Adventure Trails, February 1929 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

THE MIGHT OF THE SCORPION 19 = down into the scornful eyes of the little Mexican dandy who had saved his life. back in the cantina! “So I see,’ remarked Ted calmly. “Have you any particular business with me, that you pay me such unexpected visits ?” “Yes. I paid you one visit—doubtless you recognized me—regarding the matter involving your word of honor; perhaps you recall? And to-day I find you—spy- ing!’ The word cracked like a blacksnake, and the cold contempt in the voice cut like a lash. “But—” began Ted. “Cease, gringo! Your explanations can- not interest me.” <A gold-mounted gun with mother-of-pearl handles flashed from a beautifully carved holster, and Ted noted that the hand that held it was as firm as a rock. “I gave you a chance, and you broke your word of honor. Now you'll come with me!” Ted stared down into the muzzle of the menacing gun, and then suddenly his gaze shifted to a spot immediately behind the Mexican. Like a flash his hand went to his holster, and as the weapon flashed into view he leaped sideways. The Mexi- can’s gun roared angrily, and Ted’s Colt spat a hasty answer. The bullet struck where Ted’s gaze had been fixed a mo- ment before, and something writhed there in the dead grass. “Got him!’ remarked Ted calmly. “A coral snake. You stirred him up: he’d have got you in another second, I think.” He slipped his smoking gun back into its holster and stood watching the little Mex- ican. He had gone strangely pale at the sight of the deadly reptile from whose fatal fangs Ted had just saved him. A quick shudder shook him as his eyes lifted from the snake to Ted’s face. “You killed him—pulled your gun when I had you covered at such close range?’ he asked unbelievingly. “There was no time to explain,” shrugged Ted. “In another instant he would have struck. I took a chance, that’s all. You missed me by inches.” “I was startled. But I cannot under- = stand—you, a gringo, did this, fora Mex- ican !” SS “Oh, we're not as bad as were painted!” chuckled Ted at the wonder- ment in the little dandy’s voice. ee The Mexican stared at Ted for a mo- ment, and the shadow of a friendly smile stole across his comely features. Then the look of hatred settled down swiftly, and a grim, contemptuous light grew in the Mexican’s eyes. “But you broke your word of honor! You are like all your kind. All gringos" are alike!” He shpped his gun into its holster and whistled for his horse, which — came trotting up. “But you saved my life to-day, gringo,” he said as he swung into the saddle with the easy grace of a vaquero, “I cannot — forget that, so I am riding away, and I shall forget that I have seen you. But = I warn you, this is not a healthy part of SS the country for gringoes!” —_ “Thanks for the advice!” returned Ted grimly. “If I saved your life to-day, you undoubtedly saved mine back there in the cantina, you know. That makes us even up! ? “That makes us even, gringo!” nodded the Mexican grimly. ‘“Adios!” VI THE HAUNT OF THE SCORPION ED watched the young Mexican ride away in silence. Now what? They would be on guard; perhaps they would - move to some even more remote hiding place, and his work would we made more difficult than ever. “The tooter the sweeter!” decided Ted. He climbed to an outjutting rock that commanded a wide sweep of country, and sat down, propping his elbows upon his drawn-up knees. With his powerful field glasses he be- gan a systematic survey of the country. It was a slow process: long years of ex- perience in the open had taught Ted that a rapid flashing of glasses showed one nothing. = comicbooks.com-