Adventure Magazine Cover — page 131: what you’re looking at

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

The Lord of the Stony Rises of the lava-flow, came a wail, a cry of dis- may and a song of vengeance, a gust of primitive sound, halting and quavering, and carried on from note to note by the - triple beat of a drum. “Bunches of ’em,”’ Lund went on as they trotted away. ‘Whole tribe on the war- path. But where did they pick up their English? It doesn’t come natural to a desert tribe.”’ “‘No—and they wore clothes, most of them. I wonder—could they be the people off the Towanda reservation?” “Looks that way, and if that’s the case we might as well pack up and get out. We can’t hold ’em off—just the two of us. ! It’s just one darned thing after an- other on this run.” “Exactly,” agreed Rushton. ‘And my knee is going stiff as a board. We aren’t going to pack up and get out though. Not yet anyhow. Something’s gone wrong at Towanda, and from what the blackboy said we’re not wanted here at all. I have an idea the whole thing is a put up job. I wouldn’t be surprized if Burdette——” “He wouldn’t dare——’”’. “We'll soon find out. Tomorrow you'll ride over to the reservation and talk to the man at the wheel. If he’s still alive he’s probably in touch with the Mounted by this time. If he’s dead keep on going until you reach Yorke.” “And you-——” ‘I’m going to stay here and observe devel- opments. If anything goes wrong I'll amble over to Wallen’s place, but I’d rather not. I want to wind up this business all on our own.” When they reached the bark hut Rush- ton’s left leg was swollen and-almost useless. With’ Lund’s assistance he dressed and bandaged it, but the kneecap had been damaged by the blow and little or nothing could be done to alleviate the pain. During the last hours of daylight Lund stacked all their belongings inside the hut. He fetched water, chopped wood, and in his deliberate way tried to make Rushton as comfortable as possible for the three, per- haps four, days he would have tospend alone. While he worked he grumbled. There was no manner of sense, he declared, in leaving a sick man all by himself. Why couldn’t they both ride over to Towanda where they were sure to find medical supplies? I2I “You got fever,”’ he snapped, “and you need a doctor, but I suppose your mind is made up 2: “It is,’ promptly agreed Rushton, strug- gling to keep down the pain. “I don’t want to be pampered, but then I’m really an extraordinary fellow. All I want you to do is to bring back a dozen constables by the shortest route. I’ll be as fit as a fiddle by then. “T’ve an idea Burdette won’t trouble us any more for the present because I’m sure he’s behind this outbreak, or whatever else you care to call it. Trust old Burdette for that!” | “You're raving!”’ “IT don’t doubt it. In the mean time, how much ammunition have I at my disposal? Even if I don’t have to use it, it will be nice to have close at hand.” ‘’ Bout a hundred and fifty rounds for the revolvers and twenty for the shotgun. That’s all.” “An arsenal!” cheered Rushton. ‘Keep an army at bay with that. And I shall lie me down in the doorway and look at our dear, dear cows and think of you——”’ “All right,”’ grunted Lund. “TI better be making tea. I might as well fetch a bit more water.”’ Dusk was closing in as he went down the open slope toward the banks of the stream, shadows were thickening, but one particu- lar shadow that suddenly moved and dis- appeared behind some shrubs at the water’s edge brought him up rigid in his tracks. Then a throwing-stick hissed by just above his head and fell with a rattle among the stones. Waiting for no more,. for he was unarmed, he bolted back uphill. Behind him the shadows came to life, a shower of spears leaped past him, and a shout of tri- umph greeted his flight. “‘They’re out!” he warned Rushton as he reached the hut. ‘We must——” ‘Saddle your horse and clear out,’’ Rush- ton ordered sharply. “It’s the only thing to be done. You know the blacks better than I do—they won’t try to fight at night if there’s no moon. Afraid of ghosts and things. I can hold ’em, don’t worry about me——” “RBut——” ‘“_— you! Get out. They’ll kill the horses if you don’t watch out and then we'll both be done for.” “T don’t like——” cComiclool 1 @)