The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

GOLD GRABBERS. impatiently. “Whatever happens, Bremerton, we'll be at your back.” The superintendent started along the ridge. Indistinct as he was in the starlight Chombo might easily mistake him for Steve Bryden. Following the route the amalga- mator had taken the previous night, Bremerton descended the _ slope, crossed the little plateau and paused only to give the whistle signal. The signal was answered, and he advanced swiftly to the arroyo’s mouth. A figure disentangled itself from the gloom, as the superintendent dropped the bag and seated himself on a boulder, a stealthy figure that crouched forward only to halt warily and at a safe distance. “ Steve? ” questioned a voice. “Yes,” answered Bremerton. The word was lost in a report, and fire flashed in the mouth of the arroyo. Bremerton gasped, swayed and slowly sank downward at the side of the boulder, A wild laugh burst from Chombo. His form straightened and he plunged forward. Ransom and O’Hara could be heard stumbling across the flat, coming uncertainly but at speed, each with his own forebodings about Bre- merton. Chombo bent and grabbed for the bag of amalgam. In the same instant, Bremerton’s arms went around him. “Thought you had me, eh?” growled Bremerton. “Not that time! ” The two were struggling when Ransom and O’Hara came up. In short order the half-blood was flung to the ground and pinned there by the sheriff. - “Lee,” asked O’Hara anxiously, “how bad is it?” Bremerton laughed. “Chombo knew something was wrong,” he answered, “ and some one was handily by to pick me off. But the shot went wide.” “Och, you schemer O'Hara, mightily _ relieved. ed chuckled You 521 dropped, and the breed rushed for the sack. Then you nailed him. It was well done, for I thought in my soul you had followed Griggsby.” “Good work,” said Ransom ap- provingly. ‘Chombo,” he added to his surly captive, “ I’m the sheriff, and you're under arrest. We have your confederate, Bryden. Now, where’s the loot? T’m making no promises, but it will surely not go harder with you if you tell us about the amalgam.”*, “You'll let me go if I give ye the amalgam?” panted the half-blood. “No. You may help yourself, though, 1f you make a clean breast of this.” There was a brief silence, during which Chombo seemed to be thinking. “Get off,” he gasped, “let me breathe. You hurt my arm.” Ransom groped through Chombo’s clothes for weapons, .confiscated a knife, and finally got to his feet. “ The lantern, O’Hara,” said he. The. yellow gleam fixed itself upon the form of Chombo, and under the threatening muzzle of the sheriff’s gun he struggled to his feet. CHAPTER XIV. UNDER THE ADOBE WALL, -“You did this!”’ said Chombo be- tween his teeth. His black eyes, gleaming with hate, turned on Bre- merton. “Some day I am going to kill you!” “That'll do you,’ came sharply from Ransom. “ Better think of. your- self, Chombo. It'll be some years before you’re foot-loose and able to camp on anybody’s trail. What about that loot?” The half-blood swore softly and shifted his arm to a more comfortable position in the sling. “What can I do?” he complained fiercely. ‘‘ You are three and I am only one. Ill take you where you can find the amalgam.” “ How far its it?” COMicdoo S CO@