Adventure Magazine Cover — page 35: what you’re looking at

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

A Pot of Gold he asked the lank, cheerful citizen known as Tennessee. The other laughed somewhat harshly. ““‘What’s the use?” “This country may be civilized some day. Then you'll have legal possession. Things can’t be like this forever, can they?”’ “T dunno. time.” “Well, conditions have to change some time, haven’t they?” The other scratched his head. ““Mebbe there’s somethin’ init. I dunno. Tell the other fellers. Hey, Bill—Jim— Hank—come here!” : Several well-armed ruffians in checked shirts and overalls sauntered up, and Tom repeated his talk. The men looked thought- ful. They were in a horrible plight. They were fed, but that was all. Ill-clad, penni- less, dispirited, with no joy in the past, no outlook for the future and no funds to get out of the country, they were likely to cling to these claims desperately because the claims were their only hope. They listened to Tom because he sug- gested a tighter hold on the properties. Legal methods hadn’t been thought of. “Think it over,” advised Tom. ‘Forma sort of a mine-owners’ association. Let each man file on his claim while the others protect it. Make it a community propo- sition.”’ The crowd blinked thoughtfully. “But how about Red?” asked Tennessee. “He’s sore. He ain’t got no claim.” “Well, make him secretary or some- thing. Offer him a percentage of profits. Why have him fight against you when he can fight for you?” “Red can’t write.” “Oh, well, give him the job and let some- body else do the work.” Tom said it half-jokingly, but the crowd seemed impressed. wee Francisco were about through. ~ They were hired to make only a cursory investigation anyhow. The men speeded back to Escalante with Tom, rav- ing about the mine. This fast examination, even by experts, proved that they were sent by a gambling promoter whose methods were casual and very speedy. But though Tom sensed this It looks like they’ll last a long. ~ THE two mining experts from San. 25 he was in no position to look the gift horse in the mouth. He wanted action. The quickest action came from Jed Hill. “What’s this I hear about a mine-own- ers’ association?” asked Hill, stopping Tom at the Escalante post-office. “It’s true.” “Well, I don’t like people monkeyin’ with my men. Two or three of those darned fools have filed on their claims already.” “Well, what of it?” “T’ll tell you what of it. Some fellers have been gettin’ too independent lately. I hear it from every side. Then you come along and put new notions in their heads. I can’t afford it, see? You keep hands off or you and me’s goin’ to have trouble.” And Hill turned on his heel and strode away. Tom started straight back to his claim. He saw that his position was almost un- tenable, but he couldn’t let go. His job was to hold the mine. If he could forestall opposition from Hill’s gang up there he had a fighting chance. He made his plans ac- cordingly. Some one fired at him from ambush dur- ing his journey; but after an inconclu- sive argument he arrived safely at the mine. “You’re lucky,” remarked Tennessee: “Finley’s whole gang’s out. All except Finley. They’re tryin’ to block the roads. Shot an Injun prospector yesterday.”’ “What do they expect to gain by that?” ““Mebbe they figger we won’t get supplies bimeby.” “Well, we'll let Finley go for a while. I’ve something more important to say.” Tom looked about the motley, half- ged crowd. “If some one came along and offered you decent jobs what would | you do?” The lank Tennessee smiled whimsically. “T used to believe in Santy Claus but not very long. The chimleys was all too nar- row. It couldn’t be done.” ‘“‘No? Well, suppose I represented a big mining-corporation that was coming down here to work this property. Then what?” There was a long silence. The munching of a horse could be heard insistently from a near-by corral. “Ts that true?” challenged Tennessee at length. “No. Not yet. They’re working on the COmiclbook C©