Adventure Magazine Cover — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

{22 _ “T don’t know, but there must be,” said Ellis. “I didn’t stop to explore the east or south side. But any creek flowing east must empty into the Arkansas and we can follow it. Or we camp there till it’s safe to come back this way and make the Arkansas.”’ “The last is what we must do. Season’s too short for greenhorns to go mooning among the mountains. If I’d traveled much higher up the valley I’d found snow. But the first thing is to eat. Ill knock over Some grouse with my six-shooter. Doesn’t make as much noise as your rifle. We'll feed and rest for a day. Then we'll come back here and Utes or no Utes, we'll go back _to the lakes and down to the Arkansas. This wild life isn’t my game nor yours. Still we have brains enough to accommodate ourselves to it for a bit. We won’t have to walk as long as those nags hold out.” He mounted the second pony and Ellis turned and led the way south. The animals showed no spirit and plodded along slowly, pausing to graze despite their riders’ kicking heels. Having no bridles it was difficult to guide the ponies and once Goss had to dismount and turn his steed around to keep him from making for the Lake Creek valley. As the way grew narrower and the thin grass gave out, the ponies walked more briskly, intent on reaching the succulent feed of the opening below. The walls of the guich approached closer together until the way appeared to be a mere slit through the towering rocks. The morning light became twilight, and the gambler complained they were entering a tunnel. Suddenly the brawling of the pent-in creek ceased and Goss was shielding his eyes against the abrupt return of the sunlight. The cold dampness was succeeded by genial warmth. From the mouth of the gulch the two ‘were gazing on a small park, roughly round in shape with a small grassy hill rising in the center. Through this level opening the creek meandered placidly, with willows along the banks mirrored in the quiet waters. Pines and spruce with soldierly erecthness covered much of the lower slopes. Against the blue sky rubbed the bare rocks, already frosted with snow. “It’s a mighty fine layout!’ exclaimed Goss. “Looks tame enough down here. We have blankets and guns and ponies. Point where I shall look for grouse and then build a fire.”’ ee es. oh te oe ° -, — meet . ees or © Sat _ Pawnee > Adventure : Both dismounted, and the ponies fell to grazing on the rich grass. Ellis indicated the nearest growth of evergreens, and directed: “Along the edge. They seem to be tame.” Goss started for the timber, a revolver in his hand. Inside of five minutes after disappearing from his companion’s sight he had shot two grouse and was proudly re- turning to the creek. They dressed and broiled the birds and ate —_— although they had no seasoning. “T’d give five dollars for a pinch of salt,” grumbled Goss. Then, after feeling in his empty pocket he added, “Td give a hun- dred for a good cigar.”’ The lack of tobacco irritated him. He was for boldly making for the Arkansas. Absence of creature comforts and the un- accustomed environment again worked him up to the fighting edge. He gave short an- swers to Ellis’ questions. The latter, having troubles of his own, was quick to resent this treatment. Finally he decided: “We're only two white men and this seems to be quitea roomy place. Yet it’s already too small for us. back now. Better fight Utes than to be fighting each other.” ‘“There’s no fight between us,” growled Goss. “At times my bark is worse than my bite. I feel I’ve hogged out of luck. I can’t be agreeable even to myself. Why’n —— don’t you sing? No, don’t. It’ll make me homesick. If we can round up those two bags of bones we'll start back. Fre- mont had trouble somewhere in these moun- tains and lost men. And I never let on to be smarter than Fremont’s guides.” “All right. We’ll go back. Quite a ways to come for our breakfast,” said Ellis. Now that they were to make for civiliza- tion, Goss quickly became more affable. He helped Ellis catch the ponies, which were too feeble or lazy to evade them long. Gathering up their blankets they armed themselves with willow whips and urged their mounts down the creek toward the slot through the tall walls. Goss repeated his request for a song, declaring the danger of homesickness had passed. Ellis willingly obliged and started on “Westward Ho!” He had finished the first stanza when the gambler interrupted him by pointing to the left and crying: me! Knew I was in for a stretch of bad lack!” EoOmicboo <S:; CO I’m ready to start