Bill Barnes Air Adventurer, July 1935 — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

128 BILL BARNES down along, the border where he served for a time as an unofficial auxiliary of the Texas Rangers. When the duties of that famous organization became more and more taken up with the prevention of whisky smuggling, Cy signed up as a flier and instructor for the Federal forces in Mexico. He saw hard service and had many hairbreadth adventures during the frequent campaigns against bandits and the bloodthirsty and deadly Yaquis. More than once the young Texan’s ability with airplane, six-gun and horse, saved his reckless life. It was in these Mexican wars that the Cowboy Flier became an expert at the difficult business of accurate aérial bombing and ground strafing. From Mexico, Cy drifted down through -Central and South America, selling his ability as an aérial warrior, first to one dark-skinned dictator, then to another. He served at various times under practically all the flags and revo- lutionary standards south of the Rio Grande. Once more homesick for the U. S. A., the Flying Cowboy returned again to his father’s..rcanch where he found old man Hawkins, still hale and hearty, run- ning the old Lazy H spread with as firm a grip as ever. After a long, pleasant stay, Cy drifted on. Eventually he landed a job with one of the early air- mail contractors, piloting heavy loads ef Uncle Sam’s mail back and forth on one of the most difficult stretches of the whole continental route. It was during this service that Cy first met Bill Barnes. The two clicked at their very first meeting. They became companions and trusted friends. When Bill Barnes finished the amazing and grueling long-distance flight that made him instantly a world celebrity, Cy Haw- kins was one of the first to shake his hand on his return. During the difficult days that fol- lowed, Cy’s air experience and his loyalty and hard-boiled shrewdness were of enormous assistance to the famous young airman who had electrified the world with his daring and ability. When Bill Barnes founded the Air Adventur- ers, the name of Cy Hawkins, the Fly- ing Cowboy from Texas, was among the first inscribed on the roster. It’s a proud list of names. No room for laggards or poor sports. Every one of the men associated with Bill Barnes has long since proved his worth as a fighter. Cy is ace-high with all of them. A broncho-busting kid on the lonely western plains, a war pilot at sixteen, Texas Ranger, air mail, bathed in blood and steel in every country south of the Rio Grande—Cy Hawkins is a man who knows his way around and can take care of himself in a fight or a frolic. He enjoys the respect and affection of Bill Barnes, Shorty Hassfurther, little Sandy and all the rest of the gang. BB—S COmiclboookX CO