Adventure Magazine Cover — page 92: what you’re looking at

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

82 The loungers snickered in huge enjoyment. Hale studied the gambler thoughtfully; his interest quickened. “Ts your name Ferdinand Patterson?” he asked. The gambler nodded, a slight smile of amusement curving his lips. Hale’s face crinkled into a broad grin, and he heartily exclaimed— “Then you’re just the feller I want to Sco. “Suppose we settle this matter about my mare before we get better acquainted,”’ suggested Patterson, still smiling, but with the glare of the killer in his gaze. “T feel acquainted already,” replied Hale. “Youre Texas raised.”’ Patterson’s eyes narrowed and his smile became a snarl. “I just knew there couldn’t be two by the same name,” rejoiced Hale. ‘Know your Why, I know you like a book, from cover to cover. You went to California in 1850. You got into a fight in Yreka in ’Fifty-six and was shot.” , “What the devil you driving at?” whis- pered Patterson his pallid face growing hard and tense. In a voice that sounded rollicking Hale ran on— “And you had a fight in Sailor Diggings in ’Fifty-nine and had to git out.” “Curse your gall! Who are you?” de- manded the gambler. - “T’m the man from the wild mountains you was speaking about. I’m glad to meet up with you. You’ve had lots of street fighting since the Sailor Diggings affair, and you don’t git hurt lke you used to. T’other feller gits hurt now. You killed Staples in Portland = “Help! This man’s trying to kill me! I’m afraid of him!” loudly yelled the gam- bler, and at the same time pulling a der- ringer from his coat pocket. Before he could do more than raise it the muzzle of the heavy Colt was resting against the spotless shirt front. “If you could shoot first—which you can’t—and if that trinket could send a bullet through my heart, I’d still smash a hole through you with this old .36,” mur- mured Hale. ‘That toy would look better back in your pocket, wouldn’t it? There! You’ve got some sense, even if you are a skunk. I promised a certain party up in the Payette Valley that Pd look you up Adventure and in a public place, talking face to face just like this, call off some of your rotten record to you. Now I’ve done it. I'll just add that you’ve committed more’n one murder, that you’re a low-down coward, and never kill unless you can catch your man off his guard. “Tf you ever go down the Payette Vallev, where once you shot a dog, I’m going to git you. Yes, sirree! I surely will plant you beside that poor dog. Now we’ve settled that much I’m going to put up my gun and any time you hanker to draw on me we'll race for it, even Stephen. What say?” ‘“You’re either drunk or crazy,” was the gambler’s husky reply. “Not drunk. Crazy? Maybe. .Now we come back to the mare. How do you happen to claim her?” “TI bought her.” “Then you bought her of a thief. Show him to me and ['ll give you what you paid him for her.” “Thanks. don’t know the man I bought of. looked honest.” : The last brought a chuckle from Hale. Suddenly becoming grave he said: “Patterson, you claim the mare. Then you have a legal right to open up that stall. Do it!” For a fraction of a minute the gambler stood motionless, glaring into the grayish- green eyes. Then he wheeled and walked to the stall and threw open the door. Like a black streak the mare sprang into the stable floor and rested her velvet muzzle on Hale’s shoulder. “Easy, old girl,” he softly whispered. “Don’t stand so I can’t see our loving friends.” ‘ Swanger was much wrought up. He was angry with Patterson for not drawing quicker and for not shooting once he had drawn. The loud call for help would have been a perfect alibi when testified to before Judge Curks. But he should have -shot first and shouted afterward. To permit Hale to ride the mare away would be a blow to Updyke’s influence over his rough following. The deputy realized a stage had been reached when it would be poor policy for the sheriff to mix openly in the dispute. The responsibility must be shunted to other shoulders. He loudly proclaimed to the loungers: But I prefer the mare. I He GOMIIGooOO S ©