Adventure Magazine Cover — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

The Spark of Skeeter Bill Tug’s eyes shifted from McClain and he spoke directly to the minister. “Your horse-thief friend promised yuh a lot, I reckon, but I’ll show yuh that Sun- beam appreciates your comin’. Tonight at nine o’clock I'll let yuh preach right in here—here in the Panhandle.” For a moment there was silence—then McClain laughed. It was not a hearty laugh, but a toneless flutter of the vocal cords. The crowd flashed a look at Mc- Clain, but his face had not changed expres- sion. In fact he was not seemingly in- terested in the conversation. Tug’s heavy body stiffened, but he made no move. That laugh annoyed him. “You—you mean that we can _ hold services in here?” faltered the minister. “Y’betcha,” nodded Tug, his eyes still on McClain. “T think it is very kind of you,” said Mary Leeds sweetly. Again McClain’s lips parted in that tone- less chuckle. His eyes lifted and he looked blankly at Tug for a moment and then moved sidewise to the door and went out. The going of Sandy McClain seemed to leave a chill over the place. ‘Gamblers looked at each other meaningly. One of the dance-hall girls drew a hand across her lips, leaving a crimson smudge across her cheek. They all had a feeling that some- thing was going to happen very soon. Mc- Clain was a killer—a rattlesnake which might strike without any warning. There was also Skeeter Bill to reckon with. They looked askance at Mary Leeds, as if blaming her for interrupting the peace of Sunbeam. “Then it is settled,’ said the minister, breaking the quiet, “I shall hold services here this evening, and I want to thank you for your kindness to me and my—er— daughter. Good-day, sir.”’ Mary Leeds turned and followed the old minister outside, while the crowd watched them in silence. Then Tug Leeds laughed loudly. Some of them, appreciating the wit and humor of their king, also laughed, but there was little mirth and no joy in the laughter. IX TF SKEETER BILL stared at the minister. “I—I was just goin’ to start in helpin’ yuh,” stammered Skeeter .foolishly. “I thank you,” said the old minister kindly. “It was fine of you not to forget me, but I do not think I will need any assistance. Things are progressing very nicely.”’ “Vuh got started already?” “Yes, indeed. Miss—er—my daugh- ter & “Miss Leeds,”’ corrected Skeeter, as the minister hesitated at the sight of Judge Tareyton standing behind Skeeter. ‘‘The judge sabes the whole works.” ‘Ah, yes,” nodded the minister; “TI see. As I was saying, she has been of very much service to me today. I was a trifle dubious over the reception accorded me, don’t you see. I talked with the estimable Mrs. Porter and she suggested that I—er— preach on the street. I could see the wis- dom of such a course at once. ““Miss Leeds and I discussed this, with the result that I prepared several announce- ments for services this evening. Miss Leeds and I proceeded to post these in prominent places. There was no doubt of the sensa- tion these created.” “T reckon not,” drawled Skeeter. “But that is not all,” said the minister triumphantly. ‘Miss Leeds asked the owner of a place called the Panhandle if she might post a notice therein. The man read it, rather curiously, I think, but acquiesced. He talked with Miss Leeds and I for some little time, but at the conclusion of this talk he offered to let us have the use of his entire establishment for the evening. I told him about your kindness to us.” “Keep on talkin’,” said Skeeter seriously. “What did he say about me?” “T told him that you were going to help me and he seemed to be greatly amused. You were very good to us, Mr. Sarg, and I came over to assure you that in spite of any- thing we appreciate your kindness.”’ “In spite of anythin’,” repeated Skeeter. ‘““You’re just as welcome as if you burned your shirt.” For a while there was silence. The minis- ter seemed to be trying to continue the conversation, but lacked fitting words. Skeeter Bill’s gaze slowly swept the rear of visible buildings and came back to the minister. “Yuh don’t know what that man’s name was, do yuhP”’ “They called him Mr. Tug, I think.” “Mr. Tug,” said Skeeter slowly. “I know him.” Comiicloookks C@