TEX BITTER WESTERN Volume 1, Number 31 October. 1955 Published bimonthly by Charlton Comics Group. Executive offices and office of publication Charlton Building 1 , Derby, Conn. Copyright 1955 by Charlton Comics Group. Printed in the U.S.A. TiX RITTER WESTERN ATOMIC MOUSE * BADGE OF JUSTICE * BLUE BEETLE * COWBOY LOVE * COWBOY WEST- ERN * DANGER ond ADVENTURE * FUNNY ANIMALS— MERRY MAILMAN *- GABBY HAYES A HOT RODS and RACING CARS * LASH LoRUE ★ MONTE HALE * MY LITTLE MARGIE A ROCKY LANE A SIX-GUN HEROES A SOLDIER and MARINE A SPACE ADVENTURES— ROCKY JONF<. SPACE RANGER A SWEETHEARTS A TEX RITTER A TW. I. SUSPENSE A TRUE LIFE SECRETS «. TV TEENS— DON WINSLOW of th. NAVY A WIN-A-PRIZE A ZOO FUNNIES. NYOKA, JUNGLE Gift. A CHARLTON PUBLIC ATIO- 1 fvnry •ffort ii mod* to iniura that thait comic magatmat contain the ftighe.t quality of wKolaiomo ante tainmant. &•««**■ Mtor 4 I'LL SEE WHAT - I CAN PO, CHIEF/ When trouble sounds across the Western hills, TBX RITTER, the Prairie Ranger, tabes after it ! But this time he travels a strange path through the sentimental words of an old song to find the answer to the VANISHING VARAUNTS: I'LL TAKE My GUITAR ANP 1 \eO AS A TRAVELING Jtroubapour who - /PLAYS AT PANCES/ THAT OUGHT TO HE BP .THEM OFF- GUAR P/ RIGHT/ GO THERE ANP SCOUT AROUND/ SEE WHAT YOU CAN LEARN/ KEEP YOUR IPENTITY SECRET; I'LL HELP YOU IN GETTING A LINE OH THE VARMINTS. Tex RiHer, 'the Prairie Ranger, is called into Pfizer Headquarters one day, and — ^ I’VE A REPORT HERE.TEX, OF A SMALL TOWN THAT'S TOO NEW TO HAVE ITS OWN SHERIFF YET.' SEEMS THEY'VE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH A ^ BANP OF VARMINTS WHO ) STRIKE ANP THEN V - PISAPPEAR/ ^ TEX RITTER WESTERN WE OUGHT TO BE GETTING NEAR THIS TOWN SOON, WHITE PlASU! ANP WE T CAN BOTH USE A BOOB M NIGHT'S REST.' V? ‘Hours later. so long, AEfly/ ^ CAN'T TAKE you Wirt .me thistime; m SOOP LUCK, TEX, ANP OOWT TIP YOUR HANOI REMEMBER, THESE ARE SLICK , l^COTDTES yOU'RE AFTER .' Suddenly/ WHA-7 GET HIM , QUICK J GET OFF THET HORSE! WHAT'S THE-? UFF! WHOA, THERE, nt Boy/^_ A rider races Straight toward Tex and— | But drove behind Enraged ly the surprise attack, 6NEAK UP ON US. WILL YOU, WE'LL SHOW YOU! Tex swings into action! ' THAT'LL HOLD HIM A MINUTE.' GET THE MONEY AND LET'S -7 VAMOOSE ! I SURE PON'T KNOW WHAT THIS IS All about, but Tm not aiming to , STANO HERE ANP LET YOU DRYGULCHERS TOSS PUNCHES ) AT ME.' J .MjA — , r ^ySTOR THE TEX RITTER WESTERN BUT I DIDN'T IMAGINE THEM.' THEY WERE' HERE.' THEIR TRACKS ARE w IN THE GROUND/ THIS GROUND UP 1 HERE IS COVERED WITH A WHITE A CLAY MIXTURE/ I'U SURE • |M| g4ffW[ REMEMBER THIS SPOT.' JWA THERE'S NOT A THING AROUND NOW BUT THESE ROCKS AND THAT OLD BENT PINE TREE/ I CAN'T EVEN HEAR THEIR HORSES v— -a^ 7 GALLOPING AWAY/ fc quickly clears his head and • THEY'RE GONE' BUT WHERE I WAS DIZZY FOR ONLY A FEW MOMENTS' THEY’VE >E~ 7 JUST VANISHED! Jy DON'T LISTEN TO HIS /VOW WHAT? YOU'RE ONE OF THE HOMBRES WHO ROBBED MY BANK, ONE OF THE X DISAPPEARING A JASPERS WE'VE j BEEN HUNTING/ / I TANGLED l PALAVER. WITH ONE OF THEM AND THAT BRUISE ON HIS HEAP PROVES HE'S THE ONE/ LET'S GIVE HIM- A / —r NECKTIE ^ ( PARTY/ J WHOA, THERE.' THERE'S ONE OF THEM] £040 . nmff ^ SURE ENOUGH/ MAYBE A CHANCE TO SPEAK HIS J THANK YOU, MISS/ > PIECE, TREM AINE / X I'M NOT ONE OF THOSE _ ^^r^GALOOTS.' I CAME UPON 1 / / THEM, THEY JUMPED ME Wfu&l ML / / AND GAVE ME THIS BRUISE / // I ON MY HEAP/ I'M JUST '//jX X V A ROAMING GUITAR X ^ 7- PLAYER/ y | LOOK/ HERE'S ► MY guitar/ HE'S TELLING THE TRUTH, T I DON'T KNOW ■ DAD/ yWHAT TO THINK, ---'-'■"'CAROL/ LETS HEAR /// HIM SING AND PLAY THAT WifM) ' / Guitar if he claims to l BE A TRAVELING y /V CLOSE FOR A SP£LL\ ^ — - 1 ANP I'D HAVE y-s If NOTICED ft! J WELL, HE SINGS ANP PLAYS \l SAY, STRING^ I RIGHT SMARTLY/ RECKON /HIM UP ANP TAKE HE'S A TRAVELING J NO CHANCES, , I TROUBADOUR, J AmR . REEP / L — r 'ALL RIGHT/ / ) f0[ — THAT'S ^ U THE STORy of the r CHISHOLM / trail i IT? like to stav } y0i/J WE ANP HELP YOU /NEED GOOD. FIND THOSE -r^RIPl-EMEN FOR , VARMINTS / \ THAT, NOT GUIT/ I OWE THEM h-r P LAYERS/, A THING OR / ^ TWO FOR V V JUMPING f MMUig ) THIS IS PERFECT/ < / ITU GIVE ME A GOOD CHANCE TO SEE IF -< I CAN FIND OUT HOW ) -7 THOSE COYOTES J ( VANISHED SO JT\ >. ^7 QUICKLY/ J/ , MY PAD'S BANK WAS ONLY THE LATEST OF A SERIES OF ROBBERIES THOSE BANDITS HAVE COMMITTED/ AS A NEW COMMUNITY, WE'RE AT THE MERCY > OF SUCH LAWLESSNESS/ , — — - IT SURE IS A SHAME/ ANP ALL X YES — EVEN TREMAINE/ THE FOLKS OF THIS POSSE ARE JHE'S A LITTLE HOT- RANCHERS ANP GOOD CITIZENS -7 HEAPED, I GUESS/ ) OF THE TOWN - INCLUDING THAT )HE WORK'S IN TOWN C TREMAINE HOMBRE WHO WAS /AT THE POST OFFICE \ SO ANXIOUS TO ^ TANO THESE ROBBERIES / STRETCH ME? T V HAVE HIM PLENTY / ^ / ANGRY/ y >— TEX RITTER WESTERN But soon, Tex reaches ihe Reed raxck bunkhouse, and— A few * ighte walks iftrou I want you MOUNT UP l i'll TAK£ LOOK OUT, ORNERY PROOMTAILSJ WE'LL STAY RIGHT ON THE/R HEELS, COMB ON, WHITE FLASH f WE CAN'T LET THEM GET AWAY f AGAIN' ^ 6IPPAP, ' THERE/ ' JIARDWAEIE TEX RITTER WESTERN /ANP THE WHITE CLAyOP'THjT'Ny earth AROUNP HERE/ THIS 16 THE SAME SPOT, ALL RIGHT/ V I SURE PONT FIGURE THIS ) AT ALL/ • ■ — THEY REACH THIS SPOT ANP SUPPENLV VANISH/ J MIGHT AS WEIL GO BACK TO THE RANCH ANP TRY TO PUZZLE, 1 THIS OUT THERE/ I'VE GOT TO GET AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS SOMEHOW/ AHP THIS IS THE SPOT WHERE I MET THEM, WHERE THEY SLUGGEP ME ANP VANISHEP JUST AS > SUPPENLY/ THERE'S THAT fiMEBfej ■r OLP, SENT PlNE/-£gSj~2g I'LL BE GLAD TO PIG THE MUSIC .OUT OF THAT 1 f TRUNK ANP ^ LEARN it/ A A few (/ays' later, at the ranch house ■ ; IT'S IN AN OLP TRUNK IN THE ATTIC/ IT'S A SONG MY GRAND - DAP USEP TO SING TO MY GRAND- MOTHER' HE PLAYED THE .^a 7 GUITAR, TOO.' YOU SENT WORD ) YES, TEX/ THE PANCE IS fOU WANTED TO /ONLY A FEW DAYS OFF ANP w SEE ME, v"'T'P LIKE YOU TO LEARN ANP f CAROL 7 ) SING A SPECIAL SONG/ IT HAS a SENTIMENTAL MEANING TO ME — V PV> ANP I'VE WANTED TO HEAR IT AGAIN FOR YEARS/ - EX RITTER WESTERN HERE'S the attic ~ ANP THERE'S THE OtP TRUNK.' THINK YOU CAN FINP IT , TEX? THE SONS HAS A STORY BEHINP IT, YOU SEE.' IT /MEANT V— ' SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL ] TO MV GRANDPARENTS/ J GRANDMOTHER'S FOLKS I — TRIEP TO STOP HER J FROM MARRYING J GRANDDAD J /they even pgstep guarps TO STOP GRANDDAD WHEN HE CAME TO SEE GRANPMOTHER.' BUT IT NEVER WORKED/ THAT OLP SONG HAP A PRIVATE 7 COPE IN IT ANP GKANP- J / MOTHER ALWAYS KNEW \ ’ WHERE TO MEET GRANP' ) , PAP WHEN HE'P SENP HER V THE WORDS, OR SING ) \ IT TO HER FROM A / V DISTANCE yC AFTER A W0NP6RFUL STORY LIKE THAT, ' I SURE WILL gr FINP IT/ , later that day in the bunkkouse, Tex looks X -5H0USH OTHSKS ST*t* p 70 hSEP US APART, 1 WHE'RE THE GROUND IS WHITE, WE'LL MEET, AGAIN f «Y THE OLD BENT PI HE WHEW THE MOON STRIKES TEN. -fUROUOH THE TUNNEL- ' N TWF HILLS I'LL RIPE, Till I'M standing gy your Sloe.., oyej' fAo t««sic r HMMMM.' THIS IS AN OLP FOLK MELODY, BUT THE' OLP BOY SANG SPECIAL WOKPS TO IT, ALL RIGHT/ NEVER HEARP THEM BEFORE.' WELL^Nj—^-rtf LET'S TRY IT OUT/ in nl ^»!lllilHlllli 1 HOLD EVERYTHING! those worps sure OO MEAN SOMETHING SPECIAL/ "BY THE OLD BENT PINE — WHERE THE GROUND IS A WHITE — THROUGH THE TUNNEL IN.. '‘f| ^ ^ > THE HILLS — ! M THOSE WORPS SHOW THE OLP BOY KNEW OF SOME SECRET TUNNEL IN THE HILLS WHICH OPENS AT THAT SPOT WHERE THE OLP BENT PINE STAN PS ANP THE EARTH IS THAT Imm - WHITE CLAY MIXTURE / ) TEX RITTER WESTERN I later that night .in ike hilts behind the bent pine /^THAT'S HOW HE'D MEET CAROL'S GRAND- MOTHER WITHOUT BEING CAUGHT' UNLESS I MISS MY GUESS , THESE ORNERY VARMINTS HAVE PISCO VE REP THAT OLP TUNNEL/ I'U. JUST HAVE A BETTER LOOK AT THAT -~rj SPOT WHERE THEY VANISH ! ^ I'LL HICK ANP PRESS EVERY SQUARE INCH OF THESE ROCKS TILL 1 FINP THAT TUNNEL ENTRANCE.' IT'S GOT TO BE AROUNP HERE, SOMEPLACE/ texS A half-hour later, as Tex hicks ike side of one rock, suddenly — v v . ' THEY RIPE THROUGH THIS TUNNEL WHILE THE POSSE CHASES AFTER NOTHING, OUTSIPE/ I'LL JUST WAIT TILL THOSE VARMINTS PULL ANOTHER ROBBERY/ . THEN I'LL BE HERE TO GIVE THEM A SURPRISE/ . THAT'S IT! I'VE FOUNP ~r IT ! rr Tex doesn't have tony to wait, for the next night in town Later, as the outlaws reach the secret tunnel — THEY WON'T TAKE A DIRECT ROUTE ' TO THE TUNNEL WITH THE POSSE ON THEIR THEY'LL NEED TO GAIN A . HEELS. LITTLE DISTANCE THROUGH THE HILLS, ANP THAT'LL GIVE ME TIME TO REACH THE TUNNEL * BEFORE THEY DO/ J HERE THEY COME/ w BUT THIS TIME . J r iu DO THE g surprising! THOSE BANDITS HAVE STRUCK AGAIN' THE HOTEL, THIS TIME. JUST A MINUTE AGO.' YOU CAN STILL CATCH UP WITH , THE POSSE, MAYBE !/fVHAT' SSSTJ PARTNER .VC TEX RITTER WESTERN I surprise, you polecats! SHWWSIRMS pflS7 ' uitar. ViHAr/l**™* /THAT'S right REACH FOR THE SKY.' WELL- IF 1-7 IT ISN'T , (TREMAINE .' P-PRAIRIE BANGER 1 PRAIRIE RANSER, TO YOU, TREMAINE, BUT HERE COMES THE POSSE.' . ^ HO, THERE- OVER HERE ! jgg HE'S GETTING AWAY! BRING HIM DOWN.' I'VE AIREAPY GOT HIS GUN > AWAY FROM HIM.' I CAN'T SHOOT AN UNARMED MAN - EVEN ONE LIKE HIM.' BUT MAYBE S, YOU'RE NOT BRINGING X ME IN' r TEX RITTER WESTERN 4P iking careful aim -Tex's six-gun, '^reverberates through -the tunnel and— THOSE OOP FORMS ON TUB HOOF OF THE CAVE -THEY'RE CALLED STALACTITES! IF X CAN JUST KNOCK ONE OFF , I'LL HAVE HliM.' I'LL AIM JUST A w«a < g Later, after Tex tells the story of the old tunnel — THE TOWN WILL NEVER FORGET J VOU TOR THIS, RANGER/ THE FIRST THING I WE'RE GOING TO , DO IS GET US A REAL SHERIFF OF OUR OWN/ ... AMD SO, AFTER FINDING THE TUNNEL, THEY DECIDED TO MAKE GOOD USB OF IT/ TREMAINE'S JOB IN THE POST OFFICE GAVE HIM A GOOD CHANCE TO SEE WHO WERE LIKELY LOOKING y PROSPECTS FOR .. ROBBERY ! AgSglp--'' OqOOoHU- th fir's GOT r him! r 'And so, a few nights later — // its a grand sons' \ THAN H VOU SO yTEX CAN SINS yj! HAPPWe SSTO^WO / I MUCH, TEX' you ]as well as he / PEOPLE ANP NOW IT'S M SANS SRANP PAP'S ) CAN CATCH DON'T YOU ^ . WORRY/ J TEX RITTER WESTERN Folks, li's mighty nict -to be riding your nay once again. His always plumb pleasurable to pass {he time of day with good friends. I've just returned from a weak in ike hills with some hard- riding cowboys on a wild horse roundup , After we reached the Timber line Forge, where we brew a Urge herd of wild horses roamed, we sort of split up, and I went on to Scout ahead. It wasn't long before I saw a magnificent white Stallion on a ledge. A few minutes later, he was joined by a. beautiful light tan horse. Properly speaking, C a tan horse is called a Palomino, but most - Westerners call them buckskins. I followed the two horses ~ i down into a small valley and there I saw a whole herd of wild mustangs. There were some more white horses and "buckskins, a lot of .. five black stallions , dapple-grays, brown mares and a sprinkling — - of strawberry roans. The young colts played together and frisked about while the others grazed or -trotted along side by side. As 1 watched them, I couldn't help thinking how they didn't refuse to play together because they were different colors, or because Some had long straight manes and others curly ones. Jto, they got along like real amigos, and after we finally founded the herd into a corral, that thought stuck with me. I'm going to keep remembering it, too - and I reckon you all will do the same. We two-legged critters can learn a powerful lot, even from a herd of wild horses , about getting along together! Well, Til be moseying atony now, partners — but I'll be reiuing-up this way again real soon. Your pard, TEX RITTER WESTERN PRftIL® c= THE BRILLIANT GOA TEX RITTER WESTERN GROAN ! r SOT A BUTT... BUT TUB WSON& KIN Of TEX RITTER WESTERN *MfHILE IT WUZ HAN«rlN6 ON THE CLOTHES LINE, "THE SCAT WAS FEELING A* LITTLE HUffc&RY THIS SOAT SAW IT SO HE ATE THE SHIRT " TSK/TSK, THAT WUZ TERRIBLE/ HE COU&HED UP THE HEP SHIRT HE HAD EATEN AND WAVED THE TRAIN DOWN TO A CTO PA WHEN THE GOAT SAW THE TRAIN BEARING DOWN ON HIM- HA, HA, I DON'T BELIEVE THE GOAT'S 50 SMART, BUT yuw SHORE ARE / WYAfi’S A CIGAR PER GIVING ME A GOOD LAUGH / A CIGAR / yfpfie/ X OWS IT TO YUH, GOAT OLD CHUM / YUH'LL NEVER GET MV GOAT R- AGAIN / ^ VlPEER* / V THE «OAT COUGHED UP THE RED SHIRT AND WAVED 7HE TRAIN DOWN WITH IT/ HA, HA/ THAT'S THE BEST YARN X*VE HEARD IN A LONG TIME / . . . — R AIN came, drenching torrents of rain. Kansas Walker was soaked to the skin. Water showered from his hat and made the brim soggy. His big horse. Black Devil, glist- ened as the water covered his broad back. In the distance, above the black mountains, light- ning darted crazily through the sky, and from far off came the muffled rumble of thunder. Instead of cursing the downpour, Kansas was singing. It was kind of a crazy-worded, off- tune song, but it was singing because it came from the gladness in the heart. Kansas was glad of the big rain. Water! What a precious thing! In previous drives he had pushed long- horns through biting, stinging, choking dust. He had known how terrible it was to try to move cattle when the grass had become parch- ed and dry, when water holes were scarce. In such drouth, it was possible to lose cattle by the hundreds. And so he was grateful for the rain. He sang on. Another man rode up beside Kansas. The pair looked strikingly alike, except that the newcomer was a little younger, there was still a bit of baby in his face. And, whereas Kansas’ strong, handsome countenance bore a look of serene thanksgiving, the newcomer appeared worried. He voiced his worry: **Hear that roar- ing up ahead:” "Yeh, Herbie. I hear it,” replied Kansas. "Reckon the cld Missegoola River is on a rampage." "It’s flooded, that’s what it isl” asserted Herbie, a note of desperation in his voice. "We'll never be able to get five thousand head of cattle across it.” "Don’t cross your creeks till you come to them, brother,” suggested Kansas. “Let’s you and me ride on ahead and have a look at the old Missegoola.” He spurred Black Devil and cut wide to the side of the moving mass of cattle. Herbie fol- lowed. Soon they were a quarter mile ahead of the herd and standing on the bank of the rain-swollen river. “It’s a flood!” cried Herbie. “It’s awful !” “It ain’t exactly ideal,” admitted Kansas, “but it’ll get worse afore it gets better.” “You’re not aiming to try to cross?” There was alarm in Herbie’s voice. “We’ve got to if we can,” responded Kansas, flatly. "Come on, we’ll see how bad it is.” H$ urged Black Devil forward, into the swirling, foaming stream. The horse walked in, pushing through the strong current. Man and horse sank lower and lower into the water until they reached the deep midchannel where both bobbed out of sight for a second. When they popped up again, Kansas had slipped from the saddle and was holding the pommel, swimming beside the horse. “No use,” he thought, “to give the old boy unnecessary burden in this mes3.” As soon as the steed had regained his footing and was mounting the sloping bank on the other side, Kansas mounted again. He sat for a mo- ment, looking at the roaring river, noting the rainfall, calculating. Then he and Black Devil made the return trip. He looked quizzically at Herbie but said noth- ing about the latter’s failure to follow him. "We can make it,” he declared. “Just gotta keep them longhorns headed right. They won’t have too much swimming.” “Wouldn’t it be safer to wait?” suggested Herbie. “Wait?” exclaimed Kansas. “Why our only chance to get these critters to market is to cross now. Come on.” He rode toward the approaching herd, quickly gave instructions to his drovers. Herbie fol- lowed, looking sick. Kansas circled the cattle and rode alongside the chuck wagon, driven by Cookie. “Cookie," he said, “we can get the crit- ters across all right, without losing more than maybe a few head. What I’m worried about is this here wagon. That river’s too deep to ford. We’ll have to float her across, and I just hope she don’t turn turtle.” “If she turns turtle you won’t have to worry none,” responded Cookie, puffing his inverted pipe. "A turtle wouldn’t have no trouble getting across any river!” Cookie laughed heartily. As usual, he was the only one who enjoyed his jokes, but he didn’t mind. The wagon was halted. Kansas ordered Cook- ie and Herbie to lash logs to the wheels of the wagon to -serve as pontoons. The other men were already in the stream, howling and whip- ping at the milling longhorns, keeping the lead- ers headed straight. Despite their bawling pro- tests, the cattle plunged forward across the flooded stream, and the leaders already were clambering up the opposite bank. Kansas had time for a glance of satisfaction at his men’s work. “We’ll get ’em to market on time!” he grunted. Cookie’s wagon was now ready. “Get going. Cookie,” ordered Kansas. “Me and Herbie will' side you to see that our grub doesn’t go to the fishes.” Creaking and sliding, the wagon rolled forward toward the stream. “Come on, Herbie,” said Kansas. “I’m not going! You can’t make me! It’s suicide!” cried Herbie. There was a touch of hysteria in his voice. Anger flashed in Kansas’ gray eyes as he whipped a Colt from its waterproof holster. He leveled it at the younger man and said, “I’m trail boss. You do what I say!” “No, no, I won’t! I’m scared to death of water !” Herbie’s voice was screaming. The lashing rain mingled with tears on his cheeks. “Then I’ll shoot you down like a yellow- livered coyote!” snapped Kansas. But he hes- itated. He didn’t shoot. “I can’t shoot my own brother,” he breathed at last. “But that’s for this time. From now on, you’re no brother of mine. Just keep out of my sight! That’s a warn- ing !” He turned his horse away. Already the chuck wagon was heading for the deep, midstream channel as Black Devil plunged in. The wagon team was swimming. The swift current caught the wagon and tipped it sharply. It was tipping, careening, ready to flop over and be dashed to pieces. Kansas leaped from Black Devil and clutched one of the wagon wheels cn the high side. His weight served as ballast, righting the wagon. The wagon team had now got a foot- hold and was tugging up the inclined bank. But the sudden twist of the current, the lurching of the wagon, loosened Kansas Walker’s grip on the slippery wheel. He fell, the iron tire struck his head, .and he sank, unconscious, into the foaming cauldron. Cookie, driving the wagon, had his hands full with the struggling team. He had no way of knowing about the tragedy behind him.* None of the drovers saw it, either, for they were busy urging the longhorns forward. Only Herbie Walker saw what had happened to his brother. His eyes were filled with fear. His hands shopk. But with only a second’s hes- itation, he spurred his horse forward, into the raging torrent. He aimed for downstream, past the wagon, his eyes searching desperately in the foaming flood. At first, he saw nothing, then, five feet way, his brother’s head cut the surface, a red streak above the eyes where the iron wagon tire had struck. Herbie slipped his feet from the stirrups, planted them on the saddle, and made a crouching dive toward the bobbing head. “I c-can’t swim,” he was saying, “but may- be I can save him, somehow.” He clutched at his brother’s collar, then man- aged to cry out, “Help!” Cookie heard. He leaped from the wagon seat. Soon a lariat loop was flashing toward the two figures being swept downstream. Herbie grabbed it with his free hand, and Cookie pulled the two of them ashore. OOKIE had just finished bandaging Kansas Walker’s wound when the latter opened his eyes. There was astonishment in them as he looked up to see Herbie. “The kid saved your life, Kansas,” said Cookie. “And you should remember this. If a man goes ahead and does the right thing when he’s scared half to death, then he’s the bravest man of all!” Kansas seemed to understand. He reached up, grasped Herbie’s hand, and said, “Brother!” THE END TEX RITTER WESTERN THE MEXICAN 'VAQUERO'WAS THE FIRST •COWBOY’.. ■ AND HIS SADDLE AND OTHER EQUIPMENT HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED BY THE AMERI CAN CO WBOYS. SAPPLE, MODERN AMERICAN / OF THE SADDLE DESIGN. / COWBOY 5 //Zt o. / SADCH-E. (m Jk _ mJa \ w HEAVY HAND TOOLED EFFECTS. OLDER AMERICAN SADDLE TYPE ^pHORN ,/~n.CANTLE /h HORN FORK "TAPADEROS" WERE ORIGINALLY DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE FEET IN BRUSHY COUNTRY, BUT ARE ALSO v USED FOR DECORATIVE % EFFECTS, SPECIALLY 3 ) IN THE MOVIES. U MANY SHOW HIGH 8? EXAMPLES OF THE | TOOLED- LEATHER f WORKER'S ART OLD STYLE THEY GRADUALLY "FORKS" WERE BECAME WIDER, NARROW. TOR GREATER ©. COMFORT. •SKIRTS FINDERS WIDE FORK& OF A "BRONK" RIDER'S SADDLE HELP HIM KEEP HIS SEAT. OLD STYLE 'BOX" STIRRUP. HORSES QUICKLY LEARN TO "SIT BACK' WHEN A COWBOY ROPES A STEER. , WITH HIS SADDLE'S HORN AS ^ ANCHOR POST. . jji| A COWBOY'S SADDLE MAY BE PLAIN OR FANCY- IT IS ALWAYS MADE BY EXPERT WORKMEN, FROM BEST OF MATERIALS. IT MUST BE STRONG AND DURABLE . AND IS EXPECTED TO LAST FOR MANY YEARS. TEX RITTER WESTERN BLACKTON V_J 7 ruled Big Bend K according to "his own seffisfi laws of plunder and violence.' When TEX RITTER, the fearless Prairie Ranger, rode into Big Bend, Could his lightning draw and two-fisted courage save his life or would he |W become just another notch NOT SO FAST, HOMBRES.’ HURRY UP, BOYS. on Blackton's roaring six-gun? IT SURE SEEMS LIRE A QUIET PLACE, EH, WHITE FLASH? TOO QUIET, IP — , YOU ASK ME.' ) THIS BLACKTON SEEMS TO OWN JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING IN TOWN.' RECKON WE'LL TRY THE SALOON fs-py - > ■ — -vrf ANP SEE IF J ANYBOPY T ■ \V rT 1 SAW CURLY /skoAv L lately / . Tex has hem south investigate the disappearance of Curley Walter, sheriff °i Big Bend. And as lie rides, into TEX RITTER WESTERN Instantly, everyone felt the tenseness in the room- as if waiting fOr somethin# to happen. PSSST.' THAT VARMINT . IS WANTEP here/ 1 TAKE A GOOD LOOK.' I'VE COME BACK TO GIVE MYSELF U P/ WHERE'S CURLY WALKER? I'M THE NEW SHERIFF AROUNP THESE HERE PARTS, CARSON/ I'M ARRESTING YOU FOR ‘ TAKING THE LIFE OF vT?llFE LUCAS / lBLACKTON SURE MUST HAVE EVERYTHING SEWEP UP 'TIGHT AROUNP HERE TO PUT .HIS OWN STOOGE IN AS -T ) SHERIFF/ WHAT HAPPENED ) 'TO CURLY? y ^ I f (it! ! vS jl ..-Jl- . . '5§£. f . THAT AIN'T NONE WAIT A MINUTE.' I CAME ) OF YOUR BUSINESS/ ) BACK ON MY OWN SO I llL TAKE YOUR /COULP PROVE MY INNOCENCE SUN. BUB.' t^ATTHE TRIAL/ I NEVER SHOULP ) HAVE HIGHTAILEP OUT OF TOWN “ — \TV WHEN I WAS ACCUSED.' 'AIN'T GOING TO BE NO TRIAL, CARSON/ WE GOT A LITTLE PARTY PLANNEProR^-^T' V VOUJ y( MEAN- EASY, H0M8RE —OR THERE WON'T EVEN BE TIME FOR A LITTLE PARTY,/ YOU AIN'T •\GOT A CHANCE.' TEX RITTER WESTERN WELL- I'M CALLING THE PARTY OFF! GET BACK, r CARSON i Y | KEEP YOUR NOSE OUT /OP THIS, STRANGER OR THERE'LL BE A S tm double - veSSsi H PARTY/ MB WAIT A MINUTE, THE LAW SAYS EVERY MAN IS " ENTITLED TO A FAIR TRIAL.' > RIGHT; OWWf NOW THAT I'VE \ YOU WON'T GET s INTKOPUCED 7 AWAY WITH THIS.' MYSELF, I'LL \ YOU'RE HELPING A TAKE CARSON ^BUSHWHACKER ^ WITH ME UNTIL / BEAT THE LAW.' M i get some jyy questions < answered/ / I'M TEX RITTER -AND I STILL SAY THE MAN IS ENTITLED TO A FAIR . x TRIAL / WE PRA/R/E RANGER* I-I AIN'T GOIN 1 FOR MY GUN, MISTER/ I'LL BE WAITING FOR YOU / ^ WE'LL HEAD FOR MY RANCH.' IT'S ONLY A FEW MILES NORTH . OF HERE/ A THOSE VARMINTS WILL jg BECOMING AFTER US, & PRONTO.' MARE TRACKS, . WHITE FLASH! A I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO MADE YOU THE LAW/ GET ON YOUR HORSE, . xTL CARSON ; TEX RITTER WESTERN WHO IS THIS N HE JUST ABOUT OWNS THE TOWN.' AN BLACKTON HOMBRE? ) RANCHER WHO WON'T WAY BALL WITH l SEEMS AS IF HE'S /HIM GENERALLY WHIPS UP WITH A r jCALUNG THE TURN H BULLET JH^S BACK.' THAT'S HOW U ON A LOT OF THINGS THEY^ILEP)MY FATHER.' BUT WHY IS HE SO DETERMINED TO .GET THIS OUTFIT? JIM! I-I HEARP YOU WERE BACK' WE HAVE WATER RIGHTS WHICH BLACKTON IS' AFTER' RAP WAS RALLYING THE RANCH OWNERS AGAINST HIM-AND- AND I GUESS THAT'S WHY HE GOT IT/ WHEN I HEARP ABOUT IT, I DECIDED TO COME RACK ANP FIGHT.' I RECKON YOU'RE ^P'nTHEY'RE NOT GOING TO NEED HELP.' \ TAKING ME LISTEN! SOMEONE'S ) ALIVE- — t COMING ! OH, JIM - 1 KNEW YOU \|7*S GOOD TO SEE DIDN'T KILL RUFB LUCAS/ ) YOU AGAIN, JEAN- WHY DID YOU RUN AWAY?/ MIGHTY ^ 1 MISSED YOU GOOD I ) JEAN, THIS HERE IS TEX J 7J RITTER - THE PRAIRIE — RANGER! JEAN IS BLACKTON’S STEP- DAUGHTER — BUT THEY DON'T HAVE MUCH IN COMMON.' X RITTER / WHY- s I'VE HEARD A LOT . ) OF GOOD THINGS ABOUT YOU' I SURE AM GlAP YOU'VE -< COME TO THESE T r • PARTS ' J AHEM TEX RITTER WESTERN With fkeir tends .tensed over their gun fa r Pex Kilter and Jvm Carson step outside trvoesH'T WATTS?, JIM. 'AS LONG AS YOU'RE BACK.' T& BLACKTON STILL TREATING YOU AS MEAN AS EVER, i^ANf \ HERE COMES /THAT POSSE > "\ WE BEEN /EXPECTING/ IT APPEARS > THAT BlACKTON IS LEAPING IT l GET AWAY FROM THAT MAN, ^ — 7 JEAN/ T Before you go. branding him a > CRIMINAL, BLACKTON - HE’S ENTITLED ^T - ■ r TO HIS TRIAL/ /•" SO YOU'RE THE PRAIRIE RANGER Iftf/JO'S BEEN ^ INTERFERING ^ WITH LAW AND ORDER AROUND w HERE ' I COULDN'T GET J WE’LL GIYE YOU A FAIR ^ A FAIR TRIAL /TRIAL, CARSON/ NOW, YOU FROM THOSE T BETTER COME PEACEABLY, OR COYOTES' 2 MY BOYS WILL DRILL YOU Tj r^-, iiii i in i here and now/ A IF YOU'RE SO EAGER TO GET PKORfS TO TRIAL, Y WELL GET THE WHY HAVEN'T YOU PICKED UP THE JASPER WHO ) CRITTER WHO MURDERED MY FATHER? WHAT HAPPENED TO HlS /PLUGGED TOUR PEARL- HANPLH7 GUN? FIND THAT AND . FATHER, TOO/ ^ ^ YOU'VE GOT YOUR MAH/: / / BUT RIGHT NOW J 1 WC WANT YOU / JL GO ALONG WITH THEM, CARSON.' JF YOU'RE INNOCENT, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR / ALL RIGHT, TEX- _ if you r 7 SAY SO? / K 4 ] i % t RITTER WESTERN TEX RITTER WESTERN CURLY WOULDN'T COOPERATE JZlatkton's revelation had brought a gasp pom the girl. I'LL ATTEND TO VOU\l CAN GUESS^ LATER] SURE I GOT \ WHAT HAPPENED V" HIM, BUT NOBODY TO CURLY , }ELSE IS EVER GOING / WALKER, TOO.' /TO KNOW ABOUT IT/ . — f' \I'M SENDING YOU TWO TO) ) Y BOOT HILL/ f WITH ME - THAT'S WHY I PUT > MY OWN MAN IN OFFICE/^_*>^ 1 /T^Ihatdoesn't rain i/C make him WMmSk If A SHER I F FI , ||gk Che'san imposter] I KNEW I HEARD 1 YOU- — SOMETHING.' COME ^YOU SHOT JIM’S OUT OF THERE, RITTER.'; FATHER-.' A“P • I HAVE THE PROP VYOU'RE GOING TO ^C)N YOU]^ HAVE HIM LYNCHED £S3r ri/rTl for what / A YOl/ PIP/ I WOULPN'T BE GETTING RILED ABOUT ) THE SIDE- A The fearless Hanger .suddenly drops to the floor as the tuio men blast array/ ME BEING A REAL SHERIFF OR NOT, J WINDERS RITTER] IT AIN'T GOING TO . FIGURE ON * MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE 7 SHOOTING ME IN THE -4 TO YOU SOON.' BACK] I HAVE TO PO SOMETHING - AND 1 ilwf lp! (iHl wWPI ' * ' I* Vy ■ ITT PRONTO.' STOP l THAT'S ENOUGH! STOP! < M QUIT! IT'S YOUR TURN TO BE A TARGET NOW- FOR j THIS ! I RECKON THEY WERE A MITE £ CARELESS.' TlX RITTER WESTERN Minutes later. GET YOUR HORSE.' WE'LL HAVE TO RIPE LIKE BLAZES BACK TO TOWN ANP TRY TO STOP THEM.' THIS y BUSHWHACKER IS COMING WITH ^ US' IU TIE HIM TO THE SAPPLE OF HIS tfORSE/ r THEY'RE GOING TO LYNCH JIM FOR WHAT HE PIP/ WHAT'LL S. WEPO.TEX? FASTER, WHITE FLASH! we have to GET THERE IN - TIME/ Jg Tfee hangmen step Jim's horse -the rope pulls taunt - and at that instant— irs I RITTER J STAY PUT, YOU ^ j MAVERICKS.' BLACKTON HAS SOMETHING J TO TELL YOU ' ngl I'M OKAY, v TEX, BUT ) ANOTHER 'SECOND-- THOSE TORCHES/ -THAT'S THE LYNCH MOB/ WE'RE GOING TO BE TOO LATE- a lg»- UNLESS— u After Black-ton reluctantly confesses, the mob fades away, leaving only a few ranchers to congratulate Tex... The following morning... after Btackton's gang has been jailed ... lYOU pon't owe me a thing, ' JIM. BUT I KNOW THIS PLACE IS GOING TO SEE A LOT OF LAW ANP ORPER FROM NOW ON y WITH YOU AS THE NEW y-^jgk s. SHERIFF' APIOS/ yfegl WE’LL NEVER FORGET YOU IN THESE PARTS, TEX' I OWE YOU MORE THAN »r-< ICOULPEVER / 7 SAY/ BIACKTON ANP HlS GANG ARE ^ FINISHEP HERE/ WE'RE GETTING TOGETHER A POSSE TO RDUNP > r UP THE REST OF HIS v— CRITTERS/ J THANKS TO TEX, RITTER/ OH, JIM! YOU'RE SAFE/ TIX RITTER WESTERN you kwou sun, a cat is a MIGHTY LUCKY ANIMAL. V>H£V HAS MIME LIVES jX J UROW6 GU5, AH ) 1 KNOWS SOMETHIN' h TH£T"S JUST AS LUCKY ... AH RECKON THEY IS ABOUT TH' LUCKEST r CRITTERS THERE IS ! X ' OKAV. SMARTY UJHUT 13 IT? r -THEy CAW CROAK AW' ‘STILL HAVE A LOTTA ' > JUMP LEFT ^ -^77 IN UM'/ A FROG?? POOHEY/ A FR06 CSON'T HAV/r NINE LIVES// , 7 ^ CHUCkVAGON < /I TEX RITTER WESTERN PHEW, I'M SHORE THIRSTY, I RECKON I’LL GO INSIDE AND GET. A GLASS OF -^SARSAPARILLA I JEST WON'T BOTHER WITH KILLER THAT'S ALL.' I'LL DRINK UP MUH BASS AND ^ go f I HATE TO GO INSiDE ' THAT BARTENDER KILLER KOLE ; IS THE MEANEST AND TOUGHEST HOMBRE IN THESE PARTS BUT I'VE GOT TO QUENCH MUH '^y ~ TTr - / THIRST .» THANKS ! THAR'S THE MONEY ^ GIVE ME A FIVE CENT GLASS OF SASS , KILLER ^ OKAY, OLD SMOKEY ' HYAR YUH ARE TiX RITTER WESTERN HUH? r GAVE KILLER TWENTY- FIVE CENTS, BUT HE DIDN'T GIVE ME MUH CHANGE/ ^ AH, THAT SHORE HIT THE ^ SPOT' - - - I FORGOT MORE THAN \ f ( GULP). YUH EVER KNEW, YUH OLD J \ ^ -V GOAT ' r ER.ER, DIDN’T YUH FORGET ) HUH ? DIDN’T I FOR SOMETHING, KILLER ? r—\ GET SOMETHING 9 tea,., „ . V ~-— , YEAH . — - YO'RE LOCO ' YUH GAVE ME A NICKEL ' ER , I MEAN I GAVE YUH TWENTY- FIVE CENTS', AND YUH FORGOT TO GIVE V ME MUH CHANGE / ) ' 90 TO’RE I GAVE YUH H CALLING ME A QUARTER ' LIAR, EH / TiX RITTER WESTERN TEX RITTER WESTERN ,YEAH .'AND • l'LL HIT HIM •» AGAI N ' OH YEAH .' I'D ] YUH WOULD LIKE TO SEE J EH ■ ALL ^ ^~vy uH • /"'ll Right-- HYAR YUH ARE THAT'S WHAT ' OH , YUH DARE ME, HUH ? ALL BRIGHT .' j (groan) HUH ? (GULP) NO, NO ' I DARE YUH TO DO THAT AGAIN I THINK ABOUT YORE DARING . ^ ME ' ("GROAN ) I WISH YUH HADN'T ^ --- C'MON .' DON'T EVER SPEND ANOTHER NICKEL v IN THIS PLACE , •" NEVER MIND •' WE ' LL SHOW HIM--- DARED HIM BIG JOHN ' ml / /yv ifc TEX RITTER WESTERN HEHWHEMffi Building An Empire CIVILIZATION FOLLOWED THE RAILROAD IN VARIOUS WAYS. THE UPROAR OF NIGHT LIFE ON THE FRONTIERS WAS SO GREAT THAT COMMITTIES WERE FORMED 'TO RID' IT OF THE EVIL AND SHADY CHARACTERS AROUND Rollin Thru The Desert SIXTY TO SEVENTY YEARS AGO TRAINS ON THEIR FIRST DESERT RUNS HAULED EXTRA WATER FOR THEIR BOILERS IN TANKS DIRECTLY BEHIND THE TENDER. NOWADAYS LOCOMOTIVES STILL HAUL WATER TANKS ON LONG RUNS WHERE WATER IS UNAVAILABLE OR IS CHEMICALLY UN PURE The Golden Age Of The West THE ERA OF THE CATTLE TRAILS COMMENCED WITH THE COMING OF THE RAILROAD. THE COWBOY DROVE HIS CATTLE TO WHERE THE BUYERS AND THE TRAIN READY FOR SHIPMENT, WERE WAITING flow the BUFFALO HUNTER OUTSIDE WAVS CITY SHOWED OWNERSHIP OF THE BUFFALO HE KILLED The 6RANP DUKE ALEXIS ONCE CAME FROM RUSSIA TO HUNT Buffalo in the west 0OME OF THE WESTERN WOMEN 6AMBLERS WERE NOTED FOR THEIR CHARITY. THERE ARE TWO N SHE SICK MINERS IN TOWN/ CERTAINLY AND PLAT 0ROKE. <>HAS A LET'S HELP THEM. ;mEAl?r OF , til START WIT H V 60lW A HUNDRED/ *