Adventure Magazine Cover, February 3, 1921 — page 87: what you’re looking at

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

The Road to El Dorado gold somewhere, an’ not havin’ any use for it they heaved it into this spring for th’ spirits to spend. “Denham happened along by here an’ spotted ’em. Fished out one an’ found he didn’t have to do no gulch minin’. Kept it dark an’ packed out a tent an’ grub. . “When he wanted to go on a drunk he took a bag an’ emptied it into his tobacker pouch an’ lit out for Cherry Crick. He knew th’ stuff was waitin’ for him, that no Injuns would loaf round th’ spring an’ that there wa’n’t nothin’ to call white men here; so he took his time in sneakin’ back without lettin’ any one foller him. Yes, sir, that feller’s been fishin’ medicine gold out of this spring. Jest heft it an’ see how heavy it is.” As he extended the bag toward his friend a rifle cracked and the heavy bullet struck the bag and scattered the precious dust over the two. With convulsive flops the trappers regained the shelter of the pines and set about locating their would-be slayer. Reason accented the attack philosophi- cally. He was relieved to know that a human being and not some spirit guardian of the spot had assailed them. Joe was furiously angry, and was quite inarticulate as he attempted to express his opinion of the hidden assassin. In a few moments bis passion died out and he was calmly studying the situation. Lying flat on his stomach, he lifted his right hand in the same position he had held it when offering the. bag for Reason’s inspec- tion. Then he peeped out on the bare rock, where the impact of the bullet, after smashing the bag, had left a scar. He measured the angle with a single glance and then began studying the treetops beyond the narrow lane of grass. ‘““A plungin’ shot, an’ he overshot,” he whispered. Reason nodded, then caught a slight movement in a pine, and fired at guess. A dark body fell or rapidly slid down the trunk, and Joe took a snap-shot. “We hit him!’ exulted Reason, jumping from cover, skirting the spring and racing for the tree. But no dead outlaw awaited them. There was, however, deep satisfaction in finding several drops of. blood on the pine needles. They commenced searching the immediate neighborhood in the hope of Si finding the fellow crippled and helpless from a wound. “Only a scratch hit. grumbled Reason. “Hark!” warned Reason, putting his hand to his ear to catch some sound. They waited a moment, then both heard it—a voice crying out somewhere up the slope. It was a mocking, jeering voice, and the trappers flushed hotly with ani- mosity. Then came the query— “Do you hear me, you two fools?” Joe pulled Reason into cover and bawled back: “Ves; we hear ye, ye skunk. Goin’ to shoot ye, too.” “After you do that go back to Cherry Crick and ask for Laramie Pete’s girl. If no one can tell you come back here and ask me. I know,” replied the voice. ‘Wal, we’re here now. Where is she?” bellowed Joe, raising his rifle. The pines on the slope remained silent. He’s tied it up,” The trappers waited, breathless, for several . minutes; then Reason whispered: ‘“He’s gone! It’s time ewe was makin’ for th’ crick. wets 8 happened to th’ gal. ”) Although as uneasy as his friend, Cali- fornia Joe sought to comfort himself in declaring it was only a trick to send them back to Denver. Miss June was safe at the wagons. Nothing could harm her when young Natchez and Laramie Pete, let alone the Arapahoes and decent white men, were watching over ther. But even as he proclaimed this to be his belief his anxiety increased. Reason did not attempt to cover up his apprehension. When his friend ceased speaking he briefly said— “Our place is at Denver. Come!” “Git th’ hosses,” said Joe curtly. “I’m goin’ back to th’ spring for a few minutes.” Reason knew it was useless to attempt to dissuade him, and set out for the glade. Joe ran back to the spring. Ignoring the possibility of the outlaw’s return, he placed his weapons to one side, leaped into the water and began throwing out the pouches. There were twenty of them, and each held half a dozen ounces of dust. Obviously the treasure hoard of Denhaim had been greatly exaggerated, or else the dead man had drawn heavily on the store for his gambling. Had the trapper been interested in gold COMICMOOokKks (C@