Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 11, 1925 — page 118: what you’re looking at

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

- man who had put them there. 242 fight waiting for-you, mebby, if you got there?” “ Mebby yo’re right, but I shore hate to admit it,” growled Hopalong. “‘ When you. figgerin’ on goin’ back up there?” he asked, knowing that his companion had gone with- out sleep for a long time. ‘“ After I get some rest,” answered Mes- quite. “Il turn in till noon, get some- thin’ to eat an’ pull out right after.” Hopalong nodded and turned toward the kitchen, where the cook was making a din with dishes and voice. “Tl stop some of that damn noise for you,” he said. “ You take my bunk if you want. Wait till I clear it off for you.” He removed the belt, gun and saddle which covered the bed, growling about the He carried the saddle to the door and placed it close to the wall, where Skinny would trip over it if he followed his usual habit of swinging on the door casing and shooting himself along the wall to his bunk. The belt he slung around him and buckled loosely. It was Mesquite’s belt and Mesquite’s gun. His gaze settled on the belts and guns which his young friend was hanging on their pegs; and his eyes shone a little. “ How you like that pair, kid?” _ Mesquite flushed from pride and smiled. “ First rate, Hoppy,” he answered. “I was never so proud in all my life as when you let me know that you was lendin’ ’em to me. When you want ’em back again, just say th’ word.” “T loaned ’em to you to get them fellers with, kid. When you’ve got ’em all you can give th’ guns back to me. Yo’re th’ only man that ever wore ’em, except me.” He looked around the room, did not see what he sought and again started toward the galley. “Turn in now. Ill choke th’ cook, an’ go out an’ set with Pete, an’ help him watch th’ prisoners.” Pete was glad to see him, but did not take his eyes from the two men sitting in the shack, except for one quick glance. Pete Wilson was a little slow-witted, but he doggedly faithful to Hopalong. In his eyes Hopalong was-the greatest man _ that ever had lived, and a man who could — __ do no wrong, A contented grin slid across _ ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, the sentry’s face and he shifted his cud to the other cheek. “IT been sorta hankerin’ for ’em to make a break,” said Pete, patting the ten-gauge affectionately. ‘‘ Got two barrels here, one for each of ’em; but buckshot ain’t hardly big enough. I wanted Buck to lemme load her with pistol bullets; but he said these here was big enough.” ‘Single ball would ’a’ been better,” said Hopalong gravely, as he sat down on the ground and tucked his legs under him. “By gosh!’ said Pete with keen interest. “That’s right! Get me a couple shells with them,” “ Ain’t got none.” Pete shook his head sadly and chewed in quiet reflection. “ Where’d Skinny go?” “Round to bust that piebald. You'll hear it purty soon.” “Them fellers in there got any water an’ grub?” asked Hopalong, glad that the pestiferous Skinny was going to be very busy for the next few minutes. ‘Yeah, they have; but they been sorta leery about reachin’ for it,” explained Pete, carefully shifting the double-barrel. Both hammers were at full cock, and this fact seemed to be of intense interest to the men in the shack. | ‘Turn that lead sprayer a little to th’ left, an’ let ’em drink an’ eat,” ordered Hopalong, also interested in the cocked hammers. Pete handled weapons with that nonchalant carelessness which always in- trigues the interest of every one within range. “Pete,” said Hopalong in surprise, as he gazed at the belts slung around the guard’s waist, “what you wearin’ two guns for? Ain’t one gun an’ that there ten-gauge enough for watchin’ a couple of men that are handcuffed together?” “Well, I just put ’em on in case I needed - ’em,” answered Pete, grinning cheerfully. ‘ There’s one of ’em you don’t need near as much as I’m goin’ to,” said Hopalong, ‘““Where’d you get that extra one?” “It’s one that Buck took off that gang that Mesquite rounded up in Twin River, Want it?” » * Reckon I do,” answered c 3 Soe A « a a ™ rs = = iA ooo os = = [< Ss ae 3S a et ae Z = . = FOr ae 3 =e —— : —-. ; Ses, Oe esx a ea as Sepa a ee SS SSS —— aah aol eS” gr a ee Te >