The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

496 with red, a crazy glare filled his eyes, and as he moved onward he tucked up his right sleeve with his hairy left hand. . “You King, there! Run!” One of those at the edge of the dry wash offered the advice. It was useless, however. King’s nerves had buckled under the strain, and he was pinned to the adobe wall by the grow- ing horror of his dilemma. He was like a rabbit fascinated by the diamond eyes of a rattlesnake. Approaching hoofs sounded sudden- ly from near at hand. Neither King nor Big Steve seemed to hear them. The trail into camp wound around the end of the office building, and a horse carrying a double burden pres- ently emerged into view. An erect figure in corduroys and laced knee- boots, face decorated with several small squares of court-plaster, occupied the saddle; at the cantle, astride the double war bags, sat the Chinaman Wun Sing. One glance at the state of affairs by the headquarters adobe was enough for the Chinaman. With a gurgling cry of fear he tumbled from the horse and fled to a safer distance. At the dry wash and in the Mexican quarter a fresh interest was injected into the situation. Here was a stran- ger, possibly the new man who was taking Lacey’s place. He had no more than struck camp before being called upon to dispute with Big Steve the right to rule. How would he conduct himself ? Intensely stirred by the progress of events, the Americans came out of the dry wash and advanced a few rods. The Mexicans also took places for a nearer view. For King the uncanny spell was broken. A cry of relief broke from his lips, and he flung up his arms and crumpled weakly down on the office door-step. Big Steve had withdrawn his attention from the cyanid expert and fastened jt upon the newcomer. “You're the new boss, hey?” the millman flung savagely at the rider. What would he do? THE ARGOSY. ‘““T am,” was the crisp response. “Not so’s you can notice it!” whooped Big Steve. “I’ve been the boss here for three hull days, and the job pleases me a heap. I don’t share it with nobody. Sabe that? Pint t'other way and say adios before I turn loose at you! ” “Clear out,” said Bremerton calm- ly. “ You’re drunk.” “Not so drunk I can't fight.” Big Steve waved the knife about his head. ‘“ None of the bosses last at the Mari- quita! Come over here, if you. got the sand; come over here and git scalped.” Bremerton flung the reins over his horse’s head, swung down from the saddle, and started toward Big Steve. He neither hurried nor lagged. He merely strolled in Big Steve’s direction, unarmed apparently, and with his com- pelling gray eyes fixed unswervingly upon the face of the trouble-maker. More than one of the spectators caught his breath and felt a chill of grisly foreboding. King tried to shout a word of advice and warning, but his tongue clove to the roof of his mouth. Big Steve had planted himself firm- _ly on his stocky legs, and his right hand, with the short, ugly blade, was poised for a blow. He stood like a man of stone while Bremerton drew close. Then a most astounding thing hap- pened. Quick as_ chain-lightning, Bremerton gripped the upraised wrist and wrenched it downward and side- wise. The knife fell from Big Steve’s fingers, and, over the captured right arm, master and man looked into each other’s face. : CHAPTER VI. BREMERTON’S “ FIND.” Bic STEVE was accustomed to hav- ing his own way when his brain was befogged with liquor. No doubt the surprise of finding some one who was not afraid of him had taken him aback for the moment and given Bremerton the advantage. With a bellow of rage COMicdoo S CO@