Adventure Magazine Cover — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

Pards the lower lake. There was an inch of snow in Red Mountain pass a few miles up the cafion beyond the lakes, but here at the edge of the pine growth the sun was warm with the mellowness of Indian summer. The gambler lost no time in pulling off his boots and socks and bathing his aching feet inthe cold water. Glacier ice had once filled the two depressions now made beautiful by mountain lakes. Goss was admiring the reflections of mountain heights in the per- fect mirror, when the Rabbit gave a low call. Very soon Ellis came running along the shore and shouted with gladness on recog- nizing the gambler. Seizing Goss’ hand he shook it convul- sively and exclaimed: “Lord, but I’ve been lonesome! ‘Too lonesome almost to eat. ‘Thought the Rab- bit would never come. Never dreamed you would be with him. At the best I only looked for some word from you, some bit of advice. It’s. mighty good of you to look me up.’ “You're sizing up the draw entirely wrong,” wearily corrected Goss. “They ran meoutofcamp. Had to go somewhere. Came here. We'll find horses at Camer- on’s ranch and travel easier.”’ “Any letters for me?” Goss shook his head and proceeded to re- sume his socks and boots.- Much of the joyousness vanished from Ellis’ face and it was a minute before he requested details of what had happened in the gulch. While the hunter was making a fire the gambler crisply related all that had happened in Oro City. “Tt was the finding of the counterfeit money that started me walking.” “Tt’s all on account of me,” Ellis mourn- fully regretted. “I’ve brought you bad luck.” Goss believed in good and bad luck, and he winced at the speech. In his mind was -being born the fear that association with the Pilgrim would mean a continuation of bad luck. Yet he endeavored to make his voice hearty as he insisted: “My game was about played out there. Skillings was the man who brought me bad luck. That counterfeit money was the last straw. Do you know who killed Skill- ings?” “Not an idea. The Rabbit woke me up in your shack and told me I had torun. I was not entirely awake until we were well down the gulch. Then I wanted to go back. During the whole trip I believed I was acting foolish. Td done nothing. Then it was too late to turn back. After he left me here yesterday it seemed as if I'd go crazy from worry and loneliness. Now you’re dragged into the mess.” “You didn’t drag me in,” curtly replied Goss. “TI was told to get out after my trouble with Dodge. Then he ran away and I was allowed to stick. But folks remem- bered it. It came easier for them to tell me to go the second time. Yet if they hadn’t found that imitation money I could have finished the season. “No one’s shedding tears over Skillings. Some would like to have him back to hang him, that’s all. But someone started the yarn you must have been in cahoots with him; and it was known you went to my cabin. I was blamed for running aHead of the mob to warn you. The fools! I nearly broke my feet hurrying through the darkness to get you and fetch you to the wagons.” “Just as I said. It’s all along of me!” “Oh, well! The camp’s about played out. Placer mining has seen its rosiest, days in Colorado. If they don’t learn how to handle the quartz these mountains will be dead inside of another year or two. Want to go with me to Denver? Whip King will take you back East in one of his wagon trains.”’ Ellis rested his elbows on his knees and pressed his hands against his head. In a scarcely audible voice he answered: * “To think this is the end of all my high plans! Can’t even stay and try! What will she think?” “Meaning your sister, I suppose. She won’t blame you. You’re not to blame.” “Oh, she would never blame me. matter what I did she wouldn’t blame me, But it all means we'll lose our place. Raised, money on it, you know. God help “Too big a medicine to be wasted on small affairs,’ growled Goss. “Why not help yourself? You’ve got- your legs and arms. No one’s taking your life. You’ve got your sister. If I had a sister! of it is ’m an only child. Quit sniveling and play your hand.” “All right, Goss. You'll hear no more sniveling. But I won’t go back home if I can stay out here without being hung.” Gomicbooks co rt) No-