2-Gun Western, November 1955 — page 78: what you’re looking at

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

BLOOD AND SWEAT - OR BULLETS? ever good java. Well, get this Straight. We want some action on this thing. If you can’t get it, we'll put that star. of yours on somebody else who will.” Barney Carr blinked. “I aim to get some action, Chet—soon as I know where the trail leads.” “Why don’t you try the trail that leads out to the Circle C $°?” sneered Shadrow. “I’ve heard it said that Buck Caspian and Milo Studinger have had experience at robbing stages in the past.” “Webbe SO,” murmured Barney . Carr. “But that was in the past. I’d Po say those boys were pretty good citi- zens, now. They been digging a well up on their Bald Knob range and “Listen!” growled the irate stage owner. “Maybe you were a good sher- iff—in the past. But this is—now! And folks are wondering...” “Folks are always wondering,” mur- mured Barney Carr. “That’s their privilege. Well—I got to be. going. Pour your troubles on Ed. He’s got young shoulders and broad ones. You stick around, Ed. I got some riding to do. Don’t know when I'll be back.” Sheriff Barney Carr was gone from Prairie City for two whole days and nights and during that time he put in a heap of riding. He circled almost as far out as Baker Valley, came back through the Cut Bank country, hit the mines on Rawhide Peak where he had a talk with Vinson, the superin- tendent, then went back to Cut Bank. He hit White Horse Creek and the Hardin Valley trail, riding circle af- ter circle, his weather-puckered eyes full of earth-searching scrutiny and remote, gathering thought. He lived off a box of crackers and a chunk of cheese he had picked up at the store before leaving Prairie City. Both nights he slept on the ground, his saddle for a pillow, scanty saddle blanket his only covering. He seemed to grow more lean and leath- ery by the hour, but in those puck- ered old eyes a gleam of triumph was growing sharper and sharper. And at mid-morning of the third day, gaunt and dusty, Sheriff Barney Carr jogged back toward Prairie City. On his way in he dropped by at the Circle C S for another little talk with Buck Caspian and Milo Stud- , 79 inger. But the only person about the ranch was a wrinkled old Mexican, whom Caspian and Studinger had hired as a man of all work about the © place. The Mexican was -squatted on his heels in front of the ranchhouse, and his black eyes, as he looked up to face the sheriff, were sullen and re- sentful. “Howdy, Pedro,’ hailed Barney Carr cheerfully, “Where’s Buck and Milo? Up at the new well?” peeee SPAT deliberately, with a contempt which made Barney’s eyes narrow. “They are in jail,” said Pedro. “You should know that, Senor Carr. You—who have posed as their friend. Yes—they are in your jail.” Barney Carr was suddenly very cool and quiet. “Let me get that right, Pedro. You say Buck and Milo are in jail. Who arrested them?” “Your deputy, of course. Who would Have taken them, if not you? Ed Dow arrested them, he and a posse. That, Senor—was_ black treachery on- your part. And I, Pedro Lopez have little liking of you tor 33 A flash of grim anger showed in Barney Carr’s eyes, then faded to a cool, calculating gleam. “If I was responsible for it, I wouldn’t blame you for feeling that way, Pedro,’ he said. “But I haven’t been anywhere near town for the past two days and nights and I knew nothing of this. Nor did I give the order that it should be done.” Pedro searched the sheriff’s face with a long, intent scrutiny, then nodded. “I am sorry, Senor,” gravely. “You are not at fault. But 1 would get to town quickly, for among the posse I heard some talk of lynch- ing.’ “Grab a bronc, Pedro,” said Bar- ney Carr grimly. “We'll ride in to- gether.” They wasted no time along the trail, but Barney Carr slowed as they reached the outskirts of the Prairie City. The town was crowded, the single street full of milling riders, And there was a group of miners there also. Barney let out a gusty breath of relief. There was a lynch mob forming, all right. But it hadn’t reached the point of insensate, blind he said MICLOOOKS Go (CO) A