The Argosy, Vol. 82 No. 2 — page 106: what you’re looking at

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

288 “That’s my lookout, colonel,’ answered Robbins crisply. ‘“T don’t allow ary one o’ them ’dobes has a whole wall or a roof left,” spoke up Cata- mount Cal. “Pardon me, Catamount,” returned Rob- bins, ‘but you are wrong. At a cost of thousands of dollars I have prepared Nug- get Notch for habitable purposes. The place is there and ready for you. These preparations were made some time ago, and I was planning to gather up my inhabitants from all over the Southwest when I heard of Castle’s Camp and the financial struggle Castle was having to keep the enterprise alive. So, at one fell swoop as it were, I got my people for the Notch. I am pre- pared, if necessary, to spend fifty thousand dollars to make the scheme a success.” Martin Reeves had listened to all this in profound amazement. Was Robbins crazy to spend all that money on such a wild venture in the heart of the desert? He appeared sane enough, save in this one particular. While a tense silence prevailed in the car, Robbins got up from the table and un- locked a steel-bound chest that had hitherto escaped the notice of most - the Forty- Niners. “Look!” said he calmly, lifting the heavy lid. “This ought to prove that I mean business, and that none of you will lose any- thing by falling in with the Big Idea.” There were yellow eagles in the chest, a great store of them, gleaming brightly in the sunshine that filtered through the dusty car windows. “Vou may be mad as a hatter, Robbins,” remarked Gentleman Jim, the glint of shin- ing metal reflected in his blue eyes, “‘but the money talks. When do we start for Nug- get Notch?” “As soon as Castle can unload the plun- der and get under way,” Robbins answered, as he closed and locked the chest. CHAPTER II. AN UNANSWERED QUESTION. “P HERE followed a busy forenoon for the Forty-Niners. Eight horses, four mules, a burro and a grizzly bear were un- loaded from one of the box-cars. A prairie “Schooner,” a dilapidated old stage coach, a “democrat” wagon, harness, riding gear, baled hay, oats and an assortment of trunks THE ARGOSY. and other equipment were removed from the other freight car and scattered about on the sandy level near the siding. Martin Reeves made himself generally useful, and even Robbins had his coat off and was taking an active part in the pro- ceedings. Late Smedders, the cowboy, looked after the live stock. Old Jack, the Ute, gave personal attention to Hot Tamale, the bear, for Jack belonged to the b’ar, as Pop Handy put it, and no one but an Injun could get along with a grizzly nohow. The noon meal was the last the Forty- Niners were to have in their “diner.” The special would remain on the siding at Rocky Spur, under the eye of the telegraph oper- ator, until such time as Castle’s Camp should need it again. Following the meal, trunks and other freight were piled into the “schooner” and a four-horse team inspanned. Four mules, meanwhile, had been hitched to the ancient stage coach, and a pair of smart drivers to the “democrat” wagon. Four cayuses were put under saddle for Reeves, Jim Rayner, Lee Smedders and Lady Ann. The operator at Rocky Spur and the man at the pumping plant had watched these preparations of the Forty-Niners in wonder and amusement. Under their eyes a queer procession presently began its trek along the dim trail. Castle and Robbins occupied the front of the ‘democrat’ wagon and led the way. In the seat behind them rode Ree Middling, the miner, with his picks, shovels, gold pans, horn spoons and other gold-hunting equip- ment. > After the leaders came the ancient coach, Catamount Cal handling the four-mule team and Ah Sin and Sing Lee riding beside him. Inside the coach, desperately uncomfortable with the heat and the jolting, were Colonel Hungerford, Don Quesada, Perdue and Golshaw. Ezra Bobbett was at the helm of the “schooner.” With him were Ma Bobbett, Billy Vince, the senorita, Pablo and Manuel. Old Jack Lightning-that-Strikes bestrode Dynamite, the burro, and led on a long chain the churlish and panting grizzly. Those on horseback brought up the rear. After hours of a most trying journey, dur- ing which Hot Tamale rebelled a number of times and had to be prodded and be- labored by Lafe Smedders in order to make 00) GOmiG SS (C@