Adventure Magazine Cover — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

Pards “Come away. Kanati and the Red Man have heard me. The lghtning hit the medicine-lodge. Follow close.” He bounded away with the fierce wind at his back, and the white men followed. They ran with bowed heads, the Rabbit making for the gulch below. At last they entered an area of comparative calm where the jut- ting side of the gulch broke the force of the wind. The pony herd and the horses stolen by Lomsom’s band already had taken shel- ter there. There were no signs of the herders. The Rabbit shouted im triumph and passed his hands over the animals and rapidly selected the stolen stock. He led a man to a horse until the three were provided and gave thanks to the an- cient gods on finding each of the stolen stock still wore a horse-hair bridle. Selecting a mount for himself he rode into the cafion where the effect of the storm was scarcely felt. The gambler exulted: “Gamed them out of the pot! That’s what I call playing a hand! Regular ‘Dead Man’s hand’! Never was beaten! Rabbit, you win!” 3 “The gods of my people won,” corrected the hunter as he picked a path through the scattered boulders. What had been the dry bed of a water course an hour before, was now alive with a foot of muddy water. In single file the four pushed their fight until the rain ceased and a star rekindled its light.. Then the Indian halted and an- nounced: “The storm has blown out. I must go back. They will start a search with the first light.” “Don’t go back!” pleaded Ellis. ““They’ll blame you and——”’ “No Indian will hurt the Walking Dead Man,” reminded the hunter. “‘I will tell them Kanati and his Boys and the Red Man set you free. Then I will make a trade. Goss, where is the stone-medicine?” “At the foot of the tree nearest the spot where I played solitaire.”’ “T will trade the medicine for them to re- main in camp two days. They will be glad to trade.”’ They heard his horse stumble as he headed him up the gulch. The gambler said: “He stands strong with his medicine. No amount of white education can wash it out of his mind. Better dismount and lead the horses. [haven’t red eyes to pick a path. There’s no hurry. We have two days.” THE ‘sum had several hours to be sleep when the fugitives entered ge the small park where Goss and _ Ellis had been captured. They halted and rested their mounts and their own legs. When they resumed their flight they were galloping parallel to the flaring skyline. They entered the crack in the northern wall and found the way dark. When they emerged mto Lake Creek valley the sun was peering over the park range and observing what new trick earth’s insects were up to. Evuclid’s usually placid countenance was haggard and Ellis could barely keep on his horse for need of sleep. Swearing softly he turned the animal loose and limped to the lake and removed his boots to bath his swollen feet in theicy water. “What’ll we do now?” lamented Euclid as he dismounted. “That white scamp, Lomsom, will be after me to work his secret diggings for him.” “T’m going to take a sleep,” muttered the gambler. “You might try your ’re ‘cold, dry process’ in securing some grub.” Ellis slipped to the ground and staggered to.a spot of warm sunlight. He threw him- self down and ‘was almost instantly asleep. The sun was overhead when the gambler shook him awake and informed him: “My feet are in bad shape. May have to stay here for another day. You’re nag seems to be all right. Go down the valley and make for Denver. I'll meet you at the Broadwell House. Here’s a hundred to grub-stake you.”’ And he extended a roll of money. ‘Euclid can go along with you.” “I have nearly a hundred, and we can’t leave you alone to be caught!” cried Ellis. Goss patted the gun under his arm and smiled grimly. Then assured: “They won’t come down this far. The Rabbit will hold them two days. After I mend my feet I'll start after you. I can 137 knock over some game. All I lack is a good cigar. Take the money.” “Tl stay with you,” decided Euclid. “My horse isn’t good for much.” “We'll all stay,” said Ellis. “You'll go,” corrected the gambler. ‘““You’re wanted. No danger here for us. But you'll be better off in Denver.” “IT wasn’t thinking of myself. I don’t like leaving you two.” Gomicboo a <S:CcO