TEX RITTER WESTERN * Volume 1, Number 30 August. 1953 Published bimonthly by Charlton Comics Group. Executive offices and oflfice of publication. Charlton Building, Derby, Conn. Copyright 1955 by Charlton Comics Group. Designed by A I Fago Studios. Printed in the U.S.A. TEX RITTER WESTERN [ he blood-curdling whoops resounding from the hills told rex ritter, the two-fisted Prairie Ranger, that the Indians were on the Warpath It was up to Tex ana his leed-sLinging slx-gtmsto save Red Gulch from the menace of WARPATH VENSEANCE/ ATOMIC MOUSE * BADGE OF JUSTICE * BLUE BEETLE * COWBOY LOVE * COWBOY WEST- ERN * DANGER and ADVENTURE * FUNNY ANIMALS— MERRY MAILMAN * GABBY HAYES * HOT RODS and RACING CARS * LASH LoRUE * MONTE HALE * MY LITTLE MARGIE * ROCKY LANE * SIX-GUN HEROES * SOLDIER and MARINE * SPACE ADVENTURES— ROCKY JONES, SPACE RANGER * SWEETHEARTS * TEX RITTER * Thi, I. SUSPENSE * TRUE LIFE SECRETS * TV TEENS— DON WINSLOW of fho NAVY * WIN-A-PRIZE * ZOO FUNNIES. NYOKA. JUNGLE GIRL , A CHARLTON PUBLICATION TEX RITTER WESTERN §>-£X HAS JUST COME OFF THE TRAIL TO VISIT THE SHERIFF OF RED GULCH WHEN... LOOKS LIKE A RUCKUS UP NEAR THAT GAMBLING CASINO.' RECKON I’D BETTER TAKE A LOOK.' THAT’S HOLD ON, YOU COYOTES.' SEEMS TO ME THAT YOU HOMBRES DON’T KNOW . THE MEANING OF ■< n FAIR PLAY.' J I’M MIGHTY ) SORRY ABOUT J ALL THIS, BRIGHT ARROW.' IF YOU WANT TO BRING CHARGES, AGAINST THOSE . CRITTERS I’LL J ■a HELP yOU .' mm —/THIS SPELLS \ TROUBLE J ( THERE’S ONLY A AN UNEASY \ TRUCE BETWEEN } /CHIEF SILVER / WATER’S TRIBE AND THI5 TOWN.' IT WOULDN’T TAKE MUCH TO START, vSOMETHINGA^-rf ON HEARING THE NAME OFTHf FAMOUS PRAIRIE RANGER, THE CUNSLICKS INSTANTLY DISPERSE/ NO WANT HELP OF PALEFACE. INDIAN BRAVE PAY BACK IN HIS OWN WAY. THAT S BRIGHT ARROW, THE ONLY SON OF CHIEF < SILVER WATER.'/ YOU’RE A THEY HAVE A LEGAL RIGHT TO BE THERE, SILK.' BESIDES, WE HAVE LA WHY CLEAN THOSE I NJUN5 OUT OF , THERE ?EVERY- . . ONE IN THIS < THE CHIEF’S TOWN IS IN ) WORD THAT DANGER WHILE/THERE WOULD THEY CAMP SBE NO TROU- ' BLE IF BOTH LIVE UP TRUCE ' TEX RITTER WESTERN I PON’T TRUST THE WORE? OF ANY INJUN CHIEF.' YOU COULD RAISE" A POSSE HERE IN A MINUTE TO CLEAN THEM IF YOU WANTED TO.' BUT I RECHON WE’D NEED A PRAIRIE RANGER WITH OUTS TO DO THAT.' I’M PROPPING My GUN BELT, i _ SILK .'MY FISTS ARE ALL ^ I NPPP * — -j- — ^ W- WAIT \A MINUTE- NO NEED TO OET SO EXCITED, <, TEX.' I-I DIDN’T MEAN ANYTHING- I RECKON YOU MEN ALL KNOW THAT THE INDIANS . OUTNUMBER US.' WE < WOULDN’T STAND MUCH ) OF A CHANCE IF THAT J TRUCE WAS BROKEN.’ IF THERE’S ANYMORE RUCKUS WITH THE INDIANS, THE SHERIFF AND I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT — rC FIRST' — 7/ — LE ' ^ nn -' 1 \ // . A -rev ) THEN I TAKE IT YOU’RE APOLOOIZ- — i /NO .' YOU SURE MADE HIM CRAWL, TEX .' f AND HE WON’T L FOROET- IT.' f|fl| THAT HOMBRE IS BAP c .« MEDICINE J FURY AND I HAVE | BEEN ON THE TRAIL * SINCE DAYBREAK, AND I RECKON WE CAN USE SOME SHUTEYE ! SEE . YOU IN THE ^ V' MORNING J ) HAVE A OOOP NIGHT’S ' REST, TEX J SHERIFF TEX RITTER WESTERN /4 a ter, at SILK’S GAMBLING ; \ SILK’S ) EVERY - 1 TOLD you \ RlOHT.' ^ BOP Y WE COULDN’T ] WE CAN’T ) JUST TRUST THOSE /LET ’EM < SlT VARMINTS.' /(SET AWAY / TlOHT.' WHAT ARE WITH S THIS YOU WAlTINO THI5 .'/CALLS FO FOB ? LET’S JUSTICE, SET A POS5E gggPx NOT MOB AND CLEAN LAW .' THEM OUT.' — V — 1 WHAT’S ) INJUNS J TWO UP? /OF THEM RAIDED ^ -<< SILK’S PLACE.' tried, to burn it down with FLAMING | Isssl Mpk arrows.'/ P ut late that nioht, TEX IS AWAKENED BY kURY’5 OMINOU5 GROWL i INDIAN YELLS. . COME ON, TV FURY.' YOU’RE TAKINO A POWERFUL BIO CHANCE (30IN(S UP THERE YOURSELF, TEX / I’LL RIDE OUT TO SEE CHIEF SiLVER WATER * HIMSELF AND FIND OUT WHAT WAS BEHIND THIS ATTACK THE ) CHIEF ISN’T A MAN 4/ TO BREAK HI5 — . WORD.' ^ /(2UR5 LATER, AS TEX NEARS THE INDIAN STRONOHOLD-- WHAT’S BOTHERING YOU, < FURY ? ) GRRrrrI DOWN, FURY.' L RECKON WE AREN’T WELCOME ~T AROUND HERE.' . — TiX RITTER WESTERN THEY’RE HlSH-TAlLIN Gr IT OUT OF— .' SAY--- . THAT’S MIOHTY /*g| PECULIAR.' ^-^11 FIRST TIME I EVER SAW INDIANS AROUND THESE PARTS RlPlNO SADDLED HORSES.' LET’S MAKE 1 TRACKS TO THE INDIAN 1 CAMP, WHITE FLASH JSm IF THE INDIANS HAVE DECIDED TO SO ON THE WARPATH, THEY . " LOOKS AS IF I’M - SURROUNDED.' IT’S YOUR MOVE, BRIGHT . ARROW.' I WAS , HEAPING TO SEE ^ YOUR FATHER, > THE CHIEF.' Suddenly. no move — - OR ARROWS GIVE DEATH.' «ATER, AS THE INDIANS roUlDE TEX INTO THEIR STRONGHOLP , -r / CHIEF ) KNOW X WHITE ) . WARRIOR, L. TEX RITTER, / MANY SUMMERS. LEAVE US TO ^ TALK, 50N OF T -l /-tv CHIEF .' -f THEY ALREADY HAVE THEIR WARPAINT * ON ! THAT SPELLS - TROUBLE FOR jjft RED GULCH ! 1 ) I HAVE COME TO ^ TALK OVER THE 5'y TROUBLES BETWEEN OUR PEOPLE .’THE TRUCE MUST NOT BE BROKEN, ■"T CHIEF SILVER . ^ . WATER.' y WE FIND WHITE WARRIOR .' HE WANT WORDS WITH OREAT CHIEF SILVER WATER .' r'' TEX RITTER WESTERN FT6R TEX EXPLAINS THE DANGERS OF A WAR CHIEF PIP NOT 5ENP WARRIORS TO REP GULCH.' WHITE PEVIL KNOWN AS SILK COME HERE ) TO BUY OUR LAND/ ME SENP / SON TcO TELL SILK HE NO CAN Buy.' THEN WHITE MEN ATTACK SON OF CHIEF v-tt-j / — C\ / i » v I KNOW THAT TEX RITTER IS FRlENP OF IN PI AN PEOPLE , BUT THERE ARE OTHER WHITES WHO WOULP MAKE WAR / THEV KILL MY BRAVES — ATTACK SON OF CHIEF.' MY TRIBE IS RESTLESS BUT IF YOU PO NOT WANT WAR, WHY PIP l you senp your 1 BRAVES TO ATTACK US IN TOWN ? LAST NIGHT THEY CAME WITH FLAMING ARROWS.' y UPPFNLY, TEX’S KEEN VISION SPOTS A GLITTER- ING STONE, AND.-.- YOU SAY SILK CAME UP HERE TRYING TO BUY THIS LANP? HMMM — BUT WHY ? jtr— SILK HEARP ABOUT ) GOLP BEING UP < HERE THAT’5 WHY ) HE WANTED TO S PRIVE YOUR PEOPLE AWAY/ THIS SHINING 5TONE IS OF MUCH j VALUE TQ WHITE MEN, CHIEF SILVER WATER WORTH NOTHING . TO MY V PEOPLE,' LOOK AT THIS.' A GOLD NUGGET. 1 THERE ARE MANY STONES THAT I SHINE LIKE THAT ON INPIAN 1 LANP.' CHIEF, I’M SURE NONE OF THE MEN - FOLK IN REP GULCH WOULP DO A COWARDLY THING )\ LIKE THAT. 1 { THERE WILL BE TROUBLE > BEST TO GO NOW, TEX RITTER / A NO MATTER.' NO J LONGER WILL I / BE ABLE TO HOLD MY WARRIORS . IN CHECK / ALREADY THEY SCREAM FOR BATTLE / GO OU/CKLY- v BEFORE IT 15 TOO LATE .' r — WHITE DEVIL ATTACK WITH GUN J OTHER BRAVE GO TO HAPPY HUNTING GROUND.' ONLY 5TORMCLOL ESCAPE .' ’ - -v DEATH TO & V THE WHITE V ^7 DEVILS. 1 y TEX RITTER WESTERN >UT T£x IS SPOTTED AS HE RACES l OUT OF THE INDIAN CAMP RECKON WE’LL HAVE TO RUN FOR IT.' 7 MAKE TRACKS, % V. WHITE FLASH' 1 . (TE FLASH J^SUDPeNLY PICKS UP A STONE IN HIS SHOE, AND.. WE CAN’T MAKE SPEED THIS WAY— ANP THEY’RE CLOSING IN.' RECKON WE’LL HAVE TO TRY j — ' THE SHORT CUT.' UP, FURY-' WE’LL HAVE TO JUMP THIS r CHASM csfT YOU CAN PO IT, WHITE FLASH. SOFTER REMOVING THE ^ STONE THAT HOBBLED WHITE FLASH, TEX RlDE5 INTO REP GULCH MA PE IT.' BUT NOT WITH TOO MUCH T TO SPARE.' WE SHOULDN’T NOTHING HAVE WAITEP, TEX JUST THE INJUNS PLUGGED ) YET .' TWO OF THE PROS- RECTORS THAT WENT ]$§§* ffifl INTO THE HILLS;' iHlH what po you INTEND TO DO ABOUT THIS ? |g Z.E7’S GE7 ’EM NOW . 1 SILK HAD < THE RIGHT / ipea / y SOUNDS LIKE SOME MIGHTY ANGRY PALAVER.' WHAT’S T UP NOW? TEX RITTER WESTERN I DON’T AIM TO JEOPARDIZE THE LIVES OF INNOCENT WOMEN AND CHILDREN.' IN THE NAME OF THE LAW, I’M GIVING YOU HOMBRES . ONE MINUTE TO DISBAND.'^- NOTH/NGJ? LISTEN, RlTTER- EITHER YOU LEAP THE POSSE TO CLEAN OUT THOSE INDIANS, OR' I’LL LEAP IT MYSELF' RIGHT.' ^ WE’RE NOT WAITING ANYMORE^ HORTLY AFTERWARP5 ,WHEN THE SHERIFF ENTERS HIS OFFICE I NEVER THOUGHT l’D SEE THE DAY WHEN TEX RITTER TURNED \ YELLOW.' BE ON YOUR GUARD FOR ANY SUDDEN ATTACK&RY THE INDIANS.' I AIM GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS BU5INESS > — — — — MYSELF.' ' 1 STAND A BETTER ) CHANCE OF MAKING / THE VARMINTS SHOW THEIR HAND PRESSED THIS WAY.' THEY PLUGGED TWO OLD DESERT RATS.' r MAYBE THEY’LL TRY FOR A THIRD.' WHY IN TARNATION ARE YOU ALL DECKED OUT LIKE A DESERT > PROSPECTOR;,- T . TEX ? , V ALL RIGHT, YOU VARMINTS I 5 MOKE P YOU OUT — lATER THAT DAY... SOME MILES FROM TOWN.... IF SOMETHING IS OOlfs TO HAPPEN, I RECKON IT OUGHT TO HAPPEN RIGHT ABOUT HERE--.' TEX RITTER WESTERN ,OV ING WITH BLINPING SP EEP ACRP55 } THE PRAIRIE, FURY HURLS HIMSELF AT THE FLEEING QUARRY ANP I WINGEP ONE, FURV BUT THE OTHER ONE IS ESCAPING- AFTER HIM , BOY J J GRRRR WN GOT STIRREP UP.' "\ START WALKINS- ) WE’RE GOING N BACK TO REP ] AS f — GULCH J ^ THE FIRST TIME I SAW j IT \ YOU POLECATS RlPlNO /WASN’T WITH SAPPLES, I \ O/JR I PEA.' HAP A HUNCH ABOUT ) SILK PUT < THIS.' NOW START V^US UP TO TALKING. 1 YOU IT.' WE HAP PLUGGED THOSE A TO PO IT. 1 J TWO PROSPECTORS, -''"I PIPN’T you? THOSE TWO OF * SILK’S , BOYS ? HE SENT US OUT TO THE HILLS PRESSEP AS INPlANS, WITH STRICT ORPERSTO PLUO ANY WHITE MAN THEN, PRESSEP AS WHITE MEN WE WERE TO SHOOT ANY INJUN WE ■AW.'. Portly after warps..,. WHAT’S "\ RISHT.' UP, TEX?) THEY WERE AIN’T /OUT PLAYINO INPIAN WHEN 'they plugged THOSE TWO PROSPECTORS.' YOU’LL GET A 4 FAIR TRIAL TO PROVE IT, SILK .' BUT I’M TAKING YOU IN FOR < MURPER. 1 PUT OUT YOUR . HAN PS Ij/ tT 7 S A L/E - .' I NEVER SENT THOSE - MEN OUT PRESSEP AS INJUNS.' IT’S ONE OF RITTER’S TRICKS.' HE’S SELLINO US OUT TO THE INJUN5.’ ' THEY WERE ORPEREP BY SILK TO STIR UP TROUBLE BETWEEN THE INPIANS .> ANP US. 1 5EEMS THE “vS INPIAN5 HAVE (SOLP ON M THEIR LANP THAT SILK /Z HAS A HANKERING ' FOR V* Uo WHY, THE ORNERY COYOTE NICE GOING, FURY.' I’LL TAKE OVER - — , NOW .' r~ rT ~' you AIN’T TAKING ME NO PLACE TEX RITTER.' I'v-V/fi TEX RITTER WESTERN UPPENLY..../ THE INJUNS J 7 ' HUNDREDS OF THEM ' THEY'RE COMING N. THIS WAY.' IT'S VsfARJ IT’S TOO \ LATE , TEX.' I I RECKON WE’LL HAVE TO FIGHT ^ NOW J J THERE’S STILL A LONG CHANCE \ I GAN TAKE.' / EVERYSOPY __ SIT TIGHT — 7 ANP HOLP • V YOUR FIRE.' . P-PON’T HIT ) THAT VARMINT ME ANYMORE.' SWAS REAPY <; I-I PIP IT-' I’LL J TO SACRIFICE CONFESS TO F' INNOCENT < EVERYTHING .' J WOMEN ANP 1 r CH'LPREN SO HE coulp get hi s < ' MsgagSTPI-i^m. HAMP c>n the i Jr* T V INJUN GOLP' SINCE YOU STARTED THIS RUCKUS, YOU’RE GOING TO PO SOME TALL EXPLAINING.' WAIT, CHIEF. 1 GIVE US A CHANGE TO TELL YOU WHAT REALLY HAPPENED LOOK- THESE F ARE THE WHITE MEN WHO WANTEP WAR v? n BETWEEN US.' r— ^ NO-W/LET ^ ME GO.' THEY’LL KILL ME .' THERE SHOULP BE NO MORE BLOOP SHEP BECAUSE OF THESE MEN .'OUR PEOPLE CAN LI TOGETHER IN PEACE J .LET US G THE WHOLE TOWN IS SURE GLAP YOU HAPPENED TO MOSEY ALONG TEX RITTER WESTERN YES SIR, FOLKS, THIS IS QUITE A PREDICAMENT I'M IN,0UT DON'T FRET FER A MOMENT - -THINGS WILL 6ET WORSE AS WE , ^ ^ (SO ALONS ! ) HOWDY, PARDNERS^DlD I TELL? YUH WHAT HAPPENED TO ME j IgvLAST WEEK? inrgilllH '(GROAN) HYAR IT > COM E ST /HOLD ON TUH^™**«tV YORE EARS, EVERYBODY’ IT’S GOING TO GET . V MIGHTY. WIND *.' -Jm 'OH, OH, STUFF UP YOREl EARS, EVERYBODY.' HYAR? \COMES BUFFALO BULL /J N in' % — n d TEX RITTER WESTERN BIG? IT SHORE WUZ / THAR WUZ NINE HUNDRED AMD SIX INJUNS RliSHIMG FORWARD TO POUNCE DOWN ON ME .'BUT I WUZN’t / ^ AFEARED. 1 S -- A WHOLE TRIBEV (GASP) N OF REDSKINS JUMPED ) A WHOLE OUT FROM THE W/00D5/ TRIBE 0,F ‘AND STARTED TO r— r REDSKINS! ATTACK ME.' -//jEEPERS, WU. ' T IT A B!G r- \\ V TRIBE? / AS LONG AS VO’RE'ALL SO ANXIOUS TO HEAR "BOUT IT, I WON’T KEEP VUH WAITING ANY LONGER.' LAST WEEK I WUZ. RIDING THROUGH H (SIGH) Li UNFRIENDLY INJUN Z2sL TERRITORY WHEN - - SUDDENLY-- , I— WHAT.' VUH WJZN’T AFEARED OF NINE HUNDRED AND SIX INJUNS .SWOOPING DOWN / ON YUH? y IT WUZ EASY-- I SURROUNDED THEM! NOPE, BECUZ I ALREADY HAD MUH PLAN OF ACTION FIGGERED OUT/ AND IT WORKED.' JEST AS THEY^ WUZ ABOUT TO LEAP AT' ME FER .THE RILL, I TRAPPED THEM! (GASP)/// H f HUH? YUH ^ W TRAPPED NINE HUNDRED AND SIX REDSKINS/ HOW? ■fCj: ■fl SI 1 — _ |j Wmu LIE HOThU^iG! THAT WUZ THE TRUTH/ BUT THAT WUZ ONLY THE START OF MUH ADVENTURE/ I RODE INTO THE WOODS UNTIL I SUDDENLY CAME i TUH jA CLEARING/ I LOOKED UP -- J THAT’S ENOUGH, BUFFALO) WHEW, WHAT* BULL, I CAN’T BEAR WHOPPER Ij ^TUN HEAR ANV MOR E/ Jm THAT TAKES « ^ — IBT\ —\™ E CAKE// CREEPERS/ YUH SHORE' CAN LIE/ /--A TEX RITTER WESTERN AND I SAW A HUGE MOUNTAIN LION STANDING ON TOP OF A NEARBY BOULPER — ' r BIG? HE WUZ ^ GIGANTIC/ HE WUZ AT LEAST SIXTEEN INCHES, AND HE KEPT k* GROWLING AND WUZ IT A BIG- . MOUNTAIN 0 LIONT^mfll huh? C gulp 3 A MOUNTAIN LION! WAL, THIS CRITTER KEP" r ^ SNARLING AT ME AND IT 1 LOOKED LIKE HE WUZ M A-GOIN' TO JUMP ANY MOMENT/ BUT I WUZN'T THE LEAST BIT WORRIED.' I HAD MV FAITHFUL R.IFLE WITH ME.' ^4 HOLD OH! ARE VUH N WX RECKON \ LOCO? SINCE WHEN \YUH DON’T 4 IS A SIXTEEN INCH jKNOW HOWTO FOUNTAIN LION ^IG&jfcHGGER-- A -- I MEASURE THE SIZE OF A MOUNTAIN LION BY THE DISTANCE BETWEEN HI S EYES/ CGASP) /// I AIMED MUH TRUSTY SHOTGUN AND FIRED "BUT WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARED AU/AY, THE RIGHT IN THAT LION’S FACE— MOUNTAIN LION WUZ STILL ON TOP OF THE , TEX RITTER WESTERN -BUT EVERYT/ME WHEN THE. SN\OKE CLEANED AWAY / THE MOUNTAIN LION WUZ A: {.ST ILL THAR! Al 7 Z 7 wTcreepersj ANVWAY I ONLY HAD TWENTY BULLETS / AND BEFORE I KNEW IT I WUZ A DOWN TO M UH LAST ONE! I HAD W WASTED NINETEEN BULLETS, BUtM I MADE UP MY MIND THIS LAStM ONE WOULD COUNT! , — — ^ — 1 WAL, WHEN I 5AW THAT BIS SNARLING CAT STILL THAR, , I ADMIT I GOT FLABBERGASTED.' X FIRED iBULLET AFTER BULLET— ^ GOSH WHAT .happened?^, XGASP) '' YUH OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF VOH YEAH?^ YORESELF' IT TOOK YUH YUH HAVEN'T TWENTY BULLETS TO GET \ { HEARD THE RID OF ONE MOUNTAIN LION! \ V WHOLE STORY. 1 ; ^THAT’S TERRIBLE SNOOTING!) V — — X PULLED THE TRIGGER AND THIS TIME WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARED AWAY, THE MOUNTAIN , LION WUZ GONE FROM THE TOP OF A* .THE BOU LDER.' hmmph. so what’s so k WONDERFUL 'BOUT THAT* YEAH' AFTER I FIRED THAT LAST BULLET AND THE MOUNTAIN LION WUZ GONE, I CLIMBED TUH THE TOP OF THE ‘ BOULDER, LOOKED DOWN THE OTHER- VP* T SIDE AND WAAT DO YUH OPINE I ‘SAW/ J W£ DO, TWENTY DEAD MOUNTAIN LIONS/ , TEX RITTER WESTERN Tcxlliff&r THOSE TRAPPERS SURE HAVE THEMSELVES A GOOD TIME WHEN THEY HIT TOWN TO SELL THEIR FUR Si NA HOOOO- ► LEM ZETTER/ STILL AROUND, YOU OLD 7 GALOOT, rf EH? HANR TREMONT.' PUT'ER I THERE, 1 HANK/ IMyherever TEX RITTER goes in his crime- battling career, FURY- the best pard a man. could have -- fights alongside his master.' But where did Tex find his faithful four- footed pal? That story begins in Larrimee. Once a year, at trading time, the town is filled with the boisterous I one hunters of the mountains.. I'LL TEACH \ RECKON X YOU NOT TO YTHINGS ARE BANDY WORDS ) GETTING WITH ME, /OUT0F RED , v'handamite; REILLY.' L I'LL JUST A COOL THE ^ /A BOYS DOWN — SOME/ >■ EASY there: k LET'S QUIT THAT.' THIS IS NOME OFYOUR ^ FIGHT. M stranger: GET OUT, . OF HERE.' / Tex is ,, passing the iinteofday with the owner of a ■ traveling Carnival * in town | and... J YEP, I ALWAYS \NO WONDER.'TRAPPERS ] COME HERE AT \LEAD A LONELY LIFE ^ FUR-TRADING TIME,]|n THE MOUNTAINS TEX! BUSINESS IS J ALL YEAR LONG, HARDLY MIGHTY GOOD /SEEING A SOUL TILL THEN.' THEY MEET HERE AT < \rr V THIS TIME FOR , yr — 7 selling: >< w wm TEX RITTER WESTERN A PRAIRIE RANGER.' WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US YOU > WERE A GOVERN- MENT LAWMAN? YOU DIDN'T GIVE [ ME A CHANCE i \ FORGET IT, BOYS.* I RECKON ALL OF YOU f TRAPPERS HAVE > COME DOWN FROM ' THE HILL'S, AS “7 USUAL, EH? J WE'RE SORRY, RANGER... RECKON WE j JUST GOT 3 JUST HAVE A LOOK JBk Js. INSIDE THAT CABIN / NOTHING IN THE CART EXCEPT A FEW POOR PELTS/ BUT IT'S PLAIN FROM THAT HARNESS EQUIPMENT THAT THE CART \ WAS ABOUT TO BE HITCHED A I MUSTN'T TRY TO RUN OR MAKE ANY SUDDEN MOVEMENTS -OR HE'LL SURELY m COME AT ME l tf I ■'OH-OH! 1 FORGOT THAT MOST OF THESE TRAPPERS KEEP AT LEAST ONE DOG FOR PROTECTION AND / COMPANIONSHIP //''l GRRR-RR I'LL STAND STILL ) EASY, NOW, X AND TALK TO J BOY. I'M NOT H/M ... THE > GOING TO HURT WORDS AREN'T ) ANYONE... JUST IMPORTANT/ /CALM DOWN ... IT’S THE SOUND ] LET'S BE < OF A FRIENDLY/ FRIENDS ] VOICE THAT tf'TTT NOW...,/ COUNTS' )\ ‘ -r-^l HE'S CALMED DOWN, BUT HE'S / STILL WARY OF ME' I CAN MOVE, NOW ... BUT SLOWLY, VERY SLOWLY/ HE SENSES I'M ) —1 NOT HERE FOR HAR Ml/ sttxwiy NOW I'LL LET HIM SNIFF MY HAND... LET HIM MAKE . ~r FRIENDS — )0° THAT'S IT, ' BOY... COME ON OVER' SEE... EVERYTHING'S ■ S. AIL RIGHT.' > TEX RITTER WESTERN MURDERED, ALL RIGHT.' I WONPER HOW THE KILLER GOT CLOSE _ ENOUGH TO KNIFE HIM WITH ) 7 THAT DOG HERE/ UNLESS... SURE ENOUGH, —r THE WINDOW IS -i— BROKEN.' J THE KILLER STOOD OUTSIDE \ THE CABIN AND TOSSED THE KNIFE THROUGH THIS WINDOW ' WHOEVER PIP IT IS SURE ONE TERRIFIC j MAN WITH A KNIFE.' HE'S GOT -X: TO BE TO TOSS THROUGH A / GLASS WINDOW AND STILL Jt / GET HIS V TARGET Tex is about to ynount White Flash when he -notices — I'LL REPORT THIS TO THE 1 SHERIFF BACK IN IARRIMEE.' THEN I'M GOING TO TRACK DOWN THAT KNIFE-THROWING, zzj WIZARD SIEGER MUST HAVE PUT HIS FURS ON THE CART TO TAKE TO TOWN, THEN CAME BACK INSIDE HERE FOR SOMETHING/ THE KILLER STRUCK, THEN TOOK THE -C BEST PELTS FROM THE CART , OUTSIDE AND VAMOOSED// HEllO. THERE, BOV.' YOU ^ FOLLOWED ME OUT HERE, DID YOU? YOU WANT TO FIND . YOUR MASTER'S KILLER, ~~ 7 DON'T YOU T y I'VE GOT TO HAVE A NAME FOR YOU.' YOU'RE REALLY A NICE DOG, THOUGH A FEW MINUTES AGO YOU WERE A FURY/ VES, A REAL— SAY, THAT'S IT! THAT'S YOUR y NEW NAME — yW S. —7 FURY I r ^ FINDING THAT MURDERING VARMINT IS GOING TO BE LIKE LOOKING FOR A NEEDLE IN A HAY- STACK/ THERE'S ONLY ONE THING I KNOW . ABOUT HIM — HE'S ONE TERRIFIC r S. MAN WITH A KNIFE.' - J /■ - TEX RITTER WESTERN BUT WAIT--.' MAYBE THAT'S ALL 1 NEED TD KNOW/ HE'S SURE TO BE IN TOWN, SELLING HIS STOLEN FURS/ I MIGHT TRY A LITTLE TRICK.' T—* — Later, in town, traveling carnival owner SURE. WE'RE ALWAYS RUNNING \ CONTESTS ~ ROPING CONTESTS, SHOOTING CONTESTS' WE NEVER RAN A KNIFE-TOSSING CONTEST / BEFORE, BUT IF THAT'S WHAT / YOU WANT, WE'LL PLAY ALONG WITH YOU. . RANGER.' ~~ ~ ~ 1 — The big. bearded man tosses his knife and -- The next day. Tex and Fury stand on the side- lines. watchinff the contestants— - FOR THE FINAL CONTEST ) SURE, N FEAT I WANT YOU TO J RANGER PUT ON A SPECIAL ONE /CONTEST NEWS I'LL TELL YOU ABOUT / TRAVELS LIKE LATER.' WILDFIRE.' s --— . r — ■> EVERY MAN < \ / HANDY WITH A ^ ( BLADE OUGHT TO j /T \ V SHOW UP FOR IT J // \V TOMORROW.'/ f** THERE'S BEEN NO f REALLY OUTSTANDING KNIFE-TOSSING SO FAR. LET'S SEE WHAT THAT 7 BIG BRUISER HAS W TO OFFER ! rdM RECKON I'LL I HAVE A TRY AT WINNING THIS PRIZE - MONEY/ > Then, at a signal from Tex- STAND BACK JUMPING JEHOSHAPHAT.' THAT'S y REALLY TOSSING THEM.' THREE IN A ROW.' J§|| THAT SURE IS MIGHTY FANCY TOSSING, PARTNER.' ANO NOW, FOR A SPECIAL PRIZE/LET'S j SEE IF YOU CAN HIT THE TARGET THROUGH h THIS PIECE OF / UUST SET GLASS.' si IT UP.' TEX RITTER WESTERN HOLD ON , THERE, PARTNER: THAT'S MIGHTY FINE ^ TOSSING.' ONLY THING ) I'VE EVER SEEN LIRE ) IT WA5 A KNIFE v --< TOSSED THROUGH A CABIN . VwH-WHA' window// YES, RIGHT ~ \ THROUGH A ] CABIN WINDOW J INTO A MAN'S /A back; by ths way, son? A»y PURS HERS IN TOWN, PARTNER? V THAT'S THE CRITTER I WANT TO TALK WITH, AIL RIGHT.' BULL'S-EYE.' YEEEOW — NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE IT.' > COME ON, WHITE ft ASH/* GOT TO CATCH Tiffitt ©fc^ IF I WASN'T SURE Hg Wi MY MAN, I AM NOW/ SEE HOW YOU LIKE THIS.' GET MOVING, BRONCtf r G/PDAP' f Tex dashes after the fleeing killer, unaware that Fury is following him -- THERE HE GOES- INTO HIS CABIN.' THIS IS THE END OF THE TRAIL.' > FOR HIM.' I’LL PICK UP HIS TRAIL, PRONTO HE'S NOT FAR AHEAP OF US TEX RITTER WESTERN But as Tex rushes into the cabin THE GAME fS OVER l DON' _TRY ANY TRICKS.' 1 REACH FOR THE - GPRR-RROOOO. AND NOW I'LL TAKE CARE OF you: > HOLD ONTO . HIM, BOY! I'LL FINISH THE CRITTER NOW.' . FURY/ GOOD BOY/ Later on, back in larrimee THAT'S GOT HIM.' YOU’VE TAKEN CARE OF THINGS AT THIS END, FURY/ NOW WE'LL TAKE THEM BOTH TO TOWN ' THIS OUGHT TO HOLD YOU UNTIL I GET YOU BEHIND k. BARS/ OOOOOH THANKS FROM ALL OF US FOR NABBING THAT VARMINT.' THE PRAIRIE RANGERS MUST BE MIGHTY PROUD TO HAVE YOU WITH THEM.TEXi ^ BUT I WISH "N. YOU’D LET US W GIVE YOU A L REWARD.' y~ I'VE GOT MY REWARD — FURY, MY " NEW PARD/ GKRR— RRAOOOl TEX RITTER WESTERN STAGE-COACH HOLDUP C ARRYING fifty thousand dollars in gold bullion; 'the county sheriff, as special guard ; the banker, himself ; and a nervous fingered shot-gun man. Driver Cliff Gage popped the long bullwhip over the horses’ heads. The stage coach groaned and creaked and wobbled under the terrific strain as it labored up the last few yards of a steep hill. Reaching the crest finally, Gage halted to give the lathered, panting horses a breather. Ahead the road looped in crazy curves down a forty- five degree incline, then rolled out across a flat, dusty, sage-strewn plain, like a buff-colored runner carpet. About a half mile along the straight-away road, a clump of cotjonwood trees to the right half hid a huge log house. Smoke curled lazily from a stone chimney. Just beyond the house, the road led straight toward a nar- row, rocky ledged chasm. There, a white painted wooden bridge stretched across the gorge, high above the Catamount River, over to the tall brooding mountain-lands beyond. “Thought we weren’t going to hit Bailey’s toll house this trip, Cliff!” said Shorty Higgins, shot-gun man, riding the boot alongside Gage. “Old Harrington’ll pop a blood vessel when he discovers it!” Gage, youngish, blue-eyed, glared harshly at his messenger. He spat and brushed powdery dust from his checkered shirt. “I’m run-in’ this rig % Shorty. If you or Harrington don’t like my route — walk!” “A mite touchy, I’d say,” remarked Shorty, checking the load in his shot-gun. “I ain’t aim- ing to pry into any of your secrets. Cliff.” Wiping the whitish dust from his face, Gage climbed down out of the boot and, as he started around to the rear of the coach a man’s head thrust itself out suddenly from the window of the cab door. A round, pudgy face scowled at him angrily. “This isn’t the route we’d planned on. Gage! What’s the meaning of this?’” demanded John Harrington, pompous banker of the town of Gold Nugget. “Change in plans," was all Gage said, testing the big Concord’s springs, rear wheel, and the body of the coach. “Nothing for you to be con- cerned