Adventure Magazine Cover — page 86: what you’re looking at

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

76 These crimes were often accompanied by murder. The fact that the unwritten law justified the shooting of a man found seated on 4 stolen horse did not check the stealing of horses. As if these depredations by law- less whites were not enough for the basin to endure there were the Indians viciously active. The creation of a new military sub- division for Nevada and the Owen’s River valley in California was expected to put an end to the red men’s raids on the traffic between those regions and Idaho. The efheiency of this protective service was sup- posed to be doubly insured when Charles McDermitt, the man who went to the rescue of the immigrants in the Modoc country in Fifty-two, was named commander. But despite this veteran’s efforts the Indians hampered the California road traffic throughout the Spring and Summer of ’Sixty-five.* They were bold enough to attack a saddle-train on Jordan Creek and a wagon train at Farewell Bend, secur- ing mules in both raids. Sheriff D. C. Updyke found the social status of Boise City very pleasing as he sat in his office near the Tusk Saloon and listened to the reports of his deputies. A discord was struck when Deputy Gamby reported that a certain rancho keeper, who had been “robbed” by parties unknown of thirty head of horses entrusted to his care by miners, was refusing to split the profits. “He says he’s afraid to make a move till the owners git through hunting for the nags. Says he thinks he’s more’n half suspected. He says that after things have quieted down he’ll produce the stock for us to sell.” ‘“‘He’ll turn the hosses over now, or he’ll quit keeping a rancho,” growled the sheriff. “You take Dollinger and go down there and tell him them’s my orders. If he holds back Ill arrest him as hoss-thief and hang him.” “Tf you arrest him he’ll tell things. The town will set their vigilant committee to working and some of his blabbing will be believed. Better strike a bargain with Jem Iielm. Wash your hands of it and let Jem put it through. Then if there’s any blabbing it will be against Helm and his gang.”’ Updyke snapped his finger scornfully. “Send Helm? You’re crazy. Chances are Helm put him up to hiding the stock and holding it out on us. Let him talk and be . If I arrest him he won’t have any *McDermitt was ambushed and killed by Indians at Queen River on August II, 1865 . Adventure time to talk. ‘We'll turn him off ourselves and lay it to the vigilants. No, Gamby; we don’t want Jem Helm’s fingers in this dish. He’n his gang ain’t showing any hankering .to work in double-harness with us. Take Dollinger and try soft measures. If they don’t work just come back to me for further orders.” Gamby passed out, ill-pleased with his errand. A second deputy approached the sheriff’s table and hoarsely whispered— “Ben Riply’s in town.” Updyke rose from his chair and sat down again. “That little devil! Why didn’t you tell me before?” | “He just come in from up-country.” Updyke scowled heavily. Finally he said: “T ain’t afraid of that rat. I represent law’n order in Ada County. No outsider can tell me what to do even if he does talk for the Payette Committee. He ain’t on his own stamping-ground down here.” ‘““Mebbe he’s here to git Boise to start its committee working again.” Updyke pondered over this suggestion for a few moments and did not relish it. He ordered: “Find Gamby and tell him his business can wait till I learn what Riply’s up to. Swanger, anything new?” Deputy Swanger lounged forward and announced— ““<Sydney Bill’ brought a mare in and sold her to Ferd Patterson.” The sheriff swore furiously. When he could get back to connected speech he declared: “That comes of trusting one of them Australian fellows. He knows our rules; all stock to be turned in.- He knew he hadn’t any right to sell, even to Patterson. If trouble comes he’ll expect us to save his hide. Find out from Patterson what he paid. Tell him I’m asking. I never trusted Bill in money matters.” “Bill ‘lows the mare was so marked as to be recognized easy. ‘Told me he thought he’d been trailed and didn’t want her on his hands. He says he made the price cheap so Patterson would take her and forget who sold her to him. Of course Patterson under- stands the risk he’s running of losing her if the owner turns up.” “Losing her in Boise City?” jeered Up- dyke. ‘You fellows make me tired. What am I sheriff for? Why is Curks the judge? COIN DOOKS ©