Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

Every Tuesday BOY'S CINEMA 15 A girl and a brave cowpuncher have to fight with brawn and brain to escape from the attack of a band of Western bad-men. Starring Charles Delaney and Virginia Brown Faire. El Jacinto. ENOCH CRABB had rn^n many ciuioiis things since he had iiiBt started in p'artnership with James Rankin at Rancho Jacinto. But never i'. his life had he seen anjthing so curious as that which attracted hie atten- tion on his return from the corral they were busily getting ready for a new herd. Cowboys are wont to use any kind of parb that is different fit)m that of their lellow-workers. But no cowboy ever went so far as to display brilliantly- marked riding chaps, gorgeously-bnt toneti revolver-belt, thin city ehoes, and gauntlets so long that they reached nearly to the elbow. James Rankin laughed heartily ae he aiiswcTed his partner's question. "That is my nephew, Oswald.'' "The name suits the dress!" grunted Ciabb, and sneered. "You've got a fine big holster, son. How about your gurj ?" "Oh, I've got a gmi all right!" said Oswald, and dived his fingers deep into the holster to pick out a tiny revolver, file sight of which made Crabb roar afresh. It was a neat little weapon, with a wonderful pearl butt that vvoidd have pleased the most fastidious woman in the world. Martha, Rankin's daughter, coming in at that moment, looked at it and joined in the laughter. "What's that, Oswald?" she asked. ".Just for my protection," said Oswald loftily. "I understand a man wants a gun in these parts." "A gun is sure handy," said Rankin. "But—well—I should call that a pea- shooter. However, drop it in your hol- ster, Oewald. Martha is going to take you for a run round whilst I talk busi- ness with my partner." Still smiling, the hardy girl of the plains led her cousin out of the ranch towards the horse coiTal, and it was .some mimifos after they had gone before Crabb got the sneer off his face and announced himself as Jpeing ready for liiisiness. "Martha would just about eat him up in a scrap, Rankin," he observed, as he sat down. " Sure she would. He's just a harm- less city feller—guess he reckons cowboy outfit is the proper thing to wear out here, and bought his from a theatre property store!" laughed Rankin "Well, how's the corial ?" "All ready," replied Crabb. "Say, when does that herd come into Corral City from Bar W. Rankin? Is it to- morrow, or the next day?" " To-morrow. The last I heard of I hem was that they were within a few miles of the town, and they had not lost a single animal. Pretty smart punchers, f guess." Rankin shook his head slowly from side to .side, and frowned. "Crabb, I'm real anxious about the journey from Corral City to El Jacinto." "Anxious! Why?" "Well, it's a pretty trail with an ugly name, as you know. Three outfits have lost their stuff coming through—and one man who went on the lonesome trail, taking in his own money, never camo hack. I know that as wc have lost nothing tliat—that—well, they are say- ing that we have a hand in the game." "Punk!" snapped Crabb. "However, I tell you what we will do. We will have the Bar W herd checked in at Corral City, and I'll come back and report. Tlien I'll take all the boy.s over every man-jack on the ranch, and bring 'em in myself. How's that?" "That sounds O.K. to me, Crabb!" assented Rankin. "You'd better leave to-night." It was just 36 well that Rankin did not see the contemptuous, curious sneer that curled at the corners of Crabb's lips when once he had jiasscd out of the ranch-house and closed the door behind him. It might have made Rankin a little more anxious than he was. Crabb started out within a very few- minutes of his suggestion being agreed to by his partner, and in due course arrived in Corral City. He strolled into the saloon, and was surprised when news was instantly forth- coming that the punchers from Bar W had arrived, and were even then check- ing in one of the great corrals of which the town boasted. "Gee! But they're sure slick punchers!" said Crabb, in amazement. "Guess so! I saw them handle their herd, and. believe me, pard, that herd was just like a troupe of well-trained beasts. They walked in just as those cowpunchcrs wanted them—and here they come." Ciabb turned curiously to the door, just as four men entered. They were a pretty motley crowd. One of them, rather a grim-faced, short man of the stature that spelK, immense strength, was in front of three others. The four of them were covered in dirt and dust from head to foot, and their unwashed, unshaven faces told clearly of the long journey they Jiad accom- plished. "Say, wliicli of you is foreman?" asked Crabb. "You look four pretty mangy cowboys, but I suppose one of you was in charge of the herd?" "You said it, jnister—and I'm the one." said the leader quietly. "My name is .ludd Rascomli, and I'm fore- man of Bar W. My pals—Tenderfoot, Gila Red, and Sweetheart. Quick with their tongues, but quicker with their guns. I reckon yoiu' herd is safe in the corral—and we ain't lost a single animal on the three-hundrcd-mile trail!" "That's sure smart work. Rascomb. Have a drink, and then I'll talk to you." "Who are you?" asked Judd pertin- ently. "I'm Rankin's partner from El Jacinto. Say. I'm yoing b.vk to report that you have checked in. Suppose you follow me on when you have had a rest?" "Suits me plenty!" said Judd. October 3rd, 1031.