Adventure Magazine Cover — page 53: what you’re looking at

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

A Pot make the return trip til} all danger was over. Tom announced his program next morn- ing, choosing three men to go with him. Helen and her mother did not wish to leave very soon anyway. ‘Their experience had left them shaken. While Tom was catching his horse in the corral Big Red came through the gray cafion, storming in with a great clatter. “Hey, Tom!” he bawled. ‘The fellers sent me to tell you. Finley’s up at Jansen’s ranch. Got three-four fellers with him.” ‘Sure of it?” “We seen him. Three of the boys is watchin’ the place. I came for grub and help.” Here was Providence. It fitted with Tom’s plans exactly. He fairly itched to be in the saddle. Jansen’s ranch, a lonely ’dobe house abandoned years ago, was twelve miles north. If Finley were there his desperados had killed Jed Hill without a doubt. The ranch was uncomfortably near the mine. TOM made his decision instantly. Pn, He would concentrate his whole /iS crowd on the job. There must be no escape by Finley. “Get a fresh horse and come with me. Call all the boys. and those two teamsters stay here. the rims of the hills day and night.” Tom ran toward the company’s cook- tent for a large order of provisions, espe- cially hot food and bread, which he could not supply from his own store. It was not a time to stand on ceremony. The Chinese cook was soon busy on large packages of provender. Helen came in, looking wan. As she stood in a corner of the big tent her eyes held a peculiar look which Tom could not fathom; but she kept out of his way, merely watching until his business was almost com- pleted. Then she broke the silence. Her voice was a little wistful. “Vou’re all business these days, Tom. Is this the way you leave us?” “T want to make time and come back sooner.” “We might leave before you return.” “Not till the way is clear.” Her lips trembled slightly. ‘“‘And is the way clear for you? Are you sure of your own safety? Oh, Tom, are Pete, you and Tennessee Watch of Gold awfully. 43 there no officers to keep the peace in this awful land?” “Yes, but they’re far away. The dan- ger’s immediate.” “T’d hate to see. you hurt.” He gulped. Old impulses were stirring, making him struggle to keep them under control. He looked at the bent back of the Chinaman pulling fresh-baked bread out of a ground-oven. When he spoke his voice was constrained. “T like to hear you say that. I appreciate it.” His forced attempt at formality made the ghost of a smile flicker on Helen’s face; but it was gone in an instant, and she looked worried. Tom swung a gunny-sack full of provender to his back and started for the entrance. “T’ll be back soon. Don’t worry about me.”’ “Tom!”’ He halted wonderingly. “‘What’s the matter?” “Ts—is that all you have to say?”’ He stared into her eyes. Then he tried to formulate some fitting reply with ex- actly the right shade of meaning, but noth- ing brilliant came to his mind. “I—I’ve held aloof and kept my mouth shut,” he blurted. He realized that this sounded somewhat too brusk, so he made amends, speaking very gently. “The days of the rainbow are far away. Now I’m in a land without any. No matter how I’m parched my job is to keep silent, and so— Well, I’m keeping silent.” “But the memory of the rainbow never fades.” The bag of provisions thumped to the ground. Tom felt his self-control sweep- ing away. His voice seemed to crackle with electric tension. “To you want me to remember them too well? Shall I let go of myself? Shall I Thanks defy breeding, appearances, the rights of ' an honest gentlman—everything—as I' want to do?”’ He tossed a chair aside and advanced upon her. : “Say the word! I’ve held my peace! I’ve kept away! Now say the word!” He grabbed her arm, more savagely than he knew. “Shall I stop being a wooden man? Shall I follow my own inclinations? Say Comicbhook C©