Adventure Magazine Cover — page 173: what you’re looking at

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

The Sheriff but I’m if I know what yuh mean.” “Don’t ask him,” begged Silent. ‘‘Brick’s a danged Injun, with a Greek tongue, when it comes to lettin’ folks in on somethin’ that might interest em. I ain’t no deputy—I’m a chambermaid in the jail. Everything Brick says to me sounds like them conun- drum things which you’re supposed to guess at. “T’m all through guessin’. Here he comes skyshootin’ in with a couple of prisoners breakin’ trail for him and a couple of rusty horseshoes tied to his saddle. ‘Moral effect,’ says he. Work with their hands. Huh!” ‘““Give Brick two shepherds and a couple of horseshoes and he sure can compose some tune,” drawled Harp. “TI ain’t no puzzle rustler, but I trails my bets with Brick.” ‘An hour later the sheep-hunting cattle- men rode back into town, and with them came Doc Meyers in Wesson’s buckboard. Brick stood in the doorway and watched them drive up to the saloon hitch-rack. Silent and Harp were quarreling over a two- handed game of seven-up. “One man shy,” observed Brick, noticing that Lynn Barnhardt was not with them. Silent and Harp left their game and came to the door. Lafe Freeman rode away from the rest and came straight to the office, where he dismounted slowly and came up to Brick. “Scott Martin died about an hour ago,” he stated softly. “Died?” gasped Brick. Silent and Harp moved in closely, their faces expressing disbelief. ‘“‘Uh-huh,”? nodded Lafe sadly, looking back at the men going into the Dollar Down. “For ’s sake!’ breathed Brick. gee LAFE turned and put his hand on ‘ sy! Brick’s arm. ras “‘T ain’t advisin’ nothin’, son, but under the circumstances I wish you'd come out to the ranch tonight. Kinda give ’em a chance to cool off, yuh understand.” Brick looked queerly at Lafe. “Do I look like a runner?” “It ain’t that,” faltered Lafe. ‘‘Lord knows you ain’t no front-runner, Brick. But look at this right, can’t yuh? You ain’t got no alibi, have yuh?”’ ‘“‘No-o-o. I can’t prove nothin’, Lafe, but I ain’t goin’ to run away. I thought a lot of Scott Martin. Would they try to hang me? None of them cared for Martin. of Sun-Dog 163 Ain’t they goin’ to give me a chance to prove that I didn’t do it?” “Human bein’s ain’t no better than wolves, Brick. Will yuh come out to the ranch and let ’em cool off?” “After I resign,” said Brick slowly. “Voorhies is the boss of the county com-_ missioners, so I reckon he can accept it.” Brick went into the office and wrote his resignation; wrote it short and to the point: I’m through with this sheriff job right now. Brick DAVIDSON. Brick showed it to Lafe. “Y’m goin’ to present it right now,” he announced, starting toward the saloon. “Go easy, son,” advized Lafe. ‘Keep cool and don’t forget you ain’t alone in this deal.”’ Brick smiled. Lafe Freeman was more like a father to him than any man had ever been, and the old cattleman’s cool head had saved Brick from making a fool of himself many times. Brick walked into the saloon and up to Voorhies, who was at the bar. The conversation stopped as Brick came in. He and Voorhies faced each other and Voor- hies was the first to turn his eyes away. Brick handed him the resignation, and watched Voorhies read it. ‘Saves askin’ yuh for it,” remarked Voor- hies, and then turned to the crowd. ‘‘Dav- idson has resigned as sheriff of Sun-Dog County.” Seldon grinned. “Mebbe we'll get a sheriff now that won’t insult folks.” “Maybe,” nodded Brick good-naturedly. “Of course it all depends.” “Yuh heard about Martin, didn’t yuh?” asked Voorhies. Brick nodded and walked outside, fol- lowed by Barney O’Mera, who had stood near the door. “Brick,” he said; ‘St ain’t none of my business, but I heard Kane tellin’ Voorhies and Dec Meyers that you was out to the Weepin’ Tree this mornin’, and that you got Martin all excited over somethin’. Doc Meyers said it was likely the excitement that made Martin worse; sabe?” ‘Well, I was talkin’ with Mrs. Wesson and she said that Kane saw how you talked with Martin and that he pestered Martin for an hour or more, asking questions on paper. She said that Martin had to keep his eyes shut to make Kane quit. - It ain’t COIN DOOKS CO@ inn