Adventure Magazine Cover, February 3, 1921 — page 63: what you’re looking at

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

The Road to El Dorado They were now crowding about the en- trance of the shed, but before the liquor could be served they heard the voice of a man shouting. All eyes were turned to- ward the mountains whence came the sound, and soon the clatter of flying feet indicated the great haste of the fellow. “Don’t lose your wind. It’s the Parson’s treat,’ bawled one of the roisterers. “Denham! Lucky Denham!’ exelaimed the newcomer, now breaking into the danc- ing light cast by the torches and few lan- terns. ‘Hooray! Here’s Rogers with the welcome word that Lucky Denham’s coming to bust the bank! Where’d you see him, Rogers? How long before he’ll get here? Bet he’s got another sack filled with gold,” cheered Durgin, waving his battered hat wildly. “Ffigh jinks in this town tonight if he has.” “Denham’s dead!” panted Rogers as he burst from the darkness into the light. m™ “DEAD?” dully repeated Kitts, m setting down his dipper. “Are you trying to be funny, Rogers?” “Not ‘less finding a dead man’s funny,” puffed Rogers, grabbing up Kitts’ drink and tossing it off. “I’ve run three miles. Bandy Benton’s staying by the body. Him and me found it. Body’s riddled.” “Robbed, of course,” muttered Kitts. The others seemed to have lost their power of speech. “He had nothing on him. He never comes to camp without dust. Yes, he must have been robbed.” The crowd stirred uneasily. for all when he said: “Tt’s got to be stopped. Half-Mask must go. We must organize. How long ago was Denham killed?” “Bandy says within twenty-four hours. He used to be a hoss-doctor or something in the States, and he claims he can tell.” Kitts turned away from the low counter and announced: “Boys, I ain’t got the heart to be drink- ing while poor Denham lies out there dead. I'll take a couple men and go out and bring the body in. Tomorrow we’ll make a few plans and see if we can’t stretch a few ropes.” “Gang’s probably making headquarters at Hell-on-Wheels,” suggested Rogers, “{ don’t think so,” said Durgin. ‘“T was out there a week and the men were all busy with their gulch mining. They’re Kitts spoke o7 rather rough, but they ain’t up to that kind of work. This robbing and killing business didn’t begin till this ——— Half-Mask blew in. I guess he and his gang hide up in some of the cafions. And I guess his gang is a mighty small one.” “Tl bet they’re Mormons,” said Seely. “Whoever they are, Lucky’s death spoils all chances of our ever finding Lucky’s secret gold-mine,”’ reminded Kitts. ‘“‘So we owe them for that as well as for Lucky’s death.” He had spoken the thought now racing through every man’s mind. Denham had come from his secret treasure-house for the last time. In the past he had arrived from every point of the compass, and had made his return a most fascinating game. Each time he left the town minus his gold the miners had attempted to trail him. While he was carousing in town men were sent out in all directions to hide and watch for him to pass them. All these efforts had been useless. Some of the men once hired an Arapaho to dog his trail. The Indian was found shot through the head, all of which was voted to be an excellent bit of humor on Denham’s part. His brutal taking off therefore not only brought stern civic resentment, but also a sense of great financial loss. So long as Denham lived and continued his visits to town there was always a chance of some one discovering his hidden diggings. Once that was accomplished there would be an exodus which would leave Denver empty. Now he was dead each man in the commu- nity considered himself to have been robbed of a fortune. Natchez hazarded the suggestion that Denham’s slayers had learned the secret. The miners scoffed at the idea. Denham was killed while on his way to town with a bag of dust. He was shot down for what was on his person—a pitiable retail brand of thieving when compared with the magnificent stakes to be won by successful tracking. Rogers now amended his original report to include the significant fact that the dead man’s weapons were found in his belt, loaded. This proved he was attacked from behind and taken completely unaware. “Didn’t even have a chance to draw a gun!” sorrowfully commented Durgin. “Unless the man who held him up was J COMMICLOOOkKSs (C@