Adventure Magazine Cover, February 3, 1921 — page 56: what you’re looking at

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

50 might as well eat a snack, bury poor Slim an’ stretch out early for Cherry Crick.” CHAPTER VII NATCHEZ GETS ACQUAINTED HE wagons reached Cherry Creek after a half-day haul. They halted only long enough to water the mules in the scattered pools in the bed of the stream and to permit an hour of grazing. Then the journey was resumed down the bank with the dust and sand making the travel very disagreeable. Late afternoon found the train at the ~ foot of a ridge where grew a few cotton- woods and where cold springs bubbled. California Joe informed the party that beyond the ridge was the town of Denver. The mules were turned out to graze and the fire for the evening meal was lighted. While the men were thus employed several parties of prospectors passed the camp, eager to make the new settlement. One miner, a lank Georgian, halted for a few minutes and advised Laramie Pete to rush his goods to town without delay and reap a harvest. Laramie thanked him and explained that his animals-needed rest but that he should finish his journey on the morrow. “Don’t pretend to be advising a man about his own business,” said the South- erner, ‘but being new to this country you’d best look out for the Arapahoes and a few white men whose hands never swung a pick.” “Tnjuns troublesome, partner?” asked Joe. “There’s a thousand Arapahoes camped round Denver and Auraria. In different villages, of course, but near enough to each to join hands if they decided on mis- chief. They’ve behaved all right so far, but some of the men have abused them, and they won’t stand much more without hitting back. “We fellers that come here first got along all right with them. Now they’re scared for their lands after seeing others pile in. When the real rush comes there’ll be trou- ble. Just now they’re feeling ugly at what the chaps over in Hell-on-Wheels have been doing to them. Once they start fighting they won’t stop to learn who’s friendly and who’s crooked, but take hair as they come to it. Adventure “Then there’s a highwayman who’s been operating recently. Boys call him Half-Mask on account of the black mask that covers his eyes and nose only.” ‘““Hell-on-Wheels,”’ repeated Natchez, his mobile face lighting up. “That sounds mighty interesting. Where is it? What isit?” \ ‘Small colony three miles from Denver over Clear Creek way. Half a dozen wagons turned into lodgings and filled with some tough customers. Work hard at mining, but rough by natur’. They’ve shot up several Indians. | “So long. See you all tomorrow. My name’s Martin—Stubby Martin. . Anything I can do, call on.” Miss June retired at sundown, weary from the day’s hardships. The men smoked in silence about the fire, each wondering what lay ahead of them beyond the ridge. Laramie and Natchez, in common with the trappers, speculated on their chances of meeting Red Shirley. The trappers, as a separate source of thought, wondered if Old Oakes and his mad Indian were in or near Denver. The community that lived in wagons would be a likely place for him to establish his headquarters. It was still early in the evening when Natchez rose and announced: ‘“Reckon Vl climb up the ridge and see what it looks like on t’other side. Any one want to go along?” “YT must stay here with ma fille,” replied Laramie. “Better turn in and get an early start in the morning.” ‘“‘We’re too lazy, Tom ’n’ me,” added Joe. “Say, younker, it’s longer to the top o’ that ridge then it looks. Better wait till sun-up.” Natchez laughed in derision and strode from the camp, calling back that he could not sleep and that the walk would do him good. He covered the ground rapidly, but the ridge retreated as he advanced. He began to wish he had remained in camp; but to return and confess that he had been deceived in estimating the distance ent against his proud spirit. So he doggedly kept on until he stood on the ridge. Down below twinkled a few lights where Denver and its rival, Auraria, stood -with the dry bed of Cherry Creek between them. A half-circle of mountains formed the back- ground, and from the infant settlements one could soon lose himself in any one of half a dozen cafions. Gomichdooks (C@