2-Gun Western, November 1955 — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

52 supplies the farmer in the wagon dived between his feet and came up with a rifle. He was fast, the carbine was halfway to his shoulder before Spear and Walters could get un- tracked. Walters made an ineffective grab for his gun as Spear bumped the man in the door. Grinnell hurled himself to his feet and drew his pistol in the same mo- tion. It was an impossibly long shot for a pistol, but he sighted and fired. The shot was high. The heavy slug caught the farmer in the shoulder and knocked him from the wagon seat. He fell between the wagon-box and wheel, which saved his life. Walters had finally got his gun clear of its holster. Spear had pinioned the arms of the brother. “Hold it!” Grinnell shouted.. He plodded down the street to them, feel- ing the steady throb of his fevered blood behind his eyes. Walters was looking down at his gun, a foolish smile on his face. Spear looked stunned, as if what had been a rude game had suddenly exploded be- yond belief. The farmer Spear had grabbed, slammed- himself free with his elbows and went to assist his brother. There was a quick rustle of skirts as the homesteader’s wife ran to the wounded man. “Axel! Are you all right?” Axel grimaced from pain. “Smashed a shoulder.” “Doctor up the street,” Grinnell said. “Get your shoulder fixed and either get out of Colfax County or go on trial for assaulting a peace officer.” = The woman turned on him. “So you are one of. Bayer’s pet curs! I’m sorry I wasted food on you the other day! I should have fed it to the hogs. There’s no reason for a man like you living.” Grinnell looked at her blankly. Shorty strutted over importantly | from the Pastime. “A little trouble, Jake?” - “Our friend went for Spear and Walters with a rifle. I had to cool him off.” Shorty looked, not at the brothers, but at the farmer’s wife. “We are giv- ing you the same orders we give all troublemakers in Colfax County. Get 2-GUN WESTERN your wagon rolling and don’t stop this side of the line.” “So that’s it,” she said. “We move out, and tomorrow you or some other dog of Bayer’s files on our land. Why bother pretending it’s legal? Why not kill us outright?” — “Lady, you’ve heard what I have to say,” Shorty said. The woman turned away, tears streaking the faint layer of dust on her face. Grinnell, watch- ing her, saw the boy Jesse standing a few feet away, his eyes wide and frightened. Well, it was a tougn world and the boy might as well learn it now as later. Jesse reached out and took his mother’s hand as they trailed back to the wagon. Grinnell, his head floating from fever, watched the husband running to them. The woman went to his arms, while the boy Jesse stood close, not understanding the violence which outstripped his wildest dreams of Indian battles. The farmer finally pushed his wife away and wheeled toward the Pas- time. It was then Grinnell saw the pistol stuck in the waistband of his overalls. ‘Bayer and Nichols were watching from the saloon door. The last card had been played, the last part of the design put in. It was exactly as Grin- ell had known it would go. There was no escape. “Use that rifle, called. Grinnell lifted the rifle, and in that moment rebellion overtook him. It was his chance to spit in the eye of destiny. “Shorty, you always thought you was faster than me. Now’s the time to find out.” Shorty looked, not understanding. “I’m changing sides, Shorty.” Shorty had his gun clear of the holster and half-raised when Grin- nell’s-bullet hit him in the throat. Grinnell whirled on Walters and Slick,” Shorty Spear. “Stay out of this or you’re © dead,” he said. He leveled the carbine. His first shot lifted a spout of dust in front of the farmer. His second shot jerked the batwing door to the right of Bayer. The rancher and Nichols turned and dived into the saloon. (cont’d on page 55) Gomi Ehoo CO