Adventure Magazine Cover, June 20, 1925 — page 140: what you’re looking at

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

122 loudly and an angry man was swearing vig- orously. Some distance from the house he halted and studied that portion of the room framed by the window. He could see the head of a man sitting at a table, facing the window. Closer to the window was a man’s back, who was picking up cards. Satisfied the shot was a bit of high spirits and that he was not stumbling on to a homicide, the gambler returned to the path before the house and gave a hail. The talking stopped instantly and he heard what he believed to be a rifle barrel sliding over the window sill. Then a voice demanded— “‘Who’s out there?” “A wanderer looking for entertainment.” “Tf there’s only one, come in. If there’s more’n one, ride like Aas “Tm alone. I’m coming in,” announced Goss, feeling of his left sleeve holster and its deadly derringer. He threw open the door and stood on the threshold and bowed to several men. “T heard the sound of singing,” he said as the occupants stared at him in silence. “T am the songster,” announced the man at the head table, and he shook back long black hair that fell to his shoulders and gazed sharply at the newcomer. Goss decided he had never seen a more reckless visage. The expression of wildness was intensified by a scar that extended from from the bridge of the nose to the chin. In healing it had puckered the left eyelid and gave a peculiarly sinister cast of counte- nance. This individual shuffled the cards expertly, and in a soft, musical voice in- quired— “How many brave lads ride after you?” “None ride after me or with me. I ride alone,” replied Goss. “You’re bound for Wet Mountain Val- ley?” - “Tam more anxious to find card trouble,” confessed Goss. “I shall ride till I find it.” “You are properly outfitted?” continued the musical voice. “T have nearly a thousand. I wish to in- crease it.” “It isn’t much, but it will help. Close the door. Your travels have ended. Take a seat.”” And he nodded to a small soap box. ‘““My name is De Louge.” “T’m Nathan Goss.” “Gambler?” ““A square one.” Adventure “You're welcome till your money’s gone. We're playing twenty-five limit, all jacks. When only two hands are fighting the limit can be lifted by mutual agreement. You’ll learn the rest of our names as fast as you can remember them.”’ Goss seated himself at De Louge’s left, making six at the rough table. One man was snoring heavily in a corner and another was wild drunk near the fire. The latter was waving a revolver. De Louge, noting the gambler’s gaze dwelling on the drunken man, explained: ‘“He’s harmless. chimney. color.” Goss placed a handful of gold and a roll of paper money before him and received cards. With scarcely a glance at his hand he passed, The man on his left opened, and he quickly discovered none of the players was under the influence of liquor sufficiently to play recklessly. One round of play gave him some idea of each player’s temperament and he found his interest centering on the man opposite. This man crowed like a rooster and boasted of his skill as if wishing to irritate his companions in reckless bet- ting. The money heaped before him showed he had been a heavy winner. As he raked in a small pot he taunted: “It you’d had nerve to raise me back, any one of you, I’d dropped. I didn’t have anything. Makes me laugh to see you boys dig for cover the minute I open my yawp.”’ ‘Play your cards and stop your foolish- ness, Burt. When you lose you'll be ugly enough. And lose you will before the night’s- over. No man can hold such a streak for long.” This from the man at the end of the table on Goss’ left. Burt laughed loudly and warned: “Next time I’m going to take the rest of your pile, Seth. Luck’s with me. Can’t stopme. Make it every time I draw, or else bluff you out of it.” On the next hand Goss passed. The man beside him, called “Snap,” and opened the pot for five dollars. Seth sullenly entered. The next man threw down his cards and with an oath quit the table and seated him- self on the floor with a whisky bottle be- tween his legs. “Joey’s cleaned out like he was when he come to the mountains,’ exulted Burt. Then he held up two cards and announced— “Four spots, each.” Fired his gun into the Hasn’t any more loads. Show COMIGDIOOKSEEO