Boy's Cinema (1933)

Every Tuesday -** n f "THE MAN FROM ARIZONA.' (Continued from page 16.) »«♦♦«♦♦«»» J ♦ ♦ ♦ -*-^c fall, though his head coming in contact ■with the side of the schooner had robbed him of his senses. Being tough, it was only a matter of minutes, and with re- turning strength he cautiously pushed away the pieces of wood and canvas under which he was buried. It was not a pleasant sight that met his eyes. The smashed wreck of the schooner and lying so still was the figure of Deputy Gordon. Kent Rogers knelt beside the figure, and to his surprise the heart was still beating. The dying man opened his eyes and recognised the guide. "Collins 6hould have done as you said, Kent," came the faint words. "Wo sure rode into a trap." "I'll get you some water," cried Kent. "You'll soon be fit again." "Not in this world." A brave smile. "This scalp wound on my head is nothing. My ribs feel all busted in, an' there's lead in my body. No, Kent, this is time to say good-bye. I ain't grumbliri', pard. I've had a good spell. I " His eyes closed for a moment. "I fooled 'em, Kent." "Fooled whom, Gordon?" "Gallagher and his rabble." Weakly Gordon's right arm moved towards his blood-stained shirt. "I've got the gold —in there. Take it, Kent, an' may all the luck " .The whole figure stiffened and then sagged heavily in the arms of Kent Rogers. Gordon was dead. Kent Rogers put his hand inside the shirt and found a leather money-sack. This must be taken back to Red Gulch. Collins had decided to find out what had happened to the schooners. II. discovered three, and then looking down into the old stream bed saw Kent Rogers bending over Deputy Gordon, ilthily, Collins made his way towards them. As Kent Rogers removed the gold so did Collins draw his gun. "Stick 'em up!" he rasped, "As I always thought. This time I've caught you in the act. " Kent Rogers turned and faced his enemy. "I know nothing about this gold," ho protested. " I warned you, ami you rode into the trap. I held off Gallagher as long as I could and then rode aft<u train. I got, on to Gordon's schooner, and when it, crashed I was knocked out. Only a few moments ago I reco found tho deputy still living; he told tnc about the gold being hidden in .lit." "A pretty story," sneered Collins. You and Jerry Sutton are in league with Gallagher. A line bluff riding up when it was too late to do a thing so you could make out you were innocent. You're quick, Rogers, and en thought of a tale for why you were found robbing a dying man. 5Tou and Jerry Sutton were ■ in with Gallagher's gang or else you planned a hold-up of your own, and to away over the Border with your ils." lying dog I" Kent's fists were clenched. "Von haven't a decent thought in y.iur head. Von would withe . .1 dozen good men to their death If you'd stopped rou might have driven off Gallagher's buni "Tell all that to the judge and the townsfolk whi , you," Collins BOY'S CINEMA laughed contemptuously. "You'll be swinging at the end of a rope by morn- ing. Keep your place, Rogers, or I'll drill you." '.'But you can't frame me for this?" "Can't I!" Collins sneered. "I never have liked you and I used to hate your father. As there's no one about I don't see why I shouldn't tell you. I don't care whether you robbed the mail or not, but my verdict is guilty, because I've always wanted to see you dangling at a rope'6 end. Moe Ginsberg shall find you a new one. Besides, if we hang you it'll be an example to other desperadoes." "You'll hang me to cover your own folly." Kent Rogers faced his enemy fearlessly. "I don't suppose there's a soul living to prove that I warned you. All you'll say is that you saw me rob- bing Deputy Gordon." "Maybe!" Collins moved the gun. "Keep those hands high and walk up that bluff." A great white horse appeared. Light- ning had torn on after the runaways, but had decided to go for his master. Col- lins rode him and made Rogers walk all the long way back to Red Gidch. What a tale Coilins told when the chief men of the town had gathered in the court-room, with Judge McSwet in the chair. His vindictive and bitter tongue yelled out charges againtt the prisoner. Tempers are quickly roused out in the West. Kent Rogers was a lad whom they had known and trusted, and yet now the blood lust was roused in a few moments, and they were shouting that Rogers be lynched. Moe Ginsberg did make a protest and speak of seeing Rogers ride into Red Gulch, but this evidence Collins shouted down. The red, bestial face was aglow with fiendish triumph as .1 Mi-Swecney gave the order that Kent Rogers be hung within tho hour. Scarce had they dragged Kent away before a white-faced girl flung herself into Judge . M< Sweeney's office. The old judge was slumped in his chair. "I've just seen men dragging Kent Rogers to the gaol," she panted out. "Judge, he's innocent of whatever he's accused. They tell me that tho wagon train was betrayed into the hands of Buck Gallagher by Kent Rogers. I can prove that's a lie." "A lie!" The judge was on his feet. "What is this proof, Lupita. Speak quickly, girl!" "If anybody betrayed the train il Jerry Sutton,'' stormed the girl. "Kent got Jerry the job because he wanted to get his buddy out of Red Gulch and away to Arizona—away from Buck Gallagher. Biuk threatened Jerry and I him to consent to guiding the train through tho upper trail. Ken I ieard, and he came to my when Jerry was saying good-bye. I was a fight and Jerry was knocked down, and Kent bound his legs and •,k him away." "Where to?" "I couldn't say." Lupita could tell a lie so cosily, but there was a ring in her voice that told the judge that parts of this amazing tale must be tttie. "But he told me what he planned to do. He was going to ride to Red Gulch and take the train himself—through the lower canyon—and when safe would re turn for his buddy. That's the truth, judge." "Why didn't Kent tell us this, that he had had a warning about Gal- lagher and rode "'" Red Gulch to try and stop the train, Collins wouldn't, wait im Coll • plained that bv ing that l "I' hidden until a as well on its way. A 23 bluff to make him seem innocent. He didn't say a word about Sutton." "Can't you see why?" Her eyes flashed. "Because Kent Rogers is a man. That's more than I can say for some of the people in Red Gulch. Hasn't he fought for years to keep Jerry Sut- ton on the straight path, away from the saloon, Buck Gallagher, and people like myself?" She laughed. "I ought to hate Kent Rogers, but I think he's the finest man I've ever met. And now you want to hang him. He didn't talk about Sutton because it was the only way of saving him. Why should he squeal .to save his own life—he'd rather hang first." "You're right, girl." Judge McSweeney grabbed up his stetson. "Kent's innocent, and we've got to stop the hanging." The rope was round Kent's neck when a hot and dusty judge and a white-faced Lupita rushed up to the gaol. "Take that rope down. The hanging's off!" bellowed the judge. "You've got the wrong man." "You can't do this," stormed Collins. "Take that rope from off Kent Rogers." The judge was angry. "If that rope isn't off his neck by the time I finish talking I'll clap you, Collins, and most of the rest of you, in gaol. I never did like this hanging, because I've known Kent for a good spell. I couldn't believe a straight, honest, square-shooter would turn crook and Lupita has proved I'm right. Rogers overheard Gallagher plotting with Jerry Sutton— Rogers knocked out his pal and tied him up some place—he rode like the wind into Rod Gulch to warn the train." He looked at Collins. "You reckoned Rogers had skulked in hiding. Yon talk a bit too fast at times, Collins. If you hadn't acted so hasty in riding off without a guide we shouldn't luxe lost some good citizens. The same happened when ho warned you at Blind (Jiilch — it was you that was blind." The rope had been removed from Kent Runts' neck. "So you don't get your wish after all." Kent Rogers faced <'•"■ baffled is. "No man calls me a liar twice, Collins. Try any more funny stuff and we'll have a showdown." "You two ought to he friend.-." Judge McSweeney cried in his heartiest manner. He had noticed the mow ling looks now turned on Collins. "As easy ae a crocodile with a make." Cent Rogers turned his buck. "Now that I am free 1 want my guns." "You'll help us find Jerry Sutton?" Collins had recovered some of bis courage, because he saw that Rogers was going to make no accusation against him. "You've meddled enough, Collins," Kent answered. "I take no orders from you. Judge, 1 v.aut my guns." "Sine, Kent." The judge look his arm. 're in my ofliee. You won't break your oath to the vigilantes'.'" "No." Cent Rogers smiled as he walked off with the judge. "But 111 not help yon to find Jerry Sutton- that will be my business." The Search for Jerry Sutton. DIRECTLY Kent was out of earshot, ('ollins began to shout and bluster. Hadn't he always said thai either Rogers or Sutton was guilty? He had wrong about Rogers, but all the evidence had *>•-'■!» so strong. How was he to know tli iding hi.s friend? " Who is 11 i resppnsiblaf shouted Collins. "Who betrayed us I January 2ist, l!)".?.