Adventure Magazine Cover — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

Sun-Dog Trails His glance quickly took in the inhabi- tants of the store. For a moment his eyes shifted from one to another, and then he moved in close to the counter. Wesson walked up and leaned across the counter. Without taking his eyes off the group, the newcomer gave his order and leaned easily against the counter while Wesson tied up the purchases. Then he paid, half-turned, opened the door and stepped out, still half- facmg the interior. He carried his pur- chases in his left hand. No one spoke for several moments after the door closed, and then Le Blanc said: “She’s got wan strong look, dees Martin, eh? Bah gosh, she’s tip ovair cow with hands, I’m bet.” ‘“‘Where’d he come from, Cale?” asked Barnhardt. Wesson shook his head. “T dunno, Lynn. You know, Cleeve?” King Cleeve shook his head. “Idaho, I think,” said Brick. Cottonwood or Smoky Creek.” Silent laughed again, but this time it was not silently. Every man in the place looked at him, but Silent gave them no heed. Finally he turned on his heel and walked outside. “Near “Slade acts like he was loco,” observed King Cleeve. “Acts like a fool, if you ask me,” stated Topaz. “Tf anybody asks yuh,” agreed Brick, and added, ‘‘but nobody asked yuh.” - “What do you mean?” Topaz glared at Brick angrily. - “Want a diagram?” grinned Brick. “Tf yuh don’t, Pll just say yo’re pretty new to be passin’ opinions.” “Now, now, quit jawin’,’ interrupted ,/ Wesson, who knew Brick very, very well indeed. “Sayin’ this ’n’ that back and forth is apt to make enemies; don’t yuh know it?” and then added meaningly, “There’s been one killin’ this week and gosh knows that’s a plenty in these quiet times.” Topaz, without a reply, walked outside and crossed to the Dollar Down. Brick grinned. “Friend of yours; ain’t he, Cleeve?”’ “Mine?” r King Cleeve was astonished. “Not that anybody knows of.” “Oh! Not that anybody—knows—of.” King Cleeve slid from his seat on the b] 17 counter and straightened the creases in his trousers. He feigned not to have noticed Brick’s tone of voice, and when he straight- ened up his face was blandly innocent. “Me, I’m thinkin’ she’s goin’ to rain.” Le Blanc stood up and yawned widely. “Where?” asked Harp. “It ain’t goin’ to rain here, Frenchy.” ‘‘She’s goin’ t’ be long dry spell if she don’,’’ grinned Le Blanc, and headed for the door. ‘“‘That cinches the drink on you, Harp,” grinned Brick. ‘‘C’mon.” As on the sidewalk, contemplating a ! faded and torn two-year-old circus poster which adorned the building just across the street. He looked soberly up at Brick and moved aside to let him sit down. “What did yuh laugh for, Silent?” Brick’s tone was mildly reproving. “T had to,” grinned Brick. ‘Lemme tell yuh something, which yuh likely won’t believe; I was in jail once.” “T don’t believe it,” declared Brick. “You was in jail more’n once.” “T can remember this one. It was a little town in Idaho I got into a argument with a feller. I reckon I was drinkin’ a little too much. Anyway I licked him. Then two fellers hopped on me and helped him put me in jail. He was the sheriff. There was only one cell—a big one. I didn’t mind, ’cause there was a good bed in there. “T don’t know what time it was—night, I reckon—when I hears two men come in- side. They unlocks the door, and one of ’em OUTSIDE they found Silent sitting ‘shoves the other feller inside and locks up again. After he’s gone I lights a match and looks at this feller. He’s been handled considerable and ain’t payin’ much atten- tion to things. I went back to sleep, and pretty soon I’m woke up. “The place is full of men. They smashes in the cell door, falls upon me in a mess and yanks me plumb outside with a rope around my neck. I can’t holler nor nothin’. I gets yanked and hauled for quite some ways, and then they stops. I hear somebody sayin’, ‘——, that ain’t no way to tie a proper knot,’ and then some- body else says, ‘Ain’t yuh goin’ to let him say anythin’?’ “Then somebody lights a match and takes a look at my face. I seen his face in EOmicboo So (S@)