Boy's Cinema (1933)

14 "I wouldn't mind staying here if I thought that boy of mine was in a good job in Arizona." "I'll get him there some time," laughed Kent. " And when he's fixed, he'll send for you." " Oh, Kent, you're like a son !" Mrs. Sutton put her arms round the big cowboy. "I don't know what " Heavy footfalls made them both glance towards the shack door. With- out knocking a man raised the latch and walked in. Buck Gallagher was as tall as Kent. A half-caste with a leering, unpleasant face. His ugly mouth was half-hidden by a wispy, straggling moustache. In his arms he carried a rifle. Without removing his hat or taking liny notice of Mrs. Sutton he spoke to Kent Rogers : "Guess that was slick work of yourn, Rogers. How is he? Badly hurt?" "No, but no thanks are due to you." Kent clenched his fists. " What do you want with him ?" "He rendered me a service to-day," Gallagher grinned in a sleek, contemp- tuous fashion. "I would thank him." " Well, you can thank him some other time!" snapped Rogers. "And take my tip and stay away. It ain't healthy round these parts." The gun pointed towards the cowboy. " I do not know what danger means. I have come to see Jerry Sutton, and I suggest that you stand aside—if you value your health." Kent Rogers moved as swiftly as a hawk. His left hand flung up the scoundrel's gun, whilst the right con- nected with a thud to the unshaven jaw. The blow took the man by surprise, and he staggered back, lost his balance and crashed to the floor. His rifle had fallen from his hand. Snarling like a wild beast and mouthing Mexican oaths, ho rushed blindly at Rogers, who lashed out with a right and left. Gallagher was hurled back as if he had been hit by a battering-ram. He sailed out of the doorway and flopped on to the veranda. A moment later his rifle was tossed after him. "Get out and stay out!" rapped Kent Rogers, with one hand close to his hip. "Ycu'rc not seeing Jerry to-day." "One day I get you for this!" Gal- lagher was shaking with fury, but he was wise enough to know that, for the moment, he was beaten. "One day I square my account with yon." "Perhaps I'll settle yours for good," was the scornful answer. "Better get moving." ' From the doorway of Jerry Sutton's room Lupita had seen most of the scene. Never before had she seen Gallagher knocked down, or even heard of anyone daring to do such a deed. "What a man !" she sighed. The Condemned List of the Vigilantes. KENT ROGERS told Mrs. Sutton to summon the doctor for her son. "The doc's a good scout," Kent advised. "You and he are great friends. Get him to insist that Jerry stays in bed for a few days. Let him pretend the wound is worse than it is. Jerry may be mixed up in this last racket, and it's best that we keep him sick. I'm going down town to find out what happened." That evening, Kent Rogers received a message from Judge McSweeney that his presence was needed at a meeting to bo held at the ranch-house of Henry Collins. Wondering what the meeting was about, Kent turned up at the appointed hour. He found ten of the' chief men January 21st. 1933. BOY'S CINEMA of the town, with Judge McSwceney in the chair. There was a grave and serious air about these men. Kent Rogers noticed how they eyed him curiously, and he wondered what this portended. There were papers on the table, and it was evident that some discussion had taken place. "I'm glad you're here, Rogers." Judge McSweeney stood up. "This meeting has come to a resolution, and it has been decided to ask you to join us—to become a member." "You are forming a society," ques- tioned Rogers, " may I ask the pur- pose?" " I wonder you can't guess I" The hot-headed Collins leaned across the table. "Perhaps I can," was the calm reply. "The facts are these." The judge cleared his throat. "The town of Red Gulch was a prosperous, go-ahead settlement, and we were growing in size and importance until a dirty crook and his bunch of half-caste scoundrels chanced on this valley. Since that day we've had our cattle rustled, our ranches robbed and our stages held up. Buck Gallagher is the skunk I mean. He rides through this town with his bunch of roughnecks and defies us. That bunch don't hesitate to shoot, kill and pillage, but the time has come " He paused. "When this must cease. The citizens of Red Gulch have decided that this menace to our future existence must be destroyed." A hoarse roar of agreement came from all the men gathered round the table. "We have decided to form ourselves into a band of vigilantes," continued the judge. "To wipe out this pest and any others that may disturb the peace of Red Gulch. Are you prepared, Kent Rogers, to take the oath in allegi- ance ?" "We have made a list of neople whom we shall exterminate." Collins grinned unpleasantly. Kent Rogers wondered what was be- hind the man's smile. " I'm dead set against Gallagher and his gang," was his answer. " I'm honoured to be asked to become a vigi- lante if it is the aim to wipe out that scoundrel." "And others," interposed Collins. " Let him swear the oath on the Bible," Judge McSweeney cried. So Kent Rogers was sworn in as a vigilante. "Now to get to business," the judge said. "Every person whom we consider as undesirable will receive a warning. He will have twenty-four hours to leave this district and to return means death." "We have the names on this list." Collins picked up a paper. "Perhaps, judge, our young friend would like to see the names?" "Let him read them!" There was a hesitant attitude about the judge that puzzled Kent, but when he looked down that list of names the explanation was clear. Among the names was that of Jerry Sutton ! What Kent Overheard. KENT ROGERS had to think quickly when the meeting of the vigilantes had ended. So far the only deci- sion was that all those on the list should get a playing card with skull and crossbones on it. If these warnings did not quieten down the gangsters or drive them away, then the vigilantes would adopt sterner methods: "If Collins gets his way he'll fix it that I have to shoot Jerry," Kent Rogers thought to himself. "Provided Every Tuesday there are no more shootings or rob- beries Jerry is fairly safe, but if Galla- gher starts trouble the vigilantes will declare war on all those on that list. I wish I could get Jerry away from— by gar, I've got it !" Next morning Kent visited Sheriff Hartman. The sheriff had informed the cowboy that on his return from his hunting trip the town required him to guide a valuable wagon train through the hills into Arizona. " Sheriff, I want Jerry Sutton to take my place," pleaded Kent. "Now I'm a vigilante I want to stay around here and watch out for Gallagher and his bunch. Also I want to get Jerry out of this town. Once I get him out he'll stay out!" "But, Kent, he's on that list," argued the sheriff. "And I'm certain that the break-out from gaol was " " Sheriff, you know as well as I do that Jerry's a good lad," interrupted Rogers. "I could tell you how Re first got lured into Gallagher's mob, but it's just the tale of a lad who was not wise to crooks and their ways. Once in the web he couldn't get out. I admit that Jerry hasn't made much of a fight, but Gallagher has threatened him with all kinds of tough breaks and Jerry hasn't dared to break free. One threat was to burn down his mother's homestead, and another that they would build up a tale of robbery and bloodshed to give to you —of course the chief rogue was to be Jerry. Now you see the kind of mess he's in. He knows the trail into Arizona as well as I do—knows every danger spot—knows the weather conditions— where water-holes exist—where to camp —in fact, he'd be better than I as a guide." Here his young face became tense. " Besides, it's the chance to get Jerry away. You know, sheriff, what old man Sutton did for Red Gulch, and so does the judge. Ho did more for this town than most men." "You're right there, Kent," the sheriff had to admit. And Kent Rogers got his own way. The sheriff went with the youngster to talk to the judge. Finally Collins had to be consulted, and he made a great protest, but it was the judge and the sheriff against his opinion. "You'll regret this," shouted Collins. "What's more, if you insist on this folly I demand that I am put in charge of the wagon train." "That seems fair enough," admitted the judge. Kent's next argument was with Jerry Sutton. That young man had found, tucked into his saddle, a playing-card with the vigilantes' warning on it and it had shaken him. He listened to his pal's plans. "I'm not quitting Red Gulch," he blustered. "I've got mother to think about." "Don't lie to me," cried Kent. "She's the last person you'd consider. But for Lupita you wouldn't hesitate to take this great chance of a new life." Jerry Sutton made no answer, but stared sulkily at the ground. "You've had a warning sent you," insisted Kent. "Ever heard of the vigilantes ? They moan business. Stay here and you're as good as dead, and Lupita doesn't want a dead man as a sweetheart. If you're so plumb crazy on this girl why not guide tho train into Arizona and ask her to come and join you?" "I don't think she likes Arizona." "Then she can't be very fond of you." argued Kent. "And what's the use of risking your neck for a girl who wont make a small sacrifice like that. This is your chance to start a new life and