Argosy All-Story Weekly, May 5, 1928 — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

638 Five men, revolvers in hand, walked hurriedly forward and peered at Ra- mon’s prisoner. Yuma Tom, peering back, recog- nized Blas Cannales and his four com- panions, ‘They were all Mexicans and all wanted in the United States on vari- ous charges, cattle rustling and horse stealing being only two of their of- fenses. Sheriff Hunter would be a heartily pleased man to land them in jail. “ Aha! Aha!’ Blas jubilated. “ The old Apache Fox! The true amigo of Sheriff Roberto Hunter! And he is in our power. You did well, Ramon, I congratulate you. “There, too, is the wonderful stal- lion. This is indeed a lucky capture. The remarkable mule, who has already made herself leader of our herd, was a great find. The horses will not leave her. She is to them like the bell mule in a pack train. But yet we would rather have the beautiful Red Gold than even the celebrated mule.” Although he spoke so elatedly, Blas was doing some rapid thinking. What ought they to do with the little red man now that they had him? His first thought was to put him out of the way. But how many Apaches were aware that their old tribesman had ridden into Mexico? Blas knew that if he asked he would not find out. Still he felt that he must not let Yuma Tom go back to Calito and tell what he had learned. “'TSe the old Indio’s feet as well as his hands,” Blas ordered, thinking that even though he approved of putting Yuma ‘Tom out of the way, it might be better to talk things over with his men. ‘ Then,” he added, “let him lie on the ground with our saddles near the spring. You, Jose, go tell Pedro to come here.” “St, senor.’ Jose Sanchez, a slen- der all round cutthroat and rustler, started for the top of the hill, where on guard lay Pedro Blanco, another rustler and desperado. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY _WEEKLY. Ramon, without waiting for orders, took off Red Gold’s saddle and bridle and let the thirsty animal go alone to the water hole. Before the stallion had drunk his fill, the little red man, hands securely tied in front of him and ankles lashed to- gether, lay beside the rustlers’ water- skins, within a yard of the spring. “Come over here,’ Blas called, or- dering his men to come with him out of earshot of the old Indian. Yuma Tom had no doubt as to what would be agreed upon. The verdict would unanimously be to kill him. They might delay his execution un- tii daylight. That was all. But in the end, unless he could escape or show cause why he should not be killed, he must expect the worst. Yet, although his original plan had failed, his quick brain had already de- vised a substitute for it. He made a low, hissing sound to the big stallion. Red Gold stepped back from the water and, his ears tipped forward, eyed his old master. Annaliza came as close as her picket rope would permit. A number of horses crowded around her. Others which had been lying down, got up. The minutes slipped by rapidly. Darkness was slowly changing to gray dawn. Jose and Pedro, having joined Blas and the others, whispered what they thought ought to be done with the old Indian. ‘“ We all agree then that he is to have the knife,” the hard-faced leader be- gan, when Ramon, happening to glance toward the spring, growled an ex- clamation and swung his hand to his revolver holster. His fellow rascals hitched quickly about, and in the gray light saw the scantily clad old Indian, an unfolded blanket in his hands, hopping on his ankle-bound legs straight toward the big stallion. Six six-shooters were simultaneous- EOmichbooks (F@)