Adventure Magazine Cover — page 45: what you’re looking at

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

THE BUCKAROO “Wasn’t that a —— of a verdict, Tex?” he asked. “Verdict? Oh, yeah.” ‘Tex looked thoughtfully at the lean-faced attorney. “T’m wonderin’ who'll run the Double Bar 8 until after the trial, Lee?”’ “T don’t know; never thought about it, Tex. Say, did you hear about that AK ten- derfoot getting shot last night?” “Legg?” “Yes. Some one shot him last night, al- most in front of the hotel.’’ ‘““Yea-a-ahe Kill hime” “No,” Barnhardt laughed. ‘Skull was too hard, I guess. He had been standing there, talking with Marion Taylor, and just after she went into the hotel, some one shot him. But he was able to ride back to the AK; so I guess he’s all right.” Tex took a deep breath and looked back toward the sheriff’s office. Marion was coming up the street. He turned to Barn- hardt. “T hadn’t heard about it, Lee. I left just after the trainmen had identified the dog.” Tex turned on his heel and went across the street, disappearing in the Oasis saloon. Marion jotned Barnhardt and _ they walked to his office. The girl did not like Barnhardt, but her father had engaged him to handle their defense. Hashknife and Sleepy had talked with several of the cow- boys, and it was their opinion that none of the cattle outfits would put on extra men until the round-up. Hashknife went to the sheriff’s office and had a talk with Scotty Olson. Hashknife had heard the cowboys talking about the Double Bar 8, and the fact that there was no one, except the girl, to run the ranch. Hashknife explained to the sheriff that he and Sleepy would be willing to run the Double Bar 8, at least until the round-up started, and without wages. “What’s the idea?” queried Scotty. It looked fishy to him. ‘Merely helpin’ out,’”’ smiled Hashknife. “Tt’ll save us a hotel bill, and we might as well be workin’ as settin’ around a saloon.” Scotty smoothed his mustaches and ad- mitted that it would be a great help to the Taylor family. “C’mon in and meet Apostle Paul,” sug- gested the sheriff. Hashknife followed him to the cells and was introduced to Marion’s father, who scrutinized Hashknife closely, when the OF BLUE WELLS 43 sheriff explained what Hartley and his part- ner were willing to do. “T thought mebbe Tex Alden would help us out,”’ said the old man. ‘“Yuh can hang that idea up in the smoke- house,” said the sheriff. ‘Tex met yore daughter a while ago, and she kinda snubbed him up real short, Paul.” ‘““Yea-a-ah? Well, Pll be ——! See if yuh can get holt of her, Scotty.” The sheriff left Hashknife with Taylor, while he found Marion. The old man had little to say to Hashknife, and the conver- sation dragged heavily until the sheriff brought her in and introduced her to Hashk- knife. “Did Tex offer to help us out?” asked Taylor. Marton nodded quickly. “He did; and I refused his offer. And he knows why J refused it, Dad.” “Gosh a’mighty—why?” “T can’t tell you now.” “Uh-huh. Well, I jist wanted to know if he did. Mr. Hartley and his pardner offer to help yuh run the ranch at least until the round-up starts, and it shore looks gen- erous—comim’ from strangers.” “It certainly is generous!’ exclaimed Marion. “Dad, I think I can get Nanah to stay with me.”’ “That'll be fine. I’m much obliged to yuh, Hartley, and I'll not be forgettin’ this favor. We’re shore up agin’ a hard deal. How soon can yuh go out to the ranch?” “T broke a State record on saddlin’ a bronc once,” grinned Hashknife. “Our ani- mals are in the lvery-stable, and I know Sleepy is plumb willin’ to give up that bed at the hotel.” “Then we'll all ride out together,’ Marion. ‘My horse is there too.” Hashknife found Sleepy at Moon’s store and introduced him to Marion. Lee Barn- hardt was there, and heard Hashknife ex- plain to Sleepy that they were going to run the Double Bar 8. The lean-necked lawyer’s brows elevated momentarily, and he won- dered why Tex Alden hadn’t handled that end of the deal. Sleepy went with Marion to get the horses, while Hashknife secured paper and envelopes from Moon, and wrote a letter. Lee Barnhardt sat on a counter across the room, and wondered who this tall cowboy might be. Lee did not believe in philan- thropy, and he wondered just why these two b] said COMICOoOokKSs Cc C@