Adventure Magazine Cover, October 30, 1924 — page 76: what you’re looking at

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

66 In the plot as they were, the others stared in amazement at this metamorphosis of the shambling Fl Bobo. He came forward and flung down another serape and sombrero, with a rifle, at Hampton’s feet. “There you are. Now, then, who’s in command here?” “T am,” said Hampton. agree.” Frenchy uttered a laugh. ‘“‘What matter?” he said in Spanish. ‘You as well as another. We die in any case.” “Certainly,” said Hampton. ‘Dias’ other schooner got into the harbor tonight, or was sighted. That ends our only chance of get- ting away by water. Now it’s the desert, and one blow at Dias before we go down. Has any one a better project to offer?” No one had, it appeared. The two Mexi- cans laughed softly, Frenchy squatted and with them rolled cigaritos from the supplies Eli had captured, and Pap Hoskins pro- fanely told Hampton to go ahead and give orders. “Can we count on any general rising of these other men?” asked Hampton. ‘‘None,”’ spoke up Frenchy in disgust. “‘A few would help, yes, and all would break out if restraint were totally removed—but they have no heart to fight while a single Yaqui is in sight.” “Can we reach the desert above by any other way than the one path?” ‘“‘No, unless we go down the valley sev- eral miles to the sea and circle around.” “What about getting horses or mules away without discovery?”’ ‘“YTmpossible,” said Eli. ‘Even if we had them, they would be no good to us in the desert. The Yaquis would run us down in no time.” ‘Very well.”” Hampton, who had flung the serape over his shoulder, donned the sombrero and picked up the rifle. ‘‘Eli, you and I will go after Nelly Barnes. Pap Hoskins, you take the others and make for that trail. We must hold it. I'll create an alarm at Dias’ house that will draw most of the guards, then we’ll join you. As to arms ue “Don’t worry "bout us,’”’ said Hoskins significantly. ‘‘We aims to catch a few o’ them Injuns on our way acrost the valley— same’s Eli done. So you’re goin’ for the gal, eh? Allright. I don’t expect you'll get fur, but go ahead. It don’t matter much how we peter out, so long’s we go down hard. “If you others Adventure We’ll wait for your rumpus to start. So long.”’ He turned to Frenchy and ihe other ae Eli plucked Hampton’s serape, and the two brothers stepped along the wall into the darkness, leaving a murmur of voices be- hind. Eli held out a:cigaret he had rolled, with his own for light. “Take it easy; we’re all right. We'll be taken for guards if any one sees us. That’s why I brought along the sombrero and serape for you. If any one comes close— the machete.”’ Hampton puffed at his cigaret, swung around the corner, and advanced with Eli toward the upper valley. Here and there lanterns burned, by the entrances of other barracks; a faint whiff of opium lingered on the cold air; nothing stirred in the starlight. They left the adobe buildings behind, heard two guards exchanging jests from some dark corner, and so came to the dark masses. of the orchard, the heavy. figs and the scat- tering of vines and fruit trees, at the elhow of the cafon. No alarm had come from behind them; all the lower valley was dark and empty, and Pap Hoskins was evidently keeping his companions in check. “What about weapons for theme” asked Hampton, as he tossed away his czgarito. ‘“‘That’s what Hoskins is after,” and Eli laughed softly. ‘‘Those guards have an adobe shack down below, with all kinds'of weapons and ammunition. Dias has racks of new revolvers in that house of his, though. We'll see. Nelly Barnes is going with us?” “Yess : ; “Too bad; we'll not go far, then,” said Eli grimly. “T told her to be ready at midnight, and to come outside if possible. Where would we find her?”’ “Probably by the left side of the house, toward the creek, where that big pepper- tree stands,” said Eli. “‘There’s usually a guard around there, and another by the corral where the Chinos live. I want a crack at Dias while we’re there.”’ “You won’t get it,” said Hampton. ‘You'll take Nelly in charge and lead her across to that trail by the quickest way. I’ll stay to raise a fuss, then I’ll find my way across. No arguments, lad. Your time comes soon enough.”’ Eli grunted, but forbore to protest, as they were advancing. toward the house. From somewhere far beyond, in the desert micloool (© inn