Adventure Magazine Cover — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

18 “T didn’t know nothin’ about it until this mornin’,” said Porter. “I came in from Encinas early this mornin’ on a freight, and went to bed. I got up jist before noon, and they told me about it; so I got the sheriff and we started out.” Apostle Paul turned to the sheriff, whose ears were red. : ‘“‘Where were you all this time, Scotty?” ‘“‘He was in jail,” said Porter. “In my own jail,” said Olson angrily. “Oyster Shell, Eskimo Swensen and Johnny Grant came over to my office last night. They were drunk, and insisted that I had stolen their horses. And they wanted to look in the cells, the —— fools! Jist be- cause they was drunk [ let ’em look, and they accidently locked me in. “IT told ’em where to find the keys, but they went on out and never came back. That’s why nobody could fmd me last night. I never knowed there was a hold- up, until Porter showed up this noon. And somebody turned our horses loose, too. Mebbe it was that drunken bunch from the AK. Anyway, we’re goin’ over and tell ’em about it, yuh betcha.”’ Marion turned away, shaking with laughter, while her father and the other two of the Double Bar 8 choked back their laughter. They knew the gang from the AK very well indeed. But it was no laugh- ing matter to the two officers. “T can arrest them, three drunks for inter- ferin’ with an officer,” declared Olson hot- ly. ‘They interfered with the law when they locked me in. I was badly needed, I tell yuh.” “Sure yuh was,” choked Buck. “If they hadn’t locked yuh up you’d ’a’ had all three of them robbers in jail now.” “Mebbe. Anyway, I’d have been on their trail.” ‘“‘Where’d yuh git the new dog?” asked Porter. “New dog?” queried Buck. Huh! We raised him.” “‘Never seen him before.” “Lotsa things you never seen before.”’ “Have yuh any clues?” asked Apostle Paul. “Clues?”’ The sheriff wasn’t sure of that word. “Veah—evidence that might lead yuh to the outlaws.” “We ain’t had no time yet.”’ “That one? W. C. TUTTLE “Then what are yuh wastin’ it around here for?’”’ demanded Buck. Porter glared at Buck, but did not reply. He disliked this thin-faced young man, but was just a trifle dubious about starting any- thing with him. “‘Well, I s’pose we might as well be goin’ along,” said the sheriff. ‘‘Mebbe we'll swing around and look in at the AK. I’ve sure got a few things to say to them fellers.”’ “‘God be with yuh, brother,’’ said Apostle Paul piously. ‘“The AK is sure a good place to make a talk, but when the collection is taken up, you'll find small pay for yore work.”’ “We'll make ’em respect the law!” snapped Porter. “Ves, you will,” said Buck. ‘You bet- ter back yore law with an army. They may love yuh for startin’ trouble with ’em, but they’ll never respect yuh. My advice to you jiggers would be to let the AK alone. You’ll never find out who robbed that train if yuh try to shove the law down the necks of them three.” “Well, by ——, I’m runnin’ my office!” snapped Olson hotly. “No drunken punch- er can lock me in my own jail and not hear about it.” “Let ’em hear about it, by all means— but in a roundabout way, Scotty. And please don’t swear any more. Remember, there’s ladies and gentlemen present.” ‘““Ex-cuse me,” grunted Scotty, picking up his reins. ‘Well, we'll be goin’ along, folks. Adios.” ‘Adios, amigo,” said Apostle Paul. Porter glared at Buck, who wrinkled his nose at the big deputy, and rode away. They watched the two riders head east across the little valley, riding side by side, as if carrying on a conversation. “You think they ever find out who rob that train?” asked Peeler. Buck snorted and headed for the stable. “Find out nothin’, Peeler. Them two jiggers couldn’t find their own boots. I’d like to be at the AK, when they start their war-talk. That sure was funny about lockin’ him in his own cell.”’ Peeler did not reply. He stopped at the stable door and rubbed his chin thought- fully. Buck looked at him sharply. ‘““Whatsa matter, Peeler?”’ “T’m tryin’ to think of one word, Buck.” ‘What kind of a word?” Go DOOLK (C@