2-Gun Western, November 1955 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

"THOU SHALT NOT KILL..." do about the widow, the preacher thought, as he toted his war bag to- ward the Star Hotel. What with Gruber and trouble in the valley, it didn’t look like he’d get much time for preaching, Dorn re- flected morosely. Somehow the beau- tiful sermons he thought up while riding between towns always got lost, once he reached his destination... _ At the hotel he took a room, and ate . a late supper. Darkness shrouded Junction by the time he started for the rancher’s meeting at Stockman’s Hall. Dorn went along the boardwalk past lamp- lit saloons and storefronts—aware of an unnatural quiet that pervaded Main Street. Ranch wagons were drawn up, as though desertéd, in front of the Mer- cantile. A scattering of saddle mounts stood at hitchracks further down the street. Somewhere in the shadows a horse nickered, the soft sound carry- ing clearly through the night air... I can feel it, Dorn thought; -the warnings, near-voiceless, were unmis- takable. Gruber had stolen the river— and written his own law in Junction. But not for long. For Gruber had a valley of angry men against him. To- night at Stockman’s Hall, there’d be trouble... 7 é¢ E’S TOO smart to meet with us,” a rancher said angrily. “He knows we’re here for a show- down.” Dorn stood at the rear of Stock- man’s Hall, his eyes studying the taut faces of the ranchers as they sat dis- cussing Gruber. A man with red hair and a gaunt face got to his feet. “What none of you figure,” he said, thickly, “is that we'll be too late with the civil suit we got pending against Gruber for damming the river. It'll take another month of court-wran- _glin’ anyway, and meantime Gruber can have any spread in the valley. To hell with talk, my cows are dying. Let’s blast Gruber, the dirty, land- grabbing son. We'll tear down his dam—” “Wait a minute, men,” Sheriff Ben- son spoke from the edge of the circle. “Any shooting, and you'll have the law on your hands.” scattered, men pushing past 15 A thin smile creased the redhead’s hard mouth, “You ain’t done nothin’ so far, Sheriff, while Gruber’s been starving us out of the valley.” Turn- ing his back, he said to the others, “Are you riding with me against Gru- ber, or do I go alone?” “I’m with you, Hannigan,” one of the ranchers said loudly. A growl of approval rose from the others. Dorn moved forward into the lamp- light. “Gruber has a tough crew be- hind him,” he said slowly. “Begin, and there’ll be more than one killing.” His glance singled out young Johnny Hackett, standing in shadow. “I sup- pose you'll be riding too, Johnny. I came to Junction expecting to marry you.” His glance travelled the circle. “You men should think of your wom- enfolk, before you start a range war.” Johnny Hackett spoke up. “You don’t rightly belong here, Preacher,” he said respectfully. “I ain’t marryin’ Beth—my place is wiped out.’ His voice shook with emotion, “Leave us alone, we’ll settle with Gruber.” There was a rumble of agreement from the ranchers and the meeting the preacher toward the doorway. “Meet in front of the hotel before daylight,” the red-haired man called, “We’ll ride to Box-G and give Gruber a surprise party.” § Bas WAS nothing he could do, Dorn thought grimly, as later, he sat staring from the window of his room at the hotel. Main Street was still ablaze with lamplight. A crowd of people stood in front of the hotel, talking in low tones of the morning raid on Box-G. Gruber would be ready; they’re waiting, the preacher thought, waiting for the kill- ing to begin. He’d placed the lamp on the com- mode near his chair, and for a time, tried to read from the Bible. Now the book lay open on his knees, his fin- gers riffling absently through its dog- — eared pages. By noon tomorrow there’d be hell along the Rio Gato, and no way he could stop it, Dorn thought sadly. He wouldn’t be able to help the Widow Johanson... You don’t rightly belong here, Preacher, Johnny Hackett had conn S CO Gioo