Adventure Magazine Cover — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

A Pot of Gold Tom saddled a horse and swung into the “desert. He had refused to lead the mine- owners’ association, but now he had to do it. It was his one chance. Arriving in camp, he waved Pete’s letter. “Boys, it’s come. San Franciscgcapital has taken hold of this mine.”’ There was a loud yell, but Tom held up a hand. “It’s a case of fighting. Jed Hill has told me to get out of the country. I’m not go- ing. I’llstay hereand builditup. It may bea fight toa finish. Youcan get into it or stay neutral. Think it over.”’ The crowd considered. reality, they became cautious. black-bearded ruffian spoke. ‘“‘What have you got to offer? ‘Money? Grub? Outfits? Hosses?”’ “Nothing but a million-dollar corpo- ration.”’ ‘‘“How soon can she come down here?”’ “T don’t know. It may be a month, may be a year.” “That’s takin’ a large chance.” “Tt is. It’s a gamble.” “And you're aimin’ to tackle Jed Hill, mebbe?”’ af am.’’ Big Red horned in. “Then I’m for it!” “I’m not so sure,” replied the bearded man. “This feller’s right. It’s a gamble.” “Then I'll gamble.” Tennessee interrupted, addressing Tom. “How about Johnny Finley’s gang block- in’ the roads?” ““We’ll see about that later. a time.” The men wrangled till dusk, but Red and Tennessee finally swayed them. They be- came practically unanimous. Hill’s rule had been too heavy, and altogether too selfish. They were ready for rebellion. At dawn the men saddled horses. Mid- afternoon found the dusty cavalcade riding over a rise that looked down upon the little town of Escalante, whose wooden buildings seemed to stick out of the desert like tiny boxes laid in parallel lines along the main street. The riders went down-hill on a winding road where their horses’ hoofs threw up a mighty column of yellow-brown dust. They arrived at the upper end of the main street and turned into it. They trooped up to the big dance-hall, whose Faced with Finally a One war at 27 porch was fairly well populated with after- noon drinkers. Jed Hill was among them, sitting on a tilted chair, with his brown-and-white vest unbuttoned. When he recognized Tom his chair came forward with a bang. It was a tense moment for Tom. Ahead of him was the most dangerous citizen in the county, surrounded by his underlings. Behind Tom were men who backed him ona sporting chance. He did not know just how far to rely on them. Hill might over- awe them again. Hill stood up truculently. ‘“‘What’s all this? Didn’t I tell you fel- lers to stay up there?”’ “You did,” responded Tom. not going to stay.” He dismounted. So did his crowd. Hill awaited the next play. Tom strode past the head of his horse and ascended the porch. His crowd lined up on the road behind him. “‘They’re “This is a showdown,” he announced. ‘These men represent the Jaguar Cajion Mine-Owners’’ Association. We’ve come to visit you officially. Dve come to visit you personally. Public welfare demands that you’ get out of the country.” : The sheer audacity of it made the on- lookers blink. Hill looked stupefied with amazement. But not for long. He smiled sardonically. Somebody laughed. Another echoed the laughter. “That’s a right smart idea,” nodded Hill. ““Who’s goin’ to do it?” “Tam. You gave me five days to leave. I’m giving you five minutes.” “What?” ‘You heard it.” They glared eye to eye—the manhandling boss of a tough district and the young Westerner from the colleges. Nobody spoke or moved a muscle. Gradually Hill’s brow wrinkled. He just looked puzzled. Tom spoke in a slow, monotonous voice that did not change an infleetiorf: “You have put this country into a hole. You have milked the land dry. You are preventing decent people from coming in. You are standing in the way of every enter- prise except gambling, booze and robbery. As long as you stay there will never be any improvement. Comicbook ©