Adventure Magazine, Mid-September 1917 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

18 face pale under the tan, Jane Dale stood facing the slim, little rat of a man who had been making the loud conversation. Be- yond the little man a puncher sat one horse and held the bridle of another. At the little man’s back, on a post of the corral stockade, hung a hind-quarter of beef. The little man was Lanpher, manager of the 88 ranch. The puncher was Racey Dawson, one of hismen. Racey looked very much ashamed of himself. “Howdy, ma’am,”’ said Chuck, dismount- ing without haste, his eye on Mr. Dale. “Do yuh want a doctor? The nearest one’s at Piegan City,” he added. “But I can ride south to Blossom on the railroad an’ telegraph for him.”’ ‘“‘A doctor couldn’t possibly help, thank you just the same. We know just what to do for father. But you can help us, if you will.” Jane turned unflinching eyes on Chuck. ‘‘What seems to be the trouble?” he in- quired. ‘“‘These men—” began Jane. ‘They killed one 0’ my cows,” interrupted Lanpher, ‘‘and 2 “The lady was speakin’,”’ cut in Chuck, staring with disconcerting directness straight into the angry red-rimmed eyes of the 88 manager. ‘“‘I’d wait till she was all through, if I was you.” Lanpher, mightily enraged, had much ado to refrain from voicing his sentiments. But he remembered that Chuck bore the repu- tation of being uncertain in both temper and temperament. One must walk warily with such folk. Lanpher almost swallowed his Adam’s apple. “Vou go right on talkin’, ma’am,”’ Chuck urged briskly, without removing his eyes from Lanpher’s convulsed features. ‘‘Don’t mind this feller a-tall. He ain’t responsible just now.” “This man accused father of killing and butchering one of his cows,” explained Jane, her tone a bit shaky. “He says that quarter on the stockade came from a dead cow he found on his range, and he wouldn’t believe me when I told him that we bought it from a man who rode by yesterday after- noon.” “Did he say he didn’t believe yuh?” “Yes, he did.” Lanpher saw the blue eyes turn even frostier. The mean spirit of the man quailed within him. Yet he strove to ap- Adventure pear at ease, to preserve a bold front. “Well, I found that cow, skun, an’ the off hind-quarter missin’, not half a mile away across the creek,” he blustered loudly to cover his confusion. “I found the hide with my brand on to it, under a bush on the bank o’ the creek opposite this shack. An’ hangin’ up on the corral fence I found the off hind-quarter. What more do yuh want than that? I tell yuh, that old jigger a-snortin’ away there on the ground is a cow-thief.”’ . “Yo’re a liar,” Chuck observed simply, his gun out and covering the pit of Lan- pher’s stomach. ‘’N’ds up!” With exemplary promptness the arms of the manager rubbed his hatbrim. His complexion was livid. Chuck circled round him, possessed himself of his six-shooter, and thoughtfully felt about his person for possible hidden weapons. Finding none he returned to his post facing Lanpher. ‘“‘Racey, I hope yuh won’t think o’ doin’ nothin’ rash,” he cautioned. ‘“‘We don’t really want a fraycas, an’ besides yuh’ll no- tice Willie’s Old Brother-in-Law is watchin’ yuh with a rifle.” ‘“‘Don’t yuh worry none about me,”’ Daw- son urged warmly. “I ain’t out to jump invalids an’ women-folks. She’s the boss’s funeral.” “It may be yet,’”’ smiled Chuck. “TI hope yuh’ll excuse me, ma’am, for swingin’ into yore affairs thisaway, but I know this feller an’ you don’t, an’ knowin’ him, maybe I can sort o’ manage him better.”’ “D-don’t apologize,”’ cried Jane, with an hysterical little laugh. ‘“I—we’re very much obliged.” She stepped back beside Molly, who had stopped weeping and was watching Chuck and Lanpher with. fascinated frightened eyes. Mrs. Dale paid no attention to any one save her husband. He was still cough- ing, but the paroxysm had greatly lessened in violence. ‘“‘Lanpher you an’ me are goin’ to take a h’l’ ride,” announced Chuck. “I’ve told yuh yo’re a liar, an’ now I’m goin’ to do yuh a favor I don’t usually do when I call a man a liar—I’m goin’ to prove it to yuh. An’ Willie’s Old Brother-in-Law is a-goin’ to help me. Yuh can put yore hands down now an’ climb on yore hoss. But don’t make no sudden moves. It’s just possible I mightn’t understand.” Without a word Lanpher went to his COMmiclsoo ©