Western Story Magazine, May 12, 1934 — page 23: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Outlaws Of Calico Hole 21 El Mudo watched her lips and saw the rapid pulsations on her throat, and he knew she was fright- ened, yet such was the love she bore her brother,.she would never falter. Dan had been watching Sanchez until El] Mudo appeared. After that the dumb one dominated the scene by sheer force of personality. Now Dan observed details in the outlaw leader’s dress and bearing. Sanchez was half white, half In- dian, and was said to carry the Apache strain. His cruelty lent this legend a degree of truth. His wolf- ish body moved without effort; his black eyes roved incessantly, as if he constantly expected danger from every source. This was in marked contrast to El Mudo’s unbhnking gaze and solid figure. Sanchez’s coloring was like milk, mixed with ink. The man had been educated in a government school, and now he was mixing white man’s education with Apache cunning, and applying it to cattle raids, bank and train rob- beries. ANCHEZ called Al Ford to his S side with a brief nod of his head. ‘Take your sister to the second cabin. El Mudo doesn’t like your friend. What happens may not be pleasing to a girl’s eyes,” he said. “We got me out of jail,’ Al an- swered in a low tone, “and risked his neck to doit.” He shot a glance at Dan Stuart, erect and unafraid. “You don’t need to worry, Sanchez; he’ll never show the white feather. [Ive seen him under fire.” “True. Some never show the white feather. Texas Rangers. I’ve watched three die.” He inclined his head toward the slope. “But we would not want them in our outfit.” His face hardened. “Take your sis- ter and get out.” “All right,” Al agreed. He walked over to Alice. “Sanchez has given us the second cabin. I think [ll go to bed; I’m sick.” As the girl disappeared, E] Mudo came within two feet of Dan. His face twisted into a sudden snarl, and his lips formed the unmistakable words, “Texas Ranger!” “Don’t be too sure of that, El Mudo,” Dan retorted; “time might prove you were wrong, then you’d lose face. And you can’t afford to lose face with Sanchez.” He did not speak aloud, merely forming the words on his lips, hop- ing El Mudo would understand. The dumb one understood, and the scowl between his eyes deepened. He turned to Sanchez, and his lips moved so rapidly Dan could not catch what was being said. Sanchez nodded. “Come on, Jud Tremper,” the outlaw cried sharply, “and die!” “Don’t try to scare me; Sanchez,” Dan retorted. “I want to throw in with your outfit, or I wouldn’t be here. Do you think if I was afraid of threats or death I’d come here?” “Sanchez never bluffs, Tremper,” the outlaw snarled. Dan shrugged his shoulders with fine indifference. “I figured you might think I was ‘most anybody but Tremper,” he said. ‘“You’ve never seen Tremper, or you wouldn’t make a crack of that kind. Ive seen the Ranger.” He scowled into Sanchez’s face. “T’ve robbed a bank under his nose and got away with it. Now let’s get down to business. Do I string with you, or don’t I?” - El] Mudo’s eyes had never left Dan’s lips. As he finished speak- ing, the man clawed at Sanchez’s arm. He was conveying his belief the new arrival was a. Banger in dis.