Adventure Magazine Cover, December 18, 1919 — page 135: what you’re looking at

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

Playing Safe in Piperock Yuma, who is arguing with a gun in his hand. “T don’t sabe this play,” says Magpie, wondering-like. “Appears to be a one- sided proposition with Half-Mile on the weak end, Ike.” Just then we sees Half-Mile make a break for liberty, and Yuma’s gun whangs out loud and clear. If he hit Half-Mile he didn’t get him in a vital place, ‘cause he sure is hitting the high spots. Magpie unhooks with his gun and I sees Yuma’s hat spin off his head. By the time I gets into action Yuma is hived up behind a tree, and his first shot cuts three shells out of my belt. Magpie was a danged fool to miss his first shot, ’cause cover is mighty scarce on the side of that hill. “Danged assassin !”’ yelps Magpie and spins lead past that tree so fast that Yuma don’t dare to look out. “Shoot a unarmed man, will you?” And then his gun clicks on a empty shell. “Give him but I wasn’t giving anything away right then. I was trying to get my head down behind a rock which only stuck three inches out of the ground. Ytima must ’a’ got excited, ’cause his shots were all going high, and as soon as he shoots six times I breathes a Sigh of relief. Just then a hunk of “lead comes from another direction and knocks the plug of tobacco out of my hip “pocket. Then I hears Yuma yell: . “Get above ’em, Half-Mile! need to be teached a lesson.” ‘“Half-Mile, are you all right?’ yelps Magpie. “Tf you don’t think T am, hang on to yourself for a minute!” replies Half- Mile from above us. They “King’s X!” I whoops. “Mistake here!” “Two mistakes,” yells Yuma. “Who in thunder are you fellers ?” ‘Magpie and Ike.” “Oh!” says Yuma. “Sorry I missed.” Then the four of us stands up te looks at each other. “Howdy, Magpie. Howdy, Ike,” sv Half-Mile. “Nice day today.” “Great,” agrees Magpie. “Howdy, Yuma. How’s your folks?” “Yuma. , Ike!” yelps Magpie,. 121 “If I had any they’d be tolable, ” says “Thanks just the same.” “You spoiled the best start I ever had,”’ complains Half-Mile. “No, he didn’t,” argues Yuma. “You beat the gun, Half-Mile.” “Not understanding the event and wishful to be wiser,” says Magpie, “T asks would you elucidate the why and the wherefor of this peculiar con- duct, Yuma?” “Feet racin’,” says Half-Mile. “I’m practising. Getting pretty fast.” “Uh-huh,” says Magpie. “You hav- ing any success in racing with a bul- et %3 “Racing with ——!” He stares at Magpie. “Think I’m a danged fool?” - “All depends on your answer, . Half- Mile.” “Aw gun I runs as fast as I can, sabe?” “How many times have you done it to- day?” I asks. “Stx, wasn t it, Yuma?” “Seven.” “And you ain’t hit him yet? Let me try just once, Yuma.” “Half- Mile,” says Yuma, “these shep- herds don’t know nothing. Let’s go home.” E didn’t try to stop ’em. We punched our burros into line and at the main road we meets “Scenery” Sims. Scenery: “beat Magpie for the sheriff's office, and this is the first time we've met him in his official capacity. He’s my idea of nothing to see nor hear, being as he never growed to man’s estate and his voice sounds like rubbing a tin can over a rock. “He, he, he! hadn’t heard about it,” he squeaks, “Fill our ears, Scenery,” says Magpie, rolling a smoke. “Biggest thing you ever heard about, Magpie. Believe me, I’m the party re- sponsible for it all. Piperock needs you fellers.” “That’s plenty for me,” says Il. “I’m going back the other way. I’ve been butchered to make a Piperock holiday, and any old time that Piperock needs me, I’m absent.” “Hear about it anyway, Ike,” urges ses Se “Go ahead, Scenery.” 3? EO MMIG WOO KS, f When Yuma shoots the. a a nn Te ~ * = - : Rowe yop Me as a. a _ — le en” a oe. ee Was afraid eats you — (E@) ng og ean h ree” a ar oe,