Western Story Magazine, May 12, 1934 — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

‘Outlaws Of Calico Hole youngsters are concerned. My fa- ther died when I was twelve, and the children, two boys and two girls younger than I, looked to me for food, and later advice. They looked on me, at times, as a very old man.” He threw his arm across her shoul- der, and she pressed her eyes against his shirt for several wretched sec- onds. : “I’m better now. By morning we should know, one way or the other.” “Yes, one way or the other,” he told her. At five o’clock she came to the adobe and called him, though he had remained at Al’s side until three o'clock. “He’s hardly breathing,” plained. “And I don’t want to be there alone.” Dan dressed and hurried over. He looked down briefly, then whis- pered: “Go to bed and sleep yourself; he’s enjoying the first normal rest he has known in months.” MPROVEMENT from __ that hour was gradual. Al’s appe- tite had to be checked to pre- vent a setback. He walked about the buildings, gradually increasing the distance, then he rode, grinning boyishly from a saddle that had car- ried more than one outlaw through a successful raid. The fourth week the three awak- ened to find the cabins strangely si- lent. The cook had set but seven places at the long table, and four of these were occupied by members of the band. They were on edge this morning, and it was obvious they were also on guard against Dan Stuart. ~The others are away on busi- ness,’ one of the men said gruffly, “and Sanchez said nobody’s to leave she ex- camp. No ridin’ areund lookin’ at the scenery.” -When they were alone, Al ex- plained: “Nobody but Sanchez knows when they're going raiding. Youll be asleep, and somebody wakes you up and says, ‘Get up, were ridin’ to-night!’ We dress, go out, saddle, and Sanchez leads off with El Mudo bringing up the rear.” “El Mudo rides behind, eh?” “Sure! Just in case ‘somebody takes a notion to pot Sanchez from behind. There’s ten thousand dol- lars reward on his head, you know. 31. El] Mudo is the only one Sanchez really trusts,” Al said. “When'll they be back?” Dan asked. “It’s hard to tell,” Al replied. “What’s to prevent the Rangers from waiting for them at the en- trance?” Dan inquired. “I hope to be a part of this outfit some day, and I’d like to know where I'll meet danger and what measures are taken for a man’s protection.” “Sanchez has plenty of friends who'll let him know when strange faces appear,” Al replied. “Friends?” Dan’s eyes narrowed. “Well, maybe not friends, but peo- ple who have a healthy respect for the peculiar forms Sanchez’s revenge takes when some one informs on him,” Alice said. The day and night passed with- out incident, save for an increasing nervousness on the part of the out- laws remaining in the Hole. The next afternoon the band returned, Sanchez in the lead, E] Mudo bring- ing up the rear, and a wounded man swaying in the saddle. Those who stayed behind sprang into action, taking first the wounded man to a bunk, then caring for the horses. The animals, ridden until they were ready to drop, were caked with dust and dried. ‘ather, One