Adventure Magazine Cover — page 81: what you’re looking at

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

1HE BUCKAROO ‘*Talks like a cowpuncher,” said Eskimo gravely. “Looks Johnny. “Fights like one,” groaned Dug Haley. ‘“‘When yuh get through throwin’ bouquets, T wish you’d take me to a doctor.”’ Hashknife grinned at the wreck of what had been James Eaton Legg, the book- keeper, and nodded solemnly. “TY reckon we’ll be able to tell Leesom and Brand that Jimmy Legg has qualified,’ he said earnestly. “And if I was Jimmy Legg, I’d put on some clothes,” said Sleepy. ‘Cowboy, yo’re a fright.” Jimmy grinned, started toward the house, followed by Marion. But Jimmy shoved her ahead of him, because he just remem- bered that he had slid half-way down Broken Cajion, sitting down. Tex looked after them, a half-smile on his face, as he turned to Hashknife. The posse was putting the bodies in the ranch wagon, and two of the men were as- sisting the sheriff, who had put Dug Haley on the wagon-seat, and was helping the dazed lawyer to mount his sway- backed horse. The handcuffs bothered Barnhardt, and he was breathing like an asthmatic. ‘You don’t act very sore about it,” said Hashknife, nodding toward where Marion and Jimmy were disappearing into the house. Tex shrugged his shoulders. “I know when I’m whipped,” he said, with just a trace of bitterness in his voice. “Tt seems that Legg didn’t. If yuh want me to sign that affidavit, regardin’ his ability, bring it around. Leesom and Brand know I wouldn’t be fool enough to wish hrm on to me as a boss, unless he was capable—and I'll teach him all I know.” ““That’s square enough,” nodded Hash- knife. ‘Wait until I saddle my bronc, and PH ride to Blue Wells with yuh. Me and Sleepy have got to peddle a couple of horses before that train pulls through.” like a cowpuncher,” added OF BLUE WELLS 79 ““Yo’re not leavin’ so soon, are yuh?” Marion and Jimmy were coming from the ranch house, and with them was Nanah, her head bandaged up. Geronimo circled them, barking with joy. Jimmy was clad in a baggy pair of overalls and a shirt three sizes too large for him. The face-washing operation had opened the cuts on Jimmy’s face, and he was beginning to look like a war-path Indian. “We'll all three ride in the buggy,” said Marion. “Jimmy is too weak and sore to ride a horse, and Nanah won’t.”’ Tex offered to hitch up the horse, and Marion went with him to the stable. Hashknife drew Jimmy aside. “I reckon you’ve made good, Jimmy,” Hashknife said slowly. “‘I’ll see that the right report goes to Leesom and Brand. You'll marry and settle down on the X Bar 6, I reckon, eh?”’ ‘““Marry and settle down?” “Yeah—sure. You'll marry her, won’t yuh?” “Marion? Why—” Jimmy hesitated, his eyes turning toward the stable door, where Marion and Tex were standing. Marion was looking down at the ground, but now she looked up at him, a smile on her face. Tex started to reach toward her, realized that he had an audience, and they both stepped inside the stable. Jimmy grinned and shook his head. “Why, no, I don’t reckon I will, Hash- knife. That whips me.” And Jimmy wondered why Hashknife laughed so suddenly and walked to his horse. He did not know that Tex had admitted defeat, too. When the buggy, with its three occupants started up the road toward Blue Wells, with Tex Alden riding beside it, far in the distance they could sec a lone rider—Hashknife Hartley, riding swiftly to join Sleepy, that they might dis- pose of their horses and catch the first train out of town. Their work was done—and the other side of the hill was calling. MICLOOOK (C@