Adventure Magazine Cover — page 100: what you’re looking at

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

~ but later—I fear not. a - She did not answer, so he continued: “Very well, we’ll pass over all that. _ Have you remembered things yet ” - She continued her silence and, after 7 waiting patiently for her to speak, he warned: “You had better make a_great. “effort. ‘I’m beginning to fall in love with you. Just now gold can buy meaway from love, A ride into Mexico— a long honeymoon. Better remember.” _ Uncle Dick raised his revolver. Reason urged him to wait, to make sure of the girl’s release. With thumb on the hammer he fought a mighty battle to control his honest rage.- It had been’ given to no _. other to have Gentleman Ralph at the end of a gun, yet the bandit leader had spoken the truth when he boasted that only he could have left the girl with the gang and find her unharmed on his return. Uncle Dick pictured the outlaws rushing upon-him if he killed their chief; pictured the girl defenseless if he should fall. He lowered his weapon. “T’ll give you an hour to prepare for a treasure-hunt or a honeymoon,” said the outlaw as the girl continued silent. With a whimpering laugh he bowed in mock gallantry, backed his horse almost against the rock behind which Uncle Dick was concealed and rode clear of the shack. HIS horse was headed for the lower fend of-the cafion, and the moun- ae S hopes for an immediate Ln aii rescue were reviving when there sounded on the still air a faint boom, boom from the upper end of the cafion. With a drive of his spurs Gentleman Ralph whe led his horse and plung d to the edge of the sullen group about the fire and raised a hand for silence. Instantly they ceased their mumbled undertones as they stared at him apprehensively and waited. Apparently they had not caught the alarm, but with their growling voices quieted, and their ears called to attention, they could not miss the sinister sienificance in the half a dozen shots now being fired atirregular intervals. . With a wave of his arm Gentleman Ralph yanked his horse about and shrilly com- manded— “After me!”’ Even as they were rushing to their - | horses. to follow their. eee Ralph _ re ee — > - el “ fn kal sige ~a , P ~~ —*s%Siree- om %, al ‘ee 4) => 8- ea checked his mount and brought him around with his front feet sawing the air. The ~mellow notes of a .bugle were sounding “advance” at the mouth of the cafion. “Sojers!”’ bleated an outlaw, leaving his horse and dashing frantically toward the precipitous cliff. With a frenzied spring as the cruel spurs lifted him into the air, Ralph’s horse leaped across the man’s path and the toe of the bandit leader’s boot caught him under the chin and hurled him to the ground. “Every man to his horse!” ordered the leader. Chuckle-Luck, his dead senses awaleued: by his master’s voice, crawled to.his feet and stood shaking his wounded head, try- ing to grasp the situation. Gentleman Ralph gave an excellent exhibition of his power over the gang when he commanded: “Chuckle-Luck, take. twelve men and ride down the cafion and learn what that bugle means. The rest of you follow me up the cafion. We’ll shoot our way out through the end that is the weaker. Homer, see the shack is made tight. Our prisoner mustn’t get out to walk into a bullet. Chuckle will lead his men back here if he finds he’s outnumbered, pick up the girl and make for the back-trail where we’ll be waiting for him. If I’m beaten back I'll get the girl and make the mouth of the cafion. The girl must go with us!” ‘What if we’re both beaten back, or both find we can ride through?” growled Chuckle- Luck. “Tf we’re both beaten back. we’ll meet here and join forces for a rush. If you find you can ride through stand them off till I can come to you. Remember, it’s hanging if you’re taken alive.” “Detel’s coming to his senses,” informed one of the gang. “Prop him against the door of the shack. Ah, he opens his eyes. Detel, do you understand me? Stay here and don’t let the girl get out. We’ll be back soon. Forward!” With his detachment at his Reels he disappeared in the darkness, pounding to- ward the back door where the firing was increasing in volume. Chuckle-Luck, with a round of oaths, pulled his guns and led his men down the cafion. The notes of } the bugle were now being punctuated by the staccato bark of rifle and revolver. _ This od to be Unele Dick’s ‘golden a 2 J s = = eS : aoe ; teas Sao 5 eee es ~~ — —_ => —_ a 5 PGC BGG ‘ Ks. com — "aa .