Argosy All-Story Weekly, January 21, 1922 — page 40: what you’re looking at

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

30 Sue’s scream had brought her father into the room. The rancher struck a match, and Juan could be seen doubled up, half against the wall, half on the floor. “The fight’s over,” Larkey said. “‘ Four of ’em are stretched. Guess this ‘ll show the county a thing or two!” He lit the oil lamp, and ordered Sue to light up the rest of the house. ‘ See to the old man and Chick,” he said. Lady Larkey came in and threw a pitcher of water on the dazed Mexican. Mean- while Jim picked up his own six-gun .and -appropriated the Mexican’s. When Juan came to he stared blankly at the faces above him, then scrambled awkwardly to his feet. Then he saw Jim, and his hand snapped to his empty holster. Realizing that he had been broken, he grinned sheep- ishly, his teeth seeming the main part of him. “You’re at liberty to drift,” Larkey said. “ And keep on driftin’ till you’re past the corral down by the stream bed—else you'll get some lead from your own gun spittin’ into your liver.” “‘T’ll go, senor. I’m a peaceful man, and I am your slave.” The rancher and Jim Quade hurried to the yard, where they picked up the three © men who had been hit. Jug Trilles, whose wound was merely a slight crease in the arm, jumped up, but obeyed Quade’s order to surrender his gun. “The disagreement is over, mister,” Trilles said. ‘“ Ill take my men off.” The old outlaw sank to his knees. ‘‘ Give me a swig.” “Come in here and let’s have a look at you,” Quade ordered. . Jug followed submissive to Quade’s load- ed hand. The latter on the way to the veranda picked up another wounded man— a rustler called Cow McGinnis. A moment later Larkey entered the room, carrying one of the men over his shoulder. “This guy’s going to kick off,” he said. “Tend to him first.” Mrs. Larkey brought water and towels as the man was laid upon the sofa. “Tt’s China Pell,” the rancher -said. ‘“He’s a bad one—half Chink. Hold his head up.” ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. The cattle-rustler looked around at the faces of the women, Larkey, Quade, and his two wounded companions. “Y’m one of Smoo Taurog’s men!” China Pell whispered hoarsely. ‘“‘ Shut up!” Trilles ordered. “ We ain’t among friends here.” Pell disregarded his master. ‘ Smoo Taurog sticks by his men,” he said. ‘“ Il tell you that. If I croak to-night they ain’t nothin’ you ever dreamed about that’s worse than what Taurog ’ll do to you!” ‘“‘ Shut up and let ’em fix your wounds!” Trilles ordered. Mrs. Larkey held the gin to his lips, and her husband cut open the buckskin shirt. “ Taurog ‘Il wipe this score out, take it from me!” the rider whispered through his clenched teeth. ‘I feel like as if I’m goin’, but I’m satisfied. When you set in on one of Taurog’s games you pay ten to one. Taurog ‘Il meet you. MHe’ll make you pay ten to one!” Every one in the room was silent, so that the name of Taurog, although hissed almost inaudibly, stung clearly into Quade’s ears. ‘“‘T want to meet Taurog,” he said quiet- “Where is he?” China Pell’s peppered jaw tightened to a smile. ‘“ Who are you?” ‘Jim Quade’s my name—I’m looking for your chief.”’ “Go to him!” China Pell whispered. “He'll settle our account.” “Where is he?” Pell struggled in the embrace of Mrs. Larkey and pointed out the window toward the south. He was glad the fight was not ended. He tried to mumble the words: ‘“Lava—or else—” But he could say no more. ly. CHAPTER X. HOW SMOO TAUROG GOT THE RETURNS. N the center of Taurog’s domain was a little town which had sprung up in the desert several decades before because of a gold boom. There was no other cause for its existence. When the vein ran out, this mushroom town, like countless other desert towns of the country, was completely comiclboooks C©