Adventure Magazine Cover — page 49: what you’re looking at

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

‘He sat on a bench, drumming on his knees thoughtfully with the tips of his fingers. “About this water-hole—if Bradley comes I reckon there’ll be no reason why you can’t pay Bently right away, will there?” he asked. “Only one reason—in Photo” Vic indi- cated the other room with. his thumb. “They won’t take any pay until Hasbrouck is licked.” : — “Then they won’t git any money for some time,” Dal opined. “Not long,” Sawyer said easily. ‘You are teo used to seein’ only the cattlemen’s side of these range wars. They used to win all right through intimidation, but- those days are gone. The sheepmen have the legal right, an’ theyll win through organization. Within a week after Bradley gits here this man Hasbrouck will run his legs off every time anybody mentions Silver Zone.” “Then you’re sure you won’t need my help to hold the spring?” “Not a bit of it,” Vic cried eagerly. “Then I reckon that will give me a _ chance to move on. Do you need your six- gun?” “___ no; keep it an’ welcome. I’m tickled to death to have you go for more reasons than one. Depend on me to give Bradley a bum steer if I can. If you can trust me you might let me know where you intend to go to,” Vic suggested. “Sure I will,” Dal said with a grin. “TI may go as far as Hog-up occasionally, but generally you'll be able to find me within ten miles of Silver Zone.” “<___.” Vic Sawyer swore disgustedly. CHAPTER XII A NEW OCCUPATION B* NIGHT Sawyer’s wound was bother- ing him, and they had to give up hope of the doctor’s arrival that day. Vincie begged to be allowed to nurse both her wounded guests that night, but they ve- hemently ordered her to bed. The fine olive complexion she had possessed when Dal first saw her was fast being replaced by the pallor of weariness. The strain of con- stantly waiting upon her father was enough to wear her down regardless of the other troubles. Both Dal and Vic would have , ‘Silver Zone died rather than interfere with her sede = needed rest. Though still rather weak and sick Dal sat up and waited upon the sheepman. Be- tween times he snatched a few hours of — much needed sleep sitting upon a bench with | his head propped against the wall. Though — Sawyer occasionally revived enough to se = curse him for not appreciating his danger from Pet Bradley Dal refused to argue. a s . Yet he was fully alive to his dangerous — position. If he stayed around Silver Zone — he knew that his chances for long evading © Bradley were small, unless he could in the meantime contrive to get the goods on Ss = — Hasbrouck in a way to discredit him utterly. He foresaw that for a time Hasbrouck and. Bradley would have their hands full with each other, so right away, he decided, was = the time for him to move lively. How and — where to move, however, was a problem. There were two things which he felt might — = 3S have enough significance to be worth follow-_ ing up. One was that people believed him — to be a detective; he had puzzled over and over for the reason, but had had to be con- tent with the fact without the explanation. . ™ ~ » The other was the peculiar actions of Tom — = | Cutler. Somehow his first idea that Cutler _ was only clumsily to lay a trap now seemed untenable in the face of the man’s repeated efforts to get in touch with him. Cutler might possibly yield some informa- tion of value if he could get to him in the right way. His experience as an outlaw had sineade = taught Dal that the most unexpected, au- dacious thing to do was the safest thing © in the end. If Cutler, or his friends, con- templated Dal’s falling into a trap they — would look for him to name some out of the — way place for a conference; therefore, he — determined to ride openly into Hog-up — trusting to his reputation as a detective to get him out. Shortly before daylight Sawyer dozed — off, and Dal made himself a cup of strong — coffee. Then he slipped out and gathered — his horses: He was surprized to see that Sport’s wound had healed so well that the horse walked with scarcely a perceptible limp, so he saddled both horses:and led the gray, as he took the road to Hog-up. When the sun rose he left the road and struck into the desert. The doctor, and possibly others: might be on the road at any hour, and Dal was not courting any undue publicity. ~ a aed ° c y ‘ - = . = 7 7 <* —™ _ ey : - = = - > = . . “a — - » 7 po PT i a —. -. a a Vg “alg pf