Adventure Magazine Cover, February 3, 1921 — page 48: what you’re looking at

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

42 the forward wagon, greatly excited and completely puzzled as to what it all meant. “Injuns quit,” cried Joe. start Pll scout after ’em a few miles to make _sartain; then ye can hitch up an’ straighten out, Laramie.” “My snake medicine done it,” boasted Reason. Th’ runt sartainly had strong medicine,” affirmed Joe to the bewildered men. “Now ye all jest wait an’ I'll git my hoss an’ ride over the ridge.” “But M’sieu Joe! It is ver’ grand magic!” exclaimed Laramie. “Tt’s a mighty smooth game if it works,” agreed Natchez dubiously. , ‘Vas, if it works,” sneered Red Shirley. “Seein’s believin’,” curtly suggested Rea- son, nodding toward the Indians who were * making up the ridge. Joe procured his horse and slowly rode down the trail. Arriving at the point where the parley had been held, he turned up the ridge and disappeared among the pines. At the end of an hour he cantered back, swinging his hat and announcing: “Cleared out! ye want to, Laramie.” But now that the Indian menace was eliminated, Laramie Pete found he had fresh trouble on his hands. The teamsters and wagon-men had withdrawn and dis- cussed the situation among themselves. Now they swarmed around the trader, Red Shirley acting as spokesman. He truculently began— “This business has teached us, Laramie, that we can’t take this train no farther.” This astounding announcement left La- ramie Pete speechless fora moment. Then he managed to protest: “But, M’sieu Shirley, la Rouge! wagons filled wismy goods! Behold them “Behold nothin’ ’cept our ha’r,”’ returned Shirley. ‘We won’t risk our sculps jest to save four wagons o’ trade goods, No, siree! Ain’t that right, boys?” The readiness and heartiness with which the rough chorus of approval greeted this decision showed its careful rehearsal. Quivering though he was with rage and with fear of losing his goods, Laramie made a mighty effort to remain calm. After a struggle he reminded the others: “We meet at Fort Laramie. I say my wagons need men. You say you get men and take my wagons through. You say My |»? “Soon’s they | Ye can pull stakes when . Adventure ‘you want to go to the new gold-fields. Ver’ anxious to go. and be my wagon-boss. Is it not so?” ‘“‘No use chawin’ over that,” growled Shirley. “I was keen to come; an’ ain’t I here? But when th’ whole Kiowa nation begin hootin’ an’ shootin’ I’m through with wagons. These men are good fellers at scratchin’ pay gravel, but they don’t hanker to fight Injuns. Ye can pack some o’ th’ truck on mules, burn th’ rest, an’ strike into th’ hills with us.” “We're all through with standin’ off Injuns, mister,’”’ bawled one of the men. California Joe took him by the neck, threw him to one side and asked— “How many men can ye count on, Laramie, besides me ’n’ Reason?” Laramie tore his hair and wailed— “Myself, Natchez, Old Missouri, and— that’s all, M’sieu Joe.” “Ye can count on me,” spoke up a man whose thin face wore a perpetual expression of melancholy. “Merci, M’sieu Long Slim! You E-count in,” said Laramie, smiling radiantly. “T can drive. JI can shoot,” cried Miss June, her face flushed with indignation at the behavior of the men. Natchez, who had been listening with a twisted grin marring his face, now sidled toward Red Shirley and advised— “Hold them to their contract with the point of a gun, Papa Laramie!” : “No, no,” protested Joe. ‘They ain’t worth what water there is in Tom an’ me will stick along. Takes us a little out of our way, but that don’t count. Let these skunks cut loose when they will. Ye may have to burn yer wagons, Laramie, but not yet. How’s that, Tommy, ol’ hoss?”? Reason hung his head, then stele a shy glance at the vivacious Miss June and chuckled foolishly. “Yep, Laramie. Tommy will stick,” dryly assured Joe. “Hitch up an’ strike due west, where we can soon find good grass an’ water. Then we’ll camp an’ make plans for tomorrer.”’ CHAPTER VI ON THE WAY TO CHERRY CREEK HE route of the little caravan was now nearly due west, following a course to be soon covered by the stage-coach, when Russell, Majors and Waddell would establish EGOMIGIOOKS EO)