Adventure Magazine Cover — page 59: what you’re looking at

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

THE BUCKAROO OF BLUE WELLS Tex turned away without speaking and walked outside, while the AK gang leaned Johnny against the bar and demanded loud- ly of the bartender that he work fast. They questioned Jimmy about the shooting at the Double Bar 8, and his progress as a cow- puncher. In fact, the questions came too fast for Jimmy to answer. But after the second drink he managed to-catch his breath, and told them some of the happenings. But he would not drink any more. “Tve got to ride back to the ranch,” he told them solemnly. “I brought Miss Tay- lor to town, and she is down at the jail, visit- ing with her folks.” The two drinks had made Jimmy rather expansive and he told them about his rop- ing and shooting lessons; which caused the AK boys to double up with mirth. “We was goin” to stop at yore place on the way back,” said Johnny Grant. ‘“Bon- nette said to tell Miss Taylor that her out- fit can use from our wagons. There’s plenty of room for all the bed-rolls, and three extra men ain’t gor” to kill off our cook.”’ “Well, that certainly is thoughtful of him,” said Jimmy. ‘TI know Miss Taylor will appreciate it.”’ “Aw, you better have one more drink,”’ urged Eskimo. “One more won’t hurt yuh none.” “Well,” Jimmy smiled expansively,” I suppose not. But PH buy this one.” All of which was acceptable, as it had been long enough since pay-day to find the AK boys m financial straits. They drank a health to Jimmy, and all walked outside. The main street of Blue Wells drowsed in the afternoon sun. A few men humped in shady spots, whittling, discussing nothing much in particular. Even the horses at the hitch-racks drowsed. Suddenly a commotion started at the sheriff’s office. It was not a big commo- tion, but plainly audible on the silent street. A yellowish-red dog darted out of the office door, whirled around once, as if to get its bearings, and trotted up the street, looking back. Out of the door came Al Porter. He had a heavy dish in his right hand. Only for a moment did he hesitate, and then started toward the dog, running stiffly, swearing. The dog was Geronimo, the Exhibit A, in the case of the State of Arizona versus the Taylor Outfit. Running as fast as he was capable, Porter o7 hurled the dish at the dog. But his aim was very faulty, which was attested to by a splintering of window-glass from the front of Louie Sing’s restaurant. The AK gang whooped with mirth. Jimmy Legg, forgetting that ownership of Geronimo might cause complications, ran across the street toward Porter, yelling at him to let the dog alone. Geronimo stopped in an angle between the end of a bench and the wall of Moon’s store, and’ anxiously watched Porter, who had picked up sev- eral rocks about the size of eggs, and was preparing to bombard the dog. Jimmy’s three drinks had made him reck- ess. “You let that dog alone!” yelped Jimmy. He was about twenty feet away from the swearing, perspiring Porter, who paused long enough to consign Jimmy toa place which was even more arid than Death Valley. “By , ll learn that dog to bite me!” he roared. ‘‘I’ll smash in his skull!” The first rock struck the end of the bench and glanced into Geronimo, who yelped more from fright than actual distress. “Stop that, you dirty coyote!’ yelled Jimmy. Porter let fly with another rock, which narrowly missed breaking one of the store windows, and whirled angrily toward Jimmy. ““Who’s a coyote?” he snorted. ‘His right hand swung back to the butt of his gun. It is barely possible that Jimmy’s three drinks had ruined his per- spective, because he whipped out his gun and shot at Porter, almost before his hand swung away from his hip. The enraged deputy was off balance, un- prepared, his right foot lifted, as he had been following the swing of his throwing-arm. And at the crack of Jimmy’s gun, his feet seemed to jerk from under him and he came down in the hard street with a crash. Jimmy stood there in the street, dangling the gun in his hand, while Porter sprawled on his back, his knees jerking. The dog came running toward Jimmy, barking joy- fully, and almost knocked Jimmy down. ‘Good , go away!” panted Jimmy. “Gug-go away!” The three boys from the AK ran past Jimmy, going straight to Porter. The sheriff and Marion were coming from the office, while it seemed to Jimmy that the rest of the world spewed out of every door- way. Then he lost his nerve. Whirling on GCOMIGIOO S (C@