Luis Senarens

“ So he decided to affect friendship with the greasers, and trust to fortune to accomplish the rest.
“Your offer I will gladly accept,” said Frank, with a flourish. “Your excellent wine already warms my heart.”
“We are always glad to welcome strangers,” said the ranchero, with a peculiar smile, “but this is the first time we have ever seen a locomotive in the shape of a man, and able to run without a track.”
“Indeed!” replied Frank. “Allow me, then, to explain to you the mechanism of the New Steam Man.”
With this, Frank proceeded to illustrate to the greasers the working of the famous invention. ”

“ The ranchero smiled in a peculiar way as he replied slowly:
“Yes, I can tell you all about this affair, for I know Harvey Montaine.”
“Indeed!” exclaimed Frank, unguardedly, “then he is a friend of yours?”
“Well, perhaps so. You know him yourself, I take it?”
“Yes,” replied Frank, “he is a man of honor and of courage. Then the report is true that he was robbed of his claim by Costello?”
“I believe that he and Costello had an argument about a claim,”replied Casnova, quietly; “to which it properly belonged I am not able to say.”
“It belonged to Montaine,” said Frank, decidedly. ”

“ Nightfall was at hand, so it was decided to make camp upon the spot.
The prospectors had decided not to start upon their invasion of the greasers’ stronghold until the next day.
Darkness settled down thickly over the plain.
It was near midnight before all was quiet in the camp.
As the prospectors had a picket line out, our travelers did not deem it necessary to set a watch.
So all turned in and sought slumber.
But Frank Reade, Jr., was utterly unable to sleep.
He tried in vain to woo the gentle goddess. A premonition of some mighty peril was upon him. ”

“ The Steam Man, however, hardly stood higher than one of the brutes, who was a perfect monster.
The bears came down the mountain boldly and straight toward the Steam Man.
Pomp watched them curiously.
One of them began sniffing the air and both came to a halt twenty feet distant.
For a moment they sniffed the air thus, then the largest rose upon his hind feet and let out a roar that made the air tremble.
Straight toward the Steam Man he came.
He was not five feet from the Steam Man when mischievous Pomp unable to restrain himself, pulled the whistle valve. ”

“ He stole quickly back into the camp.
It was but a moment’s work to silently arouse Silver Sam and Diamond Jake.
He quickly explained the situation to them.
“Thunder an’ blazes!” exploded Jake, “we must sound the alarm-—-”
“Easy,” said Frank, quietly. “The first outcry raised will bring them down upon you. They are near at hand.”
“What in thunder can we do, then?”
“There is only one safe thing to do, and there may be time yet to do it.”
“What is it?”
“We must go and arouse each man one by one. Do it silently and don’t let the foe hear a sound.” ”

“ In the same moment six of the greasers sprang toward Frank.
The young inventor saw his peril and knew that he must act quickly.
He drew his revolver and cried:
“Stand back, every one of you! I’ll kill the first man in my path.”
But the greasers were upon him and the pistol was knocked from his grasp.
Only one thing favored Frank at that moment.
The greasers were all light men, and they had not reached Frank until he was within ten yards of the Steam Man.
Barney and Pomp in the cage saw the situation at a glance.
They realized the deadly peril and were quick to make action. ”

“ Leaving the tableland they skirted a part of the mountain wall.
Suddenly a startling thing occurred.
From a chaparral a score of greasers sprang out and surrounded them.
Revolvers were leveled at their heads, and the leader, a villainous looking fellow, exclaimed:
“Caramba! Move hand or foot and you’re dead men!”
“Heavens!” gasped Frank, in dismay. “We are in for it, Barney.”
“Bad luck to the omadhouns,” muttered the Celt, in disgust.
In a twinkling the two prisoners were disarmed and their hands were bound behind them. ”

“ Had any of the travelers ventured to leave the cage while on the mountain, they would have been shot down instantly.
Barney and Pomp returned the fire with telling effect.
The bullets rattled against the impervious steel netting of the cage in a shower.
The greasers made the air ring with their defiant yells and cries.
But Frank kept on to the foot of the mountain.
A little while later the Steam Man was speeding over the plain.
The greasers did not pursue them.
They remained upon the mountain and were quickly lost to view.
Frank kept the Steam Man on a westerly course. ”

“ As the Steam Man came up the tall form of Silver Sam was seen advancing.
The sport was evidently overjoyed to meet Frank again.
“Hello, friend!” he cried, cheerily. “Condemned glad to see ye! We’re back agin, ye see, and we’ve got more men this time. We mean to paralyze those greasers or lose our scalps.”
“I am glad to see you,” said Frank, coming out of the cage. “Indeed, it looks as if you meant business.”
“Yes, there’s a hundred of us more or less. They say Costello has three times as many, but our boys mean business and ain’t goin’ to be backed down by greasers, you can bet.” ”

“ In a very short time the whole camp was thus aroused and in readiness. The greasers would receive a hot welcome in their attack.
All was quiet about the prospectors’ camp. Frank went back to the Steam Man and aroused Barney and Pomp.
The greasers for some reason seemed to be delaying the attack.
Every one of the miners was in the cover of the sycamores waiting for their Mexican foe.
Suddenly across the plain there came in a sharp, stern voice, in Spanish:
“Mexicans, up and at them! Spare not a life!”
Up from the prairie grass sprang a legion of forms. ”

“ In vain each tried to outwit the other. It was a duel wholly without precedent, and fascinating to watch.
The “Buster” seemed to have the advantage for a time, but after a while his pony seemed to tire.
Of course it was only a question of agility and endurance, and the end must come some time.
Suddenly the Buster’s pony slipped, and quick as a flash Copper Jake’s lasso went out.
It fairly sung its course through the air, and with accurate aim went down about the Buster’s shoulders.
A quick jerk and the lasso tightened about the victim. ”

“ The tall derricks used in excavating the mine shaft were to be plainly seen, and smoke rising above the trees suggested the presence of a steam engine of the stationary kind.
“It is evident that there lies the gold claim which rightfully belongs to Harvey Montaine,” mused Frank. “I can understand now Senor Ravello’s assertion that the position of the greasers was unassailable. Indeed, with a handful of men a small army could be held at bay here.” ”

“ The greasers came swarming up around the stage and it was possible that they would have annihilated the mining party but for an intervention.
Frank Reade, Jr., saw the danger and at once made action to prevent it.
He turned the Steam Man making a wide circle.
Then he started out to strike the foe on the flank.
The Man rushed with full force for the party of outlaws.
They did not swerve, and the next moment the Man was among them. The wheels of the wagon overturned horses, split the party up and raised havoc.
Men were trampled beneath the Man’s iron feet. ”

“ They were trying hard to start the huge bowlder from its place. Their purpose was quite plain.
The bowlder started on its career down the mountain, unless swerved in its course, would strike the Steam Man.
If struck by the tremendous weight little would be left of the machine.
“Golly sakes, Marse Frank!” cried Pomp, in utter horror. “Jus’ yo’ see dat trick of de greasers.”
Frank did see it and for a moment was overwhelmed with horror.
Then he acted quickly.
“Give them a shot, boys!” he cried to Barney and Pomp, as he sprung to the dasher of the wagon. ”

“ Steam was now got up rapidly and the Man speedily left his pursuers far behind.
Across the plain at race-horse speed he went.
Soon the greasers were left out of sight in the rear.
It was certainly a narrow escape, and all had very good reasons to congratulate themselves on it.
The Steam Man kept on for a couple of hours at a fair rate of speed.
Then some high mountains began to loom up in front.
“I believe those are the Los Pueblos Mountains!” declared Frank, positively.
“Golly! dat am good!” cried Pomp.
“Bejabers, thin we ought to be nigh the inemies’ camp,” remarked Barney. ”

“ It was Silver Sam and five of the hardy miners in his employ.
“We are saved!” cried Frank, joyfully. “Your men have the best of it, Sam?”
“Cert,” replied the sport, readily. “We scattered them like chaff. Oh, I tell ye, one good man can whip three greasers any time.” ”

“ Far down the passage the faint gleam of light was seen.
It was not daylight as the prisoners well knew at that hour.
They paused and watched it intently for some time.
At first Frank had been inclined to believe it a lantern carried by some of the greasers, who were coming back into the mine to work.
But a few moments’ study convinced him that this was not so.
“That is at the end of this passage,” he declared. “Come on, Barney. Let’s get out of here as quickly as possible.”
They pressed forward at a rapid pace.
Every moment the light grew larger and plainer. ”

“ This is an old, disused Spanish mine, worked by the early Spaniards.”
“Ah! then this is simply a rendezvous for the greasers?”
“Exactly.”
“But Costello—does he spend most of his time here?”
“I think he is sinking a shaft at my mine. He comes here only to taunt and deride me in my helplessness.”
“The scoundrel!” exclaimed Frank; “but how are we to get you out of there?”
“Oh, Heaven help you to succeed!” exclaimed the prisoner. “These bars are too strong to break. But I think it is a simple matter to raise the barriers which are below. There is no lock, and no key is used. ”

“ Barney followed quickly.
They were now in the new mine.
All was darkness, but Frank cautiously opened the slide of his lantern.
The tools of the miners lay about, but none of the latter were in sight.
The coast was clear apparently, and they moved forward, not, however, without great caution.
The passage seemed to extend a great ways through the earth. They followed it for what seemed a good while and yet there was presented no sign of the main shaft.
“That is curious!” exclaimed Frank, in surprise. “There certainly is a main shaft somewhere. We must soon find it.” ”

“ Frank at once sent the Steam Man forward at full speed.
Quick time was made across the plain for that two miles.
As they drew nearer the camp it was easy to see that it was the same party of prospectors under Silver Sam, only this time they were heavily reinforced.
Fully a hundred men of all types were gathered in the sycamore grove.
There were half-breeds and Texans, Irishmen, Frenchmen and Americans, all in a conglomerated mass. But there was not a greaser among them.
They were all men from various walks of life come West to seek a fortune in the mines. ”

“ Then Frank Reade, Jr., shook hands with Senor Ravello.
“I shall pray for your good luck,” declared Ravello.
“Thank you!” replied Frank. “I shall hope to rescue Montaine.”
Then he sprang into the cage.
Barney was at the dasher and Pomp was busying himself stowing away things in the bunkers.
Barney opened the throttle and the Steam Man went ahead.
The crowd yelled itself hoarse, the Steam Man whistled, and then was away with ponderous tread out of the town.
Out into the country the voyagers went. Fertile farms and gardens were upon all sides for a number of miles. ”

“ Harvey Montaine had no trouble in finding plenty of men who were willing to take hold with him in opening up his own claim.
His predictions proved true, and he eventually reaped a large fortune from his claim.
Frank and Barney were escorted down the pass to the place where they had left Pomp and the Steam Man by Silver Sam, Diamond Jake and a party of the prospectors.
Pomp, as we have seen in a preceding chapter, had released himself from his bonds after being captured by the greasers, had got aboard the Steam Man and taken to the plain for safety. ”

“ Many good men have gone there before you, and you will find their bones. You can know your fate now. Nobody will ever find you down there, for the existence of this shaft is known to no one but Costello and his men.”
Frank Reade, Jr., was ordinarily as brave as a lion.
But it seemed at that moment as if he must yield to despair.
“Death!” he muttered, with white lips. “Why should I fear it, and yet I cannot face it.”
Poor Barney was beside himself with terror.
“Bad cess to the omadhouns!” he muttered. “I wud jest loike a chance fer to git a whack at them greasers wid a good shillelah. ”

“ It is believed by many that this is a subterfuge employed by the bandit to cover his purpose of working the Los Pueblos claim himself.
“It is rumored that he has a large gang of men at work at the mine, and that they are sinking a shaft.
“It may be readily understood that this is a dishonest trick of the villain’s, and the sense of justice of every good man must be aroused. Meanwhile, a deserter front Miguel’s band brings us the story, also a request from Montaine, who begs us to write you to come to his relief with your New Steam Man. ”

“ Mexican towns were passed and ranches without number. Rancheros and peons, hunters and cowboys, greasers and half-breeds, all viewed the Steam Man with great wonderment, and some of the ignorant natives with superstition.
But the voyagers were not molested until one evening, after crossing an arid plain, the startling discovery was made that the Steam Man’s boilers were empty. ”

“ With an inspiration the young inventor sprang up.
“Barney!” he cried. “Our time has come!”
The Celt was astonished.
“Shure, phwat do yez mean, Misther Frank?”
“I mean that we must dig our way through and meet that passage. It will be deserted, and though it will lead us into the camp of the greasers, we will stand a chance to escape.”
Barney caught the inspiration.
“Bejabers, ye’re right!” he cried. “But how will we do it? Shure, we ’aven’t any pick nor shovel.”
“Somewhere in this mine there must be some old ones!” cried Frank. “Let us search.” ”

“ But Pomp began to fear that some harm might be done the mechanism of the Man.
So he started the Man ahead a few feet, then took almost point-blank aim and drove a bullet into the bear’s vitals.
The brute rolled over in the throes of death.
The contest was terminated then and there. Pomp was the victor.
The darky naturally felt a bit elated to think that he had slain two grizzlies with so little exertion.
“Sakes alibe, what will Marse Frank say to dat when he comes back?” muttered Pomp. “I fink he will hab dem critters’ skins fo’ his house in Readestown.” ”