Adventure Magazine Cover, June 20, 1925 — page 138: what you’re looking at

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

120 “The Pilgrim!’ he finally exclaimed. ‘““And he’s got a sister.”’ “Young woman. Rather pleasing to look at. But not used to the country, nor our ways. You see it’s like this.” And he briefly explained the cause of Ellis’ flight from the gulch. In concluding he said: ~ “Some one killed Skillings, but Ellis didn’t. The Rabbit knows who did, but won’t tell. Ells and his sister haven’t much money. Your place seemed a good one for them to stay on through the winter. By spring the Skillings killing will be forgotten and the Pilgrim can try to work out of cap and get hold of a stake before taking his sister back east.” It was nearly a minute before Ancient spoke. Then he said— “You figure they won’t be looking for him next seasonr”’ “T feel very sure.” “Mighty thoughtful of you to send them down to my place. Joe’n me will look up another place.” “And you’re busted of course?” “Of course. But George Hall’s a ‘pretty good feller. He’ll grub-stake us, and now Joe’s got back his wits we’ll soon be in bo- nanza. Never was such a cuss as Joe to hound down rich diggings. He ain’t hit anything rich yet along of his crazy spells, but he’s got it in him. Feel sure the Pil- grim won’t be troubled next season?”’ ‘Very sure, if he keeps close this winter. Fetched him down here from Denver where they were looking for him.”’ + As close as that? You'd s’pose -they’d give a man a present for killing that skunk. By all means tell him to stay on the ranch and to keep close. And Goss, i any trouble should come to him sort of un- expected, I’d take it kindly if you’d git word to me.”’ “He'll be all right. But why not sell that ranch to me. I'll buy and give you a chance to buy it back. What’ll you take for it?” “Well, now! Well, now!” excitedly cried Ancient. “That'll be fine for me ’n Joe.” Then regretfully: “But it isn’t stocked or nothing. Justa stout log cabin and some land. I found the cabin deserted and took it over. Built on another cabin and cut a door through. Jesse Frazer lives a mile below me, He says farming will pay. But I dunno. Grass- know about the place. Adventure hoppers and everything. I ain’t no farmer that’s a fact. Frazer says it’s good orchard country, but I don’t believe it. Still my place is worth something. lLand’s good as Frazer’s and he’s raised vegetables and Mexican corn, and did his first plowing with a forked cottonwood. Ive told you all I Make me an offer. But mind you, the young folks are welcome to stay as long as they like and I’d love to be with ’em.”’ “Of course. I understand. But with you and Joe there it might be crowded. The young lady will feel better if only her brother is around. I’ll give you six hundred for it. You can buy it back for that price after they’re through with it.”’ “Time they’re through with it Pll be buying a stone house in Denver with all the eastern fixings. Joe’n me have planned all that out,’ warmly replied Ancient. “And Goss, you are the handsomest man I ever saw. Even with your back to the light you look like a tall angel. How long do you opine it’ll take you to find that six hun- dred?”’ ‘Just long enough to go inside the store and borrow paper, pen and ink.”’ ‘“Hocray! Thank and Nate Goss, Joey! We're going to eat!” Hasty quickly advanced. Ancient ex- plained: ‘Just struck a small pocket I’ve been overlooking. Come along and see what the first pan runs.”’ “We've been living on smoking tobacco for the last day’n a half, mister,’’ informed Hasty as he put up his pipe and eagerly ac- companied the two into the store. Dr. Reid supplied paper and ink and the transaction was soon recorded and witnessed by the doctor. He did not know Goss and glanced at his boots and clothes rather scep- tically as he congratulated: “T’m glad to see our young men go in for land. Frazer is already setting out fruit trees and the valley will soon be producing what the mountains require.” ‘‘Nate is one of the slickest card players in Colorado,” proudly informed Ancient Days. “Tm sure he’ll find crops and fruit grow- ing and a dairy herd a much better invest- ment in the long run,” politely replied the doctor. | Goss was slightly perturbed by the speech. He was recalling Governor Evans’ remark, overheard in the Broadwell House COMIGIOOKSEEO