Adventure Trails, February 1929 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

“We'll let it go at that, then,” he said MURMUR of protest arose, and ~~ coldly. there was a sudden movement in the = “Ah, the sefior accepts the apology!” corner whence the commanding voice had «tinned the tall Mexican. “It is true] am come. A small, smartly dressed young sorry I stepped on that foot; it was thts Mexican, with flashing cyes, strode am- ‘one upon which I had intended to tram-- grily to the center of the room. = pie!” And he trod heavily upon Ted’s “I said stop! Cease this grumbling at other foot. -_ once! Must I give orders twice? Back, So quickly that nobody saw exactly I say!” how it was done, Ted sent the Mexican Like mangy camp dogs the Mexicans — : — Spinning against the bar. When his body -slunk back against the bar, most of the — struck it sank to the floor like a wet rag. hate in their eyes turned to fear. The approving hum changed instantly The lithe young Mexican turned his at- _to-an angry buzz. The door was only a_ tention to Ted. “Go!” he said. “And few feet away, but it was blocked by half next time, do not come where you are not a dozen angry Mexicans. Ted tore into wanted, gringo!” them, taking them by surprise. The first Ted stared at the little dapper Mexican _ two he sent crashing to the floor with a who had undoubtedly saved his life. What ___ pretty right and left that would have done sort of a man was this? There was not | credit to a professional. He dodged a a sign of friendliness in the imperious, de- = termined face beneath the expensive and elaborate sombrero ; only an impatient an- tagonism. “Will you go, gringo?’ snapped the little Mexican, as Ted did not move. “Can’t you see you are not welcome here?” “It was mighty plain a few minutes ago, now that you mention it,” grinned Ted, coming forward. “If it hadn’t been for you, I guess it would have been even plainer!” As he spoke, he .extended his hand to the man who had saved his life, but the young dandy returned only an ar- rogant stare. ‘“Won’t you please Ileave— at once?” he repeated. With a muttered oath, and the con- wild but powerful blow aimed at him by another of the raging group, and caught the would-be smiter off balance. The Mex- ican catapulted backwards to the floor, his outspread, clutching arms taking two of his comrades down with him. It was pretty work, but as fast as Ted’s bleeding knuckles crashed against a brown chin, two more came forward to take its place. Slowly he was backed up against the wall. He was tiring rapidly ; in a few minutes he would be unable to keep them at a dis- tance and one of those grinning, black- = eyed devils would get close enough to use : - one of those damned knives. He renewed his onslaught so fiercely that the semi- _ circle drew back. Suddenly a streak of light shot from one side. Ted caught it out of the tail of his eye, and dodged instinctively. A heavy- hilted, slender blade of shining steel chugged into the wall an inch or so from Ted’s left shoulder. It had been intended for his heart. As though it had been a signal, a dozen knives flashed into view, and Ted was just ‘tensing his muscles for one last tremen- dous effort, when a sharp, imperious voice from one corner of the room froze every sciousness that he was cutting no heroic figure despite the several battered and un- conscious Mexicans who lay sprawling on the dirty floor as mute witnesses of his prowess, Ted swung on his heel and strode out of the cantina. He filled his lungs with the clean, cool sweet air, and looked meditatively at the stars, glancing back now and then towards the cantina to make sure that he was not followed. There was a puzzled smile on his lips, and a wondering look in his eyes. “Save a fellow’s life, and then insult him!” he muttered. “That’s a hell of a Mexican in his tracks. “Stop! Let the gringo go in peace!” way to do a man!” —— But even this wasn’t the main reason A ee ee comicbooks.com —