Adventure Magazine Cover, December 10, 1922 — page 122: what you’re looking at

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

‘I16 nary a word was said to me. I don’t go where I ain’t wanted. I’ve stuck here with my poor little claim paying grub-wages. But Virginia City can’t have that belting. Vl rot first.” “That’s for you to say, Mr. Jesson,” agreed Beach, marveling at the strange feud the little man was carrying on in his heart against Alder Gulch. “‘I’m only a hired hand. I’m sent to make an offer a it. If you’re going to use it “T ain’t going to use it. Haven’t any use for it,” tartly broke in Jesson. “Then why not sell?” wheedled Beach. “T’ll give two hundred dollars gold for it. They can buy them for twenty-four dollars, or thirty cents a foot.” “But they need mine most desperate to offer two hundred, eh? Ha, ha!”’ Beach gently urged the bargain and in- creased his offer to two hundred and fifty dollars gold. Jesson retorted: “T’ve let you have your say because you’re a hired hand. But the belting is not for sale, and I’m busy.”’ “Four hundred dollars gold, ” offered Beach in desperation. Jesson grinned maliciously; then gravely asked— “You can pay on the nail?”’ “It’s on my horse outside.” “How much gold did you fetch with your” Six hundred dollars. It’s in two bags, rolled up in my blankets.”’ “Then why fiddle around the bush? Offer all of if.” “T’ll give six hundred dollars gold for the belting. The belting must measure at least eighty feet.” “The offer is refused. Now clear out! Tell Virginia City that she can’t pass me by when she’s parceling out rich diggings and then send down here and buy what she wants to help her spread out and grow bigger. If the Fairweather party had used me right it would be different; good day.” It was useless to attempt overcoming such a monomania. Beach mournfully shook his,head on rejoining the preacher. “T heard all that was said,” sympathized Sessions. ‘‘Too bad he should sour his life by thinking such thoughts. He’s probably brooded so long over being left out of the - first two hundred to rush to Alder Gulch that he can’t help himself. “But I’ve been thinking while you two Adventure were talking. At the start I feared you could do nothing with him. So I cast about in my mind to find something to take the place of his belting. I believe that if you can get hold of some canvas and have it sewed double thick it will answer until your employer can have a belt sent in from Salt Lake. Wet weather won’t affect it, and I believe it will be strong enough if it’s well sewed.” This suggestion gave Beach a fresh hope, and he declared his intention of canvassing the Bannack stores immediately. Sessions went with him, but all the material they could locate was from discarded tents, old and rotten. “Youll have to try in Virginia City. I’m sure you'll find it there,’ said Sessions. “Now I must get back to my shack and plan another line of attack for my next meeting. That octagon-shaped building over there is the blockhouse. Just a word of warning: Keep your mouth shut about the gold and get away before it’s known that you have it with you.” “T’ll leave early in the morning. It won’t be known until then. You’ve been very good to me. I'll go back and visit Griscom.” “‘T was going to ask you come to my place, but the express office is safe. Even road- agents won’t disturb that. They know if they raid it Peabody, Caldwell and Oliver will pull off their stage-coaches, and then there would be no collecting-agency for the dust of the district. Miners would take to caching their gold. The outlaws want it all turned into the express offices and then transferred to the coaches. You won’t have any trouble so long as you’re inside the office. Beach returned to the express office, and this time took his blanket-roll inside. Gris- com elevated his brows, and Beach shook his head. ‘Put your roll behind the counter. Take your horse into the corral back of the office. He’ll be safe in there. They don’t trouble our stock except out on the ranch stations. “T saw what Baldy was up to, but couldn’t chip in until the last moment. Company’s orders are to keep clear of all trouble that doesn’t interfere with our business. “That Sessions is a fine man. One tough got up at his first meeting and said he’d absorb religion when the preacher Eomichboo “S (E)