Argosy All-Story Weekly, June 13, 1925 — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

582 eled badge fastened askew to the tightly buttoned coat, and showed the soft gleam of steel above the holsters jogging with each deliberate step. Arizona sucked in his breath, doubting his eyes; and for an instant the two men stared at each other in strong disbelief. The badge-wearing newcomer should have been Shanghai; the man squatting at the fire should have been Shanghai; and _ since neither was Shanghai, where was that per- son? Mesquite smiled coldly and spoke, but he did not check his slow steps. He was great- ly puzzled by this amazing change of iden- tity and the miraculous disappearance of the man he had trailed for so many miles; but he easily shelved the puzzle and thank- fully accepted what had been given to him. His long chase had not been fruitless, and he would get Shanghai some other day. “Want you, Arizony,” he said, crisply; “in th’ name of th’ law,’”’ he added, some- what apologetically. ‘He never before had arrested a man, and he felt a little self- conscious. It would have been so very much simpler to leave off the explanatory phrase, and start shooting. Arizona was now on his feet, still incre- dulous, but balanced and slightly crouched. Had this newcomer been Shanghai he would not have been much surprised; had he been Lanky Smith it would have been under- standable; but that it was Mesquite Jenkins passed all belief. Cold anger accompanied the only solution possible: Shanghai had tricked him. All right: for that he would kill Shanghai at the first opportunity. Meanwhile the fact of the present situation had to be accepted at face value. He raised a warning hand. “T can hear you from there,” he said. “ What th’ hell you want me for?” ‘“ For shootin’ Hopalong Cassidy!” snap- ped Mesquite, still advancing. ‘“ Stick ’em up, if you wants; it’ll suit me better if you don’t. So far I ain’t took no prisoners, an’ I ain’t hankerin’ to begin with you.” The deputy now stopped hopefully, his cold eyes gleaming. “How’n hell did you ever get on my trail??? demanded Arizona, hoping to clear up this matter without a remaining doubt. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. Besides, any such discussion would serve to kill time and give him a chance to use his wits. His mind was racing, taking in many things at top speed. He saw the two guns hanging from the wide and sagging belts; he thought of the rage of Hopalong Cas- sidy’s friends, and he doubted that he would be given a fair trial if he surrendered. If he went back to Twin River it would be to face a lynching. Of this youngster he had heard disturbing rumors, but rumors often were grossly ex- aggerated; and now the deputy was not with his two able companions in arms. If he surrendered he would be lynched; if he fought it out here and now while he had something to fight with he might win his freedom. There was great danger in an even break with this cold bloodhound; there was cer- tain death if he gave in to the officer’s de- mand; and if he were lucky he might outwit this youth, who was only half his own age. “T didn’t shoot Cassidy; but I ain’t ex- pectin’ you to believe it,” he said, smiling a little. ‘“ Suppose we eat breakfast, an’ then talk it over? I reckoned you was Shanghai at first.” “We'll eat breakfast, an’ you can talk all you want,” agreed Mesquite; “ but you won’t need that gun to talk with, an’ you might shoot yoreself with it. Put yore hands up, turn round, an’ hold still.” “Tf I give you my gun you'll take me back to be lynched for somethin’ I never done,” retorted Arizona. “ I’m figgerin’ to keep it.” “Then you ain’t very much at figgerin’,”’ countered the deputy. “Id a whole lot rather you’d use it, but bein’ a deppity sheriff I got to tell you to turn it over. Stick up yore hands, an’ turn ’round.” He began to move forward again, his own hands gently swinging past the butts of his guns. “ But I tell you I didn’t shoot Cassidy!”’ snapped Arizona, stiffening a little, and throwing his weight on the balls of his feet. “Just th’ same I’m takin’ you back to Twin River for it,” said Mesquite, icy lights beginning to show far back in his eyes. “ Either draw or elevate!” Arizona leaped sideways, his hand streak- COMmicdooa S CO@