Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 14, 1928 — page 40: what you’re looking at

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

178 “ Th’ bang of his own shooters must have loosened a rock above him,” the red head muttered. “In a cooped-up place like this th’ jarrin’ from a shot is somethin’ terrible. [ wonder if Jake nailed his man—if he’s lyin’ dead somewheres farther in? But we've got tuh get fake out of here quick—th’ air is awful bad.” It was but the work of a couple of minutes to carry Jake out of the cave into the fresh outside air and hastily turn him over to the care of the anx- ious crowd. Then the red head led his little party back into the cavern to find the bandit who had taken refuge somewhere in- side. . After they came to the spot where they had found old Jake they proceed- ed with the utmost caution, the ham- mers of their guns cocked back, ready to fire at the slightest movement or sound. But they continued into the cavern, which, much to their surprise, extend- ed for more than two hundred yards, without their progress being interrupt- ed. Finally coming to a wall of smooth rock, which seemed to mark the end of the cave, one of the party caught a faint ray of light, over in a small pock- et to the left. Hastening to this point, they found an opening leading into a small gully outside, large enough for a man to crawl through. “That’s the answer!” the red-head- ed leader exclaimed. “ Th’ killer has made his get-away through that thar hole! And it don’t look like Jake winged him at all, ’cause I can’t see a drop of blood anywheres around. But _~what’s this?” The leader dived into a crevice in the rocks and brought out a black rub- ber poncho, holding it up to his com- panions’ gaze. “Tt’s the killer’s poncho!” one of the party exclaimed. “See if thar’s anything else in thar.” The red head bent over the crevice ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. again, throwing out a pair of well- worn moccasins, a torch, a jug of water, and a box of hardtack in turn. “This cave was th’ killer’s hang- out—-sure as you're born!” another as- serted. “He knew he could make his get-away through this here hole when he rushed in. And we thought we had him trapped!” ‘ Let’s crawl outside and take a squint,” the red-headed leader stg- gested. One by one the little party crawled through the small opening into the gul- ly outside, their eyes alert and their guns in their hands. But, as they had expected, the killer was not to be seen. “Tl go back and get th’ rest of th’ boys—lI’ve got th’ torch,” the red head announced. “* You fellows nose around a bit an’ try tuh pick up th’ killer’s trail till we show up.” And the next instant he climbed back into the cave, hastening to the crowd waiting at the mouth. When the red-headed fellow bobbed out from the mouth of the cave he found the crowd bending over Jake, trying to restore him to conscious- ness. . : It was at this point that Jake first opened his eyes, gazing dimly at the throng. “Duck up, old-timer!’ Judge Wil- son cried. “ You're goin’ tuh pull through.” Jake gave a sickly grin. ‘“ Nope, judge, I’m a goner—lI’m slippin’ fast. That rock came right down on my back as I was lettin’ go with my guns. My chest feels all crushed.” “Pull off his shirt, yuh lunk-heads, and see how he’s hurt!” the red head shouted as he made his way through the crowd. Several sprung to Judge Wilson’s assistance and gently: removed Jake’s red flannel shirt. As the last sleeve was stripped from the old man’s limp figure a gasp of amazement escaped from the crowd. Gomichbook (F@