Adventure Trails, February 1929 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

THE MIGHT OF THE SCORPION 21 ee like a monk’s cowl, lined = blood-red silk, hung down in back, and the throat of the * garment was caught with a pin mounted with a stone that glinted redly with every movement. On the breast of the gar- ment, embroidered in red and golden silk, was a huge, rampant figure of a scorpion, “Good God!” muttered Ted, staring at the terrible, impressive figure. “I’ve found him! The Scorpion himself’ And just at that instant a crashing blow that sent the whole world reeling back into darkness descended upon Ted’s head, and with a startled grunt he crumpled on the ground. Vil THE JUDGMENT OF THE SCORPION ED’S first sensation when returning to consciousness was of a terrific headache; the second was the realization that someone was kicking him in the side with a heavy boot. | Like a flash his hand went to his - holster, and as the weapon flashed to view he leaped sideways. a - He swore under his breath, struggled to a sitting position, and glared around him. aa rr qe S He was in the center of the encamp- ment. Ranged around him in a. semi- — circle were all the Mexicans he had seen gathered around the fires; across from them, still mounted, stood the Scorpion and the little Mexican dandy. Beside Ted, with fixed bayonets, stood two grin- ning Mexican soldiers. “Get up, gringo!’ commanded one, with a savage dig of his toe. “Come! Do not keep the Scarpion waiting!” Ted rose dizzily to his feet, and stared defiantly into the leering face of the bearded monster who glared down at him with ratty black eyes that were as merci- less at death itself, “Who is this gringo?’ rumbled the swarthy horse- man. “Sir, he was spying on the camp. I do not know who he is,” replied one of his captors, saluting. “A spy, eh? Do you know what we do with spies, grin- go ee “And do you know what my country does to those who murder her citizens?” flung back Fed. For a 4 i oS = Zi : oat y wy < et ¥ ae Pema tags moment Ted’s eyes = % “V4 sought those of the little . blue-eyed Mexican, but he saw nothing but cold un- friendliness there. “Bah! That for your country!’ The bearded monster snapped a careless finger. “Who are you, gringo, that you come to spy upon us, who do you no harm?” “None of your damned business!” The jeweled scorpion of the man’s brow vibrated with anger, and little rumbling sounds came from his threat. ‘[comicbooks Eom