘ Ofcoursouhowlh' am") .: -
In a few ninutes the colonel a peered. ~

"“ . imam-e “the abd.asbe
rode Mm htm'tlfaaciad' ywwaroohhpdoad
OFBW."" w ~ ~ -'  I t . .:., ..

“Ith a hasan one of horseman
not happen“

.can flag. carried by surprise the

 

“ 8h, ohl then you lave something serious to tell
me. ' ' -

“ Most serious, general.“

“ Hang it. my friend, take a chair andlet us talk."

“ Before all, general," the colonel remarked, “do
you know our position?" -

momma?“ m b...

. n , gener you may oss y 0mm

of certain events that have happgned 1’ g“

“ I think I have heard grave events rumored,
though I do not exactly know what has happened."

“ Listen thenl the Libertad. corvette is in the
hands of the insurgents.”

“ Imos‘sible l" the general exclaimed, bounding in

c r.

“ General,” the young officer said, in a mournful
voice, “ I have toiuform you of something mere seri-
ous still." v

“Pardon me, my friend, perhaps I am mistaken
but it seems to me highly improbable that you could
have obtained such positive news during the pleasure
tri‘plyou have been making}.k

at only, general, have the insurgents seized the
Libertad, ut the have also made themselves
masters of the F0 of the Point.”

“Oh!” the general shouted, asahe arose ssion-
atel “ this time, colonel, you are badly in Qrmed;
the art of the Point is impregnahle." ”

“It was taken in an hour by thirty .Freebooters,
commanded by the Jaguar "

The general hid his race in his hands, with an-

expression of despair impossible to render.

‘ Oh! it is too much at once,“ he exclaimed, -

“That’s not all," the colonel continued, sharpl .

“What have ou to tell me more terrible t
what you have t'saidi“ . '

“ A thing that will make you leap with rage and
blush with shame, general. ’

The old soldier laidlhis hand on his heart, as if
wishful to armst its hurried beating, and then said
to the colonel, in a to of supreme resignation—-

“Speak, m friend; am ready to hear all."

The colone remained silent for some minutes; the
despair of the brave old soldier made him shiver.

“ General,” he said, “perhaps it would bebetterto
defer till tomorrow what I have to say to you; you
appear fati , and a few hours, more or less, are
not of muc consequence.“

“Colonel Melenderzi" the general said. giving the

young officer a . glance, “under resent cli~
gmstglitices aminuteis worth an age. order you
s .
“The insurgents request a. parley," the colonel

said distinctly; . ,

“ To parley with me i" the general answered, with
an almost im rceptible tinge of irony in his voice.
“These caba me do me a. great honor. And what
about, pray?"

“ As they think themselves ca bio of seizing
giallveston‘,‘ they wish to avoid bl bed by treating
t you. » . l

The general rose, and walked sharp u and down
the room for some minutes. v At lenggi e stopped
before the colonel. ,

“ And what would you do in my lacs?"

“1 should treat," the young 0 oer replied, un-
hesitat 1!. I _

 

CHAPI'ER‘HI.
. rnn harass-r. . >
Am this franldy expressed 0 on there was a
rather d silence, and t e colonel was the

first to resume the conversation.

“General,” he went on, “ you evidently know
nothing of the events that have occurred during the
lastfour-aud-twenty hours." I

v 9‘ How could I know, anything? These demons of
insurgents have organized guerrillas, who hold the
countryvand so thoroughly intercept the communi-
cations, that out of twenty spies Ihave'sent out, not
one has returned." ~ ‘ .

“ And not one will return, he assured.”
“ What is to be done, then?" . a
“ Do you really wish for to advice. gener; l?"

v “ On my honor, I desire to ow your real opinion;
for 1you are the only one among us, I fancy, who
real y knows what is going on." . ‘

- “ I am aware of it. Listento me, then, and do not
feel-astonished at anything you may hear, for all is
positively true. The information I am about to com-
municate to you was given me by the Jaguar him~
self, scarce three hours back at the ‘alto del
Frayle, whither he invited me to come to converse
about some matters in no way connected with

cs. .
“Vs good." the natal remark with ash ht
smile. ry‘ Go on, I 33:: listening tgg’you withghe
def taitcnii'ln'i: 1.1 it blush d his h f‘

"ecoonc : Vines un er cies
slightly ironic-8.1 smile; still he recovered himself,
Wfi’t‘m‘“ as. thi is positi in re

wo wor s our on- w e a .w

bold men, aided bya privatcerb ’ under themati-

“One of the finest hi i .l'drtggfin eml‘
, s u our nav e
inteivrupted Wig-ill. ab  p“ y gen

9 es, nor u u itis nowanaccom-
lished  willie this livasy taking place, other
nsorgents, commandedvb the Jaguar in person.

.got into the F art of the Po t, and carded it almost

without a blow."

“But what you tell me is im iblei“ the old
soldier interrupted with a burst on.

“ I rig-ll. you nothing that is'no rigorously true,

I “ The vague miners that have reachedme. Ming

tolupr einsurgontahad deult us shes

mow; Iwasfar from mspecting sucha fright-
en /

ful catastroph . . . 
The general, suffering from a which was the
more tumble as it moomentra walked up and

down the ream, clinching his lush, and muttering
broken sentenced The colonel looked after him
sadly. not (1 of one 'him any of
conventional conson1 w n f d

all v 0 lander sharper an more
90;! - a the the
succeeded so far

draw»  tovhis heart theanno ancehef . He
mica-n again bythgeolonelia {ligand 33;: his
“You info not yet given: me your advice," he

i

T u' ' ’ ,‘

inmuteringhbeuflionuio'

 

said with the ghost of a smile. “ The opinion of a

, man of your merit is always precious, and I am
e n

curious to know if, we think alik . .

“Belt so, general. This is what I think: we have
but insufficient forces to sustain an assault effec—
tively. The town is very badly disposed toward us;
I am convinced that it only wants an opportunity to
rise and make common cause with the insur ents.
On the other hand. it would he a signal act 0 folly
to shut ourselves u in a town with an issue, where
we should be force( to surrender. For the present,
we have no succor to expect from the government
of Mexico, which is too much engaged in defending
itself against the ambitious men of every descrip—
tion who hold it continuall in check."

“ What you say is un ortunately true; we must
reckon, on ourselves alone."

“Now, if we shut ourselves up in the town, it is
evident to me that we shall becompelled eventu-
ally to surrender. As the insurgents are masters of
the sea, it isamere uestion of time. On the other
hand, if we uit it 0 our own free will, the position
Will he sipgu arly simplified."

f‘ But, in that case we‘shall be compelled to treat
With these scoundrels?”

“ I thought so for an instant; but I believe we can
easin infill? that misfgfltuggfi‘ m M ‘

“nwawaz'spe ,s ,my 6 .‘ -

“The flag ofy truce the insurgents send ydu, will
not arrive at the cabildo till nine in the morning;
what prevents you, general, evacuating the town,
ere he makes his appearance Y” .

“ Huml" said the general, growmg more and more
attentive to the young man‘s remarks. “Then you
pro ose flight to me'!

“ at at a ” the colonel retorted; I“ remember,
'tion is admitted, that in war.

general, that t e
If we render ourselves

recoiling is not ing.

»musters of the country by leaving the town torthe

insurgents, by this skillful retreat we place them in
the dinicult position in which we are to-day. In the
open plains, and through our discipline, we shall be
enabled to hold our own ainst a force four times
our strength, which won d not be possible here;
then, when we have obtained reinforcements

we will re-enter Galveston, which the in
will not attempt to defend against us. Such
opinion, neral."

“Yes,‘ the general answered. “the advice you
offer would have some chance of success, were it
possible to follow it. Unluckily, it would bemad-
ness to reckon on Santa Anna's support; he would
allow us to be crushed, not perhaps of his own will,
but compelled by circumstances, and impeded by
the constant obstacles the Senate creates for him.’

“I cannot share your 0 inion on that int, gen-
eralzbewellassuredtha theSenste posed

Republic,

those
, Santa Anna will probably himsalf bring us are longé
n
my

though it may be to the President of the
b no more desirous to loseTexas than he
sides, under the resent circumstances, it would be
greatkmadness or us to await here the enemy’s
attac . ' ‘ r

The general seemed to hesitate for some minutes,
then. sudggleydtorming a determination, he rung a.
bell. An e-cam a pear-ed.

"‘ Let all the enerafoigcerl assemble here within
half an hour," 6 said. ,
. The alde-de-carn‘g bowed, and‘left the room.

“ You wish it," 8 general continued, tuminfioto
‘h" ti?“ “lath “titted mm. “at: 
our co. es, 0 c as
3: safety leftusat this mementflipl'. . , . j,
The 00% d‘armee laced under the command of
General hi and at up with him in Galveston
only amounte to nine hundred and fifty ofllcers and
en, to whom relight be added some three hundred
ceros scattere in little fleets of observation alon ,
the coast. Though incupa 10 of eflect deien —
ing the town, this force, well directed 13% hold in
check for a long time the worsearined, certainly
worse-disciplined in s. . ‘
The general hadseen the mine of the .colonel’s
advice, and accepted it at once. Still, it was neces-
is! he  ' my; on r and» as
00 as y was : race: was
that the army should have evacuated the tgwon be-
forerthe end of moss,-that is to say, eleven in the
morning for the followmg reason:
he slave States, and especially in Texas. a
strange custom 8318“. reminding us distantly-of the
Lupercalia of ancient Rome. On a Sunday masters
grant their slaves entire liberty. These or. slaves,
who seek compensation for six of d servi
tude, enjo With childish delight eir few..holiday
hours: n caring a. whit for the torridheat that
magma t,il'.:li¢smstretit.s mo clperfiect 0 key
5 re over e wn ,, we as, or.
alt) full speed in cargégelonging to their 
w they have appropriated. On this the
town belongs to them, they behave almost as the
gaffe, no one interfering or tying to check th 1-
o c

General Rnbio rightly feared lest the merchants of
Galveston, l{it'htom t13:;  sghcleveriy com lied to dis-
porge, mig 1y 9. e eir reven citing
the slaves to mutiny sins) the Mafia: aeiixd they
wouum bei- yenorisghtodoso.d fhtcd
at find ng a etext for disc er, without two N;
themselves i- as to the more or las grave re
sults of their muthy. Hence, while Halide-do-
camp performed the commission he had intrusted
to him, General bioordered Colonel Melendez '0

take with him al he soldiers on dut at the cabild
place himself at their head, and sage

number of boats for the transport of
The colonel, without hing a ' out, want t0
and not experiencing 

2;
[the ..
we,

 

 

,
l
i
l
- l

*.

Jo

¥

1

*9

The White Scalper.

 

 

 

hearts they were not at all anxious to sustain a siege
in which only hard blows could be received.

Orders were immediately given by the general to
march the troops down to t e qua with arms and
baggage; still. in order to avoi any cause for
disorder, the movement was executed very slowly,
and the colonel. who resided over the embarkation.
was careful to esta lish numerous posts at the
entrance of each street leading to the port, so that
the opulace were kept away from the-soldiers, and
no isputes were possible between them. So soon as
one boat had its complement it ushed off, thou h it
did not start, as the general Wis ed the entire 110 illa
to leave the town together.

It was a ma niflcent day, the sun dazzled. and the
bay 5 nrkled ke a burning-glass. The people, kept
at a istance by the bayonets of the soldiers, watched
in loomy silence the embarkation of the troops.

en all the soldiers, with the exception of those
intended to protect the retreat of their comrades.
had embarked. the general sent for the alcade mayor,
the juez deletras and the co don. These magis-
trates came to the genera] concealing but poorly
under-a feigned ea erness, the secret a arm cans
them by the order hey had just received. In s ite
of the ra idlty with w ich the troops effected t elr
embarka ion, it was by this time nearly nine o‘clock.
At the moment when the general was figuring to
address the magistrates whom he so un-
ex ctedly convened, Colonel Melendez entered the
ca ildo, and after bowing respectfully to the
governor. said: ‘

“ General, the rson to whom I had the honor of
referring last nig t is awaiting our good pleasure."
“ Ah! ah!" theag‘eneral 1’8le . biting his mustach

with an ironical “ is be here, then?" '

“*Yes, general; I have promised to act as his intro-
ducer to your excellency."

“ Very good. Request the person to enter."

“Does your excellency intend to confer with him
in the presence of witnesses?"

“ Certainly. Brin in the non, my dear colonel."

The colonel with raw an in a few moments re-
turned. bringin John Davis with him. The Ameri-
can had change his dress for one more appropriate
to the circumstances. His demeanor was grave, and
step haughty, though not arrogant. On entering the
room he bowed to the general courteously, and

regoared to address him. General Rublo returned
is w with equal courtesy. but stopped him by a

'5i .

g‘nPardou me sir." he said to him. “ be kind enough
to excuse me or a few moments. Perhaps, after
listening to what I shall have the honor of saying to
these caballero. , you will consider your mimion to
me as finished."

The American made no further reply than a bow,
and waited.

“Senores,” the eneral then. said, addressing the
magistrates, “or ers I have this moment received
compel me to leave the town at once with the troops
1 have the honor to command. During my absence
I intrust the direction of affairs to you, feeling
convinced that you will act in all things prudently
and for the common welfare. Still you must be
cautious-not to let yourselves be influenced b evil
Counsels. or led by certain passions to which Will
not allude now. particularly here. On my return,
which will not be long delayed, I shall ask of you a
strict account of your acts during my absence.
Weigh my words carefully, and be assured that no-
thin you may do will be concealed from me."

" hen, general," the Alcade said, “that is the
motive of the movement of the troops we have
witnessed this morning. Do you really intend to
depart?" ‘

‘ You have heard me, senor."

“ Yes, I have heard you, general' but in my turn
in m capacity as magistrate, I will ask you by wha
righ ou, the military governor of the State, leave
one 0 its rinclpa] orts to its own resources in the

resent ci ticai sta e of affairs, when the revolution
is before our gates, and malt not the slightest
attempt to defend us? Is it really acting asdefenders
of this hapless town thus to withdraw, leavin it.
after your departure a my to that anarchy wh ch,
as you are aware, on y t e presence of our forces
has hitherto prevented breaking out? he burden
you wish to lay upon us, general. we decline to accept;
we will not assume the responsibility of so heavy a
task; we cannot hear the penalt of another pen
son’s faults. The last Mexican so dier will scarcely
have left the town ere we shall have handed in our
resignations, not being at all desirous to sacrifice
ourselves for fievernment whose conduct toward
us is stamped h egotism and cold-blooded cruelty.
That is what I have to so to you in my name and n
that of my colleagues. ow, in your turn, you will
act as you think proper, but you are warned that
you can in no way reckon upon us."

“Ah, ah, senoresl” the genera] exclaimed, with an
an ry frown, “is that the way vou venture to act?
Tone care, ,1 have not one yet; am still master of
Galveston, and can ins itute a severe example before
my departure."

‘ Do so, general, we will undergo without a mur-
mur any pnnishrnent you may please to inflict on us.

even were it death.”

“Very good.“ the general replied, in a voice
quivering with passion' “ as it is so, I leave you free

act, according to c rcumstances. But you will
hnvs a severe account to render to me, and that per-
haps shortly."

‘ Not we, excellency, for your departure will be
the signal of our resignation. ’

“Then you have made up your mind to plunge the

l country into anarchy?"

“ What can we do? What means have we to pre.
vent it? No, n0, general, we are not the persons
who deserve re roach."

General Rub o in his heart felt the logic of this
reasoning; he saw erfectly well how cruel his con-
duct was toward t e townsmen, whom he surren-
dered, without an means of defense. to the fury of the
po ular passion. Unfortunate] , the osition was
nogon er tenable—the town con (1 not e defended,
hence e must depart, without answering the Alcade;
for what re 1 could he have made him! The
general gave aides-de-camp a sign to follow him,

and re ared to leave the cabildo.

“lPardbn me for detaining you for a moment, e.
neral,“ John Davis said: “ but I should havelik to
have a short conversation With your excellency,
prior to your departure.”

 

“For what 00d object. sir?“ the eneral answer-
ed sharply; ‘ did you .not hear w at was said in
the room? Return to those who sent you, and
report to them what you have seen, that will be
sufficient."

“Still general.“ he urged, “I should have dc-
sired—‘l

“What?” the eneral interrupted, and then add‘
ed, ironically “ 0 make me proposals. I resume,
on the part of the insurgents. Know, sir, t int what-
ever may hap on I will never consent to treat with
rebels. Than (Bolonel Melendez, who was kind
enough to introduce you to my presence. Had it
not been for his intervention I should have had you
hung as a traitor to your countr . Begonel—or
stay 1” he added. on reflection' ” I Will not leave you
here after I am gone. Seize t llS man i" .

“General, take care,“ the American replied. “I
am intrusted with a mission; arresting me is a
violation of the law of nations.“ .

“Nonsense, air," the general continued, With a
shrug of his shoulders, ‘why. you must be mad?
Do I recognize the right of the persons from whom
you cometo send me a flag of truce? Do I know
who you are? Viva Dios! in what age are we livin ,
then, that rebels dare to treat on equal terms wit
the government against which they have revoltedi'
You arem prisoner sir! But be at your ease; I
have no in ention of lltreating you, or retaining you
any length of time. You will accompany us to the
mainland. that is all. When we have arrived there
you will be free to go wherever you please; so you
see. sir, that those Mexicans, whom you like to
represent in such dark colors, are not quite so fero-
cious as you would have them an "

“ We have always rendered jus co
and loyalty. general."

“I care very little for the opinion you and yours
have of me. Come on, sir." ~

“ I protest, general. against this illegal arrest. "

“Protest as much as you please, sir, but follow
me!“

As resistance would have been madness. Davis

obeyved.

“ ell," he said, with a laugh, “I follow you,
general. After all, I have not much cause to com-
plain, for everythin is fair in war."

They went out. n spite of the dazzling brilliancy
of the sun, whose beams spread a tropical heat
through the town. the entire population incum-
bered the streets and squares. he multitude was
silent, however; it witnessed with calm stoicism the
departure of the Mexican army; not an effort was
made to break the cordon of sentries drawn up on
the fort. When the lFeneral agrmred. the crowd
made way res ectfu y to let m pass. and many
persons saint him.

The old soldier advanced with a calm step. talking
loudly with his officers, and courteoust returnin
the bows he received, with smilng face and assure
demeanor. He reached the port in a few minutes,and
athis orderthe last soldiers embarked. The eneral.
with no other weapon but his sword, rema ued for
some minutes almost alone in the midst of the
crowd that followed him to the quay. Two aides-
de-cauip alone accompanied him. John Davis had
already entered a boat, which took him on board
the schooner, in which the general himself intended
to cross.

“General.” one of the nioles-de-camp said. “all
the troops have embarked, and we are now only
waiting your excellency’s )leasure." ‘

“Very good, ca )tain," ie answered. He then
turned to the magistrates, who had walked by his
side from the cubildo. “Farewell. senores," he
said, takin off his hat, whose white plumes swept
the groun , “farewell, til] we meet again. I ray
Heaven, from my heart, that. during my 8 ort
absence, you will be able to avoid the scenes of-dis-
order and anarchy. We shall meet again sooner
than you may 1‘Possibly suppose. Long live Mexicol”

“Long live exico] ‘ the two officers shouted.

The crowd remained dumb; not a man took up
the general‘s shout. He shook his head sadly.
bowed for the last time, and went down into the
boat waitin for him. Two minutes later the Mexi‘
can flotilla iad left Galveston. . ‘

“When shall we return?" the general muttered,
sadly, with e es fixed on the town whose buildings
were slowly isappearlng from sight.

“Neverl ‘ John Davis whispered in his ear; and
this re hetic voice affected the old soldier to the
dept 0 his heart, and filled it with bitterness.

to . your heart

CHAPTER IV.
. JOHN navrs.

The Mexican flotilla, favored with a good breeze,
accomplished the pas. e from the island to the
mainland in a very brie period. Theb and cor-
vette, anchored under the battery of the ort. made
no move to disturb the general; it was evident that
the Texans did not suspect the events taking place
at this moment. but were awaiting the return of
their Envoly.

Colonel lelendez had seized the few boats capable
of standing out to sea in Galveston harbor, so that
the magistrates could not, had they wished it. have
sentaboat to the Texans to inform them of the
departure of the Mexrcan garrison. The generals
resolution had been. formed so suddenly, and exe-
cuted with such rapidity, that the partisans of the
revolution in the town, felt embarrassed by the lib-
erty so singularly granted them, and did not know
howto enter into communication with their friends,
whose position they were ignorant of. Only one
man could have enlightened them. and he was John
Davis. But General, Ruble, foreseeing what would
have inevitab happened had he left the ex-slave-
dealer behind iim carried him of! with him.

The landing of the troops was effected under
hvorable conditions. The point they steered for
was in the hands of the Mexicans, who had
a strong det liment there. so that the army
fit ashore wifiout arousing the slightest suspicion.

I e general's first care. w s to send spies in every
direction, in order to dis over the enemy’s plans
and whether they were preparing tomake aforward
movement.

The boats which had been used to convey the
troops were drawn up on the beach, through fear
lest the insurgents might make use of them. Two
schooners. however, on each of which two guns
were P118. received orders to cruise in the bay, and

 

5

pick up all boats the inhabitants of Galveston might
attempt to send off to the chief of the Texan army.

The banks of the Rio Trinidad are bordered by
rushes and reeds, and covered with mangroves.
amid which sport thousands of flamingoes, cranes,
herons. and wild ducks, which cackle noisily as they
swim about in tranquil and transparent waters.

0n the side of a hill that descends in agentle
slope to the river, glisten the white walls of some
twenty cottages, with their flat roofs and grown
shutters, hanging in clusters from the side of tho
hill, and hidden amid the foliage. These few cot-
tages, built so far from the noise of the world, con-
stitute the rancho of San Isidro.

Unfortunately for the inhabitants of this obscure
nook. General .ubio came sudden] to trouble their
peace. and recall them rather roug ly to the affairs
of this world. In fact. from this species of eagles'
nests, nothing was easier than for the general to
send his columns in all directions. The Mexican
army, therefore. marched straight on the rancho of
San sidro. where it arrived about mid—da . At this
unexpected appearance of the troops. t e inhabi-
tants were terrified and hastily gathering t ieir most
valuable articles, they left their houses and tied to
the woods. >

The Mexicans therefore remained sole possessors
of the rancho,whose appearance was completely
changed within a few hours. Tall trees, flowers, and
lianas nothing was respected. Enormous masses of

rwood ay that same evening on the ground, which

3:3; had so long protected with their beneficent
ow.

When all the approaches to the forest had been
cleared for a radius of about twelve hundred yards
the genera] had the place surrounded by powerf
barricades, which transformed the peacefu village
into afortress almost impregnable with the weak
resources the insurgents possesse . The trees on
the interior of the rancho were alone left standin ,
to conceal from the enemy the strength of t e
co 3 encamped at this spot. .

e house of the Indian Alcade. somewhat larger
and more comfortably built than the rest. was
selected by the general as head uarters. This
house stood in the center of the pue 10: from it the
country could be surveyed for a great distance, and
no movement in Galveston roads escaped notice.

At sunset all the prelimina preparations were
finished. and the macho ren ered safe agpinst a
mu de main. About seven in the evening t is an-
era was sitting in front of the house in the she ow
of a magnificent magnolia. whose graceful branches
crossed above his head. smoking a papillo. while
conversing with several of his officers when an aide-
de-camp came up and told him that the person who
had come to him that morning from the rebels.
earnestly nested the favor of a. few minutes' cou-
versation. e general gave an airy start. and
was about to refuse, when Colonel e endez inter»
gosed, re resentin r to the general that he could not

0 so wit out bra ing his word, which he had him-
self ledged in the morning. .

“ s it is so," the general said, “let him come."

“ Why," the colonel continued, “ refuse to listen
to the propositions this man is authorized to offer
you "

“ What ood is it at this moment? there is always
a time to ( 0 so if circumstances compel it. Now our
situation is excellent; we have not to accept pro-
posais, but, on the contrary, are in a position to lill- .
pose those that may suit us."

These words were uttered in a tone that compelled
the colonel to silence; he bowed res urctfuilv. and.
withdrew softly from the circle of o cers. At the
same moment John Davis arrived, led l) the aide-
decainp. Tho American‘s ice was g (10an and
frowning; he saluted the genera] by raisin his hand
to his hat. but did not remove it; then he rew hini-
self up haughtin and crossed his hands on his chest.
The general regarded him for a moment with re-
pressed curiosity.

“ What do on want?" he asked him. -

“The fulfi ment of your promise,” Davis replied

dry] . .
‘ {do not. understand you."

“ When you made me a prisoner this morning, in
contempt of the military code and the laws of na-
tions, did fvou not tell me that so soon as we reached
the main and. the liberty you had deprived me of
by an unworthy abuse of strength, would be immo-
diatclv restored to me?“

" I did say so,“ the genera] answered meekly. I

“ Well. i demand the fulfillment of that promise; I
ought to have left 'our camp long ago.l‘

“ Did you not to] me that you were deputed to me
by the rebel army, in order to submit certain pro-
positions?" .

“ Yes, but you refused to hear me."

“ Because the moment was not favorable for such
a communication. Imperious duties prevented me
then ’ving your words all the attention that they
doubt ess deserve. Now I am ready to listen to

on.

“ There is one thing I wish to settle first."

“What is it?"

“ Do digit regard me as an envoy, or merely as
your ner?‘ '

“ V\ y this question, whose purport I do not un-
derstand?"

“Pardon me, general,“ be said with an ironical
smile, “but you understand me perfectly well. and
so do these cabaiieros—if a prisoner, on have the
right to force silence upon me; as a eputy, on the
ot er hand, I enjoy certain immunities. under the
protection of which I can speak frankly and clearly,
and no one can bid me be silent, so lo as I do not
go beyond the limits of my mission. at is the
reason why I wish first to settle my position with

on."
y “ Your position has not changed to my knowledge.
You are an envoy of rebels.”

“ Oh, you recognize it now i”

“ I always did so." ‘

“ve good. Be kind enough, general, to read
this letter " he added. as he drew from his et a
l e enveiogie. which he handed to him.

ight h fallen some time before. and two
soldiers brought up torches of acote-wood. which
one of the aides-de-camp lit. The general 0pm» d
the letter and read it attentively. When he had
finished reading, be folded up the letter and thrust
it into the breast of his uniform. There was a.
moment‘s silence, which the general at last broke.

6

The White Scalper.

 

 

“ Who is the man who gave you this letter?"

“Did you not read his signature?"

“ He may have employed a go-between."

“ With me, that is not necessary.”

“Then, he is here?“

“ I have not to tell you who sent me, but mere]
discuss with you the proposals contained in the le
fer ’

The general gave a passionate start.

“Repl , senor, to the questions I do you the
honor o asking you," he said, “if you do not wish
to have reasons for repenting.‘

“ What ls the use of threatenin me, general?
Youl will learn nothing from me, ’ he answered
firm y.

“ As it is so, listen to me attentively, and carefully
weigh your answer, before opening your mouth to
give t."

“grain general." .

“ is moment—you understand, this moment,
Senor, you will confess to me, where the man is who
gave vou this letter, if not—3

“ Well?" the American ironically interrupted.

“ Within ten minutes you will be hanging from a
branch of that tree, close to on.”

Davis gave him a disdainfu glance.

“ On my soul,” he said, ironically, “ you Mexicans
have a strange way of treating envoys.”

“ I do not recognize the right of a scoundrel. who
is outlawed for his crimes, and whose head is justly
forfeited, to send me envoys, and treat With me on
an e'fiilial footing."

“ e man whom you seek in vain to brand, gen-
eral, is a man of heart, as you know better than
anybodty‘flse. But gratitude is as offenswe to you
as it is all haughty minds, and you cannot forgive
the person to whom we allude, for having saved, not
only your life, but also your honor.“ '

ohn Davis might have gone on s liking much
longer for the general, who was as p e as a corpse,
an whose features were contracted bya terrible
emotion he sou ht in vain to master, seemed unable
to utter a syl able. Colonel Melendez had quietly
approached the circle. For some minutes he had
listened to the words the speakers interchanged,
with gradually augmenting passion; Judging1 it
necessary, therefore, to interpose are matters ad
reached such a point as rendered any hope of con-
ciliation possible he said to John Davis, as he laid

hand on his s oulder:

“Silence! you are under the lion’s claw; take care
that it does not rend you.”

“ Under the tiger’s claw you mean, Colonel Melen-
dez " he exclaimed, with much animation. “ What!
shall I listen calme to an insult oflered the noblest
heart, the greatest man, the most devoted and
sincere patriot, and not defend him and confound
his calumniatorl Come, colonel, that would be
cowardice, and you know me well enough to feel
assured that no consideration of personal safety
would force me to do so.“

“ Enou h," the neral interrupted him, in a loud
voice, “t tis rig t; under the influence of painful
reminiscences I uttered words that I sincerely re-
gret. 1 should wish them forgotten.”

John Davis bowed courteously.

“ General,“ he said, “I thank you for this retrac-
‘ltlion; I" expected nothing less rom your sense of

ouor.

The eneral made no answer; he walked rapidly
up an down, sufferin from a violent agitation.

The ofilcers, asto shed at this strange scene,
which they did not at all understand, looked rest-
lessly at each other, though not venturing to express
their surprise otherwise. The eneral walked up to
John Davis and stopped in fron of him.

“Master Davis," he said to him, iii a harsh and
snap ing voice, “you are a stout-hearted and
roug spoken man. Eno h of this; return to the
man who sent on, and tel him this: ‘General Don
Jose Maria Bugle will not consent to enter into any
relations with you; he hates you personally, and
only wishes to meet you sword in hand. No political
question will be discussed between you and him until
you have consented to give him the satisfaction he
demandl.‘ En rave these words well in our

memo , senor, order to repeat them exac to
e Irerson."
“ I wi repeat them exactly."

“Very good. Now, begone, we have nothing more
to say to each other. Colonel Melendez, be good
enou h to give this caballero a horse, and accom-
pan 3him to the outposts"

“ Sue word more, neral; in what way shall I
bri ou the person 5 answer?"

“ g it yourself. if you are not afraid to enter
my camp a second time." .

‘ You are well aware that I fear nothing, general.
I will bring you the answer.“

“ I wish it; good-by.“

“ Farewell,’ the American answered.

And bowing to the company he withdrew, accom-
panied by the colonel.

“You played a dangerous game," the latter said,
when they had one a. few steps; “ the general
mi ht very easily ve had you hung."

file American shrugged his shoulders.

“ He would not have dared," he said, dmdainfuny.

“ Oh, oh! and why not, if you please 7”

“ How does that concern you, colonel; am I not
free?"

“You are."

“That must be sufficient for you, and prove to
you that I am not mistaken.“ -

The colonel led the American to his quarters, and
asked him to walk in for a moment, while a horse
was being ot ready;

“Master AVIS," c said to him, “be good enough
to select from those weapons, whOse excellence I
guarantee, such as best suit you.“

“Why so?” he remarked.

“ Confound it! you are going to travel by night;
you do not know whom you may meet. I fancy
that under such circumstances it is prudent to take
such recautions.“

“ T t is true,” the American said carelessly;
“now that I come to think of it, the roads are not
safe. Asyou permit me. I will take these pistols,
this rifle, machete, and knife.”

“As you lease but pray take some ammunition
as well ;‘ wit out that your fire—arms would be of no

ce.
“B Jove! colonel. you think of eve thing on
are gully an excellent fellow," he gded, while

 

careless] loading his rifle and pistols, and fastening
to his be t a wder-iiask and bullet-pouch.

“ A truce, you please, to further compliments.
Here/is your horse, which my assistant is bringing

“ But he is leadin a second; do you intend to ac-
com any me beyon the advanced posts?”

“ h, only for a few yards, if my company does
not seem to you too wearisome."

“ Oh, colonel, I shall always be delighted to have
you for a companion.”

All these remarks were made with an accent of
excessive courtes , in which could be traced an al-
most imperceptib e tinge of fun and biting raillery.
The two men left the house and mounted their
horses. The night was limpid and clear; millions of
stars sparkled in the sky, which Seemed studded
withdiamonds; the moon spread afar its white and
fantastic light; the m sterious night breeze bowed
the tufted crests of t e trees, and softly ri pied the
silvery waters of the Rio Trinidad, as t ey died
away on the bank.

Passing the sentinels without being challenged
they descended the hill, passed the main guard, and
found themselves in the open country. Each of
them yielded to the vein tuous calmness of nature,
and seemed no longer to thinking of his comrade.
Tflproceedcd thus for more than an hour, and
re ed a spot where two paths, in crossing, formed
a species of fork, in the center of which stood a
cross of evil omen.

As if by common accord, the two horses sto ed
and thrust out their heads, while laying back {)geir
ears and snorting loudly. Suddenly aroused from
their reveries the two riders cast a scrutinizing
glance around. No human sound disturbed the
silence; all was calm and deserted.

“ Do on intend, my dear colonel," the American
asked, ‘ to honor me with your society any ion er?"

“No,” the young man answered, bluntly, “ shall
stop here." .

“ Ahl" John Davis continued, with feigned disap-
pointment, “ must we part so soon?"

“Oh no," the colonel answered, “not yet. You
alrige, are to decide the time we shall remain to-

e er.‘

“ It is imp)ossible to display greater courtesy."

“ Master avis," the co one] said, raising his voice
“ have you forgotten the last conversation we
together?”

‘ My dear colonel, you must know me well eno h
to be sure that I only forget those things whi I
o ht not to remember."

‘ All the better. In that case your excellent
memory spares me half the trouble, and we shall
soon cometo an understanding."

“ I believe so."

“ Do you not find the spot where we are admirably
ada ted for what we have to do?"

“ consider it delicious, my dear colonel."

“ Then, with your consent, we will dismount?"

They leaped to theground and tied up their horses.

“ Do you take your rifle?" the American inquired.

“ Yes, if you have no objection."

“th at all Then we are going to see some
5 rt?

p30h, yes, but on this occasion the game wiilbe

human.
“which will add greatly to the interest of the
n,

“ Where shall we place ourselves?”

“ I trust to you entirely for that."

“ Look! on each side of the road are bushes, which
seem to have grown for the ex ress pu so."

“That is really sin ular. ell, we leach hide
behind one of the bu es, count ten, and then fire."

“ First rate- but suppose we miss? I am perfectly
well aware that we are both first-rate marksmen,
and that is almost impossible: but it might hap-

n.
pe“In that case nothing is more simplei we will
draw our machetes and charge each other. ’

“Agreed. Stay, one word more; one of us must
remain on the ground, so promise me one thing.”

“What is it?‘ ' x

“ The survivor Will throw the body into the river."

“All ri ht, that is agreed.”

“Than you."

The two men bowed, and then went off in o posits
directions, to take up their stations. The d tance
between them was about seventy  in a few
seconds a double detonation burst rth llke a cla
of thunder and awoke the echoes. The two -
versaries then ed on each other, machete in
hand. They met nearly half-way, and not uttering
a word, attacked each other furiously.

The combat lasted for a long time without any
marked :1de for either, for they were nearly
of equal stren , when all at once several men ap-
peared, and, ing at the two adversaries, ordered
them to lay down their arms immediately. Each
fell back a step, and waited.

“Stop!” the man shouted, who seemed to be the
chief of the new-comers; “ do you, John Davis,
mount your horse and be off i"

“ By what right do you give me that order?" the
American aske , savagely.

“ By the right of the stronger," the leader replied.
;‘ Be oil; if you do not wish a misfortune to happen

0 on ‘
ohn Davis looked around him. Any resistance
was impossible—for what could he have done alone,
merely armed With a saber against twenty individ-
uals? The American stifled an oath, and mounted
again, but suddenly reflecting, he asked: “ And who
may on be who dictate to me?"

“ ell, I am a man to whom you and Colonel Me-
lendez offered an atrocious insult. I am the Monk
Antonio 1" .

At this name the two adversaries felt a thrill of
terror run through their veins; without doubt the
monk was about to avenge himself, now that in his
turn be had them in his power.

CHAPTER V.
BEFORE rim BATTLE.

Joan DAVIS recovered almost immediately.

“ Ah, ah!" he said, “then it is you, my master?"

“ It astonishes you to meet me here."

“ On my honor, no. Your place, in my opinion, is
wherever a snare is laid; hence nothing is more
natural than your rcsence.“ .

“It is wrong, Jo Davis, for a man to take ad-

 

 

vantage of his weakness to insult tpeople, especially
when e is ignorant of their inten ons."

“ t , they appear to me tolerany clear at this ino-
men .‘

The American leapt from his horse, drew his pis-
tols from the holsters, and walked toward the monk
With a most quiet step and thoroughly natural air.

“ Why do you not 0, as I advised you to do?"
Fra Antonio continue .

“ or two reasons, my dear senor. The first is,
that I have no orders or advice to receive from you;
the second, because I shall not be sorry to be present
gattthe pretty little act of scoundrellsm you are med!»

1 .

‘ en our intention is—"‘

“ To (is end my friend, by Heaven!" the American
exclaimed warmlty.

“ What! your riend l" the monk said, in amaze-
ment; “ why, only a minute ago you were trying to
take his life.‘ -

“ My dear senor," Davis remarked, ironically,
“ there are certain remarks whose sense you un-
hap ily never catch. Understand me clearly: I am
ready to kill this gentleman, but I will not consent
{3:125 'him assassinated. That is clear enough, hang

Fray Antonio laughed. “ Singular man!" he said.

“ Am I not?” Then turning to his adversary who
still stood perfectly quiet, he continued: “ My dear
colonel, we will resume at a later date, the inter-
esting interview which this worthy adre so unto-
ward y interrupted. For the presen permit me to
restore you one of my pistols youso generous] lent.
me; it is undoubted that these scamps will us ;.
but, at any rate, we shall have the pleasure of set-

tlin three or four of them first."
“ hank Iyou, Davis,“ the colonel answered, “ I ex-
pected not ing less from you. I accept your pro-

position as frankly as on make it."

And he took the pis 01 and cocked it. The Ameri-
can took his place by his side, and bowed to the
stranger with mocking courtesy.

“ Senores,“ he said, “you can ch e”us wheneVer

you think proper for we are re are .
“Mimi,th said Fray Antglniorf‘when you really
mean

" What l—mean it? The question seems to me
somewhat simple; I suppose you think the hour and.
place well chosen for a oke ?‘

The monk shrugged 's shoulders, and turned to
the men who accompanied him.

“ Be off!“ he said. “ In an hour I will join you

ain, you know where."

e strangers gave a nod of assent and disap-
peared almost instantaneously among the trees and
shrubs. The monk then threw his weapons on the
gound and drew so near to the men as almost to

ucht em.

“Are you still afraid?"he said; “it lsI now who
am‘ in O‘Ilrl Dwelisnsald

‘ 0 av , as he uncooked his istol
“ why, what is the meaning of this?” p ’

“If, instead of taking me for a bandit, as you did
an had taken the trouble to reflect, you woulr

ve understood that] had but one object, and that
wasE to prevent the resumption of the obstinate
flgh which in resence so fortunately interrupted."

‘ But how i you arrive here so opportuner l“

“Accident did it all. Ordered by our commander-
in-chief to watch the enemyn‘s movements, I posted
myself on the two roads, order to take prisoner
al the scouts who came in this direction."

"Then you ‘do not owe either the colonel or myself

any igrudge ?’

‘ erhaps." he said, with hesitation, “I have not
finite forgotten the unworthy treat-rent you in-

icted on Hie; but have given up all thoughts of‘

sauce.

.10 n Davis reflected for a moment, and then said,
as he offered him his hand, “ You are a worthy
monk. I see that you are faithful to the pi e of
amendment you made. I am sorry for what I id."

“ I will say the same, senor," the colonel remarked :
“ I gas far from expecting such generosity on your
pa .

“ One word, now, senores.“

“ Speak,” they said, “we are listening."

“ Promise me not to renew that impious due] and.
follow my example by to tting our hatred.’

The two men stretch out eir hands with a
simultaneous movement.

“ That is wellfi“ he continued, “ I am happy to see

mi not thus. ow let us separate. You, colonel
mount and return to camp—the road is free, and
no one will to oppose your passing. As for you,

John Davis. p ease to follow me. Your long absence
has caused a diiiee of alarm which your presence
will doubtless te. I had orders to try and ob«
tain news of you.”

“ Good-by for the resent." the colonel said;
“ forget, Senor Davis.w t passed between us at the
outset of our meeting, and merely remember the-
manner in which we separate."

H May we, colonel, meet aln under happier ans--
pioes, when I may be perm tied to express‘to you
all the sympathy With which your frank and loyal
character inspires me."

After exchanging a few words more, and cordially
shaking hands. the three men separated. Colonel
Melendez 56!; air at a gallop in the direction of the
rancho, while the monk and Davis started at an
equal pace in exactly the opposite direction. It
was about midnight when the colonel reached the
main guard, where an alde—de-camp of ihe genernI
was waiting for him. A degree of animation
appeared to prevail in the rancho. Instead of sleep-
mg as the might be expected to be doing at so late
an hour, t e soldiers were traversing the streets in
large. numbers; in short, an extreme agitation “as
Visible everywhere.

“ What is the matter?" the colonel asked the aide-
de—camp.

“ The general will tell you himself," the officer an-
swered, ‘for he is impatiently expecting you, and
has already asked several tunes for you. .

The colonel pushed on. and in a few minutes
found himself before the house occupied by the
general. The house was full of noise and light; but,
so soon as the general perceived the youn mu, he
left the officers with whom he was 'ng, and
walked quickly toward him...

u “ fiere young?! at ‘last. he said; "Iwas impa»
ent expec you.

“WYhat is the matter then?" the colonel asked,

The White Scalper.

 

astounded at the reception, which he was far from
expecting, for he had left the camp so quiet, and
found it on his return so noisy.

“ You shall know, senores," the general added
addressing the officers in the room; “ be kind
enough not to go away. I shall be with you in an
instant. Follow me, colonel.”

Don Juan bowed, and passed into an adjoining
room the door of which the general shut after him.
Hardly were they alone, ere the enerai took the
youn man affectionately by one of is coat-buttons,
and ed on him a glance that seemed trying to
read the depths of his heart.

“ Since your de arture,” he said, “ we have had a
visit from a frien of ours.“

“ A friend of mine? ’ the young man repeated.

“ OrLat any rate, of a man who gives himself out
as suc .",

“ i only know one man in this country,” the
colonel replied distinctlly, “ who, despite the opinions
that divide us, can just y assume that title.“

“And that man is?"

“ The Jaguar "

‘- Do you feel'a friendship for him?”
.. Yes...

“ But he is a bandit."

“ Possibl he is so to iyou, general; from your
point of v ew. it is possi le that you are right. I
neither defend his character, nor condemn ; I
am attached to him, for he saved my life."

“ But you fight against him, for all that.”

“Certainly; for being buried into two opponent
camps, each of us serves the cause that appears to
him the better. But, for all that, we are not the less
attached to each other in our hearts."

“ I am not at all disposed to blame you my friend,
for our inclinations should be independent of our
political o inions. But let us return to the subject
which at moment is the most interestin to us.
A man, I say, presented himself during youra sence
at the out sts as bei a friend of yours.“

“That s strange," t e colonel muttered, search-
ing his memory; ‘ and did he mention his name f"

'Of course; do you think I would have received
him else? However, he is in this very house, for I
begfied him to await your return."

“ ut his name, in dear eneral i"

“ He calls himself on Fe x Paz."

“ Oh,“ the colonel exclaimed, eagerly, “ he s ire
the truth, general, for he is really one of my ear-
est friends. ‘

“Then we can place in hirn—"

“ Full and entire confidence; I answer for him on
my head," the young officer interrupted, warmly.

‘I am the more pleased at what you tell me,
because this man assured me that he held in his
hands means that would enable us to give the
rebels a tremendous thrashin ."

“ If he romised it, general, be will do so without
doubt. presume you have had a serious conversa-
tion with him?”

“Not at all. You understand. my friend, that I
was not willing, till I had previously convened with

on, to listen to this man, who after all might have
en a spayl of the enemy."

“Capi reasoning; and what do you propose do-

now?"
mgHearing him; he told me enough, in view of
whatis happening at this moment, to have every-
thing prepared for action; hence, no time will have
been lost. ’

“ Very good! we will listen to him, then.“

The general clapped his hands, and an aide-de-
cam came in. '

“ uest Don Felix to come hither, captain."

Five minutes later, the ex-major-domo of the
Larchtree hacienda entered the room where the
two officers were.

“ Forgive me, caballero," the general said court-
eously, as he advanced to meet hi “for the
rather cold manner in which 1 receiv you' but
unfortunately we live in a. period when it s so
din-lcult to distinguish friends from enemies, that a
man involuntarily runs the risk of confounding one
with the other, and making a mistake."

“ You have no occasion to apologize to me
genera ,“ Don Felix answered; “when 1 presented
myself at) your, outposts, I anticipated what would
ha n me.

'F e colonel pressed his friend's hand warmly.
An explanation was unnecessary formen of this
stamp; at the first word they understood each
other. They had a lengthened conversatio which
did not terminate till a late hour of the n ght, or
rather an early hour of the morning, for it struck
four at the moment when the general opened the
door of the room in which they were shut u , and
accompanied them, conversing in whispers, o the
saw/(m of the house.

What had occurred during this lengthened inter-
view? No one knew; not a syllable transpired as to
the arrangements made by the general with the
two men who had remained so long with him. The
omcers and soldiers were sufler from the most
lively curiosity, which was only ncreased by the
general‘s orders to raise the camp.

Don Felix was conducted by the colonel to the
outermost post, where they separated after shaking
hands and exchanging only one sentence—-

“ We shall meet again soon.”

The colonel then returned at a gallop to his quar-
ters, while Don Felix buried himself in the forest as
fast as his horse could carry him. On re: m
camp, the colonel at once ordered boot and an die
to be sounded. and without waiting for further
orders, put himself at the head of about five hundred
caIvalry and liaftfltheiranfizho. th

t was near y ve n t e morning, 9 sun was Ha.
ing in floods of pflurple and gold, and all seemed to
promises magn cont day. The general, who had
mounted to his observatory, attentivel followed
with a telescope the movements of the co onel who,
through the speed at which he went not only got,
down the hill within a uarter of an our, but had
also crossed, without 0 stacle, a stream as wide as
the Rio Trinidad itself. A few moments subsequent
they entered a forest, where they were speedily lost
from sight.

When the last lancero had disappeared, and the

dscapehad become quite deso to, the general
shut up his glass, and went down “apparently
plunged in serious thought. We have said that the
garrison of Galveston consisted of nine hundred men;
but this strength had been raised to nearly fourteen

 

hundred by calling in the numerous small osts scat-
tered along the coast. Colonel Melendez ad taken
with him five hundred sabers the general left at the
rancho, which he determined on retaining at all haz-
ards as an important strategical point, two hundred
and fifty men under the orders of a brave and ex-
perienced officer; and he had at his disposal about
six hundred and fifty men, supported by a battery
of four mountain howitzers.

This force, small as it ma a pear, was more than
sufficient for the country. t true that the Texan
army counted nearly four thousand combatants, but
the majorlt of these men were badly armed pout;-
ants, unski ed in the management of the warlike
weapons which a movement of revolutionary fanat-
icism had caused them to take up, and incapable of
sustaini in the open field the attack of skilled
troops. ence, in spite of his numerical inferiority,
he reckoned rcatly on the discipline and military
education of is soldiers, to defeat this assemblage
of men, who were more dangerous through their
numbers than for any other reason.

The start from the rancho was effected with admi-
rable regularlt - the general had ordered that the
baggage should be left behind, so that nothing might
impede the march of the army. Each horsemen, in
accordance with the American fashion took up a foot
soldier behind him, so that the speed of the army
was doubled. Numerous spies and scouts sent out
to reconnolter in every direction, had announced that
the insurrectionai'y army, marching in two columns
was advancing to seize he mouth of Trinidad an
cover the approaches to Galveston, a movement
which it was of the utmost importance to revcnt;
for, were it successful, the insur ents won (1 com-
bine the movements of the vesse they had so ad-
vantageously seized with those of their army and
would be masters of a considerable extent 0 the
seaboard. from which possibly the Mexican forces
would not be strong enough to dislodge them. On
the other hand General Rubio had been advised that

Santa Anna, President of the Re ublic, had left
Mexico and was comi with force marches, at the
head of twelve hundre men, to forcibly crush the

insurrection.

General Rubio understood how important it was
for him to deal a heav blow before his junction with
the President, who, w ile following his advice, would
not fail, in the event of defeat, to attribute the re-
verses to him, while, if the Mexicans remained
masters of the field, he would keep all the honor of
victo to himself.

The exan insurgents had not up to this moment
dared to measure themselves With the Mexican
troops in the open field, but the events that had
succeeded each other during the last few days with
lightning speed. had changed the aspect of affairs.
T e chiefs of the revolutionafi' arm rendered con-
fident by theirconstant victo es, fe the necessity
of ving up theirh e warfare, and consolidating
their success by some rilliant exploit.

To attain this end, a battle mus he gained- but the
Texan chiefs did not let themselves be deceived by
the successes they had hitherto met with; on the con-
trary they feared the moment when the would
have to face the veteran Mexican troops w th their
inexperienced guerrillas. Hence they sought b
every means to retard the hour for this supremo an
decisive contest, in which a few hours might eter-
n overthrow their dearest hopes. .

ter the capture of the forta grand council had
been held byl the principal Texan chiefs in order to
consult on t e measures to be taken. t was then
resolved that the army should occupy Galveston.
which its position rendered rfectly secure against
a surprise: that the freeboo rs should alone remain
out to skirmish with the Mexicans and harass them;
while the troops shut up in the town were bein
drilled, and receiving a regular and permanen
o anization.

s first care of the chiefs, therefore, was to
avoid an encounter with the enenfi', and try to
enter Ga veston without fighting the exicans. The
followin was the respective position of the two
armies; e Texans were trying to avoid a battle,
which fgeneral Rubio was longing, on the writer
to flgh The terrain on which the adversaries won (I
have to maneuver was extremely limited, for scarce
four leafies se ated the vedcttes of the» two
armies. om observatory the general could
clear disti sh the cam fires of the rebels

In t e mean while Colone Melendez had continued
to advance; on reaching the cross who he and
John Davis had fou ht o furiously on th revious
evening, the colone himself examined the ground
with the utmost care, then, feeling convinced that
none of the enemy‘s flankers had remained am-
bushed, he gave his men orders to dismount. The
horses were thrown down, secured, and their heads
wrapped in thick blankets to prevent their neighing,
and after all these precautions had been taken, the
soldiers lay‘ down on their stomachs among the
shrubs, wit instructions not to stir.

General Ruhlo had himself effected a flank march,
which enabled him to avoid the crossways; imme-
diately after descendin the bill, be marched rapidly
upon the river bank. e have said that the Rio
Trinidad, which is rather confined at certain spots,
bordered by m iflcent forests. whose branches
fornyon the ban grand arcades of foliage over-
hanging the mangroves; it was among the latter,
and on the branches of the forest trees, about two

n-shots from the spot where he had landed, that
file general ambuscaded about one-third of his in-
fantry. The remainder, divided into two corps, were
stationed alon either side of the road the insur
gents must to 0W: they were so hidden in the nu]
grass that they were invisible. _

The four mountain howitzers crowned a small
bill which, through its osition, completely com-
manded the road, while t e cavalry was massed in
the rear of the infantry. The silence momentarily
disturbed was reestablished, and the desert re-
sumed its calm and solitary aspect. General Rubio
had taken his measures so well that his army had
suddenly become invisible.

When it was resolved in the council of the Texan
chiefs that the insurrectionary army should pro-
ceed to Galveston. a rather sharp discussion took
place asto the means to be ado ted in reaching it.
The Jaguar proposed to embar the. troops aboard
the corvette, the brig, and a few smaller vessels col-
lected for the pur . Unfortunately this advice,
excellent though ig was, could not be followed, ow-

 

ing to General Rubio‘s rccaution of carrying off all
the boats; collecti ot crs would have occasioned
an extreme loss of imc; but as the boats the Mexi-
cans had employed were now lying high and dr on
the beach, and the guard at first put over i (m
withdrawn, the Texans thought it far more simple
to set them afloat, and use them in their turn in
efifcli the passage.

The council would not put faith in the ESSPi'tioim
of John Davis, who in vain assured them that Gon-
cral Rubio iiiti‘cnchcd in a strong position, would
not allow this movement to be carried out without
an attempt to irevent it

The niyster ous man to whom we have alluded
hail alone the right to give orders, and the reasons
urged by Davis could not convince him. Do-
ceivcd by his spies, he persuaded himself that
General Rubin, far from having an intention of re-
capturing Galveston, wished to a cot his Junction
with Santa Anna before attem ting any fresh of—
fensive movement, and that the alt at the rancho
had been merely a feint to embarrass the rebels.

The chiefs received orders to march forward, and
were constrained to carry them out. The corvette
and brig were ordered to get as near land as they
could, in order to protect, b their crossfire. the
embarkatiori of the troops an sweep the Mexicans
if they offered any opposition. Flying columns Were
sent off in advance and on the flanks of the army to
clear the way by making prisoners of any small out-
posts the enemy might ave established.

Four principal chiefs commanded strong detach-
menis of mounted freebooters. The four were the
Jaguar Fray Antonio, El Alforez and Don Felix Paz,
whom he reader assuredly did not ex cut to find
under the flag of the rebels, and whom e saw only
a few hours back enter the Mexican camp and hold
a secret conference with General Rubio and Colonel
Melendez. These four chiefs were ordered by the
commander-in-chief to (prevent any surprise, by
searching the forests an examining the tall grass.
El Alferez was on the right of the army, Fray An-
tonio on the left, the Jaguar had the rear guard.
while Don Felix, with six hundred sabers, forms
the van. One word as to the errilliis of the ex»
mayor-domo of the Larch-tree acicndn. The men
who composed his band, raised on ion. - dependent
on the hacienda, had been enlisted by lion Felix.
They were Indlos nuiusos, vaqueros and peons, most—
ly half savages, and rogues to a certain extent, who

ought like lions at the order of their leader, to
whom the were thoroughly devoted, butonly recog-
nizing an obeying him, while caring nothin for the
other leaders of the army. Don Felix az had
joined the insurgents about two months previously,
and rendered them great service with his guerrillas.

By a singular coincidence the two armies left their
camp at the same time, and marched one against
the other, little suspecting that two hours later they
would be fame to face.

CHAPTER VI.
was: mm or oaaso rmo.

Tan battle of Cerro Pardo was one of those san—
gulna days whose memory a. nation retains for ages
asan l-omened date.

The spot selected by the Mexicans to effect their
landing after leaving Galveston had been very clever-
ly chosen by General Ruble. The stream, which for
some distance is inclosed by high hanks. runs
throu h an extensive tJplain, covered with tall grass
and c umps of trees e last relics of avl in forest.
which the’claims of trade have almostrgestroyed.
This lainis closed by acanon inclosed between two
lofty ills called Cerro Par-do and the Cerro Prieto—
tha is to say, the Red Mountain and the Black
Mountain.

At the canon begins a road runni to the cross we
have before visited, which is the on one that can
be followed in going from the into or to the sea-
shore. A little in advance of the two bills, whose

summit is covered with dense wood and scrub, ex-
tend marshes, which are the more d erous, be-
cause their surface is periidlousiy cov with close

reen grass, which completely conceals from the

mveler the terrible danger to which he is exposed.
The Gem Pardo, which is much higher than the
other bill, not only commands the atier, but also
the surrounding country, as well as the sea.

r what we have said, the reader will easilyper-
ceive that the enterprise attempted by the Texans
was only pessible in the event of the coast being
entirely undefended: but the inconceivable obstinacy
of the commander-ln-chief was the more incompre-
hensible. because he was not 0 thoroughly ac-

uainted with the country but at e moment when
t e army was about to begin its forward movements,
several spies came, bringing news which entirely
coincided with the positive reports already made by
John Davis.

Whom the gods wish to destroy they first build.
This wise and thoughtful man, who had ever acted
with extreme rudence, and whose conceptions up
to this day been remarkable for their lucidity,
was deaf to all remonstrances, and the order was

ven to march. The army at once set out; Don

elix Pnz went on ahead with his guerrillas, while
the Jaguar's cuadrilla, on the contrary, remained
in the rear. Tranquil, in s ite of the wounds he had
received, would not rems n in the fort; he came
along lying in a ca having at his side Carmela and
Quoniam, who paid in the utmost attention; while
Ianzi, at the head of a. dozen icked Fret-hooters
given him by the Jaguar esco the cart, in the
event of the army being disturbed during the march.

The Jaguar was sorrowful, iigloomy presentinicnt
seemed to warn him of a m ortune. This daring
man, who carried out as if in sport the maddest and
most venturesome deeds, new advanced reluctantly
hesitating and constantly lookin about him sus-
piciously, He feared no person danger. Peril
was his element: the heated atmosphere of battle,
the odor of powder intoxrcated him, and made him
feel strsn e dehght, but at this moment Carmela
was near im; Carmela, whom he had so miracu-
lously found and whom he feared to lose again.
This strong man-felt his heart soften at the thought,
hence be inSisted on taking the rear guard, in order
to watch more closely over the maiden, and be in a
position to help her if nec .

The su rior commander 1.33 not dared to refuse
the bol partizan this post, which he asked for as a
favor. This condescension on the part of the chief

 

“:

 

 

 

I draw fromhis .

rafter .

v

stamens Scalpel".

 

 

had terrible cones noes, and ‘ as

w the cause
of the events that finned a few hours tor. .
he Texan troops, spite of the various elements .

T
of wh ch they were com , advanced .with on
order and discipline that would have done lagnor to‘
r ulnrs. Don Felix Paz had thrown out nkers
or ered to investigcto the elm a mi. and, nrantcc
the safety of tho route- but spite of less pre-
cautions whether tlic Mexicans were really am-
ed in inaccessible places, or for some other
reason, the flunkers did not discover them, and the
vanguard advanced at a ace which 11 htened the
security of the min b ', and graduaul‘y induced
_t 11me to relax their rovious watohf ness.
e v and reached he cross, and nothing had

‘ssvyet lappencd to check the march of the army.

Don Felix, after. allowing his cuadrlllu to halt for
twenty minutes, resolutely entered th xroad that led
to the spot where the Mexicans had landed. From
the cross to the Rio Trinidad was no rent distance,
and could be covered in less than two ours by troops
marching at the ordinary pace. The road, however

ing the cross. becomes narrower, an
soon c nges into a. very confined track, in which
threepersm can scarce walk abreast.

After crossinggighout obstacle the defile of lbs
OerroPsrdo, ins ‘ of advancing in the direction“

 

of the river, on the bankhf whichthe stranced‘

boats could already be seen, Don Felix ordered his
cundrllla to wheel at about two hundred yards from
the daflle and formed a front of  by ten
deep. After commanding a halt, dug his spurs .
i305: returned to > the gorge, but on this occasion,

Whilegailo the . partisan looked ssarchingly
crowd him. pgng as the 9 could 'see the Stall
wssentiroly deserted. Don ellx halted and at
over his horse’s neck, as if wishing to arrange some”
buckle, but while atting his noble ,snimal he twice .
repentedthecm of a rook. At once the, harsh
cxyof the pufilnrose from the bushes that bordered
theright hand side of the road; the branches were»
then parted-s man appearedme” local Me-
lendez. Don Felix did not appear at wrised
atsoeing him; on the contrary.he sdv. , , hur-~
rlcdl toward him. . * . ~ . , ‘ .
. “ turn toyour ambush, colonel,” he d. 5.11
Inmseen alone on the ,mygssseuoew _arous,e
no suspicionsbe you. Charm 9 Cristoi. ou must
not be seen. We can converse equally we “at a dis-
tan astheenrs able to ererhesrussre those of

‘9 You are alwa prudent, Don Feiixl’ ,

‘.‘ i? not at all'- merely wish to avenge myself on
those bandits who have plundered so many mac -,
cent baciendas, and hatredrenders a man prudent."

‘ “ Whatever be the. motive that impels you, it gives
fiengood inspirations; that is the main pomt. But

t 95 return to our business: what do yomwnnt With
me." I

“ Merely to know two things.”

“ What are they?" ‘ ‘ ' '

“Whether General’Rubio it‘l‘elll 'Mfisfled with
y ' ' L the other end of the canon, and Don Feh‘x Paz’s

the glen]; submitted whim?“ . i r
A"; on havepreof of it before you; if he were not
so, should I be here?" , .
“Thatlltrue.” H > '
‘4 Newfor the second." ' I i j
“ It is very seriousDon Juan. I wish, before the
battle, to know if you have retained towsrdme that
esteem and friendship with which you deignedto
honor me at the Larch-tree hacienda?" : .
,Tbeoolonsl turned away in embarrassment.
“  ask that question st this moment!”. he, re-
mar ' . _ . .
Denhli‘siix turnedpnle and finds flashing glance
upon m.  , '-
“Answer me 1 im lore on, Don Juan," he said,
pressingly.‘ “Whatgvet you msytbink, whatever
opinion you may have of me. I .wish to know it; it
must be so." . -
. “ Well,.be itso; sin

on insist, I willexplain my
View ‘Don Felix. Y 4 blame butdo notcondemn
om-‘for i cannot and will :not be your. jud 8. Don
gain, I am convinced that the man whome. es him-
selt, no matter the motive that inlpels; him. the
agent 1; , commits worse theme smile, for
lists t ltty«i:t:an..act of ocwai'dloel Slimline-XII
canpiyN u mlanxerestecm” . i,.
. angina m—dtggolntenedwfithese 1ah wages
lame ppm, per: son ut
withhead erect and eye spuklin ’
fire. When the officerstopfinhe
took. thehandwhieh.l)on did notottsmptto

. Knitwell," c said; “your words are 
I thank you for y frankness, on
Juan: lknownowwbatremains or mete do.’

The colonel, who had involuntarily allowed his ,

feelings of the moment to carry‘him away, fancied
that he  at

had  and was the
mesons ru once. A. . _ . .
“Doan " headdgd, "forgive me; I spoke to
youlikes n." -

“Come, come, Don Jusn," he re lied, with a hit-
ter smile, “ do not attempt to recal your wo you
were but theedio of my conscience; what on ave

aloud‘ heart as often whispers to me.

our not that shall let myself be overcome by s
passin feeling of passion. No! Iamone of those
men w , when they have once entered a path. per-
severe in it stall hazards. But enough of thisgl
notice a dust. which probably. announces our
iris-nigg' he added, with a poignant irony. “Fare-
well, nJuan, farewell." , , .

And,» not wsi for the answer Don Juan was

preparing to give , Don Felix spun-edhis horse,
turned round and went off as rapidly as he
had me. colonel looked afteer for a mo-
mpnt the h . , .

“ Alasi", muttered. “that man is now more un-
ilililpy than or I am greatly mistaken; if
me be not cdto-dny it will notice for want of
s nun death."

He 1 n buried himself. in the ohapaml
vritha melancholy shake of head. In the mean
while,the Texan army rapidly advanced; like the

each mounted man had a foot soldier be-

hiexiesm,
hind him. Mnbout a gun-shotme the crossroads

$21.3.” mm" “W" °“- W ‘3 “numb

: were . .. 0

order tomb: their flankais.  the fi'zht

and left, which produced a mmdisorder.
The order of march was 11 altered, the

‘ were unable to keep‘their, ranks any long:

 

51513933 l

 

path grew narrower at every step, and the cagairy
mm
the moment of the start, the vanguard not wu-
nounced an danger. The army, trustingin the ex-
perience o the officer detached to clear the way
marched in perfect security, Which was an ented
by, the be )c of speedily reaching( the mout of the
Rio Trini nd, ‘aud at once ember ing for Galveston.
The Jaguar alone did not share the general confl-
dcnce; the ground he now trod seemed to him so
suitable in every wa for a surprise that'he could
not persuade himsel that the would
shore without an attack.
chief had an intuition of app:
guessed it, felt it, so to spec though he could not
tell from what quarter it would come. I
The Jaguar resolved, whatever the consequences
might be, to avoid personally a surprise, whose re-
sul s would be disastrous to those he had‘vowed to
otect and defend, that is to so ,‘ to'l‘rnnquil and
armela. Gradually slackening t e pace of his de-
tachment, he succeeded in leaving a sufilcxently wide
distance between himself and the main bod
gain almost entirely his liberty of action.

he placed the most confidence.
versant with Indian tricks, be p

ales of the track, and in-

'closed it so com gletely, that it was impossible to see 1

an hin beyon «
ohn avis read outhls men, as a forlorn hope,

on either side he read. The Juggler proceeded to

the cart after this, and addressed t e hunter. - =

“Well, Tranquil," he said to him, “how do you

find ourse ll" -

“ etter,‘. the other answered; “I hope within a'

few days to be sufliciently recovered to give up this
wesrisome position." » ;
“And your strength?"
, “Is. idl returnin ." '. ,
“All t e otter. mild you be capleble of firing
in your own defense without leaving t e cart?"
‘ I think So. But do you fear any tra ? the spot
where we now are a pears most favors le for it." ,
“Does it not! VWell, on have s ken the truth,
I fear anamhuscsde. ere is a e, and it needs
must make use of it." _

‘ rim: to me. -- Thanks," he added, ache clutched
tug! weapon With a delight he did not attempt to con-
ce . ‘ ‘ ' - > I: = ‘

The J ,
troop. an ave orc ers to set out‘ngaiu. Long be-
fore this, t e main body of the My had passed
the cross, the heads of the columns~ were already on-
tering the defile, a movementwhich, owing ‘to the
unrrowness, produced some disorder the leaders
Were trying to repress, when sudden]
canister burst from the Cerro Par 0, and made
wide gaps in't-he crowded ranks of the Texans. At
the same instant a. terrible shout was heard from

cuadrilla ap e 641 galloping at full speed inward
the‘mein boxy.”  ’ v

At the first moment the Texans had to 'make way
for these horsemen, whom, ,t ey supposed to be
closel pursuedh astlll invisi l enemy; but their
sin-p se chang , into terror on stupor when they
saw ‘s’,v , dash. at them and merciless!
saber them with shouts of f‘ MejlcoJMejicol F ' -
erocion!“ ’ '

he‘Te'xsns were betrayed! Suffering from a. ter-'

. T
ror that almost bordered on madness, 'unable to

form in this limited spot, decimated by the canister

incessantly dischar ed at them, and saberedby Don
Felix‘s cuadrilia,‘ ,ey had but one thought—that of
flight. But at the moment when they tried to turn,
the terrible cry of “ Mejia?! Mejico,‘ ueran los; re-
beld l" ’resoundedliks a funeral; kne in their rear,
and olonel,Melendez, at the head of his five hun-
dred homes. dashed at, the Texans'who were thus
cau ht between two fires.
e medley then assumed tlf fearful proportions
‘of one of those medieval butc cries in which man
having attained the tparoxdvsm of fury, Intoxicated
by the sharp smello w or smoke, and the din of
,battle, kills for the is of id in with the pleasure
of a. wild beast growing excited i the massacre of
very’victimtlmt falls, and far mm satiating his
hatred, nds it increase in proportion to the corpses
pil u , ntlie blood-stained ground ' , ,
h was impossible. and resistance seemed the
some, At, this supreme hour, when an ap‘peered
_ an irresistible‘movement suddenly too place
in , he terrified crowd, which opened'llke a ripe fruit
tin-0?}: the bleedy. ck thus made by‘main force.
The . Vow das ed forward”, brnndlshln his
mach In vehis head,,and followed by his firm
cusdriila. 1‘A,cry, of dellfigg saluted the arrival of the
darin freebootér who been obliged to cuthis
we,  ugh Colonel Melendez's Mexicans, as they
v strove to stop his passage, , . '

“ y lad!” the aguarlshouted, in a. roles that
rose above the din of battle “We'ore surrounded
by the enemy, and have been betrayed and led into
a trap by a coward. Let us sh'ow these MeXicans,
what men like ourselves are capable of. Follow me
~forwardl forward l" . v

“ Forward 1“ the Texans vociferated, electrified by
these daring words. . w

o J agoni- made his horse bound, and dashed at
the side of the mountain. His military instinct had
notdeserted him for that was, in fact, the ke of

he battle. The exsns rushed 7. fter him , b sh-
out their won as and uttering yells of fu’ry. But at

 moment 9 hogs of General Ruble 1333;;

up arance, who h, hitherto rema.
be ’ d the trees] and bushe'a- the crowned the
hights, lined thesides ofthe road, an the ht be ,
sin more, terrible and obstinate than be ore. e
g‘fforts were useless; the Texans returned .eight
times to the assault of the ‘Cerro Pardo and eight
times were driven back in disorder to the foot of
the mountain, which they were “113216 to scale.
. .In vain-did the Jaguar Davis, ay Antonio. El
Alter-oz, and the other chiefs perform soda or
veilor; in}: Megimnfiwggtgm theifiggédiem
w c at n , , ,any
longer to matting?) an impossible contest:e The com-
mander-incth of the army, who by his im ru-
denoe had caused this grave disaster-tresolv to
make a final and supreme effort. Collecting all the

‘1

a. ..

reach the sea- 1
n a. word, the young '
caching danger. He 1

to re— ‘
is first ‘
care was to collect round the cart the men in whom '
Then selecting ‘
those of his comrades whom he su posed most con. 3
ed them under -
the command .of John Davis, with orders to force 1
- their , ay, as Well as the could, through the chap- ‘
- art-a! t at skirted both

or then ' laced himself at the head of his

a shower of'

I men who still attempted resistance, he formed them
into a column of/sttaclr, and dashed like a whirl-
? wind at the Mexican guns, the artillerymen of which
I were cut down without yielding an inch. Surprised

l by this sudden and furious charge, the Mexicans .

‘ broke and abandoned the battery. Already the
1 Texans, who were almost masters of the plateau,
were preparing to take advantage of this unhoped—

l for success: but unfortunately, the revolutionary

army, nearly entirely demoralized did not so port

1 with vigor the heroic effort of these few closen

braves; the Mexicans had time to recover from their

5 rise and compare their strength with that of

the r foes. Ashamed at the check the had suffered,

they rushed upon the enemy, and

‘ hand‘to-hsnd fight, they succeeded in driving the

‘ Texans from the plateau. - .

, Colonel Melendez and Don Felix Paz had at length

. enacted their unction; 't he Texans had not even the

“ possibith of ight left them, but the Jaguar did not

' {at (les )uir; still, inee he could no lon er conquer,

‘ e won (1 at least save Carmela. But etween her

and him stood a human well, through which he

must clear a road. The young man did not hesitate;
turning hke a wounded lion, be bounded into the
midst of the enemy‘s ranks, summonin his com-
rades, and waving round his head t e terrible
machete he had em loyed so well during the action.

Abinen boldly rus ed to meet, him With uplifted

SB. er. I

“ Ah! the traitor Don Felix!” the Jaguar shouted,
on recognizin him, and split his slay open. ,

Then he ru ed like an avalanche own the moun~
tein side, overthrowing ever one he came across;
and followed by a few of is most devoted com~
panions, the ranks of the Mexicans opened to let
them pass. . . .

“ Thanks, brother," the Jaguar shouted with con-
siderable emotion to Colonel Melendeawho had
given his soldiers a si n to let him pass.

The colonel turns away and made nonnswer.
The carnage was soon over. Six bun Texans
fell into the hands of the victors, while eighthundred
found death on the field of battle. . 1‘

That same evening General Ruble neutered Gui-
veston at the head of his victorious army; the insur-
rectionists fled in terror in all directions, without
hope of ever again collecting. The cause to! Texan
liberty seemed lost for a long tune, if notfoxever.

The Jaguar, on reaching the cross-roads, found the.
cart smashed, and most of its defenders lying dead

/ on the ground. Singular to so , the had all been
scalped. Tranquil, vQuoniam. r arm a, and Lnnzi
had ‘ peered.- hat terrible drama could have
been per ormed at this spot?" . .

. , v ——l——.

CHAPTER VII.

‘ run ATEPETL. . -

.Tms is intersected b two lines of continuous
forests, which run from t north, near the sources
of the Rio Trinidad to the Arkansas river.- These
forests. are called the .'.‘Cross Timber-5:” behind

, them commence the imme so prairiesoprncberio,
on which countless herds o buflalos audwud horses
wander about at liberty. ~ . - 

In the center of a. narrow valley, on: the banks of
the Rio Sabina, a little above its confluence with [he
Vermejo, an Indian village wss‘deh‘ciousl scattered
men the trees. The latter formed a ( ruse dome
of foliage over the callis, which they sheltered f1 cm
the hot beams of the southern sun, and protected
fromthe cold site which at times descend from the

‘ mountains in‘ winter season, This village was a
winter atepetl of the'Comanche Ind'lns. belonging

to the Antelope tribe: We" vrill‘describe in a‘few
words this village, where several important scenes
connected with our narrative will take place.

Although built to the fanc of the red-skins, the
collie-affected ‘a certain regu rity of construction,
as may all converged enacommon point, which
tonne a grand 5 mile in the heart of the village.
In the center of t is square could be'seen clan-go
unhooped barrel, deeply buried in the~ground, and
covered with lichens end stone-crop. It was the
“ark of the first man.” It was here that the war

stake - was planted before the great medicine lodge;
:and here, under grave circumstances, the snobs“ s
lit thecouncil firemnd smoked the sacred cslum v:
ordinaril placed before the entrance of the calli of
the chie sschem, and so on two ‘Iorkrd
sticks, as it must never tone the ground. .

The Indian” cams are generally constructed in a.
spherical shape; built on piles covered with mud,
over which buffalo hides sewn together, and display-
infij numerous pictures of animals aimed inver-
m on, are: thrown. On a scuff standinan
front of the cam, lndlancom, forage for, the horses,
and ‘the winter provisions of each inhabitant were

which waved, It the slighten breathof sir, blankets,
harness, and fragmented! stufls‘of even descrip-
tion, the honing: raised bylthe superstitious red-
slrinstotheMas rof Life. v ‘ ~ .
pang on the sidetumed to the
Sabina river, was surrounded by a strong palisade
about fifteen feet high, made of enormous trunks of
/trees fastened together with strips of bark and
wooden cram -hoo 5. At about five ors'x hundred
ards from t e stepetl was the cemetery. the ex-
alatlons from which, b disagreeany meeting a.
traveler‘s sense of smell-yadvised him that bonus
up roachin anIndinn trl .‘ ~
wo mont s after the battle of Com Pardo. on
the day when we resume our narrative, and aboutan
our before sunset on a fine September afternoon.
several riders, mounted on do musthnggwm-e fol-
lowing, while conversing tog or rather eagerly. a
path which runs for several segues alongtheeonxse
of the Rio Sabina and terminus at the winter
ate t1 of the Antelope’comanches, which.we do
so it at the beginning of this chapter“ ~
These horsemen, five in number. were armed W“ b
rifles, tomahawks and machetes. army were the
cotton hunting-shirt of the wood-rs finished
round‘the waist; "mm, or trowssrs. m Pieces,
tied at the ankles, fur 'caps and Indian moccasins.
gh this costumem Almost . -
that worn by the mayorlty of the Indian, tribes, it
Was on to recognize hose riders as‘hhite men, not
only “slough the ease of their manners. but also
through (116W ofthelrcom , .
Apout two hundred yards be 'the homean
cameo. sixth, mounted and dressed like them, but
who was apperently o red-skin. His head, instead

 

ter afrightful -

stored. At intervan could be sets tall poles, from '

 

Wu.“ ___..._____fi.s___ ..

 

“Al—+4....

Thejiflhite Scalper.

 

of being covered by a fur cap, was here; his hair,”
pulled up at the to of his head and stained Withmd
ocber, was fasten with strips“ snake-skin; a fal-
con feather stuck in above is right ear, near his
war seal lock. indicated his claim to high rank
amo h s coun 7men while the numerous wolf-
tnils astened to h s heels roved‘ that he was a re-
nowned warrior; in r ght band he held a fan
made of the entire wing of an eagle, and in his left
he waved the short-handled and long-lashed whip
peculiar to the Comanche and Sioux Indians.

These riders empl ed none of the precautions
usual on the prair e avoid surprises, or foil the
enemies enerall ambushed in the track of hunters.

From t away which the conversed together,
and the absent glances they at times took across the

count ', it mi ht eas' be essed that .the were
I.) ‘1 fly fithem, and wheie they 

reaching a spot well known
felt certain of not bein entrapped. $1111, had they
not been absorbed in t eir conversation, and could
their lanoes have pierced the dense curtain of ver-
dure at formed a fragrant wall on their ri ht, they
would have seen amid the shrubs and lower ranches
of the trees an agitation not at all natural, and
doubtless produced by the passage of a wild beast;
at times, too, they might have noticed two eyes
flashing among the leaves, which were flXed upon
hhemred with a savage expression of passion and

a . -

On coming within pistol-shot of the villfige. the
horsemen stop d to give the Indian hehin them
time to re’oiu t em. ho soon as the latter roelved
this halt, eeabwhip hisl 11(1):;“3. and :émos I:lImmttzdi-
atel ra angel 0 s comr es. e s p-

ediis figme waited silently and calmly until

0. should he addressed

“ What are we to dohow, chief 9" one of the trav- ’ still motionless and en
soon as we have passed that pro- \ henceforth our brothers.

clcrs asked. “ So
jccting point we shall be in the vallei."

"Our pale brothers are brave; t e Antelo Co-
manches will be happy to receive them an burn
powder in their honor. A chief will 0 alone to the
village to announce their'arrlval to t e sachems.”

“ Go then, chief; we will await you here."

“ Wall! my brother has s oken well."

The Indian vigorously ashed his horse. which
bounded ahead and speedily disappeared behind the

to which the hunter had inted. The horse-
men drew up in line and w motionless with
their hands on their weapons. In a very few unn-
utes a noise was heard resembling the mill of
thunder, and suddenly a crowd of mounted I ass i
appeared. com at full speed, brandishing their
weapon discharging their guns, bowling and whis-
tlingin t e long islachettas made of human thigh-
bones. which they were hanging from their necks.

On their side, the hunters, at a sign from the man
who appeared to be their leader, made their: horses
cut-vet, and dischargedthelr weapons with repeated
shouts and demonstrations of Joy. Forhalf an hour
there was a deafening noise, augmented by the yells
of the squaws and children who flocked up blowing
shells and rattling chichikous, and the barking of the
thousands of the sav e and half-tamed d which
the Indians constant take about with t . It
was plain that the strangers to whom the rod-skins,

genietrauv so haughty and retiring, offered so warm 1‘
an n

a reception, werrewfiat friends of the
tribe; for, \it been othe ' a deputation of i
chiefs would have met. them at the entrance of the ,
village to do them the honors'of the ate tl, but our,
brave and.’ renowned warriors woul not have
thought it necessary to get under arms. ' *

All at once the noise ceased as if b enchantanent,
and the Indian horsemen ranged ‘ eznseives in a
semicircle in front of the White hunters. A few
paces before the line. four cipal chiefs, mounted
on magnificent mustang armed a separate group.
These warriors, colfple g gel-:32 an hggintgg for,
war. wore “a 05p ‘ rsw 0 ,3.
now ned warriors who have raised many seal are
antiqued wb kl; mi: km bgnxfi a
wit so use aces o y rs c we, ,ve
inches 13:; and white at the tips; behind them j
floated the white buflalo robe, painted red inside.
and on which their exploits were designed; in one
hand they held their 5, in the other a fan maden
of the wing of a w te-headed le. Thesewaro
riots had something majestic and imposing about
them that inspired respect. ‘ I

For some ten minutes-their: lens and hunters
stood thus. motionless and silent, presence ofeach 3
other, when suddelalya fresh horseman appeared, ‘
coming atfull from the village. He was evl- ‘
dentlyn white man: he was dressed in the garb .of
a wood-ranger and two magnificentrtmmoe or gray-r
hounds, lea .cd up playfully on either side of his
horse. At t e appearance of the new comer the in-
dians burstlnto yells of jo , and shouted— ‘

"The great brave of t e Antelope Comanchest
Loyal Heart, Loyal Hearti"

The warrior was really the Mexican hunter, who
has ulreadymade his appearance several times dur-
ing the course of our narrative. He saluted the war-
flow by a. wave of the hand, and took his place
gimme “10 9311818. who respectfully made way for

m. r - v .
“_My brother Black-deer has informed me of the
glguvalkolfx fri‘cndfiof otu- nation,” he said, “ and
ave me u as nuseto mess race.
tioavl‘lrgd Blithe; melc§$:£'d the“. p
H y not b a ; - oer accompanied our
mother the real. brave of the tribal" on ' -
disil‘gfig ' him}. i be ‘e or the
‘ e emw t )rcmanint '
watc'gqtthgprepamtion of the methane 163258 
T], h' bored, but said nothing further. Loyal
Hem-t then put his horse at a sit-flop and advanced
toward the hunters, who, on their skin, made a;
movewmeethim.- . : ' '>
H You are welcome here, Tranquil,“ Loyal nan,
mm; H yo" and your comrades were impatiently

/ ‘ Thank you." all answered. pressing the;
hand the hunter od'e him; “many events have
he ed dnoe our separation, and it certainly did
no cpcnd on us that we did not arr-rye sooner." . -

The fire white hunters were all old

 

aleluntevia-m brother eartlsgoodhisanil
Eli-03g, and his toyngue is nbt forked; he oves the red-

"wasaround holed

r.»
at:

 

 

men; he is renowned as a great brave in his nation,
he is wise at the council fire; love him, for the Master
of Life sustains“ him and has removed the skin from
his heart, in order that his blood may be pun- and
the words he utters such as a wise warrior ought to
pronounce." -
“Wall i“ one of the sachems answered, with a
graceful bow to the hunter; “the Comanchcs are
Freat warrious; who can tell the extent of the hunt-
ng grounds the Great Spirit has given them? They
' are the masters of the red-man because they are all
I great braves whose heels are adorned with numer-
ous wolf-tai s. My pale brother' and his warriors
will enterthe atepetl; they will receive callis, horses,
and squawa to clean their arms and repute their
1 food, and the tribe of Antelope Comanc we will count
fills: Pryayw more. I have spoken; have i said right,
0 e s ‘ '
‘ “Chief,” Tranquil replied “‘i thank you for the
hearty reception you are pleasod to 0 runs. My
i, brother, Loyal Heart, his old you the truth about
my feelings toward your natiou. I love the red-
mcn, and esnedally the Comanches, who, of all the
nations dwelling on the prair es, are the noble-tam
most cou eons and rig iy call themselves the
5 Queen Nat on of the prairies, because their war-
! horses and braves traverse it in all directions, and
r no one dares to oppose them. In my own name and
I that of my comrades I accept your frank and cor-
i dial hospitality.

The principal sachem then took off his buffaloarobe,
with a gesture full of dignit , and placed it On the
shoulders of the hunter, wit the other chiefs did
the same to his comrades. '

, “Warriors and braves of the werlui Antelope
' tribe," he said, turnin to tho ndiaus, who were
“ these pale-faces are
no to the man that in-

sults them 1"
At these words the shouts and yells recommenoed-
with fresh vigor, and the Indians displayed signs of
the liveliest joy. Possibly this oy was not so real as
it appeared and was not equa y shared by all pres-
ent. But those that might be annoyed at the ad-
mission of the wood-rangers into the tribe, carefully
concealed their displeasure. and were perhaps, the
very men whose demonstrations of de 'ght were the
most vociferous. r l
' After this final ceremony, the Indian sachems
took the white hunters in their midst, and plac-
ing themselves at the head of their warriors,
started at a gallop for the village. At the entrance
Black-deer was waiting for them, surrounded by the
most important and wisest sachems of the ribe.
Without uttering a syllable, he took the head of the

column and led it to the center of the vii near
, the Ark of the first man. hfidians ’

On reaching it the

sudde iiy halted, as if the feet of their horses were
im fled in the round. Blacledeer‘then stationed
himself at the oorway of the medicine-lodge, be-
tween the hachesto. who held in his hand the totem
of the tribe, and the pipe-bearer, who‘supported the
sacred calumet. ' , '

“ Who are the pale men who thus enter as friends
'"he atepetl of the Antelope Comanchesl" he asked,
“dressing Loyal Heal-t. ' , I '

‘They are rothe who ask leave to sit‘hy the

‘-- hearth of the red-men. ’ the latter answered.

“It is well. Black-deer continued; “these men
are our brothers. The council-fire is lighted; they
will enter with us the lodge of the Great Medicine,
sit down by the tire and smoke mom'chse from the
sacred calumet with the sachems of thellatlonfl.”

“Let it be as my brother has decided," Loyal
Heart responded. ' - ‘ v

Black-deer gave a wave of the hand, upon which
the hacbesto raised the curtained door of the lodge,
and the chiefs altered, followed b the hunters.
The medicine-lodge, much larger t an the other
callis of the villsge was also built with great care.

- The bufl'aio skins that covered it were, painted red
with a profusion of black designs, a ' ies of se-
cred hiero cs only understoodlgyt e medicine»
men and he most renowned sac ms of the tribe.
The interior-dime lodge was empty. In the center

u .-n the earth tothede of
about two feet; in; hole the requisite w and
charcoal were pre ared. _ ' \ '

When all the s had entered the lodge the ha-‘
chesto let the  fall again that form the en-
trance. A band 0 picked warriors ,diately sur6
rounded the l to keep off the curious and insure
the secrecy of e deliberations. The indiaus are
excessively strict about the laws of etiquette; with

‘ them everything is regulated with a minuteness we
should be far from exerting among a semi-barba-
rous nation; and each boand by the severest pen:
alties to conform. ‘

Black-deer was well aware who the pale-faces were

that had reached the village, since he had acted as-

their guide. But etiquette demanded that he Should
receive them as he had don for otherwise the other
chiefs miazht have been scan llzod by such a breach
of custom and'the strangers would, in all pro. abil-
lty. have fallen victims to their forgetfuhless c; the
usages of the nation. » - '

The chiefs crouched silently in the center 0f the
lodge. The hachcsto then presented Black-deer
with a medicine rod to the end of which was

a piece of lighted ocote wood. The sachem kindled r

the tire. The pipe-bearer then entered the lodge,
bearing on his shoulder the sacred csiumet.
The sacred calulnpt is a pipe who” stem, owing.

rily of ma le. varies from nine toeleveu feet' in
‘ length. T is stick is profusely garnished with
! feathers. glass bells and rattles. The bowl is made
‘ of red stone, found in adieu-lot of the loun-
‘ thins, where the Indians go to extract it.
The Indian sachet-us only use the sacred cahlmet
1 on solemn occasions, such as receptions, declarap
.« rim of war, or the ob of a clnef. The tobacco

they burn in the calum iscalled ; huh I.
* miscreanheanngrs distant resemblance to to-
" bacon. t is washed befcre using, and then steeped

momma, attic-w chit isdrie'dand-md wither-
, dihary tobacco
t the m

. maniidation'is eifeomd \by'
ne—men. or some“, who alone have the
the mainline, thumb theylare not

he
, {flowed «to convert-it to the! vats use.
‘ * pd Ripe-bearer lit the '

hon mum
rofdzhet
,w

hthe palmof hierlghthahd. Black .
the smoke twice, and then blewitout lathe dino-

.7, ;_
113*

Heart

. marked' “ will the chief
h  .

' Heart, they will re

’the travelers to two callls communicauu

fol-table as they could. ‘

esemed the.
bile bulging thehowl
deerinlnled

 

tion of the four cdnlinal‘polnts, as ng, “Masterof
Lich werful Waeond i may e smcll of the
morlc e delight thy nostriisl d us with a
favorable eye, as thy welljbeloved childrenl As I
breathe this smoke toward thee, blow into our
bosoms the wisdom that ought to preside at our

councilsl"

After pronouuci these words, Black deer in~
baled the smoke at cc. and then passed the tube to
the next chief. The latter silent v puffed forth the \
smoke, and passed the pipe on in his neighbor. The
calumct thus went the round of the computer and
returned to Black-deer, who smoked it on . on
all the tobacco was consumed, the pics-bearer!
emptied the burning ash into the council tire, any-

ill : A .

‘gThc Master of Life has received the offering of
tilf‘ Comanche sachems. All the rites are sccame
plishcd, the council is opened." I ' .

After speaking'thus. the pipe-bearer withdrew,
and the chiefs remained alone. The council had two
very serious questions to discuss. Ill the first lines,
it was proposed to organize a giant expetitiou
against the Buffalo Al'LlChQS, a plundel'iu tribe,
who had several times stolen horses from every
villages of the (‘onlaucites, and on whom the Fachelns
desired to take exemplary revengie‘.0 Secondly,
Tranquil, through the liicdiillil of ya] Heart
whose influence was rent with the‘trihe, mquestod
that abnnd of ick braves, amounting to fill ,
and 1placed umer the command of Loyal Hen '
shou d be intrusted to him for an ex mention, the
ob ect- oi.‘ which he could not divulge at he moment,
bu its success would benefit hisailics asmucbas
himself.

The first question was; after several speeches,
unanimously resolved 11 the affirmative. The j
council was proceedi to discus the second, when
aloud noise was hell outside the curtain‘of the
medicine lodge was raised. and the hachest’o walked
in. The bachesto is a man who must be gifted with
aloud and powerful voice. He represents among
the red-skins the town-cricr, and his duty is remake
news gubiie. and convene the chiefs to council.
When e made his appearance in the lodge, Black.
deer give him an angry glance. ‘

“ When the chiefs are assembled in the medicine-
lodgg, the must not be disturhedflhc said tollim,

“ y fat er, Wall-Rush-a-Menoc speaks well," the
Indian answered with a respecth bow; “his son

knows it." -
son entered without the

“Then, why has In
orders of the sachems ~
“Because live warriors of the Buffalo Apaches‘ ,_
have arrived at he village." " - » ;
“ With! and w o is the bra‘ve thrt his made them
lisonors.‘ why has he'not taken their seal 7 does
6 refer fastening them to the stake of to tire?"
T 'e hachesto shook his head. ‘ ‘ » '
“These warriors have not been made “Eleonora
b any of our braves, they are free. ey call
mselves embassad "t

“Embassadorsl And” who is the chief that.
muchesat theirheadl" ~
“ Blue-fox.” ‘

“Blue-fbe agreat brave. He is a terrible war-t f
rior in fight; his arm has raised many scaips bo- ‘
i‘ongingto m sons: he has robbed them of many
horses. Bu his, rescues is disagreeable to the
Commence; Wh does he want?" ' . ”

“To enter the medicine-lodge. and expllml to the
sachems the mission with which he is intrusted."

"It is well,“said Black‘deer giving an inquiring
glance to the members of theenuncil. ‘

The latter replied by a nod of assent.
"My pale brothers, I must not be present atétke
deliberation that is about to take place,“ he re-
rmit me to rather" '
al Heart ha 11 ofuthe Cesium,” -
Black-deer answered; “his‘place is animus, for;
if he be youu in years, his expeflenoe Wisdom
are rmt.- t he can do as he legacy-the ‘
inn is can retire. I! the ohle ljeqnii'ev ‘ at
Th ling “gems “unwillingly  with:- I
r e 0 man: w caramel , = .
drew, allowed by the hunters, who, we must -

fees, were delighted at ting away from the‘
cine-lodge, for the fol she need of rest after new
fatigue they body undergone in making a glow:
Journey. ' ‘ ‘ 
, CHAPTER VllI. _
nosrrrltrrv. . ‘
Os quitting the medicinelodge, Loyal-Heart led

with each
other' then, making all a sign to allow him,
he is t the four hunters to make themselves as com.

. ‘- u  {all my  at.” “m “i "
.- on 8608 l ‘ m *8

ameibermits me toIoifer you? y W ' " '
it yourself to trouble for me)” the and.

dish replgd, -“the slightest thing suffices me. lual- '-

figure ypu that I should be all right with my come-

“ I do not put myself out at. all; on the contrary I ‘

feels real pleasure in giving you a'place attaiy
a. . ‘ _ . , .

“As it is so, no i insist; do what you
please with me”; m ' - . ‘ ‘

“Thanksi come on then.” ' -

Without further remark, they crossed the village
square. which was almost deseludgat this moment
for t had fallen some tune previously, and labs
of the Indians had retired to their wigwams. ‘

Loyal- Heart; after walking for some nthtOS,‘
stopped More a calli of sufficiently singulnr‘sp- :

surprise Tran uiLalthough he was "
“mauled.- Tllis. ‘ ll. which anywhere s'e'
d have been (lime cmmonphee,“ jugny'eg.
ed strange in an ndian village. It wasa rather
me macho,-built in the Mexican fashion, ofxphflt’s
painted, The was flat. and in from. of the (loot-
wuss patch fanned of six enormdustreen fastened
to covered with an anotea. "Onenhé'r
the door were three Window-swim gin-i panes: u.
singularihlng at a spot sermons from Chill: '

easil

Amhncfabout' leafsof age-tall and th‘: »
anddremdf'iw % ”

cigarett h ‘t (in? “mi i“
can esacmauet u port: “'zw
manwhose hair mrtumlnggmymmlt ._ t. “L41
though resolute look of amen who had suffered.

  

 

 

 

 

»..l,

 

.x._..‘:.f.‘r.wm. .

.. 44-“.

 

 as...» _

A“—

 

 

 

mtly. 0n seeing him the rastreros,‘ which
' erto had not left Loyal a yard, rushed toward
ihgiiiivitliejoyousbiirk, andleapedupathimcaress-

“Kb.” the man said, as he rose and bowed re-
spectfully to the hunter, “ itis you, mi saw! you re-
turn home very late."

These words were n
which is so pleasing
faithful servant. .

“Thatis true, No Eusebio," the young man an-
swered with a smile, as he squeezed the hand of the
old man. " I brl a friend. ‘
1 “ He is welcome, ‘ No Eusebio answered.

“Come in my friend,” said Loyal Heart; “I
should not like to keep my mother waiting any
anger."

“ Announce us; No Eusebio, we follow you."

The servant turned to obey, but the rastreros had

the mouth of an old and

long 0 announced the hunter's return to his mother,
by ru ing mad] into the. house, hence the lady ap-
peared in the oorway at the moment when the

three men prepared to enter. ,

“Caballero,” she said, in a ntle and melodious
voice, as she smiled on the anadian, ‘fenter this
modcat abode, where you have been impatientl ex-
pected for a ion time. Although our heart be
smell, we always eep a nook for a friend."

“Senora,” the hunter replied, with a how, “your
reception overcomes me with joy. I trust I shall
prove deservin of the kindness you show me."

They ente the rancho, whose interior corres-
ponded exactly with the exterior. A candle, sus-

nded from a beam, illumined a large room, the

ture of which consisted merely of a few
equipala, two butaocas, and a chiflonier. all clumsfilg
made With the hatchet. On the whitewashed w
hun four of those colored engravings with which
ggian commerce inundates both hemispheres.
axillasand No Eusebio a
frugal» meal was prepared, of which the travelers
partook heartily.

When the meal was ended the three men rose
from the table and seated themselves around a cop-
Rrhrasero full of hot ashes, and began smoking.

e dogs, like vigilant sentrles, had lain down across
the door with outstretched heads and pricked-up

y the care of Dona G

ears. — .
The greatest silence revalled in the ‘ ; the
songs and laughter gradualh' died out; e In-

dians were asleep or appeared to be so. Dona Gar-il-
Ias had made a bed of furs in.one corner of the
room, and was about to invite the hunter to rest his
weary limbs, when thedogs raised theirth sharp-

l and began growling; at the same instant two
slight taps we ven on the door of the rancho.

‘Tis 0. tries ," Loyal Heart said; “open, no
Eusehio."

The old servant ob'fiyed and an Indian stalked in;
igowaéhi-fi-{ie'sg h e chief‘s famwas lootmyrhe

w t e com n e Wt 11 say-mg
a syllable, saty down near £3 ’asero. The hunters
were too conversant with the Indian , r
(litigation g1; chi-3113: go long asdhe wmpleasei (ti to kehep
s cc. n3 oweveri rew p pe mm is

Ii and it to Black r, who smoking,
rthankisf him with one of those emphatic gee
taxes usual th the red-skins. There was a long si-

len butat lastthe chiefraised hishead

“ chiefs have left the council-lodge,“ he said. I

“No determination was formed, no answer given
the envoy."
“ saehems are rudent, they wished to re-

flect," Lo al Heart 
The sschem nodded. ' '
“Does my brother Loyal Heart wish to learn what
at the council alter hh departure!“ he

hishsartilsad;let

.8 .
“Mybrother is thought u
are open.

“Wmurs ofaf
“ chief will eatflrst, Dona Gorillas re-
“he maggorcledlatem at ithelz<l>.i>auli‘i‘<‘:il; the
sqgaws snot pro " seven ng
mother is good he bed, with a smile
“Bls‘gk-deerwilleat rep

:heisherelnthewifixamo
the hrodierofhlsheart; thewarflors ve ex-

hoises and woe

Who taught the Indiansthis custom which-makes
them ssleot a friend, with whom they
arms and honest“?! who, from that moment,
dearer to them 1: if blood-ties attached them?
Blackvdeer and Loyal Heart had really made the
exchange referred to bytbs sadism.

“Ky mother will retire to deep,” said Loyal
Heart. “I will wait on my brother,‘ I

739 it so," the red-skin answered; “my mother
needs rest—the night is advanced." \

Dona Garlilss understood that the three .men had
to talk about secret affairs, so, after bidding her
guests good-night, she withdrew. As for Eusebio,
considering his presence unnecessary, he went to
bed after the Indian‘s arrival that is to say lay
downonahammmzk, suspendedinthe rch of the
housamththetworsstxeruathisfee ,so that no
one could enter or leave the house without awaken-

ing him. After urriedly eating a few mouthfuls,
Black-deer spoke again. .
“ brother Loyal Heart is young," he said, but

om is ; the chiefs have confidence in
m, and we not decide anything till they had

know that I am devoted to them.
If bother will explain, I will answer him."
“ hie-fox arrived at the villag
on the of the chiefs of his nation; ue-fox has
put on e skin of the timid asshatas; hiswords are
8311 and his mouth distills honey; but the buffalo
leap Ike the elk,‘or the hawk lmitstethe
“ .fie chick did not put faith in his words."
“ Thou they-auwered him in the negative!"
N0: wished first to wait my brother."
“Wall! on what mm»
“Ky lanthanum m pale-faees on the
other side of the Moshe-shone dug upthe war
ainst each other some moons ago, as my
“ W so do , But how does
itcoooernustaquarrelsnonéouthewlntescannot
sflectumanyway, solong as thsydo npt invade

our
“ brotherspeakslikeswheman;the-ohems
are thosameopirdon.”

ii,

“GooducumotWMwhythechiefs.

discussedsudiasu

in that affectionate tone '

etc-do ;hecame.

 

T119. :Whil??_'?_3.¢a11?err;

 

“awn; my brother can speedily understand if he '
DJ .
“Chief, you red-skins have an unlucky knack of !

wra ping u your thoughts in so many words that

it is mlpo le to guess the point you are sirnin at."

I glee -deer broke into that silent laugh pecu r to
n ians. ’

“ My brother knows how to discover a trail better
than any one," he sai . .,
“ Certainly: butto do so I muzt be shown a foot-
step or trace, however feeble it ma be."
" And my brother has discover the trail, which
I mgely'indicated to him i"
es

th“ Olillt‘filv should be curious to know my brother's
o _ . ,

“ en listen to me in your turn, Black—deer—I
shall be brief. Blue-fox was sent by the Buflalo
Apaches tothe Antelope Comanches to pmiplose to
them an oflensive and defensive alliance age st one
of the two nations of the pale~faces which have dug
up the hatchet against each other.“

11 spite of all the indifference which nature and
Indian training had endowed him with, the chief
could not conceal the amnement he experienced on
hearin these words. .

“It well," he said; “my brother is not only a
great brave and dari warrior, but is also a man
inspired b the Wacon ah. His medicine is irresist-
ible, he nows everyth' Blue-fox made this
proposition to the sachems. ‘ .

“ And have they acce ted it?“

“ N o; I repeat to m rother that they would not
give any answer till t e heard his opinion."

“Very good, then. his is my opinion, and the
chiefs can follow it or not, as they lease: The Co-
manche nation is the Queen of t e Prairies; the
most invincible warriors assemble beneath its totem;
its hunting- und extends over the whole earth;
the Coman alone are indomitable. Why should
they ally themselves with the Apache thieves? Why
should they league with their most obstinate ene-
mies against men who are fighting to obtain their
liberty? Bluevfox is a renegade from the Snake
Paw-nees; my brother knows him, since he is his
personal enemy. Any peace proposed by such an
embassador must conceal a trap; sooner war than
such an alliance.“ »

There was a rather lengthened silence, durin
which the chief reflected deeply on what he had jus

heard. . l »

“ My'brother is righ ," he said at last; “ wisdom
resides in him, his tongue is not forked, the words
he utters are inspired by the Wacondahl The Co-
manches will not treat With the plundering A aches.
The council has asked for three suns to re ect on
this grave question; in three suns Blue-fox will re-
turn with arefusal to those who sent him. The Go-
manches will dig up the war-hatchet sooner than
ally themselves with their enemies."

‘ lily brothers, if they do that, will act like wise
men '

tber on a matter that interests meipersonally.’

“ Good. Sleep does not yet we gh down my eye-

so I will listen to my brother.‘ '

“. ya! Hart is a friend of Blackbird," the chief
continued, with some hesitation.

The hunter smiled knowin . ,

“Blackbird is one of the most renowned braves of
the tribe " he answered; “ his daughter, Bounding
fiawn, will count fourteen antumns at the fall of. the

aves.’ .

“ Black-deer loves Bounding Fawn.“ -

"I know it: in brother has already confessed to
me that, the of the first love placed, du
his sleep. a hardened shamrock under his he .
But has the chief assured himself as to Bounding
Fawn's feelings?" ,

“The young vi a smiles when the chief returns
from an expedi on with 80833 hanging from his
Eli-div she trembles when he opal-ts; she reeds his

one a score and her greatest pleasure is to clean
his weapons. hen the maidens of the tribe dance
at night to the sound of the d
Boundlngll'awn gazes thoughtfully in the direction
of Black-deer‘s celll, and forgets to dance with her
com again“ d u: maid ognize th d
“ 0 cos 9 ,en rec e soun

$23

of m bro 5 war whistle, and run jo fully to the
mee the chief egrants her? To- ht, fer iii-
stance were thechi to call her, would rise from

her bed toobey his summons?"

“ She would rise,” the chief answered, laconically.

“Good! Now, what does the chief wish to ask of
me? Blackbird is rich." -

“ Black-deer will give six mares which have never
felt a hit, two guns, and four hides of the white she-
buflalo; to-morrow thechief ‘s mother will give them
to m brother." .

“ ood. And does my brother intend to carry off
the woman he loves this night?”

"Black-deer suflers from being solo separated
from her; since the death of his well-be oved wife,
singing-bird, the chief's calli is solitary. Bounding
Fawn will prepare the venison for the chief; what
does in brother think of it?”

“ My orse is read ; if my brother say yes. I will
accompany him, if he that he desires, as l sup-

“ al Heart knows eve - notb em
his disiemment." mm’ mg P”

“ Let us 0 without loss of time. Will you accom-
pany us, noun? two witnesses are requiml. ‘8
you are aware. .’

“ I wish for nothin better, if my preseneebe not
disa reesble to the c of."

“ hunter is a great

11 the contrary; the pale
hall be pleasedtoknawthatheisbymy

brdave. I s
SI 9.” , .
The three men rose and quitted the home- No
Eusebio raised his head. ' ' ‘
“Weshallreturn in an hem-[fl Loyal Heart. said,
as he named. I . '
_'I'he old sea-van
his hammock. The chief‘s horse was tiedto a tree
neutberanebo; belsspedintothesaddle
waited for the two hunten, who had
corral to fetch their ponies. Ina few minutes they
‘fl‘fid‘m with" "'“W "M
w were com
houroftheni ht. Likeal! tiewinter
one was guarded. Numerous
placed at diaerent points, who, recognising the

“They will do it. I have now to speak to my bro- _

rum and chichikoue, -

t made no replymndfellback in.

 

rr-A,

three boa-semen, allowed them to pass appwsn‘ny

unno .

After leaving the village, Black-deer, who rad:- in
front, made a sharp turn to the right, and, the nurse-
men almost immediately disappeared -in a think
cha ml. The ht was in uiflcent, the sky
stu ded with a pro usion of g stoning stars! the
moon shed a pale. and soft li ht. which, owing to the
purityof the atmosphere, owed objects to_ be dis
ti uished for a great distance.

ack‘deer advanced to the edge of the covert,
and raising his fingers to his. lips, imitated the cry
of the raven thrice. A few minutes after the cry
of the blue-jay was heard. Black—deer repeated his
signal. This time the note of the sparrow-hawk was
ngled with that of the jay. The-Indian started,
and ooked in the direction where his friends were
concealed.

“ Is- my brother ready?" he said.

“I am,!’ Loyal Heart simply answered. .

Almost immediately four riders could be seen
lea the Village at a gallo , and advancing rapidly
tower the. spot where t e chief stood motion-
less. The rider who galloped at the head of the
band was'a woman: she made her horse gallop. in a
straight hne, clearing all the obstacles that were in
its way. The three other ri ers were about a bow-
shot behind her. This race had sometbi fantastic
about it in the night, amidst this scenery.
Bounding Fawn, for it was she, fe fainting into
Black-deer’s arms. '

“Here I am! here I am!"- she cried in a joyous
voice, choked, however, b emotion.

The Indian pressed her ovingiy 00 his wide chest,
and liftin her from the ground lea d onto his
horse, dug is spurs, and started at t' speed in the
direction of the desert. At the same moment, the
horsemen airived, uttering yells of an er and
brandishing their weapons; but they foun before
them the two hunters, who resolutely barred their

passage;

“Stay, Blackbird!” Loyal Heart shouted: “your
daughter belongs to my brother. Black-decries
great chief, his calli is lined with . seal he is rich
in horses, arms and furs: Bounding awn will be
the Icihuall 'of a great brave, whose medicine is
powerful.”

“Does Black-deer mean, then. to carry off my
dau hteri" Blackbird asked. _

“ 9 does mean it, and we his friends Will defend
him. Your daughter pleases him,and he will have
her. In defiance of on. and all who may attempt
too it, he will ke heras his wife."

“ ahl" the Indian said. turnin to the horsemen
who accompanied him, “my brot ers have heard;
what do they say?“

“ We have heard,” the red-skins answered; “ we
saytbat Black-deer is truly a great chief, and since
he is gowerfui enough to seize the woman he loves
in spi of her father and relatives, he ought to keep

er

“ My brothers have spoken well," Loyal Heart re-
marked. “To-morrow I will come to Blarkbird’s
calli and pay him the purchase-money for the mai-
den. the chieT has robbed him of." -

i o-morrow I expect Loyal Heart
and his friend, the other pale~face warrior," Black-
bird said with a bow.

After these remarks the three Indian warriors re-
turned to the Villag closely followed by the two
hunters. AstorB deer he had buried himself
with his booty in the thickest part of the forest,
where no one attem ted to'disturh him. The pre-
liminaries of a manohe marriage had been
strictly carried out onboth aid”.

CHAPTER II.
was innaiaeit.

Wear the two hunters returned to the ranch,
 looked at Loyal Heart.
“ ell," he said to him, “and what areyou going

0 .

“ Well," the otltigrdreplied wiltfh aI smile, “thslsame
as you are geing o yonrse suppose, ee -
for it is close on twao'olock." But noticingfhe
Canadian‘s anxious air, he hurried added—‘ ar-
don, I forgot that flu have made a ng journey to
find me here, and t t proth you have important
matters to communicate tome. Wen! if you do
not feel too willrekindle the fire and lie-
ten to you; do not eel slee .”

Tranquil silentl shook his. end.

“lthank on or your loudness, my friend,“he
said; “ but gefer defernfitthe conversation till

twmomw, t as sleep. or our visit to Black-
bird, we will hold s paiaver."
“Beltso my friend,lwill not you: here is
your bed," he added, pointing to t e lie of furs.
“Itis rare.for me 0 have sog aonein the
desert," said Tran “11 ’

q .

The two men then lay down together, placed their
weapons within reach, and ere ion the calmness of
their breathi indicated that t ey were asleep.
Nothing distur their else and the night passed
quietly. A few moments be ore sunrise Loyal Heart
awoke; a feeble light was beginning to netrate
into the macho, through the windows, w ‘ch had
no sheltering or curtains. The hunter rose, and at
the moment when he was going to awake his com-
rade, the latter opened his eyes.

“ , ah!” Loyal Heart said, “you are a very
light sleeper.“

‘ It is an old hunter‘s habit, which I think I should
find it difficult to get rid 0!, unless I remained a
long time with you.‘ ' I

“- t prevents your doing so! Bush a deter-
migsmgdwcum cause great pleasure to my mother
an my . '

“ Do not form plans, my 1) i 10“ km" “3‘ '"h

hugéecall the present

“8 Wood-rangers we can mo-
mentourows,and it would madnessme
enter on the future. We will revert to this subkct;
but ngow’ye bavesoinething more important to at;

“We‘havo toperfomi the commission Block-deer
intimated to 1.1:;an you stillofa  to help me,”

“Then. toyoureoib getreadyto mount,
fidgfltfimflsbfllm _&rootlyatghdr

li. ,
ttmnm"mnqnilasswored. ,
'l'hetwomealeftthe house: no Eli-elite had de~

sertedhlshammock,andwasprobablyattendingto

“In.

 

i

-xx

...- “Lac .4—‘ «In

The White soalper.

’ 151

 

 

household duties. The Canadian went straight to
the calli occupied by his comrades. -

Day 'had by this time entirely broken: the cur-
tains'of the callis were raised one after the other,

and the Indian squaws were i)-‘i1’lnilinfi to emerge to tigety; My father must be one
i 6

go in qumt of the necessary wood an water for the
preparation of breakfast. Small parties of warriors
were oing off in different directions, some to in-
diilze n the pleasures of the chase, others to beat
the forest and be certain that there was no enemy’s
trail in the vicinity of the Village.

At the moment when the Canadian ssed in

front of the medicine-loci e, the sorcerer o the tribe
mine out of it. He hel in his hand a caiabash
filled with water, in which a bunch of wormwood
was dipged. The sorcerer ascended to the roof of
the me icine-lodge, and turned to the rising sun.
At the same instant the hachesto shouted three
different times in a. powerful voice, “The sunl the
sun! the sun 1"
p A warrior then came out of each calli, holding in
his hand. like the sorcerer a Calabash of water with
abunch of wormwood. The sorcerer began an in-
cantation by murmuring mysterious words which he
alone comprehended, and sprinkled the four cardi-
nal ouits With the wormwood, an operation imi-
tate exactly by the warriors. Then, at a signal
given by the sorcerer, all the men threw- the con-
tents of the calabash toward the sun.

Tranquil, who was perfectly conversant with In-
dian customs, had stop ed and waited. in a respect-
ful attitude the end 0 the ceremony. When the
sorcerer h disc. peered in the medicinevlodgc the
hunter resumed walk. The inhabitants o the
village already regardeng as one of themselves;
the woman saluted 'ni With a smile and a

leasant word as he passed and the children ran up

ughing to bid him good- ay. When Trantfluil en-
tered the calli his comrades were still asleep, ut he
soon roused them.

“Hillth” John Davis said, iood-humoredly,
“you are very early, old hunter. re we going to
make an ex edition?" .

“.Not t _t know of, for the present, at any rate,”
the Canadian answered; “ we are merely oing to
accompany Loyal Heart, while he accomp as a
ceremon ."

" Wha is up, then?" _

‘“-.The marriage of our friend Black-deer. I my
posed it to be ood policy not to refuse ourai ,
especially as you ve an interest in getting into the

cod of the In ns.’
8 “I should think so. But tell me, have you con-
sultedwith our friends on the matter that brings me
ere ‘ »
“Not et; various reasons urged me to wait for a
favorab e moment." .
“ As you please; but you know the matteris press

‘I know it, and you can trust to me.”

“Ohl I leave on to act entirelyas you please.
What are we to 0 now?" . - -

“Nothing but mount our horses and wait till
Loyal Heart comes to fetch us. he Ihas under-

1 taken the management of the ceremo

ny.

"lllliledllgtlhefi is not very difficult," the American said,

a .

wfi an igstant the hunters were up, performed
their sbluticns, and saddled their horses. They
had scarce mounted, ere a great name of hells
drums, and chichikoues, mingled with shouts of
oy, shots, and the sharp barking of all the do s in

he village, announced he arrival of Loyal cart.

The youn chief advanced at the head of W—
sion of In warriors, dressed in their in mg-
nificent costumes, armed and for war, and
mounted on superb mustangs, which they caused to
curvet with marks 0 the most lively delight. The
procession halted ore th calll

“W " Loyal Heart “are you ready?"

“ We are waiting for you." all answered.

‘.‘ Come on, then."

The five hunters placed themselves the side of
once move.

their friend, and the rocession eta
The’lndians saw th a feeling of assure the
s e hunters join them; the part ya E
and ull took in the 06me caused. them
great oy, and his lred them wi considerable
gld provmg' - 0 them that their pale-face
'eifds, far from espisin their customs or displa -
as an indifference towar them, took an interest
ecsremo .
al He?" proceeded straight to Blackbird‘s
calli. in front of which a fire had been lighted, and
the chief's famil were seated silent and motionless
around it. Blac -bii-d, dressed inhis war-paint, and
mounted on his battle-charger, rode at the head of
some twenty warriors of histamiiy. At the moment
when the procession reached the great square, a
solitary horseman, with a ha hty demeanor, was
crossin it, and proceeded to t e council-lodge. It
was B e-fox. At the sight of the recession.
a smile of undeflnable meaniigaplay round his
lips, and be halted to let the mancho warriors
pass. Tranquil whis red to Loyal Heart-
“Bconfiourgimm ta!“ manéiffananloet
a re an -
meditates somfireache only p,

“ That is in nation toco'hthe hunter re lied“ “ that
gloomyface orebodes nothing good' b the council I
arewarned, and watch him c osel ."’

“I have knownhim fora long time, he is a. tho-

villain. I would not let in out of my sight,
your 6. But we have reached our
destination, so le us attend toour own business."
cart. ised is W;lttg§th§gngl the
ants. which bekl -
. as p 6 most discord“

sounds, was silent as if b enchantmen ‘
n then seized their watzwhistles, andt‘ T“ w”

an and prolonged note thrice. A '
‘ was imm tely given by Blackbird’s y, When
onhalted. avwantspace twen mg
was t between the two bands, and Loy £5."
nnd'l‘ranquil advancedal intotiflsspacamudng
d

 

one
their horses prance  tliei ‘

amid thafloms shouts ‘of the crow , wmlchwm
twofl 012:8 comragggdhen left ' a “

, was t l - . r 3
hat my father is a great chief,“ he said;

i

l

I
“ his head is covered
the band of the old
ainted on his broad chest' the wolf-tails fastened
0 his heels make a hole in t e ound, so y are
the reatest vcs
Antelope Comanches: he will lus his name.

the sacred feathered cap of

0

. that I may remember it as that of a chief of renown

 

w
H t
wearers”?- in: m...
$21.1”! manna w c ’
.00

in the council, and brave and terrible in combat."

The chief smiled proudly at this point-blank
Compgllleut; he bowed with dignity, and an-
swere —

“ My son is young, and get wisdom dwells in him;

his arm is strong in fig , and his tongue is not
forked; his renown has reached me; my brothers
call him Loyal Heart. Blackbird is he py to see
him. What motive brings Loyal Hear to Black-
bird with so large a y, when the heart of the
chief is sad and a cloud has spread over his mind?"

“ I know, ' Loyal Heart answered, “that the chief
is sad, and am aware of the motivgof his grief. I
have come with the braves who accompailily me to

e

restore tranquillit to the mind of the c f, and
cbawhissorrow tc oy.“ .
“ yson Loyal Hes. will then explainhimself;

he knows that a man of heart never plays with the
grief of an aged man."

“ I knowit and will e lain myself without further
delay. M father is ric i, the Wacondah has always
regarded iim with a farci'able eye; his family is

I numerous, his sonsare already brave warriors, his

daughters are virtuous and lovely; one of them, the
fairest, erhaps, but certainly the one most beloved,
was vi ently carried off last ni ht by Blaclodeer."

“ Yes," the chief answered, ‘ a Comanche .wai'rlor
bore away in daughtcriBonnding ann, and fled
with herinto be forest."

“ That warrior is Black-deer."

“ Blackrdeel' is one of the most celebrated warriors
and wisest chiefs of my nation. My heart leaped to-
ward him. Why‘did he carry off my child?"

“ Because Black—deer loves Bounding Fawn; a
great brave has the right to take anywhere the wife
who pleases him if he is rich enough .to ay her
father for her. l§lackbird cannot object to t at."

“ If such be Black-dcer‘s intention, if he offer me
a ransom such as a warrior like him 0 ht to pay to
a chief like myself, I will allow that he as acted in
an honorable way. and that his intentions were pure:
if not, I shall be an enemy to him, because he will
gave betrayed my confidence and deceived my

0 >es.

‘lBlack-deer must not hastily judge his friend; I
am ordered by Black-deer to a for Bounding
Fawn such a ransom as few chie ve ever before
received.” . .

“What is the ransomf where is itf".

“The warriors who accom me have brought
it with them; but, before de ve ng it to my father,
I will remark that he has not invited me to sit down
by his ilre,‘or onered me the caiumet." ,

“ My son will sit down by my fire. and I will share
the cnlumet with him when the missionheis intrust-
ed with is finished. . ‘

fl ‘(‘ll3'e it so; my father shall be immediately satis-
(1 .' -

Loyal Heart turn to the warriors, who during
the. conversation, wh ch was sternly demanded by
the laws of Indian etiquette, had stood silent and
motionless, raised his hand. At once several horse
iiien left the procession and pranced up to him,
brandishing their weapons.

‘fl The ransom l" he more said.

“ One moment," Blackbl objected; “ of what does
the ransom consist f"

“ You shall " ‘ial Heart replied.

“I know that, ut ould prefer being informed
beforehand.“

Loyal Heart was perfectly uainted with his
man, and hence was not much ected by his de-
manto d; hgcililierely ordered the bearers of the ransom

appro .
‘ This ransOmhadbeen reparedforalongperiod by
Black-deer, and was rea ly magnificent' i consisted
,of four mares in foal, four others which had never

bred.athree-earo 'charger,am wit
legs and the 1 eye, four muske , each with
twelve charges wder; and four white female

bu‘legg-mdfgk a‘ coor very rare, and greatly es-

in countri.‘ As the several articles were
presented to the old c of. his esdilated under the

93'
ed with a wild luster.

nfluence of joy, and
presents had WV“ and laced
edinte

to
Whenailthe

by him under the im of his tives
and friends, Loyal Heart spoke again.
“ Is my father satisfied ?‘ he asked him.
" Wall!" the old chief shouted with de ht. “My
son, Black-deer is a great brave' he d right to
ing Fawn, for she roan his "

canalofl' Bound y .
“ ill my father bearwitness to that?" the hunter
prfis'iéie.‘1 m' t ~ tb chief red
is very momen ,‘ e answe er .
“ and before all the warriors here present."  1y
Int my father do so, then, that all may know
that Blackdeer is no false-iohgued thief; and when
6 that Bounding Fawn is his uswxno one
will have the right to say that it is not .‘
I will do so," thkblrd answered.
1 my father Wi i follow us.“
all will folio]:v you."
t n placed himself at the ht of Loyal
Heart; the band of warriors who accolizlgpanied him
joined the procession, and all p‘ ed toward the
ark of the first man, at the foot of which the
bachesto was stand_ lag, holding in his hand the
totem of the tribe. e sorcerer was stcn in
frglllat of the totem, having on either side of him we
so ems. 

“ What do you want here i" the sorcerer asked
Loyal Heart, when the latter halted about two yards
from him with the processio . '

“‘We demand in ‘1 thg‘hunter re ed.

“Speaki we will give you that in. whatever
the consequences may be, the sorcerer said. .

“We shall only have to remit of one thing and
that is not having appeared oreyou earlier.” ‘

“ more 0 ' . . r '

“ a wish the Justice shouldbe donate. w".
rlor, whgse reputation attempts have been made to

U

2: oisthe‘warriori"
r. ’ i

“ his medicine 2“ '

“Hismedicin' elsgoodgood."

“ II he a brave?”

ogs; numerous exploits are .

 

“ He is a great brave.”

“ What has he done?"

“Last n ht he carried on Bounding Favi'n, the
de hter o Blackbird here present."

“ i has he aid a fine ransom?"

“Let Blackbird imself answer

“Yes,"tlie old chief here sai , “I will answer.
Black-deer is a great warrior, he has paid a noble
ransom." . '

"in that case,“ said the sorcerer, “my son is
satisfied?"

” I am satisfied." '

There was a momentary silence. during which
the sorcerer consulted in a whisper with the sachems
who acted as 888885013. At length he. 8 Re ain:

“ Black-deer is a great warrior,“ he s d, in a ud
voice. “I, the medicine-man, standln beneath the
totem of the tribe, declare that he as employed
the right all renowned warriors possess of seizing
their propert wherever the may find it. From
this moment unding Fawn is the squaw of Black
dear, to prepare his food, clean his weapons, carry
his burdens, and take care of his war-Chamois, and
whoever says the contiary 5 hits falsely: .Black—
door has the right to convey iuidini; Fawn to his
Chili, and no one can prevent it: he is empowered,
if she deceive him, to cut oif her nose and rats.
Blackbird will give two female buffalo-hides, to be
hung ii? in the great medians-lodge.” .

At t s final clause, known beforehand, however,
for everything is strictly revulated by the code of
oil uette, in the matter 0? marriage, Blackbird
ma e afrlghtful rimacc. It seemed to him hard to
part with two of r c hides he had received but a few
moments previously. But Loyal Heart came to his
assistance and into osed in a way that brought
the smile back to his ps.

“Black—deer," he said, in a loud voice. “loves
Bounding Fawn, and will only owe l or to himeelf—
he alone Will pay the tribute to the Wacondah; not
two but four buffalo-hides will be given to the
nu- iciiie-lodge.“ .

He made a sign, and a warrior advanced, bearing
the hides across his horse‘s neck. Loyal Hearttoo
them and offered them to the sorcerer.

“ My father will receive these skins," he said; “he
will make such use of them as will be most agree-
able to the Master of Life.“

At unexpected generosity, the audience
burst into shouts of frenzied joy. I The shell
drums. and chichekoues reconmenced their interns
noise, and the recession set ut again for Black-
bird's calll.~ W en the process on reached the mill,
he said, in aloud voice— .

“My brothers and friends, deign to honor Will:

our presence the marriage banquet, and Inhall be
iappy to see you take part in it. M son, Black’
deer, will come I feel convinced, to 5%.. the feast
that family appearance which it o h to have."

He had scarce uttered the w when a great
noise was heard. The crowd viola . and
in the space left free a horscman appeareg, gallop-
ing at full speed; he held a .woman on his one
neck with one band, while with the other he led a
filly. At the sight of the horseman, the shouts and
sBppiause were redoubled, for everybody recognized

tick-deer. 0n reaching the calli. he leaped o the

ound without a syllable; then he drewhis 

iig-knife and buried it in the neck of the filly. T e
poor brute gave a alntive whining, trembled
violently‘and sunk to e  The chief then
turned it on its back, ripped o n its chat, and
tearin out the still guivering out he touched
Bnund g Fawn’s fore cad with it, while shouting
into. voice loud enoughito be heard by all the spec-
s cm:

h “This is my squaw; woe to the man who touches

er

" I am his," the young wife then said.

The official ceremony was over. Black-deer. Ind
Bounding Fawn were married according to the rites
of Comanche law. dismounted and the mu-
riage feast began. e white in who were not
veiy eagerto eat their portio of t lndlan meal,
composedin at measure def boiled milk, an
horse‘s flesh, ad drawn on one s (is and tried to‘ Eb-
cnpe unnoticed. Unfortunately Blackbird and Black»,
deer saw mama and cut of! their retreat; they

were com ii to sit down to the banquet.
Tranq Loyal Heart and their comrade! made
up their ds to the Worst, and ate, or pretended to

eat, within an appetite as the restof the
nests. The repast was rolonged until late in Ihe
( ny' for, though the menches do not drink
Bhll’lts, and have not to fear intoxication, still, like
a Indians, they ale cxtrnouiinarily voracious, and
eat till they can swallow no more. .
At the moment when Loyal Heart andx'rranquil
rose to retire, Black-deer approached thrm.
“Where are my brothers going!" e asked.
“To my calli " Loyal re .- ,
,“Goodl Blaclr-dcer wil in em there soon; he
to speak with his brot ers on serious matters.”
“ Let my brother remain with his friends. to—mor-
row will be time enough.“
The chief frowned. ‘
The hunter, struck by the chief‘s anxious air,

, . /

‘ looked at him with alar

in. ~
What is the mattei P" be asked him. .

“ Hy brother will know in an hour."

" Very good, chief: I will await you in my calii."

“ Black-deer will come there."

The chief then withdrew, lag’ing his finger on his

lip. and the hunters went of! cap in thought.
CHAPTER I. '
muss ro urn. , ,
hooters " do dens rat

I 0. V will
member that the terribie'combatlm the deck of the
brig, bout? Trancgiil and the Scalperq W“ 003"
tinnedin_ semin which theferociousold man
had been hurled h the negro who followed him. '
Qimiambad ted the Canadinnofthedmthofhis

chem ; thenogro acted in good android] be-
ge . he had killed  Thehlag‘m r-st‘sb enlt

niam was u deep man a chest-
tlscmlper immediately w 08: his eyes.

c nerves relaxed broken . 8
lost hold of his mom, to V be hi rtoi

. remained an inert mass, tossed i.t tl. '
mercy of the waves.

.12

The negro, exhausted with fatigue and half suffo-
cated, hastened back to the deck of the vessel, cer-
tain that his enemy was ; but it was not so. The
Scalper had merely lost his senses, and his inanimate
body was picked u by a Mexican'boat. But, when
this boat reached t e shore, the crew, on seeing the
horrible wounds which covered the stranger‘s body,
his pallor and co se-iike immobility, had, in their
turn, fancied him end and takin no further trouble
about him, threw him back intot e sea. Fortunate-
] for the Scalper, the boat was close to land, so
that his body supported by the waves, was deposit-
ed on the san the lower part remaining submerged,
while the head and chest were left dry y the retire-
ment of the waves.

The fresh night air, together with the oscillating
movement the sea imparted to the lower part of his
body, caused the old man to give a slight start an
hour after; a sigh heaved his powerful chest, and an
attempt to change his position clearly showed that
his vigorous organization was struggling energeti-
cally ainst death. At length the wounded man
opened eyes, but rofound gloom still enveloped
in m. On the other and, the fatigue produced by
the gigantic strng le he had sustained, and the rent
quantity of blo which had escaped throng his
wounds, caused him a general weakness so great,
both morally and physically, that it was impossible
for the Scalper to find out where he was, or to re-
;rlilember the circumstances which had brought him

ere.

ln vain he tried to move a few yards from the sea
at the edge of which he was lying, and which woul
infalliny swallow him up if his weakness overcame
his will and betrayed his cour e.

The sl' htest movement thougcalper attempted oc-
casioned m unheard of sufferings, not onl through
the numerous wounds, whose lips were led with
sand and gravel, but also because he saw that all his
efforts would lead to no result, and that. unless a
miracle happene he was infalliny lost.

That miracle, w ich the wretch did not hope for,
Providence, whose wa s are impenetrable, was pre-
pari to perform at e moment when the wounded
man, strength and energy exhausted, was fallin
back con uercd on the beach resolved to aw t
coldly tha death which he coul not avoid.

T e Texans had scattered along the beach several
parties of freebooters, who were to watch the
movements of the Mexican cruisers. These parties
were all within hail of each other, and able to as-
semble at a given point with extreme rapidity.
When the Seal r’s body was a aln thrown into the
sea it touche shore not far mm a rather lar e
rancho standing close to the bca'h, and in which t e
most lnfluentia chiefs of the Texan army were this
night assembled. Naturally the approaches to the
rancho were carefully guarded, and numerous
patrols marched around it in order to insure the
safety of the chiefs. '

One of these patrols had seen the Mexican boats
land, and hurried u to drive them off, which they
easily effected. Wgen the boats got out to sea the
Texans began carefull examining the beach but
only found the wounde man. The first to discover
the Scalper's y summoned his comrades, and
soon the wounded man had many around him. At
first they fancied him dead; the Scalper heard all
that was said but was unable to make a move or
utter a word’. He felt terribly alarmed. It was
when a freebooter, after bending over and care
examining him, rose with the careless remark:

“ The man is dead; we have nothing to do but dig
ahole in the sand and put him in it, so that the
coyotes and vultures can not devour his corpse.
Some of you go and fetch the largest stones you can
find while we dig a hole here with our machetes."

At this sentence, pronounced in a perfectly calm
and careless voice, as if it were the simplest and
most natural thinan the world, the Scalper felt a
cold perspiration -ading at the root of his hair, and
a shudder of terror ran over his body. He made a
tremendous effort to s ak or shriek but it was in
vain. He was in tha almost catale tic state in
which although the intellect retains it] its lucidity,
the body isnn inert and insensible mass which no
longer obeys.

“ Stay,“ said another adventurer interposing, and
checking by a sign those who were preparing to
pick up the stones; “ let us not‘be in such a hurry.

his poor wretch is made after God’s own image;
altho h be is in a pitiable state, a breath of life
may st be left in him. We shall still be in a osi-
tion tobury him if we find that he is really end;
but first let us assure ourselves that any assistance
is in vain."

“Nonsen " the first speaker continued; “Fray
Antonio in ways like that; were we to listen to
him all the dead would only be wounded. and he
we (1 make us lose precious time in given themusc-
less care. However, as there is noth g to hurry us
at this moment, I ask no better than to try and
bri this man round, although he appears to me as
dea as a fellow can well be.‘

“No matter," Fray Antonio answered, “let us
try. at any rate."

“ Very good," said the other with a shrug of the
shoulders.

“ And first let us remove him from here. When he
is perlectl dry, and runs no further risk of being
goalies o by he waves, we will see what we have

o o.

.The wounded man was fmmediatgg picked up by
four freebooters and gently can-i some twenty
girds of! to a div 3 t. The wort monk then lpro-

oedalargecaseggttleofrnm, w ichheuncor ed,
and after explaining his duty to each, that is to say,
after orde that the temples, wrists and pit of In
stomach shou d be vigorously rubbed ,with rum he
bent overhhn. “domain, in. ws, which were nigh:
asavise,withthe so his ,he uredinto
his month an ho quartan of rum. e effect of
this double tribune-it wan not long deli: ad. I]: a
few seconds the wounded man gave a lit
Ezra-Jeth eyes hotly, andgave venttos hofw

 a," said Fray Antonio, with a laugh; “what
mg" I fmcy your

“On in word‘hi‘t true," I other answered, with
85:11? ‘ we t is a man who can flatter himself
w having Mil unwed into hid body: by
Bacchus! if he recover, which I do not yet my, be
can say that he has made a {zealously long low-hey."

The White Scalper.

In the mean time the friction was continued with
the same vigor; the circulatirn of the blood was
rapidly re-established; the Scalper’s eyes became
less haggard, his features were relaxed, and an ex-
pression of comfort spread over his countenance.

“ Do you feel better?“ the monk asked him, kindl .

“ Yes," he answered in a weak, though perfect y
_ distinct voice.

“All the better. With the help of Heaven we will
get you out of the scrape."

By a singular accident the monk had not yet re-
cognized the man to whom he had himself owed his
life a few months reviously. The wounds were
carefully washed wit rum and water, and cleared
from the sand and grain»! adhering to them: they
were then poulticed with pounded oregano leaves an
extremely effective remedy for wounds, and then
carefully tied up. ,

“There,” the monk continued with an air of satis-
faction, “that is finished. I will now have you car-
ried to a s at where you will be much better able
than here enjoy that repose which is indispensa-
ble for you after so rude a shoe .“

“ Do what you please with me,” the wounded man
answered wi h an effort' “I owe you too much to
offer the slightest objec on."

“The more so," Ruperto answered with a laugh
” because it would be perfectly useless; the reveren
father has undertaken our cure, and, whether you
like it or no you must allow his rescrlptions."

Atasign from Fra Antonie our powerful men
raised the patient in t eir arms and carried him into
the rancho. It was he whom Colonel Melendeqrhad
seen go in, when, led b chance to the same rancho
he had for some minu cs listened to and surve e
what was going on inside. The rancho belonget to
a rich Texan haciendero, a devoted partisan of the
revolution and who was deli hted to place at the
disposal o the chiefs a retrea which he had hunt in
ha ier times for a. summer villa. This house,
wh e agreean situated and s acious, was abund-
antly rovid not onl wit everything indis-
pensab e for existence. ut also with those thou-
sand trifies and luxuries which are conventionallK
called comfort, and which rich persons, throug
len hened habit, cannot do without.

T e chiefs were at first rather annoyed at the free
and easy way in which Fray Antonio, without giv-
ing them notice, had incumbered them wit a
wounded stran r. But when they saw in what a

itiable state he poor fellow was, they made no
urther objection, but allowed the monk to install
him where he thou ht best. Fray Antonio did not
allow the permis on to be repeated. Aided by
the master of the rancho, he transported the
wounded man to a spacious and airy room, whose
windows look out on the sea.

80 soon as the tient was laid in a bed expressly
made for him— or in these torrid climates the iii-
habitants are accustomed to sleep on mats, or at
the most in hammocks—the monk handed him a,
narcotic drink, which he swallowed. The effect
was almost immediate; afew minutes after he had
drank it, White ScalPer fell into a sound sleep. The
entire night passer without any incident; the
wounded man slept for eight hours at a stretch, and
when he awoke he felt fresh and cheerful.

Several (in s assed thus, during which Fray An-
tonio paid h in he closest attention. If, at the first
moment, the monk was unable to recognize the
White Scalper, it was notion ere he did so by day-
light; after carefully exami this man whose a
pearance had really something strange and remar -
able about it, his recollection returned, and he
recognized the hunter so greatly feared on the
prairie by the red-skins, and even by the whites,
and to whom himself owed his life under such sin-
gularcircumstances; hence, be was leased at the
op rtunity chance afforded him 0 repaying his
(leg: to this man. But, on the other hand, the
wounded man did not appear at all to remember
him, the monk kc t his disCOvery to himself, and con-’
tinned his‘attentions, without making the slightest
allusion which might cause the other to suspect,
that he was recognized. I

Things went on thus till the day of the battle of
Cerro Pardo. In the morning,as usual, Fray An-
tonio entered his patient‘s room, whose cure wrs
rapidly advancing. His wounds were also clcatrized,
and he felt his strength returning.

“My friend," said the monk to him, “ I have done
all for you I moral] could; you will do me the jus-
tice of saying that nursed on like a brother."

“I have only thanks to 0 er you,” the wounded
man said. stretching out his han .

“Much obliged,‘ said F‘ra Antonio, us he took
this hand; “to-div I have ba news for you.“

“ Bad news?" the other repeated in surprise.

"After all,“ the monk continued, “ the news may
be good. Ball. to deal frankly with you, I do not be-
lievc it; I nugur no good from what we are going to

0 y

“ I must confess that I do not at all understand
you so I should feel extremely obliged if you would
ex ain yourself more clearly. ’

‘That is true. Indeed, you cannot su. ect any-
thing. In two words, this is the affair: he army
has received orders to march forward this very
mornin .."

“ So air?" the wounded man asked.

“1 am, to in great re et.“ the monk said with a.
craft smile, ‘ com ell to leave you behind."

“ uni!" the to Scatter mLIterod in some

“ Unless,“ Fray tonic continued. “ as I dare not
hope we beat the exicaus, in which case you are
certain see me again."

The nt seemed to grow more and more rod>
less about the positionlnwhich her-an ariskofbeilg

"121d you come solely to tell me that!" he asked.
ice-trims remit“ a "
‘ 0 er mar y

m:tListen. I picked you up in a most deep-at.

o."

“Eitistruezlallow it.” “m At m

“ , some e , y n 0110 -
tinned, “t t you aged?“ wounds in grhung
against us, and, indeed, some of our men cclare
themselvm certain of the fact, I would not put faith
in their words. I know not why, but duos I have
been nursing you, I have grown to take an interest
in vou; I should not like the cure I have carried

 

lion hitherto so sumhilly, to break don. Tins is

One
_ their night bivouac on the

 

i

whatI propose: about one hundred miles from the
spot where we now are, there is an encampment of'
white men and half-breeds, over whom I s
considerable influence some time back. believe
that they have not yet quite forgotten me, and that.
any one joining them as from me,would meet with a.
kindly reception. Will you go there? it is a risk to
run

“ How could I perform this journey in my present
state of weakness and lprostrationi" '

“That need not tron is you. Four men, who tire
devoted to me, will conduct you to in old friends."

“Oh, if that be the case.’
eager] , “ lfgladly accept. If I perished on the road
I won d pre er that to remaining here alone."

"I trust that you will not perish, but reach your
destination all right. So that is agreed. You will

0...

“ With the greatest pleasure. When do we start!”

“ At once, there is not a moment to lose.“

“ Good! give the necessary orders 1 am ready."

“ i must warn you, however, that the men to whom
I am sending you, are slightly of a scampish nature,
and you must not assume any high moral tone with

rem. ’

“ What does it concern met if the were even pl—
rates of the prairies, believe me, I ould attach no
importance to the fact." ’

‘ Bravol I see that we understand each other, for
I believe these worthy gentlemen dabble a little in
all trades."

“ Good, good!" the Scalper gayly answered; “ do
not trouble yourself about tha ."

“In that case get ready to start: I shall return in
ten minutes at t e latest. ‘

With these words the monk left the room. The old
man, who had not many preparations to make, was
soon in a sition to take the road. As he had
stated, with ten minutes the monk returned, fol-
lowed by four men. Among them was Ruperto, who
it Will be remembered, adv sed to bury the wounds
man in the sand. The Scalper was still very weak,
and then able of either walking or sitting a horse.
The men had remedied thisas far as possible by
havin a litter prepared, carried by two mules, and
in which the wounded man could recline. This mode
of transport was very slow, and extreme incon-
venient, es ecially for the guides. in a coun ry such
as they ha to cross; but it was the only one practi-
cable at the moment, and so they must put up with
it. The wounded man was carried to the litter, and
laid on it as comfortably as was possible.

“And now," said the monk, “ may Heaven direct
you: do not feel at all alarmed Ruperto has my in-
structions, and I know him well enough to be con-
vinced that he will not depart from them, whatever
may happen. So you can trust to him. Good-by!"

And after iving the wounded man his hand, Fray
Antonio m e a movement to retire -

“One moment,” said the old man, as he held the
handfihe had taken; “1 wish to say but one word to

on.

“Speak, but be brief. I have the welghtiest rea-
sons for desiring your immediate dc nrture: 'in a.
few minutes some wounded men wil arrive here,
who have hitherto been kept in the fort, and whom
you would robably not be at till pleased to meet.”

“I fancy can understand to wh< ni {you allude;
but that is not the question. I wish he ore parting
with you, and not knowing whetherl shall ever see
you again to express to you the ratitude I feel for
your conduct toward me. a gist tude which is the
greater because I am convinced you have recognised
me. .

“And suppose I have?”

I‘You needed only to say one word to surrender
me to my most inveterate enemies; and yet you did
not utter that word."

“Certainly not; for even supposing, as you seem
to believe, that I have recognized you, I was only
dischar ing a debt I had incurred With you.”

The 0 d man‘s face writhcd: his eye beennie moist -
he warmly squeezed the monk’s hand, which he had
till now held in his own, and it was with much emo-
tion and tenderness that he added—

“Thanks. This kindness will not be lost: the
events of the last few do s have greatly mtdifled
my we of looking at certs 1: things; you shall never-
regret aving saved my life." I ‘ '

I‘hope so; but be gone, and may Heaven guard
on! ’

“We shall meet again."

“ Who knows?“ the monk muttered, as he gave the
guides n. signaL '

The latter flogged their mules, and the litter began
moving. About an hour after the start, it met a
covered cart. in which lag Tran nil, but they nsrcd
without seeing each 0 er. e monk' ha onl
spoken the truth about Ruperto. The worthy a( -
vonturer was most attentive‘to the sick man, carev
fully watching over him, and t ing to \\ hile away
the tedlum of the journey. luckily, the party
had to cross an essentia y grimltive count , in
which there were no roads. T e litter advance but
slowl , and with great difficulty, along the aLcmin-
able mats, and, despite the most minute precau»
“om, the wounded man ,enflered much from the
Jolting the mules gave‘  litter almost every
moment. ;’

Ruperto to fatigue the patient as little as possible,
only traveled by night, or very early in the morning.
en the sun lied acquind its full strength. They
marched thus for a fortnight, during which the
country grew wilder, and the ground gradually
ascended; the scenery became more abrupt and
stern, the virgin forests closed in, and they could-e0
that they were approacbin the mountains.

evening, when the] tie had established
hang: a rapid dream

that lowed into the mm, the Sc -r, who fit
spite of the privations and fatigue to I ch he ind
$30113th e since his dc 0111:3131“

e o f his sti-en End"! 5' '9 D
asked his gidde how many a a their journey woufii
still last, which as yet he he been unwilling to do
a?!“ :mfledceiing‘ of delicacy. At this question

Ru cunnmg ,

‘ Oirjourneyhasbeen finned for the last four
dayaz‘l‘lhe said.
“A” (gum Marthe Beaker, afiedflrfth;

o

“ The we are oi to see " the advrntmrer
went on,1330 0 not like £735.31“ v'l's'h‘s without bun
previously advised; surprises do not agree wi

the Sea per exclaimed ’

~"‘

 

them. In order to avoid any misunderstanding,
which is always to be regretted between old-friends,
I emgiloyed the only means in my power."

“ nd what is it? ‘

“ Oh, it is very sim e. Just look at our camp—do
'fiople guard thems ves in this way on the desert?
‘ stead of being at the to of a hill. we are at the
watering-place of the _wil beasts; the smoke from
our lire, instead of being concealed, is, on‘the con-
‘trarzfi visible for a great distance. Do all these acts
of t“ pgndence, committed purposely, teach you
no “3 n

“ Ah, ah," the old man said, “then you wish your
friends to en rise us?" '

“Quite rth . In that wa the race tion will be
effected wifhout striking a low. ‘An stay! if I am
not mistaken, we are about to receive Visitors."

At this moment the branches of a neighboringi
thicket were roughly parted, and several men rushe
into the camp, with he machete in one hand, the
ride in the other.

 

CHAPTER XI.
'rrm rmuas or run FRAMES.

Tn White Scalper gave an imperceptible start at
the unexpected appearance of the strangers; but he
had sufficient wer over himself to reserve that
coolness and s oicism which the red-s s and wood-
rangers make a- point of honor, 'He did‘iiot alter
the careless attitude he was in, and though he ap-
peared to look at the new-comers absently, be, how-
ever, examined them attentive y.

Th were at least twenty in number, for they had
'riseneK-om all sides at once, and in a twinkling sur-
rounded the travelers. These men, mostly clad in
the trapper's hunting—shirt and foxskin cap, had a
* orous appearance and ferocious look, not at all

ptcd to inspire confidence; momover,‘ they were
armed to the teeth with rifle, machete, scalping-knlfe
and tomahawk.’ ‘

The man who appeared to be theirchief was at the
most thirt dive years of age, tail and well-built; his
wide fore ead, black eyes, Grecian nose and large
mouth made up a face pleasing at the first glance,
though on examining it more closely you soon pet‘-
ceived that a sardonic smile constantly round
histhin and his lips. Thick black cur ell on his
shoulders an mixed with a large beard. which the
fa ofa wanderin and adventurous life were

to silver in . >
be four Texan adventurers had” not made a
move; the chief of the strangers looked at them for
.a moment with his hands crossed on his rifle-barrel,
the butt of which rested on the ground. At is
by a movement that was familiar to him he throw
back his curls, and addressed Ruperto—

“ Hello, gossip," he said, “ you here? what has
brought you into our parts? ' ~ -

“ A wish to see you, gossip," the other answered,
ashe carelessly struck a hght for the cigarette he
had ust- finished rolhng.

“ onsense! only that?" the stranger continued.

“ What other motive could I have, Master San-
dova l” '

“ Who knows?" the other said with a shake of his
head; “life has such strange chances." ' _ '

“This time you are mistaken. othing disagree-
able forces me to pay ou a visit.”

“That is more an more extraordinary. Then,
you have come on your own accord?”

“ i do not say that, for in visit necessarily has a
motive. Still, it is not at a of the nature you sup-
POSP- .

“Canaries! I am glad to see that I am not so far
from the truth as it appeared at first."

“ All the better!"

“But why did you not come straight to our on-
campment if you were seeking us, as you say?"

Ru rto urst into a laugh.

“ at would have been a fine idea, to be wel-
comed with a shower of slugs! No, I think- I acted
mivw‘fie‘y if I have", t lit in... da "

“ e ave een on your ra or e .

“ Why did you not show yourself sooner ’

“I was not quite certain it was you.“ I

,“ Well, that is possible. Will you not sit down?"

“What for? now that We have metal hope you
will come to our camp?" ,

“ I did not like to propose it; you see We .are not
alone but have a stranger With us." 8 r r

“ What matter, if you answer for him? r

“With my life." _ ,

“ Well, then, the friends of our friends are ours,
and have a claim to our-attention."

“'1 thank you,caballero," the Seal per lied with
show; “I trust you will have no came repent
having offered me hospitality." I

' “ The company in w lab I find you is an excellent
guarantee to me, senor," the adventurer continued
with a courteous smile. . ,,
“ Do you li‘lgjend to lead us to your camp tO-mshtl

as ' ‘

' , not! 'we are not more than fifteen miles
from it atthe most."
“That is true; but! this caballero is wounded, ind

I

> so long a distance after a fatiguing day—"

"‘Oh, I feel very weil,»I assure you. My: strength
has almost entirely returned; I even be 'eve that.
322321 my?" “mu " iii?“ 3“ a 110""1

one curse out
 We“... .2 ° w”  m
so‘ we 5 w nev ' ,"

“ ht." said Sandoval; “I :ihyggmake to
lead you fly a road which will shorten your distance
one W.

Allbei thus arra d theho

1afresh, 231% they stall-131., The smawwsggdlgg
foot; the Scalper would not' enter the litter and
even insisted on it being left behind, declaring; that
he did not wantit, and outtin a ratherlo branch
so are W M
V B 81 6 W 0
give him ash glance 61:3 satisfin. Z 1:: manna”
sandov aswe ve wmt'c f
max: who had so suddenly filllen on the hivogictho;
m adventurers. men were pirates of the

es.

' Sandoval's handwas one of the’stmngegt
and organized in Upper Arkansas; his com.
aides, all the nfihfood for the ewe, formed the

m collection of ndits that could
beimaglned . 'IForslonc rlod Fra Auto '
taken part in its operationgeand derivzd msg#33323

by supplying the captain with information about the

 

The White Sealed.

is

 

passage of caravans, their strength, and the road
hey ntended to follow. Altho h the worthy
monk had given up this hmrdohs rafic; his con-
vm‘sion had not been of so old a date for the irates
to have completely forgotten the services had
rendered them; hence, when he was compelled to
abandon White Scalper he thought at once of his
old friends. This idea occurred to him the more
naturally, because White Scalper, owing to the mode
of life he had hitherto led in the desert, had in his
character some points of resemblance with the
pira 5, who, like him, were pitiless, and recognized
no 0 er law than their caprlce.

In the band of freelmoters the monk had organized
since his reformation were some men more beaten
than the others by the tempest of an adventurous
life. These men Fm Antonio had seen at work,
and set their full v ue upon them; but he kept
them near him through a species of inmitiaii. in
order to have t em under his hand if some day fate
desired that he should be compelled to have re-
course to a heroic remedy to get out of a scrape.
Among these chosen comrades was Ruperto; hence
it was to him he intrusted the choice of three men
to escort the wounded man to the camp of Captain
Sandoval, in Upper Arkansas. We have seen that
the monk was not mistaken, and in what way
hRiuperto performed the commission confided to

in

It has frequently been said that honest men
always recognize each other at the first lance: but
the statement isfar truer when a pl to es.
The White Seal r and the pirate: chief he not
walked side by e ten minutes erethey .
each oth r, The captain admired asanamsteur,
and ally sea connoisseur, the athletic stature
of his new com on. His d features, which
seemed carved n granite, th were so firm and
marked, his black and sparkling e es, and even his
blunt sandals sharp mhode-gg am stir-acted and
srous sym y. ve mes proposed
to have him cari'ileld on the shoulders of two of his
most werfulcom sacross awkward ts; but
the 01 man, althou h his ill-close woun scaused
him extreme suffer g, and fsti e overpowered
him, constantly declined these kind 03ers, merely
replying that ph 'sical pain was nothing, and that
the man who cou d not con uer it b the strength of
his will ought to be despise as an o d‘ women.

There could be no re ly to such a peremptory
mode of reasoning, so raindoval merely contented
himself with nodding an assent and they continued
their march in silence. Night ad fallen. for some
time, but it was a b ‘ ht and star night, which
allowed them to march n safety, a have no fear
of losin their way. After three hours of a very
difficult ourne , the travelers at length reached the
crest of a high ill. ' ‘

“ We have arrived," Sandoval then said. as he
stopped under the pretext of resting a moment, but
in reality to give his companion, whom he saw to be
winded, though he made no complaint, an oppor-
tunit to draw breath. ‘

“ at, ari'ived?“ the Scalper said in an rise
looking round him, but not perceiving the slightest
Sign of an encaui merit. v '

In fact,’ the venturers found themselves on a
species of platform about fifteen hundred yards
long, entirely denuded of trees, save in the center,
where grew an immense aloe, more tlinnsixty fee.
in circumference, which looked like the king of the
desert, over which it soared. Sandoval allowed his
comrade to look around him for a moment, and then
said as‘he stretched out his arm to the giant tree——

“ We shall be obliged to enter by the chimney. But
once is not always, and on. will not feel offended at
it when I" tellyou that only do this to shorten our
Journe . .

“ You know that I did not at all understand you,”
the Scalper answered. ‘

“ suspected it," Sandoval said with a smile.
“ But come along3 and. on willrsoon know." .

The old man ow without mplyifi, and both
walked town the tree, followed by th comrades,
who were smi 'ng at the stranger‘s amazement. On
ancildng the foot of the mass Sandoval raised his

as

“Hallo!” he shouted, “are you there, Orsoni‘.’ ‘

“ Where should I be if I. was not?" a rough voice
answered, issul from the top of the tree. “ I was
obliged to wait or you herems you have taken it
#:1111140 your head to wander about the whole night

roug . ‘

The pirates burst into a laugh. -

“Alwa s amiable!” Sandoval continued; “:it is
astonis .ng how funny that. animal of an Orson
glwitiyis'is! Come, let down the ladder, you ugly

ru 9 -

“Ug brute, ugl brute!" the voice growled,
althoug its owner is ill remained invisible: “ this is
the way in which he thanks me.“

In the mean while a long-wooden ladder was let
down through the branches. Sandoval caught hold
gag, secured it, and then turned to the wounded

“ I Will go first to show you the way."

“Do so. ' the Seal rsaid resolute ‘ “butIsWear
thatfiIatlil'ili be ltlhe saggnd." 1’"

“ o"teca seidtu roun “
you are a Yankee?“ ’ m d‘ Why

“ What does it matter to you?” the other said

a; ,9 at all. Still, I am not sorry to know the

“Well, you know it. What next?"_

“Next? ‘ Sandoval ansWered with a laugh; “ you
win he amo country-men, that is all."

“It makes ttle difference to me." .

“ CaanS, and how do on was it concerns
me?" the fatal“?! said, at ling . and ascended.

The wo ed man followed m p for step. The
ladder was resting against a platform about two

ards in width, completely concealed in a mass of
nextrlcable foliage. Onthis platform stood the
giant to whom his chief had given the name of On-
son a name .which was exactlysuitsble, so rough
and' savage did ‘38 appear; ~ . V

“ Any news?" the captain asked, as he stepped on

the rotto. , ~
" fiche," the other answered laconically.
‘ “ Have all the detachments returned?”
“ All except you.” i
“ Are the Gazelle and the American girl in the
grotto?”

 

it They are." I .
“ That is well. When all the people havecome up
you will remove the ladder and clans."
d “ right, Carai, I suppose I ow what I have to
o."

Sandoval contented himself with shrugging his
shoulders. '

“ Come," he said to the Scalper, who was a silent
witness of this scene. >

They crossed the platform. The center of the tree
was entirely hollow, but it had not been rendered so
by human ncy: old age alone had converted the
heart of the rec into dust, while the k remained
green and vigorous. The pirates, who had for many

cars inhabited a very large rave that ran under the
hill, bad one day seen the earth Bgive wa at a cer-
tain spot in consegluence of 3 arm; t is was the
way in which the imney, as they called it, had
been discovered. ‘ v

The irates, like all plunderimz animals, are very
fond o havin several issues to their lairs- this new
one. supplied them by accident, caused them the
grestcgfleasin'e, because by the same occasion they
obtain an observatory, whence they could survey
an immense extent of count , which enabled 'them
to see any enemy who mlgh attempt to take them
b surprise. A-platform was formed at a certain
h ght to keep the bark intact; and b means of two
is ders, titted one inside and one oui s communica-
tion was established.

Sandoval, in his heart. enjoyed his guest’s
In fact, the pirate’s ingenious arrangement seemed
marvelous to White Seal r, who, foigcttlng his
stoicism, allowed his sin-p to be seen.

“Now,"hessld to him, poin to a secohd led-
der, which descended a consider 9 depth into the
gr‘ound, “ we will down." ' .

At your so , at yourserwe,"the‘stnn r
answered. “It is really admirable. Go up, I follgew
on." I . a »

They then began des cautiously owing '
the darkness, for the pm as sentry on e
Miriidogdbagoeghggthgu h orgtetrulness or mange,
no act 1 es,. no supposing, as e
sui‘Ei, that his com nions would return so late.
White Scalper alone ad-‘followed the pirates by the
strange road we have indicated. This road, very

. able for foot sen era, was, of course, com-‘
p etengmpractica efor orsemen; hence Ruperto
and three comrades quitted Sandoval at the foot
of the hill, and mak' a rather long detour, sought
the realentrance of e cave, with which all four
had long been uainted.

As the two men gradual] descended, the light in-
creased and they seemed be ante afurnaee.
On setting foot on the ground the damn;
his“: *" samurai win can“
0 rows e yp s,wo,grou soot
of the ladder, seemed totind
the arrival of their chief, and offer-ins himsgran
reception. The grotto was of an enormoussise; the
spot where 'Whlte Scalper found himself was a vast
hall, whence radiated several galleries of immense
length, and running in diametrically o posite direcg , .
dons. The scene that offered itself to e Scalper in
this hail, would have been worthy of Callet‘srgiencil. .
Here could be seen strange faces, extrao nary
costumes, impossible attitudes. allot which gave a‘
peculiar character to this multitude of bandits, who
were hailing their chief with shouts of joy, and
howls like those of wild beasts. , '

Captain Sandoval know too well» the sort of ople
he had to deal with, to be affected in any way y the
recegtion his bandits had improvised. for h In; in-
stea of u )pcariu towchcd by their enthusiasm, he
frowned, iew up is head, and looked menacineg
at the attentive crowd. ' , . v
' ".What is this, cabolleros?" he said; f‘howpomes
itthat you are all here waiting for me! Vim Bios .’
Some mistake must have occurred in the execution -
of in orders to make you collect so ly round
me. , ell, leave me, we will clear that uponanother.
occasion, for the present I wish‘to he alone: be—

one " . - . ' .
g The bandits, without replying, bowed to the chief,

and immediately withdrew, dispersing so promptly ‘ \. -

in the side galleries, that in less than five minutes

the ball was entirely deserted. At the same moment

Ruperto up d; be had left his com th

old comr eswho had undertaken to do them the

honors of the grotto. and now came to join the. man

who had been intrusted to his care. ‘ Sandoval '
offered his hand conhally to the adventurer, but it

was the cordialit .of a man who feels at

home, which the exan noticed. . »

“Hallo!” he said, “we are no longer on the
prairie, it strikes me." . ‘ .

" No," the captain answered. sari , and helaid
some stress on the words, “you are my houses
but," he added, with a pleasant smile, “tint must
not trouble you; you are my guests, sndwlll be
treated as you deserve to be."

hilnisell'  a,iln by t is cavalier mangle?

‘ noww re e 0e incheng

will find aremedy,” and heliumed to Orsg'n. whoal’.

this moment came down the ladder with his rough ‘

and savage face; “ beg White Gaselle tocomehither;

tell lg? particularly that Captain Sandoval wishes to ,

see r. ’ v ‘ -  .
The tglfiei.’ of“ the pirates smiled and offered his 

hand . i . . v 7
“Forgivglfie, Ruperto,” he said to him, “but you
know how I love that gig. .When I am a single . z -
without seeing her, I oythat Iwant soin . .~
“1:16:31 gwell‘ aware of firm
‘ a , ~ 8“-
swa-ed, witlra smile; “ hence, you sealant to re-

store on to' our righttemperldidnothesitatew

give rson ersto
avg-blond}: ‘8th b t ad. ,,
sceptain , u m enoanswerm _
"Come," the adventurer continued, yly, “slip .r'»
will come, so recover our'spirits. ha! it i. V‘
wouldbeafinethin or on to feel an longer '>
vexed about a child w o pro‘lmbly forgot to on
onyourretm'nbecauseshewasat play. Remain .,,
wears our sets, that we have the claims which
hospi ity vesus ahdthat you must.not,.under
an retextlookblackatm.’ - A 1'
‘ my friends," he answered, with a stifled
sigh, "you know not. you cannot know, how sweet
it s fora wretch like me, an outlaw, to be able to
say tohimself that there exists in the world ya

etch the only person you have '

i

an' honor lirvviiitingi 5 
l ' »_

good," Ruperto sai , who would. Iiotylet if 

 

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: 15 rack,
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creature who loves him for himself, and without

after-thought."
“ S " said quickly, as he laid his
hand on his arm, “ here she comes." -

CHAPTER m
IN THE CAVERN-

Ropsn'ro was not mistaken: at this moment the
most exquisite little creature imaginable \came
bounding like a fawn. It was a girl twelve years
of age at t e mos fresh._smiling, and beautifully
formed. Her long b him, her rosy-ii mouth,
with its pearly teeth, her- magnificent lack hair
floating in immense curls down to her knee, her
eccentric costume, more masculine than feminine,
all combined to give her a strange, fantastic a car-
ance; a striking contrast to the vulgar and hi eons
bandits who surrounded her. 80 soon as the girl

erceived the cagtain, a. flash of delight shot- from

er 3e, and wit one bound she was in his arms.

" , ’ he said, as he kissed her silken curls, and in
a voice which he tried in vain to soften, “ here you
are at last, my darling Gazelle; you have been long
in coming."

“ Father,” she answered, as she repaid his
cares“, and in a deliciously modulated voic “ I
was not aware of your return. It was late, I di not
hope to see you to-night, so I was about to sleep."

" Well, Nina," he said, as he put her on theground
again and gave her a final kiss, "‘you must not
remain hereany er. I have seen you. I have
kissed you, and my 5 ck of happinessls laid in till
io—morrovn Go and sleep. I do not Wish youtolose
your healthy cheeks." r ,

“ 0h," she said, with a little shake of her charming
head, “Inolonger feel inclined for slee ; I can re-
main a few minutes 13%;: “with you, fat 3.” h t

White Seal rgaz growmg as his men
on the admggble child. so

guy, so laughing so
loving, and who appeared so beloved. He could not
account for her presence union the pirates, or the
affection their captain testfled or her. -
0“ You love this child very clearly," he said, as he
(‘lrevfiheé'geutly toward him, and kissed her on the
ore ea . . . I
She looked at him with widely opened eyes, but
did not evince the slightest fear, or try to avoid his

caresses. - ,

“You'ssk if Ilove her,". the v pirate answered;
“that child h the joy and the. in of our house.
Do you think, then,‘ he adds , wit some bitterness,
“that because we are outlawed bandits we have
stifled every generous feeling in our hearts? Un-
decelve yourself. The jaguar and panther love thc ir
cubs, the grizzly bear cherishes its whelps- should
we be more ferociousthan these animals, which are
regarded as the most cruel in creation? Yes, yes,
we love our White Gazelle! She is our good genius,
ourguardian angel; so long as she remains among us
we succeed’in everything, for good fortune

accompanies er. -
“Oh, in that case, father,” she said eagerly, “you
will “always be fortunate, for I shall never leave
on.
y “Who can answer for the future?” he muttered in
a choking voice, while a cloud of sorrow spread over
his maul face

y .
“ You are a happy father,” the Scalper said, with
a profound h.
‘Yes, am 1 not? White Gazelle is not mine alone.
8‘"? it‘fii’i‘n‘i’h‘é‘clfh" “witifhmwm
‘ per ut ' an
more, and le his head drop sadly.
Go, child " doval exclaimed, “ go and sleep,
. for n tis dra on."

The child withdrew, after saluting the three men
with a soft lance and soon disappeared in the
depths of as gallery. The captain looked after
her so long as he could perceive her, then turning to
his guests who, like himself, had remain under
the 28311 0 this touching scene, he said:

“ low me, senores; it is growing late, u must
..', be hwrymnd need rest. The hos itahty I am
‘ each} "to otter you will be modest, ut frank and

cordial.

The two men bowed and followed him into a gal-

lery,on each side of which were cells inclosedby
large mats fastened to the walls in the shape of cur-
tains; at regular distances torches of coats wood,
fixed in iron rin , spread a reddish and smoky
light, sufldent, owever, to .guide them. After
traversing several es communicating with
each other and form ngaregidarlabyrinth, in which
any one else must inevitably have lost his way, the
captain stopped before a cell, and rai the cur-
tans that ormed the doorway, made com-
panions a sign to enter. Sandoval followed them,
and let the mt fall again behind him.
: l’l'lro cell into which the captain introduced his
guests was vast; the walls were rather lofty, and
allowed the air to penetrate through the inVisiblc
fissures, which rendered it pleasant, while wooden
partitions divided it into several chambers. A
£21.13“ W. ’. mhl"“$“eir°l“ “ “it” “i
rom eroo co in a ampo r ran
,oil, wfifch spread a brilliant light through tn:ng-
em. Unfortunately, the rest of the furniture did
notharmonizc With this princely specimen, but was
.very modest. It was owed of alarge table of
black oak, clumsily sha , six equipals, and two
butaccas, a sort of easychair With sloping back,
and which alone had any pretensions to comfort.
The walls w e decorated with antlers of elks and
bigho buglohorns, and grin! bear claws, the
spoils op of animals killed by
t eir chase on the desert.

The. only thing that attracted attention was 11
containing all the weapons used
the lance, arrow, and sagaie, up
to the sword, the machete, the double-barrel gun,
,aud the holster pistol. It was evident that the
I pirate had given orders for the reception of his

guests, for wooden plates, glasses and silver dishes

e pirates during

' V were arranged on the table among large pots of red

. I ., cans. .
 sidkyoloo

m , some watergnd others Fefiwilland
Mme, ose wo avori c vet-ages o g e exi.
r Orson, with his savage face and ordinary.
was ready to wait on the guests.
,_ senor-es,” Sandoval said gravely, as he
I drew up an aged and-sat down on it.

Th - wed his example, and each dmw-
ing hislrzufe from his belt,began agenersl and
,vigorous attack on.a magnificent venison pasty.

 

The White Scalper.

The a petite of the guests, sharpened by a long
dog‘s Fasting, neededauch a comforter.

eflrst moments of the meal were passed in si-
lence. But when the sharpest. hunger was ap used,
and, accordln to custom, the bottle circula , the
apparent co ass that had prevailed among the
company suddenly disappeared, and each began
conversin with his next neighbor; then the voices
were gradgually raised, and ere long everybody was
talking at the same time.

into anorgie two men alone had moderame ap-
plied themselves to thebottle' the were Sandoval
and White Scalper. The chiefY of. t e pirates while
exciting his guests to drink, was very careful to re-
tain his'sobnet and coolness. He examined With
someanxiety t e ' man whom chance had
given him as a guest; this gloomy face caused him
a feeling of discomfort for which he could not ac-
count. Still he did not dare gestion bun, for the
law of the desert prohibits e slightest inquiry
being made of a stranger, so long as he thinks
proper to maintain his incognito. ,
Fortunately for Sandoval, whose impatience and
curiosity momentarily increased, Ru erto had an
equal desire to explain the object of his visit to the
prairies. At the moment, therefore, when the
private conversations, growing more and more ani-
mated, had become general, and each seemed to be
trying which could shout the loude the Texan
smote the table several times loudly wit the 'pom-
mel of his dagger to demand silence. The shouts
stopped instantaneously, and all heads were turned
toward him. ‘ ~
m“What do you want, Ruperto?” Sandoval asked
in

“What do I want?” the other answered, whose
tongue was growing dull under the influence of the
numerous and ycopious droughts he had taken; “I

want to . , .
“Silence!” the ca in shouted in a. stentorian
voice; l‘now,‘go on, upertol no one will interrupt
you. even if you EEO}! till sunrise." A I
“Demoniosi’f t e exan said, with a laugh, “I
haying) pretense tlo abuse ysgiir patience so long."

‘ c as on case, go ; you are my guest,
and more n-pthat, an olfac aintance, which
1;.;ives”you the right to do wha ever you please

ere. ‘

“Thanks for. your gallantry, captain; I must, in
the first place, in my own name and in that of the

rsons who accompany me, otter you sincere thanks
gr your hospitality."

“ Go on, go on." the captain said, carelessly. ,

“No, n0' on the central-y, carambal a table so
well serve as lours is not to be found eve day on
the rairie. man must be as migrate as a
mon not to feel thankful." _

“Hallo!” the ca taiu said, laughingly, “did you
not tell me, when met you this evening, that you
were sent to me by Fray ntoniof” ,

“ I did, captain. ’

“A worth monk,” Sandoval observed; “he re-
minds one o the Rev. John Zimmers, a protestant
minister, who was hung about ten years back at
Baton Rouge, for bigamy. He was a very holy man!
I remember that at the foot of the gallows he made
the crowd an edlfying speech, which drew tears
from most of his hearers. But let us return to Fray

diiinwafli good health

s .
an I left him his health was excellent. Still t
is possible that he ma

dead ” be dangerouslyill att
moment or even .
“Ra (inde‘Dlosl you alarm me, gossip. Explain

o .
y “It is very simple: Texas, wearied with the in-
cessautl renewed exactions of Mexico, has revolted

to  ts liberty."
‘ Veryfigod; know it."
“You ow too. of course, that all the men of

talent have arrayed themselves beneath the tin of
inde ndence. Naturally Fray Antonio ra s
c rilla, and offered his services to the insurgents."

“That is very ingenious," the captain said, with a

smile. .
“Is, it not? Oh! Fray Antonio is aclever politi-

n.

“ Yes. yes, and proof of it is that at the an!
of the insurrection it often happened that he d no
know himself to which partials belonged.”

“ What would you have t“ perto said, carelessly,
“ it is so difficult to find one’s wayinageneral upset;
but now it is no longer the case.‘

“ Ah! it seems that he is fixed?"

" Com lately; he forms gin of the Army of Liber-
ation. ow, on the v y of my departure the
insurgents were mare g toward the Mexican
forces to ofler them battle. That is why I said to
you it was gossihle that Fray Antonio might be
seriously ind posed. and perhaps even dead.

“ I he that misfortune has not happened.“

“ An so do I. A few minutes before setting out,
Fray Antonio, who takes a great interest, as it
seems, in the wounded caballero who accompanies
me, not wishi to abandon him alone and helpless
in the power 0 the Mexicans, should the Liberating
Arntifii-nfortunately be conquered, ordered me- to
lead to you, for be felt certain you would take
great care of his friend and treat him well, in con-
sideration of old friendship

“ He did right to count on me; I will not deceive
his confidence. Caballero," he added. turningm the
old man, who during the whole of this conversation
had remained cold and apathetic, “ you know usvlay
this time, and are aware that we are pirates. e
offer you the hos itality of the desert, a frank and
unbounded hospi lity, and offer it without either
asking who you are or what you have done before
setting foot on our territory."

“ On what conditions do you offer me all these ad-
vantages?" the old man asked as he bowed, with
cold politeness, to the chief of the bandits.

“ On none, senor," he answered; “we ask nothing
of you, not even your name; we are proscribed an
banished men; hence, every Wm, whatever he
the motives that bi' him re, has a ht to a
place by our fire. An now," he added, as e seized
a bottle and poured out a bumper, "here is t ,
fortunate arrival among us senor! Pledge me

“ One moment, senor. llefore rep! ng to our
toastIhiivc,ifyouwill permit me,a eww to
say to you.”

‘We are listening to you, senor.”

 

During the repast which threatened to degenerate 5

Antonio‘ I hogs that no widest has happenedto ‘
d that e till lenjo '

 

The old man rose, drew himself up to his full

hlght, and looked silently atthe com y. A (lee
silence preyailed; suflerin from live anxiety, 9.
impatieutl waited for t e Seal er to 8 At
length he id so, while his face, w ich h hitherto

been cold and stern, was animated by an ex ression
of gegiltleness of which it would not have been bought
ca a e.

‘ Senores," he said, “your frankness challenges
mine; the generosity and grandeur of your reception
compels me to make myself known. When a man
comes to claim the support of men like yourselves,
he must keep nothing hidden from them. Yes, I am
proscribed) yes I am banished! but I am so by my
own will. I con (1 return to-morrow, if 1 pleased, to
the bosom of society, which has never re oiled me.
I make here neither allusions nor ap lica ans. I re—
main in the desert to accomplish a uty I have im-
posed on myself“ i ursue a vengeance an implaca-

le vengeance, w to nothing can completely sstiate,
not even the death of the last of my enemies! a ven—
geance which is only a wild dream, a horrible night-
mare, but which I pursue, and shall puisue, at all
hazards, until the supreme hour when, on the point
of giving my last Sig , I shall die with re ret at not.
havin sufficiently avenged myself. Sue is the ob
jecto In life, the cause which made me abandon
the life 0 civilized men to take 11 with that of wild
beasts—Vaccines! Now you ow what I am“
whin I tell you my name you will be well acquainted
wit me.” , ' . -

The old man‘s voice, at first calm and low, hadje.
com‘e' sonorous and harsh. Bis hearers, invplunta»

‘ overpowered by his impassioned accents, listened
wi h panting chests, and, as it were haggling on his
lips, to this stra e man, who, by reve ' g the se—

eret of his life, ad stirred up their hearts, and
caused the only nsitive fiber that still existed there
to Vibrate paiuf . For they, too, had but one ob—

ject left, a sole esire—vengeance on that society
which had expelled them like impure scum. . ' ,

When the Scalper had ceased sneaking, all rose as
if by common accord, and, leanm their quiverin .
hands on the table. bent. over_ hiign, awaiting, w'
feverish impatience, the revelaiion of his. name.
But, b a strange revolution, the wounded man
seeme to hare orgotten what was taking place
around him, and no longer to remember either whom
he was or what he had said. His head was hosted
on his chest; with his forehead resting on his. . ht
hand and his eyes fixed on the ground, be me in
vain to overcome the flcod of bitter recollections,
the ever-bleeding wound which in a moment of ex~
citement he had so im rudently revived.

Sandoval regarded

 

‘ im for a moment with an ex-
ressmn of sadness and pit , and laid his hand on
is shoulder. ' At this tune the old man, roughlE

recalled to a, feeling. of external thugs, drew himse

up as if he had received an electric ock, and gazed

wild round him. » .

“ at do you want with me?" he asked, in a.
hoarse voice.

“ To tell you your name," the pirate answered,
slowly.

“A l" he said, “then you know it?‘,'

“ Ten minutes back I was ignorant of it.”

“While now—Y" l‘i

“ Now I have guessed it. "

An ironical smile curled the old man‘s pale lips.

“Do you think so?” he said. -

“I am sure of it; there are not two men of your
stampm the desert; you are the genius of evil if
you are not White Seal ."

this name an elect c quiver traversed the limbs-
of the hearers. The old man raised his head haugh-

til .
XYes,” he said, in a sharp voice, “I am White
Sea! 1- ”

During this long conversation is. number of irates,
brou ht u either by idleness or curiosity,haden-
tere the hing-room one after the other. On hear-
ing this name uttered which they had been accus-
tomed so long to admire. on seeing at length this
man for whom the felt a secret terror, they burst

. into a formidable s out, which caused the roof to

tremble as if agitated by an earthquake. The White
Seal or made a signal to ask silence.

“ res," he said. “I am very grateful for the
friendlivhdemonstrations of which am the object.
Up to e resent Ihave refused every 3 of .1-
llauce; I o stlnately resolved to live he and so
com lish without hel the work of destruction to
whi I have devote to self. But, after what has

here, I must brea. the promise I made in »
self; he who receives is bound 0 give! Hencef h
I am one of yourselves. if you deem me worthy to!
form art of your cuadrilla."

At this raged the bum and shouts of A? were
redoublecPwi extreme frenzy. ,Sandoval wned;
he understood that his-precarious power was men.
need. But," too skillful and crafty to let the sea-at
fears that agitated him be be resolved to
outflank the difficult an regain, bfy a. master-
stroke, the power w h be fet inst actively was
sll. ing from his grasp. Raising the glass he held
in ls hand he shouted in a thundering voice:

“ Muchachos! I drink to White Seal 1'!"

“ To White Scalpel-i“ the bandits jomed ln,enthu—

sisstically- ‘

Sandoval allowed the first effervescence time to
calm down. _B degrees the cries died out, a calm
was re-estabhs ed, and nothing was audible save a
confused murmur of whispered words. Sandoval
hastened to profit by this transient moment of si-

lence to speak again

‘ Senorcs " he said, “I have a reposal to me
which, I believe. will suit you.“ p ’

“, Peak. Speak,“ the pirates shouted. , .

Our association,” oval continued, “is
founded on the most entire equality of its members.
Who freely elect the man they consider most worthy
to‘command them." ! ~ . . i
‘ “YeS. yes," they exclaimed. v _

Long hve Sandoval 1“ some said. , .
_ “Let him speak, do not interrupt him,"the ms—
Jorlty vociferated. ,_

Sandoval, negligently  on the table, fol-
lowed with an apparently in erent glance these-
various manifestations, hougb be was suflermg
{ii-0mg? anxie ,andhis hegrthle‘atreadyto

iu-st c at. was ying a ea stake-
he knew it, forhe had,me infallble glance of
all ambitious men. calculated all the chances for and
against. 'Hence, it was only by the strength of his

‘

i
1
f
i,
l

 

» m::.‘—‘- w. .-_- - .f ....

 

 

will that he succeeded in giving his face a marble
rigidity which did not t the su reme ony he
was annexing interns y to be di nod. en sl-
lence was nearly reestablished, he continued in a
firmvoice: - ' ' '

“ ou did me thehonor to a point me your chief
and I believe that hitherto ‘I ave rendered myself
worthy of that honor."

He aused as if to await a reply. A murmur of
assen gent] tickled his ear.

“ What is e driving at i" Orson asked in a rough
v .

cice.
“ You shall know," said Sandoval, who overheard
him. And he continued: “ In the common interest,
I consider it my duty this night to hand you back
the authority with which yOu intrusted me. You
have at present among you a man more capable
than myself of commanding you, a man whose
more name will inspire terror in the heart_ of your
enemies. In a word, I offer you my res: ation,
ro sing that you should elect on the spo White
gca per as your chief i“

It was only then that Sandoval realg knew the
feeling of his comrades toward him. f two hun-
dred pirates assembled at this moment in the dining
hall, two thirds pronounced immediately for him,
energetically refusing the resignation he offered ap-
parently with so much self-denial; one half the re-
maining third gave no sign of a proval or disap-
proval. Thirty or forty of the . ndlts alone re-
ceived the proposal with shouts of Jo . _ .

Still, as hap ns nearly alwa 8 un or similar cir-
cumstances; t ese thirty or orty indivzduals, by
their shouts and yells would soon have led'away
others, and would ro ably have become ere long
an imposing majo y, had not‘White ‘Scalper him-
self interfered. The oldodventurer did not at all
desire the eful honor of being elected the
chief of this band of rufflans, whom “he despised in
his heart, and whom the force of circumstances
alone compelled him to accept as companions. He
was. on the contrary, resolved to part with them so
soon as his wounds were closed, and he felt capable
of recommencin his wandering life. He rose, and
speaking amid t e vociferations of these turbulent
men1 he retested ener etically a alnst the pro-
posal ma e b Sandov 'not wishfihgl,I as he said,
to accept anyt ‘ g but the honor of hi ting by their
side, and their dangers, for e felt an in-
com tence'to comm ~

bilge face of such an ener ic refusal, all oppo-
sition necessarily ceased, an .the pirates implored
Sandoval to retain the command, while rotesting
their devotion to him. Sandoval-at le consent-
ed to retain that power which he had felt for a
moment such fear of losin .

Peace was thus res as if b venobantment,
and while the pirates drank fl of m to
celebrate the happy conclusion of this affair, the
captain led his guests to a compartment separate
from the grotto, where the were at liberty at last
to rest themselves. Still. andoval. who, rightly or
wrong, had for a moment found his powerthreaten-
ed by White Scalper, felt a malice for him in hi
heart, and promisedto avenge himself on the first
opportunity. '

 

CHAPTER XIII.
A coxvnnsarros.

TRAN rm. and Loyal Heart returnedto the rancho,
where $30 Eusebio had made preparations to give
them a heart reception.

Dona G ‘ received them with that calm and
radiant smile which seemed to pass over her pale
face like a sunbeam p ' between two clouds.

Loyal Heart, after respec fullyI kissi his mother’s

0 Ease i0. and pat-

forebead shaking hands with

tin hist ,w chlea ed 11% at him with joyous
w nes, sa down at t e le making Tranquil
a sign to followvhis exam e. éince the previous
night a e 11 place in the
manner an countenance of the old hunter. He
whose movements were gone so frank and

steady, seemed embarrassed; his eye
tire; his eyebrows continually met under the eflect
of some secret thought; his very speech was sharp-

or than usual. ' ', r

The oung man watched pensiver and with a

melancholy smile the hunters movements” When

the meal was over, and the pipes were ht, after

makingehis mother and No Euseblo a sign to with-
w turned to the Canadian—v- “ I.

“ guest,“ he said, affectionately. Will you let
you a question?" “ u

the hunter answered; ,Why “03?

“Who gags—quite» sate! is dwe  flslgifimel'l-
cans say, 8 young man rep 'e W ~

“Nonsense,” the Canadian rephed. webs“ :
“ ask your question. mine host; I cannot foresee e
possibility of my being unable to answer you.

" But supposing it were so."

“ I do not suppose it: you are a man of top up“ 11‘
sense, and too great intelligence, to fall into E at
error. 30 speak without fear.”

“Iwilldo so; listento me. I kno you too Well
to suppose that you have come here merely to Y
me a visit. as you knew you could meet me an Y
on the You have, therefore, unde aken
this jeans with some definite object; a mo“
serious mo ve impelled you to wish to see me."

Tranquil gave a silent nod_of assent. Loyal Heart
wanton afteramoment’s sdenoe, during Which he
seemed to be awaituig a re 1y, which did not come.

“You have been here w two d 8. You have
hadseveral opportunities for 8. fr ion,
which I desire with my whole heart, for I now that
it will contain a service I can render you, and I shall
be happy to prove touyou the esteem I entertain [or
your c aracter. St ,
come; you seem, on the contra to fear it; your
manner toward me has complete c ed; since

csterday, in a word, you are no longer a man 1

new, the man who never hesitated, and alwa s
uttered his thoughts loudly and boldly. Am I m 5.
taken? Answer, old hunter." _

For some minutes the Canadian Seemed embar-
rassed; thispoint-blank uesuon troubled him sin-
g-zmy, Ahth he Iy made up his mind, and
raised his e -- ‘

“On my word." he answered. looking his ques-
tioner in the face. "I cannot contradict it;
right—all you have Said is,

the youngmdn'sald with a smile of satis.

meas
“Of course,

 

that explanation does not'

skin ife, a we
'misfortune had’snd

‘i‘ree hunter, y u are no lonfigr the comra

claimed, with an outburst of i

 

‘ rhomiwhito Scalper‘.

 

' faction, " I was not-mistaken, then; I am pleased to

know what I have to depend on.“

The Canadian ed his shoulders, like a man
who does not at all understand, but who ex-
periences a certain degree of Pleasure at as as his
questioner satisfied, though he s completely ignorant
why. L0 9.1 Heart continued— _

“Now, demand in the name of that friendship
that binds us—l‘ demand, I say, that you should be
frank with me, and confess to me the motives which
urged you to act as you have done.” .

“These motives are only honorable, be assured,
Loyal Heart." ' I

‘ I am convinced of it, my friend; but I repeat to
you, I 'wish to know them." >

“After all,“ the old hunter continued with the
accent of a man who has formed a resolution, “ why
should I have secrets from you when I have come to
claim your assistance? You shall know all. From
the first moment I saw you, with the that word you
uttered by a s ecies of intuition, by one _of those
sympathieatha are independent of the null, I felt
myself attracted toward on. You were my friend
during the few days we ived together,-sharin the
same couch under the vault of Heaven. I be eved
that I appreciated you at your true value, and my
friendship only increased in consequence. Hence,
when I needed a sure and devoted friend, I thought
of you at once, and, without further . reflection,
started to go in quest of you.” i

"' You did well." .

“I know it," said Tranquil, with simple enthu-
siasm; “ still, on' ente ' this modest rancbo. my.
ideas were completely In ifled; a doubt occurred to
me—not about on, for that was on dale—but
about your position, and the mysterious fe you lead.
I asked myself by what concourse of circumstances
a man like you ad confined himself to an Indian
vii and seceEted all the wretchedness of a red-

ness often so- cruel and_oplposed
to our manners. 0n seeing your motherso ovely
and so kind, our old servant so devoted, and the
way in whi you behave Within these walls, I
thought, without pregdfing anything, that a great

11 y burst on you and forced
{1:1 fora time into a hard exile. But I understood

t I was not your equal, that between you and me
there was a distinctly traced line; then I felt op-
pressed in your empauy, for you are no ion er tile
3, e
friend with w om Iwasso ppy to share ev -
thing in the desert. Ino lon rrecogniae the r t
totreatasanequala manwoma mi r-
tune has accidentally brought near me. and who
would, doubtless, at a later da regret this inti-
mac that has sprung from see out; while con-
tin to love and ‘esteem you, I resume the place

that belongs to me.’
Loyal Heart said, dis-

“ All of which means?"
flnctlg.

“ ’1‘ at, being no longer able to be your comrade,
and not wishing to be your servant, I shall retire."

“ You are mad, Tranquil,” the young man ex-

mpat nt grief.

“What you say, I tell you, has not common sense,
and the conclusions you draw from it are absurd."

“ Still-i" the Canadian hazarded. ~

“ Oh!" the other continued, with considerable ani-
mation “ I have allowed ion to speak, haveI not? I
listened to whatever you ad to so. without inter-
ruption, and it is now your turn. ithout wishing?
it, you have caused me the greatest n it is ' -
hie for me to suffer; you have ca an ever— Vln§
wound to bleed, by reminding me of things which
try in vain to forget, and which Will cause the
wretchedness of my whole life.” .

“I—I?" the hunter exclaimed, with a start of

terror.

“Yes, you! but what matter? besides, you were
walking lindly, not knowing where you were going;
hence, have no right to be angry w th you and am
not so. But there is one Ihlfil‘g I value 9. ve all,
which I esteem more than and that is our
friendsbi . Icannot consentto oseit. Conn once
for can once! you shall know who I am and what
motive brought to the desert, where 1' am can-
demned to hve a die."

“No “ Tranquil answered, clear , “I have no-

c m your confidence. You say 1'. I have un»
intentionall caused you great suflering; that suf-
fering wo only be increased by the confession
you wish to make me. {swear to you, Loyal Heart,
that [will not listen to you.”.

" You must, m friend, both for our sake and
my own, for in t at way we shall earn to under-
stand one another. Besides," he added, with a
melancholy smile “ this secret which crushed me,
and which I haveliitherto kept in in own bosom,
it will be a great consolation to me, assured, to
confide to a real friend. And then, you must know
this: I have no one to com 'n of; the terrible
misfortune which sudden fel upon me was just,
though Rerhaps severe; I ve, therefore, no one to
reproac but in self. M life is only one long cm
pinion; unha p Itrem le lest the present and

he future w n suffice to expiate the past."

You forget God, to son,?’ a voice said, with an
accent of 8 me ma est “God who cannot fail
on and iudge you. hen the expiatlou ou

ave mm on yourself is completed, that god
Will cause it to terminate.”

And Dona Ganllas, who had for some moments
been listening to the conversation of the two men,
crossed the room with a majestic step, and laid her
whyte  delicate hand on the shou der of her son,
while giv him a glance full of that powerful love
wl‘llicgilmft ers 9.102;: esiseiss. " h

lamawr ' nratelteo man
exclaimed, SOI‘POWfifllY: “IIIng hideousy eggfism I
for a momeint f3:ng you, my mother, who gave up
eve g or e. .
“ phael1 you are my first-born. 'Wlnat I did nine
years ago I would do again try-day. now, let
what you are about to hear he a consolation to you,
I am proud of you, my, son; whatever pain you once
caused me, the same amount of )9 and pride you
cause me to—dfiy. All the Indian tn the. traverse
the vast solit es of the prams have the greatest
W wd deepest veneration for you; has not the
namefigege intuitive men have given you become
the sync of honor? are you not, in a word, Loyal
Hmotfigxtlis to sathhe man whosa dec _ have
the strength of law, whom friends and enemies love
and esteem? What more do you want?”

 

‘The young man shook his head sadly.
“ Alas, mother " he said, in a hollow voice, “ can I
evgnfdorge, t :hatI have been agaxnblsr, assassin , and

In 1‘

Tranqull could not restrain a start of, terror. .

“ 0b, is it passibiel'.‘ he muttered.

'lllho young man heard him, and turning to him,
an: : -

“ Yes, in friend I have been a gambler, assassin,
and inctgg§ann ell, now,“ he added, wit i an ac-
cent of and bitter railiery, “do you s 
yourself unworthy of my friendship? Do you a
consider you are not 1!: equal?"

The Canadian rose w die the younngan bsnt on
him a searching glance; he went up Dona Garli-
Ins, and bowed to her with a respect mingled With
admiration. _ r

“ Senora," he said, “whatever crimes a man may
’have committed in a moment of irresistible panic):
that man must be absolved b all when in spite of
his fault he ins ires a devot on so glorious, so per
feet, and so no e as yours. You area holy woman,
madam! Hope, as you said yam-self a moment
back, hope. God, who is omnipotent, will, when
the moment arrives, dry your tears and make you
forget your sorrow. I am but a poor man, without
talent or learning, but my instinct has never de-
ceived me. I am convinced‘thatif your son were
ever guilty, he is now pardoned even by the man
who condemned him under the influence of an ex-
fizgéergéetg feeling of honor, which he regretted at a.

r .

“Thanks. .my friend," Loyal Heart answered;
“thanks for words which I feel convinced are the
expression of your innermost thoughts. Yours il a.
frank and upright nature. You have restored me
the courage which at times abandons me, and have
raised me'in myown s ht; but this explation to
which I condemned myse , would not be eomdplete
their fullest details; the.

unless I told you,

events of m ife. o refu "he addednvith a.
sign to the unter, “it must so! Believe me
Tranquil, this 810 ,bearsitsown in ction. Just,
as the traveler, a long and Nancy,
halts by the wayside and looks wit a certain dew

‘gfiof satisfaction at the distance be has covered I
feel a moumful pleasure in returning to the
early and ten-i ie events of my life.“

es,” said mother, “ you are right, my son.
A man must have courage to 100K back, in order

to acquire the “rehab to walk worthin forward. It .

' is only by reverting the past thatyou can under
stand the and have ho in the future.
Speak, Wmn, and lfint 0 course of your
narrative your memory or your courage fail you,
{:31- mother will be here at your side, as have ever

u, and what youdare not or cannot say,.l will

so. .

'Franquil regarded with admiration this strange
woman whose stores and words harmonized so
well with her majestic bearing; his mother, whose
sweet face reflected so well her noble sentiments' he
felt billiself very wretched in the presence of has
chosen nature who, of all the passions, knew only
one maternal love. ‘

“Loyal Heart," he said with an emotion he could
not master, “since you insist,l will listen to the
narrative of the events which brought you to tha
desert; but be assuredof t whatever I m hear,
since on unwilling still to give me the of
frien , here is my hand, take it. I will never fail on.
Now. whether you speak or keep your secret, i: of
no consefiuence."

Loyal
hunter‘s hand, and made him sit down on his right
has while Dona Gariilas took her place on his left.

“ ow, listen to me," he said. ‘

 

At this moment the door opened, and No  ,

a 
p‘ in am," he said. “ the Indian chiefcalledBlack—
de‘er wishes to s "

B
rise' “impossible! he must
p alum“ .

maria-fie f
“ on me," Tranquil observed
Loyal Heart, that when .we left the
came up to us, saying in a low voice
“Eight tru in tfo’ioxmciikaeiout a Let him
a e' .
enter, No Euseb 0. My 'friend,"?1rs§.iidded, address-
Tranquil, “it is impossible for meet this 'mo-
ment to n I stery which would be interrupted
almost at t first sentence; but soon, I hope, you
shall know it.“

“I,will leave you to settle your Indian main,"
Dona Garillas said, with a smile, and; rising, she
quitted the room.

Tranquil, we are bound to comess, was in his heart
delighted at an interru tion which saved him from
listen the narr 've of painful events. .‘i‘he
worthy nnterpoesessed
beigf at all curious to know the history of men he
lik , for his native integrity led him, to fear seeing ,
them break down in his esteem. Hence be easily:
accepted the unexpected dela in Loyal Heart's coa-
fesslon, and was grateful to lack-deer for arriving
so op nunely. . . ,

At e moment when Dona Garlilas left the room
No Eusebio introduced the Indian chief by another
door. Black—deer seemed suff
anxiety. The wan-ior's loom , his frowns-—
nothing, in a word, recall in m the man who had
just contracted a. union he had long desired, and
which fulfilled all his wishes' his countenance, on
the contrary, was so (i stern, that the two
hunters noticed it at first glance.

“ Wahi" Loya Heart said, good-humoredly, “you
have a precio y sad face. Did you, on entering
the village pores ve five crows on your right, or di
your scalp ng-knife stick in the ground thrice in sun-
cessio? which as everybody knows, is a very evil
omen ' "

Thu?1d chief, before replying, bent a piercing glance

am .
.“No.” he at length said inalo and St: pressed
Eng, '1‘] Black~deter hash nlit seen gve‘ «01:33:; 1:11:
; e saw a ox on ' and 0w
ingthe bushes." B en" ' p m
“ Y a know, chief, thatlrdo not understand yo "
Loy Heart said,laughlng. '
a  (Elan I on my honor, ' muquil observed, with
The chief bravely endured this double volleyof

sarcasm. Not a muscleof hisfacestirred; on

cart warmly returned the pressure of the» l

toyou.
deer?" the hunter said, 'th IIID
be engaged with his ~

:“you t‘ _
math: \

the precious quality of not _

'frOm a lively;

 

‘ 16 H - ThetWhite; Scalper.

.——.< 2": ,

.~ ‘;.. sa.

. 1 A— 4.x.

WW”.st '

u..-

r?

 

 

 

 

 

oontrary, his features seemed to grow more

gloomy. ,.
brothers canla h,"he said' " ampule-I
amlstglth care little w ether good’orm happens
as n .‘ ‘ ‘

“ Pardon, chief,“ Loyal Heart answered. suddenly
becoming serious; “my friend and myself had no
intention of msultingyou.“

“I am aware of i , the chief re lied; “ my bro-
rt'hers cannot suppose that on a day ‘ke this I should
we sad." , r ‘

:"That is true, but now our earsare o n: my bro-
ther will s ak, and we listen With all e attention
higgzords eserve."

Indian seemed to hesitate, but in a moment
'he walked up to Loyal Heart and Tranquil, sented
.by his side, and bent over them. so that his head
touched theirs.

“The situation is grave,"he said, “ and I have
only a few minutes to s are so In brothers. will‘ lie-
ten seriously. Are in rather: ening?”

“We are listening, ' the two men answe

anhjgreat danger menaoes the Antelope Coman-

“ .ow so chief?" .

“ Apaches are watching the neighborhood of
the village. I have seen them."

“ My brotheruhras seendlthe Apaches f" '
' Thechiefsme ou .‘ .

" Yes, he said, ‘Pglackfieeris‘ a great brave; he
has thejne scent of my brother‘s rastreros; he

has smelt the enemy; smelling is seeing, with a War-

r.
“9‘ Yes, but  brother must take care i ' passion is
evile aomr,"”hoyel Heart answered; “perv
. an. .
f-deer shrugged his shoulders with disdain. »
," , night there was notla breath of air in the
forest, yet the leaves of the trees moved, and the
tail was 'tated." V
“ oh: that astonishing " said Loyal Heart:

“ an envo' of the Buffalo Apabnes is in the village at
this indigent, we must :be‘ threatened by 'fesrl‘nl

“Blue-fox is a traitor who has sold his people,”
the Indian centinued with some animation; “what
who 0 fromsuchamanf behascounehereto
co t the ves, and send the wamors to sleep.“
, ‘ “ ss,"said.Loyal Heart thoughtfully. “that is
' . ‘But what is to be done? hasmy'brother
the chiefs?“ _ ,

‘ es, while Blue-fox re nested the hachesto to as-
semble the council, Black- eer spoke with Bounding
Panther, Lynx, and Blackbird." ‘.

,“Very , what havethgg resolved?"

“Blue- ox will be retain asa hostage, under
various pretexts. At sunset two hundred picked
warriors, under the ‘orders of Loyal Heart, and
v guided by Black-deer, wfll go and surprise the

enemy, who, knowing their emissary to be in the

village, have no suspicion, but is. 1 into the trap
they late to set for us." ‘ _ '

t; Loyciil Heart remained silent for a moment andro-

GCte . .

“ t my brother hear me,"he sold Jresently;
“lam read to obey the orders of the overeign
Council of t e Sachems of the tribe, but I will not
let'the warriors intrusted to me be massacred. The
Buffalo A 'hes are old chattering and- crying

‘ squaws, w hout‘ courage, to whom we will give
iatrcoatmeauh time they find themselves face to
lace with us in the prairies. But here such is not the
 they are ambushed at a 5 0t selected before-
hand, and are acquainzed wit all its resources.
However well my young men may be guided by my
brothers, the Apaches will come_ou their’trail, so
than?! “‘3‘ M b tn ‘ ?’ Bl be
_ “ at oesxdroer ropose‘ ac oer
asked with some a’hxiety.‘ p ‘ I , ‘
‘ “The sun has run two-thirds'of its course Black-
, deer will warn the warriors to roce'ed each by him-
self, to the mountain of the lnck—bear,onc hour
after sunset. Inthis way they will seem tobe going
' hunting separately, and excite no suspicion. 'V 'hcu
the sun‘has ,disa peared on the horizon, in the
sacred cavern of he Red Mountain, my brother the

e armor and myself will mount dur horses and
in e red-skins. Have I spoken well? does what
have said please mybrother?" - [v

. While Lox] Heart was thus exp the plan he
had instan neously conceived, the ndlan chief
gave‘marks of the greatest joy, and the most lively

admiration. .

“11* brother has 5 en well,"_he answered;
“the acondah is wit him; his medicine is very
powerful, thox h his hair is black; the wisdom of
,thelaster of re resides in him. Itshallbedone
as he ; deer will obey him.

3‘Gbod; but my brother will take care: Blue-fox
is very clever!" '

,“Blne-fox is an Apache dog, whose eaisBlack-
deer will crop. My rother the hunter need not
feel alarmed.

After exchanging a few more sentencesto come
to a full' understanding. and make their final an
zwment Black-deer withdrew. ‘

“ on ‘ come with me, I suppose, Tranquil?"
the young man asked the Canadian so soon as they
were alone. _

“or c nurse!" the other replied; “what the deuce
should I do here during your absence? I prefer
accompanying you, espemally-es there will be a

row.’

It is evident to me that .the Apaches would not
have ventured so near the e, unless they were
in considerable force."

" W in that case, two hundred men are as noth-
ing; on should have asked for more." '

y sat in a rise the man who attacksis
always the stronger; we, will try to get the first
I blow that isall." '

“’l‘hat is true, by Jovel I am delighted at the
afleir; I have not smelled powder for some time,
' and’feel myself beginning to rust; that will rosters

e. .

At thisoutburst, Loyal Heart laughed.

‘ magi-Ea m.
. rw m.

In the h American muscles. 11 co
almogt £59 , and without sens» ct tnnsimetsio‘iil:
there is no t. 1191.! the sun has disap-
peared on the “horizon, it b perfect night; now, at

redwitii-

.11985.

'the sll htest movemen

prudence culls

A eat fire was kindled in

ground.

 

the riod of the year when the events occurred
wh we have undertakento describe the sun set
at seven o’domr. Hausa hour later *h-anquu ?nd
Loyal Heart, mounted on excellent mus . eft
the rancho, followed b No Eusebio, who isted
on joining them. They only gone a few yards
across the eniuare, however when the Canadian laid
his hand on be young man s bridle.

“What do you want?“ the latter asked.

“ Shall we not take our comrades with us?"

“ Do ou think it necessary?" .

"-W , with the exoe tion of the monk, who, I
fear, is not worth muc , the are stout fellows,
whose rifles might prove usefu to us."

“ That is true; warn them in a few words, and re

join me here. ,
“Do you not think the departure. of so large a
who is

garty may arouse the suspicious of Blue-fox,
outhess prowling about the neighborhood? ‘
“Not at all, they are white men; if he saw Indian
warriors departing thus, I am sure hisdoubts would
be aroused; but he will never suppose that. hunters

have discovered his treachery '

“You may be ht. but in sin case it is better to
run the risk; wait or me, I s be back in ten min-
utes."

“ All right, go along."

Tranquil went off rapidly, while Loyal Heart and

No Eusebio halted a few yards further on. The ad-
venturers gleefully accepted the p Tranquil
made them' for such men a. bit tie is a festival,

especially when they have Indians to fight; ten min-

utesscarce elapsedwre the Canadian rejoined the
0 man. e little band set out, and silently
{oft t village. ”

. Loyal Heart was mistaken in supposing that
Blue-fox would not be alarmed on seem the white
hunters leave the ate t1. - The red- had his
eyes 00th upon t e movements of the inhabi-
tants of the vi lags. Although the Comanche chiefs
had acted with the greatest 'grudence, the'A ache
sachem 5 (ii? perceived at he was we chad,
and that, mug honorably treated, and apparently
free. he was in reality a. risoner. He pretended
not to suspect what was gags on, but redoubled his
attention. During the past day, he had seen several
wag-Hogs 1:1?th their thorses one am the ogher,
on se on n 0 we, three; even our,
to bury themsmli‘n the forest. .

Not one of these warriors having returned caused
Bluefox to suspect that his plans were discovered,
and that the Comanches were attempting acounter-
Ellie; e situation‘was growing very critical for

1m. - '

Blue-fox was a warrior renowned as much for his
wisdom in council as for his bravery in fight; that is
to say, Blue-fez, like a true red-skin, would never
hesitate, when circumstances demanded it, to sub-
stitute craft and trickery for courage. '

Blue-fox was sitting in front of the entrance of the

v calli of honor the Comanches had given him, calmly

smoking his ipe, when the white hunters passed be-
fore him. e dis layed‘neither surprise nor curi-
oslt , but by an most imperceptible movement of
his end and shoulders, he looked after them with
a flashln lance till they disappeared intlie dark-
l e ave said that the night was dark, the
village already up and completely deserted, the
Indians bad siren y withdrawn'to the interior .of

’ their callls, while at lengthened intervals an isolated

red-skin hastily crossed the square, hurrying home-

ward. - -

Blue-fox still set before ' his calli smoking-
gradually the arm that‘ supported the calumet fell
on his knees, his head bowed on his chrst, and the
Apache sachcm seemed, as so often happens to the

Indians, to have yielded to the narcotic influence of

elapsed ere he made
is calm and regular
breath , and his careless attitude, led to the sup-
position at he had been overcome by sleep; but, if
any sound suddenly smote’his ear, an almost im-
rceptlble tremorranover his limbs, and his eye-
nsh rose, probably th'rou h that instinct of personal
rto the sinus. All at once the
n o the calll was raised, and a hand was
laid on the Isleeper‘s shoulder. 'The chief

the morichee; and a. long tim

curth
roughl
st at this touch,- wbich he did- not at all expect,

ands run u . ddeul'. A

“The nfghgsgre co d,” said an ironical voice,
which smote unpleasantly on the ear of Blue-fox;
“the dew is profuse, and ices the blood; my brother
is wro to sleep thus in the open air, when he has
a comf rtablo 0311i."

Blue-fox, by a powerful effort, composed his
features, and answered in the voice of a man who is

real? waking——
" thank my brother,"he said, “the hts are
{her-y coldharnd it is better to sleep in a on. than in

e open .‘

He rose, and re-entered the but with the calm ste
of a mandehghted with the warning he has receive
the interior of the calli
w ch was also illumined bya torch of
stuck in the ground, whose» ruddy glare im a
blood~red hue to surrounding objects. he man
whose advice surprised Bluefox, let the curtain fall
behind him andentered after the chief. This man
was-Black-deer; without uttering a syllable the sat
down before the fireyand began arran 6 logs
with a certain degree of symmetry. B lie-fox gazed
on him for a moment with an undeflnable expression,
and then walked up and stood by his side.

“My brothers, the Antelo Comanches,“ he said.
with an almost imperce ti le tinge of irony in his
voice, “ are great w ors; they understand the
laws of hospitality better than any e‘her nation.“

“ The Antelope Comanches," Black-deer answered
peaceably, “ know that Blue-fox is a renown
chief and one of the great braves of the Buflalo
A aches‘ they are anxious to do him honor. "

“the c tllib‘hwed' far  l gre t

oes s onor grow as compo so a a
warrior as my brother to watch over my sleep?"

“ My brother is the est of the Antelopes, and
has a claim to all poss1b e attention.”

Like two experienced ‘duelists the clhefs had
crossed swords; hams” felt their blades, they per-
ceived that they were of equal strength, an each
fell back a step to continue the engagement on new

" Then,” Blue-fox continped. “my brother will
remain in the calli with me.’ -

The chief gave a nod of assent.

_ \

 

“Wall! I know for what reason the Comancb.
sachems treat me thus: they are aware that Black
deer and Blue- x, thtiugh each adopted by a diner-
ent tube are yet bro ers of the great and powerful
nation oi! the Snake Pawnees; hence
that the two chiefs would be pleased to converse
to other and recall their early years. brother
w 1 thank the sachcuis of his nation for B ue-fox; I
was far from expecting so great a proof of courtesy
on their part. "

“M brother is Igfihtly called the Fox," the Co-
mane. e rephed, bri y, with :1 bitter accent; “his
craft is great."

“What does my brother mean?“ the Apache went
on, With the greatest air of so rise he could assume.

“I speak the truth, and my rother is well aware
of it,_" Black-deer answered; “why should we thus
trytodeceive each other? we have been too long
acquainted. Let my brother listen to me: the Ante-
lope Comanches are not.ss the A aches suppose
them, inexperienced children, they 'now for what
pgposo‘ my brother has come to their winter

a .

“All!” the chief said “I hear a mocking-bird
slngin in my ears, but l do not at all undeistand
whati means."

" Perhaps sol but to remove my brother's doubt I
will speak to him frankly."

“Can my brother do so!" the Apache continued,
ironically. '

“ The chief shall judge:—For some moons past
the Buffalo Apaches have been t1 'ing to take a
brilliant revenge on the Comanches or a defeat the
warriors of nig'anatlon inflicted on them, but the
Apaches are c ttering old women who ssess no
craft; the Oomanches will give them pelt coats and
send them to cut wood for them in the forests."

The chief‘s eyebrows were almost meeting at this
crus insult; a flash of fury burst from his eyes,
3:: sthi e flinnagettihto overpower his 49:331ng digs

- .w inse up w supreme majes
himself in his buii'alo-rohe.

“ ynbrother, Black-deer, forgets to whom he is
s ,"he said; “Blue-fox is the envo of his
nation .to the-Comanches, he has so ht sh ter un.
der the totem of the Antelopes an smoked their
sacred calumet; his person must be réspected."

“.The Alpeche chief is mistaken," Binds-deer re-
plied, wit a disdainful smile; “he is not the envoy
ofa brave nation, but only the spy of a pack of
savage dogs. While Blue-fox tries to deceive the
Comanche sschems, and lull them to sleefiin a.
treacherous serenit , the Apache dogs are idden
like moles in the ta] grass, awnitingthe Signal which
lviviildsurrender their defenseless enemies into their

an s."

Blue-fox looked round the calli, and bounding like
a ag11ar,*rushed on his foeman, brandishing his

kn e.

“'Die, dog!” he shouted.

Since the h inning of their singular conversation
Blackdeer he not stirred, he had remained tran-
quilly crouching over the fire, but his eyes had not
lost one of the Apache’s movements, and when the
latter rushed madly at him he started aside, and
springing up with extreme rapidity, seized the chief
in his arms and both rolch on the ground, inter-
twined like serpents. ‘In their fall they fell (71» live
torch, which was extinguished; hence, the terrible
and silent conflict went on between the two men 1)
the uncertain gleam of the fire, each striving to eta
his enemy. The ' were both of nearly the sumo
age, their strenggh and skill were equal. and an im-
p acablevhaired animated bothpin this horrible (1110],
which must evidently terminate in the death of one
of them, they disdained the usual tricks employ-vii
in such tights. as they cared little about lli‘alii so
long as their enemy received the mortal blow simul-
taneousllsyp

Still, lack-deer had a great advantage over his
adversary, who, blinded by fury, and and not cul-
culiiting any of his movements, could not long sus-
tain this deadly contest without himself becoming :i
victim to the inscnsate rage which had urged him to
attack the Comanche. The latter on the contrary,
acted with the greatest coolness; he had. seized. his
enemy, had inned his arms and iendered it im-
possible for him to employ hisvweapon ' all the shorts
of Black-deer tended to roll the Apache into the fire
burnin" in the center of the calll.

Thethad been wrestlingI thus for a long time when
suddenly the curtain of t e but was raised and a
brilliant in inundated the interior. Sex-elm men
entered' e were Comanche warriors. They
arrived later {him they should have done, for all that
took glance at this moment hadbeenamnged before-
hand tween them and Black-deer. Five minutes
later their interference would have been useless. as
they would reliably have found one of the two
combatants by the other, or perhaps raised
ses, such fury and vindictive“ were dis
pla ed this atrocious struggle.

Vghen Blue-fox saw the help that arrived for his
enemy be judged the tion at a. glance. and felt
that he was est; still cunning and coolness did
not abandon lm at this supreme moment; for red-
skins, whatever may be the'hatxed they feel, do not
kill an enemy who openly allows thathe is con erod.
The Apache chief, so soon as be perceived 3‘12 ‘ -
manches, ceased his eirbrts, and removed the arms
which had hitherto held Black-deer as in a vise; then,
throwing back his head and closing hiseyes, bestood
motionless. ‘

Blue-fox was aware that he would be regarded as
a prisoner and ke t for the stake of torture, but
until the hour mar ed for his punishment anived he
retained the hope of coca , with whatever care
he might be'guarded. '1‘ 3 chance was the last left
ME. Sig-hie did not wishttuo' losiiit. b  a y

no eerrosegrea s on y orueem-
brace; but, W of striking his enem , who la’
dimmed at his feet, he returned his to h s
belt. The Apache‘s calculations were correct; until
the hour of punishment arrived he had nothing to
fear from his enemy.

“ Blue fox is a great brave, he fought like a cour-
ageous warrior ’ said Black-deer; ‘as-he must be
fatigued he rise, and the Comanche chief will
show him all tb consideration he deserveaj‘

heloflereShimhishandtohelp himmrlsing.
mawemsdeno movement toogick n hawea-
pong, hunk-1y accepted the cred d and

 dogs will seeawarrlordio,"he

r

they suppose

two co

~*w

The” ‘ White "séaiper.

“‘17

 

 

said, with an it'ozzical smile: ,“Bluofox laughs at
their torturcsr they are not capable of making one
of his muscles (lulu-r." ' '

“Good! my brother will sue," and to
sacbems, who stood motionless and 5113::

  

“fa f 
‘cYe‘s off, the chief adder : " when will this warrior
6 . ,.

“ To-morrow at sunset," the most aged of (h:
Indians laconically answcrcd.

“ Blue‘i’ox does not fear death, but em ho ram :1
hunt on the ho.pr hunting-grounds, liruieatii {Tn
p )worful eye 0 t it: \Vncondah, ho hrs choz'rl
1:: rmnt matters to settle on this earth."

e Comanchcs bowed in assent.

ffiBluc-fox," the Apache chief continued, “has a
nedossity to return among the Warriors of his
nvtion.‘

“ How lon will the chief remain absent?"

“ One who 0 moon." '

“ Good! What will thochicf do to insure his word,
and that the Comanche sachoms may put faith in
what he says?"

“ Blue-fox will leave a hostage.“

“The sachem of the llutl’ulo Apaches is a grout
brave; what warrior of his nnti )2] can die in his
stead if he forgot to liberate his plodgc?“

"I will {five the (hush of my 1125?), the blood of my
blood, the bone of my bone. My son will take my
1) ace.”

The Comanchcs exchanged a very meaning glance.
There was a rather lengthened silence, during which
the fiache, liaughtily folded in ins buil'nlo robe,
stoic y waited, and it was impossmle to road in his
features the emotions that agitated him. At length
Black-deer ke a ain.

“My bro or has recalled to my memory," he
said ‘the years of our youth, when we were both
children of the Snake Pawnces, and hunted in com-

ny the elk and the ssshata in the prairies of the

pper Missouri. The early years are the sweetest;
the words of my brother made my heart tremble
with joy. I Will be kind to him; his son shall be his
substitute, though he is still very young; but he
knowe how to crawl like the serpent and fly like the
eagle, and-his arm is strong in light. But Blue-fox will
re ect before pledging his word. If, on the evening
of the twentycighth still, my brother has not re-
turned to take his ace at the foot of the 'stake’ of
torture, his son wi die." ' _

,“I thank my brother," the Apache r lied ma
firm voice; “ on' the twenty-eighth sun I sh return;
hereis my open hand.” ' -

“ And here is mine."

The two enemies clasped in cordial pressure the
two bands which, a few minutes before, had been
seeking so eagerly each others life; then Blue-fox
unfastcned the cascobcl skin that attached his lon
hair in the form of a cap on the top of his head, anfi
removed the white eagle plume fixed above his right
ear.

“My brother will loud me his knife," he ‘said.

“My broth-31"; *- e is at his feet,” the Comanche
answered, cauti.) . : "so great a warrior must not
remain unarmed. He can ml: 11; 111).?

The ChiJf stooped, picks up lnslnni’e, and thrust
it in his girdle. ,,

“ Herer the plume of a chief," he said,‘ns he guys 5
it to Black-deer, cutting off a. tress of the lono hair, i
which, being no longer fastened, fell in disoi‘ er on
his shoulders; he added, " My brother will kccp this
look, it forms part of the scat that belongs to him:
the chief willcome to ask it ack on the appointed
day and hour." _

“Good!” the Comanche :mswnrcd, taking the hair
and the lume, " my brother will follow me.”

The \ *omanches, unmoved spectatols of this
scene, shook their torches to ruwve the flame, and
all the Indians leaving the 'calli, proceeded in the di-
rection of the medicine-l d e, which stood, as we
have seen, in the center 0 t 9 square between the
ark of the first man and the stake of torture. It was.
toward the latter that the chiefs proceeded with
that slow and solemn step they emplo in serious
matters. As they passed n front of t e cams the
curtains were raised, the inhabitants came ourhold-
ing torches and followed the procession. When the
chefs reached the stake, an immense. crowd filled
the square, but it was silent and rEflcctlnE. ‘

There was something strange and stri dug in the
scenes'offered at this moment by the square, undrr
the li ht oi the torches. whose flame the Wlnd blow
in all directions. The chiefs halted at the foot of
the stake and formed a semicircle, In the center of
which Blue-fox stationed himself.

“Now that my brother has given his“ led e, no
consummon his son,” said Black-deer; be ad is
not far 08, I dare say.’_’ '

The Apache smiled cunningly. ,

“ The youn of the eagle always follows the pow-
erful flight 0 its arent," he replied; “ the warriors
will part to the ght and left to grant him a pas-

) H , '

t a silent sign from Block-deer there was a nlpl‘t“
ment in the crowd, which fell back and left a pos-
uge t the center' Blue-fox then thrust his
fingers in is mouth, and mutated thrice the call or
the hawk. In a few minutes a similar but very faint
cryanswered him. The chief renewed his summons
and this time the answer was shriner and more (us-
tinct. For the third time the Apache repeated his

al, which was answered close at hand; the rapid

up of a horse became audible, and almost im-
mediately an Indian warrior dashed up as full 3 Cd. ‘
gins wnrtriiior crosses; the aggro s are withou evi-

encing e align Burp . e. 2 mo d sh‘ort at
the foot of the stake, dismounted, andpgfaced him.
self by the side of Biuotox, to whom he merely said:

"HH‘UI am." > ' ' '

This warrior was the son of the Apache chief a

    

.1all and nobly built lad of sixteen to seventeen. , I-l'is

features w m handsome, his glance was u 1“ 3
his dezncangr simple, and noble without b03115; )

‘- This he is my son," Blue‘fox said to the Co.
manohe ch efs. _ .

“Good !" they replied, bowing courteously.

“Do on consentto remam as a hpstage in place
of vour father?" Black-deer asked him, .

e yo-.ng man bowed his head in assent. ‘

“You know that if your father does not come to.
his ledge you will die in his place?"
Astana ofconuen‘ilpt played round toe boy's lips.
:l‘lmowit,” hepswsi. . o

And soon
I do.”

u

'orous charg

'an idea, we

 

 

“ Good!“ the chief said.

no then want up to the stake and ‘ fastened to it
the feather and lock of hair Blue-fox had ven him.

“ "' is feather and this hair will remain re until

 

    

said.
The Apache chief answered in his turn:

‘ lswcar on m totem to come and redeem themf
Y

at ‘he appointed time." v

“ Wan! my brother is free," Black «leci- continued;
" hure is the feather of a chief; it will serve him as a
rcowgnition if the warriors of my nation were to
meet him. Still, my brother will remember that he
is forbidden communicating in any way ' with the
braves of his nation ambushed round the village."

“ Blue-fox will remember it.“

After uttering these few words without even ex-
changin a look with his son, who sfood motionless
by his si e, the chief took the feather Black-deer
o ered him, leaped on the horse which had brouuht
the young man, and started at a gallop not looking
back once. When he had disappeared in the dark-
ness the chiefs went up to the boy, bound him se-
cure y, and confined him in the medicine-lodge, my
der the guardiansbi of several warriors.

“ New," said Blac deer, “for the others."

And mounting his horse in his turn, be left the
village.

 

CHAPTER IV.
was AMBUSCAD 1:.

Wm have given a sufficiently detailed account of
the village of the Antelo a Comanches to be able to
dis as l with further re nee to it: we will more!
ad that it was built in an oval shape, and descen -
ed with n. gentle incline to the river. This position
prevented the enemy surroundfiglgie v whose
approaches were guarded from rise by me trees
having been felled for some distance;

Loyal Heart and his comrades advanced slowly,
with their rifles on their thigh, attentively“ watching
the neighborhood, and ready, at the slightest su
cious movement in the tall grass, to executa a g
o. All, however, remained quit round
them; at times they heard a coyote buying at the
moon, or" the noise of an owl concc. ml by the
foliage; but that was all, and a loaded silince again

 

fell. on the savanna. At times saw in the
bluish rays of the moon indistinct f ms apples: on
the banks of the river; but these w;.:tdcrings adows

were evidently wild beasts which bud left their lurk-
Inggflnccs to come down and drink. ‘ ‘

'I‘ e march continued thus without incumbmn‘ce
or alarm of any descrip ion, until the adventurers
had reached the cov it w ion a dense gloom sudden-
ly enveloped them, ant did not allow them to distin~
guish objects ten yards ahead. Loyal I-Icnrt did not
consider it rudth to advance tort or in a neighbor»
hood he di not know, and wherein; saw the risk at
each step of tolling into an ambuscadc; cons rqucnt-
ly the little band halted. The horses'wcre made. to
he down on their side, their legs were fastened, and
their nostrils drawn in with a ram, so giant they
could neither stir nor make a scum , and t e advcn-
tarot-s, concealing themselves, waited while watch-
ing: with the most profound nttcniion.

Fl om time to time they saw horsemen crossing a
clearing, and nll‘goiug in (litferent directions; some
passoi close enough to touch them without perceiv-
ing the hunters. owing to the precautions thc‘lattct
had taken, and then disop )oarcd in tho torcst.
Several hours passed thuJ, t o huntcis being quxte

an to whom they belong returns toclaim them,".

 

unable to comprehend the delay, the reason for .

wliich‘tho render, howcvcr, knows; the moon had
(liszip cared, and the darkness become denser.
Loya Henri, not knowing to what he‘should attri-
bute Blanrlrdccr’s lengthened absence, and fearingr
some unforeseen misfortune had buist on the \‘il-
loge, was about to fro the order for returning
when Tranquil, who, 3y crawlinn' « n his hands an

knees, had reached the opén 1: din where he re-
mained for some time as scout, suddenly returned

‘ to his comrades.

m“Wimt is the matter?" Loyal Heart whispered in
5 car. .

“I cannot say,” the hunter answered, ‘,‘I do not
understand it myself. About an hour back, an
Indian suddenly sprung mg) by my side as it emerg-
ing from the ground, an leopim; on a horse of
whose presence lwas equall ignorant, started at
full s wed in the direction ott 26 village'. '

“ T at is strange." Loyal Heart muttered: “and
you do not know who the lndian is?"_

“ Apache." '

“ . ache, im ossiblel",

“ at is jus the point that staggers me, how
could on Apache venture to the villa e alone i"

“There is something up we do not ‘uow; and then
the signals we heard ‘2"

“ This man answercdthem.“ .

“ What is to be done?“

“ Find out.“

‘: gut in hvzhatlwoy l“

‘ ng t, b re oinino our friends."

Lo 1:: heart sboo hidl heatf ,

, 0, he said, “we must employ ' some other
method, for. I promised Black-(leer to help him in
this expedition. and I will not break my word."

“ It is evident that important events have occurred
among the tribe. " \

“That is my opinion too, but on know the pru-
dence of the In inns, so we wil not despair y'ot;
stay." he added as be tapped his foz'ehe d..“£have

shall men know what is g lace;

leave me to act):

“ Do you rcqturo our hcl ?"

“Not positively; I shall not go out of sight, but if
yogi? “3.19. danger, come w"

. r1" .

,Lo '31, ilem‘tlook a long rope of plaited leather,
which served ,_b1m as n picquet cord, and layin down
his rifle, whicu might have im (led him in t e ere-
cutiou of the danng plan he formed, lay down
on the ground and crawled away like a serpent. The
plain was covered With dead trees and enormous
stones, while there ware wide trenches at certain
5 ts. This 0 n ground, so singularly broken up.
0 cred, there ore. all the facilities esirable fq‘
formi an ambuscade or u post of observation

Loylgfieart stopped behind an enormous block of
redgmnite, whose ight enabled him to stand up. in
shel er on'all sides save in the direction of the forest.
But be bad no t risk to run from any
concealed in t e Chaparral, for the night was so

enemies ,

 

dark that it would have been necessary to have fol-
lowed the hunter‘s every movement, to discover the
spot where he now was.

Loyal Heart was a Mexican' like all his country-
men, whose skill is proverbial in the mana ement
of certain weapons, from his youth he ha been
familiarlzed wit the ktsso, that terrible arm which
renders the Mexican horsemen so formidable.

Loyal Heart had the simple idea of formin a run-
ning knot at the end of his icottIhet-rope lasso.
ing the first rider who passe w in reach 0n pet.
ting behind the rock he uni-oiled the lomz cord he
had fastened round his body; then, after makin
the slip-knot with all the care it demands, ho coir-t
tha’lssso in his band and waited. nce seemed
to favor the pro ect of the bold hunter, for. within
ten minutes at he most, he heard the gallop of a
horse goin at full speed. Loyal Heart stoned at-
tentively; be sound approached with great rapidity,
and soon the black ontl no of n horseman stood out
in the ni ht. The direction followed b the rider
cam ll him to pres within a short di none or the
bloc of granite behind which 1.0 a] Heart was con-
cealed. The latter spread out is legs to have a
firmer holdfast, bent his body slightg onward. and
whirled the lasso round his he: . t the moment
when the horseman came opts-Ionic to him. Loyal
Heart let the lasso fly, and it with I win: on be
shoulders of the rider, who was roughly hurled to
the round ere he knew what was happening to him.
His orse, which was at full speed. went on some
distance further, but then perceiving that its rider
fins? left it, it slackened ts pace, and presently

ted.

In the mean while Loyal Heart bounded like a

t or one the man be had so suddenly muddled.

. e latter had not uttered a cry, but remained mo-
tionless at the spot where he had bean hurled.
Loyal Heart at first fancied him dentin“ u was
not so' his first care was to the, wounded man
from the. running knot, drawn so
neck, in order to enable him to br 6; then, witb~
out taking the trouble to look at his victim, he
pinioned him securely, threw him overlain shoulders,
and returned to the spot where his comrades were
nwait' him. -

The latter had seen. or at least heard, what had
happened; and far from dreaming of the means em-
ployed lay-the oung man. although theth are well
acqu witglt they knew not to what should
attribute the mug way in which the rider been
built (1 from his horse. . .

“ Oh, oh,“ Tranquil said, " I fancy you have made
afine cn ture " * . , r

“I so too," Loyal Heart answared, as he do-
posited his burden on the ground. _

“ How on earth did you manage to unsaddle him
so cleverly i" , , ' .
I"‘Oh! in the simplest way possible. I lassoed

um.”

“By Jove!“ the hunter exclaimed. “I W
it. But let us see the natureof the game. . ese
confounded Indians are difficult to tame when they
take it into their heads not to unlock their teeth.
This fellow will not speak, in all probability.”

1 _"\}"b0 knows?‘ At any rate, we can question
um. '
“Yes—but let us first make sure of his identity
for it would not be pleasant to have captured one 0

our friends."

“May the Lord forbidt“ Loyal Heart said.

The hunters bent over the irisouer, who was ap- .
parently motionless, and in iiierent to what was
said around. -

“ Oh," the Canadian suddenl ' snid “whom have i
we hen“? On my soul, comps e, I believe it is an
old acquaintance." ,

“You are right,“ Loyal Heart answered; “it is
Blue-fox." \ - ‘ , ‘

" Blue-fdximthc hunters exclaimed, in sm'prlse.

The adventurers were not mistaken the ind ‘
horsqmnn, so skillfully lnssocd by Loyal Heart, was
really the Apache chief. The shock he had moored,
though very rude, had not been sumcienily so to
make him entirely lose his senses:"tlth open t. is
and disdaiufulcountenauce, but with note wor of
complaint t the treatment he had su‘flercd, he
waned coin y till it should please his captors to de-
cide his fate, not considering it consistent with his

.d' iity to be the first to spook. Aftorrxumiring

m attentively for a moment, Loyal Heart unmet-r
ened the bonds that held him, ‘and fell bank’s. stop. ,

“M brother can rise," he said; “only oldwonwn
rem 11 thus stretched on the ground for an insignifi-
cant fall."

Blue-fox reached his feet at a bound. ,_

“The chief is no old woman," he said; "his heart
is large; he laughs at the anger of his enemies, and
den ises their fury." _

“ e are not your enemies, chief; we feel no

hatred or anger toward you; it is you on the com V

tmry, who are our enemy. Are you disposed to an-
swer our uestions?" '
“I oouln refrain from doing so, were it my good

pleasure.

"I do not think so,“ John Davis remarked. with a
grin, “for we have wonderful secrets to‘ untio the
non es of those we cross bastion."

“his: them on me,“ the ndisn observed. haugh-

tll . V
, XWe shall see “ said the American.

“Sta i" sold '31 Heart' “there is i') all this
something extraordinary, which I wish to discover,
so leave it to me.".

‘.‘ As you please," said John Davis.

'l‘he‘1 adventugrs collected round the In lian. nnd
waite' anxious . ‘

“ How is it,." Loyal Heart present
“that you, who were sent by the Anne es to heat
for peace with the Comanches were thus 63
the village lathe middle of the n ght, not as a
arias. a robber dying after the commission of a ’

e . . ,,
hThgoggef smiled oontemptuously, and sin-rigged
is s ers. ,
~‘ Why should I tell you what has passed? it would
be uselesst 1081112 recious time- suflceJl; for you.
to know that I left t e village with the general con-
sent, of the‘cbiefs, and it I wasgallopin it was prob-
abiybelcau‘se I wasin abunytoreach e spot _&m

und, or.

,“ Hum!” said the hunter; “you will permit me to
remark, chief,
anything but satisfactory."

fly round his. .

went on. ' ,

that your answer is very vague, and V

- \

 

 

 

 

.24, a-Zn—si

.Iflf'

1.5-3

W:-Trw-w

'.;_x;

m
. _ «am,

.ugfi: n‘

 

 

 

;

 

is ' -

ox
.“that'oath is sacred and he will

The messenger.

 

“ It is the only one. however, I am enabled to give
0, . .

“xAnd do you fancy we shall be satisfied with it?"
“ You must."

“Perhaps so, but listen; we are awaitiéig Black-
}ieernat every moment, and he shall de e your

ate. '

“ As it pleases the pale hunter. When the Com-
anche chief arrives. in brother will see that the
Apache sachem has slio en truly, that his tongue is
not forked, and that t e words that come from his
lips are sincere." _

“1 ho r0."

At ti moment the signal
Black-deer and the hunters was
said at once to the risoner:

“Here is the chic ."

“ Good,“ the latter simply answered.

Five minwa later the sachem reached the %pot
when the adventurers were assembled. ills rst
glance fell on the Apache, standin u ri ht with
folded arms in the circle formed by t e no ers.

;‘ What is Blue-fox doing here?“ he asked, in sur-
pl se. 1

" as chief can ask the pale warriors, they will an-
swer,” said the Apache.

Black-deer turned to Loyal Heart' the latter not
waiting tillhe was addressed, related what had oc—
curreda Black-deer seemed to reflect for a iroment.

“  did not my brother show the sign of recog-
nition gave-him? he asked. ' ‘

“ For what good, as may brother was coming l"

e e frown . _
“My brother will be careful to reme her that he
has passed his word, and the mere a pear-ance of
treacshhie‘? will cost his son’s life.”

eed on between
card; the hunter

A der passed over the Indian’s body, although
his fee 3 lost none of their marble-like rigidity.
“ Bil sworn on his totem,” he rrp ‘ed;

1 keep it. '

“ Enou hi my brother is free, he can go."

, “I m and in horse again which has escaped."

“Doesm brat, er take us for children, that he
as such t gs to us?“ Blackoeer replied angril .
“The horse of an Indian chief never abandons ts
master" let himwhistle and it will come u ."

Blue-fox made no rep ; his black 5 e s at forth
afiash of but that was all; he nt forward,
seemed tobe stoningefora few moments, and then
gave a shrill whist almost immediately after
which there wasa rustling in the branches, and the
chief’s home laid its fine and intelligent head on its
master’s shoulder. The latter ‘pattod the noble
animal, leatped on its back, and digging in his spurs,
started at nil speed without taking further leave of
the hunters, who were quite startled by this hurried
departure. John Davis, by an instinctive movement
sw1ft as thou ht, raised his rifle, with the evident in-
tention of uting the fugitive with a bullet, but
Black-deer suddenly clutched his arm.

“ brother must not fire,“ he said; “the sound
woul betray our presence."

“That is true,’ the American said, as he took
down his  “It is unlucky, for I should have
been very to rid of that scoundrel.”

“ My bro er find him again " said the Indian
with an accent im ible todesc .

“Ihope so, an if it should happen, I assure you
that no‘Pne will be able to prevent me killing that

reptile. .
‘ Nodoiie will try to do so, my brother may rest

“Nothing lea than that certainly was needed to
console me for the magnificent opportunity you
made me 1 chief.“

The Indian ughed, and continued:

“Iwill own to you at another moment how
it happens this man is free to retire in 
For the present, let us not lose recious time n idle
talk, for all is ready. My w era are at their post.
only awaiting the signal to begin the contest; do my

brothers still intend to accom yus?”

“ Certainly, chief, we are here or hat purpose,
you can count upon us,"

“Good, still I must warn my brothers that they
will run a great risk."

“ Nonsense," Loyal Heart replied, “ it will be wei-
come. for are we not accustomed to r?"

“Then to horse, and let us start, as e ave to de-
ceive the decelvers."

“ But are on not afraid,” Loyal Heart observed,
“lest Blue- ox has warned his comrades that their
tricks are discovered?"

“No, he cannot do so, he has sworn it.".

The hunters did not insist further, they knew
w'itthat religious exactness Indians kee oaths
they make to each' other, and the cod h and
loyalty they dis lay in the accomp hment of this
an . The chieiRs answer convinced them that they

nothi to a preheirl from the Apache sachcm,
and in trut he one at in a direction diamet-
gjclallly op teto tha where his companions were
on

The horses were released and the party set out.
They followed a. narrow nth running between two
ravines covered with t ck grass. This path, after
running for a mile and a. half, debouchcd on a
species of cmss-roadstivflhere the adventurers had
halted for an instant. 5 spot called b the Indians
the Elk Pass, had been selected by Blac -dcer as the
gathering place of some forty picked warriors, who
were to join the white men and act with them.
This inaction was effected us the sachem arranged.
The untcrs had hardly debouched at the‘ cross-
roads, ere the Comanches emerged from behind the
thicket which had hitherto concealed them, and
flocked up to Black-deer.

Thevband was formed in close column. and fiankers
went ahead, preceding it but a. few yards, and atten-
tively examining the thickets. For many an hour
they marched on, nothing attracting their attention,
when sudcim‘y'a shot wasflred in the rear of the
band. Almost simultaneously, as if at a given signal,
the fusillulc broke out on both sides the war-path,
and a shower of bullets and arrows hurtled u n the
Comanche: and white men. Several men ell, and
there was s, moments; confusion, inseparable
from an unforeseen att . , -

Dy assent of Black-door, Loyal Heart assumed the
supreme command. By his 013%; the warriors
broke u into platoons. and vlgo y returned the
fire,‘wh;.e retreating to the‘a‘owmads, where the
enemy could not attack them‘mtbcut discovering
themselvc.:; but‘ they had committed the imprudence

of marching too fast—the cross-roads were stills
long way 0 , and the fire of the Apaches extended
along‘ the whole line. The bullets and arrows rained
on e Comanches. whose ranks were beginning to
be thinned. ,

Loyal Heart ordered the ranks to be broken,’and
men to scatter. The cavalry at once tried to long
the ravines and ditches that bordered the pat
behind which the Apaches were hidden; but were
repulsed by the long-barbed arrows which the
Indians fired with extreme dexterity. The Coman-
ches and whites leaped off their horses, being cer-

of recovering them when wanted, and retreated,
shelterin themselves behind trees, only ving wa
inch by nch, and keeping up nsustaine fire wit
their enemies, who, feeling certain of victory dis-
played in their attack a perseverance ,far rom
common when sava emotions with whom success
nearly always epen s on the first effort.

Loyal Heart. as soon as his men reached the clear-
ing, made them form a circle, and they offered an
imposing front to the enemyon all sides. Up to this
moment, the A es had maintained silence, not a
single war~ye had been uttered, nota rustling of
the leaves had been heard. Suddenly the firing
ceased. and silence again brooded over the desert.
The hunters and Comanche: looked ,at each other
with a. su rise mingled with terror. They had
fallen into t_ e trap their enemies had laid for them,
while fancying they could spoil it.

There was a terrible moment of expectatio
whose anxious expression no pen could depict. A
at once the conchs and chichikoues were heard
sounding on the right and left, in the rear and front!
At this signal, the Apaches rose on all sides, blow-
i their war-whistles to excite their courage, and
ut eiinfi fearful yells‘. The Comanches were sur-
roundc , and nothing was left them but'to die
bravely at their posts! At this terrible Sight, a
shudder of fear involuntarily rose along those
intrfipid warriors, but it was almost instantaneously
que ed, for they felt that their destruction was
imminent and certain.

Loyal Heart and Black-deer, however, had lost
none of their calmness; they hoped then, still, but
what was it they expected?

CHAPTER XVI.
run scans-runes.

LOYAL Hun-r was as calm and quiet as if witness-
ing an ordinary (marge; with flashing eye and
haughty BE he recommended his warriors to save
their pow er and arrows, to keep together and sus-
tain the chargoof the Apaches, without ‘yielding an
inch of ground. The Comanches uttere their war-
ycll twice, and then a deadly silence brooded over
the clearing.

“ Good!” the hunter said, “ you are great braves;
I am proud of commanding such intrepid warriors.
Your squaws will greet you with dances and shouts
of joy on your return to the village, and Juroudly
count the scalps you’bring back at your gii 1e.”

After this brief address the hunter returned to the
center of the circle, and the whites waited with
their fingers on the trigger, the red-skins with lev-
eled bows. In the mean while the A aches had
quitted their ambuscade, had formed heir ranks,
and were marching in excellent order on .the Co-
manches. They had also dismounted for a. hand-to-
hand fight was about to begin between these irre-
concilable enemies.

The ' ht had entirely sli ped away; but the first
beams 0 day which ti the to s of the trees,
the black and moving cgcle could
closer and closer round the weak grou formed by
the Comanches and the adventurers. was a sin-
gular thin in prolific fashions thatApaches advanced
slowly witiou firing, as if. wishing to destroy their
enemies at one blow. Tranquil and Legal Heart
shook hands while exchanging a calm .sm 0.

“ We have five minutes left, said the hunter.

“ We shall settle a goodly number before falling
ourselves " the C n answered.

Lo al Heart stretched out his hand toward the
nor: vwest.

“All is not over yet,” he said.

“ Do you hope to get us out of this scrape?“

“ I in end,” the young man answered, still calm
and smiling, “ to destroy this collection of bi'igands
to the last man."

“May Heaven nt it!" the Canadian said, with a
doubtml shake o the head.

The Apaches were now‘but a few yards OE, and
all the rifles were leveled as if by common agree-

ment.
“Listen!” Loyal Heart muttered in Tranquil‘s

ear. ,
, At the same mo ent distant yells were heard, and
the enemy steppe with alarmed hesitation.

“What isit ‘ Tranquil asked. '

“ Our man," the young man answered laconicall .

A sound of horses and fire-arms was heard in t e
enemy’s rear.

“ The Comanches! the Comanchesl” the Apaches
shouted.

The line that surrounded the little band was sud-
denly rent asunder, and two hundred Comanche
horsemen were 'seen cutting down and crushing
eve foeman Within reach. On erceiving their
hrot era the horsemen uttered a. 5 out of joy, to
which the others enthusiastically responded, for
they had fancied themselves lost. '

Loyal Heart bad calculated Justly, he had not
been a second wrong; the warriors'ambuscaded by
Black-deer to effect adiversion and com leie the
victoryarrived at the decisive moment. his was
the secret of the young chief’s calmness, although
in hisheart he was devoured by anxiety, for so many
things might delay the arrival of the detachment.
The Apaches, thus taken by surprise, attempted for
a few minutes a desperate resistance; but being
surrounded and overwhelmed .by numbers, they
soon began Sing in all directions. But Black-deer’s
measures h been taken with at rudence and
a thorough knowledge of the m' 'tary actics of the
praixgcs: the Apaches were literally caught between
two res.

Near] two-thirds of the A che warriors, placed
' under t e command of, Blue- ax to attempt the dar-
ing stroke he had conceive fell, and the rest had
great difficulty inesca ing. e Victory was decisive,
and for a long time t e Apaches would not dare to
measure themselves again with their redoubtable

seen drawing

 

enemies. Eight hundred horses and nearly five

 

hundred scalps were the-trophies of the battle,
without counting some thirty wounded. The Com-
anches had only lost a dozen warriors, and their
enemies had been unable to scalp them, which was
regarded as a great glory. The horses were col-
lected, the dead and wounded pIaCed on fitlers, and
when all the scalps had been lifted from the Apaches
who had succumbed during the fight, their bodies
were left to the wild beasts, and the Coniimchn
warriors, intoxicated with joy and ride, remouizti-(l
their horses and ieturued to the vi] age.

The return of the expeditions corps was a 1 or—
fect triumphant march. Black- eer, to do honor lo
Loyal Heart and his comrades, whose help had hm u
so useful dining the battle, insisted on their march-
ing at the hwul of Che column, and on Loyal lleart
keegiing by his side. as having shared the command
wit him. The sun rose at the moment when the
Comanches emerged from the forest, the day
promised to be magnificent and the birds perched
on all the branches loudly saluted the advent of day.
A in e crowd, composed of women and children,
could e seen running from the village and hui lying
to meet the warriors.

A large band of horsemen soon a peered, armed
and painted for war, at their hen marching the
gxeatest braves and most respected sacbems of the
tribe. This band, formed in good order, came up to
the‘ sound of conchs drums, chicbikoues, and war
whistles, mingled With shouts of joy from the crowd.
on coming Within a certain distance of each other.
the two bands halted, while the crowd fell back to
the right and left. Then, at i._ signal given by Black-1
deer and the chief commandini the second- detach—
ment a fearful yell burst ion like acla of thun-A
der, t e horsemen dug in their spurs, an the two
parties rushed upon one another and began a series
of evolutions. _ '

When this erformance had lasted some time, and
a considerab e quantity of gunpowder had been ex-
pended, the two chiefs gave a signal, and the hands.
up to the present commi led, se a ated, as if by
enchantment and fox-me aboug,
from each pther. . There was then a perfect rest, but,
in a few minutes, at a signal from Blackbird, the.
leaders of the two detachments advanced toward
each other. The salutatlons and congratulations
then began; for, as we have .ah‘eady made the ob-
servation, the Indians are excesswely strict in mat-
ters of etiquette. _

rick-deer was obliged to narrate in the fullest.
detail, to the assembled chiefs how the action had
been fogfiht, the number of the enemy killed, how
many h been scalped—in short, all that had oc-
curred. Black-deer performed this duty with the
utmost nobility an modesty, giving to Loyal
Heart, who in vain retested, all the merit of the
victory, and only al owmg himself credit for hav-
ing punctually carried out the orders the pale
warrior had given him. This modesty in a warrior
so renowned. as Black-deer reatly pleased the
Comanche chiefs. and obtained im the most sincere

re 9. ,
p When all these preliminary ceremonies had been
rformed, the Wives of the chiefs advanced. each
ending by the bridle a in flcent steed, destinul
to take the lace of their hus ands' chargers wearh L1
in action. lack-deer‘s young and charming squan-
led two. After how' with a gentle smile to her
lfiusbandéfiindhl‘mnedsing imtfinhe 231% ofl finigf “la:
orses e rn e a e an
offered him the bridle of the syecond laserse:

“ Elm-other Loyal Heart is a great brave," she
said, a voice as melodious as a binl‘s song; “he.
will pgrmit his sister to offer him this course , which
is in nded to take the place of the one he as tired
in fighting to save his brothers."

All the Indians applauded this gift, so racefully
offered; Black-deer, in spite of his assumed stoicism,
could not refrain from evidencing the pleasure
which his oung wife’s charming attention caused
him. Loya Heart smiled sweetly, dismounted, and
walked up to her.

“ My sister is fair and kind,” he said, as he kissed
her on the forehead; “I accept the present she
makes me; my brother Black-deer is happy in pos-
sessing so a squaw."

The young wife withdrew, all confused and de-
lighted, 11mm?t her companions; the chiefs then
mounted the resh horses brought them. Euchre-
turned to the head of his detachment, and the two
bands advanced slowly toward the villa e, escorted
by the crowd which ncessant filled t e ail-with
joyous shouts that mingled wi the musical instru—
ments, whose savage harmony deafened all ears.

The Apache prisoners, on foot and alarmed,
marched at the head of the column, ardedhy filt
picked warriors. These untamah 9 Indians, 5E
though perfectly aware of the fate that awaited
them and the tortures to which they were destined.
walked with head erect and haughty demeanor, as
if, instead of being interested actors in the scene
that was preparing, they were only indifferent spec-
t

stars.
However, this stoic'sm peculiar to the red race sur.
rised nobody. The Omanche warriors disdained to
suit the misfortunes of the intrepid warriors, whose
courage fortune had betrayed; the women alone,
more cruel than the men, es cially those whose
husbands were killed in the bat e, and whose bodies
were now brought along in litters, rushed like furies
0n the unhappy prisoners, whom the overwhelmed
with insults, casting stones and filt and even at
tunes trying t_o\dig their sharp nails into their flesh.
This was carried to such agent that the guards of
the prisoners were com he to interfere to prevent
them bemg torn asun er alive, and get them away
from the of these Mcgeras, who grew more and
more excl , and in whom wrath had fgradually at-
tained the pro rtions of indesmibable ury. .

The proces on, compelled to clear its wa through
a. crowd that was momentarily augmentetf ad
vanced slowly. _ ‘ z _

The day was far spent when it reached the path—
sade that formed the village defenses. At about ten
paces from the palisode the two stopped; two
men were standing motionless at the entrance of the
village—they were the master of the great medicine
and the hachesto; as if by. enchantment at the
sight of these men a. profound silence fell on the
crowd so noisy a moment previously. The haehesto
held in his hand the totem of the tribe, and when
the $511101? halted the sorcerer took a step for
we

a pistol-shot .

«Maw-1's-.. ,. ,

Ker.“ 47"“

‘1‘:-

The white .S'calper.’

19

 

 

“ Who are you, and what do you want?" he asked,
in a loud voice.

“ We are." Black-deer answered, “the t braves
of the powerful nation of the Antelo e omanches;
we ask 'leave to enter the village wit our prisoners
and the horses we have captured, in order to per-
form the scalp—dance round the stake of torture."

“ Good," the sorcerer answered; “ I recognize you;

’011 are, indeed, the eat breves of my nation; your
ands are red with t e blood of our enemies; but."
he added. taking a gloomy glance around, “all our
warriors are not present; what has become of those
who are missing? ‘ ., '

There was a moment of mournful silence at this
question.

“ Answer," the sorcerer continued, imperiously;
“have vnu abandoned your brothers? ‘

“ No," Black-deer said‘ “ they are dead, it is true
but we have brought back their bodies wrth us, an
their scalps are untouched." ..

“ ood, ' said the'sorcerer; “how many warriors
have fallen?"

“ Onl ten."

“ How did they die?" _ '

“ Like brave men, with their face turned to their

“ Good; the Wacondah has received them into the
happy hunting-grounds; have their squaws bewailed
them ‘1" -

“They are doing so."

The sour frowned. , - .

‘IABruve men only weep with tears of blood," he
Sill

Black-deer fell back a ste to make room for the
widows, who stood motio ess and gloomy behind
them 5 they then advanced. ‘ I

“Vi e are re‘n'dfiy " thief said; “if our father wrll
pei‘mil.‘us, we w our husbands as they de-
sei've.’ -

“ Do so,“ he answered; ‘1 the Master of Life sees it,
and he Will smile on your grief.“

Then, a strange scene occurred, which only Indian
stoiclsni could endure without shuddering with hor-
ror; these women, arming themselves With knives,
cut off several oints of their fingers without uttering
ahcombiélaint; t en. notthcontfnted with thisdsfiagsoms,
t ey an scarring e r aces, amis, an ,
so that §he blood soon ran down their whole bodies,
and they becanm horrible to. look upon. The seer

excited and encour ed them b his marks to we
their husbands the roof of t elr t and t en-
0 delirium,

exaltation soon attained such a ‘filtc
that they would eventually have illed themselves,
had not the sorcerer checked them. Their compan-
ions thon approached them, took away their wea-
ns, and them off. When the had finally
eft the spot, t e sorcerer addressed 9 warriois
standin motionless and attentive before him— .

“ Thegblood shed by the Apache warriors has been
ransomed by the Comanche squaws," he said; " the
ground is saturated with it; grief can now ve wa
to joy, and my brothers enter their Village thh
erect. for the Master of Life is satisfied. ’

Then taking from the hands of the hachesto the
totem which the latter'hm been Wavi round his
head, he stationed himself on the hand of
Black-deer, and entered the village with e warriors,
amid the deafening shouts of the crowd, and to the
sound of the instruments which had recommenced
their infernal charivarl. ,

The procession marched straight to the great
square where the scalp~dance was to take place.
Loyal Heart and his comrades desired most eagerly
to escape this ceremony; but it would have been a
great insult to the Indiana to do so, and they were
com elled to follow the warriors, whether the
likedJ it. or not. On passing before the hunters
rancho, they noticed that all the windows were
closx Id. Dona Jesuits, not at all desirous to witness
the cruel sight, had shut herself up; but No Eusebio,
whose nerves were stronger, was standi in the
doorway, carelessly smoking t e, and
watching the procession defile, w , by Loyal
Heart’s orders, e had preceded by a few moments
in order to reassure Dona Jesuits. as to the result 0
the enga ement.

When t e whole tribe had assembled on the square,
the scalp-dance commenced. It is performed b the
squaws, and onthis occasion it was Black eers
neu ly-mu'ried wife who led the dance, in her quality
of new .of the chief who had commanded the

ex tion.

Thewfipaehe prisoners lied been faftensedtfiie state:
erec ress - an or some on
e etfipthe ridicule. jests, and insults of their
enemies without displaying the slightest emotion.
When the dance at length ended, the time for tor-
ture arrived.

We will not dwell on the frightful sufferings
inflicted on the’ wretched men whom their evil
destiny had delivered into the hands of their implaca-
ble foes, for we have no desire to describe horrible
scenes; we have even felt a re once to allude to
them, butare bound to be faith ul historians.
we have undertaken the task of sushi: known the
manners of races hitherto almost un 'nOWn, mid
which are destined so shortlyi disap ear, we Will
not fail in our duty and in 0 er the our readers
may thoroughly understand what Indian torture is,
we will describe the punishment inflicted on one of
the prisoners, a renowned Apache chief.

Thischief was a young man of five-and—twenty at
the most, of lofty and well- to ortioned stature; his
features were noble, an s glance stern, and
though severely wounded in the actrbn, it was only
when literally overwhelmed by numbers, that he had
fallen upon the (Pile .of his warriors who had djsd
gravely at his si e. I

The Comanches, who are Jud of courage,had
admired his heroic conduct, and rented him with a
«terrain degree of respect by the express ordersof
black-deer, who entertained a hope of mm
renounce his nation, and consent to be adopted by
the Commence, for whom sobraye a warrior woul
have been an excellent acquisition. M readers
must not feel surprised at this idea of the che
sachem; these adoptions are frequent among the
red-skins, and it often happens thata warrior who
has fallen into the power of his enemies ransoms
his life, and escapes torture by marrying the Widow
22.2.11? "visas; “is m sans“

n n o e , .

The fpaghe chief was called Running-elk. Instead

of fastening him to the stake like the warriors of

less value made prisoners at the same time as him-
self, he had been left at liberty. He was leaning his
shoulder ainst the stake with folded arms, and
watched on ly and disdainfully all the incidents of
the scalp-dance. When it was ended, Black-deer.
who had reviousl consulted with the other chiefs
of the ribs, auc communicated his idea, which
they warmly approved of, walked up to him. The
risoner let him come up without seeming to notice
1m.

“ My brother, Running-elk, is a renowned chief
and great brave." he said to him in a gentle voice;
“ what is he thinking of at this moment?"

“I am thinkin ,‘ the Apache answered, “that I
shall soon be on t e happy hunting-grounds, where
I,sha.ll hunt by the side 0 the Master of Life."

“My brother is still ve young, his life only
counts spring seasons, does e Iibt regret losmg it? '

n“ Why should I regret it? a man must die after
a ."

“ Certainly; but dyin thusat the stake of torture,
when you have alon ture of joy and happiness
before you, is hard.” _

The chief shook his head mournfully and inter-
rupted the speaker.

My brother need say no more " he replied' “I
see h s thoughts, he is indulging in a hope which
will not be realized; Running-elk will not be a rene-
gade tohis nation to become a Comanche; I could
not live among you, for the blood of your warriors
I have shed would constantly cry out against me.
Could Imarry all the squaws whom m tomahawk
has rendered widows, or give you back t e numerous
scalps I have raised? no, I could‘not. When an
Apache and Comanche meet on the war-trail; one
must kill the other. Cease then making me pro-
posals which areas insult to in character and
con e; fasten me to the stake o torture, and do
not ' me at once, but gradually, by tortures, in
the Indian way. Invent the most atrocious torture,
and I defy you to hear from me a complaint, or even
a s h.” And growing more excited as he spoke, he
sai , “You are children who do not know how to
make a man of courage suffer. ou need the death of
a brave to learn how to die., '57 it on me, I'despise
you; you are cowardly dogs, you can only snarl,
and the mere sight of my eagle-feather has ever
sufilced to put on to flight.“

On hearin t iese naught words, the Comanches
uttered a 'e l of anger, an prépared to rush on the
prisoner, ut Black-deer checked them. ,

“Running-elk," he said, “ is not a real brave he
talks too much' he is a mocking-bird.who cha rs
because he is a raid." .

'The sachem shrugged his shoulders contemptu-

ouslfl.1 ,
“ is is the last word you shall hear from me," he
said; “you are dogs!“ .

And, iting his tongue 01!. he spat it into Black-
deer's face. The latter gave a lea of fury, and his
rage knew no bounds. Running-e was immediately
fastened to the stake; the women then core out the
nails from his fingers and toes. and drove into the
wounds little spiles of wood di pad in inflammable
matter, which they fired. T e Indian remained
calm; no contraction of the muscles disturbed the
harmony of his features. The gignishment endured
three hours; but though his dy was one huge
wound, the sac em remained perfectly stoical.
Blackbird a preached in his turn.

“Wait,” a said.

Room was made for him; ru on the Apache,
he plucked out his eyes, which he hr w away With
disgust, and filled the two burning ca ties With live
co 5. This last agony was horrible; a nervous
tremor ran for a second over the wretch’s body, but
that was all. The Comanche, exaspera b his
stoicisrn, which he could not refrain rom admiring,
seized him by his 10 hairand scalped him; then he
lashed his face with he blood-dripping scalp. The
prisoner was horrible to look on, ut still remained
.erect and unmoved.

Loty‘aafll Heart could no lo er endure this hideous
spec is; he dashed throng the people in front of
him an ut a pistol to the prisoner‘s forehead,
mg their v br ns. aIt?hakfiiiomtafiiches furious at sea

engeance m cm vs a I as
if about to rush on thelzvhite man wghad d to
rob them of their 1p ' but the latter drew himself
up haug’htily to day his arms on his chest, and
looked t em nil in the face.

“ Well," he said, in a firm voice.

This one word was enough; the wild beasts were
muzzled; they fell back cursing, but did not attempt
to make him account for what he had done. The
hunter then made a sign to tho adventurers to follow
him, and they left the actuare where for some hours

longer the Indians wrea ed their fury on the hapless
prisoners. '
CHAPTER XVII.
was: IEETING.

Wu must now go back two months in our narra~
tive and leaving the deserts of Upper Arkansas for
the banks of the Rio Trinidad, return to Cairo Pardo,
in the vicinity of Galveston, on the very day of the
battle so fatal to the Texans in order to tell the
reader the fate of certain important personages
whom we have neglected too long. ~

We have said that the Jaguar, when he saw the
battle irretrievablcy lo rushed at full speed to the
spot where he ha left he cart, in which were Tran-
quil and Carmela' that, on reaching it a frightful
spectacle struck his sight; the cart, half bmken. was

ing on the ground surrounded by a magenty of his

ends, who ad bravely fallen in its (is ense' but it
was empty, and the two persons to whose safety be
attached such importance had disap ared. The

h as so far from anticlpa after the recautions
h: bird taken, fall'senseiess flighe ground: uttering a
loud cry of despair.

The yo man remained unconscious for several
hours- billlélfilfi was a nature which a blow, however
terrible it might he, could not destroy thus. At the
moment when the sun was disap on
horizon in the ocean, and makiniway for night, the
Jaguar opened his eyes. He loo ed round haggard-
ly not being able to comprehend the position in
w he found himself an the circumstances ow-
ing to which he had mn’en in such a strange stats of
prostration. However strong a man may be, how-

 

ever t the one with which nature has an-
dow ' him, when life its been sus'ptiided inbim for

Jaguar, crushed by this horrible catas rophe, whicu‘

 

several hours the recollection of past facts comv
lately fails him for a period, more or less lo . and

6 requires some minutes to restore order his
ideas. This was what happened to the young man'
he was alone, a sorrowfu silence prevailed sromr
him, gloom was gradually invading the lamina ,
and t e objects by which he was surrounded 
came with each moment lam distinct.

Still the atmosphere was impregnated by a warm.
sickly odor of carnage, and corpses covered the
ground here andthore. He saw the dark outline of
the wild beasts which darkness drew from their
lairs, and which, guided by their sun

In- ,
stinct, were already prowling about the attic-’lleld,‘

preparing to commence their horrible repast.
“Oh!” the youn man suddenly exclaimed, leap-
i up, .“I remem er!” -
e have said that the plain was deserted; noth-
ing remained but co sea and wild beasts.
‘What is to be one?" the Jaguar muttered;
“ whither shall I 5:? What has become of m bro-_
there? in what ’ ection have they fled ere
shall I find Carmela and Tranguii a sin?“ ,
And the young man. crushe by e flood of des-
perate thoughts that rose from his heart to his
rain, sunk one block of rock, and, paying 110' fur-
ther attention to the wild beasts, whose roars in-
creased at each second, and row more menacing
with the darkness, be buried h head in his hands,
and violently pressing his temples as if to retain
tflbegter‘eason which was ready to abandon him. be re—

Two‘hours passed thus—two hours, durln which
he was a pre to a desperation which was t a mo
gaggle, as was sigent. ghi‘smigai‘i, who had set. ,

opes on an_ ea,w 0 or sevefl veers
f ht witho ttruce or more for the '
ofhls re gvhoselife had his so to one
long selfden -—at the moment w on he was ut
to attain that object. had seen,.b a sudden _
of fortune, his projects anni ted forever psi»
ha , in a few hours. 'For a moment he had tho hr.
of ' with life,_plungin(g his dagger into is
heart, and not survivmg the ownfall of his hopes-
of love and ambition. But this cowardly thought

did not endure long. A sudden reaction took lace
in the y man‘s mind, and he rose ain, s n.
e crucible

ger than be ore for his soul purified in
of suffering. h resumed all its audacious energy.

“ No " he said' , casting: glance of defiance around
“ I will not let myself any longer . G
will not permit that a cause so scored as that to
which I have devoted myself should fall: it is a trial,
He has wished to impose on us, and I will endure it
without com laint; though conquered days to-
morrow we w lbe victors. To work! I. y the
da hter of Heaven; she is holy, and can 0t die."

1‘ uttering these words in a loud voice, with
an accent of insHiration, as if desirous of filling
those who had fa en a last and supreme consoh—
tiomihe young man picked u his rifle,whloh had fal-
len by his side,and went off w th the firm and assured
step of a stron man, who has really faith in, the
cause he defen s, and to whom obstacles, however
great the may be. are lncitements to evers in

9 th c has traced. Jaguar en crossed
the ttlefield, striding over the corpses and put-
tifiit to flight the wild beasts, which eager got out
0 way.

The axing man this passed alone and in the dark-
ness DEF he road hehad traversed by the daz-
zling sun ig’ht in the midst of an enthusiastic arm
which marched gfldy into action, and behaved itse
sure of victory. is resolution did not break down
for a moment, he no longer allowed the attacks of
those sad thoughts wh h had so nearl crushed
him; he had clutched his sorrow, strugg ed with it

conquered it; now, nothing more could over-
power him. ‘

\
0n reaching the end of the where the battle. ‘

had been fought, the Jaguar The moon had
risen, and its id rays ed he land-
scape, to which It imparted
young man looked around him; in his utter
mince of the road followed by the fugitives 0
ll. be hesitated about going along a path where
eranariskaf fallian with a party of Mexican
innderers, who must at this moment he
:fiourl'lll‘s t plugs lindcvery direlctéii; in pgrsuit of.
oseexanswoabeensou as. etc:
from the battlefield. pa
It was a long and difficult zourney to the Fort of
the Form, and in all probabil ty the victors. if ey
were ‘not already masters of the fortress. would
have invested it, so as to intercept all communica-
tions of the garrison with their friends outside, and
force it to surrender. Nor could he dream of enter-
ing Galveston, for that would be delivering himself
in]? fine hands of his enclrJulgi n'll‘lief Jaguars rv
xywasgres' erem us orao tine
hesitating as to what road he should follow“? By a
mechanical movement habitual enough to men when
embarrassed, he looked vaguely around him, though
not fixing his eyes more on one Isfiot than another,
when he gave a sudden start. 9 had seen. some

ten.

distance on, a faint, almost imperceptible ht
gleammfismon the trees. The youn man in
vain to etc o the direction in which the light.

was; but at length he felt cert in that it came from
the side where was the rane 0, which on the pro.
vious evening had been the head-quarters ofthc eta!
of the Texan army. '

This ranclio, situated on the sea—shore. at a con—
siderable distance from the battle-field could not
have been visited by the Memcans, for t sir horses
were too tired to carry them so far-.the Jaguar
therefore persuaded himself that the light he per-
ceived was kindled by fugitives of his (party- he be-
lieved it the more easdy because he esired it, for
night was advancing, and he had neither eaten or
drank during the t day, in which be had been so
active occupi, ; he began to feel not only ex-
ha with fatigue, but his physical wants, rev

skiing the mastery Over his moral apfizehension he

sits agree of him r and thirst t t reminded
him imperiouva that e had been fasting for more
than fourteen hours: hence be was anxious to find a.
place where it would be possible for him to rest and
refresh himself

The Jaguar without further hesitation, marched
tresol “wary in the direction of the light. which be con—
n see

among the trees like a beacon.

, 'nie nearer he drewto the rancho, the dimer became

his conviction that he had not deceived himself:

I

 «mercenwkc A..-» .

 

...;.¢,\..~€,/ aka-f7.

1

.;..,»~..,.

 

i

‘ iScalper;

 

 

after dee reflection it seemed to him im ble
that the xicans could have pushed on so
when he was but a short distance from the house,
he udged it prudent to double his precautions, not to
let self be summed, if, contrary to his expecta-
tions, he had to deal with an enemy. '

0n coming within five hundred paces of the rancho
he began to grow restless and have less confidence
in the opinion he had formed. Several dead horse
two or e corpses lying pellsmell amo eceso

_ wea s and broken carts, led to the ev ent sup-
1 n thata fight had taken place near the macho.
fiftwith whom ad the advantage remained? with
the Mexicans or the Texans? Who were the persons
at this moment in the house—were the
toes? these questions were very dimth solv and
the Jaguar felt extremely embarrassed. St 1 he
was not discouraged. The fyoung man had too long
carried on the rotession o, artisan and scout not
to be thoroug y ac uain with all the tricks of

the wood- er‘s di cult life. After reflecting a

few moments mind was made up. r

Several times while the i'ancho had served as
headwaters o the Texan army the J had
gone are either to be present at counc 80f War
or to take the orders of the commander-in-chlcf.
.As the approach to the house was thus familiar to
Hm, he resolved to slip up to a window and assure

, with his own eyes, of what was going onin
the rancho.

The light still gleamed, though no ound was heard
from the interior, or troubled the doc silence of the
night: the Jaguar, without quitting ‘s rifle, which
he ml ht require at any moment, lay down on the
swung, and, crawling on his hands and knees, ad-
vanced toward the house being careful to keep in the
shadow'thrown by the thick branches of the trees,
in rder not to reveal his presence, if, as it was
pro , the inhabitants of the house had placed
a sentry to watch over their safety. The reasoning

of theyoungman, like all reasoning based on ex-
perience, was correct; he had scarce gone fifteen
yards are he saw, standin out from the white wall
of the house, theshadow o a man leaning on a rifle,
and motionless as a statue. This man was evidently
la sentry placed there to watch the approaches to
the tune 0.: .

The situation was growing complicated for the
Jaguar; the difficultieS increased in such propor-
tionathatthey threatened soon to become lnsup-
portable' for in order to reach the window be
which had hitherto so ortunately rotected him,

and enter he white light cast by t moon. He

mechanifi raised his head, hoping perhaps, that

a cloud

intercept its too brilliant light, were it but for a

moment- but the sky ties "of a deep azure, without

the smallest cloud, and studded with stars. ,

, The Jaguar felt an enormous inclination to leap on
' the sentry and throttle him; but su oshig it were
a friend? it was a knotty point. 9 young man
did not know whatto resolve on, and sought

'inv n how to get out of the sore , when the sentry

suddenly leveled his rifle in his ‘d rection, and aimed

at him with the saucy remark:

F‘ Hallo! my friend, when you have crawled far
enough like a snake, I suppose you will get up?"

At the sound of this' voice, which he believed he
chgnized; the young man eagerly leaped to his
. ee

C i C
“Caramha!” he answered with 'a "laugh", you are
figh’t’, John Davis; I have had enough of that crawl-

What!“ the latter replied, in surprise;  who

are you that you know me so well ‘3"

“A friend, anemia «16 Crista I so raiseyoui' rifle."

“ friend, a friend!" the American re lied, with-
out c nging his position, “ that is possib e, and the
sound of our voice is not unknown to me; but, no
matter w ether friend or foe, tell me your name”,
for if you don't I will keep you on the spot, as this
is not the time or fishing. ‘ ‘ .

“Viva Dies!” the young man said with'a laugh,
“that dear John is ulwa 's prudent."

“I. should hope so, ut enough talking‘ your
name that I may know with whom I have to cal." ,
, “ What, do on not reco ize the Jaguar?”

The Ame can lowere
echoed on the ground. _

“By Heaven!" he said joyousl , “I suspected it
was. on, but did not dare he ieve t. "

“$hy not?" the young man asked as he ap-

proached. .
“Hang it! because I was assured that you were
“Who the deuce conld have told you that non-
sense?"

“It isnot nonsense. Fray Antonio assured me
that he leapt his horse over your body.”
. The Jaguar-re , d for a moment.

"Well," he answered, “ he told you the truth."

“ What?" the American exclaimed as he gave a
start of terror, “ are you dead ?" ‘

“ Oh, oh! make your mind easy," the young man
answered with a laugh; “ I am as good a llvuig man
as yourself.” ’

“Are you quite sure of it!" the superstitious
American said dubiously.

“ Ba' de Dias! I am certain of it, though it is
pggsib e that Fra Antonio leaps his horse over my

, for I lay or several hou senseless V on the
e—ileld.”

"That is all right, then.” _

,“Thanks; but what are you domg there?"

. “As you see I am on guard."

.. I, “Yogi, butw y are you so? are there more of you
"There are about a dozen of us."

“ All the better; and who are your comrades?"

The American looked at him for some mom‘ents

fixedly, and then took his hand which he squeezed.
“My friend,” he said wit emotion, “thank

Heaven, for it hits shown you a great mercy this

do you mean?” the young man exclaimed,
“I mean thatthose you conflededto us are safe
and so
incurred
“Canitbe true!" he said, is
alienate check the beating of h
“Iassure you."

:13 the terrible day'we have

had“.

 

:stlll.’

friends or

wanted, he ‘would be compelled to ' leave the shadow,

d pass over the face of t e planet,'and,

his rifle, and'the butt ‘

un' inDspite of the dangers innumerable the

hishand on his

“ Then they are both here?"
u  V!

“ Oh! I must see themi" he exclaimed, as be pre-
pared to rush into the rancho. '

“ Wait a moment." ,

“ Why so?" he asked in alarm.

“ For two reasons: the first being that before you
enter I must worn them of our arrival."

h “ That is true; go my riend, I will await you
ere. ’

“I have not yet told you the second reason."

“What do I care?”

“ More than you fancy; do you not wish me to tell
you , the name of the man who protected and
eventually saved Dona Carmela?" _

“I do not understand you, my friend. I mtrusted
the guardianship onTranquil and Dona Carmelato

ou ‘

“ You, did so." ‘ ‘

“ Then, was it not you who saved them Y"

The American shook his head in denial.

“No,” he said, “it was not I, I could only have
died With thorn." ,

“But who saved them, then? whoever that man
may be, I swear—"

“One of your dearest and most devoted friends,
Colonel Melendez." ‘ '

“ Ohl I could have sworn it," the young man said
impetuousl ; “ why cannot I thank him?‘

‘ You w‘ soon see him."

‘5  so?" .

" At this moment he 1‘3 busy see a safe retreat
for the old hunter and his daughter. or the resent
we shall remain at this ranclio, from Which 9 will
be able to keep the Mexican soldiers; and so soon as
he has found another shelter, he wi himself come
to tell us." .

“ Always kind and devoted! I shall never be able
' to pay my debt to him." .

. .. who knows?" the American said philosophi-
cally; “luck will, perhaps,turn for us, and then it
will be our turn to protect our protectors of to-day."

“You are ri ht, friend‘ may Heaven grant
that it isso; 1) how id it all happen 1’"

“The colonc who seemed, from what, he said to
me to have foreboded the danger that Dona Car-
ine a ran, arrived just at the moment, when at-
tacked on all sides atoncc, and too weak to resist
the enemiesywho overwhelmed us, we were prepar-

55 the rest. By threats and entree cs, e drovo
ck the soldiers who were attacking us; then, not
satisfied with having freed us from our enemies, he
desired to secure us against all danger, and accom-
anied us thus far, recommending us to_ wait for
im here, which I believe we shall be wise in doing.”

“ Certainly, acting otherwise would be ungrateful.
Go now, u friend, I will wait for. you." ,

.l’ohn Dans understanding the Cpuristy from which
the young man Was suffering, di not let the mvxta-
tion be re eated,’ but entered the mucho. The Ja-
gqiar i‘ema ned alone, and was not sorry for it for he
wished to restore some order in his. ideas. e felt
himself inundated with immense joy). at flndin
again, safe and sound, those whom be ad believe
dead, and whom he so bitterly lamented; becould
scarce dare believe in such lisp
he must be dreaming, so impossi lo did all this a ;
pear to him. In less than ten minutes John be
returned.

“ Vell?" the young man asked. ,

“ Conic," he answered laconically. ‘ ' I
. The American led him forward through a room in
which were about a dozen Texans, among them be-
iiig Fray Antonio, Lanzi, and Quoniam, who were
slccpiug on trusses of strawlaid on the boards. He
than pushed open a door and the two men entered a
scco 0. room not quite as lame. and lighted by a
smo y candle standing on a able, which diffused
but a dim light. Tranquil was lying on-a bed of furs
piled on eac ‘other while Dona Carmela was sitting
on an equips] by is side. On seeing the" young
man she rose qu ckly and run to moot, him.

“ h!" she cried, as she offered him her band:
“heaven be raised, you have come at last!" And
bending dow , she offered him her polo f’WCllL‘CKl,
on' which the Jaguar imprinted a. respectful
the only answer he could find, as he was splicing
from such emotion. Tran iiil rose with an cifort on
his couch, and held out his and to the young man,
who hurried up to him.

“ Now whatever may happen," he said timer-
ously, “I am assured as to the iota cfiny 1.0Ll‘ child,
since you are near ‘me. "e have been terribly
alarmed, m friend.” ,

“ Alasi” e answered, “ I have ,suifered more than

on.

“But what is the matter?" Carmela exclaimed;
“ you turn pale and totter; are you wounded?"

‘ N0," he answered feebly; “it is the happiness,
the emotion, the joy of cool ‘
ing more, so reassure ourse ."

Andwhile saying :11 he fell back into a butacca
half fainting. , Game :1, suffering from the most
lively alarm, hurriedly attended to him,'but John

 

on again. It is noth-

sick man wanted, seized his
drink a long draught of its contentsfi The (motion
the Jaguar was suffering from, combined with the
want of food and the fatigue that oppressed him,
had caused him, this momentary weakness. Tran-
q‘uil was not deceived; so soon as he saw the young
man return to consciousness,~hc ordered his daughter
to get him food, and, as she did not seem to under
stand he said with a laugh to the Jaguar: ' '

“I fancy, my friend, that a good meal is the only
remedy you need.” _ ‘ _ ~

The you man tried to smile as he, confessed
that in trut , he was obli cd to confess, in spite
of the bad opinion Dona rmela would form of
him, that he was literally dying of hunger. The
maiden, reassured by this prosaic confessmn, im-
mediately began getting him a supper of some sort,
for provisions were scanty in the rancho, and it was
I not an easy matter ,to procure them. However in a
‘ few minutes, Carmela returned With some maize
tortillas and a little roast nlellt, a more than suffi-
cient meal, to which the young man did _the test
honor after apologizing to his ,charmmg

 

r, and did not fail to tease. the

young chief, who bravely/endured it. -
The rest of the ht was passed in
versatiou by these t e persons, who

 

' lighted at bein together once more.

ing, as we had promised, to die at our st ‘hyou can,

loose and fancied .

Dams, knowing better than the maiden what the'
gourd. and made him,

 

ostess ,
who now completely reassured. had resumed her 5
t characte

leasant con- 
belleved ‘

they Would never meet again, and now felt so de-
The sun had
risen but an our when the sentry suddenly chal-
Rngergfiagd several horsemen stopped at the gate of

e c o.

.4.—

CHAPTER XVIII. ‘

A memos. .

Arms the sentry's challenge, loud shouts were
raised outside the raycho, and ere long, the noise
and confuswn attaine such roportions that the
Jaguar. alarmed and not know ng to what to attri-
bute the disturbance, rose with the intention or
going to inquire what was taking place. In the pres-
ent precarious posmon of the fugitives, the slightest
event might prove fatal to them. Carmela went all
in a tremor ulpllto Tranquil, who tried in vain to
console her, w ' e cocking his pistols and preparing
to Sell his life dearly.

At the moment when the Jaguar was about to
open the door, it was thrown open and John Davis
rushed into the room. The American was red and
his eyes 3 'arklcd like carbuncles; he seemed afloat-
ed by a vely emotion, but the ression of his
face was rather Joyous and surpris than sad.

.“What is the matter, then?” the Jaguar asked

in.
Without answering his

. (Eamon, the American
seized him by the arm, and agged- him away, say-
ing eagerly:

Come, make haste' you shall see."

“But answer me," the young man continued, try-
ing, thou h in vain, to escape the powerful grasp
that hel him. “In Heaven’s name,'what is the
matter. ?"

“ Come, I tell you; come, and you will see. "

Understanding that it was useless to continue
questioning the American, the Jaguar resolved to
follow him, after reassuring his friends and telling
them that he should return in a few minutes and in-
lorm them .what was the event ood or bad, that
caused such perturbation in Jo n Davis‘s mind.
When the oung man’reached the hall, still dragged
on by the merican, who had not let his arm; he
uttered a shout of Joy and dashed ggrward, after
taking a. rapid glance around him. Six hundred
horsemen, at least, had halted in front of the rancho,
They were’ Texan fugitives from the battle, and
among them were nearly all the comrades ‘of the
Jaguar, those old Border Rifles who, when the revo-
lotion , was definitively organized, became free~
hooters, and with whom the oung man had carried
out so many hazardous and c aring expeditions.

It was the sight of his comrades that had drawn a
shout of delig t from the Jaguar; while they, on

_rceiving the chief they adored, rushed toward

im With yells of delight. 'They surrounded him
and almost overwhelmed him with their noisy and
warm rotestations of devotion. The young man
drew h mself u proudly, and tears of :10 ran down
his cyehds. Al was not over yet, then, the cause of
liberty was not lost; since so man generous hearts
still best, the victory of the Elements, that victory
which they had believed complete, was reduced to
the proportions of a. deed of arms, brilliant, it is
tme, but Without any political import. Now the
Jaguar-was 'no longer a fugitive, a prosoript com-
pelled to conceal himself like a bird 0 the night: he
could march in open day, not havin disgraceful
conditions to endure at the hands 0 the victors,
who, on the contrary, would speedin learn that the
Texan revolution they fancied they had crushed
was more lively. and Vigorous than ever.

All these reflections the Jaguar made in a few
seconds; and for him the future, which he had seen
an hour previoust so somber and menacing, became
suddenl Smiling and lull of clnzzlin pi'oniis ..
Whén t is first emotion was calmed, ling order was
returned, the young chief inquircd into the events
which had caused their arrival at the i'anclio, and
the reason for their coming.-

This is what he learned from Fray Antorio; but
as,sincc his return to honest , the worthy nionk
lwl resumed his nionusticha its of prolixitv, we
will tfihc his place and narrate the facts as briefly as
pom 0. .

We have said that on enter-in the rancho the
Jaguar, while passing through t 6 first room, had

crccived, among the sleepers .upon the straw,

unzi, Quoniam, and Fray Antonio. All these men
were really sleeping, but With that light sleep pecu-
liar to hunters and wood-run ers, and the sound of
the youn man's footsteps ad aroused them: so
soon as t ey saw the door of the second room close
on the American they rose iioiselessly, took up their
weapons, and stealt ily quitted the rancho.. They
had done this wiihout exchanging a syllable, ind
were evidently Gauging out a plan arranged before-
hand, and which 1 e presence of the sent had
Their horses were saddle? in a
twinkling, th lea it into their saddles, and when
John DaVis re urns to his post the were far out of
reach. The American, who imme lately perceived
their departure gave a start of passion, and re-
sumed his rounds, growling between his teeth:

“The deuce take them! only ho the may get
a dose of lead in their heads, prowded t do not
binnfila medulla of Mexican lancers ‘down 0 us."

Sal _, the plan of these bold rangers was far from
meritmg such an imprecation, for they were about
to accom lish a work of devotion. Ignorant of
Colonel elendez’s promises, and having, moreover,
i:o_ sort of confidence in the well-known -pui:ic
faith of the Mexican they roposed to beat up the

counirv, and assem ed. al the fugitives of their

  

alone impeded.

part t ey came across, in order to stand Tranquil
and one Carmela from any insult. In the In! an
while Lanzi would swim OR to the b which would
be cruisin a cable’s length from e beach, an-

nounce to ‘aptain Johnson the‘ result of the battle
of, Cerro Pardo, tell h the cn’tical condition in
which the old hunter an his daughter were placed,
and beg him to go to the rancho and remove the
wounded man on board, if cii cumstancés compelled
it. ' ,
Fortune, which always favors the_l:rave, was far
more favorable to the lens of this forlorn ho
than they had any right 0 expect; theylhad h 1y
galloped ten miles across the country _no sewed
direction ere ther plowed numerous bivouac flies
sparkli throng r enightin front of a wretched
fishing Ifilage, situated on the Boa-shore a little dis-
tance from he‘Fort ‘on the Point. They strpr to
hold a council; but at the moment they prepared to

 

. on: '

i
p
i
l
i
i

“m are

The White Scalper.

21

 

 

deliberate, they were suddenly surrounded b a
dozen horsemen, and made prisoneiu ere the ad
time to lay hands on their arms or make an e ort at
defense. ,

Only one of the three comrades succeeded in es-
caping, and that was Lanai; the brave half-breed
slipped off his horse, and passing like a. serpent be-
tween the legs of the horses, he disappeared before
his flight was noticed. Lanzi had reflected that by
remaininv with his comrades he let himself he car
tured without profit; while if he succeededin cscap- ‘
ing he might hope to accomplish the commission he
had undertaken, so that be retained a chance of
safety for Tranquil and his daughter. It was in con—
sequence of this reasoning, ma, e with the rapidity
that characterized the half-breed, .that he attempted
and accomplished his bold flight, leaving his com-
rades to get as best the could out of the awkward
scrape they had fallen nto. .

But a thing happened to the latter which they were
far from anticipating, and which the halt-breed
would never have suspected. The on turc of the
two men was effected so rapidly; they ad been so
surprised that not a single word was exclian ed on
either side; but when they were secured the c ief of ,
the detachment ordered them to follow him in a
rough voice, and then a. curious fact occurred: these
men, who could not see each other for the darknes
became old friends again as soon as a sentence ha
been exchanged. Fray Antonio and his comrades
had fallen into the hands of Texan fugitives from

 

the battle, and were the prisoners of their own
friends.

After numberless mutual con atulations, ex-
planations came on the carpet, [UK these horse men

roved to bclon to the Jaguar's cuadrilla. When
their chief left em to fly to the cart, they contin- i
nod to fight for some time while awaitinglhis return; ‘
but pressed on all sides, and not seeing im return, .
they broke and began flying in all directions. As
they were perfectly acquainted with the countr ', it 1
was easy for them to escape the pursuit of the li exi-
can cavalry; and each, with that instinct peculiar to
partisans andguerrillas, proceeded se rat.er to one
of the gathering places, whither the aguar was ac-
customed to summon them. Here theyneariy all
came together again, for the simple reason that, as
their cuadrilla formed the rear-guard, it had been
the lust engaged, and suffered very slightly, as it
was almost immediately broken up by the departure
of its chief.

Dur' this flight a great number of other parti-
sans lifi swellu their ranks, so that at this moment
their band formed a corps of nearly six hundred
resolute men, well mounted and armed, but who,
unfortunately, had no leader. The capture of Fray
Antonio, who found many of his soldiers among
them, was, therefore, apiece of cod luck for the
partisans, who, though they had en left to their
own resources for only a few hours, were already
beginning to understand the difficulties of their
position, and how dangerous it would become for
them if fatalitzuwilled it that they should be dis-
covered and at -ked by a Mexican corps.

Still, they had acted with great prudence up to this,
moment. Obliged to leave the retreat they had
selected, and which offered them no resources, they
had bivouacked a little distance from the Fort
of the Point in‘ordcr to be protecth both b the
garrison of the fortress and the fire of their c sers,
which the know to be close at hand.

When my Antonio had picked up this infor-
mation, which was precious for him, and over-
whelmed him with delight, by permitting him to
dispose of numerous and determ nod co s, instead
of a few demoralized fugitives of no vs no, he de-
termined to requite the soldiers who had captured
him for the pleasure they caused him tellin him
that the J or was not dead as they had alscly‘
supposed—t at he was not even wounded but was
in udlng at the macho which had for a long time
served as head- uarters of the Texan army,’ and he
would conduct t em thither if they pleased. At this

roposal of the worthy monk‘s, the joy of the free-

ters became delirious, almost frenzied, for they
adored their chief, and ion ed to place themselves
under his orders again. ‘onsequcntly, the camp
was immediately raised,the partisans formed in a
column, Fray Antonio  himself at its head,
and the remains of the exan army set out joyously
for the rancho. The reader knows the rest.

The Jaguar warmly thanked Frag; Antonio; he
then stated that the macho would mpomrily be
liend-quartem, and ordered his men to bivouac round
the lionsc. Still, there was one thing which greatly
alarmed the oung man: no news had been received
of Lanai. hat had become of him? perhaps he
had found death in accomplishing his rash enter-
)rise, and trying to reach, by sw'imming, Ca talu

ohmson’s brig. The Jaguar knew the frlem ship
that united Tranquil and the half-breed, and what
dcc root that friendship had taken in the heart Lf
both, and he feared the effect on the Canadian. of
the announcement of a. calamity which, unhappily,
was only too probable. Hence, in spite of his promise
of returning at once to the hunter, he walked
anxiously up and down in front of the rancho, gaz-
ing at in ervals out to s nd not feeling the sour
rage to be present when it: Canadian as ed after
his old friend and was told of his death.

Presently, Carmela appeared in the doorway.
The old hunter, not seeing the Jaguar return and
alarmed by the noisy demonstration he heard out,
side at length resolved to send the girl on a. voyage
of iscovery, after warning but not- to commit any
act of imprudenoe, but return to his side at the
slightest a. cc of danger. Carmela ran off in
(is ' hi; to the J 1.2-; a few remarks she heard
whi a passing throng the house told her what was
occurring. and she had no fear about Venturng out-
side. On sodas her the young man checked his
hurried walk and waited for her, while trying to
rive his featured an exprenion agreeing with the
uckysi ‘oninwhichhewusu posodtobe.

“ We'ul‘ she said to him, with little uti
air which she could assume if neoconry, an whi
suited her so well; “what has becomexof 'ou, de-
serter? we have been waiting for you with t 0 most
lively im tienoe, and there you are walkipg quietly
up and 3:“, instead of hurrying to brmgusthoq

new: you promised us."
“ Forgive me, (Bax-melts," he replied; " I was wrong.

 

to appear thus to forget you,“ leawyw inn
stated :butsomymthlngs

have occurred, that 1 do not really yet know whether
I am awake or dreamt ."

“ Everybody deserts us this morning, not except-
ing Lanzi and Quoniam, who have not yet made
their appearance."

“You will pardon them, senorlta for I am the
sole cause of their absence. I found myself com-

lled to intrust them both with important duties,

ut I trust they will soon return, and directly they
do so, I will send them to on."

“But are you not coming ianaguar? my father
would be lad to talk with you.”

“ I shou d like to do so, Carmela, but at this mo-
meiitit is impossible; remember that the army is
utterly disorganized, at each moment fresh men
who have escaped from the battle join us; only a.
few chiefs have turned u as at, the rest are iniss-
ing. I alone must under ake orestore a little order
in this chaos; but be assured that so soon as I have
a second to myself. I will take advantage to join
you. Alas! it is onlyle your side that I am happy."

The maiden bius e siightl at this insliiua ion,
and answered at once with 8.
her acconts of which she immet iately repented, in
seeing the impression her words caused he young
man, and the cloud they brought to his forehead.

“ You are at liberty to remain here as long as you
please, caballero; in speaking to you as I did I
merely carried a message my father gave me for
you; the rest concerns me but little.”

The young man bowed without replying, and
turned away his head not to lot the cruel girl see
the sorrow she caused him by this h and un-
merited apostrophe. Carmela. walked a few Ste ‘
toward the house but on rcacliin the threshold 5 ie
ran back and o ered her little and to the young
chief with an exquisite smile.

“Forgive me, my friend," she said to him, “I am
a madcap. You are not angry with me, I trust?"

“1 an with you?" he re lied sadly “why
should [$350, by what ri ht? W int c e am to you
than a stranger, an indi crent being, a stranger too
happy to be endured without any display of impa—
tience on our part.“

The ma den hit her lips angrily.

“ Will on not take the hand I offer you ?“ she said
with a 51 ght tinge of impatience.

The Jaguar looked at her fora moment fixedly,
and then. seized her hand, on which he imprinted a
burning kiss.

“Why should the head ever do injustice to the
heart?‘ he said, with a. sigh.

“Am I not a woman?" she replied witha smile
that filled his heart with jay; “we are waiting for

on, so come soon," she a (led, and shakin her

nger at him, she ran back into the house ' ea
startled fawn, and lau hin like a madmtp.

The J iar gazed a ter or until she a. length dis-
appeareei in the interior of the Hindu).

‘ She is but a uettish child," he murmured in
a low voice; “has 3 e a heart?" I

A stifled sigh was the sole answer he found for the
difficult question he asked himself and he bent his
eyes again on the sea. Suddenly; he uttered say
of joy; he had just seen above t e rocks which ter-
minated on the right, the small bay on which the
cnadrilla was encamped, the tall masts of the
Librrfml corvette, followed or rather conveyed by
the brig. The two ships, impelled bya favorable
breeze, soon doubled the point, and entered the bay;
while the corvette made short tacks not to run
ashore on the dangerous coast, the brig shortened
sail and remained stationary. A boat was immedi-
ately let down, several persons seated themselves in
it, and the sailors, lettin their oars fall simultane-
ously into the water, u ed vigorously‘for the shore.

The distance they iad to row was nearly half a
mile, and hence the Jaguar was unable to recognize
the us who were arriving. Anxious to know
however what he had to depend on. he mountec
the first horse he came across, and alloped toward
the boat, followed by some twen rcebooters. The
young man reached the coast at t e recise moment
when the bows of the boat ran into t e sand. There
were three sailors in the boat: Captain Johnon and
the person we have met before under the name of
El Alferez, and lastl , Lanzl. On perceiving the
latter, the oung chic could not restrain a shout of

vice of coldness in

gay, and Without thinking of even salutin the other
wo he seized the half»breed‘s hand an pressed it
cordially several times.

The captain and his companion, far from beino
annoyed at thisa parentwant of politeness soc-m ,
on the contrary, witness with pleasure, this frank
gnih spontaneous manifestation of an honorable

cc rig.

“Bravo, caballero!" said the captain; “by
heachii you do right to press that man’s hand, for
he isaloyal and devoted follow: ten times durin
the past night he risked his life in trying to reach
my ship, which he at length came aboard, half
drowned and dead with fatigue.“

“Nonsense,” the half-breed said negligently; " it
was nothing at all: the main point was to reach
you, as mypoor comrades had the ilhluck to be taken
"1??" b l

e aguar egan aughing.

.“ Don't be alarmed, my brave fellow,"'he said to
him; ‘ your comrades are as free as yourself. and
you will soon see them; there was a mistake in all
this \vhrch they will have the pleasure of explaining
to ou.’

nzi opened his eyes in amazement at this partial
revelation, which he did not at all understand, but
he made no answer, contenth himself with shrug.
gingh'a shoulders several times. The Jaguar then
offered the captain and his two companions horses
on which they conid proceed to the macho and
which the accepted. The partisans who had fol-
lowed th chic . on hearing this ofler, hastened m
dismount, and courteoust presented their horses to
the strangers. The lam, without aw in: to make
amend”, mounted the horses hm them, and
s rted.

While galloping along, the three new-comers looked
about them with surprise, not at all oomprehendin
whet they saw; for a time, the Jaguar paid no grea
attention to their maneuvers, and continued to talk
about indlirerent topicS' but their 1) 'on
soon became so mark that be perceived , and
could not refrain from a the cause of it.

“ On my word, caballeros,‘ the captain said, allat
once taking theball at the Mund; “if you had
not asked mothat quasfio-Jwas onthe point“

 

 

asking you one for I frankly confess that I under-
stand nothing of what is happening to us."

“What is happening, pray?“

“Why, I learned last night from this worthy hid,
the frightful defeat you cxperiencedfyesterday; the
total loss and the utter dispersion 0 your army; I
hurried u to offer you and yOUl‘E, whom I supposed
tracked ike wild beasts and without shelter of any
sort, an asylum aboard my vessel, and I him barely
set foot on land, ere I find myself in the inidstof
this army which I supposed to be swept away like
autumn caves by a storm; and this army is us (in l
and well disci lined as before the. battle. Ex: nun
to me, I beg, t 6 meaning of this riddle, for] have
real] given it up, as impossible to guess.“

“ am ready to satisfy your curiosity,“the Jaguar
answered wit a smile; “ but first of all I crave
some valuable news from you.“

“Very good; but answer me this first. Has the
battle rea 1 taken place?"

“Certain y.“

“ And you have been whipped?"

“ To our hearts‘ content.

“That is stran e, I understand less than ever;
well speak I am isti-ning to you."

“ Is the ion of the Point still in the hands of our
friends?“

“Yes: our ships have left it an hour at the most.
Ever since you so dariiigly sur rised it, the Mexi—
cans have not come within un-s 0t."

“ Ma Heaven be {raise i" the young man ex-
claimu im etuously; “ nothing is lost in that case,
and all can I repaired. Yes, captain. we have been
beaten, we have suffered a frightful defeat; But, as
you know, during the ten years we have been strug-
fling against the Mexican ower, our oplpressors

iave ofwn believed us crus ed, and itls e same
this time, thanks be to Heaven! Two of our best
cnadrillas have escaped almost in safety the hor-~
rible massacre of the other corps, and they are
those on see assembled here. At each moment
sti'agg ing fugitives join us, so that within a work
we shall probably be able to resume the offensive.
God is on our side, for the cause we defend is sacred -,
we are the soldiers of an idea, and must conquer.
The defeat of yesterday will be of use to us in the
future."

“You are right, my friend," the captain answered
warmly. “This revolution in truth resembles no
other; ever conquered, and ever up in arms, 'ou are
stronger to—day, after your numerous defea 8, than
when you began the stru le. Thefl r of Heaven
is there, and a man mus mad not 0 ercelve it.
Hence your losses are limited to men an arms?"

“To men and arms solely; we have not lostan
inch of ground. I seek in vain the reason that pre-
vented the victorious Mexicans pursuing us, for we
have kept all our ositions, and are scarce ten miles
from the battle—fie d.“

“ Many of our chiefs, I presume, have fallen, or
are in the hands of the enemy i“

“ I fear so; still, several have already comein, and
others will probably still join us. There is one, un-
fortunately, about whom we have no news—you
know to whom I refer; if the day pase without his
il‘lflleg his appearance, I shall start in search of
i m.

The Jaguar had spoken the truth; each moment
soldiers who had escaped from the battle-field ar—
rived. During the short hour that had elapsed since
he left ihe rancho, more than two hundred had
joined the camp.

“You see,“ said the young chief, looking around
him proudly, “that in spite of our defeat nothing-
hns really changed or us, as we have ret ed our
head-quarters, and the banner of Texan indepen—
dence still floats from its azotea.”

The horsemen then dismounted, and entered the
rancho. _

CHAPTER XIX.
A man or nis'ronv.

Tun Ja ar was mistaken, or rather flattered
himself, w en he said that the defeat of C(‘rro Pardo
had caused but an insignificant loss to the revolu-
tionary party; for Galveston too weak to attempt
resistance to the attack of t e Mexi n army, had
not attem ted to complete his victory )l'ldeflnitivcly
crushing is enemies, and pursuin t em to the
death. General Ruble reall lntcn ed not to give
those he had beaten brent in time, but his will
was suddenly paralyzed by one her more powerful
than his own.

The flu-ts that then occurred a .so stran e that
the deserve to be described in th fullest etails.

e return to General Rnbio, at the moment when
the Texans, broken by Colonel Melendez‘s charge,
and understanding that victory was hopelessly s -
ping from their grasp, be 11 flying in every dirt-c»
tion, without trying to do end themselves longer, or
keep the ground they held. The general had sta-
tioned himself on an eminence whence he surveyed
the whole battle-field, and followed the movements
of the various corps engaged. So soon as he saw
the disorder produced in the enemy‘s ranks, he un—
derstood the advan e he could derive from this
precipitate flight by c oser ui'suing the fugitives
up to the Fort of the Point, w ere he could certain—
ly enter poll-incl] without striking a blow. But
haste was needed not to ve the enem timeto re-
form a little further on, w ich the chic 3 who com-
manded them would not fail to attempt, if but an
hour's respite were anted them.

The gene-ml turnc< to an alde-decamp b his side
and was just going to Send Colonel Helen ex orders
to start all his cavalry in puisuit of the Texans.’
when a platoon of a dozen lancer: suddenly sp—

, commanded by an omcer who gallome at
ull speed to the spot where the general was, making
signs and waving his hat. The eneral loo ed in
surprise at this officer, who he ew did not be.
long to his army. A minute later he gave a start of
surprise and disapglintmcat, took a son‘owful.
glance at the battle— d, and stood biting his mus-
tache and muttering in a. low voice.

" Oonfound this saloon onioer and saber-clankeri
Why did he not remain in Mexico? 'W t does the
president mean by sending us this d- ui'nagod
springtild, to make us lose all the pro is o the vic-
to 1'. .

this moment the ofloer came up to the gen—
eral, bowed res trully, drew a large scaled en-
velope, from his roast, and handed it to him. The
mnefil coldly returned the mutation, took the

   

 

 

22

The Whi e» Scalper.

 

 

letter, opened it, and looked at it with a frown; but
almost immediately be crumpled the letter up
passionately, and addressed the r, who was
standing motionless and stiff before him :.

“ You are the aide-de-carn cf the President Gen-
_ era] of the Republic?" be sai , roughly.
‘ “‘Yes, eneral," the officer answere . with a bow.

“ Hum. Where is the president at this moment?"

“ Four leagues ed at the most, with two thousand
trotws."

“ here has he halted ?"

“His excellency has not halted, general. but. on
the contrary, is advancing With forced marches to
join you." ‘

The eneml gnvea start of anger. I

“ It well,“ he continued. pr 'sently. “Return at
full gallo to his excellency, and announce to him
m s y arrival."

‘ ardon me, general, but it seemsto me that you
have not read the dispatch I had the honor of hand-
inguyou," the ofilcer said, respectfully, but fimily.

e general looked at him askance.

“I have not time at this moment to read the dis-
patch," he said, drylfi'. _

“I shall have the error then, general, to inform
you of the contents, for the order it contains is per-
emptorv."

“Ahi" said the general with a. frown. “ What
may your name be, senor " '

“Don Jose Rivas, general."

“ It is well, senor. Don Jose Rivas, I shall remem-
ber your name."

Themenacing tone in which the Words were ut-.
tered did not escape the officer and he blushed

slightly.

lam very unfortunate, general, r subaltern
as I am, to find myself thus placed, aggllist my will,
under the alternative of failing in my duty or incur-

rlnfilyour dis leasure." . ,
egeneru remained silent fora moment; then

his face became calm again, and he said to an of»

ficer with a smile:

"I'was wrong. Forgive me, caballero; but I was
not master of a burst of anger. A man cannot be
thus deprived, by a caprlcc, of the fruit of s thou-
sand fatigues, and not feel a certain amount of dis-

pleasure. Go and announce to his excellenc that,
not kno his wishes, I fou ht the bat a. but
that, in obe ence to his orders, stopped it at the

first word you said to me. You can go."

The general bowed to his horse‘s neck and bury-
ing his spurs in the flanks of his no animal,
started at, a gallop, followed by his escort. The
feneml, a moment previously so proud and glad,

of his head fall on his chest in despair.

“Ohi” he muttered, as he gave adesperate glance
at his army, " such a s lendid battle and so well
ma !' and he still a sigh.

in e meanwhile the ofiicers collected round the
general, and loudly asked him for authority to pur-
sue the conquest. The eneral raised his head.

“ Order the retreat to e sounded!" he said.

The aldes—de-camp looked at him with amazement,
. and fancied they must have misunderstood him.

' “Yes,” th general went on, “sound the retreat.
The army.” e added, with a bitter smile, “will re-
turn toits first position, as is ordered by his Excel-
lency’Santa Anna President of the Requ. 1 am
no longer your chief; my command has been taken
frommeby the president, who und the di-
rection of the tiring."

The officers as aides-de-camp who surrounded
the eneral, sharing in their chiet s sorrow, lowered
their:- bl with shame and a r, and at
t final order from the general, Iprepared o execute
his wishes, though muchag net the r. The
,Ioldlers, excited by the smell (:9me w or and the
intoxication inse arable from ghtl’r‘i}, could only
be restrained wi h dimculty the more so, because
their chiefs, far from to the repeated up-

of the bugle, on the contrary exerted their

onemen to pursue the ' b
the voice of the sldesde—cam
was listened to, and disci resumed its sway.
Order was reestablished, and the Mexican army
fell back on the positions they had left in the morn-

‘tooommence the action, and lit their cam fires.

teight in the eve Santa Anna acted

his junction with General Ru 0. The resident of

the republic, after cordin salutin 3 general,

took over the command. an then thde to the

house prepared thlm, which he made his head-
quarters.

At the'perlod w our history takes place Gen-
eral Don Antonio Lopez de Santa Anne was thin -
ninetofort years of age; he Was tall and fine

, bullt' he had a lofty and T013031!) foreh
roun chin, and slightly aqni e nosefisrfie black
eyes. -ession, and a flexible meat which
gave him an r of remarkable nobility, while his

lack andycurly hair, which formed a contrast to the
yellowish tinge of his complexion, covered his tem-
ples and his high-boned cheeks. Such, physically
was the man who, for thirty ears, has been the cv
genius of Mexico, and hasl it to infallible ruin by
making . lf the cause or rctext of all the wars
and revolutions which. since a first assumption of
power, have incessantly overwhelmed this unhappy

co .

We must now ask our reader‘s 11, but we

must talk a little pohtics, and descrl cursorin the

facts which preceded and led to the denouement
ofthe story We haveund. entonarrate.

Ifthehfexicanshad gamed an im _ ant advan-
tage over the Texans, in another _ n of the re-
vo ted territory they had _ owed a. check,
whose consequences must prove immense for them.
The Mexican General Cos was besieged in the town
(1 M” the Texans: the latter, With that want
of f i. so natural to volunteers of all countries,
hihevingthattheyhad only a campaign of a few
days, had laid in no provisions or winter clothing,

the season was at hand hce they

Starring to mwdiseouraged and talk about

; when n Alter-es, that mysterious

solit by the ‘gener

ve come several times, went

. in chief, and p himself to com-

pel the Mexicans to capfiulate, if three hundred
givenhim.

 

,L‘OI‘H.

 

struck by a bulletin the forehead, fell in the breach,
with his triumph as his windi -sheet. A fact was
then ascertained which had itherto been only
vague] suspected z—El Alferez, the daring and for-
midab e partisan, was a woman. General Cos, his
staff. and one thousand five hundred Mexicans laid
down their arms, and all filed, in the presence of the
handful of insurgents who had survived the assaults
and the corpse of their intrepid Chieftain, which was
clothed in feminine attire, and sealed in a chair cov-

. ered with the flags taken from the vanquished. The

Mexicans left the territo of the New Republic,
after pledging their word 0 honor not to oppose the
recognition of independence. ..

Santa Anna received news of the defeat at Bejar
while stationed at San Luis de Potos' Furious at
the aflront the Mexican arms had rec ved, the Pros
ident. after 11 'ng into a furious passion with the
generals who ad hitherto directed the military op-
erations, swore to avenge the honor of Mexico,
whidi was so disgraceful] ‘ compromised, and finally
finish with these rebels W am no one had yet been
ablo to conquer. The President organized an army
of six thousand men, a truly fornii able army, if we
take into account the resources of the country in
which these events occurred. The preparations,
urged ‘on by that vigor produced by wounded pride
an the he of vengeance, were soon completed,
and Santa nna entered Texas, after dividing his
army into three corps, under the orders of Fihsoln,
Cos, Urrea and Gar-ray. After eifecting his junction
with General Rubio, to whom he had sent an aide-
de-camp with orders to remain in his quarters and

not risk a battle before his arrival, an order which,

the. general received too late. the President deter-
mined to deal a decisive blow by recapturing Bejar
and seizing on Goliad.

Be or and Goliad are two Spanish towns; roads
run rom them to acomrnon center, the, heart of the
Anglo-American settlements. The capture of these
two towns as , the basis of operations, was, conse-
gililently, of the highest im ortance to the Mexrcans.

e Texans, weakened an demoralized b their last
defeat, were unable to resist so formidab e an inva-
sion as the one with which they saw themselves
menaced. The Mexican arm carried on a true war
of savages, passing, like a ood over this hapless
country, burning and lundering the towns. The
two first months that to wed Santa Anna‘s arrival
in Texas were “uninterrupted series of successes
for the Mexicans, and seemed to justify the new
method inaugurated by the President, however bar-
barous and inhuman it might be in its results. The
Texans found themselves in a moment reduced to so
precarious a condition that their ruin appeared to
competent men inevitable, and merely a question of
time. «

Let us describe. in a few words, the operations of
the Mexican army. Before resuming our narrative
at the point where we left it, we have said already
that the Mexican forces had been divrded into three
I e thousand men, that is to say, one
mo ety of the Mexican army commanded by Generah
Santa Anna and Cos, andwe supgltil‘ed with artillery,
proceeded tolay ale to Bejar. s town had on y
a feeble garrison 0 one hundred and eightytmen,
but this garrison was commanded by Colonel avis
one of the greatest and urest homes of the War of
Inde indence. Whenfu yinvested,’l‘ravis withdrew
to Lg; citadel, not fe at all alarmed by the
nunjhcrs he had to fight. e was summoned to sur-
ren er. 4

“ Nonsense!" he answered with a smile; “ we will
all die, but your victory win cost you so dearly that
a defeat would be better for you.’

And he lo ally kept his word, resistii for a whole
fortnight w th unexampled bravery, an incessantly
exhortlng his comrades. Thirty- wo Texans man-
aged to throw themselves into the fort, after tra-
versing tha'entire Mexican army.

“ We have come to die with you," thechief of this
heroic forlorn hope said to him.

“ Thanks," was all the answer.

Santa Anna, whosestrength had been more than
doubled during the siege summoned Colonel Travis
for the lust tune sayingt ere ‘would be madness in

an assaultwith is practicable breach.

“ We will fill it up with our dead bodies,“ the colo-
nel nobly answered. .

The President ordered the assault. and the Texans
were killed to the last man. The Mexicans then on-
tered the citadel not as con ucrol‘s. but with a
secret apprehensio and as ' ashamed of their
triumph. They had t fifteen hundred men.’

“Oh!” Santa Anna exclaimed bitterly, "another
such victory and we are lost 3“ _

80 soon as Bejar was reduced attention was
turned to Goliad. But here one of those facts oc-
curred which hlstory is compelled to register.,were
it on tc stigmatrze and eternally brand the men
who ave beer.- guilu. Goliad ,IS an open town
without walls or citadel to arrest on enemy, and

Colonel anui had abandoned it. as he had on] five
hundred Texan volunteers with him. Com to
leave his ammunition and baggage behind. order

to effect his retreat with greater speed. he was sud-
denly attacked on the prairie by General Urrea’s
Mexrcan divrsion. nineteen hundred strong. Obey-
ing their colonel’s orders. the Texans formed 53} .
and for a whole dav endured the attack of efoe
without flinching. The Mexicans involuntarily ad-
perate heroism of these men. who

mixing the des
had no ho of salvation. im loredtbem to sur-
and honorable con-
timo. for,

render, w ' e oflerlng them 3
ditions. The Texans hesitated for a lo
as the did not dare trust the word of the r enemifl
the efen-ed to die. Still, when one hun an
to y exans had fallen, the colonel resolved to lay
down his the condition that his soldiers
and himself should be regarded as pnsoners of war,
treated as so and that. n volunteers
should be embarked for the nited States at the
Charges of the Mexican Government. These con-
ditions having been accepted by General Urres, the
Texans surrendered. .
thSImts “amigo wig: still atbejgr. rqfusse’id'to rgttitfxy
‘ 8 Iron ; at 07‘ tram e0 e
W pr?! all his generals, he di-
masaacre of the prisoners. The three bun,-
andfifty'prisonerswere murdered in cold blood,

"ltwssstthismarveloussi .better as
Marmara-mo,ch andBowie

 

 

on a rsirie situated betweenGoliad and the sea.‘ Gen-
eral rrea, whom this infamous treason dishouor
broke his sword, weeping with rage. This horrible
massacre was the signal for a general upheaval and
all ran to arms; despair restored the energy of the
insurgents,- and a new army seemed to sprin from
the ground as if by enchantment. General ouston
was appomted commander-in-chief, and on both
wes‘preparatrons were made for the supreme and
decisrve struggle. ‘

CHAPTER XX.
7m: nrvouac.

As we have already said, Texas had reached a de-
cisive epoch. Unfortunately, her future seemed as
Eioomy as that of the con uered. In spite of the

eroic efforts attempted y the Insurgents, the
rapid progress of the invasron was watched with
terror, and no possible means of rcsisxnnce could
be seen. Still it was this moment when all appeared
desperate, which the Convention, calm and moved
by a love of liberty more ardent than ever, selected
to hurl a last and supreme defiance at the invaders.
hot allowmg itself to be intimidated by evil for-tune,
the Convention replied to the menaces of the con-
guerors by a statement of rights, and the definitive

coloration of the independence of a country which
was almost entirel ' Occuried by, and in the power
of the Mexicans. t improvised a constitution, cre-
ated a provisional executive authority, decreed all
the measures of urgency which the gr:.vil y of cir-
cumstances demanded, and finally nominated Gen
eral Sam Houston Commander-in-Chief, with the
most wide] extended powers.
. Unhapp' y the Texan army no longer existed, for
its prevrous defeats had completely annihilated it.
But if military organization might be lacking, the
enthusiasm was more ardent than ever. The Texans
had sworn to bury themselves under the smoking
ruins of their plundered towns and villages sooner
than return under the detested yoke of their oppres-
sors. And this oath they were not only prepared to
keep, but had already kept at Bejor and Goliad;
howeverlow a people ma appear, and is really in
the sight of its tyrants, w on all its acting strength
is concentrated in the firm and immutable will, to
live free or die, it is certain to recover tram its de‘
feats, and to rise again one day a conqueror, and re-
generated by the blood of the martyrs who have
:iiccumbed in the supreme struggle of liberty against

every.

General Houston had scarce been ap inted ere he
Erepared to act, and he reached the anks of the

uadalupe three day's after the capture of the A18.-
mo. The Texan troops amounted to I’lhl‘ hundred
men, armed, badly clothed, almost d ing of
hunger, but burning to take their revenge. eneral
Houston was a stern and severe gamut; his name is
revered in Texas like that of ashington in the
United States, or of Lafayette in France. Houston
was a precursor, or one of those eniuses whom it
pleases God to create when He esires to renders.
people free. At the sight of this army of three

undred men, Houston was not discouraged; on the
contrary he felt his enthusiasm redoubled, the
heroic relics of the ten thousand victims who had
succumbed since the beginning of the warbad not
d of the salvation of their- country; like their
p ecessors. they were ready to die for her. it
wasasacred phalanx with which he would achieve

in racles. ~
Slill, it was not with these three hundred men,
however brave and resolute theioniight be, that
ral Houston could entertain a pe of. defeating
t e Mexicans, who, rendered resumptuous by their
gust successes, eagerly song t the op ortunit to
nish once for all with the insurgents, ing
the last relics of their army. General ouston, be-
fore risking an action on w ich the fate of his new
country would doubtlem depend, resolved to form an
army once more; for this urpose, instead of march-
ing on the enemy, he fel back on the Colorado,
and thence on the Brazos, and destroying
everything in his passage, in order to starve the
Mexicans out.

These clever tactics obtained all the success the
general from them; for a very simple rea-
son; as he fell back onwtéieb Mtexiaci‘an frontier, llllll
arm wasdailya en yre recrmtawo
on the report of approach, left their houses or1
farms to enlist under his banner; while the con-
trary happened tothe Mexicans, who at each march
they made in npursuit of the lean eats, left afew
lagg‘gtds behi , who by so much ' ished their
me 11. i '

The Texan neral had a powerful motive for tall~
ing back on 9 American frontier; he he to ob-

tain some he] from General Gaines, w o, b the
order of Presi ent Jackson, had advanced o exsn
territory as far as the town of N hes. ‘ Such

was the state of sifnin_ between Houston and Santa
Anna. the one retreating, the other continually ad-
vancing; then b ere long the must meet face to
face. in a bat e which would ecide the great ques-
tion of a nation’s emancipation or senitude.

On the do when we resu e our narrative it was
about eight I: the evening, t e heat had been stifling
througgout thedag'. and although night had fallen
long fore, this eat, far from inishing, had
but more : there was not a breath of air, in at-
mos ere was oppressive, and low lightning-laden
clou s rolled heavily atth the sky; all, in fact,
foreboded a storm.

0n thebanksoiarather wide stream,whoseyel-
lowish and turbid waters flowed mournfully between
banks clothed, with cottonwood trues, the bivouac
tires of a small detachmont of cavalry mi ht be'men'
Kflstening like stars in the darkness.» ' stream
was a confluent of the -
enramped on its Were Texans. They were
but twent -five in number. and'cosnposed showtime
“may; ii.” at...“ “W‘ "" we”
co 9 .  .

While m1 horsemen was sadly crouching
the fires. no farfrom which their horses were hop-

led, and conversing in slow voice, their chief, who
had retired to a made branch-sand

f

.1

The White Scalper.

23

 

 

finegathough faith still dwelt in his heart. hope was

The truth was that death had be n to make
frighth gaps around him‘ his deares friends, the
most devoted sup item of the cause he defended,
had fallen one a ter the other in this im lacable
struggle. El Alferez, Captain Johnson, lilamircilf
Fray Antonio, were lying in their bloody graves‘ 0
others he received no news, nor knew what had
become of them; he therefore stood alone, like an
oak bowed by the wind and beaten by the storm,
resisting intrepidly, but foreseeing his approach-

iiiggall.
nerai Houston. in his calculated retreat, had
confided the command of the rear guard, that is to

say, the most honorable and dangerous post, to the ,

Jaguar; a post he had acce ted with gloomy joy, as
he felt sure that he won d fall gloriously, while
watching over the safety of all. _

In the mean time the night became blacker and
blackenithlee horizon niioret 1linenaci ; a Elilllte and
sh ran gan pierc ng 8 gm og‘ ie storm
wag idly approaching and must?' soon burst forth.
The so diers watched With terror the progress of the
storm and instinctively sought shelter against this
convulsion of nature, which was far. more terrible
than the other dangers which menoced them. For
no one, who has not witnessed it, can form even a
remote idea of an American hurricane, which twists
trees like wisps of straw, fires forests, levels moun-
tains, drives streams from their bed, and in a few
hours convulses the surface of the soil.

Sudden] a dazzlingflash furrowed the darkness,
and a c n burst of thunder broke the majestic
silence that rooded over the landscape. At the
same instant the sent stationed a few paces in
front of the bivouac cha enged. The Jaguar sprun
up as if he had received an electric shock, an
bounding forward, as he mechanically Seized the

wupons within reac listened. The dull
sound of digger boots could’be heard on the sod-
dened und. -

gro
“Who's there?" the sentry challenged a second

time.
“Friends,” a voice replied.
:‘ uo gem i"
‘ xas.“
The Jaguar em ed from the jacal.
“To arms!" he

outed to his men, “we must not
let ourselves be "

“ Come, come," t a voice continued, “ I see that I
have not diverged from the track, since I can hear
theJ ar."

"1133!" the latter said in surprise, “who are
yo that you know me so well?“

“ Jove! a friend whose voice should be fa-
miliarto £01), at any rate." ‘

“John avisl" the young man exclaimed with a
joy he did not attemp to conceal.

‘All 1151131" the American continued gayly. “I
thought

sentl ." ' .
“ Chine, come; let him pass,.men, he is a frien ."
Five or fix horsemen entered the camp and dis-

mounted. _ _

At this moment the storm burst forth furiously
like a whirlwind over the plain, the twis

t we should understand one another pre-

"trees on which were in a second u rooted and home

away by the hurricane. The exans had made
their horses lie down and were themselves lyin

down by their side on the wet soil, in the hope of o -
ferlng a smaller surface to the gusts that passed
with a mournful howl above their heads. It was a
spectacle full of wild andeur. presented by this
rev ed plain, incessan crossed by flashes which
in ted the landscape with fantastic hues, while
the thunder rolled hoarseg in the de tbs of the
heavens, and the clouds ed sin a routed
army, against each other wi ,eleotric col-

lisions.
For nearly three  hurrican ed, level-

the e rag
in: everfithins in Emcee; at length, at about
one in t e mornin , ersin became less‘deuce, the
wind gradually med. the thunder rolled at lo
intervals, and the sky, swept cleanby a final e on
of the tempest, appeared again blue and star- .
ed; the urrlcane had gone owe to vent its
other regions. The men and erase rose;
breathed again, and tried to restore a little order in

camp. was no easy task, for the ace] had
been carried aw , the fires extinguish , and the
l dispersed in directions; but the'l‘exaus were

1: men, long accustomed to the

stre and pittience, though not their. courage, for
that had never failed them. .

They set ayly to work, and-in two hours all the in-
'ury caused by the tempest was repaired as well as
lbs precarious resources they had at their disposal

tted: the fires were lighted again, and the seal

mcomtritcmted. Anytstran r \z'lfio had engsegd tag:

at s momen we no ‘ave supp

camp ' had been assailed, by

anxious to

m seenhsmce

found it impossible to axe a e

a syllable. hen order was restored, thereforerfie
went upto him and begged him to enter the jacal.

“ Permit me." the American said “ to bring with
me three of myh whom I am con

W m'ered' “who are the f"

“I willnot deprive you," Davis'said, y
“ of the pleasure of recognizing them yourself.”

young chief did not press the matter for he

knew the ex-sisvedaaier toga?“ not to place the

A ew minutes

tered the

atseehfithem,» quicklyw t "
'yhand. eeethree man were Lanai,u gum

and Black-deer.

“ ohi"he exclaimed, “here you are, then.
 praised! 1 did not dare hope for your re-
Wm not?” Land ; “as we are stillalive,

, ' to God! you cog t to haveegrpeoted us."

~‘Wflmwmntwmnmwm. 8'
so our
m "filial: not torlle that, on receiv-
fimum brood I n at thought that

“ ‘ kno'w. my and.» the American said.

with a smile, .

 

5
es of desert life. The tempest instead of
wag them had, on the contrary, restored their red

, overm horse's. neck and »
full . .1 opened the letter. for

“that we have been absent a very longhtime, and are
consequently quite norant of what
since our depart re.

:zgl’ellk I ‘will tel you all. But first one word."

a .' .

“ here is Tran nil?"

“ only a few le from here, and you will soon
see him; he sent forward, indeed, to warn you
of his speedy arrival.“

“ Thanks. ‘ the young man replied, pensively.

“ Is that all you desire to know?"

" N early so, for of course you have received no
news of— l"

" News of whom 2'" the American asked, seeing
that the Jaguar hesitated.

“ Of Carmela?" he at length said, with a tremen-
dous eflort.

“ Of Carmela?" John Davis exclaimed, in sur-

rise: “ how could we have received any news?
ranguil, on the contrary, hopes to hear some from
on.
y “ From me?“

“Hang it! you must know better than any of us
how the dear child is."

“I do not understand you."

“ And yetit is very clear. I will not remind you in
what. way We succeeded, after the capture of the
Larchtree, in saving the floor girl from that villain
who carried her off; I wi merel remind you that
on the very day when Tranquil an I, b your express
orders, started to join Loyal Heart, t e maiden was
conflmed in your presence to Captain Johnson, who
would convey her to the house 0 a respectable lad
at‘gvavlvfiston, who was willing to ofler her a shelter. '

e .

“ What do you mean by well?” i '

“ Ye I know all that, so it was useless to tell it to
me. What I ask you is, whether, since Carmela
went‘to Galveston, you have received any news of
her?‘

“ Why, itis impossible, my friend; how could we
have received any? Remember that we proceeded
to the desert." ,

“ That is true," the oung man replied, discouso—
latel%' “I am mad. orgive me.“

“ hat is the matter? why this Feller, my friend,
this restlessness I see in your eyes “

“Ahl” he said, witha si 11, ‘it is because I have
received news of Carmela, 1 on have not.“

5’
$ch my friend?"

“ A long time ago, I presume?" ,

“i 1lilo—yesterday evening," he said, with a bitter
sm 6.

“ I do not at all understand you."

“ W listen .to me. What I am going to tell you
is not long, but it is important, I promise you."

“ I am listening."

“We form, as you are doubtlem aware}, the ex-
treme rear guard of the arm of liberation.

“Ygs, I 'know that, and i helped me in finding
your 1 .

‘Very good; hence hardlyada passes in which
we do not exchange‘ musket-sho’ts and saber-cuts
with the Mexicans.’ ,

“ Go on.“ '

“ Yesterday-you see it isnot stale-we were sud-
denly charged by forty Mexican horse; it was about
three in the afternoon when General Houston was
crossing the river with the main bod . We had
orders to offer a des rate resistance, order to
prolttectftge rfireat. ordegdwas needless; at the
sig 0 e exicanswerush madlyu 11 em,
and the action at once commenced. Aggr a few

minutes’ fighting the Mexicans ve way, and flu
fled, leavi three or four de on the battle-fiel
Too 'weak plan-sue the enemy, I had given my
soldiers orders ret

and wasm self re
todo the same whemo flying Meryxicanp w

of continuing their ' b no and
their handkerchiefs tomghtér peflhlades, made me
a signal that they desired to firley. I a preached
the two me who bore a likeness bandits
than to sol lore; and one 0 them. a manoftall
and furious looks, said to me at once. when I

asked them what they wanted— - '
“1“ ‘31‘0 do you a. service, if you sre.: as I suppose,

0 ar.‘

““PgauIam he,‘ I answered, ‘but what is your
name? who are you P' r

“ ‘It isoflittle consequence who I am, provided
that myulntentions are ood.’

“‘St ,Imustknow m.’ .
“ ‘IIumi' he said. ‘you are very distrustful. com-

6 .

“ ‘Come Sandoval,‘ the other horseman said, in a
voice gentle as a woman‘s as he suddenly joined in
the conversation, ‘ do not heat about thus, but finish
your business.’

“ ‘I ask nothing1 better than to finish,’ he replied,
coarsely; ‘it is is Bgiantleman who compels me to
swerve, when I wish to go straight ahead.’

"The second rider sh d his shoulders with s.
disdainful smile, and turn to me.

“‘In a word, caballero, here is a paper which a
person, in whom you take great interest, requested
us‘ti) deliver to on};1 d pared to

eager y as e a r, an o n
it, for a secret foreboding Iwetland 1111):! of misfortlgiee.

“ ‘ No,’ the Mexican continued eagerly arresting
my ban ‘ wait till you have Joined your men again,
to read t at letter.‘

“ ‘I consent,’ I said. ‘but I presume you do not in-
tend to do me 'a gratuitous service, whatever its
nature may be? .

u s so '

“ ‘ Because you do not know me, and the interest
youtake in me must be very slight.’ _

“ ‘Perhaps so ‘ the writer answered; fstill, pl
yourself to nothing, I warn you,tin you know
contents of that letter.'

“Thenhemadeasignaltohiscomradaapdafter
bowing slightl , they started at a gallop, and left
me consid v em at the way in which
this singular interview had ended, and .twisting in
myfin mtheletterldidno dare n.‘i

,‘wgiefltheAmedcan red,‘ whatdidyou,
so soon as the men left you alonel’ ‘ ‘ .,

“I looked after them a long time, and then, end-
denlyrecailed to my dutybyseveral carbine shots
whose bullets whined past I fight down

once

On arrivi

was with impa cc and curiosity."

as happened _

 

“ And it was?"

“ From Camels."

“ By-Heavcnsl“ the American said, as he clapped
his thigh; “I would have wagered it. ‘ '

CHAPTER XXI.
“ Y th J W13"? tly in b k
“ e aguar con nue presen s ro en
voicefs“ this letter was entirely in Carmela's hand-
writing. Would you like to know the contents?"

Th; American ookeri around him.

“ ell, what matter?" the Jaguar exclaimed with
some violence; “ are not these brave lads our friends,
faithful and devoted friends? welsy keep secret from
them athing Ishould be fore to tell them, pelt
ha s to—morrow?“ '

ohn Davis bowed.

“You did not understand my thought,"he said.
“ I am not afraid about them but of those who may
he ossibly listening outside.’

8 you man shook his head.

“No, no,‘ he said,i“fear nothing, John Davis, my
old friend' no one is listening to us." .

“ Read the letter in that case, for I am anxious to
know its contents."

though the dawn was beginning to tin the
horizon with all the prismatic colors, the llg t was
not yet sufficient to read by. Lanai, therefore
seized the candle, whose smoky wick smolde
without spreading any great light, snuffed it with
his fin ers, and held it in a line with the Jaguar‘s
face. 6 latter, after a moment’s hesitation, drew
from the pocket of his velvet acketadirt and
crumpled piece of paper, unfold it, and re :

“ 7b the chief of the lea-an Freebootcrs, mmamed
the Jaguar:
“If you reall take the interest in me you have so
0 offered 0 prove to me, save me, save the
daughter of yonr friend! Having left Galveston to
0 search of my father, I have fallen into the
ands of my most cruel enemy. I have 0 hope
in two men in this world, yourself and olonel
Melendez. My father is too far for me to be allowed
to ho eflectual assistance from him. And besides,
his e is too precious to me for me to consent to
him rls it. Whatever may happen, 'I trust in
you as in ad; will you fail me?
“The diseonsclate Cum."
:tgux‘n l’éhéhe American muttered; is‘igat cilia?"
o . 01 man answe . are a
second note wr’i’ttéggbelo. the first." '
:2§h,‘phi by Carmela?“ -
“ B whom, then?" ‘
“I c not know, for it is not signed.’
“ And do you suspect anybodfi?"
“Perha I do—but before to ngycn whom I sue-
read you the second letter."
“Iior what reason?" ’
“ In order to know whether you share in my sus-
picions, and if they corroborate mine."
“Good, I understand on. Read)”
6 sniper again and read:
in upii te, is addressed by
Jaguar and

' Dona Carmela to two persons, r El

Colonel Melendez; but the second cop has not yet
beendelivered, as I am awaiting the aguar’s an-
swer ere doing soinlt de nil;1 onhlmnct it;th
save a oung lady, ev -
also, ifyhe will, to secure the trlulnghy of go clause
‘°'.po.."“°i his“ ‘fimm‘ “dawn Filth

u , e c an easy 0:
proceed between e t and nine o‘clock in the morn-
ng to the Cneva de Venado; amen will issue from
the grout.)J and tell him on what conditions be con-
sents to 6. him in this double enterprise."

The J or folded up the paper. sndplaced itin

his fiche pocket.
:tngmttiglif" the Atnierinclan staged a second time.
e. yea: s l," youngsters“-
sw red: “now what do on this cplfilel"
“6 {.It that tli'e manwpowmteltisthe
same w o handed you the letter.’
" We are M‘IOI'I think so too. And what. in
your opinion. ought I to do!" '
“ that is a more difficult question than the
that t 6 case is serious." .
“ fiemember that it concerns Carmela."
“ I am well aware of it. t reflect that this rem
dezvous may conceal a snar ." ~
“ For what object?"
“Wh , to seize cu."
“ ed and wha then?“ ,
“What do youmeani" '
" 'pposingthatitisetrap,whatwillbethe

su

“1113315, “first, th t in be rlso

“ e a on w a p ner, and
Texas will be e ved 0 one of her most devoted
defenders. In art, in your place. I wonl
that is in brief and candltllngpnlnion. And,“
whis a 's, who had re ed silent and motion-
less since their entrance he asked them, “ and you,
senores, what do you think of it?"

“ It would be madness for the J to trust a
manhmfl know, and whose inten one may he

{A‘ndke must remain here," Quoniam backv ed his
e up. \
“The antelo is the wildest of animals, and at
its instinct makes it esca the hunters,"the 
manohe chief said senten onsly; “myhmtherwill
remain with ht friends."
TheJaguar walked up and down the Juice] with
aisihle anno co and febrile impedance, while each

us ve on. - ,

“ o," be with some violence, as he suddenly
stopped; “no,IwillnotabandonDonaCarmela when
she assistancaforitwomdbeimmot
cowardice, w h I will not cummit, whatever the
co gmmybellwmgotothemvodcl

V
.“You will reflect, my friend," Uohn Davis re-

m mmfiecfl all mule Iwm ' Do
“ one are ; save us

Carine ev attherisk f ‘ " - ,
“gohfiwmennot do that, EM" the‘bnerlcan

con gen . .
“ Why shall I not?" '
I “ Became honor forbids you; besides the
been. there is - besides public
WW' 2m " ‘P‘hz‘fimm' if‘ m3:
0 .
k ed ormade prisogg, the army laperhaps , or,

duct :3

\

 

 

 

 
  
   
    
  
   
    
 
   
    
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  

( intre

.v serious to disc

 

 

at any rate, in danger; that is why you will-not do
so my friend." .

herrhthisheaddroopandsunkquite
crushed into an equl ,

“Wth to be one? MyGodlwhat is tobe
done?" he murmured in despair.

“Ho 1" John Davis answered. And, makin
a to his friends, which the latter understood,
for ed immediately rose and left the but, be con-
tinu :

“Jaguar. my friend, my brother, it is for me to re-
store your courage—you, a man with a lien‘s heart,
andso strong in battle, whom adversity has never
ferced tobow his head! Do you darelo lace your
love for a woman and your devotion for e country
on the same level? Do you dare to lament your lost
love, Carmela, a prisoner, or even dead, when your
native land is succumbin beneath the repeated
blows of its oppressors? 0 you forget that if you
grow weak, or even hesitate to accomplish your
glorious sacrifice, tomorrowI perhaps, that countr‘v1
which is so dear to you for so many reasons—whic
has shed its best and most precious blood in a hope-
less st le, will be buried eternally, by your fault,
beneath ghe co of the last of its children?
Brother, brother, hour is supreme; we must con-
Quer or die for the salvation of all. The general
welfare must put down all paltry or selfish ons.
To hesitate is to act as a traitor. 3P, bro her, and
do not dishonor yourself by a cows y weakness!”

Theyoungman upasifas. nthad
stung him on heal-i these harsh words; but he sud- I
denly subdued the wx d flash of his eye, while a sad
smile covered his handsome face.

“ brother," he replied, as be seized John
Davis's hand, and pressed it convulsivei ; “ thanks-
for having reminded me of my duty. will die at

i
‘ I
Inth I find on again at length,” the American
exclaimed oy¥ully. “ I felt certain that your heart
would not remain deaf to the call of duty. and that
you ’would carry out your glarious sacrifice to the

The own heaved a deepraigh; but he didnot
feel w hin ' the'strenrth to respond to thepraise
which inhis heart he knew he did not deserve. At
this moment the cla‘i‘i’g of arms and the sound of
here was audible thout. _

“ the matter now?" the Jaguar asked. ’

“ Ido not know," the American answered; “ but I
fancy that we shall soon be informed."

In the sentry had challenged; and, after an
ageparen satisfactory reply, a horseman entered
t

com
“A iing of truce " Lanzi said, appearing in the

doorwa of the .

" A faggot truce!" the Jaguar r ted, vlng

John Da aglance of surprise. “ him en r."
" Com senor." said the half-breed, W a
person w was stillinvlslbie; “the comman tis
ready to receive you." ,
Lanzi fell back, and made room‘for an individual
wLo at once entered. The Jaguar started on recog-
‘Inising him. It waeSandoval, who haddelivered him1
the letter on the tfirm-loos day. The pirate chief
e two persons in whose presence

“ You are surprised to see me, Ifthinkgcaballeros,”
hemidwithasmiletotheJ
“I confess it," the latter s
polite than the one made to him.
“The matter is clear enough, however. I like a
lain and distinctnndemtand .‘ In the letter I de-
tered t3: {Eu myself ester y, I gave you the

m e Cueva. de ’Venndo, to discuss grave
rs. he on will remember.”

u  ‘90 ‘ . I
“ Bu " Sandoval continued. with the calmness and
coolness that characterized him, “we had
th ho. f are 1 $11de tint“. 931115333th

8 nor 0 our 11 11 cc, 1mg
happen. that’you 333% place in me allthe co -
deuce I , and the. you might leave me to
kick my heels in the grotto.“ ’

I“ The two insurgents exchanged a smfling glance,
which Sandoval latex-averted.

“ ah!" he said, th a laugh; “ it appears that
t. In short, as I repeat that we have
I resolved to come direct
to on, and so cut this culty."

‘ You did well, and I thank on for it." '

“ It is not worth while, for am working as muc
for, myself as for vou in this business." ' ,

“Be it so- but that does not render your conduct
less honorable. Then you are not a kg of truce?“

“I? not a hit in the world. It was merely a title I

witha how no 

thought it better to assume, in order‘to find my way V

to you moreoasilym
‘ Nomstter; solong as you remain with usyou
shall be treated as such so do not feel alarmed.
“I, alarmedlaboutw , pray! Am I not under
the sat ‘of your honor." ,
" Than for the cod opinion ou'ure kind enough
to have of me, an I wxll just ylt. Now, if you

think proper, we will come to the point."

“I ask nothing better," Sandoval answered with
some hesitation, and looking dubiously at the Amer-

ican.

“‘ The caballero is my intimate friend," the Jaguar
said, understanding lus meaning; “you can speak
frankly before him."

‘ “Hm‘ll’l’BWdEBDGOVR-L  a toes of the

‘ mo r,wowasn. oywoman,re to
mgieqnmtly, that when two are enough We a,
matter. it is uselem to call in a third," '

. “Your mother was right. my fine follow,'f_John
Davis BUILEIJJ a laugh; “and, since on are '

‘Itis
no "Handout “.mrelessly; “I onlysaid so for
mongol memenwho maynot wish a third
“ that be. “our sole motive." the Jsgmr
cues: for I .r’epeat to you !

oval:

equipnirollsdahuak

Wmnbythecandhwose thadbe-
quite “£1

coma unnecessary. owing to the ht be

contingent-h moment brighter, and thankmed
' I out o

u . .33

thief

i
“on to vemeuanauditor-I retire"m?y
‘ wanna me whether: you hear me or

Wands“ nd brave band 2:1 Rhnished 1Ines“?
sw evroumay em,wom e
so—called an... tov:ns¥olk fancied they branded by
calling them shimmers of the savannah, or pirates
of the prairies, both of which titles are equally

At this strange revelation, in with such cool
cynicism, the two men gave a , sud regarded
each other with considerable surprise. ’The pirate
watched this double movement, and probably men-
tally satisfled with the eflec'l'. he had produced, he
continued:

“I have reasons that you should know my social
DOS'ltion," he said, “for you to understand what Is
going to follow."

“ Good,“ John Davis interrupted; “but what
motive urged you to take take the present step i"

“ Two im nannieasons,”,Sandoval answered, dis
tinctly; “t e first is, that I wish to avenge myself'
the second, the desire of lilaimng a large sum of
money by selling you in t e first battle, for the
highest'prlce I canobtain, the (ac-operation of the
cuadrilla I'have the honor to command, a cuadril'lh
com sed of thirty well armed and mounted men."

“ ow go gn, butbe brief for the time presses."

“ Do not 6 frightened am not fond of chatter-
ing' how much do you oifer me for my cuadrilla?"
I "I cannot personafiy make aha ~n with on,”

no
ge"That is‘perfectly true. ”
“ Still, you can tell me the price you ask; I will
submit it to the general and he will decide.“ I
“ Very good; you will give me flt‘t thousand
iastres,‘ alf down, the rest after the ttle is won
gnu see that I am not exorbitant in. my demands."
“ Your  is reasonable; but how can we com-
icate ’

mun V

“ Nothin is easier; when ou desire to speak to
me you w fasten red n ants to the lances of
your cavalry, and I will 0 the same when Ihave
any important communication to make to you. "

‘ That is settled; now for the other matter.” I

“ It is this: one day a monk of the name of Fray
Antonio sent me a wounded mun."I

“ The White seal r?” John Davis exclaimed.

“Do you know h i” the pirate asked.

“ Yes, but go on." ' I

“ He is a prett scamp, I thinki'l

“ Ism (lune 0 your opinion." ‘

“ We greeted him as a brother and gave him
the best had; do you know what he did?”

“ On my word, I do not." I
“ He tried to debauch my comrades and supplant

n

“'Oh, oh! that was rather strong.”

managed to parry the blow; about this time General
Santa Anna ottered to engage us as a Free Corps."

" Oh l" the Jaguar uttered, in '. .

“It was not very tempting, " the pirate continued,
being mistaken in the young man’s exclamation,
“ but I had an ldeaJ‘

“ What was it?" '~

“The one I had the honor of explaining to you a

.mgnAislnt back." ” -
. ve good.

“ Hence}? selected thirty resolute men from my
band and, started to oin the Mexican army; of
course, you understan I was, .” -

“ Of course, nothing could bemore fair." .

“ l was careful to bring this demon of a man with
me, for yen can un , that II,de notcareto

' leave him behind." I '

“I should think so.” ’

I “ We went on very quietly till a day or two back,

,wlfien, lg! heating :5 til; ctountry, I captifiredlesi iii,

w o o y hree men, w o e
' gig am ah

cowards at 0t, was trying to kill: the
Texan army. ’
“ Poor oar-insist" the Jaguar [11

‘ Do not ity her but rejo'  ntraryv
‘ 1 co
; that she f& into 'my nds°;e'who knows what
ht have happened with any one else?"
‘ That is true, go on." I
u “I vfivas Jwilling egoggtlil toSclgt the peggegjirlt
one or ourney. . u e per 0 I
seemed that he knew her, for on seeinp her be ex-
claimed—‘Oh Oh! this time she sh not escape
me" is that clear, eh 7” '
e two men bowed their assent.
“However, the prisoner was mine,” I had cap-
tured her. “ .- ‘
“ Ah 1" said the Jaguar, with a sigh of relief.
“ :55 and I would not consent to surrender her to
the rice "

at any ’ . "my ‘
v on are a wo man.‘
The pgatgxsy mfid ' I

don-
. ‘ It

 

seeingthatlwo dnot veu the ltobi
offeredmeabarga‘iln"  pl gh- ' m'

‘ “ What was its natnre?"

/ . .
I “To give me two dive ld on on condition
_ that I never recto my net to li ‘." r

I “Anddni you accept ’ the Jaguar asked, eager-

] . .
i y“ Han it! business is business, and twenty ounces
,i are a ti sum.“

, “ V] l" the young man ex . as he rose
‘ furiously. \ . .
, John Davis restrained him, and”! e him sit

; dew; again. h .d. r
l “ 9. lanes” e so: I
5 "Hum!" Sandoval muttered, “you’ are deucedly
I uick; I allow that I promised. not to set her at
bert , but not to prevent her flight; did I not tell
on that I was spun-of ideas?"
1 “ That is tme.‘
“The girl interested me, she-wept. It is very
l foolish but I do not like to see women cry-since the
i day when—but that islnot the point,"—-he caught
himself up—“she told me her name and story; I
l {as camels t otmseif, and tightens so,“
i as aprospecto mlnng' m rev . - r
“Thmyou to me If) carerlyfiger ofl'l”
u mtg. the wry n

“ ow much do u want for that?" - _

"Nadine," thewhate answered With a mag-id
cent ureof disgtereetedness. I ‘ ,

: gown: . _ . I I .

«% lee. m "

'- About 216.com

the J said- “I must refer e'matter the 5
finalist.“ ‘

“Was it not? Fortunately Iwas watching, and”

“ es, he sa'id, “I am all r'lghhbutmy comrade, ‘

*1

“ Ahl all! there we have it."
ed in re 1y. ‘

“ Lotus hear them,“ 6 young man continued.

“In order not to compromise myself unnecessarh
ly ‘you will carry oi! the girl during)
when I come over to your side. 0 not be flight-
ened it will not be long first, if I may believe cer-
tain forebodmgs.“ '

“ Good, that is granted. Now for the second."

“ The second is, that you swear to free ‘me from
the White Scalper, and kill him, no matter in what
w n

‘ Done again—I swear it. But now permit me one
question.” I ‘

“ Out with it.”

“ How is it that as ou hate this man so deeply
{an have not killed In ourself, as there co ti

ve been no lack of oppo unity Y”
t. “Certainly'not, I can d have done it a hundred

imes."

“Well, wh did you not do it?"

" Are you esirous of knowing?”

“Yes. ’ ' '

‘ Well. it was because the man has been m est
and slept under my roof by my side, eaten and, an]:
at my table; but_what it is not permitted me to do,
others can do in my place. But now good-b ,
senores; when will you 1give me a dei'nite answer?

“ This very evening: shall have seen the general:
in a few hours." I

“ This evening, then."

And bowing politely to the two men, he quietly
left the jacal, mounted his horse, and set out at a.
gallopi leaving the two men terrified at his impel-o
turba re eifrontery and profound perversity.

‘ CHAPTER m.
MAL mum‘s ats'ronv.

Amn the scene of torture we described'afew
chafters beck. Loyal Heart returned to his rancho
w1t his friends, mogul], Lanzi,a.nd th‘ faithful
Quoniam. .Fray Antonio had left the vifilage‘ the
same morning to convey to the Jaguar the news of
316 good rece tion given his companions the

omanches. he whites sat down sorrowfu , on
e uifials, and remained silent for some minutes.
The orrlble tortures inflicted on Runningde
affected them more than they liked to sa

brutal race.‘

"All races are the same." Tranquil answered,
“ when abandoned without restraint to the violence
of their passions.“ ' '

“The whites are men more cruel than the red-
skinsff yal Heart observed, “ because they'act
with discernment? _ ‘ ‘

“ That is true," John Davis struck in, “but that.
does not prevent the scene ‘we have just witnessed

I be a horrible one."

“ 88." said Tran ', “ horrible is the word.“

“ Come," Loyal eart remarked tor the purpose
of changing the. conversation, “ did you not tell me,
my friend, that you were lntrusted with a message
for me? I fancy the moment has arrived for an
explanation." , '

‘ In truth. I have delayed too long in delivering it;
besides, if my presentiments do not great] deceive
me. my return must be anxiously expecte .”

“Goodl speak, nobody will disturb you: we have:
all the time necessary before us."

“ Oh, what I have to say to you will not take lon .

-I only wish‘to ask you to lay adoal hand to a wcr
for which gou have already strivenl“ - '

“ What it?“ I - a

“I wish to claim. your help in‘ thd war of Taxes
9. ainst Mexico." - I

he youn hunter frowned, and for some minutes
mint??? 5 “in v I r 11 naked, I

‘ ' ‘ou re se.’ ran u anxious .

Lo 'al esrt shook his beam. 1y

“ 0," he said' “I merely feel a repu ance to
mingle n with white men, and—shall finconfess
it? to ilg t against my countrymen."

" Your count en i’f ’ -

“Yes. I am a exican, a native of Sonora."
“ Oh i" the

meat. I .

“ Listen to me," Loyal Heart said, resolutely,
“after all. itisbetter I should peak frankly to 'ou:
when on have heard me, you will'judge and to ,me
what ought to do.“ , ‘

“Good! speak. my friend.“

“ You have, I think, been several times. so rised
at seeing awhile man, like myself, dwellingme his
mother and an old servant among the Indian tribes;
[I you have asked yourself what reason could be

powerful enou or what crime was _

great, to com a man like massif. of ntle man-
nm, Red thapleasante or,a.n possessing
Some of educate tom

sa es This some you' extra. .
wZfi'gmy friend.'thc cause of my’exileto these re
mote regions was a crime I committed; on the self»
“m any I became an incendiary and an assassin."

u 8th Tanng exclaimed, while the other
hearers ave an incredulous glance; “ you an incen-

an assassin. Lo al Heart! itisim ssibh‘."

"a was. not Loyal cart then " the unter con-
tinued with a melancholy smile; "‘ but it is true that
stsoniy a lad, ust fourteen ears of age. My
father was a S . d of the ol rape, with whom
honor, was a sacred inheritance, which he ever km

intact. He succeeded in sav me from the hands
of the Juan de Letras, who come to' arrest nae;
audwhen the m _ tehadleftthehousc.my

tenants formed a court, I"
he constituted himself president, and tried
me. lie-daft: was evident, tin proofs overwhelm-
lm my ther himself uttered my sentence in
a. voice: I was condemned to death." I
mind)" 11" Lo ‘ l as  Th

" 0 eat 1’ ‘ . “ a son—
tenoe wasajust any;
his servants, nor the wars nor «treatise of,

  

 

Maggy, however, though I will propose two con

applications of,

the first battle, I

“Hum!” Quoniam muttered, "the red. race isa. -

\

hunter said with an air of disappng

seek a refuge among" '
o

e»

“To dmth?" his hearers exclaimed, withastg't'

v“;

..—..v

The White Scalper.

25

 

desian along and cruel agony for me. Tearing l with an infinite sense of confidence and ho
me r

om the arms of mother, who was half faintin
with grief, he threw me across his saddle-bow, an
started at a allop in the direction of the desert.

“It was a ong journey. or it lasted many hours

ere my father checked the speed of his horse or ut-
teredaslvllable. Ifelt the Lremblin sinews of the
wearied orse givewtiy under me; gut still it went
on at the same ra id and dizzy s eed. At lenzth it
stopped; my! fat or dismounte , took me in his
arms, and t 'ew me on the 'ground. Withinamn-
ment he removed the bandage that covered my
ever I looked anxiously around me, but it was
nigh , and so dark that I could see nothing. My
father regarded me for a moment with an inde-
flnable expression, and then spoke. Althou h many
long years have elapsed since that terribe ni ht,
all the words of that address are still impi-inte on
m mind.
“See,‘ he said, to me in a quick voice, “ you are
here more than twenty leagues from my hacienda,
in which you will never set foot again, under penalty
of death. From this moment you are alone—you
have neither father, nor mother, nor family. As
you are a wild beast, I condemn you to live With the
wild beasts. My esolution is irrevocable, your on-
treaties cannot a1 er it, so spare me them.‘

Perhaps in the last sentence ahope was concealed;
but I was no longer in a condition tosoe the road left
open for me, for irritation and suffeiing had ex-
asperated me.

"I do not implore you,‘ I replied; ‘we do not
offer entreaties to a hangman.‘

“ At this insultin outrage, my father started; but
almost lmmediatefi' after every trace of emotion
dies ared from his face, and he continued:

“‘pgie this be ,‘ he said, to a rather large pouch
thrown down y in side, ‘are provisions for two
days; Ileave you th rifle, which in my hand never
missed its mark; I give you also these pistols, this
machete, knife. and ax, and gunpowder and bullets
in these buffalo horns. You will find in the provision
bag a flint and steel, and everything necessary for
lig tiugaflre; Ihave also ilaced in its Bible that
belonged to your mother. ou are dead to society.
where on must never return: the desert is before.
and it elongs to you: for my art, I have no longer
a son—farewelll May the Lor have mercy on you!
all is finished between us on this earth; you are left
alone and without family: on have a second exist-
ence to begin. and to provi efor your wants. Prow-
dence never abandons those who place their trust in
it: henceforth it will watch over ou.’ .

“ After uttering these words co dly and distinctly,
to which I listened with doe ) attention, my father
cut with his knife the bonds t at held m limbs cap-
.tive, and leaping into the saddle, start at a gallop
without once turning his head. I was alone, aban-
doned in the desert in the midst of darkness, without
hope of help from anywhere. A strange revolution
then took lace in me, and I felt the full extent of
the crime had committed; in ' heart broke at the
thought of the solitude to whic I was condemned;
.I got up on my knees, watching.l the fatal outline
that was constanily getting furt or from me, and
listened to the hurried gallop of the horse with
feverish anxiety. And then, when I could hear no
more, when all noise had died out in the distance, I
felt a furious grief wither my heart; my courage
all at once abandoned me, and I was afraid; tin-n,
claspiug my hands with an effort, I exclaimed twice
in e. choking voice: ,

“ ‘ Oh, my mother—my motlicr!‘

“Sucwmbing to terror and despair, Ifell back on
the sand and fainted."

There was a moment's silence. These men, though
accustomed to the aifecting incidents of their rough
life, felt moved to pit at this sinaple and yet so
striking recital. The iuutei"s mot er and his old
servant 'had silently oined the hearers, while the
dogs, lying at his feet 'cked his hands. The young
man had let his head sink on his chest. and hid his
face in his hands, for he was suffering from terrible
emotion. No one dared to risk a word of conso~
lation, and a mournful silence prevailed in the
rancho; at length Loyal .Heart raised his head again.

“How long Ilhus remained unconscious, ' he con-
tinued in a broken voice, " I never knew; afeehng of
coolness I suddenly experienced made uie o I ii my
eyes; the abundant morning dew, by munda mg my
face, had recalled me to life. As i was frozen my
first care was to collect some dry branches and ight
a fire to warm me: then I began reflecting.

“ When a great suffering does net kill on the spot,
a reaction immediately takes place; courage and
will resume their empire, and the heart is strength-
ened. In a few moments I regarded my position as
less desperate. I was alone in the desert, it was
true; but though still Very young—I was hardly
fourteen-I was tall and strong, gifted with a. firm
character like my father, extremely tenacious in my
ideas and will; I had weapons, ammunition and

rovisions, and in position was, therefore, for from

dos rate' trequentl ', when I had been llVlliE
at in fat er’s hacienda, had one hunting wit
the girero andvaqueros of the ouse, and during
these unts had slept under the open air in the
woods; I was now about to begin a fresh hunt,thoug_h
this time it would be much longer and last for hie.
For a moment I had the tho ht of returniu to the
hacienda and throwin myse fat my father knees;
but I knew his inflexib 6 character, and feared being
ignominiously expelled a second time. My pride re-
volted, and I repulsed this thought, which was, per-
haps, a divine inspiration. ,

‘ Still, being slightly comforted by the reflections I
had just made, and cmshed by the poignant emo-
tions of the last few hours, I at length yielded to
sleep, that imperious necl of lads of my age
fell off, afterthrowin wood on the tire to make it
last as long as possib e. The night passed without
any incident, and at daybreak I awoke. It was the
first time I saw the sun rise in the desert, and the
majestic and grand spectacle I now had before me
filled me with admiration.

“ This desert, which seemed to me so gloomy and

in the
future. I was young and strong; aroun me the
birds twittered gayly, the deer and the antelope
bounded careless y across the savanna. That God,
who protected these innocent and weak creatures.
would not abandon me, I felt if b sincere repent-
ance I rendered myself wort y 0 His protection,
whose goodness is infinite. After making a light
meal, I put m weapons in my belt, threw my bag
on one shoul er, my rifle on the other and after
looking back for the last time with a sigh of regret

lsei out, murmuring the name of my mother—that ‘

name which would henceforth be my sole talisman,
and serve me in ood as in evil fox-time.

“ My first mare was long; for I proceeded toward
a forest which I saw glistening in the horizon, and
wished to reach before sunset. Nothing hurried
me but I wished at once to discover my stren lb,
and know of what I was capable.
nightfall I reached the spurs of the forest, and was
soon lost in the ocean of verdure. My father’s
tiger an old wood-ranger, who had 'left his foot-

. marks in every American desert, had told me during

‘ the long

hunting nights we have spent together,
many 0 his adventures on the prairies, thus giving
me. thou h neither of us suspected it at the time,
lessons w icli the moment had now arrived for me
to profit by. ‘

‘ I formed my bivouac on the to_p of the hill, lit a

large fire, and after supping with good ap etite, said ‘
‘ in prayer and fell asleep. All at once

woke up
Wth a start; two rastreros were licking my hands
with whines of 30 , while my mother and in old
Euseblo were bend g over and carefully exam iing
uie, not knowing whether I were asleep or in a faint—

in - t.
i 3‘ ' Heaven be praised 1' my mother exclaimed; ‘ he

is not dead.‘
“I could not express the happiness that suddenly
flooded my soul at the sight 0 my mother, whom I

, never hoped to see again in this world, at my press-

; to be

ing to her heart and liauglng round her neck, as if
afraid she would escape me again. I gave way to a
feeling of immense joy; when our transports were
somewhat culnied, m mother said to lili‘:

“ ‘And now, what i. 0 you intend doing)' We shall
return to the hacienda shall we not? 011! if you but
knew how I suffered through vourubseuce ‘

“ ‘ Return to the hacienda? l repented.

“ ‘ Yes; your father, I am certain, will pardon
you if lichas not done so alrcad in his heart.‘ And
wh e saying this, my mother loo ed at me anxious-
ly and redoublcd her caresses.

‘I remained silent.

t “ ‘Why do you not answer me, my child?’ she said
0 me.

“ I made a violent effort over myself. ‘ Mother,‘ I
at length answered, ‘ the mere tho ht of a. separa-
tion fl 1% my heart with sorrow and ittcrness. But
before inform you of my resolution, answer me
frankly one thing.‘

“ ‘Speak, my cliild.’

“ ‘ lizis my father sent you to me?’

“ ‘ No,’ she answered soiTowi‘ully.

“ ‘But, at any rate, you believe that he approves ,

the step you are now tukiug?‘
i.

'I do not believe,” she said, with even greater :

sorrow than before, for she foresaw what was about
J on.

3:“, my mother ' I answered, ‘ God will judge
me. M father has denied me, he has abandoned
iiiein t it: desert. I no longer must for him, as he
himself told hie—and I um dead to all ilie World. 1

iii

Two hours be ore ‘

inevitably discovered if we did not start at once.
My mother and No Euseblo had come on horseback,
but unhappin one of the animals had foundered,
and was incapable of following us; saddle and bridle
were removed, and we left it to its fate; my mother
mounted the other horse, No Eusebio and myself

‘ followed on foot, while the rastreros cleared the wu .

“We knew not whither we were going, and d d
not trouble ourselves at all about it; 1 lains succeed-
ed forests, streams rivers, and we Continued our
forward march, hunting to support life, and cum"—
ing wherever night surprised us, without regret for
the past or anxiet for the future. We advanced
thus straight about for nearly a. month, avoiding, . A
far as possible, an encounter with the wild beasts «‘r
the savages, whom we believed to be as ferocious as
t ein.

“One day—a Sunday—the march was iiiterriutt-
ed, and we spent it in pious conversation and my

,niotlier read the Bible and explained it to No

 

will never set foot i ii tho hacienda again, miles.- God f
and my father forgive, my crime~aud I am able to i

forgive myself.
from to- ay. Who can say whether the Deity, in
permitting this great expiation, may not have secret
designs With me? His will be done—my resolution
is iiiimovablc.’

“My mother looked at me fixedly for a moment;
she knew that once I had categorically expressed
my Will, I never recalled in ' words. Two tears si-
leiitl ' coursed down her pr. 6 cheeks. ‘Tbe will of
God e done,‘ she said; ‘we will remain, then, in the
desert.’

“ ‘ Wliatl' I exclaimed, with joyous surprise, ‘ do
you consent to remain \vith mc?‘

" ‘Am I not th mother?‘ she said, with an ac-
cent of incfl'able kindness,_as she pressed me madly
to her heart."

CHAPTER XXIII.
THE .L‘XPIA'IION.

Domini: the rancho the yells of the Comanches
still went on. Aiter a momentary silence, Loyal
Heart continued his narrative, which emotion had
compelled him to internipt.

"It was in vain," he said, “that I implored my
mother to leave me to the care of Heaven, and re-
turn to the hacienda with No Eusebio. Her resolu-
tion was formed—she was inflexible.

"‘Evei-sinceI married your father,‘ she said to

. iue, 'liowever unjust or extraordinary his demands

might be, he found in me rather a submissive and
devoted slave, than a wife whose rights were equal

l to his. A complaint has never passed my lips; I
have never attempted to oppose one of his Wishes.
. But to-day the measure is full; by exiling you as he

1 has done, coldly repulsing my prayers, and

despis-
iug my tears, he has at length allowed me to read

, his heart, and the little egotism and cruel Tpxride by

and i

I

desolate in the darkness, assumed an enchanting as- :

pect in the dazzling sunbeams. The night'had taken
with it all its gloomy fancies. The morning breeze
and the sharp odors exhaled from the ground In-
flated chest, and made me feel woudrou com-
foned: fell on my knees, and with eyes an hands
raised to Heaven, oflered up an ardent prayer.

5

“ This duty accomplished, I felt stronger, and rose ’

which. he allows himself to be governed. is man
who coldly and deliberate] had the barbarity to do
what he has done to the rst~born of his children,
possesses not the spark of good feeling. The con-
demnation be pronounced against you, I pronounce,
in my turn. against him.’ '

“ Like all timid natures, accustomed to bow their
heads timidly beneath the yoke, my mother, when
the spirit of revolt entered her heart, assumed an
obstinacy at the least equal to' her ordinary docilit '.
The way in which she uttered those wonis proved 0
me that all my prayers would be useless, and that it
was better to yield to her determination. I there-
fore turned to No Eusebio; but at the first word I

A new existence commences for lnt‘ ‘

 

addressed to him the worthy man laughed in my t
face, saying distinctly and peremptorin that he had '

seen me born and meant to see me die.
“As there was nothing to be gained on this side,
I gave up the contest. I merely observed to my
mother that, so soon as my father noticed her de-
rture, he would probably start, at the head of all
E; tenants in pursuit of her, and that we should be

Eusebio and myself. About three in the aftenioon,
when the greatheat of the day was beginning to
yield, I rose and t( ok my gun, with the intention ( f
'illing a little game, as our provisions were nearly
exhausted, and I was absolutely compelled to renew
them. My mother made no objection, though, as I
have stated, Sunda s were general] consecrated to
rest ; and l wcnto with the two ras rercs. Iwent on
for a long distance without seeini:l anylhln deserv-
ing powder and shot, and “as t inking o turning
back, when my two dogs, which were running on
ahead, came to a. halt, while evidhncing unusual
signs of terror and restlessness.

“ Although I was still a novice in the woods-angers
art, I judged it necessary to act with )rudence, as I
did not know what em my I might tin before me. I
therefore advanced step by step, watching the
neighborhood closely, and listenin to the sllghtefi
noise. My uncertainty did not last. ong for terriblt,
cries soon reached my car. My first in ulse was
flight, but my curiosity restrained me, an , cockin
my ride, so as to be ready for all events, I continue
to advance in the direction whence the cries came.

“Ere long all was revealed to me; I perceived
through the trees, in a rather spacious clearing, five
or six Indian warriors, lighting with the fury of
despair, against a three-fold number of enemies.
Those Indians had doubtless been suiprised in their
camp, for their horses were lioppled, their fire was
just going i ut, and several corpses, already robbed
of their scalps, lay on the ground.

“ The Indian who appeared the chief of the weaker
party. was a tall youm: man, of twuity at the most,
Bowerfully built, with n 181 mine face, and who, while

ealing terrible blows, did not cease exciting his
men to resist to the death.
had fire-arms. the were fighting with axes and ion
barbed luaices. ii at once, several men rushei
simultaneously on the young chief, uixl, despite his
desperate cfl'orts, succeeded in throuiug him down,
then a hand seized his long Scalp-lock, and I saw a
knife raised above his head.

“I know not wliatl felt on seeing this, or what
dizziness seized upon me, but, by a mechanical
uioument, I raised my ritie and tired; then, mshing
into the clearing with loud cries, I dischaiged my
pistols at the men nearest to me. An extraordinary
thing occurred, which 1 “us far fiom expecting,
and certainly had not foreseen. The ludiaus, terri-
fied by my three shots, followed by my sudden
apparition, believul that help u as uri'i\ ii g to their
llthel'r‘fll'lt s, and without dreaming of I" rishlllg‘, they
logaii flying with that intuitive rapidity peculiar to
Indians, at the first rcpulsc they nit-ct wit i.

“ I thus found lllyN‘lf iiloiic uiili those I came to
doliwr. It was the first time 1 bad Leon engaged in
a tight, if such a nami- can lll‘ gin-n to thc share I
took in the struggle, ln‘iiicl icii'iliiil (lllOllUll iii<
scpurable from a first CV( iii of this nature: [neither
saw nor heard anything. i v as Houdini in tie
'ci ntei' of the clearing, like ii Hutuc, l t t ’iimviitg
uheihcr to advance or l’t:lll'<', 1.. iil.id Ly my tuo
blOOChOllllllS, which had i (-t icit im .

“ I know not who was il c liisi lo : uy that inpiati-
tude was a white vice, and ii‘aiiiuue on Indian vir-
tue; but, whoever he was Le s1 olic the truth. Tim
chief I had so iiiiraculourly saved, and his comrades,
presecd around me, and Ltllllll ovri'uhvlniing me
with marks of respect and gratitude. 1 It t llitlll do
so, mechanically replyini,r as Well as I could in
Spanish, to the compli'nicnts the liuiuns lavi: mi
on me in their souorous lun uage, (I which 1 didin t
uncleistund a syllable. W ieu a litlle while Lad
t‘lapstd, and their joy was Leg inning to grow mono
sedate the chief, who had Let n is]! , htly. wounded in
the fight, made me sit down by t e fire, while his
Lomrades conscientiously raised the scalps of their
enemy who had fallen. and he began qin stioniug me
in Spanish, which language he spoke clearly.

“After warmly thanking me, and rcpt-sting sev-
eral times that I was 0. went brave, he told me that
his name was Nocoboi ia, Ihat is to say, the Tem—
pest; that he belonged to the great and .owerful
nation of the Coniani-lics, surnunied the ueen of
the Prairies, and was related to a moon ned suchem
called Black-deer. lluxiniz set out with a few war~
riors to chase antelope-s, he had been surprised by a
detachment of Apaches, (be sworn enemies of iis
nation, and if the Mush-r of Life had not brought
me to their help, he in d lis comrades would in-
fullibly have succumbed, an opinion the usiice of
which I was compelled to n cognize. llie (-hief
then asked me who 1 was, saying to me lhat he
should henceforth regard me. as his bl'Otht r, that he
wished to conduct me to his tribe, and that he \\ ould
never consent to separate from the man who had
saved his life. I

“Nocobotha's words an gestcd an idea to me; I
was greatly alarmed abou the existence I led, not
for myself, for this free and unrestrained life
charmed me to the highest degree. but for my poor
mother, who, accustomed to all the comforts of civi-
lization, would not. I feared, endure for long the
fatigues she undertook through her affection for me.
I immediate] ' resolved to profit by the gratitude
and good-wil of my new acquaintance, to obtain
my mother an as luin, where, if she did not find the
comfort she had ost, she would run no risk of dy-
ing of want. I therefore frank told Nocobotha
the situationl w placed in, and y_ what accident
I had providentiii ly arrived just in time to save his
scalp. The chief listened to me with the most
earnest attention.

“ ‘ Good,‘ he said with a smile, when I had ended;

Neither of the parties

 

26

The White Sioalper.

 

 

and squeezed my hand. ‘Nocobotha is the brother
of he al Heart. (Such was the name he gave me,
and I ve retained ever since.) Loyal Heart's mo-
ther will have two sons.“

“I thanked the chief, as I was bound to do, and
remarked to him that, as I had now left In mother
forsome time, I was afraid she might fee alarmed
at in len tliened absence, and that, if he permitted
me, {won (1 return to her side to reassure her, and
tell her all that had happened; but the Comanche
shook his head.

“ ‘ Nocobotha will accompany his brother,’ he
said; ‘ he does not wish to leave him ‘

“ I accept the proposition, and we at once started
to return to my encampment. We did not take
[mg in going, for we were mounted; but on seeing
me arrive with six or seven Indians, my poor mother
was terribly alarmed, for she fancied me a Jrisoner
and menaced with the most frightful punis merit.
soon succeeded, however, in reassuring her, and her
terror was converted into joy on hearing the good
tidings I brought her. Moreover, Nocobotha, with
that graceful politeness innate in Indians, soon en-
tirely comforted, and managed to ain her good
graces. Such, my dear Tranquil, is t e manner in
which I became awood-ran er, trapper, and hunter.

“On reaching the tribe, t e Indians received me
as a friend, a brother. These simple and kind men
knew not how to prove their friendship. For my

rt, on growln to know them better, I began to

ove them as if t e had been my brothers. I was
adopted bfv the sac ems collected round the council
, and rom that moment regarded as a child of
the nation. From this time I did not leave the Co-
manches a ain. All longed to install me into the
secrets of esert life. My progress was rapid, and I
was soon renowned as one of the best and bravest
hunters of the tribes. In several meetings with the
enemy, I had opportunities to render them signal
service. My in uence increased; and now I am not
only a warrior but a sachem, respected and beloved
by all. Nocobotha, that noble lad, whom his cour-
age ever bore to the front, at length fell in an am-
buscade formed by the Apaches. After an obsti-
nate stru le, I managed to bear him home, thou h
covered th wounds. I was myself dangerou y
wounded. On reaching the village I fell senseless
with my recious burden. In spite of the most de-
voted mgassiduous care in mother lavished on my
or brother, she was una le to save him, and he
led thanking me for not having left him in the
hands of his Dos, and having ke t his scalp from be-
ing raised, which is the greates disgrace for 8. Co-
manche warrior.

“In spite of the marks of friendship and sympa-
thy the sachems did not cease to bestow on me or
the manner in which I had defended my brother, I
was fora long time inconsolable at his loss; and
even now, though so ion a period has elapsed since
that frightful catastrop e, cannot speak of him
without tears coming into my eyes.

“Now, my dear Tranquil, you know my life as well
asIdo in self. My kind and revered mother hon-
ored by tie Indians, to whom she is avisible I’rovi-
dence is happy, or at least seems to be so. I have
complete forgotten my color, to live the life of
the red s, w 0, when my brethren spurned me,
received me as a son, and their friendship has never
failed me. I only remember my origin when I have
to assist any unhappy man of my own com lexion.
The white trappers and hunters of these reg ons af-
fect, I know not why, to regard me as their chief,
and eager] seize the o portunity to show me their
respect, w enever it o ers. I am therefore in a po-
sition relatively enviable; and yet, the more can
slip away, the more lively does the memory 0 the
events that brought me to the desert recur to my
mind, and the more I fear never tooan the pardon
of my crimes."

He was silent. The hunters looked at each other
with a mingled feeling of tion and res t
for this man, who confessed so simpl a crime w ich
so many others would have regard at. the utmost
as a ccadillo, and who repented of it so sincerely.

“ y Jove!“ Tranquil exclaimed all at once,
“ Heaven will be careful not to pardon you if it has
not been done so long ago. Men like you are some
what rare in the desert, comrade! ‘

Loyal Heart smiled gently at this simple outburst
of the hunter.

“Come, my friend, now that you know me thor-
oughly, give me your advice frankly; whatever it
may be promise you to follow it.”

“Well, my advice is very simple; it is that you
should come with us."

“ But I tell you I am a Mexican."

The Canadian burst into a laugh.

“Eh,eh,” he said; “I fancied you strongerthan
that on In honor.“

“ t oyou mean f"

“ Hang it, it isas clear as day. What is Mexico?"

" It is a confederation.”

“Very ood; that is to say, Mexico is arepublic,
formed 0 several Confederated States."

“ Yes,” Loyal Heart said, with a smile.

“ Better still; then Sonora and Texas, for in-
stance, are free States, and able to se arate from
the Confederation, if they think proper "

“Ah, ah,” said Loyal Heart, “I did not expect

t a

“I thou ht you did not. Well2 on see, my friend,
that the exico of to-day, whic isneither that of
Moctecuzoma nor that of the Spaniards, since the
first merely comprised the plateau of Mexico, and
the second, under the name of New Spain, a part of
central America is only indirect] your country,
since you Were born neither in BXICO nor Vera
Cruz, ut in Sonora. You said so yourSelf. Hence,
if you, a Sonorian, assist the Texans, you only fol-
low the general example, and are no traitor to your
country. . What have you to answer to that?”

“ Nothing; save that your reasoning, though spe-
cious is not without a certain amount of logic.”

“ Which means that you are convinced?"

“Not the least in the world. Still, I accept your
proposition, and Will do what you wish."

“ font is a conclusion I was far from expecting,
after the beginning of your sentence."

“ Because, under the Texan idea, there is another,
and it is that I wish to help you in carryin out."

“Ah l" the Canadian remarked, in surp .

Loyal Heart bent over to him.

“ have you not a certain aflair to settle with the
White Ccalpcr, or have you forgotten it?”

 

The hunter started, and warmly pressed the young
man‘s hand.

“ Thanks," he said.

At this moment Black-deer entered the rancho.

“ I wish to speak with my brother,” he said to
Loyal Heart.

‘ Is my brother willing to speak before my friends

e hunters?”

“ he ale hunters are the guests of the Coman-
ches; ack-deer will speak before them,“ the
chief answered.

CHAPTER KEV.
IN rm: nascn'r.
THE news Black-deer brought must be very im»
gonant, for, in spite of that stoicism which the In-

ians regard as a law, the chiefs face was im-
grinted with the most lively anxiet . After sitting

own at an equipal to which Leya Heart ointed,
instead of s aking, as he had been invite to do,
he remaine gloomy and silent. The hunters looked
at him curiously, waiting with impatience till he
thought proper to explain. At len h Loyal Heart
seein that he obstinawa remaine silent, resolve
to ad ress him.

“What is the matter, chief?" he asked him.
“ Whence comes the anxiety I see on on your fea-
tures? What new misfortune have you to an-
nounce?"

“An enormous misfortune,” he answered, in a
hollow voice; “the prisoner has escaped.”

“ What prisoner?‘

“The son of Blue-fox."

The hunters gave a start of surprise.

“It is impossible," Loyal Heart said' “did he
not surrender himself as an hostage? it] he not

ledge his word? and an Indian warrior never
relaks that; only white men do so,” he added, bit—
ter .

B k-deer looked down in embarrassment.

“ Come " Lo al Heart went on, “let us be frank,
chief; tell as 0 early what things happened."

“ The prisoner was bound and placed in the great
medlcine-lodge.”

“ What!" Loyal Heart exclaimed, in indignation;
“a hostage bound and imprisoned! you are mis-
taken, chief the sachems have not done such a thing,
or thus insulted a young man protected by the law
of national:i
H“ I {ole things exactly as they happened, Loyal

ea! .’

“And who ave the order?"

“ I " the ch ef muttered.

“ he hatre you feel for Blue-fox led you astray,
Black-deer; you committed a great fault in de-
spising the word pledged by this young man, by
treating him asa prisoner you gave him the right to
escape; the tggportunity offered itself, he profited
by it and ac rightly."

“th young men are on his trail," the chief said,
with a hateful smile.

“ Your young men will not capture him, for he has
tied with the feet of the gazelle.”

“ Is the misfortune irreparable, then 9”

“Perhaps not. Listen to me: one way is leftus of
capturing our enemy again. The pale hunters my
brothers, have asked my help in the war the w ites
are carrying on at this moment against each other-
ask of the council of the chiefs one hundred picked
warriors, whom I will command, and you can ac-
com y me; to-morrow at sunset we will set out;
the patches are burning to take their raven for
the defeat we inflicted on them, so be assu that
ere we join our brothers the pale-faces. we shall see
our road barred by Blue-fox and his warriors. This
is the only chance left us to finish with this im-
placable enemy—do ou accept it?"

“I do accept it, yal Heart: your medicine is

ood, it has never deceived you, the words your
chest utters are inspired by the Wacondahl’ the
chief said, eagerl , as he rose. " I am going to the
council of the chiefs, will you accompany me ?"

“What to do? it is better that the proposition
should come from you. Black-deer, for I am only an
adogted son of the tribe."

“ ood, I Will do what my brother desires; I will
return shortly.”

“ You see my friend,“ Lo a] Heart said to Tran-
quil, when the chief had le t, “that I have not de-
layed in fulfilling my promises; perhaps of the
hundred warriors we take with us one half will
remain on the way, but the survivors will not be the
less of great assistance to on.”

“Thank my friend," ranouil answered; “ you
know that have faith in you.‘

As Loyal Heart had foreseen, the Indian warriors
sent in pursuit of the risoner returned to the vil-
lage without him; the ad beaten n th country
invain, the whole nig t throng wit ou discover-
ing any trace ofhis pas e. T eyoungman had
disappeared from the m cine-lodge, and it was
impossrble to find out what means he had employed
to effect his escape. The onl remark the Coman-
ches made—but it had con derable importance——
was that, at a sgot in the forest exactly 0 posite to
that where the attic with the Apaches ad taken
place, the soil was trampled and the bark of the
trees nibbled, as if several horses had been standing
there for some time, but there was no mark of
human feet.

The warriors, consequently, returned completel
disappointed, and thus augmented the anger of the
count en. The moment was well selected for the

ues Black-deer wished to make of the council of
sec ems. He requested the expedition projected
by Lo al Heart, not as an intervention in favor of
the w ites, for that was only secondary, but as an
experiment he desired to attempt, not merely to
recapture the fugitive but his father, who doubt-
less, would be posted in ambush at a little distance
from the village. As the question thus brought be-
fore them was acceptable the sachems authorized
Black-deer to select one hundred of the most re-
nowned warriors of the nation, who would make the
«fixpedition under his orders and those of Loyal

eart.

Black-deer spoke to the hachesto, who mounted
on the roof of a calli and immediately convened the
members of the tribe. When the braves knew that
an expedition was meditated, under the command
of 'two such renowned chiefs, they ea erly offered
to oin the war— arty, so that the chic really had a

(fig-y in se ection. Shortly before sunset one
hun horsemen, armed. with lances, guns, axa,

 

 

and knives, wearing their war moccasins, from the
heel of which hung numerous co ote tails, and hav-
inground their neck their long chochctas, or war-
yv isties, made of human thigh-bone formed one
imposing squadroon, drawn up in the nest order on
the villa e square, in front of the ark of the first;
man. T ese savage warriors, with their symbolic
paint and quaint dresses, oflered a strange and ter—
rific appearance.

When the white hunters ran ed themselves by
their srde they were greeted wit shouts of joy and
unanimous ap lause. L0 111 Heart and Blackout-r
placed themse vcs at the end of the band, the (id-A
est sachems advanced and saluted the departii g
warriors, and at a si rial from Loyal Heart the
troop deflled at a walking ace before the members
of the council and quitted he village.

At the moment when they entered the plain the
sun was setting in a mass of purple and golden
clouds. _Oncc on the war-trail the detachment fell
into Indian file, the deepest silence prevailed in the
ranks, and the advanced rapidly in the direction of
the forest. he Indians, when they start on a
dangerous expedition, always throw out as flankers
intelligent men, ordered to discover the enem and
protect the detachment from any sur rise. hese
sgies are changed every day, and,t ough afoot,
t ey alwayls kee a great distance ahead and on the
flanks of t e ha y they have undertaken to lead.

During the first fortnight the march of the Co-
manches was in no way isquieted, and the scouts,
since they left the village, had discovered no human
trail. The only individuals they met were peaceful
hunters, traveling with their squaws, dogs, and
children, and returning to their village; all agreed
with the statement that they had seen no suspicious
trail. Two days after, the Comanches entered on
Texan territory.

This apparent tranquillity eatly erturbed the
two chiefs of the detachmen ; they ancied them-
selves too well acquainted with the vindictive char-
acter of the A aches to s‘ilifipose that they would let
them travel t as peace! y without attempting to
check them. Tran nil, too, who had long known
Blue-fox, completelyl shared their opinion. One
evening the Comanc es, after makingalong day‘s
march bivouacked on the banks of a small stream
upon t etop of a wooded bill which commanded the
course of the river and the surrounding country. As
usual, the scouts had returned with the assertion
that they had discovered no sign; when supper was
over, Loyal Heart himself stationed the sent mes, and
each prepared to enjoy, durin a few hours, a repose,
which the fatigues of the ay rendered not only
agreeable, but necessary.

Still, Tranquil, agitated by a secret presentimei: t,
felt a. feverish and apparently causeless anxiety
which robbed him of s eep: in vain did he close his
eyes with the firm intention of sleeping, they
opened again in spite of his will- wearied with this
sleeplessness, for which he could find no plausible
reason. the hunter rose, resolved to keep awake and
take a turn in the neighborhood. The movement he.
made in picking up his rifle woke Lo a1 Heart.

“ What is the matter?" he asked a once.

“Nothing, nothing,” the hunter answered, “go to
slee’filn

“ en why do you get up?"

“ Because I cannot sleep, that‘s all, and intend to
profit ,by my wakefulness to take a walk round the
cam .

These words completely aroused Loyal Heart, for
Tranquil was not t a man to do anything without
powerful reasons.

“ Come, my friend," he said tohim, “ there is some-

e .

thinf, tell in .

“ know nothing,“ the hunter answered, “but I
am sad and restless; in a word, I know not what I
fancy, but I cannot help tbinkin an approachin
danger menaces us; what it is cannot say, butfi
noticed today two flocks of flamingoes ii ing against
the wind, several antelopes, deers and ot er animals
runnin madly in the same direction; the whole day
throng I have not heard a siieigle bird sing, and as
that is not natural 1 am alarm ."

“ Alarmed?“ Loyal Heart said, with a laugh.

"Alarmed of a snare, and that is whyl wish to
make a round; I su pose I shall discover nothing; I
believe and hope it at nomattcr, I shall at any rate
be certain that we ave nothing to fear."

Loyal Heart. without sayin a word, wrapped
himself in his wrape and seize his rifle.

“ Let us go,“ he said.

“ What do you mean i" the hunter asked.

“I am going with you.”

“ What nonsense! my undertakingl is onl
fancy of a sick brain; do you remain ere an
yourself.”

“ No, no," Loyal Heart answered, with a shake of
his head, ‘I think exactly the same as you have
just told me' I also feel anxious, I know not why,
and wish to be certain."

“In that case come along; perhaps, after all, it:
will be the better course."

The two men quitted the blvouac. The night was
fresh and light, the atmosphere extremely transpa-
rent, the sk studded With stars, the moon seemed
floating in e her, and its hght combined with that of
the stars, was so reat. that objects were as visible
as in 0 en da : profound calm trooded over the
landsc pe, w rob the hunters could perfectly survey
from c elevation on which they were standin ; at;
times a mysterious breath passed over the feafy
tops of the trees, which it bent with a hoarse nur-
mur. Tranquil and Loyal Heart careiully era-mind
the plain which stretched an enormous distance be-
fore them. Suddenly the Canadian seized his
friend‘s arms and by a sharp and irresistible move-
ment, drew him» behind the trunk of an enormous
larch tree.

“What is it?" the hunter asked eagerly.

“Look!” his comrade answered laconically, as he
stretched out his arm in the direction of the plain.

“Oh, oh, what does that mean?" the young man
muttered a moment later. .

“ It means that I was not mistaken. and that we
shall have a fight, but fortunately this time again it
will be diamond cut diamond; warn John Davis, and
lit him, take the villains 1n the rear, while we face
t em.

“There is not a moment to be lost,” Loyal Heart
muttered, and he bounded toward the camp.

The two experienced hunters had noticed a thing
which would certainly have been passed Over by me

the
rest

 

 

‘1‘

The White Scalper.

27*

 

eyes of men less habituated to Indian customs. We
have said that at intervals 9. cafigcious breeze

assed over the tops of the trees; t ‘ breeze blew
From the south-west over the plain for a distance of
some few hundred ards, and yet the same breeze
ran along the grass, incessantly approaching
the hill where the Comanches were encamped, but,
extraordinary to say, it blew from the north-east, or
a direction diametrically opposed to the former.
This was all the hunters had perceived, and. yet it
sufficed them to guess the stratagein of their toes,
and foil it.

Five minutes later, sixty Comanches, commanded
by Tranquil and Loyal heart, crawled like serpents
down the sides of the hill, and on reaching the
plain stood motionless, as if converted into statues.

ohn Davis, with the rest of the band, turned the
hill. All at oncea terrible c was heard—the Co-
manches rose like a legion o demons and rushed
headlong on their enemies. The latter emtided for
a moment, and then, terrified by this sudden attack
turned to fly, but behind them rose suddenly the
American‘s band.

They must fight, or surrender to the mercy of an
implacable foe; hence the Apaches closed up shoul-
der to shoulder, and the butchery commenced. It
was horrible, and lasted till day. These deadlfi
enemies fought without uttering a cry, and fe
without uttering a sigh. As the A aches fell, their
comrades drew closer together, w ile the Coman-
ches contracted the circle of steel in which they
were inclosed. _ _

The sun, on rising, illuminated a homble scene of
carnage: forty Oomanches had fallen, while of the
A hes ten men, all more or less severely wound-
edzaiflone stood upr ht. Loyal Heart turned away
in sorrow from this earful sight, for it would have
been useless for him to interfere to save the last
victims. The Comanches, intoxicated by the smcll
of blood and powder furious at the resistance their
enemies had oil'crc , did not listen to his orders,
and the remaiuin Apaches were killed and scal ed.

“Alli” Black— eer exclaimed, ointin wit 1 a
gesture of triumph at the mutilat and 11 est un-
recognizable corpse, “the sachenis will be pleased,
for filue-fox is dead at last.”

In truth, the formidable chief lay on a pile of
Comanche corpses; his body was lterally covered
with wounds, and his son a cor lad scarce adoles-
cent yet, was lying at his cat. Cumouslg enough,
for the Indians only take the scalps of the enemies
usually, a fresh cutofl head was fastened to the
chief’s girdle—it was that of Fray Antonio. The

oer monk, who had uitted the village a few days
Before Tranquil, had oubtless been surprised and
massacred by the Apaches.

80 soon as the carnage, for we cannot call it a
battle, was over, the Indians re ed to pa the
last rites tomthose of their 1' en 1 wig):e had ound
death in t s sanguinary strugg 6. ep ves
were (1 , and the bodies were thrown in wgitlfiout
the usu funeral ceremonies, which circumstances
prevented; still, they were careful to bury their
arms with them and then stones were piled on the
graves to defend them from wild beasts. As for the
A aches, they were left at the spot where they had
fallen. After this, the war-party started again
sadly for Texas.

 

CHAPTER XXV.
ran LAST HALT.

We will now lead the reader to the extreme out-
posts of the Mexican army. This arm , six thou-
sand strong on its entrance into exas, now
amounted to no more than fifteen hundred in-
cludiifia reinforcement of five hundred men, which
Gene Cos hadjust brought up. The successive
victories gained by Santa Anna over the Texans had
thereforecost him just five thousand men. This
negative triumph caused the President of the Mexi-
can Re ublic considerable reflection. He began to
unders d the extraordinary dimculties of this
war against an exas erated epic, and he specu-
lated with terror on t e tei'rib e consequences 0. de-
feat would have for him, if those intractable enemies
he had been pursuing so long resolved at last to
wait for him and succeeded in defeating him. Un-
iuckily, whatever Santa Anna‘s apprehensions
might be, it was too late to withdraw, and he must
try his fortune to the end.

A space of live 1 ues at the most separated the
two belligerent ar es, and that space was dimin-
lshed near one - half biy the position of their
vedettes. e vanguard o the Mexican army;i com-
posed of two hundred r was comman ed by
Colonel Melendez, but a eague further ahead was
encamped a forlorn hope, which had to clear the
way for the movements of the army. These were
simpl the pirates of the rairies, commanded by
our old acquaintance San .oval whom we saw a
short time back introduce hunseff tothe Jaguar, and
make so singular a bargain With him.

his ite of the extremely slight esteem in which
the exican army held the honesty of the said
Sandoval and his myrmidons, General banta Alma
found himself constrained to place a certain amount
of confldenceinthese thoroug scoundrels, owmg ‘0
their incontestable capability as guides, and above
all, as thinkers. The general, consequently, found
himself obliged almost to close his eyes to the crimes
they committed almost daily, and to let them act as
the pleased.

T ese worthy men, then, were bivouacked as we
have said about a league in advance of the Mexican
army, and as they liked to take their ease whenever
the opportunity ofiered, they had found nothing
better than quartering themselves in a pueblo,
whose inhabitants had naturally. fled at their ap-

roach, and the houses of which the pirates pulled
gown to procure wood for their camp-fires. Still,
either by accident or some other reason, one house
or rather hut, had escaped the general min, and
alone remained standing. It was not onl untouched,
but shut up, and a sentry was station before the
door. This sentry, however, did not appear to
trouble himself much about the orders given him;
for bein probabl anno ed by the sun, whose
beams fel verticaly on head, he was lying
cosily in the shade of a stall luckily standing
Opposite the house, and with his musket Within
reach, was smoking, defining, and dreaming. while
waiting till his term of uty was over, and a com-
rade came to take his lace. .

As this house serve at this moment as the abode

 

of Dona Carmela, we will ask the reader to enter it
with us. The maiden, sad and pensive, was reclin-
ing in ahammock suspended before a window, open
in spite of the heat of the da , and her e es, re
with weeping. were invariably xed on the esolate

lain which he sun parched, and whose sand flashed

ke diamonds. Of what was the poor girl thinking,
while the tears she did not dream of wiping away,
coursed down her pallid cheeks.

Perhaps at this age, when recollections do not go
back beyond yesterday, she remembered in bitter-
ness of spirit the ha py da 8 of the Venta del Pot-
rero, where with ranqui and Lauzi, those two
devoted hearts to protect her, all smiled upon her
and the futiu'e appeared to her so gentle an
calm. Pcrha s, 100, she thought of the Jaguar, for
whom she fc t'such friendship, 01' of Colout l Melen-
dez, whose respectful and profound love had made
gar so often dream involuntarily, in the way maidens

ream.

But, alasl all this had now faded away; farewell
to the exquisite dreamsl where were Tran ml and
Lanzi, the Jaguar and Colonel Melendez? S e was
alone, unfriendcd and defenseless, iii the power of a
man the mere sig t of whom filled her With terror.
And yet, let us add the man whom we have repre-
sented under such g oomy colors, this White Seal per,
seemed to have become comglctel metamorphosed.
Tho tiger had become a lam in t e presence of the
maiden; he offered her the most delicate attentions,
and did everything she wished—not that she ever
expressed a desire, for the cor girl would not have
dared to have done so, but 0 strove to divine what
might please her, and then did it with uncxnmplcd
eagerness. At times he would stand for hours before
her, leaning againsta wall, with his eyes fixed on
her with an undeflnable expression, without uttering
a word. Then he would withdraw with a. shake of
the head stifle a sigh, and murmur—" Gcod Godl if
it were she l" There was something touching in the
timid and humble grief of this terrible man, who
made all tremble around him, and et himself
trembled before a girl; although Dona armela un-
affected by the egotism of suffering persons, di not
seem to perceive the influence she exercised over
this powerful and stem nature.

The door opened and White Scalper entered. He
was still dressed in the same garb, he was still as
upright but his face no longer were that expression
0 haughty and imglacable ferocity which we have
seen on it. A clou of sorrow was spread over his
features and his deep-sunken eyes had lost that fire
which had iven his glance so strange and magnetic
a fixity. ie maiden did not turn at the sound of
the Scalper’s footsteps; the latter halted, and for a
long time remained motionless, waiting doubtlessl
till she would notice his presence. But the girl di
not stir, and hence be resolved to speak.

" Dona Carmela l" he said in a voice whose rough-
ness he tried to smooth.

She made no rep] , but continued to gaze out on
the lain. The Sea per sighed, and then said in a
ion or key:

“ Dona Carmelal”

This time the maiden heard him, for a nervous
tremor agitated her, and she turned quickly round.

“ What do you want with me?" she asked.

“ 0h!" he exclaimed on perceiving her face bathed
in tears, “ on are weeping."

The mai en blushed an passed her handkerchief
over her face with a feverish gesture.

“What matter?“ she muttered and then, striving
to recover herself she asked, “ but do on want
with me, senor? heavens, since I am con emned to
be your slave, could you not at any rate allow me
the free en oyment 0 this room?"

“I thong t I should cause on pleasure,” he said,
by announcin to you the visrt of an acquaintance.‘

A bitter e contracted the maiden’s lips.

“ Who cares for me?" she said, with a laugh.

" Pardon me, senorlta, my intention was kind.
Frequently, while you sit pensiver as you are doin
toda , unconnected words and names have passe
your 3. ‘

“Ah that is true," she answered; ” not only is
my person]:1| t(gaptive, but you will also like to enchain

m houg ,

This sentence was uttered with such an accent of
concentrated anger and bitterness, that the old man
started, and a livid puller sudden] covered his face.

“ It is well, senor, the rl con nod, “for the fu-
ture I will be on my ."

“I believed, I repeat," he re lied, with an accent
of concentrated scorn, “that should render you
happy by bringing to on Colonel Melendez; but since
I am mistaken, you s all not see him, senorlta.“

“ What!" she exclaimed, bounding up like a lion
ess; “what did you say, senor; what name did you
pronounce?“

“ That of Colonel Melendez."

“ Have an summoned him?"

“ Yes. e is awaitin your permission to enter."

The maiden gazed at im for a moment with an
indescribable expression of amazement.

f “Shy, you must love mel” she at length burst
ort .

" She asks that question 1“ the old man murmured

sadl '. “ Will you see the colonel?"

" ue moment, oh, one moment; Iwanttoknow
you. to understand you, and learn what I ought to
think of you."

“ Alas, I repeat to you, Senorita, that I love you,
love you to adoration' ohl do not feel alarmed;
that love has nothing of an insulting nature: whatI
love in you is an extraordinary, supernatural hke-
ness to a woman who died, alas! on the same day
that my daughter was torn from me by the In-
dians. The an liter I lost, whom I shall never
see again, would your age, sen‘orita: such is the
secret of my love for you of my repeated attempts
to seize your person. 0 , let me love you and de-
ceive myself- in looki at you I fancyl seemy

oor dear child, and tha error renders me sohappy.
8h senorital if you only knew what I have suflered,
what I still suffer, from this miserable wound which
burns in heart—obi you would have pity on me.“

While t e old man spoke with an impassioned ac-
cent, his face was almost transflgured; it had as-
sumed such an expression of tenderness and sorrow,
that the maiden felt affected, and by an involuntary
impulse offered him her hand.

‘ Poor father!" she said to him in a gentle and
pitiful voice. . . .

‘* Thanks for that word," he replied in a vOice

Q.

 

choking with emotion, while his face was inundated
with tears; “ thanks, senorita, I feel less unhappy
now."

Then, after a moment's silence, he wiped away his

ars.

“ Do you wish him to come in?" he asked softly.

She smiled: the old man rushed to the door and
threw it wide open. The colonel entered and ran up
to the maiden. White Scalper went out and closed
the door after him.

“ At last," the colonel exclaimed joyously, " I
have found ou again, dear Carinelal”

“ Alasl" s c said.

“Yes,” he exclaimed with animation, “I unar-
siand "on, but new you have nothiigg more to fear ;
I will roe you from the colours yok that oppresscs
you, and tuu ycu irom cur ravisher."

The maiden softh lai her hand on his arm, and
shook her head with an admirable expression of
melancholy.

“I am not a prisoner," the said.

“ What?" he exclaimed with the utmost surprise.
“did not this man carry you off?"
“I do not say that, my friend.

I am not a prisoner.”

“ I do not understand you,“ he remarked.

“ Alas, I do not llLdCl‘Slalld myself."

“Then, you think that if you wished to leave this
house and follow me to the camp, this man would
not attempt to prevent you?“

“1 am convinced of it.”

“ Then we will start at once, Doria Carmela; I
will manage to obtain you respectable shelter till
your father is restored to ou."

“ No, my friend, 1 sh not go, I cannot follow
you."

“ Why what prevents you 7"

“Did I not tell you that I do not understand my—
self. An hour a one I would have followed you
gladly, but now cannot."

“ What has happened, then, during that period?"

“ Listen, Don Juan, I will be frank with you. Ilove
you, as you know, and shall be ha py to be your
wife; but if my happiness depend on my leaving
this room, I would not do it."

“ Pardon what I am going to say, Dona Carmela,
but this is madness."

“No it is not, I cannot explain it to on, as I do
not understand it myself : but I feel t at if I left
this place against the wishes of the man who re—
tains me here, I shall commit a bad action.”

The colonel‘s amazement at these strange words
attained such a. hight that he could not find a word
to rep , but he looked wildly at the maiden. The
man w o loves is never mistaken as to the feelings
of the woman he loves. The youn man felt in-
stinctively that Carmela was directe b her heart
in the resolution she had formed. At t moment
the door opened, and White Scalper appeared. His
appearance was a great relief to the pair, for they
were fr htfully embarrassed and the young man
cspecia y understood that this unexpected arrival
would be of great help to him. There was in the
demeanor and manner of the old man a dignity
which Carmela had never before remarked.

“Pardon me disturbi you,“ he said, with n
Hndlwem, that made is hearers start.

I merely say that

“ " he continued, pretending to be mistaken as
to the pression he produced‘ excuse me, colonel,
for speaking in this we , but I love Dona Carmela.
so dearly that I love a she loves; though old men
are c otistic, as you are aware, I have been busy on
your half during my absence."

“Carmela and the colonel looked their amaze—
ment. The old man smiled.

“ You shall {udge for yourselves," he said. “ I
have just beam from a scout who has come in, that
a reinforcement of Indians has turned our line. and
joined the enemy, among them being awood-ranger,
called Tranquil."

” My fatherl“ Carmela exclaimed in de ht.

"Yes," the Scalper said, so pressing a sig .

“ Oh, pardon inel" the mai en said, as she offered
him her hand.

“Poor child! how could I feel angry with out
Must not your heart fly straight to your fatherg’

The colonel was utterly astoundc .

“This is what I tholililght “ the old man continued.
“ Senor Melendez w' as General Santa Anna's
authority to go under a flag of truce to the enemy.
He will see Dona Carmela’s father, and, after reas-
suring him about her safety, if he desire that his
da ter should be restored to him I will take her
to in in self."

“ But t at is impossible l" the maiden quickly ex-
claimed.

:2 Why so?“

Are you not my father‘s enemy t"

“I was the enemy of the hunter, dear child, but
never your father‘s enemy."

“ Senor," the colonel said, walking a step toward
the old man, “forgive me; up to the present I have
misunderstood on, or rather, did not know you;
you are a man 0 heart."

“ No," he answered; ” I am a father who has lost
his daughter, and who consoles himself by a sweet
error-g“ and he uttered a doe sigh, and added,
“ time resses; begono, colont so that you may
return a l the sooner."

“ You are ri lit," the young man said. “Fare-
well, Carmela, or the present."

And without waiting for the maiden‘s re , he
ruslie out. But when the colonel oined 11% men
again, he learned that the order or the forward
march had arrived. He was obliged to obey, and
defer his visit to the general for the present.

CHAPTER XXVI.
skis JACINTO.

Tim news told White Seal er by the scout was
true- Tranquil and his comi es, after tumin the
Mexican lines With that craft characteristic 0 the
Indians, had effected their unction with the Texan
army; that is to say With t e vanguard, command-
ed by the Jaguar. Ilnfortuuately, they only found
John DaVis. who told them that the Jaguar had
gone to make an important communication to Gen—
  1....

e 9 can s ken to Tranquil about his
daughter. angegiven hip; news of her, he would.
have been for to reveal the bargain roposed bv
the chief. of the pirates, and he did not eel justified.
in divulginga secret of that importance which was
not his own. The Canadian consequently remained

 

 

A  some

i orant of what was going on, and was far from I eral isnot born for common thin I. for he has had “To horse!" the bandits elled as the rushed to
n ng that hiedangbter was so near him. the glory of conquering the Nupoimqf the West.” the corrals, where their hgrses 'were pgt . Ten
At sunset the Jaguar re olned hie cuadrilla. Be At this absurd claim, especially in the mouth of minutes later the pirates dashed off in pursu of the
was delighted at the art-iv of the Comancbes, and such'a man, his hearers, inspite of the respect due White Scalper, and the hacienda was thus freed of
warmly pressed Tranquil‘s hand; but as the order to misfortune, could not tetra n from bursting into 9. its unwelcome ests. ‘
had been given to advance by forced marches, and loud and contemptuous laugh. To this manifests In the meanw ile White Scalper was flying at full
the enemzdvlvas at hand, the young man had no time tion the naughty Mexican was complete insensi- speed, without follow any settled direction; he
eitherto his old friend an hing. bio; for, now that he was recognized he to t sure of ' had only one object, t o lit, or desire—to snvc
Thegcneralhadooinbined movementwitli great not being shot—he cared little for all else, The Ja- ‘ Carmela. The maiden, rev ved b the fresh air,
cleverness, in order to draw the enemy after him by 1 guar wrote to General Houston, describing the facts, was sitting u in the saddle, an , with her arms
constantly refusingto light. The Mexicans, puffed ‘ and sent oil.’ the prisoner tolum, under the escort of I clasped roun the old man's body constantl re-
up by their earli an and burning with tho . twenty men, commanded bv‘ John Davis to whom peeled, in a voice choking with emotion, While {00k-
desire to crush w at they ca led a revolt, did not re- this honor belonged by right, as he had been the mg with terror around her:
quire to be excited to pursue their enemy. first to discover the prisoner. I ‘ Fly, fly! quicker. oh, quicker-l"
Theretreat and pursuit continued thus for three “W ell." the Jaguar ziguttered, as he looked after And the horse redoubled its speed and thus ran
days, wlmn the Texans suddenly wheel and ad- the escort along the Winding road. "fortune does with the ra idity of the sta pursued h‘ a pack of

   

 

 

 

 .' vnnoed resolutel to meet the Mexicans. he latter, ‘ not favor inc—l succeed in nothing." . hounds. A l at once the 0] man peree ved .5 ma
\ ‘, su by t a sudden return, halted with some “ Ingmte that you arel" Loyal lieart said to him, p of horsemen debouching from a, hollow way just
'. f h tion and formed their line of battle. l “ to complain when the most lonous trophy of the ahead of him.
. g; It was the twenty-first of August, 1836, a day ever ; victory was reserved to you; t rou h the capture of ‘ "Courage, Carmelal," he shouted; “ we are
i. memorable in the annals of Texas. The two armies .‘ that prisoner, the war is over, and t ' ndependenee ‘ saved." '
" were at face to face on the‘plains of San ‘ of Texas assured forever." ; “Go on, c on," the maiden replied. '
Jar-£0, an were commanded in renal by the : “That is true " theJ ar shouted, as he leaped ‘ This ban was the Jaguar's' the young chief in
c tit-their ve republics. nerals Santa 3 with jo ; " I did not thin of that. Viva Diosl you his impatience to reach the hacienda, was gallop ng
, Anna and Ho :1. The Mexicans numbered J arerig t, my friend, and I thank ou for having put a lon distance ahead of his men. All at once he

; seventeen hundred well armed, veteran soldiers- ; me on the track. By Jove! should not have
'. ,, the Texans amounted to only seven hundred an thought of that without you. Come, come," he
,. w. e #14133, of whom sixty-onewereoav . gen y exclaim "let us be off to the hacienda,
:; oral mntouhadbeencom lied,ont e - comrades! we alldealthelastblowl“
u, vious evening, to detach the afi‘s The cuadrllla started under the guidance of its
V ‘ which the Comanches and hunters joined; for, chief; we will leave the adventurers to follow their
r ooutiuyto' _ oval‘l expectations, hismen re- road, and preceding them for a few moments, enter fire!" t e Canadian shouted who was s urri ' his
1: ;, fusede ratify the bargain be had made in their the hacienda. horse and comin up at full speed followe by
I - l names with the J . Not that they were actu- The pirates, according tothe custom of people of L0 al Heart and t e main body. .
§; , ated by any Mme-em; we are bound to state, that stamp, had immediately made themselves at '_ ut, before the hunter could reach the J er, tht
but merely because they had cums across a haci- home in the hacienda, whose owner had lied on see- latwr; who'hsd not heard, or probab ha not no
ends, which seemed to offer them the prospect of lag the approach of war, and from which Sandoval demtood him, pulled the trigger. hite Scalper,
Hence, without caring for either and. his men expelled the peons and servants. The struck in the m

percgzhved tile horslgnagdcomgg towa him.
“ l“ e exc ‘m , wi a fee n or doc
hatred, “ White Seal r.” g p
He at once sto his horse. so sudden] that his
noble animal all at fell, and raised his .
“ Sto , stop, do not fire! in heaven’s namé do not'

 

 . , ‘ ddle of the chest, rolled in the sand,
party, they had shut themselves up in the haeien pillageth immediately organized on a great scale, , dragging Carmela down with him in his fall.
.V ,_ and refused to quit it, in sgite of the entreatles and yhad Wy be an with the cellars, that , " l Tran uil said, in despair "addressing Loyal
v threat of the chiefs, w 0, that they had is to so , with t e renc and sgianish wines and i Heart, “the an ap y man has killed his fatheri'
v 1,, made up their minds, nit-length fo wed their exa strong uors, so that two hours fter their arrival “Silence?” the in r exclaimed, placing his hand
l ‘K was therefoee detached by the all the ‘were as full' as butts,rand yells and on his mouth: “ Silence, in Heaven 3 name i" '

ample. TheJ
r germ-alto  dangerous visiwraandthe songsrosefrom all sides .. ‘ The Seal 1‘ was not dead.,however; the Jaguar
, ll new obeyed, though unwillinglme he fore- . , N White Scalpel- had been compelled 1p roache him, probably to finish him, but Car-
“ saw he should miss the battle. . _ v to follow e. pirates, and Carmela with him. me a, who was inggecting his wound, drew herseli
General Houston gave Colonel miner, who was at Insults-of- the. pmcnutions 'en by the old man, up like alioness a repulsed him with horror. .
' . ;‘ a later date President of Texas, the command of the midnuheard rmhe chambers in whichl she “ Back, assassin!" she shrieked. ,
“,1 the sixty horsemen left him, and rcsclutel pre- sought shelter the of these fe ows In spite of himself the oung man recoiled, aston-
f w pared for action, in wet the numerical . widclireacbed her, threatening and sin star as the ished and confounded. ran uil rushed toward the
-‘ portion of hi forced two amneswhose st - rolling of thunder inn tempest. .Saudoval lied not wounded man,.while Loyal eart took hold of the
V , glee woulddecldethefate of a country were ha y renounced his plan‘of revenging himself oaths man Jaguar; and speaking gently to him, led him from
: ' asnum‘erous asaFi-ench regiment. At sunrise the lie ashis enemy, and the intoxication of the spot where White Scalper was writhing in
; ' 1] battle commenced-with extreme fury. ' The Texans, his men seemed to him an excellent opportunity for. agony, The old man held the mziiden‘s hand in his
'- l ‘ formed in square, advanced silently, Within musket gettim rid-of 111111.. . - own which were already bathed in a death-sweat.
shot of the enemy, * > , White Scalper tried byallthe meansinhis power “ armela, poor Carmela!" he said to her, in a
“ Boys l" General Houston suddenly shouted, as to oppose this gi antic orgie, for he knew that these broken vaico; “ ch, Heaven, what wfll become of you
‘- , , hedrew his sword, “boys! RumaamAmxol” rough and rebel‘ as men, very difficult to govern now that I amdy .” _ ' ‘
i i ,‘z A. terrible fire answered him, and the Texans when sober, became utterl undisciplined so_hoon “No, no, it is no possible, you will not dieya, the
‘ t’ ' rushed on the enemy, who were already wavering. as intoxication got hold of t em. But the pirates girl exclaimed, stilling her sobs.
The battle lasted eighteen minutes! at the expira‘ had almady tasted the wines and irifs, and, ex- v The“ old man smile sadly.
tion oftnat time; the Mexicans were broken and in cited by Sandoval, they only anew the Scalper‘s I ‘Alss, poor child!" he said, ‘_‘I have but a few
full flight; their flags, their cam , with arms, bag- representations with murmurs and insults. The , moments to liveuvho mil protect you when lam
$3897 PNVNOD Ind ecmipnfi, fe into the handeof latter, despairing of making them listen to reason. ‘ 3019""
e e

 

the victors. Consid ring limited number of and wishing to s ;the maiden the odious and i “It” said the hunter, who had come up. '
combatants, the carnage was immense, for six hun- disgusting spectac e of an prgie hastenedto return , “Your” the wounded ina- replied; l‘you,‘ bei-
dredMexicans, includin ageneraland fourcolonele ’to or and after trying to calm her he stationed father?“ '
were killed: two ban and eighty-three wounded; himse before the doorof the room that,

seized as; - "No, her friend,“ the hunter remarked, with a
and seven hundred made'prisoners: only sixty men, :her refuge, resolved to smash the first pira "who ; melanchol accent, and drawing from his bosm the
among them being Santa Anna, succeeded in eflcct- .uttempted wapprouoh her. , , i , . .- ; ; 7 _ , necklace ouoniam had torn from the Sciilper during
in their escape. - . Several hours , andnooue [thought about fithe fl lit in Galveston Bay, he said with supreme
for the Texans, owin to the impetuosity of- disturbing the o d nian. . He was beginningto htfi [‘mnilvs , “Jnmt‘h‘jWattJ‘ embrace your daughter;
their attack, they had 0 y two men killed and thatallwould pass over me ' when he eudde .Csrme , embrace'youl-fatliem' V ' ‘ ;'
' :‘i, twenty-three wounded, though six of these diedaf- heard a great noise, 1’0 owe lo yells and oaths, ‘Ohl" the woundedf man exclaimed,"‘my heart
' . i" termini—an insignificant loss, which proves once nude dozen pirates appeared at t e entrance of the did not deceive me, then?" V ‘ 4 1 _' ‘ ’
‘ again the s riorlt of resolution over hesitation, long corridor, at the end of which he was standing I ‘My father my father bless met” the maiden
for most the exicans were killed during the 'scntry, brandishing their. wee as and uttering murmured, 1' ing on hei- 'nees. '
mm, . threats, A: the sight; ol.these unous man, whom ' “rth Sculper, or MllJDl‘ Watt, drew himself up as
The Mas-slept on the field of battle. General intoxication rentitgfd deaf to all remons'trzinces, the If he had received an electric shock, and laid his
Houston, when sending of! the Jaguar against the old man undersi that a terrible and deadly stnIif- hands on the head 01 the kneeling girl-
ateshadsaidto him: r ' glewas aboutto 'n between them and him. e “Bless you my child!“ he said; then after a
. “Finish with those villains s edily, and- perhaps was alone ainsta but yet he did not dyslmit; a ‘ moment of silence, he muttered in an almost in- '
'* you willreturn in time for the ttle." ' Sinister hg leade in his cymhis eye vs met ‘ distinct voice, “I had a son too." ‘
These words were sufficient to give the chief of the under the mig t of an implaca 1e wxll; l0 rew him- " He is dead," the hunter answered, as he looked
a , Earneanswings;stm,-howevergreat bleepeed might self up to his full hight before the door he had sorrowfully'at the Jaguar.
" '; , , night “prised him when stiilteu leagues i'rom sworn to defend, and in an instant became once “Mgr leaven pardon him!"the old man muttered.
‘ s 2:1 the h ' nda, and he was compelled to halt, for both more the ft‘rOL'lOllS and terrible demon who had so And f lug back he breathed 1,15 lapt sigh, ' I
" men-grim were utterly worn out. On the mor- lon been the terror of the western countries. . “My 'lend,", annals said to the hunter, “ on,
row atr'the moment when he~wes about to stain T e pirates, at the/sight of this man who was Whom 11010380? “are ‘0 call my father. Wh do
again, he received news of the battle of the previous. awaiting them so nieuacingly. sto l involunts- you order me to do in the presence of this corpse?"

 

 

hr

do} in every similar manner. rily; .110 front men even took a timi o'ok back as if “ Live!“ the Canadian answered hoarsely, as he

oliu Davis w rowiing among the she. to no.3 whether a. chance of retreat were left em; 3 pointed to a horseman who was cominguup at full

acoordingto his song discovered a man hi ' in but the p ' was interrupted by those who came f speed, _“ for you love and are beloved; e isscarce'
behind and them on. Sandoval, who was , be llnm for you, and on ma stillbe happy.“

the tall grass who was trembling all over. The , t V
 him naturally enough foralcx~ well aware with'what sort of a man his comrades
loan spy, ordere him to get up. The man then fell. would have to deal, had prudently abstained from _
onhis kneu, kissed Ilia hrmda‘ and implmd him- to 51min himself. - remained with: some of- his into tears.
let himgo, oife him all the gold and Jewels be friends the banquet dial] drinking and singing. ' ’. ‘ ‘ ‘l *' i .1 0 '
had abouthtm. ese supplidations and entreatics The delay in the i es‘ advance had suggested Dining my last visit to Texas, I had the honor of
produced no other efl'ect on the American than con- 10 the Scalpcr thei ea of setting'ihe door Manse 1 being presented to Dona Garmela, then married to
vest his suspiciominto certainty. ' that he might cocoa: with greater facility when the Colonel Melendez, who retired from the service after-
e. crane,“ he said roush to his prisoner, as moment arrived» t the rlod of hesitation did ' the battle of San Jacinta. . -
hecockoda iltol ‘enoaghoft ' folly; go on be- notlnstzasecond; theyelle urstfortbagain louder ; Tran uil lived with them, but L a] Heart re.
fore me, or will blow out your h ’ than before and the bandits lBimini-ed to rush on the i turned the desert. The J uar, ii ter the events
m‘fidthe wen producedall the ellectde- old man. The latter was st calm and cold as a we have described, resumed adventurous life,e.mi
aired on stranger, e bowed his head piteously, marble statue; he had placed his rifle against the a year had scarceelapsed ere his death was heard of.
and followed his captor to the bivouac, with no wall, within reach, and stood with his pistols in his Su rlsed by Apache Indians. from whom he might
' ' ‘ hands awaiting them. i one have escapedbhe insisted on fighting them,

6 ri or was Colone Melen ez.
Carmela let her head fall in her hands, and burst

. further attemJits to seduce him. . , I I
“ Who the once have you brought us?" the Ja- “ Stop, or 1 fire!" he cried, in a thunderi voice. 1 and was massacred y these pitiless enimies of the

guar asked. sharply. The yells were doubled, and -. the ban ts drew , white race. -
“ On in word," the American answered, “I do not nearer. Two shots were fired, and two‘ men fell; ’ Did the Jaguar know that he had killed his father,

know, e‘ggmmpl found in the tall 8115-, who the Seal 1' discharged his rifle at the mob then, ‘ or was it his despair at seeing his love despised by
looks to meprecious like a spy." taking it y the barrel and usmg it hke a ub, he Carmela, that determined him to seek death?

, “Ah ahi the Jaguar said with an n lysmile, rushed on the bandits, who were startled by this That Nmflmeda mystery which no one was ever
' “ isbifineeswill soon be settled. Have shot.” sudden attack, and ere they could dream of resis- , able to solve. Let ushope that's. merciful and "just
he prim started, and his face assumed an tance he drove them to the  of the corridor. and God pardoned this son his involuntary el

' ear: 2:7 hue. down the stairs. Out of ten tee six were killed,

" 02:3 moment, whom-res," be exclaimed, while and tour, dangerously woun ed. fled in terror. " See Dias me No. 149, " Border Rifles."
strug"1l in the utmost terror with the men who The Scalper lost no time; bounding like a wild ‘ ,
hedalrcfiy scum liim-“ one moment; I am not be rushed into the room, the door of which be THE END- ' , l

, what youmppoaa.“ cloe after him, took in his arms Carmela, who was
."Nonsense, ‘ tbeJaguai-said' with a grin; “you 1 ing senseless on the floor, lea out of the win-

 

 

 

are unexiean, and that is" sumo-eat." . . ow, threw the 'rl across the sa tile-bow and dart- l BEADLE’S Dmn 5133A". i
“I " the r-exclaimed, “Don Antonio Ingonthehorsesbackhestarted acrosst ecountry * 154 JOAQUIN m3 swmxma‘ B J m ' " m.
definite Ina. President of the Mexican Re- , with headlo speed. All this took plape in less ; 155 THE Gm’sms mm 8“  ' 19°
'8 7 time than wg‘liave required to describe it, and the 1 156 VELVET FA“ Kym“. meme r_ we
“KW the gaging exclaimed, in amazement, v 133 recoveigd from their terror ere the ; 157 Mom“,it Tn By, 00L Thom” .
youareSanta nna.’ ‘ r so pears . Boyer watery . . . . . . . . . . .. . 20c.
. Lieu y “the President answered, piteously. f‘ ivaDiosl" gandoval shouted, striking the table l """"  
1m itwas yhe. ‘ with his list; “shall we let him escape to horse,'.| A MW “m W W .
“Whatwere you doing concealed in the grass?" comrades, to horse!" Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale all
“I wutryingto ." —— Newsdealers, ten cents per cops or sent by V on
“Then you have been defeated?" “ The sentence is literally true, but was said by . recei t of twelve cents each. EADLE a ADAJIS.
L “Oh, yes! my army is dostmyed. Oh. your gen- Santa Anna to Houston himself. ' Publighe‘rs. 98 William Street, New York. :

 

 

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Fummo FROM LOVE. By Harriet lrving... 10c

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Tun Wu or Hum Corinne Cushman. . 10c
11 Tm: Fuss Wxnow. Mrs. J. D. Burton. 
19,13 Les-r 103 Low. MlssM. E. Braddon. .. 10c
14-15 Toms-s or 13: SM. By Victor E o. ..

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17-18 Urea Sm By J S. 
19-90 F'am'r. Min M. E. Braddon... 10c
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23 Samurai Wm. Mrs. M433. 0rowell.. 10c
am Bmosanmr. Miss M. .Braddon . . 10¢
a) TIA-r Bo! or Nosoo'rr’s. Charles Lever. .. me
Cm’s Isuzu-Arcs. By Braddon. 100

39 A Gino‘s Bun. B Roth Winwood . . 10c
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M. E. 0. Malen. .... luc
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58 A Bounce or A Boos Youxa Gm. Ellen. 100 88 Finn-rm. B
LOCKED Hm'r. By Corinne Cushman. 10¢ 89 Tm Trans
54 Tm: Pains or- m Dowmzs. l3; M. Blount 10c 90

.- finwmwood. .f 10¢
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53m

55 A firmer: Gnu. By Albert Aiken.  10c
Pun-N Puma. By A Parson’s

Da hter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1
37 Du) n Sm! By 
DOUBLYDIVOMED. Bg' enny DavlsBurton. 100

. y LilheD. U. Blake.

Mann‘s Seem. Mary Helpine..
. By Grace Mortimer. 10c

am. By W. M. Turner. 10c
63 Wm: on Wmow. By Rett Winwood 
64 Tall 0mm 001151118. Phili S.Warne. 10c
65 Punsusn 10 m Anus. y an. 100
66 Tim'l‘mmmm Tam. B Jennie D. Burton. 10c
‘i7 Ensem Eem'r. By hilip S. Warne  10c
68 LADY Hm's Vow. B Mrs. E. F. Ellet... 10c
69 Bowm-‘l‘sn: Kmem or mumv. Warns. 10c

   

A . ,

 

 

 

Each issue a. complete novel and sold at the uniform price of TEN CENTS. N 0 double price numbers.

Col. Prentiss ingraham . . .
RAD. By MissM. E.Bl‘add0ll. 100
FOR. A WOMAN'S SAKE. By Watts Phillips. 2
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92 Tu]: wa MAGDALEN. By Wilkie Collins. 10c

0c 93 AN OPEN Vsnmcr. B Miss M. E. Braddon. 10c

94 Sworn) AND GOWN. y Geo. A. Lawrence. 100
95 A BEGGAB. 0N Honsmcn. By James Payne.
96 HER FACE WAs HEB. Foams. By Robinson. 100
97 JANE Em. By Charlotte Bronte . . . . . . . .. 10c
98 Winn:st m Pom. Bfi Edmund Yates...
99 THE COLLEEN BAWN. y Gerald Griffin. . . 10c
100 AN AMBITIOUS GIRL; or. She Would Be an

Actress. By A Celebrated Actress. . . . . . . . . 100
101 FOUL PLAY. By Charles Reade and Dion

Boucicault. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., 1013
102 CAmA. By Mrs. Oliphant . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 10c

103 A WOMAN HATER. By Charles Reade. 100
104 Arms DAsx. By Wilkie Collins 10c

70 Dan-rum TORUU. ByMaryBeedCx-owell. 10c 106 Hum Tum. By Charles Dickens 
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      r . . . . ..  

ax ‘ ‘ AWW' :0. m m o Dssnxm. Wilkie Collins.
E _ cuss,    'Besdychbermtn...B¥...  ..
‘ ignorm All! Jr... 10c Ammmm
85 1'0! Emissary MaryBsed' 10:: For sale by all newsdealers, or sent.
g LmUWSs Lows.  we paid. on meal of twelve cents. BEAD
‘V, -Byauthord"0sste.“mc ADAMS, I flewuienswmfl.!.

 

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I The linked Bride' GIVWHLEIM
null. Bi Mrs.  Crow
2 Was It own or, Luann An timer-
rs osixm By Bath Wanna...
. r . s .
A Brave oar-t. ByArsde Southworth.
Bessie Boy or the Work Girl.
In. Mason .11. .
Secret humus; Dyan-smarter;
A Danglfiter of live; or, 3mm 3!
Lou. By rs. BeedCrowell.
8 Hurt to Heart; w.FmPnrws' Lon.
. - Arabella Smnhworth.
0 no in the World; or. Tin: Yours
, "I Wm. the author of "Clifton."
10 A Mr of ray Eyes: or, Tn Elm

” m ByRoseKennedy.
' W Benz-letter .
:gmummigrgm
teams flu' Quinn- 31

I'll Ill-r1101! Elmer,’l‘uWoux
 3y Sal-soglaxton.‘I m w

0. I
h” 1’03» hell.

1. or Not9 or, Tn Tan Knot-r.
. ' Southme
{I gimfiz'..." museums”L mm
MsryBeedCrmvell.

19 0 Broken Betrothaéfior. Lou m
so? 3‘“ n a“? “"31 r
. an 0 0 II I' or
u Tngrszsgtion? “ole Pefi’uis '
M n orever or n In:
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Bride of an Actor the author
u 551:... in the World," are: 613. '
28 Les

Year; or,er Sn Psorosln. By

84 nor Face Was Her Fortune. By
U].

 

' 0-1 a Schoolmistross; mun
I . Arabella Southworth.
 s mm.
A v  ~  ByHenrletts
' Gm

61
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The om Young Ladles’ Library of  Copyright travels Published. Moo, Five Cents.

3'! The Country Cousin. Bose; '
g: I'll-0“}: Aggln. Ara D‘ALSouth I
- llrto n. BalphBoy
o W to aim. Sax-smut».
41 B n Devotion.  V .
42 Beatricehtho mum]: or, are-
os'nbovn yASouthworth. '

43 The Baronet’s Iocrot Sara Clarion.
44' The Only Ban Inter: or. Beams
mums-r Lover. By files Flo
45 Her Hidden Foe. Arabella
46 The Little Heiress. M. A. Denison.
47 Because She Loved in; or. How

Wm. rr Exp. Alice Blaming;I
48 In pits oflIorself. By s. .Sherwood.
49 In! mistress; or, Low: A!

Heart’s
50 masons-s; or, Tar Pmom

or. Bylirs. n.
51 Two You-hauls; or, Ban): or
‘u no
52 The W! I! Blouse
AuFouA

'uthworth.

ming. a

use: A
5‘ one Woman’-

m . .
55 She Did Not Love Him or. Brooms
ro 00mm Arshella worth.
56 Love-Mad; or, 3mm, Mum.
5 PAW‘I’IrsV‘IalrL'  ' M' D'
e
.1 n Mon 1!!

er
,esrth or. Sun:

:3 A {known wné-.B§whe’i Bernhardt.

60 Cecil’s Deceit. ByJennie Davis Burton.
61 A icked Hes Sara xton.
62 TBYManioe e. ByM.%ount.

68 The Creole Sisters. ByAnns'E. Porter.

'4 “at Jealousy Did; 0;] Tu firm or

may . m .

as $3.. Wigwgicrla. 31,305. fin Lewis
08 A Brother’s Sin. By chel Bernhardt.

Forbidden m. Arabella Southworth.
Weavers and Welt. By M. E. Braddon.
emails; or, m or A Occur:
70 o _ ‘1. (pl-pm mb'hmery.
fl  Rimming m

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73 Rose Michel; or,'l‘n Tm as!»
74 31°33“ outlemmggsgfit’gné By '
75 Eel-Finals“ Lady ornun'a. By: at

n.
'16 Charlotte Tom 10. Mrs. Rowson.
7'1 Christian Oak e 9- istake. Bytho

author-oi “John H ex, Gentleman."

'18 M Yonn Husband. Myself.
79 Aaueen mongst Wogen. Bythe
author of “ Theme."

80 Her Lord and Mater. Byl'lorenos

at.
g; knit” “Fawn moi-red.
0 me 0-
" an». Hymn.

83 Playing for Ill:
Thomas. ‘
84 The Laurel Bin-h. By the author d
“John tlemsn "

ax,Gen .
85 LedA t . Oats Feminist.
g? aunt’s 'fiipffiuggfi gymnast.
om o Q Int:
ByOetsve?euil£t. "I.
SSAIn-lbl need 01-mme
' Byllmema Geghon Jags. '
89 A. Gilded Sin.

90 The Author’s Daughter. By“
Hewitt.

- 91 The .I’llt. ByCharlesBesds.

Al n: Tu W

92 ll)”. Ev Begin O’Sal‘liun. “In

93 Love’s Victory. By B. L. Fax-jam,

94 The Quiet Heart. By Mrs. 013M

95 Lattice Arnold. By Mrs. Marsh.

96 Haunted Hearts , Bum
mu. By Rachel  h

91 Hugh Melton. ByCathulnemnz.

98. 1Alum) Lamont. Bymssllniock.

99 B 0110 Bruce’s Lav .‘ In,

MOCtobersth. er ' a

memo 1. mm d ' '
101 Hannah. Bymsam Oath-r!»
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3v.
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BEADLE’S

HALF-DIME

 

 

LIBRARY.

_

 

 

l Deadwood Dick, TEE PaINOK orTnE ROAD.
By Edward L. Wheeler. '
2 eiiowstone Jack. By JOE. E. Badger. JP-
8 Kansas Kin ; or. THE RED RIGHT HAND.
B Buflalo Bill ( on. Wm. F. Cody).
4 e Wild-Horse Hunters. By Captain
Mayne Reid and Captain Frederick Whittaker.
S Vagabond J oe,TaE YOUNG WANDERING Jaw;
or, G son A LEGACY. By Oil Coomes.
8 Bill Biddon Trapper . By E. S. Ellis.
7 The Flyinlg ankee; or, THE OCEAN OUT-
CAST. By CO . Prentiss Ingraham.
8 Seth Jones . By Edward S. Ellis.
9 Adventures 01 Baron Munchansen.
0 Nat Todd. By E. S. Ellis.
1 The Two Detectives; or TEE FORTUNES
or A Downy Gm. By Albert ’w. Aiken.
2 Gulliver’s Travels. B Dean Swift.
3 The Dumb Spy. By 0 Coomes.
4 Aladdin; or, is: WONDEREUL LAMP.
5 The Sea-Cat. By Captain Fred. Whittaker.
16 Robinson Crusoe. (2i Illustrations.)
17 Ralph Roy, THE BOY BUOCANEER; or, THE
FUGITIVE YACHT. B 001. Prentiss In raham.
18 Sindbad the Sai or. His Seven oyages,
19 The Phantom Spy. By Buffalo Bill.
20 The Double Daggers ' or, DEADWOOD DICK's
cE. By Edward L. heeler.
21 The Frontier Angel. By Edward S. Ellis.
92 The Sea Serpent; or, THE BOY RODINsoN
Causes. By Juan Lewis.
23 Nick 0’ the Night; or, THE BOY Sn or ‘76.
iin. C. Harbaugh.
24 iamond Dirk.

h; .4- in—

By Colonel P. Ingraham.

25 The Bo Captain. ByRo er Starbuck.

26 Cioven 001‘, THE BUFFALO "ON; or, THE
BORDER VULTUREs. By Edward L. Wheeler.

27 Antelope Abe, THE BOY GUIDE. Oll Coomes.

28 Buffalo Ben, THE PRINCE or TEE PIsTOL;
Or DEADwoon DICK IN DIsGUIsE. E. L. Wheeler.

29 The Dumb Page. B Capt. F. Whittaker.

30 Roaring Ralph Roe wood, Tu BECK-
Lnss RANGER. By Barry St. GeorfiA

31 Keen-Knife, PRINCE or TDD mus. 31
Oil Coomes.

32 Bob Woolf, THE BORDER RUEruN' or. TEE
Gnu. DmSnm. By Edward L. Wheeler.

33 The Ocean Bloodhound or, THE RED
PIRATEs or TEE CARIsnm. By . W. Pierce.

34 Oregon 801' or NICK Winmns' BOY Srr.

. F.  Adams.

B‘y’Ca t. J

‘5 ii Ivan, THE BOY CLAUDE DUVAL'or, Tar:

BROTI-Inaaoon or DEATH. B Ed. L. Wheeler.

36 The no Clown . By 1: S. Finn.

37 The Hi den Lodge. By T. C. Harbaugh.

‘38 Ned Wylde, TKE BOY'SOOUT. By Texas Jack.

39 Death-Face, m DETEcrIVE; or LIFE AND
LOVE IN NEW YORK. By Edward L. Wheeler.

40 Kevin Ben. A STORY or A YOUNG AMERI-
CAN WRo ANTED To SEE THE WORLD. Marshall.

41 Lasso Jack. By 011 Coomes.

12 The Phantom Miner; or DEADwoon
DIUK‘s BoNANzA. By Edward L. Wheeler.

‘3 Dick Darling, THE PONY EKrnEss RIDER.
By Capt. Frederick Whittaker.

a4 att ing Rube. By Barry St. George.

45 Old Avalanche THE GREAT ANNIaILATOR:
or WILD EDNA, mdmr. BRIGAND. E. L.Wheeler.

40 Glass Eye, m Gun SHOT or TDD WEsT.
1133' Capt. J. F. 0. Adams.

47 ightin ale Nat. By ’1‘. C. Harbaugh.

48 Black ohn, m ROAD-AGENT; or. TDD
LAws‘ Emu. By Joe. E. Badger, Jr.

49 Omaha 011 m MAsKED TERROR: or DEAD
woon DICK IN DANGER. By Edward L. Wheeler.

50 Burt Bunker, Tin: TRARTDR. C. E. Lasalle.

51 The Do Rifles. By Archie C. l'rons.

52 The Wh te Buii‘aio. C. E. Lasalle.

53 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., THE BOY Pumx; or,
Timouos To DEATH. By Edward L. Wheeler.

54 Ned Hazel, THE BOY TRAPPED; or, Tm: PaAN-
TOM PRINCESS. By Capt. J. F. 0. Adams.

55 Deadly-Eye, TRE UNKNOWN Scour or, Tn
BaANDED BROTRERDOOD. B Buffalo Bill.

56 Nick Whitiies’ Pet. 8. t. J. F. C. Adams.

57 Deadwood Dick’s E esahor, Tu PARDs ’
or FLOOD BAR. B Edward . eel .
58 The Border in By 011 Coomes.

59 Old Hickor . By St. Geo e.

60 The White {ndianfrgapt J. F. . Adams.

81 Buckhorn 3111' or. Tu RED Rim: Tau.

Edward L. Whee or.

62 he Shadow Ship . BX Col. P. In

63 The Bed Brotherhoo . W. J.

64 Band Jack. By T. C. Harbaugh.

35 Hnr cane Bill. B Jos. E. Badger. Jr.

66 Single Hand. B .J. Hamilton.

67 Patent-leather oe. By Phili S. Waffle.

68 Border Robin Hood. By uifalo Bill.

69 Gold Rifle, Tim SmRrsIIOOTER- or TDD BOY
DETECTIVE or THE BLACK RANcn. By Wheeler.

70 Old Zip’s Cabin; or, Tn: GREENEORN IN
THE Woons. 113; J. F. 0. Adams.

‘11 Delaware loll. ByOll Coomes.

72 Mad Tom Western, m TExAN RANGEa;
or. Tm: EEN or THE PRAIRIE. By Hamilton.

'13 Deadwood Dick on Deck;

In.
ten.

or, CALAMITY
JANE, m HEROINE or WHOOP-UP. By Wheeler.
'14 Hawk-eye Harry. By 011 Coomes.

)5 The Boy Duelist; or. TEE CRUIsE or m
SEA-Won. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
76 Abe Colt, m Caow-KmLER; or, Tin: Gnu-z
FIGHTING MAN or m WEST. 133A. W. Aiken.
77 Corduro Charlie, TEE
DEADWOOD ’s LAsT ACT. By E. 1.. Wheeler.
78 Blue Dick. ByCa tain Mayne Reid.

'19 Sol Gin er GIANT ByA.W. Aiken.
80 Bosebéls R’ob; or N233!!! NED. usme
W

or Tin own. By . .
81 Lightning Jo. By Captain J. F. 0'. Adams.

 

82 Kit Haretoot, THE WooD-HAwr or. OLD
POWDER-FACE AND HIs DEMONs. By fiarbaugh.
83 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. B 011 Coomes.
84 1d 1, the Girl Miner; or, sEnvD Ros
. ON AND. By Edward L. Wheeler.
85 Buck Buckrain; or, Bass, m FEMALE
TRAPPER. By Captain J. F. 0. Adams.
86 Band Rock. By G. Waldo Browne.
87 The and Pirates. By Capt. Mayne Reid.
88 Photo raph Phil, THE BOY SLEUTII; or,
Rosssun D s REAPPEARANCE. By E. L.Wheeler.
89 1siand Jim. By Bracebri eHemyng.
90 The Dread Rider. By G. aldo Browne.
91 The Captain ol'the Club; 01', THE YOUNG
RIVAI. ATHLETES. By Bracebridxe Hemyng.
92 Canada Chet; or, OLD ANAOONDA IN SITTING
BULL’s CAMP. By Edward L. Wheeler.
93 The Boy Miners. By Edward 8. Ellis.
94 Midnight Jack, THE ROAD—AGENT;
' THE BOY TRAPPED. By T. C. Harbaugh.
9a The Rival Rovers. Lieut. Col. Hazeltine.
96 \Vatch-Eye, THE SHADOW; Or ARADs AND
ANGELs or A GREAT CITY. By E. L. Wheeler.
97 The Outlaw Brothers. By J. J. Marshall.
98 Robin Hood, THE OUTLAWED EARL; or, TDD
MERRY MEN or GREENWOOD. Prof. Gildersleeve.
99 The Tiger 01' Taos; or WILD KATE, DANDY
ROOK's ANGEL. B Geor e aldo Browne.
100 Deadwood ick n LeaJviile; or. A
STRANGE STROKE son LIBERTY. B Wheeler.
101 Jack Harkaway in New ork. By
Bracebridge Hemvng.
102 Dick Dead-‘Eye, Tan BOY SmGGLER; or,
TEE CRUIsE or THE VIKEN. By Col. lafiraham.
103 The Lion of the Sea. By Col. De eSara.
104 Deadwood Dick’s Device
SIGN or was: DOUBLE CRoss. B E. . Wheeler.
105 Old Rube, THE HUNTER. (ya t. H. Holmes.
106 Old Frosty THE GUIDE. By 'iPCJIarbaugh.
107 One-Eyed Sim. B James L. Bowen.
108 Daring Davy, TI-IE OUNG BEAR-KILLER; or,
TEE TRAIL or ran BORDER. Wow. 11. St. George.
109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. y
Edward L. Wheeler.
110 The Black Steed of the Prairies. A
'l'hrlllin Sto of Texan Adventure. By Bowen.
a- vii. By 001. P. Ingraham.
112 The Mad Hunter. By Burton Saxe.
13 Jack Hoyle, THE YOUNG SPECULATOB; or,
TEE ROAD To FORTUNE. By Ed. L. Wheeler.
4 The Black Schooner. Roglgrws‘tarbuck.
5 The Mad Miner; or, DANDY ‘sDooiI.
gy Geo e Waldo Browne.
6 he ussar Ca tain; or, TEE Hm
or HELL-GATE. By 1. Prentiss In sham.
7 Gilt-Ed ed Dick, Tin SPORT mm;
or. TEE AD-AGEN-rs DAUGETER. Wheeler.
8 Will Somers, THE BOY Drrwrm. Morris.
9 Multan Sam, THE KING or THE PLAINs.
B Jos. E. Edger Jr.
0 he Branded Hand. B FrankDumont.
1 Cinnamon Chip THE IRL SPORT; or.
THE GOLDEN IDOL or T. RosA. Ed. L.Wheeler.
2 Phil Hardy, TIIE Boss BOY: or, THE Mrs-
TERY or THE Sraouosow. 3* Charles Morris.
3 Kiowa Charley, ran RITE MUSTan.
3y T. C. Harbaugh.
4 ippy,m'rl:xAN. ByGeo Gleason.
Bonanza Bill, MINER. By L. Wheeler.
Picayune Pete; or. NICODms, m
DETECTIVE. B Charles Morris.
Wild-Fire, ssos'm ROAD. Dumont.
The Youn Privateer. By E. avendish.
Deadwoo Dick’s Double or. Tin
GHOST or GomoN’s GULOE. Ed. eeler.
Detective Dick. B Charles Morris.
The Golden Han ; or DANDY BOOK To
Tar RESCUE. B Geo e W. wne.
The Hunte Hunter. By Ed. 8. Ellis.
3 Boss Bob, THE KING or TEE BOOTDLACKs:
or. TEE PAWNDROKER’s PLar. Ed. L. Wheeler.
4 Sure Shot Seth, Tar BOY RIanIAN; or Tu:
YOUNG PATRIOTs or'riu: NORTH. B 011 Coomes.
5 Ca tain Paul, TB]: KENTUCKY 00mm;
or as BOY SPY or TEE MOUNTAINs. 33 Clark.
6 N ght-Hawk Hit. By Jos. E. ger. Jr.
'1 T e Hei less Hand. Capt. Mayne Reid.
8 Bionde ill; or. DEADwoon DIOK‘s Boar
BAsE. ward L. Wheeler.
9 Judge Lynch, Jr. B T. C. Herbs h.
140 Blue Blazes; or TEE REAK 0’ DAY Y8
or ROCKY BAR. By rank Dumont.
141 Solid Sam, Tar BOY ROAD-AGENT; or. Tn
BRANDED BRows. By Edward L Wheeler.
142 Handsome Harr , Tar. BoarsLAcK DI:-
TECTIVE. By Charles orris.
143 Scar-Face Salli. By 0U Coomes.
144 Dainty Lance, THE Boy Spear; or TEE
BANK-BREAKEas' DEoov DUCK. . Badger.
145 (‘aptain Ferret, THE NEW YORK DETEC-
TIVE; or. Boss Bos‘s Boss JOB. By Wheeler.
146 Silver Star, rIIE Ber KNIGaT. A Prairie
Romance. 13y Oll Coomes.
147 Will W11 tire, TEE Tsomuessaan; or,
TEE WINNING HAND. By Charles Morris.

148 Sharp Sam; or. THE ADVENTUREs or A
’FaIENDLEss Bo . B J. AlexanderPatten.
149 A Game of Go 1!; or, DEADWOOD Dch‘s

BIG STRIKE. B Edward L. Wheeler
150 Lance and

or,

or, TEE

Hill-ltd

uhuHHflHHHnHHHHHHth-HuuHunt-In
NHOQW‘IQU‘

wwmwwwwwwwnnununwwuuwn

asso. B Capt. F.Whittaker.
15.1 Panther Pani, TEE Tr or,
DAINTYLANOETomREsCUI. J.E. ,
152 Black Bess, Wm. Wmnrms‘s RACER; or.
WINNING AGAms-r Ones. By Charles Morris.
1 53 Eagle Kit, Tin: Bo! DnION. Oil Coomes.
154 The SWOrd Hunters. By .Whittaker.
1 55 Gold Trigger, m SPORT. T. C. Earhaugh.
156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwaod or.
Ts: Prone PARTII. By Edward L. W): .

 

i}

157 Mike Merry, TEE HARBOR. POLIUE Bond,
THE NIGRT-HAWKs or PKILADELrnIA. Morrlzt
158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or. Tin
TRAPPER‘s Tsvsr. B Buflalo Bill.
159 The Lost Capta n; or THE OPEN Pom
SEA. B Ca tail) Frederick Whittaker.
160 The lac Giant' or. DAINTY LANCE m
JEOPARDY. By Joseph  Bad or, Jr.
161 New York Nell THE BOY
or, 01.0 BLAKEsLY‘s Mom. By E. L. Wheeler.
162 ‘Vlll Wildfire in the ‘Voods. Morris.
163 Little Texas, THE YOUNG MUSTANGER. A
Tale of Texan Prairies. By Oil Coomes.
164 Dandy Rock’s Pledge. By U.W. Browne.
165 Billy Ragga e, THE RAILROAD BOY: or.
RUN T0 EAR'rn. y Charles Morris.
66 Hickory Harr . By Harry St. Geo
'1 Asa Scott, TEE TEAMDDAT BOY. ByW ett.
8 Deadly Dash. By Jos. E. Badger Jr.
9 Tornado Tom; or, INJUN JACK Enos RID
CODE. ’1‘. C. Harbaugh.
0 A Trump Card; or, WILL WILD!“ Wms
AND LosEs. By Charles Morris.
1 Ebony Dan. By Frank Dumont.
2 Thunderbolt Tom ; or, THE WOLF-HERDIB
or THE ROCKIES. By‘fiarxiy St. George.
3 Band Rock’s iva . By G. .Browne.
4 Bob ockott, Tin: BOY DODGER. B Morris.
5 Captain Arizona. By Philip S. arne.
6 The Boy Rllnaway' or, THE BnoaAlln
or THE BAY. Lieut. H. D. Perry, USN.
7 Nobby Nick 01‘ Nevada' or. THE Scum
or THE SIERRAs. Edward‘ L. Wheeler.
8 Old Solitary. yOll Coomes.
179 Bob Rockett, TsE BANK RUNNER. Morris.
180 Tile Sea Trailer; or AVow WELL KI”.

IRL DrrEcrm:

H H hiflhll-l th hi Hi-‘i-IH
q a 4-1-14 4-! a aaa

B Lieut. H. D. Perry. U. . N.
181 lid Frank, THE BucKsKIN BRAVO; or,
LADY LILv's LOVE. By Edward L. Wheeler.

182 Little Hurricane, m Ber CAPTAIN.

B Oil Coomes.

1 83 e Hidden Hand; or. WmWILDrIRs‘s
REVENGE. Ber-bas. Morris.

184 The Do raiiers; or DAINTYLANUI on
TRE WAR- ATE. By Joe. E. Badger. Jr.

135 Evil Eye, KING or CATTLE 'i‘sIrvrs- or, Tn
VULTUREs or m RIO GRANDI. By 1". Dumont.

186 Cool Desmond; or, Tan GAMBLEB'B BIG
GAME. B 001. Della Sara.

187 Fred lyard, THE LINE BOAT Bow: or.
TEE SauooLERs or was INLET. By 0. Morris.

188 Ned Temgie, TEE BORDER Bor. Harbaugh.

189 Bob Boo ett, TEE CRAOKBIAN. By Morris.

190 Dandy Darke or. TEE TIGEns or Bron
PINE. y Wm. B. yster.

191 Bun‘alo Bill , Ts: BOY BULLwaAcnR.
By Capt. A. B. aylor, U. S. A.

192 Captain Kit, m WILL-O'm-WISP‘ or.
Tar. Mrsmv or MONTAIIK POINT. By Lieut.
Harry Donnie: Perry‘hlli. S. N.

193 Captain Mask, LAM ROAD-AGENT; or.
PATEN'ELEATEEB Jon’s Dlimr. By Warns.

194 Buil‘aio Bill’s not;! or. TEE Gama
GUIDE. By Capt. Alfred . Taylor, U. S. A.

195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, Tan
RWALB orm ROAD. Edward L Wheeler.

196 shadowed; or, BOD Roam's FIGRT ro-
W. B Charles Morris.

197 Little £113,131: WILDRIDER- or.’l‘rIl9rocK-
TENDER‘s DAUGHTER. By Col. P. 1n .1.

1 Arkansaw m I m was ' o ,

98 Tu anN Or FArs’s Ramos. By T. C.
Harbaugh.
199 Featherweight; I$1351?“ BOY CnAlrIos
r

o m MusKINGon. Edward Willett.
200 The Boy Dedouins. By Capt. Frederick

Whittaker.

201 The Black Hills Jezebel or Dun-
WOOD Dion‘s WARD. By Edward . Wheeler.

202 Prospect Pete, or m BOY BRIGADE; or,
Tan YOUNG OUTLAW BUN-mas. By Oil Coomes.

203 The Boy Pards; or DArNTr LANG: UN-
MASKS. By Joseph E. Badger. Jr.

204 Gold Plume, THE BOY BANDIT' or, TDD
KID GLOVE SPORT. By Col. Prentiss ingraham.

205 Deadwood Dick’s .Doom. ATale 01
Death Notch. By Edward L. Wheeler.

206 Dark Pan], Tu TIGER Kmo: or, CAUGR-r
IN The OWN TRAP. By Charles Morris.

0 Nick, m Boy GOLD HUN-rm. A

Tale 0 Arizona. By T. C. Harbaugh.

208 The no; Hercules; or, Tar PRAIRII
'i‘RAxrs. yOllCoomes.

209 Fritz, TEE BOUNDoBor me'nvz. By E.
L Wheeler.

210 Faro Frank of High Pine; or. DANDY
» DARKE‘s GO-DoWN PARDs. ByW. R. Eyster.
211 Crooked Cale, ms CAImAN or CEus-I'IAL
CITY. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
212 Dashing Dave, TEE DANDY DETEOTIVE.
By Charles Morris.
213 F it: to the Front; or TEE Van-mun-
QUli-ST SCAMP-HC'NTEB. By it. L. Wheeler.
1 W if an m Rosana or THE RBINI' or
2 4 Ta: YgUNGgENIGsT or TKE CROSBICORDE. ' ByZ
Captain Frederick Whittaker.
1 C tain Bullet TEE RAIDER KII'G' or
2 5 r31:pr Ross or ,SILVEB VALLEY. By T. C:
Barbaugh. Ready September 6th. ‘
16 Bison Bill By Col. Prentiss Ingrahm
2 ° Ready September mm
A new ism every week.

NThee‘lllalffl-Dime‘ Library is to: galemh no:
ewsd ers. ve con 1- or sen y
mm; of six cents e311. iinADLE & ADAEs.
Pub era. 98 William Street. New York.

 

 

 

 

 

32 Large Three-Column Pages.

1. A Hard Crowd. By P. S. Warns. .

2. The Dareonevil; OR, TIIE WINGED
WITCH '01 m SM. ByCol.‘ Prentiss Ingraham.

8. Kit Carson, _Jr., 'hm CRACK Snorer

me. B Buckskin Sam. .
4; The iidnap‘per. By P. S. Warne. .
5., The PlrccPiends; on, HERCULES, THE
HWGBBACK. By A. '1’, Morris. '- ' I “
' 6. Wildcat Bob. THE Boss ‘Bnmsm;
95m BORDER Bwonnoxmns. B Ed. I... Wheeler.
Tun.

. Death-Notch, THE ESTEOYER‘; on,
SPIRIT

oroeman. A strange
story of Texas. By Capt. Mayne Reid. '
9. Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover.
10. Vidoeqif THE FRENCH POLICE SPY.
W'rlttenb himse . .
11. iidlhipman Easy. By Capt. Mar-

ryat.
12. The Death-Shot; on, TEACKEDTO

' DEATH. ByCept. Mayne Reid.‘ ~ -

13. Pathaw 3011, NICK WRIT-ms, THE
OLD Tom on m onTnWEsT. By Robinson.

16. Thoyendane By Ned Buntiine.

15. The Tige yer; on, EAGLE-
HEAD '1'0 Tm: ME Gustave Aimarcl '

B .
18.1110 White hard. Ned Buntline.

17. Nightshade, THE Roxanna, PRINCE ’

. orfioumwgrm. ByDr.J.H.Rolnnson‘ . - I ,
15.  a Bandit. By Ned Buntline.
'~ 19. Red Cedar, THE PRAIRIE OUTLAW.
_ ByGuitaveAimard.
80. TheBandit at Bay. By Aima‘rd.'
21. The Trapper’o Daughter; on,

THE w‘afl FATE. By Gustave Aimerd. .
"  ‘ 'w; on, NATITE orTaELAEE
‘ 7. .Dr.J.K.Robinson. -.., I
‘  RedWarI-ior. By NedBuntme.

- 24. Prairie Flower. / By (LAimrd.
,25. The Gold-Guide; on, STEEL ARM,
‘ m Rmmron.‘ By chirJohnsom' “ ~
28. The Deoth-Trqek. By Elohim»),
27. The Spotteré ‘ tecfive. By Aiken.

28. Three- aek, THE ROAD-
-. Aom‘orm E.’Bodger,“Jr.

.29. Tiger 121*. A30 manor.
TnVCm’s Olin.  p 8. Warns. ‘ .
33.42 E..Budger.

3,  Nev-immhfl-WR. T“ '

agofimor fix  ,un.
.  ’hoxeo ego  
8m- 00 ms. . J n :ybse.
 . fink...

. M. 3.0“.an b. By Aiken.
35. ,, MbtheSport. ,By Aiken.
367. Jack. By Albert W. Aiken.

SK . or S V By Dr. J. H. Robinson. »

' ‘Wor, lexG-im 0F

_ .' Dy.“ 3 Whittaker.

. ~ obed a order on,

a. By Joe. E. Badger. Jr.
«on, THE: Wm SAVAGE
W. Aiken.

8 Albert
Di ee‘zlv'e. BY'Aiker.

33.
39
40.

w
0'
The
Tax TAD-TA- arm

: ..*.emw
2:: 

Minion: RmststEni '

or. Tn'm‘

'44. 018 Dab
41.5-- 011!‘ Bump. Eye. '13.“: Imam-w
Sam or asthma. 'By Joseph E. Budget. :13.
‘6. 3mm Ben. By 0.1 Coqqios.
47. PaciflgfiPeto, I‘m: PRINCE on THE.
Known. 13y: Axum; 3.5:.- : - 
' ‘48. Idaho Tom, THE YOUNG 0U
'orvanuIm: B 0n>ooomesu~ 
49. The Wo Demon. By A; W. Aiken.
50. Jack Rgbbitgd‘nn Puma; Brow;
J E. W. I‘- ‘ ,
.By5 . Red nob. Tm: nonhuman,
By % Coomes. ' . ‘
' 0 mil
Hon, Win. F.
'0? 
Deoiwoonclgi.  Dellé‘su'n. '

541. . a , 1m, ’.
Seeking  gm  Warns-
56. The Ma. By Aiken.

3W”. By OllicoomeS.
‘ ' Oll'Coonles.

TLAW

‘ Scams.

rhutho‘ Hunchback; on, THE ‘

TIESPoan' m
6 Reid.) Tu:

 

 

 

 

. 59. The Man  Texas. By Aiken.‘
‘ ‘60. Wide Awake: or, THE lDIOT 0E

- - THE BLACK HILLS. By Frank Dumont.

61. Ca
By Ned Bun line. . .
62. Lo Heart. By Gustave Aimard.
63.  Win d Whale. By Aiken.
V64.’Dou.blet ht, the Death 
By Jose hE. Badger. l‘. v . . y
85. Vl‘he Red ah. By F.Whittoker.
66. The Specter arque.‘>idayne Reid.
67. The Boy Jocke . By J. E. Bndger.
68. The Fighting 1-; or; KIT
CAEsox TO THE RESCUE. By Capt. J.‘ F. C. Adams.
69. The Irish Captain. By Whittaker.
70. Hydrabad, TEE STRANGLER; or,
ALETIIE, THE CHILD on- THE Conn. By Robinson.
71. Captain Cool-Blade, or, THE MAN
Sun or THE MISSISSIPPI. ‘By Jos. E. Badger. J r.
72. The Phantom Hand. By Aiken.
, 73. The K ht ofthe Red Cross;
or. TMAGICIAN or, NADA. Dr. 1,. H; Robinson.
7 Captain of V Rifles. ‘MaynevReid.
'15. Gohfleman George. B Aiken.
76. m Queen's Muske eer; or,
THISEE, TEE PRINCESS PALnIsT. By George Albany.
77. The Fresh of Prison. By Aiken.
78. The Mysterious Spy; or, GOLDEN
FEATHER m—Bvoom’s DAmnTEn. By Grafnger.
'79. «To Phenix, POLICE SPY. By Aiken. ‘
' ‘ 80. A , otNerve'. By P. s. Wame..
81‘. The Human Tiger. By Bitten.
82. Iron‘ Wrist, the Swot-hasten
By Col. Thomas H. Monstery. ' r
83. Gold Bullet Sport. . By Buffalo Bill.
84. Hunted Down. By A. W. Aiken. I
85. The Cretan Rover. By lngrahnm.
86. The B Hunter; or, THE QUEEN
ormWoons. B the author of “Silent_Hunten."
. he Scarlet Captain; or, THE
Pmsomorm'i‘om ByCol. DeHeSu-a
' Big Geo 13E Gmgyon‘..mn
-or EEFIYEf w . .~ Badger.
8.9. The PWG fines. - gyingr‘uh’um.
90. Wild TIIE MAD RAxanRo;
or. T3: Tm: Tum.- B :Bucknkinfiqm. _ ,
I 91. The Win at. By Aiken.
'92. Buitalo B“ , Tm: Bucxsxm KING;
By Major Dangerfield Burr. ‘ _
' ‘98. Ca tain .Dick .Talbot. Ema 0F
TEE'ROAD. yAlbezt.W.Aiken.- ,. v,  V. _ ,1
94. Preemi'i'nn BUCCANEER; or, The
Water TEE WAVI. .B 001. Prentiss Ingram.
95.  Tin  AN. ' By A. .‘Morris.
96.’Douh1e-Death. By F. Whittaker.
97. Bron-e Jack. THE 0mm.
Tnommnnnn. ByLW; Aiken. ‘ :. .
98. The‘Rock Rider; or. THE 813an
or TIIE SIERRA. By Copt.'F‘rederick Whittaker.
’ 99. The Giant Rifieman; or, WHAT
LurE DI Tan Loam: Emma. B 011 Coomgs. 1'
100. The I‘re-ehSpy. yA. P. hon—Is.-
"101. The Man from'lgvew Y<gk£§§
' .o om. e .‘
I”? h ‘ in THE MAN-

.-  .' ,1 .
'eu‘.‘ I'n_gr‘.b.m.

10:5);o an. Brown of,

Rock! UNTme as.
106. Shaun. O’Briem'l‘un

or GLINGAL. By Colonel Dene Sam. .
107. Richard Talbot of Cinnabar:
Tn: Bum-mm! 91m RED Hm. By A;W. Aiken.
108. The e otDiomonde; or, Tim

' ‘By‘Capt. Fred. Whittaker.

Cvam ‘
Kid. By Col. log out.
_ ‘ a By Her art.

Sea , THE PMVATEER.

11 The Severed .Head'; or; Tm:
Motown-Cover. Bye-nimmmker.

.116. BhefitPIn’ I  Ziggy? 153;:

 

v , n ECOWL'
3%, ‘: ’i “ ‘
‘ I '43". -- ‘mbmn'; ,5”), 3.x”. 13.2;35‘
. 7.. I. 3:31...’§‘.5 fl; ..

 c.\{

‘ Colonel Prentisal
"er 156.1? , P ‘ B Dan -
1 non Burr. Rowdy? Mammy 1m" . ‘e’

;_A,, 157. x ’ l“ H,‘  H J“...- 55B
“Tm-Wémlgyfm'" 3" y

.‘V‘L‘ .fl’ ;,. Th: .1 »

 

L!’.§-... ...W_ (a
Each Number Comvleu‘. Price 10 Mg.
I v .' o (

1 1 7. Dashin Dandy, THE HOTSPUB or
THE Hm. By Me. or Dangerfield Burr. 3
118. The Burglar Captain; or, THE
“FALLEN STAII. _ ByPro . J. H. In .
119. Alabama Joe. ‘ By J. E. Badger.
120. The Texan Spy. ‘By  M.‘Cnxtis.
121. The Sea Cadet. ‘yBy. ingraham.
122. Saul Sabberday.‘"i‘nE IDIOT SPY;
or, LULlONA, Tm: SEIunoLE. By Ned Buntlim. .3
123.-A1a aha the S aw: 5F.’. HE
RWADEB or ¥rim BO’liDER. Byqigancis Johnsolix.
, 124. Assowaum, the Ave er: or,
THE D00» or “1/131: DESTROYERS. By Franc s Johnson.
125. The' Blacksmith Outlaw; cr,
MEREY. ENGLAND. By Harrison Ainsworth. r
128. The Demon Duelist; or, THE
LEAGUE or STEEL. By Colonel Thos. H. Monstery.
1 27. Sol Scott. THE MAsEED MINER' 'or.
DAN Bmwx‘s DOUBLE. By Joseph E. 
1 28.. The Chevalier Cor-hig- ; on THE
HERITAGE or HATEED. By the author pg.“ Merle.”
129. Mississippi Mose. By‘Ed.Willett,
130. Captain Volcano; or, THE MAN
0E THE RED REVOLVEIzs. By Albert W. Aiken.
13 1. Buckskin Salaam: TEXAN TRAILER;
ipr, THE BANDITS OF THE BRAVO. By Col. Ingrahoni.
132. Nemo. King of the Tramps; or,
Tn ROIANY GInL's- VENGEANCB. By Whittaker.
133. Body. the Rovers. or. TEE Rm-
EomIAN or IRELAND. By William Carleton. ‘
134. Darkie Dan. TEE COLORED Dmc
TIVE; or. THE MIssxasxrrI Mummy. By Ingmbam.
135. The Bush .R’anFer; or, THE
HALF-BREED BRIGADE. By Franc EJolinoow -r
136. The Outlaw-Hunter ;; 6., RED
Jon. TEE Bvsn RANGER. By Francis Johnmn.
137. Long Beard. TEE GIANT SPY. By
‘Oli Goomes. .
y 138. The Border Bandit. ;‘ 013251:
Houn-Tnm‘s’i‘nn. By angaJohhsom ' 1 u
139,. Fire-E .e.’ Tim Sue HIE. -- .or
THE BRIDE or A; Bgccwm" 'By Col. 15' Inghham,
140. The ’ Th‘ree‘ "Shawl-do: - ‘By
George Walker. ' i ' " "
141. Equinox. Tom,- TEE BULLY or RED
Rocx. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
142. Ca tain Crimson. THE MAN or THE
IRON FACE. y Major Dangerfield Burr.
143. The CIBJ". Spy: 6r, m‘NIEILIST

- man. By Col. Thus. Hoyte Mariam-y. . ,

‘ 144.Thenunohhaoh ism-t" ma" 'u'ne.
ByViotorHugo. "-' ' ‘ ‘.' r,_

~ ’ 145. Pistol runs. ’Byy’w. Exist...

~ 146. The Doctor Detective: or, THE
Mum! or ran Genome; Com. By G‘eoULemgel.
’ ‘ 1447. Gold 8 ur¢~THI GENTLEIAN non
.Tms. ByColonel I ntiss Ingmhun . .
" 148. one -'Armed "Alf. "TEE GIkNT
Emma“ m GREAT. has. 331011 Women.
149. The Border  twigard.
4 ‘ 150. B! Rabid have. G'M'THE

’ Swonnmn. By Col. Thom-Inger Monetary.

1531.1'The .  ,. zJBy fKimard.

. rlfia’Cantoin Iromerve.‘ Tan Coim-
mvmm Cm. By Marmaduke Day.

158. The White'Sealner. ‘By Aimard.

 15¢. Joaquin, THE SADDL'E KING. By

JmphEBadgerJr. . I. . .. 1

155, The .Gipliel Of, “10 3&0»: .‘BY

‘1’

Octoberfith.
. I ' .um‘ mi: “f
, ,Awl‘MMMx

‘ ., /  n 
' numer- Dine xiii-nef- brink;
News“ enJen canto pereopy or nt‘;

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on

 

.  5: . .a .» I
i. ..,.  .vd. gunniixhl 18