Boy's Cinema (1939-40)

16 protect ourselves is to keep the Le'vis Packing Plant fi'om going out of busi- ness." "Seems to me." Larkin grumbled, •'youre more interested in the Lewis Packing Company than you are in us ranchers." A tense silence fell over the little hall as Larkin sauntered towards the platform and mounted the steps. Barney caught hold of his shirt front. "I don't believe I understand you, Joe."' he said quietly. 'Well, I said it seems to me you're more interested in the Lewis Company than vou are in us ranchers," Larkin sneered. "And I notice the Flying M ain't lost any cattle lately. How do we know you ain't plannin' to grab the plant J ourself after we pull it out of the fire for ya, and then sell for a nice fat profit?" Next moment he hurtled backwards as Barney's big fist smashed on his jaw. He landed on his back in the aisle and slithered for several feet, to lie there, twitching. "Please sit down, ladies and gentle- men." said Barney quietly. "I hope no one else here feels as Mr. Larkin does." A tall old man rose sheepishly. "Oh, wp don't doubt your honesty, Barney, but we've got to protect our- selves. Personally, I don't feel that I can take anv more chances." "All right, then,' Barney said crisply, "I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll buy your cattle and take the responsibility of ship- ping them," "What are vou gonna use for money? "Mv ranch ought to be security enough, I'll make arrangements with the bank to pay you off," "I admire your nerve," said the old man hesitantly, "but I—I don't think you ought to take the gamble." "I'll risk it. Steve," Barney grinned. "Is it a deal?" "Oh, it is as far as I'm concerned! How about it, boys?" Evervone agreed gratefully. "Good," said Barney. "Then we'll start a general round-up to-morrow morn- ing. You folks drive your cattle over to mv North Range." Barnev knew he was taking a serious risk; but he also knew that most of them were not so well equipped to fight as he was. He had his own guns and a good bunch of boys to rely on. He left the building to find Flash and Ray outside, staring with interest at a ?iri who was galloping down the street at a terrific pace. It was Helen Lewis, riding Whopper's horse. She reined in and jumped to the ground just in time to meet Barney. "Is the meeting over, Mr, O'Dell? ' she said insolently, "Yes. but I'm still very busy." Barney growled, "Where did you get Whopper's horse? I hope you didn't steal it. The Arizona law is awfully tough on horse- thieves." Helen hesitated. "But I didn't steal it! He was only too glad to loan me the animal." " I hope you're right," said Barney, with mock seriousness, and walked past her to his horse. "Oh, vou've got to talk to me!" she exclaimed. "I'll admit you were very clever in tying up my business, but if you'll only drop this bankruptcy action I'll see that you're well paid for your trouble," "The only language you know is dollars and cents," Barney retorted. "You found out Whitlock couldn't bribe me. so you're conceited enough to think you can." He mounted, and for the second time left her standing. To the delight of Ray and Flash she rushed to her horse and set off in pursuit, her face red with anger. Roaring with laughter, they watched her tearing up the street after their boss. Barney heard the thunder of hoofs and increased his speed. He glanced round and laughed. Right out in the open country he kept iust a little way ahead of Xovfiiibtr lltli, 1930. BOY'S CINEMA ner, slowing now and then to allow her to come almost alongside, then speeding up again and leaving her tuming. They shouted insults at each other as they rode. "You might as well slow down, you egotistical, conceited, self-r:entred cow- herder," Helen cried, "or I'll follow you from now on!" "It's a free country, you selfish, spoiled, headstrong little nuisance! " Barney bawled back at her. When they came within sight of Whopper and Penny Jones, who were sit- ting on the porch of the ranch-house, Barney was still well in the lead. He had dismounted and tied up his horse when Helen came pounding in, "I'd hate to tell you what I think of you!" she said between clenched teeth, "AH right, then," Barney snapped, "I'll tell you what I think of you, I think you're a pretty swell person, but you've been pampered and spoiled so long you're nothing but an ill-tempered little snob." Helen gasped as he grasped her arm. "Now, if you'll come over here, I'll tell you my side of the story. I'Jow sit down, please." Gravely he told her the reason for his actions and his suspicions. "I don't believe Roger is crooked," she protested. "If Whitlock isn't on the Continental pay-roll. I'm a Spanish bull fighter," Barney declared. " You know he offered me twenty-five thousand dollars in cash if I'd withdraw my bankruptcy action, and you know as well as I do that'he hasn't a thin dime." " Oh, I'm sure you must have misunder- stood him, or "—she hesitated—"I'm con- vinced that Roger was only doing what he thought best for me " "C5h. you're only trying to sell yourself an idea!" " I wish I knew what to do, or who to believe." the girl said miserably. "Well, if you have any doubt. Miss Lewis, why don't you and Penny stay at the ranch for a while—be my guests? We're starting the round-up in the morn- ing and you can iudge for yourself," "Thank you, I'd like to." And for the first time Helen smiled at him. THE RAIDERS AGAIN THE round-up was over. Steve and the other ranchers had driven their cattle to Barney's North Range, and Helen, who had ridden with the Flying M cowboys, had a chance to talk to the ranchers and get their point of view. But she didn't realise the full risk Barney was taking. As Whopper said to Penny Jones: "You know, I could wring Barney's neck for mortgagin' his ranch to buy beef for that Lewis gal. If this herd's ever rustled he'll lose everything he owns! " That evening everybody was taking it easy at the Flying M, getting ready for the big drive to the railroad. Ray and the boys were singing cowboy sonigs on the porch, and Helen sat with Barney, They had forgotten their quarrel and shaken hands. But Helen was still not sure whether Barney was doing the right thing. Roger Whitlock had come seeking her, and Barney nearly carried out his threat to throw the shady attorney off the ranch. But as Helen's attorney, Whitlock claimed the right to speak to her. Angrily Barney left them alone, "Barney O'Dell may be an excellent rancher," Whitlock told the girl smoothly, " out he knows nothing about running a packing plant. My advice is to accept the Continental offer as soon as O'Dell's re- ceivership expires. Otherwise il mav be withdrawn. They're willing to take an option luider those conditions." He'en hesitated, " Well, I guess you're right. Roger. I'll sec you in town to-morrow." "That's the spirit," Whitlock said cheeril;,'. "I'll be at the Continental branch office. Give my regards to O'Dell," he added sarcastically. Helen was still preoccupied, thinking Every Tuesday this over, when the music stopped sud- denly. A rider had come dashing at break- neck speed under the trees. It was Flash, one of the men Barney had left guarding the corral. "What's the matter?" Barney sna.pped as he leaped from his sweating horse. "They're rustlin' the herd with trucks," Flash panted, "and thev got Larry!" Barney stiffened. "Get your horses, boys, and be sure your guns are in working order!" In an amazinglv short time the whole of the Flying M outfit streamed awav from the ranch in a thmidering mass. "Gee. I hope Whopper doesn't get hurt!" Penny whispered. "I hope nothing happens to Barney. Penny," said Helen quietly. "Oh, it'd be terrible if Barney's cattle were stolen now! He'd lose everything'.' "Why, what d'you mean?" Helen said sharply. "Well, Whopper told me to-day that Barney had mortgaged his ranch in ordei to buy cattle from the other ranchers." "But why did he do that? " said Helen, bewildered, "Because the ranchers are scared to fight any more," said Penny, "and that's the only way they'ie going to get enougli beef to keep your plant running." "Oh! " Helen clenched her hands savagely, "I've a lot of things to settle with Roger Whitlock in the morning!" Meanwhile, Barney had found the corral completely empty and the gates leaning open, Larry was lying in the dust, and he bent over him, relieved to find he was still alive. "You'll be all right. Larry," he said softly. "Joe, step down here and take Larry to the ranch. Take good care of him. Let's go, bovs!" His face was grim as thev galloped off again, following the tyre tracks, which were plain in the dusty trail. But when they reached the hard main highway thev were baffled for a moment. "Well, that's it, Barney," Whopoer grunted, "You'll never be able to follow these tyre tracks on that road. " "Yeah, they turned into the highway and headed north all right. Well, we'll watch the road and find out where thev turned off. Come on!" They clattered along the highwav. Barney in the lead, his eyes busy. Several miles had passed beneath their horses' hoofs when he suddenly reined in and raised his arm. Whopper bent from his saddle at a narrow, rutty b\'-road. "You certainly called the turn. Barney!" . "Here's a car," exclaimed Barney, jei'k- ing round "Hit for the rocks, bovs! " They were well hidden when' a big roadster roared along the highwav and swung without slackening speed into the by-road. It disappeared in the darkness, climbing the rough, curving trail. "That's Whitlock's car, boys," said Barney grimly. "We're on the right trail." Nearly at the top of the climb Barnev reined in suddenly and pointed. "Look! Wait here, boys." Outlined against the skv at the top of a huge pile of rocks was the figure of a sentry. Uncoiling his lariat, Barney crept- up on foot. Twenty feet below the un- suspecting guard he let fly with the lariat. Without a cry the guard was jerked off his perch, to slither down the steep face of the rock and land with a sickening thud. He was unconscious. Barney waved his men on. They brought his horse up and he remoimted Through a gap jn the rocks they could see a row of the trucks with their cattle parked in the shelter of some trees be- side the trail. Barney hardly paused Firing as he rode, he dashed forward, his men in a close bunch behind him. They rode right up the sloping back- board of an empty horse-van, dismounted and found cover lound the vehicle and retiu'-ned the fire of the men crouching by the lorries. 1