Western Story Magazine, May 12, 1934 — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

Outlaws Of Calico Hole § 29° “G res od!’’ “What a sweet friend you’d make, and what a remorseless enemy.” She was a little spitfire, and he knew he could enjoy her companionship. HE day passed swiftly, with Dan and Alice becoming ac- quainted with their - sur- roundings, and Al sleeping in the sunshine while the sun began the rebuilding of his abused body. The members of the outlaw band cast admiring glances at the girl, but none made an effort to become ac- quainted, and Dan concluded San- chez had laid down definite rules for the regular members of his gang. One girl in an outlaw camp could cause plenty of trouble; several girls might start a civil war. They ate together at a long table set on the piazza. Sanchez sat at the head of the table, with E] Mudo on his right. Dan and Alice found places at the lower end, while Al occupied his old seat. Little was said during the meal hour. Food was heaped on large dishes which were passed from hand to hand, and when hands were too busy to pass a dish, darting forks stabbed meat or potatoes and carried the food safely to the owner’s plate. Coffee was gulped down hur- riedly, food was wolfed. They ate and drank as if momentarily expect- ing to be interrupted by a sheriff’s posse—and this was the stamp of the wanted man. Alice, watching Dan out of the corner of her eye, observed that he ate as hurriedly as the others. After the evening meal, the men rolled cigarettes, talked and smoked slowly, but with eyes alert—watch- ing their surroundings frem force of habit. ae Al went to bed at eight o'clock, and at nine Alice followed. She he agreed, grinning. slept in the bunk below him, ready ~ to attend his wants. Dan was given a bunk in the adobe house with the other men. | Dan was the first man out the following morning, with the excep- tion of the cook. Others appeared, — yawning and grumbling, as the sun- light came down the calico walls. Al did not appear for breakfast, but Alice. hurried in, gathered up a. soft-boiled egg, some toast, and a glass of milk, for him. | “T don’t know what the poor boy went through in that jail,” she said, “but he woke up yelling a dozen times last night.” “T’ve got an idea,” Dan said. “A few hours was enough for me.” “T heard tell they’s something queer with Beasley’s set-up down there in Wagon Gap,” a man ob- served. “They’s talk the Texas Rangers are lookin’ into it, but I don’t know. Prob’ly just talk.” “A yaller dog gets better’n what Beasley gives some white men down there,” another said. Alice left, but presently returned. She ate without enthusiasm. The others left the table to begin card games that lasted throughout the day. Noon brought an excited man just before the cook sounded the dinner eall. “Thet black mare with the white star in her forehead is gone,” he shouted. “What’s that?” Sanchez cried, scowling at Dan Stuart. Alice’s eyes were on him, also. Dan squirmed impatiently. “Well, don’t look at me,” he com- plained; “I wasn’t out of bed all night, and there’re plenty of the boys to prove it.” | Several men confirmed this state- ment. CORMIE OOOKS {CONN