Adventure Magazine Cover, February 3, 1921 — page 64: what you’re looking at

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

58 some one he knew and would never suspect,” said Natchez. “Ye seem mighty keen to prove it wa’n’t no stranger .to him that done the job,” gruffly declared a heavily bearded fellow. “Tt happens that ye’re a stranger to him an’ to us. Happens ye had gold aplenty when ye come here tonight. Happens ye’re mighty quick to pull a gun. Reckon it would be good business to prospect ye for a trifle.” Inclined to find a suspect in any stranger, the men focused their gaze on Natchez. Only Durgin and Kitts retained a friendly attitude. The latter turned to the speaker and said: ~ “None of that, Mason. This young man arrived from beyond the ridge this afternoon. Came with Laramie Pete, a trader. Cali- fornia Joe is in the party. It’s all right to ask about any man we don’t know, but let’s not be too hasty in forming opinions. And the gold this man threw away was in coins, not dust.”’ “Tf he travels with Californy Joe he must be all right. I know “bout Joe. Sorry I barked up th’ wrong tree,” gruffly apologized Mason. Natchez, now sobered, quietly announced: “T’m returning to the wagon-train to- night so my friends won’t be ‘worried. None of you know that I came with Laramie Pete except that I say so. If any of you gentlemen wish to go along with me to make sure I told Kitts the truth I'll be glad to have you. I’m just as keen to find and help hang this fellow you call Half-Mask as any of you.” “T’m satisfied you’re all right,” said Kitts. “But I’m not running this town. There’s no proof of what you say except your word. If the others would feel easier to have some of the boys go with ‘you, I’d say Durgin and Mason would be the right men.” The majority-of the men were now satis- fied that Natchez was what he appeared to be, a hot-headed young man_ lacking in balance. , Yet there were those who de- sired to prove him up beyond any doubt. “Either he should stay here till his friends pull in and vouch for him, or some one oughter go with him,” said Rogers. “T’ll go,” agreed Durgin. ‘All nonsense, but it won’t do any harm.” “Glad of your company, gentlemen; that is, if Mr. Mason will come also,” said /, Adventure Natchez. “And we have a wagon filled with real whisky and you shall sample it.” “Y’d admire to go!” warmly exclaimed Mason. , CHAPTER VIII ELUSIVE GOLD | Geran PETE’S calling led him only where men had gone before who would be in need of his wares. He had no desire to blaze new trails, nor did his soul find peace in gazing on new scenes, nor in being the first to make a path through untrodden wastes and fastnesses. The most majestic heights interested him not at all unless there should be a settlement at their base. This was his first intimate association with the mother range of the Reckies; and after he had arranged his wagens in a per- manent camp near the sand-hills east of Denver, and between that town and a large village of Arapaho Indians, the towering triumphs of Nature made no impressien on him. While his companions gazed in awe at the magnificent mob of peaks crowding one another as they peered down on the white pigmies toiling in cafion and gulch, the trader’s thoughts were filled with estimates of possible profits. The wagons were arranged in a square with entrance to the inclosure forbidden ex- cept to the trader, his daughter, Natchez, Old Missouri and the two trappers. The covering of the wagon facing the town was raised and a rude counter set up that ex- tended several feet from the side and reached from wheel to wheel. On this and behind it were stacked goods. Miss June was to preside over this unique store, with Natchez. as her eager assistant during rush hours. Taking the sides of another wagon and a bale of canvas, Laramie selected a site near some cottonwoods at the mouth of Cherry Creek and built a substantial bar. The canvas was hung over this like a huge awn- ing or a tent without sides. Here Old Missouri would sleep and help with the liquor trade. In the eyes of men accustomed to poison- ing themselves with Taos lightning under a shack of brushwood the effect was gor- geous. The canvas was weather-tight; it extended to the shade of the cottonwoods. There was a great abundance of tin dippers. No man need wait for his neighbor to drink. ° COMMICLOOOKS (C@