Action-Packed Western Magazine, Vol. 3, No. 2 — page 65: what you’re looking at

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

THE SECRET OF FOX RANGE "98 “I ain’t whimperin’ none, if that’s th’ way things is. Jus’ thought Id re- ‘mind yuh that fur five years yuh been - promisin’ me that when we got all them sand pockets cleaned out, yuh’d leave me go. I’ve showed yuh how to git bet- ter’n a hundred thousan’, an’ now—” “I know—I know,” Fox cut in, as one mildly annoyed. “I seem to re- ~ member at times I did promise you something of that sort in order to keep you working. Had to do it, as you were the only man who knew where all the pockets were. | | “But, promises are just promises, Stanley. I don’t mind admitting that I rather like you, too, but I can’t let you live, of course. That wouldn’t be sensi- ble, under the circumstances. “Better bring a few larger rocks, boys. You'll find they’ll work better on a job like this... And build up that fire a little to furnish light; Ill have to take your lantern... Come on, Lefty... Remember, Abelson, I’m holding you responsible. “Not a thing to be left outside—not athing.” © Fox picked up the lantern and left by the steps, Lefty tramping at his heels. When they passed the clump of boulders, Bart had to hold Speck again. The prisoner leaned his powerful back against the cliffwall and locked his hands about his knees. He didn’t look up or answer when Abelson came dn with a rock and said as he dumped it, “Remember that time yuh cussed me an tried to bust me with y’ur fist? Re- member how yuh laffed at me when Fox took y’ur side an’ made me lay off uh? ‘“Ain’t laffin’ none now, eh?” Abelson shuffled off after another rock. Bart saw Fox’s lantern disappear over the ridge. He threw an arm around each of his companions and brought their heads close to his. “I’m gonna ease up them steps,’ he whispered. “You boys stay here an’ keep your lamps trimmed an’ burnin’, but don’t shoot euta yur turn. If they git on to in thar with this.” Rifle in one h us, that feller won’t last a secont.” “You hear what Fox called ‘im?” — Speck asked, tremulously. “Called *im,— ‘Stanley’! That’s Harry—my kid brother!” : “Veh, I know. But keep your shirt on an’ play this thing close or you won’t have any kid brother. Hold ’im down if yuh kin, Hannon. I’m goin’ up.” Speck growled something deep in his chest as Hannon gripped his arm. Bart leaned his rifle against a boulder and elided acoss to where he knew the steps stood shrouded in darkness. As he was groping along the wall to locate them, he heard Abelson’s husky voice, above him: “Carry two-three more big ‘uns, Bill, whilst I scoop up this here trash, an’ fix th’ fire so’s it’ll burn out clean. Th’ first rain’ll wash th’ ashes away, an’ they won’t be nothin’ left here. ‘Hear me, Stanley? Nothin’ left here, unnerstan’, Heh-heh-heh! Jus’ nothin’ a-tall, Fox sez—an’ what Fox sez goes.” BU SHIFFLED off down the ledge. Abelson pottered about the fire, staking unburned ends of the wood onto the glowing coals so that it would burn to an ash. After gathering up scattered bits of paper, an empty cracker carton and a can or two, he carried them inside. ‘Fetch one more bit ’un,” he called to Bill, who was just leaving again. Abelson looked all around to be certain he had missed no trash, then picked up the rifle. “Yuh alluz was a amiable cuss, Stanley,” he sneered, “so I reckon yuh’ll ’blige me, this time. : “T’d admire to hev yuh step back in- side thar, so’s we won’t hev to lug yuh in.” When Stanley looked at him steadi- ly, making no move to obey, Abelson picked up a cedar bough from the fire and waved it till its lighted end blazed brightly. “Mebbe I kin kinda haze yuh A ico