Adventure Magazine Cover — page 35: what you’re looking at

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

THE BUCKAROO some bad news ror you, Marion. Your father, Buck and Peeler are in jail at Blue Wells.” “In jail?” Marion stared at Tex. what for, Tex?” Tex shrugged his shoulders. ‘Robbin’ that train, it seems.”’ “But they never robbed that train, Tex!” “Outen sabe. They’re in jail. Between the sheriff and that railroad detective they cooked up some sort of a case against ’em. I didn’t get all of it, but it seems that Olson, Porter and the detective, a man named Wade, came out here to the ranch. Dur- ing the conversation the detective kicked the dog. Buck bawled him out for it, and the detective asked Buck if it was his dog. “Buck said it was, it seems. . The sheriff asked Buck how long he had owned the dog, and Buck said he raised it. They’ve got the dog in jail, too, holding him until they can get the engineer, fireman and the express messenger here to identify it. From what I can hear, the dog belonged to the bandits.” Jimmy Legg stared across the patio, his eyes smarting in the bright sunlight. “Buck never raised that dog,’ said Marion hoarsely. “It was a dog that picked up with them—with dad, Buck and Peeler.”’ ““How long ago?” asked Tex. ‘“‘The—”’ Marion faltered. “It was the day after the robbery that he came here with them, Tex. They had been back on Yellow Horn mesa, looking for cattle. They left the day of the robbery.” “What kind of a dog was it?” asked Jimmy Legg. “Just a stray mongrel,” said Marion. “It was coarse-haired and sort of a yellow- ish-red color.” There was no question in Jimmy’s mind that this dog was Geronimo. “Quite a lot of strays comin’ to this coun- try lately,” said Tex Alden, as he looked meaningly at Jimmy. Jimmy caught the implication, but said nothing. He did not want to have any trouble with Tex Alden. “TI suppose yore father can prove that the dog don’t belong here, can’t he?” asked Tex. “T don’t see why not,” replied Marion quickly. “I was just wonderin’, Marion. There’s so many dogs around here that nobody pays ues attention to’em. Anyway, the sheriff (£9 Why, OF BLUE WELLS 33 says that even if they can prove away the dog, they’ll have to show him where they were the night of the robbery.”’ “But they can’t—except their word, Tex. They were back on Yellow Horn mesa, and no one saw them back there.” Tex smiled. “Makes it kinda tough. If yo’re aimin’ to ride to Blue Wells, I’ll ride back with yuh.” Marion looked at Jimmy, who was sitting on the edge of the curb, his sore feet en- cased in a pair of Buck’s woolen socks. “TIT suppose I’ll have to go,” she said slowly. ‘But I don’t like to leave the ranch alone. If Mr. Legg will stay here until I get back—” “That won’t hardly do,” said Tex quickly. “You don’t know this man, Marion. We can get some one in Blue Wells—”’ “Oh, I don’t mind staying,” said Jimmy earnestly. “But you can’t stay here with a strange man.” “T meant—until I got back,’”’ said Marion coldly. ‘And how long since you started running the Double Bar 8, Tex Alden?” Tex flushed hotly. “T’m not tryin’ to run the ranch, Marion.” “Then don’t. I think Spike is around by the corral; so if you will excuse me, I’ll get him.” Tex made no effort to get the horse for her, because he wanted a word in private with Jimmy Legg. After she had gone out through the patio gate, Tex turned to Jimmy. “Let me give you a word of advice, young feller. Yo’re new to this country; so jist take my word for it that we don’t want strangers around. You tramped in here; now tramp out. The climate of the Blue Wells country is sure damp for yore kind.” “I don’t think I understand what you mean,” said Jimmy. “I’m not a tramp, Mr. Alden.” “You walked into Blue Wells. Anyway, you told the sheriff yuh did. Ain’t that trampin’?”’ Jimmy smiled and shook his head. ‘‘There’s a difference, I think, between a man who merely walks in, and a man who tramps in.” “Not a —— bit of difference around here, Legg. Ill probably ride back with Miss Taylor; and I don’t want to find you here. CO DOO) AMC S C@