WESTERN AY IN THIS ^ ACTION-PACKED ' ISSUE: BLAZING SIX-GUNS TEX RITTER WESTERN TEX RITTER WESTERN Executive Editor # Editor WILL LIEBERSON B. J. HEYMAN Art Editor A1 JETTER The following outstanding magaxines are easily identified on their covert by the words A FAWCETT PUBLICATION. CAPT. MARVEL ADVENTURES • LASH LaRUE WESTERN • THE MARVEL FAMILY • FAWCETT'S FUNNY ANIMALS WHIZ COMICS • WESTERN HERO • ROCKY LANE WESTERN • NYOKA THE JUNGLE GIRL • GABBY HAYES WESTERN CAPT. MARVEL JR. • MASTER COMICS • TOM MIX WESTERN • MONTE HALE WESTERN • HOPALONG CASSIDY ROD CAMERON WESTERN • BILL BOYD WESTERN • SIX-GUN HEROES • SMILEY BURNETTE WESTERN Every effort it made to insure that these comic magaiinet contain the highest quality of wholesome entertainment. t RUN FOR YOUR LIVES. _ /7’S REP 7 HARLAN J JUST LIKE TAKING CANDY FROM A BABY.' CLEAN IT — . OUT, 80YS .' II i sgM v. TEX RITTER WESTERN, Feb . 1951. Vol I. No. 5. is published by Fas Fawcett Publications. Inc Printed in USA. Publications, tnc.. Fas Place. Creenwich, Conn. Copyright 1950 by TEX RITTER WESTERN GOT IT ALL, REP LET’S RIPE.' m CITIZENS L^bank IS REP RELUCTANTLY MOUNTS HIS HORSE, t HE SPOTS THE SHERIFF FEARLESSLY WALKING TOWARP HIM VOU ANP YOUR OWL HOOTERS ARE UNPER ARRE5T FOR . ROBBING THE BANK, REP HARLAN -- PUT UP YOUR 1. V '-— 7. GUNS. 1 THERE GOES THE SHERIFF. 1 BUT HE AIN’T GOT A CHANCE, WELL, WELL, 1 I FINALLY FOUNP ME A LAWMAN YO GET SOME TARGET PRACTICE ON .' IS THAT OLP COOT THE -?-i BEST THEY /'w x . COULD A\ ROUNP UP?7 WHY PON’T SOME OF J NOBOPY I YOU CHlCREN-LIVEREP X GOING TO COYOTES PRAW AGAINST / PRAW AGAINST ME.' I’M TARING AWAY /YOU, REP.'THERE VERY NICKEL THlS^AlN’T A MAN IN HERE TOWN HAS.' / THE WEST WHO BEAT YOU AT THE PRAW. 1 LET’S W e GOT WE’RE A Bunch of YELLOW- BELLIES *4 FOR LETTING ► THAT POLECAT GET AWAY BUT / . WHAT CHANCE ^ WOULP ANYBODY HAVE AGAINST <' m FED.'? ) UST THEN, TEY RITTER , THE FIGHTING PRAIRIE RANGER, LOPES INTO TOWN YOU GOT TO USE YOUR SHOOTING IRON TO TAKE REP HARLAN IN, < SHERIFF.' HAW.' , HAW.' HAW.' y . GET A 2 POCTOR ! THE SHERIFF’S — . HURT SAP,' / RECKON WE DIP HEAR SOME SHOOTING, FURY: L£T’S * — . <50 TEX RITTER WESTERN you’v BETTER REST NOW, \ SHERIFF.' / Talking iSn’T hElPinG YOU — I ANY.' --- i»y EX DISMOUNTS AS THE » wounpep sheriff is brought INTO HiS OFFICE: y .1 ^p,, — — TEX RITTER. WAIT A T I’M TEX ) SEND HIM MINUTE, ^N. RITTER S. IN, BOVS.' STRANGER.' ) OF THE ) HE’LL PO WHO MIGHT/ PRAIRIE YMORE yOU BE RAN6ER5.V GOOP ' g--., J* ^THAN ANV ■ DOCTOR.' IT ISN’T THE MONET. 1 ...SOB... IT’S MV BOY "-1 JOPY.' / A MAN WOULD 'N, HAVE TO BE MIGHTY FAST WITH A GUN TO COME OUT ON TOP AGAINST ^ THAT HILLER .' ) NO USE WASTinjS TEARS ON < THAT VARMINT, MAM .'I KNOW YOU LOST YOUR LIFE SAVINGS, -V £C/T 1 AIM TO GET ^ ,T BACH.' J THE FACT THAT WE 1 — / P/PN’T EVEN HAVE THE NERVE TO TRY AND STOP THAT HOM3RE MARES < US ASHAMED.' ONLY THE SHERIFF HAP THE GUTS^ TO STAND UP AGAINST / Hi5 GUNS.' j — . — I HE ARP HIM > DON’T SAY SOMETHING J WORRY, ABOUT THE / MAM.' I HILLS BACK ] AIM TO OF BLUE MESA.'/BRiNG BACK v - r \ THE MONEY — Lr-|/rf/ J THEY STOLE 1/ , V AND YOUR I 1 I I I — 1 BOY.' MY BOY JOPY HAS GONE BAP.'I-ISAW Him RiDiNG with / REP HARlAN AnP HE’S Only NINETEEN j-""’ YEARS OLD.' ) ... sob ...; *■! \ WHY PiD ) / HE JOIN > REP HARLAN’S GANG , MAM? / HE IS CONVINCED/ IT SEEMS 1 THE SHERIFF YliHE SOmE- KILLED HIS ) BCPY HAS TO FATHER.' JOPY S STRAIGHTEN HAS BEEN VERY JHIM OUT- s Bitter since < and fast.' and is fighting \pid the boy AGAINST ALL LAW ) EVER PROP AND ORDER.' BUT/ A HINT AS . HE’S A GOOP y TO WHERE < BOY.' I KNOW J». THE GANG L ,T -' HIDES OUT?. TEX RITTER WESTERN lS near the LJRS LATER, IN THE FOOTH LUE MESA /k ISSUMING THE ROLE OF A CAREFREE TROUBADOUR, TEX RlDES INTO THE LAIR OF THE OUTLAW GANG OHHHH-- THE BIO a ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN — S WHERE CHOCO- ** LATE BARS ARE STACKED TO THE STARS... THAT OUGHT \ BUT I HATE TO CONVINCE TO HAVE MY YOU I MEAN / SINGING BUSINESS.' y INTERRUPTED.' i — OKAY I RECKON T V WE’LL TALK / v 1 AWHILE.' STAND WHERE ^NdYlPPPE W YOU ARE, HOMBREJ Al YAH — BEFORE I PUT YlPPEEE DAYLIGHT J Al OH .'I’M THROUGH JUST A ROVING . YOU.' ) MAVERICK FROM THE SPREAD OF <>^7/ 7 -THE LICK.... .A, * THAT MUST BE JODY.' RED ■ CAN’T BE r FAR OFF.' TEX RITTER WESTERN 1 ) IF HE’LL STAKE ME /SOME GRUB, 1 SURE WOLJLP like to meet HIM.' BUT I RECKON I’LL LEAVE MY POG x-, ANP HORSE HERE.' NEVER Ml NP THAT. JUST REACH .' I’M TAKING YOU TO if THE BOSS.' I’M MIGHTY SO YOU’RE GOOP WITH A PRETTY Six - gun myself,) goop at HARLAN.'I hearp/slapping TELL OF YOU, X LEATHER, ANP I’P LIKE ) EH? HEY, TO JOIN UP 'A CACTUS' FEW MINUTES LATER / YOU SO 1 FINALLY MEET* '•'T - 1 — — “ V ” SHOULPN’T T UP WITH REP HARLAN: MY SHOOTING PiPn’T y HAVE BROUGHT I HAVE TO PO • SCARE HIM .'HE ROPE >GET THESE VARMINTS THEN WE’LL ) OUT OF THE HILLS GOLP ANP f BEFORE MAKING SACK HERE.' / MY MOVE.’ I COUL P TiONS •? NEVER TAKE THEM ALL WHILE THEY’RE ••OLEP UP HERE.' THE STAGE IS PUE NEAR INPlAN PASS J TOMORROW MORNING WITH A SHIPMENT . OF GOLP FOR THE RANCHER5.'THIS IS THE l BEST SPOT TO STOP THE 5TAGE THEY’LL — BE CLIMBING A HILL ANP MAKING SLOW Time .' TEX RITTER WESTERN LOOKS AS ll- HE’S ""jL r SNEAKING AWAT AFTER p§ MAKING- SURE I WAS iJ- ASLEEP.' goop THINS I PRETENPEP 1 WAS SLEEPING.' — I’LL SEE WHAT HE’S UP TO.' A PRA1R1E RANGER’S BAPGE. TEX RITTER’S NAME IS ^ WRITTEN ON iT.' SO HE’S A A LAWMAN .’THE SAME BREEP THAT MURPEREO J MV FATHER ‘hAT NIGHT. . SOMETHING ' ROllEP OuT OF TRACT’S POCKET ... ANP IT LOOKS LIKE i A BAPGE / RECKON I’ll GET ME SOME ^ E ft Shut-eve.' J TEX RITTER WESTERN THERE’S MORE THAN ONE WAV TO BAG A r — BUSHWHACKER.' J HAND OVER THAT MONEY YOU TOOK FROM THE TWIN FORKS BANK j HARLAN.' UPPENLY. I MIGHT ’ HAVE EXPECTED THAT MOVE FROM A . YELLOW COYOTE LIKE YOU.’ GO AHEAP ANP SHOOT.' YOU’LL Plug the Kipy FIRST l HE'S A CUSSEP LAWMAN .' ANP I LET HIM INTO THE GANG.' » I MUST BE ^ 1 SLIPPING.' ^ WHY PIP YOU PUT ME UP AS A TARGET FOR HIS GUNS, REP? ^ I PIPN’T LIKE THAT.' SflJfHEN TEX ANP JOPYCOME PW TO . ' BEFORE L FINISH YOU TWO OFF FOR G OOP, THERE’S SOMETHING YOU OUGHT TO ISNOW, KlP.'I PLUGGEP YOUR OlP MAN — NOT THE SHERIFF.' HE WAS , A DEPUTY WHO WAS GET’ N3 TOO CLCTE MM rv TO MY TRAIL.' MAYBE YOU’LL LIKE THIS BETTER.' I’M TiREP OF -i Playing games with J A TENDERFOOT.' . ^ I’VE BEEN ) I AIN’T TAKING A FOOL. TEX-*/ ANY MORE A LOCO y CHANCES WITH MAvERiCK/y THI5 HiPE-OUT.' _ GET THE ■ ^ DYNAMITE.' WE’LL BLOW UP THE PLACE BL\W ANP THOSE TWO WITH IT.' YOU KILLED MY FATHER .' /P / ^ COULP ONLY GET p-rn HAN PS 1*1 rau ‘ TEX RITTER WESTERN 'HE SPUTTERING FUSE GROWS SMALLER AMP SMALLER... THEN , SUPPENLV/ I PURPOSELY LEFT A NICE LONG FUSE ON THE PYNAMiTE SO VOU COULP VO A LOT OF THINKING BEFORE IT GOES OFF.' HAW.' HAW.' FURY. woof! GRAB THAT, -r FURY.' PROP IT A NP COME RIGHT 7 BACK/ L PRONTO. {SfiARRYfNO OUT h’IS MASTER’5 WHOPPERS, FURY VAULTS BACK INTO THE ROOM AS AN EARTH- SHAKING BLAST ROCKS THE AREA : -- r — * HE UNPERSTOOP; TEX RITTER WESTERN i’m reapy for THE VARMINTS.' r HEV’ RE GOING TO GET A HOT RECEPTION ' r EX INTERCEPTS THE STAGECOACH BEFORE IT REACHES INPIAN PASS WHERE REP HARLAN’S GANG AWAITS IT.... £>• u m SET REA PV, JOPY.' THE PASS IS JUST AHEAP.' WHATEVER • YOU SAY, RANGER.' YOU BOYS STAY HERE WITH THE golp shipment: jopy anp i WILL TAKE IT THROUGH INPlAN PASS.' WE’LL BE REAPY FOR y THE VARMINTS.' IT’S TEX RITTER.' < WE’VE BEEN TRAPPEP.' HERE THE Y COME POUR IT INTO 7 hem.' T ANP NOW YOU ANP I CAN SETTLE — . UP.' - SOME RANK MONEY T 1 WANT.' ' ^■rTER REP HARLAN ANP HIS SANG HAVE - BEEN PLACEP IN JAIL ANP THE STOLEN BANK MONEY RETURNEP \ 1 RECKON WELL , I GOT TO ) NOT, MA MOSEY ALONG J TEX NOW.' I PON’T /OFENEPMY THINK YOU’LL ^ EYES FOR HAVE TO WORRY J ME ! I’M ABOUT JOPY S NOT ANYMORE, MAM. 7 FORGETTING . _>I7, EITHER.' SOME PAY I B T • UJr HOPE TO SE HALF THE MAN flsTEX RITTER is.' I RECKON THEY'- RE STILL WON PE RING ^ WHAT HIT THEM, J TEX .' PIP YOU rINP THE ^ MONEY? Y ESJ NOW WE’LL TAKE THESE VARMINTS INTO TOWN ANP PUT THEM IN JAIL.' TEX RITTER WESTERN Y OUR PARD, »*W FOUtS .' A GOOD COWBOY NEVER STOPS STUDYING— JUST look: into any sunkhouse for proof of that. THAT'S WHY I LAUGH WHEN I HEAR SOMEBODY TALK ABOUT DOlN© SOMETHIN© THAT REQUIRES NO 6 tuDYiN<2>. EVERYTHIN© WORTH DOING REQUIRES PLENTY OF WORK, STUDY AND SAVVY. ANY RANNY WHO SAYS DIFFERENTLY IS PLUMB LOCO / WELL. IT'S TIME FOR /V.E TO BED WHITS FLASH DOWN FOR THE NIGHT NOW, BUT I'LL BE RIDING YOUR WAY AGAIN NEXT MONTH. UNTIL THEN, SHARPEN UP YOUR PENCIL AND PROP ME A LINE. THERE'S NOTHIN© MORE PLEASURABLE THAN HEARIN© FROM ©OOD FRIENDS . FIRST OF ALL.THERE'S LEARNING HOW TO RlPE AND HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR BRONC- WHEN A COWBOY'S OUT ON THE RANGE HE HAS TO BE HIS OWN VETERINARY. AS FOR THE CATTLE--- HE HAS TO KNOW HOW TO TELL A PROMISING YEARUNG FROM A POOR ONE, HOW TO ROPE AND TIE AN ORNERY DO© IE AND A HOST OF OTHER THINGS. TEX RITTER WESTERN 8 a " in $ F F 4 l 0 8 0 1 6tfAT @sfA§ BROUGHT IN WORD THAT SY A PIONEER WAGON IS ENTERING HIS TERRITORY/ W YOU KNOW WHAT'LL HAPPEN J ^ , IF STORM CLOUD A A k SPOTSTHEMl^ms^ I RECKON I DO, CHIEF' HE'LL WIPE OUT EVERY WAN, » WOMAN AND , CHILD/ WAITED I I'D BETTER HIT THE LOOKS AS IF THERE' 1 TIME TO LOSE' ^ ' you WANT ME TO INTERCEPT THAT WAGON TRAIN AND TURN THEM BACK TO THE FORT. V IS THAT IT, CHIEF?-. RIGHT/ STORM CLOUD DOESN'T KNOW THE MEANING OF THE WORD MERCY ! AND IF HE -4 SPOTS THEM WITHOUT AN ARMY ESCORT— The Renegade Roundup RIGHT, TEX/ AND THIS IS WHERE YOU ENTER THE y PICTURE.' THE FOOLS 4 WHO ARE RUNNING THAT WAGON TRAIN BYPASSED FORT CAHILL, WHERE THEY COULD HAVE BEEN - WARNED/ / TITAIL 5 n a TEX RITTER WESTERN After a long ride across the prairie io intercept the -wagon, train... ITS THE WAGON TRAIN/ STORMCLOUI ? ANR HIS RENEGADE BAND ARE ATTACKING! ^ ^°Oo 0o / VAOOoq • a ' Kill' J Gunshots! and they're oozing FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL/ WHOA, WHITE FLASH! v — ' I WANT TO INCH UP ) 7 THERE AND HAVE / V. A LOOK/ 'BANG ■gAN^ I WOULDN'T STAND A CHANCE OF \ HELPING THEM IF I WENT DOWN \ THERE MYSELF/ BUT MAYBE. IF I I FIRE FROM THIS RIPGE, X CAN FLUFF STORMCLOUL 7 IN TO THINKING THERE'S A COMPANY OF MEN WHO HAVE CUT HIM OFF.' ^ AIEEEl IT COMES l FROM HILL/ _r HAVE THE WARRIORS FOLLOW I ME.' WE SHALL ESCAPE -<£ 'TOWARD OTHER DIRECTION.' OUR TIME WILL COME ANOTHER I K— _ PAY/ BX, \lOiyST0RMCL0UDl FT WHITE DEVIL > ' 4 army HAS US '■ 1/ blocked IN/ FIRI _ ~ 1/ COMES FROM fcyl CANYON — HILL? TEX RITTER WESTERN .THERE'S GOING TO BE NO EXCEPTIONS, BlANPING.' EVERYBODY GOES TEX RITTER WESTERN ' r T Hours later, at Fori Cahill, . (7 yc,|j CAN ' T KEEP us were, CAPTAIN! IT'S THE ARMY'S JOB TO PROTECT US. IP YOU WON' T GIVE ME AN ESCORT TD THE SETTLEMENT, I aim < to GO MYSELF' ^ Nit's impossible to ] SPARE ANY MEN MOW. / 5LAN PINS/ I HAVE ONLY /A SKELETON FORCE HEPS AT THE PORT/ THE Rest are out hunting j POR STORM CLOUD.' y f I RECKON I HAP TO USE A LITTLE PERSUASIOn'tO GET RIAN PING TO CHANGE COURSE-- BUT IT WAS T , FOR HIS OWN GOOD! A gLANPIMG RUBS ME THE WRONG WAV/ WHY SHOULD * A MAN RISK HIS LIFE JUST FOR A LOAD OF UTENSILS? / ' IF STORMCLOUP \ IT'S SURE LUCKY KNEW HOW FEW \HE DOESN'T KNOW.' SOLDIERS WERE \ RECKON I'LL TURN N AT THE FORT, HE'D IN, CAPTAfN.' I'VE / BE IN ON US IN J A LONG RIDE BACK/ NO TIME/ IT TO THE RANGERS' z - WORRIES ME TO '^OFFICE TOMORROW. 1 KNOW THAT I HAVE W*. . , ' ONLY A FEW MEN ON HAND t HERE WHAT WORRIES ME, CAP TAIN. ARE STORM- CLOUD'S MODERN GUNS.' SOMEBODY IS \ SMUGGLING THEM TO I HIM AND I SURE WOULD LIKE TO ) . KNOW who! y i IT'S BLANDIN G! 1 MB'S SNEAKING 0 OUT i - TEX RITTER WESTERN I SURE DID.' COMB ON BACU . HERE/ a /T'S STOPMCLOUP ANP HIS BAN Pi DID YOU BRING GUNS? I PAY YOU RIGHT NOW. I BROUGHT YOU THE GUNS: NOW I WANT TO GET PAID.' THAT'S THE LAST BATCH I OWE YOU/ I RECKON I CAN GET OUT OF THE "UTENSIL BUSINESS" . ‘ r now/ , x \ heh.’ heh/J GUNS VERY Good/ f I /MUCH < PLEASED.' X GOT SOA1E L — C ' f MIGHTY IMPORTANT \ INFORMATION FOR YOU.' THERE'S ONLY A HANDFUL ^OF SOLDIERS AT THE 1 FORT NOW J WITH A THOSEGUNS, YOU COULD TAKE THE V FORT AND GET / ' MORE GUNS' X - • YOU REAL \friend OF ) STORM - I CLOUD, /BLANDING-' YOU DIUTV-. AGGHHH i l SO IT WAS B LANDING ) TOMORROW WE ATTACK YpEAT// TO ) WHO WAS RUNNING < WHITE FORT AND J ALL /GUNS TO THEM/ w* KILL WHITE DEVILS/ 17 ENFhl\fS. y WELL, THE POLECAT ^ GOT WHAT WAS COMING r 7 to him .' /rjjin ^ 1 YAH0000.' 6 eefy/iHHH lyVA HOOdoo! I YA HOOOqqI TEX RITTER WESTERN Tex has ovzvkeard Storm cloud's plan of action. IF I CAN CAPTURE J -'s STORMCLOUP, THERE’S A CHANCE TO STOP THEM/ rfjk, ip those devils storm the fort, THE SOLDIERS THERE WILL NEVER ^ BE ABLE TO HOLD THEM OFF.' C I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING- JM tj— . PRONTO! TEX RITTER WESTERN Later, Tex rides into the camp of the Kioto.: ... STOP! or ARROW GIVES r SUDDEN Tf DEATH R TAKE ME TO YOUR CHIEF 1 1 BRING YOUR ENEMY, STORM CLOUP.' 1 AM _• PRAIRIE RANGER W L TEX RITTER,' Shortly afterwards ... THERE HE IS, CHIEF! THE MURDEROUS VARMINT WAS ABOUT TO INVADE YOUR TRIBE AND K1U TEX RITTER WESTERN As the blood curdling war whoop of fZ it Kiotae vends the aiv. Tex charges ihe renegade lM.dia.us.’ CHARGE. YA OOOq! WE SURRENDER! DO NOT HILL. ^ — 7 US! ) TWEV HAVE CAPTURES CHIEF STOPMCLOUP! AU IS JT L_ LOST! r-> £& I WE'LL LET LAW AND OR PER. TARE CA BE OF YOU/ DROP THOSE i-cr /**& GUNS/y Hours later, as word of the ap- \proachiug Indians reaches the fort. WE'LL TARE THEM TO THE AEMV FORT, CHIEF.' / Later. SeoJle a the aid of the OWE THE. P Kl0TAS • N0W LIVES TO 7 7WAT WE HAVe y VOU, S TEX.' I LL SEE THAT A RENEGADES , N WASHINGTON (jail, j reckon HEARS ABOUT / THEKE OUGHT TO THIS. /'be A LONG SPELL < OF PEACE AROUND Sfc \ \ THESE PARTS/ A HE'S COT 1 — C.THAT'S THE KIOTA Y STORMCLOUD V R,0E WIT « HIM.' L AND HIS MEN /FOR A minute, PRISONERS! / 1 thought we were GOING TO BE > l p-T V attacked: tsz TEX RITTER WESTERN GLOVE T HE prairie was black and silent as only the prairie can be in the dead of night. Mack Gaines stirred restlessly in his sleep. It seemed to him that the sound of faraway voices had shattered the stillness. The faint din had now become a distinct undertone of alarmed shouts. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and raised the shutter. A pale, amber glow illumined the purple sky about two miles north of Mace Town. Even as he watched it, the amber glow deepened to a livid scarlet. It was a fire! And a big one! "Gene!" the square-shoultjered rancher shouted. “Where are you, boy? Looks to me- like the Bar CW is burning to cinders!" He flung open the door of the next room. The bed inside was unruffled, unslept upon. He muttered something beneath his breath, and lines of deep concern creased his brow. “Every time something happens around here, that boy disappears! I don’t like it.” But there was no time for puzzles. Every available hand would be needed to fight the infei*no. Swiftly, Mack Gaines mounted a sleekly muscled stallion and spurred the* powerful animal across the range in the direc- tion of the bleeding sky. Soon after, he pulled up at the end of a human chain of ranchers who were frantically passing water buckets to douse the fiercely blazing holocaust. “Where's Gene?” someone asked Mack as he joined the sweating group. “Must be somewhere in the line,” grunted the big rancher, the effort of the lie visible in his lean, resolute face. Steadily, without pause or rest, they fought the flames. Three, four hours went by, until at last, the graying dawn appeared. "I — It’s no use," the short, stocky man who had stood first in line and flung bucket after bucket ot water into the insatiable maw of yellow death as though his life depended on it, faced the others. "There’s nothing left to save.” He mopped his heat-scalded brow pain- fully, and the others knew he was concealing tears behind the begrimed kerchief. They all looked on helplessly, as their neighboring rancher stumbled away, broken in spirit. One of them spoke, and his words echoed the bitter thoughts of them all: "A man struggles to build himself a spread. Then something like this comes along!" “If it were just an accident," interjected another, "it wouldn’t be as hard to take! But when we’re forced to stand by and see five t ranches go up in smoke in the past three months, at the slimy hands of a scavenger." Mack Gaines stepped forward and confront- ed the last one who had spoken. "How do you 9 know this wasn't just an accident, Cassaway?" “Because we found another accursed black glove in front of the ranch house when the blaze started!" With that, the man produced a black leather riding glove for all of the others to see. "The Black Glove and his gang always leave one." “What’ll we do, Mack?" One man framed the question for them all. "We can't go on , fighting something we can't even see! This vulture who calls himself the Black Glove is never even within reach of our gunsights. He i moves like the wind and strikes where we’re i unprepared. I — It’s as though he were one of 1 us and knew our every plan!" j 1 “I say we’d do better to pay him the price he asks in those notes of his, and save the ‘ rest of our ranches!” This came from another \ min, a big, florid giant of a man who now c commanded the attention of all the rest. “Me for* one, I don’t aim to stand by and be cleaned ^ out of everything I own in the world!” One concurred and then another and an- t other. They had been under considerable » j- strain these past months, organizing vigilante, groups for night protection of the land in 1 v Mace Valley, and now constant failure had o weakened their former determination. Gaines listened to them for several minutes, ] and when he spoke, his fists were doubled at * his sides, and his eyes were narrowed slits of . fury. “No! It won’t work! All you’ll ever , accomplish by paying him off, is to encourage t him to squeeze you tighter and tighter until 0 he owns everything in the Valley. What I ii have is mine, and I’ll defend it while there’s o a breath left in my body!” They parted on that note. Mack Gaines had vv swayed them again. This was the third time si they almost surrendered all hope, all opposi- „« tion to the insidious threat of the Black Glove , and his gang. But as the troubled rancher f ' mounted and headed back to his place, one TEX RITTER WESTERN question repeated itself over and over again in his tortured brain. "Where was Gene? Why was he gone each time another ranch burned down?” No man was closer to his son than Mack Gaines. They spent each day working shoulder to shoulder, to make the Bar Double K the finest ranch in the state. Gene had been a good son. That is, until several months ago. Then the boy started carousing with a wild lot, staying out late and getting mixed up in some shooting scrapes. He had tried to speak to the boy, but he was too hurt, too sick at heart at *-? what he considered his own failings. Back at the ranch. Mack hitched up his mount and walked disconsolately into the house. S "Hi. Dad!” The tall, handsomely smiling youth greeted him almost too casually. "Heard about the Bar CW burning down, tough break." Mack made no retort but slumped wearily in his chair. Gene shrugged his shoulders, and returned his attention to the guns he'd been cleaning before his father had entered. The older man frowned at that and laid his hand directly across Gene's weapons. Their eyes met. "Where were you. boy? Tell me that?" his voice in cold fury. "You dismiss the fire with a shrug of your shoulders! Don't you know it's every man's responsibility in these parts to take up the fight of his neighbor? From now on, I don’t want you — " The younger man's face paled. "Now, wait a minute, Dad. I'm no kid you can spank any more. I'm of age to make up my own mind and do as I see fit !’’ Mack Gaines slapped his son’s face. It was the first time in his life he had ever raised his hand at the boy. He regretted it before the blow landed. Before he could find the words to say he was sorry. Gene Gaines whirled upon ■ his heel and strode from the house ... . t The rancher seemed to age ten years as he t walked up the stairs. He paused before the 1 open door of Gene’s room It was just a senti- ‘ mental gesture on the part of the older man. i. Then something on the bed sheet caught his t eye. Charred cinders! Clothing the boy had £ hurriedly cast off were flung there, full of the soot and flying ash of a fire! Mack Gaines felt r then as though a branding iron had been ® thrust against his heart. He rifled the pockets | of the jacket and felt a folded sheet of paper * inside. With trembling fingers he smoothed s out the wrinkles and read: "After HamweU's ranch, the next night it d will be . . . GAINES’ PLACE!" And the in- ie signia at the bottom of the paper was a crudely j. drawn black glove. , e 1 Mack dizzied at the realization. Though he loved his son more than his own life, Gaines knew there was no alternative for a man who’d fought on the line of justice and law all his life. Gene had to pay for his wrongs! die had to be stopped from further destruction. He stumbled uncertainly to the staircase, drew his hand across his eyes as though to clear them, and started down. The house seem- ed to be moving beneath his feet, and he toppled down the stairs. At the bottom, he lay- bruised and unconscious. The hours passed. Twice, Mack Gaines had come to, tried to raise himself to his feet, only to collapse again in a spasm of pain. His leg was badly broken. Then there came the thunder of hoofs. Several riders approached the house and dis- mounted. Mack Gaines was awakened by the jostling of the door, and the sound of a voice: "Well, Gene — this will be the end of your place! But you woi)'t be sorry. Any man who rides with the Black Glove — will be rich be- yond his dreams!" His own son was at the door, ready and will- ing to destroy the place where he was born and raised! Mack Gaines reached down to his holster as the door opened, but there his hand stopped. He could never draw a gun against his own flesh and blood. A shot shattered the quiet. It seemed to be the signal for the wild, deadly battle that ensued. Men screamed with pain and toppled from their saddles as vengeful bullets found their mark. With extraordinary effort, Mack Gaines pulled himself to the window. But it was over as abruptly as it had begun. Now the door was flung open, and tall and fearless in the threshold, stood Gene Gaines. "Dad!" He ran to his father and helped him to a chair. The older man looked away so as not to meet the eyes of his son. "Mack Gaines!" another figure entered, and in the dim light, the rancher caught the reflec- tion of a star! "I want to shake your hand," the sheriff said. "Any man who raises a son like yours deserves congratulations!" I T was then the story came out. Gene had gone out of his way to make himself the reputation of a wild, irresponsible saddle dummy. In this way he was able to fall in with the notorious Black Glove gang. Since the outlaw could be found out no other way — Gene decided to play it this way. And he did it with the sanction of the sheriff — as an acting deputy! The culprit was Castle, the rancher who tried to make the others surrender the fight ! He was in pain, but the look on Mack Gaines' face showed he never felt better in his life. THE END TEX RITTER WESTERN TWO- PRAIK'E ranker \N OF PECOS FORK NO WADPy HAS DESCRIBE WHO meets C-HICO * TEX RITTER WESTERN 50 ON AFTERWARP IN PECOS PORK . HERE'S OOR FIRST STOP, X FURY/ LET'S HAVE A PALAVER > WITH 6. WILLIAMS -.-AND SEE WHAT'S REALLY 6O1N6 ON |N> ^THIS TOWN l tOS FORK HOWPY, MISS/ I'M \ / THE WARPY ' TEX RITTER OF //HAPPENS TO THE PRAIRIE <1 SE ME/ MY RANGERS /|'p BEN. NAME'S PLUMB OBLIGED \ &IN6ER * FOR A CHANCE TO/ WILLIAMS . .' TALK TO THE <-/ANP I'M IN WAPPy WHO \CHARSE OF SENT ME THIS JTHE BANK TELE 6RAM/ PUR1N6 MY FATHER'S LLNESS A I'VE BEEN WONDERING ABOUT > YOUR MESSAGE, GINGER/ ACCORP inG TO WHAT WE'VE * HEARP AT RANGER HEADQuARrwS THE CHICO KIP ANPHIS GANG HAVE KEPT PECOS FORK, r— -V PRACTICALLY INASTATE / OF SiEGC'y. 'THEY PIP.TEX .. UP TO THREE . ^ Bodays ago /T \;f IT LOOKS AS IF \ MISHTy STRANGE THE GANG HAS ]THAT THREE OF PULLEP ITS LAST /THE TOU6HEST JOB /THREE /HOMBReS IN OF THE CHICO ■ C ^TBKAS WOOL D KIP5 ACCOMPLICES / LET THEM- y ARE IN JAIL... /SELVES RE ^ AFTER HAVING SROUNDEP UP BY BEEN CAPTURE!? ) A SINGLE . By A RANCHER'/WADPy/ {JUT < ^ WHAT ABOUT THE CHICO KIP him- SELF, GINGER? I CAN'T TELL you A THING ABOUT HIM, TEX/ NO ONE'S LIVED LON6 ENOUGH TO Z et l^ R,BE THE HIM ^ E - RUNNIN ^ '"TO J SUPPENLY... ISTER, CAN YOU Give me a hanp ^ OVER AT THE JAIL? THOSE THREE .< CAP^UREP OUTLAWS ARE TRYING TO SMASH THEIR WAy OUT Jthanks, YOUNGSTER/ 6lN6ER,WE'P ^BETTER LOOK INTO THIS' M' TEX RITTER WESTERN DON'T MOVE, RITTER/) I'VE HEARD TAKE DOWN THOSE 7 YOU CAN'T BE KEYS, GAL AND rf LICKED IN A ^ UNLOCK THE I^G UN FIGHT/ cell poor / /^suppose you give ' — 1 /7TT ME A FA|R CHANCE TO / // DRAW ANP p- — " // l PROVE IT ? ) pfgk REACH/ THE CHICO r T KID/ ^ LETTING MY ’ WADPIES BE ^ CAPTURED/ IVE V KEPT THE RANGER | FROM SENDIN6 A I POSSE TO TOWN 1 NOW WE CAN r- V RANSACK THE ) BANK/ 7 STOP STALLING/ X- UNBUCKLE YOUR GUN BELT -LET IT PROP.. ANP MOSEY OVER. TO THAT CELL /^ ^ WITH SPUT-SECONP TIMING/TEX CATCHES THE FALLING GUN BELT ON HIS FOOT AND — J KICKS IT BACK UP/ GREAT HORNED ) COOKS AS TOADS/ YOU'RE / IF My TRlCK £ BELT TRYIN6 TO OUTSMART THE l8B3 CHiCO «P ALWAYS PAYS OFF, RiTT£« ... WITH LEAD' /fSB 7 AND for the same ( REASON EVERYONE misses J a hip shot /s automatica Aimed too high to Hit A PRACTISE, H Ombre »i<»i , C- them handle you / E lazes/ r L MISSED HIM J TEX RITTER WESTERN FROM HERE ON YOU |Bl6 MOOSE, YOU'RE IpRASBiNG TROUBLE/ I'M GOING TO TAKE A HEAP OP HANDLING, YOU VARMINTS / 1 PON'T NEED SUNS 'AU.I on is grab/ > > TEX .'WATCH BUS PETE/ OWWiv/ TEX RITTER WESTERN 6‘NGER, i aim TO FiNp THE CHICO PETE I TEX RITTER WESTERN THAT NIGHT AT THE WILLIAMS' DON’T FRET YOURGELFJ G>IN6£R / AFTER — HE'S JUST AN J i SUPPOSE) ACCOM PUC ej/THBRE'S t a r^ 3 NOTHING TO DO RANCH THAT'S A \ PRETTY 'TUNE 'TEX.. \TO U6T£N no UNDER A FHJLL x" MOON.' ) ALL I WANT IS MY- HORSE AND MY *W / POG ANP MY GUNS, < AND A PLACE ON THE RANGE WHERE THE > LONELy COyOTE v*RUNS... J P 'NOW BUT COME OUT/ ,TO OUR <1 \ RANCH J THANKS FOR REMINDING ' ME, GINGER/ THERE '< JUST LIGHT ENOUGH FOR A CHORE ,V6 GOT TO TAKE . CARE 'HERE THEy COMB.! I \ KNEW 1-p BE ABLE TO ) LURE THEM HERE... < j AFTER MENTIONING I M was carrying an aoJ N -^ RV RVE thousand WELLi SSN'r KNOW IT, BUT HE CHICO KIP AND & TO SHOW UP AND I AIM TO BE READY/ y— THEN AS THE WINDMILL AYLE TAKES IN THE SLACK OF TEX'S ROPE... ,/ r. ■■■ ■■ — ■ *— *