Adventure Magazine Cover, June 20, 1925 — page 137: what you’re looking at

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

Pards The men laughed, amused at the sugges- tion any of them at the end of the season would waste time on Bowen’s secret lode. the bartender did not join in the mirth, however. He rather resented Goss’ su- perior clothes and shiny boots. He per- sisted: “Better take it over to the new assayer. He’s a hellion at finding out things about rocks.” @ BOWEN fingered his bristling \ beard and stared undecided at A the black lumps. As he gazed he = saw visions, like a crystal gazer. His hopes danced before his eyes in con- crete pictures. The pieces of ore took on facets and radiated blue and white lights. With a deep breath he mumbled: “Thanks, friend. Don’t think I'll sell. If it should be diamonds I’d feel cheap to have sold a mountain of them for fifty dollars.”’ And he hurriedly began replacing the ore in the bag. Goss asked for beer and invited the com- pany to name their preference, and after finishing his glass stepped outside. Close by, but hidden by the thirty foot bank, flowed the Arkansas. In infinite space overhead burned the stars, vivid as tiny suns. The light was sufficient for the gambler to detect a figure slipping around the corner of the building. He quickly turned the opposite corner and came upon two men standing by a window. “It’s Nate Goss, Ancient. Isaw you and Hasty through the door. I wish to have a word with you.” “You know me but I don’t know you,” spoke up Hasty. “Good gracious, Joe! If it ain’t Goss, the card player. Who’d thought we’d ever meet down here. Shake hands with him, Joe. He’s allright. And, Goss, my friend is one of the best men ever in the moun- tains. I met him down the valley from California Gulch.” And he poked his fist sharply into Goss’ ribs. ‘“‘Now let’s step aside but keep near enough to watch this place. You can talk before Joe. No secrets from him.” Hasty accepted Goss as a stranger and the gambler said— “T’m glad toymeet you, Bones.” “Look here, mister. You're gitting ac- quainted too fast,” warned Hasty. “Only 119 friends can call me that, and they know I don’t like it.” Ancient poked Goss for the second time and explained—. “It’s a foolish nick name Joe don’t take to. 9) “T’m not against nicknames as a rule, but. I don’t like that one,” said Hasty. “It sounds foolish.” “Tl remember, Mr. Hasty. Now sup- pose we walk over in front of Dr. Reid’s drug store.’ As they crossed the street Ancient Days kept glancing over his shoulder, and mur- mured: “Tt’s that Gabe Bowen. He’s located something rich and we allow to be close to the discovery claim.” “His lead mine is a joke. He doesn’t know what he found, but it isn’t lead. He’s very much discouraged,” informed Goss. “Offered to sell it for fifty dollars, then de- cided to have it assayed. But there’s noth- ing there for you to trail.” “Tl be derned!” grunted Ancient. ‘We'd done better, Joe, to have saved our feet in- stead of following him.” ‘‘Season’s too late for us to stay out much longer. We'll happen around at the assay- er’s place in the morning. You two have your pow-wow while I fill and smoke.” - He walked close to the lighted window and whittled a pipe of tobacco. Goss abruptly began— “You know your river?” . “Ought to, seeing it’s mine. Joe’n me are going down there soon. He got his senses back about fifteen miles down the Arkansas, or about the spot where he was took by the spell that made him hunt cover in California Gulch. He don’t remember anything about being in the gulch. That’s why he don’t remember you.” “That ranch you own. It’s occupied.” “Like it is!’ fiercely cried Ancient, sucking in his breath with a hissing sound. “T stil carry a long knife in my boot. I'll go down and see the dadbusted claim jumper.”’ “Two of them,” sent them there. ranch down the continued Goss. “TI It’s the Singing Pilgrim and his sister. He’s in trouble and keeping out of sight. The girl came unexpectedly from the east.” For nearly a minute Ancient was speech- less. COMIGEIOOKSEEO