Adventure Magazine Cover, February 3, 1921 — page 80: what you’re looking at

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

74 After a few minutes of slow progress Rea- son touched his arm and whispered: “Here to yer left. In under th’ cliff. Big rocks in front to hide th’ hosses.”’ As Joe felt his way in under the cliff he knew he stood in a small chamber cut out by the water in ancient times. In front of this were two huge rocks, their tops rounded and smoothed. In passing between the rocks Joe decided that the way was too narrow for two horsemen riding abreast. With the animals protected, the trappers returned to the sentinel rocks and attempted to locate the Utes. Five minutes passed with no clue given as to the Indians’ whereabouts. Joe was first on his feet when what: ap- peared to be a star came down upon them from out of the night. It fell just at the en- trance between the rocks, and smoked and burned until Reason recovered his wits and smothered it with his buckskin shirt. He pronounced it to be a fire-ball of dried moss heavily smeared with bear’s fat. Its flight through the air had revealed the white men’s hiding-place; and a volley of arrows smashed against the rocks. Another fire- ball rose and fell, this time landing well within the inclosure and frightening the horses into leaping about. California Joe extinguished the flames and ducked back as arrows began falling inside the barricade, the savages having shot them high in the air so they would fall point down- ward. Joe seized Reason by the ear, and, advancing his lips, hoarsely whispered: “They’re lightin’ them balls behind some big rock, then fetchin’ ’em to within throwin’-distance behind their blankets. Watch for a faint glow o’ light with a dark patch in th’ middle. Dark patch is th’ red holdin’ th’ blanket.” Reason crawled to the passage between the rounded rocks, and, lying prostrate, di- rected his gaze up the cafion. An occasional arrow whipped in under the cliff, but with- out the light to guide the marksmen these were chance shots. iteason waited and grew uneacy. Hei im- agined that the Utes were almost upon him. He fancied he beheld sinister shapes in the darkness. Then he glimpsed a faint aura of light surrounding a black zone. An Indian was advancing with his blanket hanging between his outstretched arms. Behind him crept a second brave, carrying the glowing fire-ball. ~ Adventure Reason aimed at the middle of the area fringed by the glow, and the warriortholding the blanket fell dead while the second howled with pain as the heavy ball registered a double hit. The fire-ball smoldered and threw off a dull light. It was blotted out as an Indian stooped to pick it up. California Joe’s rifle brought it to view again by drop- ping the Indian. Execrations were hurled at the hidden trappers, and many arrows were frantically discharged in an attempt to discourage their deadly aim. One shaft struck Joe’s herse, and with a scream of pain the maddened ani- mal bolted between the recks and galloped toward the savages, then tripped, fell and lay helpless with a broken leg. “Poor cuss!” groaned Jee. him suffer if it takes our last bullet. ain’t to blame for bein’ in such a fix.” The shape of the horse could be made out as it lay between the trappers and the smoidering fire-ball. Taking careful aim Joe fired and put the poor creature out of its misery. “Tf that medicine o’ mine don’t git to workin’ might’ soon we'll be leavin’ our ha’r somewhere round this neighberheed,” growled Reason. ‘‘Never mind, Joe; we can ride double.” “Can’t let He Joe fell to cursing the Ute nation as he fumbled in the buckskin parfleche at his waist. Finding what he desired, he crept from the shelter of the rock and located ene of the dead fire-balls. Then he anneunced: “Reckon Ill make a little fire of my own. When I toss it be ready to drep seme- thing.” He pulled the inflammable mass apart, welded it together in a less compact mass and lighted it with a storm match. “ Jump- ing to his feet, he threw it. It blazed brightly in its flight. Reason had time to note that the dead horse was much elongated, and on an im- pulse he fired. The Ute crouching behind the dead animal began his death-song but could not finish it. With a terrific howl of rage the Indians swarmed to the attack, kicking the fire-ball into the river as they advanced. “They mean it this time!” yelled Joe. For it is seldom that Indians will attack in the darkness, let alone advancing in a mass. Joe emptied his rifle and began firing his revolvers, shooting blindly. Reason did likewise. Neither could see what execution Gomichbooks (C@