Adventure Magazine Cover, June 20, 1925 — page 125: what you’re looking at

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

Pards Farnham to count it. The marshal did so and told him to keep it. Then he searched the cabin carefully for other moneys, but found none. Leaper kept his eyes closed during all this but Farnham noticed his big face was twisted into a grimace or a smile. ‘That feller’s hurting himself laughing,”’ said Farnham. ‘‘Let’s have grub.” Ellis cooked bacon and made coffee and the prisoner opened his eyes and was permitted to eat. Farnham decided they should stand watch over the man through the night and elected to be the first. It was two o’clock- of a new day when Ellis was aroused. He sat wrapped in a blanket until sunrise. Breakfast was quickly cooked and eaten. ‘Leaper had not spoken a word since Farn- ‘ham returned with the mule the night be- fore. His eyes glittered with hope when Ellis returned from the corral and an- nounced the mule was gone. “Then we'll walk,” decided Farnham. “Tm not walking,’ Leaper broke his long silence to inform. “You'll walk,” assured Farnham. To Ellis, “Cut two stout cudgels. This man ‘walks and walks brisk, or he’ll never walk again.” Leaper stood up and surrendered— / “I’m ready.” The sun was warm and genial until they came to where Ellis had made the wrong turn; then clouds swiftly closed the sky and rain began. The wind beat in their faces and the road grew muddy. Leaper walked savagely, as if wishing to tire his captors or have the disagreeable journey over with. Ellis found some shelter by keeping close to his heels. The storm passed away when they were within two miles of the Salt Works. Ahead of them rose an isolated mountain, and soon they were cheered by the sight of smoke rising from its base. The plain had been dreary enough during the storm but now it was pleasing in the sunshine. Farnham called Ellis’ attention to what looked like patches of snow and told him they were salt incrustations, but the Singing Pilgrim was more interested in the large cabin and the smoking chimney. Two long wagons were near the cabin and another was loading salt from a shanty. Several teamsters and employees stared curiously at Leaper, for handcuffs were sel- dom seen in the mountains. Charles Hall, 107 New York born, but a veteran of the moun- tains, came out of the house and greeted Farnham cordially. The marshal explained his business and asked for a chance to ride with his prisoner to Denver or, at least, as far as Fair Play. Mr. Hall promptly told him: “Youll ride clear through. You’ve walked enough. Come inside you two and have some dinner. The prisoner can be ied afterward in the kitchen. One wagon is starting in a few hours for Denver and will make Fair Play some time this evening. How about the young man? Fussy when he starts?” . “Til travel anytime when I can get a lift,” said Ellis. . He was anxious to separate from Farn- ham before reaching Denver. “Then you'd better start right after you eat. A light-hitch is going only as far as Fair Play. After Farnham’s wagon has left a load there you can ride with him the rest of the trip.” | It was a wonderful dinner they sat down to, and after they had eaten Leaper proved he had not lost his appetite. Leaper was still bolting meat and hot bread when a teamster came to the door and announced he was ready to start. Ellis hurriedly shook hands with Mr. Hall and the marshal and ran to the wagon. Farnham called: after him— “See you soon in Fair Play.” * Ellis waved a hand and climbed up beside the driver. He had no intention of becom- ing acquainted with Denver courts and justice through any prolonged association with the marshal. gj; trict, and Denver was under f martial law with the provost guard discouraging quarrels be- tween soldiers and civilians. Surviving members of the notorious Criterion saloon gang refrained from flaunting their wicked- ness, and worked by stealth. Desperate and reckless men continued to rob and kill, but no longer boasted of their evil in public. Ii Carl Wood, Charles Harrison, and Steele, the gambler, no longer shot up the town there was at work a more widely spread organization, operating with a defi- nite purpose and considerable efficiency. In place of reckless and open outlawry (4 t; COMIGDIOOKSEEO