Adventure Magazine Cover, April 1916 — page 118: what you’re looking at

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

116 “Ye might know it. He'll be a reg’lar ‘Billy the Kid’ before a great while.” “Not quite. The Lincoln County young man was a wa’-eagle. Block’s a buzza’d. Tom, I’m afraid this Jeffe’son Davis hoss is developing a wind-puff.”’ Loudon made no reply. He was watching an approaching rider. The horseman passed by without a glance toward the cor- ral and loped on into town. Now the road in front of the Burr house was the beginning of the trail to the Flying M ranch, and the mounted man was none other than Rufe Cutting. It was evident to Loudon that he had not underestimated the cook. He resolved to seek out his would-be bushwhacker immediately. Loudon looked quickly down at the Cap- tain. If Burr had perceived Loudon’s ab- sorption he gave no sign. He merely re- quested Loudon’s opinion of the slight swelling on Jefferson Davis’s near fore. “Ye’ve got to excuse me, Cap’n,” said Loudon hastily. ‘I’ve got a little business to attend to before I eat.” ‘“‘Need any help?” inquired Burr, reach- ing for his Greener. “No, thanks,” replied Loudon, swiftly resaddling Ranger. ‘“Dinner!”’ called Mrs. Burr, sticking her head out of the kitchen door a moment later. ‘‘Why, where’s Tom Loudon?” “He’s gone away,” grumbled her hus- band, regretfully eying his shotgun. “Well, of all things! Just as dinner’s ready! Don’t he know he’s eatin here? Will he be gone long?” “He may not be away twenty minutes, and then on the otheh hand, he may neveh retuhn.”’ ‘“‘Never return! What are you talkin’ about, Benjamin Burr?” ‘“‘Wait and see, my love, wait and see,” rejoined the Captain, and went in to dinner. a) LOUDON meanwhile had galloped down to the corner of Main Street. Rufe Cutting was not in sight. But his horse was standing among the horses in front of the Jacks Up Saloon. Loudon rode across the street and dismounted behind a freighter’s wagon near the Chicago Store, where he could not be observed from the windows of the Jacks Up. Then he walked briskly up the street and entered the saloon. Rufe Cutting, his scratched features cast in sullen lines, was drinking at the bar. So Adventure were several other men. A knot of citizens in Cutting’s immediate rear were discussing the events of the morning. Two faro tables were crowded. The Jacks Up was in full blast. With the place crowded a gun-play was apt to result in damage to the by- standers. However, the choice lay with Cutting. Loudon would allow the first move. With this intention, Loudon edged up to the bar and called for a drink. At the sound of his voice Cutting turned a slow head. There were two men in between, but they were not standing close to the bar. Loudon, watching Cutting out of his eye- corners, picked up his glass with his left hand. Even as he did so, panic seized Cutting. His fingers closed on his own full glass and he hurled it at Loudon’s head. Involuntarily Loudon dodged. When he recovered himself his gun was out. The bartender promptly vanished under the bar. Men skipped and dodged and flung themselves over tables and chairs in their anxiety to give Loudon a clear line of fire. But Cutting had disappeared. Two swearing men sprawling under an open rear window told the story. In his fear-stricken efforts to escape, Cutting had knocked them both down. Loudon and the two men, one of whom was Jim Mace and the other Dan Smith, went through the window almost simul- taneously. Both sashes went with them to a brave accompaniment of crackling glass. Loudon landed on his knees, and was in time for a snapshot at a leg-sliding over a window-sill of the house next door. Before Loudon could rise Mace and the marshal tumbled over him. The three fell ina tangle and rolled among tin cans and bot- tles for a space of time. When at last, red- faced and almost breathless, they rushed the house next door they were stopped by an angry woman brandishing a frying-pan. “You drunk hunkers can’t come through here!” screamed the irate lady. “If you an’ yore fool friends want to play tag ye can play here in the street! What do ye mean by bustin’ into folks’ houses an’ wakin’ my baby up? You idjits! She’ll be bawlin’ her brains out all day now!”’ ‘“‘We’re after a hold-up!” cried Loudon with great presence of mind. It had the desired effect. ‘“‘Why didn’t ye say so at first? Come right in.” COMmMichoooks ©