Adventure Magazine Cover, October 10, 1921 — page 116: what you’re looking at

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

106 Boozy’s thirst revealed undreamed-of possibilities, and he scowled sympathetically as Kelly cursed the doctor. “He bawled me out over that other deal we had, and it was straight asa string. I’d give a lot to sting him again in the same place. What about this mine? D’you believe that about the lost vein?’ ‘““Hain’t seen it. But if the tale’s true, you'd be a millionaire. Doc will sell— even to you. He’s hard up, an’ the mine ain’t yieldin’ him nothin’. I’ve heard things—Oh, I guess the gold’s there.” “Where is the mine?” Kelly was leaning forward, quivering with excited greed. “None o’ yer business!” “Aw, look here, Boozy! I’ll be square with you! I’ll pay you fifty now, and fifty more if I find the true vein!”’ “Haw, haw, haw!” Boozy’s laughter al- “‘A hundred bucks, Gimme a most upset the table. an’ I offers you a real clean-up! drink!”’ “Well, if that don’t suit you, what do you want? I’m reasonable, old man. Name your price. I can’t do more than say no, can I?” He poured liquor with noisy effectiveness. ‘‘Have another drink?” “You go to blazes!’’ shouted Boozy; but he drank the whisky. “You'll give me five hundred now, an’ five hundred more when ye find the real vein, or I’ll blow the gaff to Doc. I ain’t makin’ you rich out 0’ brotherly love. Ye might offer me fifty for a ordinary tip, if I didn’t know yer game. But I’m givin’ yer tip, game, an’ all; an’ I know too much to sell cheap. Put up or shut up!” He was sitting straight up now. His fiery whiskers bristled, and his face wore so truculent an air that Kelly’s backward lunge almost resulted in a fall. He had never known the rum-shot old tramp to be so fierce; therefore he assumed Boozy must have a good thing, to fight so hard for a big rake-off. “Five hundred!” Kelly wailed. got that much with me!” “Dirty liar!’ Boozy snarled. A_ swift move of his right hand drew the promoter’s eyes to a menacing little round hole, black and deadly, hugged close to the tramp’s hip. Kelly’s hands went up. “Just bring out that cash box I see on yer cot. Don’t try any shenanigans. Open it! That’s right. Wow! Didn’t Isay ye wasa liar? Now hand over a thousand—quick! “Thaven’t I’m goin’ to sleep!”’ Adventure Good! Now ye’ll hand me another thou’ when ye see the gold. Yes or no? That’s the talk!” “Take that gun away! You’ve got your money. You'll give it back if I don’t like the looks of the mine?” = ‘Sure!’ Boozy folded the bills slowly, stuffed them in his one sound pocket, and tossed his weapon on the table in front of Kelly. It was an empty pint bottle. Kelly swore; but his scowl faded as the tramp gave him the last particulars of the old King mine. He had not seen the gold- bearing vein himself; but a_half-witted native who had assisted in its walling-up swore it was there, and hadn’t sense enough to lie. Kelly could get the native to go with him and show him all over the mine. If he found the gold, all right; if not, he need not buy, and Boozy would return the advance thousand. The native mozo wasn’t really foolish—just simple. the vein than any one else, and wouldn’t blab. “Bring him round here tomorrow!”’ Kelly urged. ‘Nothin’ doin’. You’re goin’ to give me five quarts more o’ booze, an’ I’m goin’ off on a three-day spree. When I’m sober, I’ll bring the native. Then you an’ him can look over the mine, an’ talk with Doc. =< DOCTOR ANGUS McWHINNIE was in his den, lovingly composing He knew more about mms his mornin’s mornin’ behind the . door. had poured this libation at the shrine of During all his years in Honduras he Bacchus. He was nota toper. There was not enough liquor in the republic for that. This was a rite—not a habit, nor an appe- tizer. He alone knew, and he jealousy guarded, the secret of that peg. Its success was attested by the many reunions held in his den in the early mornings. He was just pouring the last item, and glorying in his work, when a frowsy face peered in at the door. “Hey, Doc!’ cried a “Where are ye hidin’?” “I’m here, in body an’ speerit, an’ gettin’ rready tae pit speerits in the body. I'll hae to mix anither noo.” The doctor’s rugged features jutted out from behind the door. He grinned amiably. “Hello, Boozy! What ill wind blaws ye in‘sae earrly?”’ thick , voice. NOOK C@