Adventure Magazine Cover, February 3, 1921 — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

66 figger cuttin’ th’ sky-line’ on top that hill.” Laramie stepped to his horse’s head, in- tending to place the animal between him and the outlaw, then draw a weapon and fight to the death for his gold. But as his hand touched the bridle his head filled with terrible thunder, sheets of fire flashed before his eyes, and he fell in his tracks. The outlaw, who had used his pistol as a club, leaned over him to deal a second blow but decided that one had been sufficient. The horse was galloping to the wagons, where his arrival would give the alarm. Carrying the bag in one hand and a fresh pistol in the other, the masked figure stole among the hills. CHAPTER IX BLOOD ON THE MEDICINE iY, Gee JOE! Have the good heart to wake up,” gasped Laramie Pete as he kneeled beside the trapper. Joe’s eyes opened at the first words, as did Reason’s. Twelve feet away, wrapped in his blankets, Natchez slumbered peace- fully. “T’m awake as a owl,’ murmured Joe. “What's the row?” Holding his aching head, the trader gave a disjointed recital of the robbery. The loss of the money hurt him much worse than the cowardly blow. Interrupting a spluttering string of anathemas, Joe de- manded— “But what does he look like?” “Tt was quite dark. I could only see outlines. Once when his face was turned toward the stars I made out his mask. Holy blue! To be knocked down like a beef! To be robbed!” “Where’s yer hoss?’’ asked Joe, sitting up and drawing his blanket around his shoulders. “He should be here. You should have heard him,” cried the trader. “Wal, we didn’t hear him, an’ that’s proof he ain’t there,” grumbled Joe, getting to his feet. Then to his companion: “Tt ain’t no use, Tommy. Our trip to th’ Mormon country an’ to Oregon must wait, even if it means we must fight our way through passes filled with snow. “Laramie, Tom ’n’ me was reckonin’ on pullin’ our freight at sunup. But this Half- Adventure Mask cuss has challenged us. Whoever he is he’s been keepin’ a keen eve on ye, or else some one at Hell-on-Wheels has been tellin’ him things. Most likely it was that — Oakes. An’ th’ Mask must know Tom ’n’ me is herdin’ with ye. It’s a slap in our two faces. What say, Tommy?” ‘Same thing.” “Then that’s settled. We'll be stirrin’ afore sunup. No use to look for a trail till hight. Yell stay here, Laramie, an’ tend to yer knittin’. My friend an’ me will see what we can fetch home. Better go look for yer hoss. Prob’ly stopped at a patch o’ grass to feed.” “Am T to be made laugh of by the miners for sending friends after what I should get back myself?” fiercely cried the trader. “By the buffalo medicine of the Dakota I will stretch that black massassauga rat- tlesnake’s scalp on a red-willow hoop!” “T’ll be packin’ my medicine snake along. Reckon ye won’t need to bother. Let’s go to sleep,” mumbled Reason. “If ye chase after this varment ye'll lose lots o’ trade,” reminded Joe. ‘‘Bet- ter keep trade movin’ while it’s good. My time ain’t worth nothin’.” » This advice appealed to Laramie. His heart was in his wagons. Ignorant of any physical fear, he was heavily fettered by the lust for gain. As the heat died out of his anger he agreed - that his first duty was to his daughter, which was interpreted by him to mean the piling up of worldly gear for her -inheri- tance. But he did insist on riding with the trappers as far as the camp on wheels. This was reluctantly agreed to by Joe, and after the stray horse had been rounded up the men returned to their blankets. An hour before sunrise the three were making ready to depart. Some premoni- tion of her father’s errand brought Miss June’s tousled head through the sides of the wagon covering. Laramie touched a finger to his lips, nodded toward the sleep- ing Natchez, and softly whispered: “T ride away on a little journey, a ver’ little journey,- ma petite. Keep the boy here. ‘I think you have ver’ little trouble. Messieurs Joe and Reasong go with me. “T will leave word for the Arapahoes to watch over you while I am away. But I will be back in ver’ few hours.” “But, father,’ she whispered, rubbing the last of the sleep from her eyes, “why CORMICLOOOkKS (C@