Adventure Magazine Cover, June 20, 1925 — page 136: what you’re looking at

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

118 “Not to amount to anything yet. A month ago only six people here. But we'll brighten up a lot after the boys get back. Feeling lucky?”’ “Just want to be doing something.” Hall cast a shrewd glance at the polished boots and carefully fitted coat and lowering his voice informed: “T can tell you where to find a game so long as you ain’t fighting battles for North or South. Those men making for Texas aren’t at Chandler’s place yet. They’re stopping less ’n two miles south of here on Grape creek. Wild bloods, full of fight. Two were in here and bought grub, whisky and cards. All have dust. But probably they won’t welcome any one not of their own way oi thinking.”’ - “Thanks. I’m a fine thinker.” The door of the saloon flew violently open and abruptly stopped the talking at the bar. A small man with a bristling beard that sug- gested the quilled coat of a hedgehog fairly hurled himself over the threshold and across the room to the group of drinkers. Goss glimpsed two furtive forms just outside the door and at first thought they had been pursuing the newcomer. ‘This belief was dispelled as the men outside advanced closer until the bar-rom light touched their faces long enough for him to recognize them as Ancient Days and the man he had known as Big Bones. As if wishing to avoid recog- nition they stepped out of the lane of lights and did not enter. The little man sounded an inarticulate cry of disgust and slammed a heavy bag on the bar and announced: “Everlasting fortune gone to no good. Can’t do a thing with it?” Hall nudged Goss and whispered: ~ “Gabriel Bowen from the oil springs a few miles down the river. Been bragging all summer about owning a pure lead mine. Fussed with it mighty mysterious all the season. Some of the boys tried to trail him but never learned anything except it’s some- where in Wet Mountain Valley.” He broke into a chuckle and nodded toward the window, then said: “By God- frey! I saw Ancient peeking in. Bet he’s been following Bowen.” The white-haired man with southern leanings was now demanding— ‘Meaning you ain’t got any mine?” “Look at it!’ snorted Bowen, pawing the bag open. “Can’t doa thing withit. Any ! It’s ‘Adventure one can see it oughter be pure lead. But when I tried to melt it down for bullets it’s too hard. I vow! I don’t know what we poor miners are coming to when the stuff we find plays such queer capers.”’ The bartender picked up a handful of the exhibits and scratched a piece on the bar. His verdict was— “No good. Harder’n ‘And a season’s work thrown away and me needing a grub stake!” wailed Bowen. “Why, good land! I’ve counted on this stuff as you’d depend on Denver-minted gold pieces. Mister Hall, I’m in hard luck again.” “The account 1s pretty long, Gabriel, but I won’t see you starve,’’ assured the pro- prietor. ‘“‘You’d better go back to washing out dust.” “We all oughter know what this stuff is,” said the bartender. ‘‘Take it over to the new assayer in the morning. It'll be a big satisfaction to learn what it is, now we know what it ain’t.” “Ya-ah!”’ snarled Bowen. ‘After work- ing all summer to be paid by being told some finnefied name of worthless ore. George, ’m going to sell that mine to you for fifty dollars’ worth of grub. ‘Then hopefully— ‘“Mebbe there’s diamonds in it.” Hall shook his head firmly and re- plied: “Mining isn’t my business. Most the paying mines are lost mines and Ancient Days will locate all of those. The rest are mostly holes in the ground that you can’t even use for wells. Id rather have you owe me fifty dollars more than to own your mine, Gabriel.”’ Goss stepped to the bar and examined several pieces of the ore. Bowen eyed him eagerly and urged: “Another may find a fortune where I’ve lost out, friend. I’m in sore need of fifty dollars besides George’s extra credit. Vl put down on paper just how to find that mine or take you to it for fifty dollars.” “Tamagambler. I know nothing about ores,” said Goss. “But fifty dollars will never make or break me. If Hall vouches for you I'll pay fifty for the claim. We won't make a secret of it. Ii any of these gentlemen want to work it before I get around to it they are perfectly welcome. I'll leave the money with Mr. Hall. He’ll give it to you after you've written down directions for Anding the spot.” my COMIGDIOOKSEEO