Adventure Magazine Cover, December 10, 1922 — page 125: what you’re looking at

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

Tameless Days The man appeared to be looking for some one and did not venture néar the bar. As Griscom and Beach rose to leave the table the owner of the belting met Beach’s scowl- ing gaze and at once ducked outside as if to avoid meeting him. But when the two left the room they found him leaning against the buildihg—waiting. Beach would have passed him without a word, but Jesson, stepped to his side and in a frightened whisper said: “T spoke of your offer without thinking it might make things bad for you. Thought I ought to tell you.” “Rather late to do me a good turn,” re- plied Beach.” ““You’ve done him a mighty bad turn,” said Griscom. “The only way you can fix it is to give him the belting and take the gold.” “Oh, I dasn’t do that,” refused Jesson, now deeply agitated. ‘I’ve blabbed about it being a cash offer. They’d know the minute he got the belting. Then they’d know I had the gold. I’d be found with my throat cut. I spoke before I thought. I’d had a few drinks. I’m risking my life in speaking to you two now. But I had to come and tell you. George Ives is talking to Baldy down at the High Pass saloon.” Beach began to understand that the little man had displayed real courage in coming to him with the warning. “T take back what I said,” he told him. “VYou’ve done me a good turn. Maybe I can make it after all.”’ Jesson scurried back into the saloon, anxious to end the interview. Griscom said. nothing until they were back in the office and alone. Then he suddenly announced— “T know what you’re going to do.” Beach waited. “Vou’re going to start back tonight in- stead of tomorrow morning. The road’s easy to follow even when it’s dark. The horse will find the way. If you quit town unnoticed you ought to be able to make it.”’ “Tf I can get out of town without being spotted, yes.” “T bet you can. I'll sneak out the back door to the corral and take your horse up the road half a mile. I can get through the back end of the corral and keep clear of the street. You'll stay out in front of the office for twenty minutes, then set off afoot. Follow the road till I whistle to you to stop. “Tf any one calls while I’m gone you'll 119 say I had an appointment with Ives and went up to Keene’s and that you’re expect- ing the two of us back. If any one speaks to you when you’re on the way to meet me, you'll say you’re hunting for me and Ives. To make allowances for your being held up I’ll wait an hour. Then if you don’t come T’ll hustle back and learn why.” Beach agreed to the plan. Griscom se- cured the gold from the strong-box and ~ rolled it in the blankets. From a cupboard he procured some cooked meat and half a loaf of bread and added the package to the blankets. Then he extinguished the light and the two went outside and sat down by the door and watched the passers-by, and waited for the night to thicken. For half an hour they sat there talking idly; then Griscom placed a hand on Beach’s knee and mur- mured: “The man opposite us now. He has passed twice before this. He’s one of Baldy’s friends. Just keeping cases on us, but not expecting you to bolt or he would stick close by.” Beach observed the fellow and after fifteen minutes saw him returning. He went only a short distance below the office and then walked back toward Keene’s eating-house and bar. “Tt’s dark enough,” whispered Griscom. “T’ll drop the blankets, food and saddle through the back window and follow by the same route.’’ In a short time he reappeared through the door with the information: “Nag’s saddled. Ill walk around the building and sneak away. In about twenty minutes start strolling up the stage road. You won’t be noticed afoot as you would be if mounted. We’ll have to wait a bit.” It was the spy again. This time he met a man below the office and paused to con- verse with him. Griscom was positive the second man was another of the gang. After a few minutes the two swung back toward Keene’s place. “Now I’m off,’ murmured Griscom. f=, LEFT alone, Beach tried to estimate Ney the time, slowly counting sixty to the minute. The street was grow- ing more lively and more noisy as the miners from outlying placers flocked in to find excitement. Beach was preparing to start when a figure swung out of the straggling ; ecom (E(9) © a ESS oe er Si .OO ee