Adventure Magazine Cover — page 57: what you’re looking at

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

A Pot of Gold “Tom? Oh, that’s why I came for more water. Tom’s shot.” xX HE distant hoof-beats of a cavalcade echoed dimly through the cafion and came to the ears of anxious folk waiting near the tents. It was late afternoon and the sun threw long black shadows almost to the tip of the yellow hill where the mine stood. When the cavalcade approached and came into view the colony ran to meet them —all except Helen, who was attending her mother. The riders returned like knights from the fray—stern, dusty, grimy, solemn and utterly business-like. Old Pete came into view, a scarecrow on a splendid roan horse. He had gone to the scetie of action during the day. Behind him rode two surly strangers bound for jail, guarded by a trio of tattered citizens with rifles at their hips. To the rear of these towered Big Red with a bandage over his face, and beside him a . gentle horse carried Tom, who was sup- ported from behind by another rider. Sev- eral armed ruffians brought up the rear. Tom's face was white. His head bobbed with the motion of the horse. His eyes were closed. His shirt was gone. About his middle was a series of rough bandages made from clothing, bound together in a patch- work of blue, yellow, white and red. Wentworth approached Pete anxiously. “Ts he badly hurt?” ““Y’m afeared so. He couldn’t have rid much further.” The riders proceeded to the big store and shoved its counter aside. Tom’s blanket- roll was quickly prepared. They dragged him off his horse and tried to be gentle as they hauled him inside. Wentworth took a basin of water and started tearing the bandages away. Burly men clustered about him and vaguely tried to help. “Did Finley do this?’ asked Wentworth over his shoulder. “T don’t think so,” answered Big Red. “How did it happen?”’ “Oh, Tom caught the gang near the house. Asked ’em to come in and be good. Offered ’em peace. They laughed at him. Finley cussed Tom through a window; then the trouble began. We got behind rocks. “Towards mornin’ three of the gang 47 started to rush out of the place. When the smoke lifted two men was standin’ with their hands up and Tom and another feller was down.” ‘And Finley?” ‘‘He’s finished. He was the first to go.” ‘Good riddance!” snorted Pete. The men gave attention to Tom again. His wound was just under the left ribs. Wentworth kept at his work with the basin. Soon he looked up. A newcomer was in the room. It was Helen. Wide-eyed and white of face, she halted at the door. Then she darted forward and knelt beside the prone man while the others made way. Her expression was dazed, frightened and unbelieving when she saw the wound. Her voice was vibrant. “Tom! Oh, my heart!’ Her arm went under Tom’s head convul- sively. The men looked at each other. Wentworth stiffened. The lines of his fore- head knitted as he glanced up sharply; but soon he was sponging the wound as if noth- ing had happened. “Tom!” she pleaded. “Speak to me! Come back! Open your eyes! Oh, Tom dear, why must you be the one to be hurt?” In one vehement instant she had revealed herself. But she said no more. She held Tom’s head and patted his cheek, indifferent to the crowd about her. Old Pete glanced at the awkward men and nodded toward the door, leading the way himself. Only Wentworth remained, quietly binding the wound with cotton and linen. IN A few minutes Wentworth went outside. He strolled up to © Pete slowly and meditatively, as if he Had something on his mind; but he spoke on a different subject entirely. “You’d better go to San Francisco and get a stock transfer. A mere confession doesn’t restore anything. You must get your property in your hand. Then there’s no possible chance for a slip. Hire a good lawyer till the transaction’s completed.” “T'll have Markum with me, too.” “All right. Stick till you get your stock. After that leave the man alone.” Wentworth looked about the crowd and then he turned and strolled to his tent. Pete looked after him. “He’s sorter absent-minded.” “Veh,” agreed Red. ‘This here country’s full of surprizes, ain’t it?” CoMmicbhook C©