Argosy All-Story Weekly, January 21, 1922 — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

26 ‘“‘T remember old Fat Belge,” another of the gang said. ‘‘ Used to work on the Quade ranch. Do you remember the Quade ranch? Was a bird there called Sterry Quade—he could throw a gun better as any circus show-boy I ever seen. Double action never unsteadied that boy’s hold, I’ll tell you. And there weren’t no trigger pull too heavy.” “But he got plugged, as I remember,” Juan laughed. “Sure, that’s the last I ever heard tell of that Quade ranch. Thar was~the old grandma—Big Bess Quade. And as I re- member, there was a little kid brother. Sterry Quade used to’spend hours with that kid perfectin’ his grip and his trigger-fin- ger and his eye.” Jug Trilles had been watching the sun, figuring certain important points in his mind. When the evening came and there was little left of the light of the day except a few red streaks over the purple mesa above them, Trilles gave his men his final orders. The negro and two others were to attack by the creek, as previously planned. Pedro was told to ascend the mesa, and then climb down the cliffs unmounted and rush one of the western windows of the house. This was a possible attack at night time when his form could scarcely be seen against the adobe background. Jug Trilles and the five remaining men were to attack from the plain, retaining their mounts and charg- ing when Jug ordered. An hour after sunset Jug Trilles took up his sombrero and passed it around to his men. The old deputy had carefully timed the effects-of whisky in other fights. Each man took his flask and drank. “ Taurog has give orders,” Jug said, “ and for to perform his orders a man needs a few good slugs. Burn the place, stampede the brutes—and another little drink!” CHAPTER VIII. TRILLES OBEYS ORDERS. PON the arrival of Jim Quade at Lar- key’s ranch it was quite obvious that the attack had been postponed. “ They’ll wait for the dark,” Larkey said. ‘the suspense of the situation. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “‘ And then we're going to have a different game on our hands.” ‘“ How many are there?’’ Quade asked. ‘* About ten.” “That’s easy. Might as well put in the time between now and dark with a good meal—for if you don’t mind my sayin’ so, Mr. Larkey—I’m starved.” “We'll have ‘the lady put on a good chuck of beef,” Larkey said. ‘“ The gals has went to their room to primp up as soon as they seen you comin’!” Larkey introduced his old father-in-law. Grandpa Bob had scarcely suffered from But when he saw the towering form of Jim Quade he showed the first signs of apprehension. ‘“* Be you the raider?” he asked shrilly. “You remember the old Quade outfit, Grandpa Bob?” Larkey said: “And re- member Sterry Quade who used to could shoot the ace when a royal flush was throwed in the air?” “Tf he’s so pesky slick with his gun how is it you let him in here?” the old man asked. ‘“‘ Thought you was goin’ to fight?” ““ This is the brother of old Sterry Quade. Don’t you remember old Sterry Quade?” ‘‘T remember Big Bess Quade,” grandpa said. “A fine gal that. Poured hot water on my haid for serenadin’ her with a har-. moniky!” “This here gent’s her grandson.” “IT don’t believe it!” the old man snapped. ‘‘ Sterry Quade’s been dead ten years. He’s stringin’ you.” “It’s Sterry’s kid brother growed up.” Sue Larkey brought her little brother in from his hiding-place in the kitchen. Sue had powdered her burned nose, and had applied a red ribbon to her frizzly, dan- delion coiffure. Her darkened lips called forth a remark from Grandpa Bob to the effect that she should not eat cherries so soon before dinner. ‘‘ Aren’t we goin’ to play hide-and-seek any more?” the brother asked. He held a scrambling kitten under one arm and a sleepy, bleary-eyed puppy under the other. ‘“T want to hide in the wood-box.” Lady Larkey came in, her big, flat face powdered like a sugar doughnut. She fell in love with Jim Quade at first sight and COMmiclboo SS C©