Arizona Round-Up — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

ARIZONA ROUNDUP T rooms, made from the same raw lumber the freighter hauled daily from the mill, with a hard-packed dirt floor. Burnett put gun and saddle bags into the extra bunk, found a water pail and basin, and removed his shirt. He cleaned up, decided against a shave until morning, put on a clean shirt from the bag, and shined his boots. Footsteps sounded from without and Tex guessed that Haraway finally had gotten in. He turned. It wasn’t Haraway. It was a man of about twenty-three, a wiry-looking youth who wore a gun at his right hip and another in his belt. “Who are you?” he demanded. “Tex Burnett,” was the cool reply. “What are you doing in this cabin?” the other demanded again, harshly. “T've already done it, son. Washed, combed my hair, put on a clean shirt with only me as the occupant instead of several intruders, and slicked my boots.” The youth had taken a half-step away. His eyes were brittle, challenging, and flecking with a rising tide that Tex recognized all too well. “T asked you a question,” he snarled. “You answer it or I'll blov. you apart.” Tex looked him over. He had seen such before: wild, tough and vain, eager for trouble, eager to show their prowess, their mastery over men. “Son,” the older man said gently, “don't try to pull that gua on me, “Why not?” sneered the youth. “We hang claim jumpers here in the Gulch. Only I'll save you the trouble. Why not?” Jed Haraway’s voice came from behind. “Because, Lance, he'll shoot your heart out through your shoulder blades betore you can get that gun of yourn free of the sheath.” He came into the room, carrying canteen, a miner’s dinner pail. and a coiled blacksnake whip. He tossed them on his bunk and turned. “Lance,” he said, “this is Tex Burnett. Tex, my son Lance. Around town’s he’s known as Evergreen.” They didn't shake. They looked at each other. Then Tex said softly to Jed, “I reckon I'll stroll over town. Thanks for the invite. If it’s still good I'll be back tonight.” cad comicbooks.com