Adventure Magazine Cover, October 10, 1921 — page 43: what you’re looking at

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

The Silent Captain. The ditch was some distance away and bordered by a row of tall trees. A form could be seen stumbling into the ditch. It . was Lopez. Another form, nearer to Wilcox, strode toward the line of trees, with something that glinted dully in its hand. “Now I got you!” came an exultant cry from the ditch. There was a streak of yellow flame and a sharp report. The dark form of Steve Adams halted and a line of fire streaked from his six-shooter. Suddenly a volley flared from the ditch. Half a dozen weapons exploded in unison. There was a yell of triumph. Steve fired in return, just as he pitched forward to the . ground. The tragedy took every one by surprize. There was silence for three quivering seconds. “My !? shrieked Tupper. ‘“‘Am- bushed! You call this fair play? Come on, boys! At ’em!’”’ Tupper’s pistol started banging. There was a noise of bodies running forward toward the ditch. Some one else fired. More joined in. The crackling and banging now resembled firecrackers. and seemed to take stock of itself. Some- one dropped with a grunt. The shooting became frantic. There was a confusion of yelling, howling and cursing. Someone alongside Grant Wilcox seemed to let off a young cannon. The concussion made his ear ring. Some- thing whipped through the air beside him. He didn’t notice it. From the ditch came lines of flame, flashing, flashing, flashing like devil’s tongues out of the darkness of the Pit. They came from farther away, and still far- ther, as if retreating. The murderers were making their get- away! Wilcox cupped his hands. “Charlie! Pete! Sam!’ he roared back- ward toward the barn. ‘Ride a circle around them! Get every man!” Before the startled crowd could under- stand, there was a yell and the clatter of horses’ hoofs. A cavalcade rushed from behind the barn. The great, dark mass started off to the left. It thundered across the ditch and tore onward like mad. Suddenly their weapons flashed. The assassins were flanked by a ZAKIng fire. They realized their plight too The line halted 33 There were yells and screams and confusion. Some one started running be- tween the distant riders. There was a crunch as a horse rode him down. Shots came from the ground and into the ground. Tupper, Wilcox and the others who faced the ditch went forward, trying to piece the thing together, but the action was too con- fused. It was a mess of trampling horses, dodging men, pistol shots and yells. In the far distance came the pounding of hoofs that had half completed the circle. A form again tried to dodge between the horsemen. There was a last shot. The form subsided. Then came silence except for the horses’ hoofs making a return circle. “Boss!”? yelled Tupper. ‘“Cap’n! We got ’em!”’ But Wilcox wasn’t listening. He was bending over Steve Adams, who was cough- ing with a bullet in his lung. Lanterns flashed behind them. Voices called. There were feminine cries. People had poured out of the ranch-house. The music was silent. Swaying lights and shadows fell on the faces of an awe-stricken crowd. A lantern flared on the side of a great white barn where a cluster of people was gathered around a gasping man. The ranch-house windows and the porch was crowded. Women with shawls over their heads chattered excitedly. A lantern’s light fell on Wilcox and Adams. There was a rustle of skirts. ‘Stevie!’ screamed Daphne. She rushed up, knelt, took his head in her lap and stroked his forehead. She was not coquettish any more as she looked up at the boss with mute questioning. Steve’s face seemed to light at the touch of her. The boss arose. “Take care of him, girl,” he grunted. “You can do better than I can.”” And he patted her head and strode away. Tupper came up with a lantern. Behind him were the Wilcox riders, stern-faced and carrying six-shooters in their hands. Their horses were snorting and white-eyed, lacerated with the rowels of spurs. “Phil got it!’ choked Tupper. ‘Shot right ‘longside you! Oh, the ——-——- ——_! Thank we got ’em all!” “Tt was the boss done it,” muttered Wind River Pete. “TI didn’t know why he wanted us to mount. I know now!” “I knew there was treachery,” Wilcox. late. said DOO) S C@