Adventure Magazine Cover — page 113: what you’re looking at

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

Pay Gravel guard. . Number Four must be one of the eight riding beside the coach. When Number Three gets opposite our ambush he should be out of sight of the coach as the ambush will be beyond a bend in the road. He will strike his man down. We in am- bush will pull the fellow out of the road and’ take care of his horse. Number Three will ride back a bit and signal for one of the coach-guards to join him. If more than one rides up, all the better. This guard, or guards, must be disposed of quietly as was the first. We in ambush will help, using the noose if possible. Their horses must not be frightened and must be secured in the woods. At the very least we will have cut down the number of guards to eight, with but seven by the coach, one of these being Number Four. Number Three will wait opposite the ambush until the coach comes up. He and Number Four will take the six guards by surprize, covering them with four six-guns. We in ambush will instantly take a hand and secure the six. Three and Four will then gallop back to meet the two rear guards and take them by surprize. It is very simple and there should not be any need for bloodshed.”’ “But blood can’t stop us,” hoarsely broke in Number Three. “Nothing shall stop us as it will be our last big stake here. I already have a safe cache for the bullion. This is the plan in outline. Any suggestions or questions?” “The only drawback is that Three and Four will be marked men,” spoke up Number Two. “Bad for us on the inside ’less we settle the hash of the ten,” grumbled Number Three. “That would be going it too strong,” protested Number Four, with a shiver in his voice. Number One sharply’said: “Both Three and Four are already winted for murder. One in Idaho; the other in Nevada. Yet they live here in Deadwood City and move about openly. However, I have not been forgetting them. There are three courses for them to choose from: hide with the gold and guard it till we can meet and divide; take their shares and ride for it; or ride for it and trust us to see they receive their shares in Denver, San Francisco or wherever we may decide. The last, I be- lieve, is the best because it is the safest. If they are caught and held on suspicion 107 either after following the first plan, or the second, the gold on them would condemn them. Once we get the treasure we will scatter. The hills game is nearly played out. crumbs and a rope.”’ ‘Seems as if I was getting the hot end of the poker,” growled Number Three. “Might as well sentence me to death and be done with it,” bitterly complained Number Four. “Rewards are offered for both of you and you haven’t done a scaffold-dance yet,” grimly replied the leader. ‘A swift horse, a change of stamping-grounds, a new name, and with forty or fifty thousand dollars to blow you’d be fools to be caught. But if either of you refuse to play the part I pick for you, say so now.” There was an uneasy shuffling of feet, but the threat concealed but poorly in the leader’s words was fully understood. “T’m game,” muttered Number Four. “T never squealed yet,” snarled Number Three. “Then that’s settled, and wo to the man who tries to back down,” said the leader. “Anything else?” “T have a suggestion to make,” spoke up Number Two. “Let Three and Four draw lots to see who shall take the inside job and leave the second place vacant until I can try to secure another man for the second guard. It doesn’t much matter what hap- pens to him after the job is finished. He will know nothing about the rest of you and, if, by any chance, he is captured there will be nothing he can tell.” “Who’s t’other man?” demanded Number Three. “That will be told the chief if I find the plan is likely to work. He will tell you when he sees fit.”’ Both Three and Four were eager to accept any scheme which would give one of them a chance to dodge the dangerous position of coach-guard. Both proclaimed their satis- faction and wished the lot-drawing to be conducted on the spot. Number One said: “No lights to be shown at our little meetings. We must remember the rules. Lots may be drawn within a few days if we decide to adopt Number Two’s plan. I rely on his judgment. I will talk with him about this new plan of his. If his choice of guard is all right it will be an advantage CORIICLOO© S Let others stay and pick up the © (C@