Jltet: Action Packed Big Adventures WESTER TEX RITTER WESTERN TEX RITTER WESTERN Volume I, Number 33 June. I«« Published bimonthly' by Charlton Comics Group. Executive offices and office of publication, Charlton niilding, Derby. Copyright 1986 by Charlton Comics Onm>. A.1 Pago, Executive Editor. (Printed in U.S.A.) TEX RITTER WESTERN {rim ) / L / \(A mm ; TRAIL |1 WIRING HIS ROUNPS AS A PRAIRIE RANGER, TEX STOPS AT REP RIVER TO TALK TO THE SHERIFF. THEN / ( THAT’S KIN© ANP HOWLANP- 7 ' \ TWO PARTNERS THAT ' NOW THAT \ JUST FOUNP A SILVER \ WE STAKE? I MINE WHERE THEY SAY OUR CLAIM, THE SILVER IS ALMOST I IT CALLS FOR A ON THE SURFACE i 1 A CELEBRATION !J RECKON THAT’LL PUT LET’S HAVE .^AIPEAS INTO GATLING’S \A PRINK.*/ HEAP.' - I’VE HEARP SOME PRETTY J TALL STORIES ABOUT THAT POG OF YOURS, TEX .'CAN HE REALLY v PO EVERYTHING THEY SAY s ^ HE CAN ? WELL> HE’S A MIGHTY \ HANPY PARTNER TO - ) HAVE AROUNP WHEN THERE’5 ANY TROUBLE, SHERIFF.' WE’VE BEEN . IN A LOT OP TIGHT ^SCRAPES TOGETHER* TEX RITTER WESTERN HE’S A MIGHTY MEAN HOMSRE I HAVEN’T ANYTHING ON HIM YET, J^L 2 BU1L I SURE WOULP LIKE T O RUN HIM OUT OF r THESE PARTS.' J I RECKON X*LL. v GO IN HERE < n / ANP HAVE MYSELF M A LOOK .' Bgg WHO’S THIS GATLING ) THERE HE GOES NOW-- FOLLOWING KING ] H OMBRE* SHERIFF ? J ANP MOWLANP.' HE RUNS A COUPLE OF < V, MINES AROUNP HERE.' THERE’S TALK — ri* M \ THAT HE GOT THEM BY CLAIM JUMPING 1 1 ANP CHEATING THE MINERS .' r— ^ I*M OFFERING YOU TEN . THOUSANP FOR THAT CLAIM OF YOURS THAT’S MORE MONEY THAN YOU . MEN EVER DREAMEP ^ ^ _ OF HAVING.' I’LL GIVE YOU TWENTY THOUSANP, THAT’S MY LAST . OFFER .' ^ \ NO J 1 I WOULPN’T J SELL TO A 'CULPWT LIKE I HIM IF HE OFFEREP ME A HUNPREP THOUSANP A POLLARS.' MAYBE WE OUGHT TO PO IT, HOWLANP.' TWENTY < THOUSANP J POLLARS IS < A HEAP OF ) MONEY.' /» NOTHING PONG, GATLING .' WE’LL HAVE THAT MUCH ANP MORE IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS OF MINING.' THAT CLAIM OF OURS % WILL MAKE THOSE MINES i OF YOURS LOOK SICK 1 k I WON’T APOLOGIZE, WHO YOU CALLING \ A CULPRIT 1 ? _ EAT THOSE WORPS- ) "'*> . ANP FAST.' ft— ^TAKE YOUR RAWS OFF ME, \( V GATLING.' . YOU HEARP WHAT MR. GATLING SAIP, ~7 APOLOGIZE -ANt , PRONTO.' r I GAVE YOU YOUR CHANCE T1X RITTiR WESTERN NOBOPY TELLS Mi . WHAT TO DO r- MAYBE THIS WILL CHANGE TOUR MIND J WHO 'l MAYBE IT’S TIME A5KEP C YOU FOUNP OUT, YOU TO A GATLING HE’S PUT YOUR U. TEX RITTER, NOSE INTO \ ,THE PRAIRIE MY BUSINESS?/ RANGER T~ WHO ARE yS/7 'S YOU ? y //{ ANP LAW tf/ANP ORPER / /US MY B4JSI- f // HESS/ NOW ( GET YOUR MEN -JH ,-Aand high - 0^|iW TAU. IT T/-^\GUT Of HERE.' GET HIM, MINGO.' NOBOPY POES THAT TO ME ANP LIVES TO TALK ABOUT IT.' PIP YOU SEE THAT? HE SHOT MINGO’S GUN RIGHT OUT , 1 OF HIS HANP.' , NO SIGN OF A STRUGGLE HERE.' I WONDER IF THEY GOT KING, TOO .'DO YOU PICK UP ANY TRAIL, '*****•—-—. FURY ? LOOKS LIKE SIGNS OF A STRUGGLE ALL RIGHT I RECKON THEY GOT < KING HERE— ANP 1 HAVE }[ A PRETTY GOOP IDEA V | WHO MIGHT BE BEHIND IT.' FURY, )£. C SEE IF TOU CAN \ ' FND WHERE THIS K TRAIL LEAPS.' / \ Gftnn** JURY TAKES UP THE SCENT AND IT LEAPS TO A NARROW MOUNTAIN PATH .' r- y YOU FOUND THEM ALL FIGHT, BOY.' THEY’RE UP THERE SOMEWHERE.' I RECKON IT’S , TOO NARROW TO TAKE A S HORSE UP, SO WE’LL r-"^ LEAVE WHITE FLASH 7 HERE WHILE WE — „ » INVESTIGATE .' \BL M I TEX RITTER WESTERN ! ITH HIS, BELOVEP MASTER HELPLESS, FURY GOES INTO ACTION !/ -r — GET THAT DOG. TAKE THEM BOTH IN THAT CAVE WHERE WE’RE HOLPING KING' THE VARMINTS J KIPNAPPEP ME.' THEY BUSHWHACKER ME ANP MY PARTNER/ I RAN ACROSS THE BOPY OF YOUR PARTNER, HOWLANP.' THAT’S HOW 1 > GOT THE IPEA \ I OF FOLLOWING A YOU HERE/ JW : ) GATLING ANP HIS KILLERS S PIP IT* THEY TRIEP TO 4 •) GET US TO SIGN OVER /THE MINE TO THEM/ WHEN HOWLANP REFUSEP AGAIN. ^ GATLING PLUGGED HIM J M — 1 I FIGUREP ^ THEY HAD YOU HERE AS A PRISONER, ^ 1 KING / TEX RITTER WESTERN THEY’LL BE COMING BACK FOR MB J YOU GOT TO HELP ME, ^ ^ . RANGER n - I RECKON THE FIRST 3 7 ^ THING WE OUGHT TO VO >> 15 TRY TO GET OUT OF HERE.' GATLING ANP HIS MEN ARE IN THERE / I CAN HEAR J — — . « THEM TALKING.' , I*M SURPRISEP THEY PIPN’T FINISH YOU . . OFF, TOO ‘ ) THEY’RE JUST KEEPING ME ALIVE TO GET ME TO SIGN ^ OVER THE CLAIM TO THEM LEGAL-UKE.' IT’5 ALL MINE NOW THAT HOWLANP 15 PEAP.' BUT I AIN’T GOING TO DO IT. A5 SOON AS 1 SIGN, _ ' - ^7 THEY’P KILL ME .' 1 ■►V I KNOW IT.* y f\U7 FURY’S SHARP TEETH HAVE BEEN / BUSY ON THE ROPES HOLDING HIM PRI50NER ANP-.... / «- y 6000 BOY, FURY/ COME HERE- J — ' QUICK.* | I’M ALL RIGHT, FURY/ GET AT THESE ROPES/ BITE ^ .THROUGH THE ROPES, M BOY.' FASTER, BOY — FASTER GET HIM TO HURRY/ THEY’LL BE HERE ANY MINUTE.' y LOOK/ YOUR POG BIT THROUGH t—" THE ROPES.' A- THEY’RE COMING y THIS WAY/ V ( LISTEN JT THEY TOOK MY SIX-GUNS — SO I RECKON WE’LL HAVE .TO FIGHT OUR WAY OUT.' WE’LL TAKE THEM -g BY SURPRISE ' A 2*M FREE* AS SOON AS 1 GET THESE ROPES OFF MY FEET, l’LL GET TO YOU, KING W I CAN ) STILL < HEAR THEM TALKING.' TEX RITTER WESTERN WE PON’T AIM TO 8 E 5T0PPEP NOW, YOU MANGY COYOTES ' STOP THEM, "UICKLY MAKING HIS WAV TO THE GROUNP BELOW, TEX WHISTLES FOR WHITE FLASH J , • RUN FOR IT, KING.' COME <5N, WHITE FLASH BHH6J WHAT’S THE MATTER ? w LOOK --OVER * THERE.' IT — IT’S MY PARP, 7 HOWLANP.' WE MAPE A CLEAN GETAWAY, TEX j DIG PJRT, WHITE FLASH ' BUT WE’LL NEEP A < POSSE TO ROUNP UP THAT GANG.' THEY TOOK MY SIX-GUN5, ANP <• 1 RECKON I CAN’T > PO MUCH WITHOUT , THEM.' COME ON-' / S WE’LL HEAP FOR > ( REP RIVER ANP J V. SEE THE SHERIFF.'/ TEX RITTER WESTERN POOR DEVIL.’ LET*5 GET THAT POKE .'THEN WE CAN AVENGE HOWLAND BY CAPTURING - THOSE POLECATS WHO ) SHOT HIM.' THEN WE'LL J COME BACK FOR THE r< , ^ iU*. N-NO.' 1-1 WANT TO STAY HERE WITH HIM AND < GIVE HIM A DECENT BURIAL.' a OKAY, KING.'I RECKON I CAN UNDERSTAND -- YOUR FEELINGS.' J YOU GO ON IN FOR THE POSSE .' I’LL WAIT HERE FOR YOU BY THE TIME > YOU GET BACK I CAN > HAVE HIM BURIED.' r-' 'OOM A GRIM-FACED BAND OF MEN /RALLIES AROUND TEX AND THE SHERIFF. / lHORTLY AFTER WARD'S, IN THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE LIT WHEN TEX ARRIVES AT THE SPOT WHERE HE LEFT KING-. there’s no ■SIGN OF HIM.' ARE YOU SURE THIS IS THE A PLACE ? r" \( YES.' I DON’T EVEN r SEE A SIGN OF THE GRAVE, EITHER.' KING COULDN’T HAVE TAKEN — , THE BODY ^r>\ V VERY FAR i X NEVER THOUGHT ) GATLING AND THOSE VARMINTS < HIS GANG WOULD GO SO FAR ) WILL SWING AS TO GUN A HELP- < FOR IT, LESS MAN BECAUSE \ TEX.' HERE, HE WOULDN’T SELL .' J TAKE THIS THEY SHOULD’VE “S BRACE KNOWN THEY COULDN’T) OF GUNS GET AWAY WITH y WHILE I IT/ j — -r— V ROUND UP 73pi POSSE/ IT’S HOWLAND’S ) ( THAT’S NOT WHAT I CALL frj BODY.' i — ^ VmUCH OF A BURIAL.' - JLCOULD BE THAT GATLING CAUGHT UP WITH KING — v again while he stayed r y //f V <-~_ HERE TO BURY ^ F'***'} Bt WHINER.- J flow wo# . , wow/ ' JOW WO* r WAIT A > MINUTE /FURY HAS FOUND . SOMETHING /y TEX RITTER WESTERN I RECKON THERE’S NOTHIN© TOO LOW FOR A BUSHWHACKER TO < STOOP TO.' COME ON, BOYS.' WE’RE GOIN© . TO GET THAT SANG < OF PRYGULCHER5 J ANP GET THEM r-^vS FAST.' s J ANP I’M GOIN© TO GET ME A MURPERER; IT LOOKS AS IF j HE WAS PRAGGEP HERE TO BEHIPPEN, NOW WHY WOULP KING POTHAT- . UNLESS—.* YOU THINK GATLiNG GOT TO HIM ANP T05SEP THE BOPY IN THERE, TEX? MAYBE YES -ANP MAYBE NO. HMMMM--THIS KINP OF __ —r EXPLAINS A LOT OF ) THINGS ! r — ^ >UT WHEN THE POSSE REACHES THE CAVE BUT HOW IN TARNATION ARE WE GOING TO FINP, THAT? IT’S AGAINST/—"^ THE LAW TO GIVE OUT THE LOCATION OFZ^MjM A CLAIM .' 1 RECKON FURY CAN FINP THE TRAIL FOR US.' COME ' — — t ON, BOY - • FINP W GONE ! THEY’RE ALL GONE .' THE VARMINTS CLEAREP OUT .* NO mjt' SIGN OF KING Hi tew- EITHER.' . I FIGURE IF THEY’RE NOT HERE- THE ONLY OTHER PLACE THAT MIGHT INTEREST THEM 15 THAT NEW SILVER MINE . KING ANP HOWL ANP PUT — N* IN A CLAIM FOR .* URV SUPPENLV STOPS SHORT WITH A WARNING GROWL ANP.^ r > r — f HOLP IT, B0Y5.' I RECKON WE’VE . „ Vfounp the mine. 1 it must be £siv — l BEHIND THAT HILL UP . — • O- / (\ v — AHEAP.* ) . HE’S PICKEP IT UP, LOOK, THERE’S THE TRAIL LEADING OFF -t THERE .* TEX RITTER WESTERN ALL RIGHT, TEX.' BUT - * WATCH YOURSELF. WE CAN’T GET A DECENT SHOT AT THEM WHILE THEY’RE HIDING BEHIND THOSE ROCKS* SHERIFF — AND WE CAN’T STAY OUT HERE THEY T — CAN SEE US -BUT WE CAN’T SEE THEM.' I’M GOING TO 1 RUSH THEM TO DRAW THEIR ' FIRE .'THEN YOU AND THE /WV BOYS CAN CLOSE IN / PUT UP YOUR GUNS* YOU VARMINT5 ~ HERE HE COMES. < HE SHOT AWAV MY weuN.o P-DON’T SHOOT/ IT’S A GOOD THING YOU * SHOWED UP, SHERIFF / HE . WAS GOING TO-... DON’T WORRY, KING/THAT WHOLE GANG WILL GO TO TRIAL FOR KIDNAPPING AND MURDER / YOUR ’ PARTNER WILL BE S AVENGED BY _ THE LAW / / WAIT A MINUTE, SHERIFF/ ME AND MY BOYS TRIED TO GET THAT MINE, AND . WE EVEN KIDNAPPED \ KING TO GET HIM TO l SIGN IT OVER- BUT WE DIDN’T KILL J HOWLAND / y-7 r*' s — / HE’S RIGHT, SHERIFF TEX RITTER WESTERN XOU’RE Y NO I*M NOT.' YOU GOT PLUMB / GREEDY WHEN GATLIN© CRAZY.'/ OFFERED ALL THAT < • , MONEY FOR THE MINE / V and figured ON TAKING / V IT FOR YOURSELF.* v' YOU GOT GATLIN© AND HIS GANG FOR HIPNAPPING, AND I RECKON THAT’S ENOUGH TO HOLD TH05E VARMINT5 FOR AWHILE --BUT I GOT MYSELF A MURDERER .'rnr IF THOSE COYOTES DIDN’T , WHO “T DIP * I TELL YOU GATLING DIP IT.' a YOU SAID GATLING GUNNED HOWLAND J WHILE FACING YOU -BUT WHEN I HAD m ANOTHER CHANCE TO EXAMINE THE BODY, I COULD SEE THAT HOWLAND GOT IT — i IN THE BACH .' 'jgpr / — 0^7 by you.' ,r’S WHY YOU WANTED TO STAY .HIND TO GET RID OF THE EVIDENCE BEFORE ANY- ONE COULD SEE IT/ BUT YOU 5 DIDN'T GET A CHANCE .YOU SAW GATLING AND HIS GANG COMING ^ BACK, YOU PUMPED HIM IN THAT M CLUMP OF TREES.’ A HE’S RIGHT, I SHERIFF .* ' AFTER WE GOT HIM, WE WENT LOOKING FOR THE OTHER ONE AND HE WA5 ALREADY ^ DEAD.' ^ WHEN WE SAW HOWLAND’S BODY, WE FIGURED KING « DID IT.' WE WERE GOING TO MAKE HIM SIGN THAT , MINE OVER OR REPORT / HIM TO THE LAW ! r HEY/ KING . TOOK MY GUN; I’M TAKING THE VARMINT GET HIM! HE’S DUCKING INTO ^ THE MINE! a YOU’LL J NEVER TAKE ME.' NEVER AFTER HIM, TEX RITTER WESTERN »UHY STEALTHILY MAKES HIS WAY TDWARP KING AMP SOON ^ — . ilNUTES LATER. I GOT A PRETTY BIG ^ * JAIL TO TAKE CARE OF < THEM, TEX.' THANHS TO MEN LIKE YOU- WE STILL HAVE LAW ANP ORPER ^ 'T IN THESE PARTS .'/I I RECKON WE FINISHEP THIS THING UR, SHERIFF.' I’M 1 1 A RACKET, DOESN’T SHE? YUH QUIET HER BY BRUSHING HER HAIR? DOES K THET WORK ? HEY* TWO TOM, gi VE H3RI MOSS A BREAK/ HI'S ’BOUT READY TO CAVE IN UNDER > » >OR£ WEIGHT/ — — EX, I RECKON I \ KIND OP HEAVY/ WHY, AM KIM DA' HEAVY/ J IP *OR§ MQS8 WAS . LONGER, TUN'D . ^ 7 LOOK LIKE AN V jp.^cs^ElSPHAHT/ / THAT'S RIGHT/ --T YUH WERE A I WAS A BIG \ S IS FAT FAT BOUNCING BOUNCING * BABY WHEN / BABY WHEN I WAS BORN// YUH WERE ^ I CAN'T HELD IT IP I'M PAT/ I'VE always been^ 7 THIS ViPtf/jr. YUD...ANP I WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE FLOOR/? y' ALWAYS? “Colonel John Raven a in Honey Horse” Hartfc Delby placed his big hammer next to (IIS anvil. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and then removed his leather apron. He had been busy all week making nails and fixing gun barrels. But he always had time for his famous visitor. The man outside the black- smith’s small shop was tall. From his moccasined feet to his tight fitting leather cap, he was six feet three inches. He was all muscle and weigh- ed 0 little more than two hundred and thirty pounds. The sun and wind had tanned his skin. On his leather coat was the emblem which Colonel John Raven was famous on the frontier of growing America. The blackbird which had come to symbolize the man who was opening the wilderness and making it possible for people to move Westward in safety. "Colonel,” complained the blacksmith, "Back in New England folks said I could make the host horseshoes. But all I have been doing since I came to this settlement is making nails, fixing gun barrels, repairing metal plows, and making hammers. Now don’t get me wrong. Business is good out here. But I would like to be able to sell some horseshoes.” "Inr order to sell horseshoes we must have horses,” finished the famous man of the front- ier. "From time to time, Chief Pa-Cha-Ni-ICita has sold us some of his precious horses. Actually we need about fifty more horses. Then you would be busy making your horseshoes. I hove some news for you. 1 plan to go on an expedition and the purpose is to capture some of the wild horses that they say are on the ether side of the mountain range.” Approaching the two men was Charles Col- lins, often known as Chubby Collins. He was the best friend and companion of the Colonel. He was much shorter than his friend with a tendency to be round. But appearances they *say are deceitful. For he was agile and quick, -and his eyes keen when sighting his rifle. "General Henderson has given his consent to the expedition," he announced. "He wants to see you at the fort and discuss the matter with you." The two friends walked side by side to Fort Wallington. They went at once to the General's quarters. The commanding officer wanted some more information about the expedition. "I have heard many conflicting statements about wild horses. Exactly what can you tell me?" he asked. "We know that De Soto took many horses with him to Florida in 1539 and also on his expedition to the Middle West in 1544. Coron- ado also had horses. Later there was a steady stream of horses. The indians learned about these animals. Apaches, Utes, Navahoes and Comanches ran off hprses and mules from ranches in Mexico. We do know that the Black- feet had many horses when they met some of our men. But where did the bands of wild horses originate? they must have been horses that once belonged either to the indians or the white men. However the horses would be killed by wild animals unless they were in some pro- tected place. Hence I figure that on the other side of the mountain range there must be a place free from wild animals for these horses to survive." “Wonderful and simple,” admitted General Henderson. "It should be easy to get those horses. Especially since you will have no prob- lem concerning wild animals." “Well," asked Colonel John Raven with a slight smile on his face, “if we have no wild animals, then what do we use for food?" The General saw the point at once. He knew that at the most each man could carry about a week's supply of food on his back in ad- dition to other necessities. "Now if we only had the kind of food that could be carried on your back to last about three weeks, then the problem would be solv- ed," he finally admitted. "There is such a food,” interrupted Charles Collins. “The Indians qall it Pemmican. They make it different ways. It consists sometimes of dried buffalo meat and berries. Sometimes they even add cornmeal. The indian Chief promised to give us some of this food! Brave One, and two other redskins will go with us. They will be given some of the horses in return for the food." "May you have success on this expedition," said the General. "You two can draw from Sergeant Malloy any supplies you need. You might as well take him with you. He is most unhappy when you two are in search of adven- ture and he has to remain behind." Chief Pa-Cha-Ni-Kita accompanied the small group to the base of the mountain range. "With my own eyes I have seen these horses,” he told the Colonel. "Brave One also saw them. There is a stream of water and there may be fish. Take your metal fish hooks with you. But how will you capture the horses? They can go much faster than the swiftest man.” "There are various ways to capture the horses," replied the Colonel. "I shall use common sense and decide which is the best way when I get there." The ascent up the mountain range was slow. From time to time Colonel John Raven would pick up some stones and make a definite trail marker. This puzzled Sergeant Malloy. "Seems to my mind there is only one easy way to come down the mountain. Just point your feet downward and travel in that direction. Why go to all this trouble of picking up the stones?" "Because," explained the Colonel, "the path that may be' good for our feet may be danger- ous for the horses. The stone markers will guide us when we return." "Seems to me you are counting your horses before you have captured them,” half scolded Chubby Collins. "When I was a boy my mother always warned me not to count my chickens before the eggs hatched. Why don’t you do Jhe same?" "If we were going after chickens it would be a good idea,” joked the Colonel. "Let’s not worry about the matter until we get down on the other side.” The trip up was without any difficulty and the men rested on tlfe summit. The famous man of the frontier had brought with him a spy- glass. He placed it to his right eye and looked down into the valley below. "The horses are there!" he shouted. "I can see a big band of them.” Brave One and the other two indians looked through the spyglass., They were amazed to see the animals that they knew were still far away. Brave One asked one question. "If you can. see the animals with this glass why can’t you send the glass for them and bring them up here?" "I wish it could be done." Malloy. They reached the bottom of the moonfofo range and then looked around. The horses had sensed the presence of shrangers and banded together. They ran away to opposite sections of the mountain range which closed in the small valley on all sides. "If we chase the horses they will run away from us,” said Chubby Collins. "I know I wiM get tired first." "They actually catch horses that way «e Mexico," said the Colonel. "It is known as walk- ing down horses. Day after day 5 man actually walks after a horse. Wild horses prefer to re- main in the same vicinity. A horse will get tired and stop running away if you can keep it up. But I have a better idea. I am going to let the horses catch us. We set up camp. Eat our food and wait." For the next five days the three white men and three redskins had a perfect vacation. Their one problem was their dwindling food supply. They tried fishing the small stream but found to their dismay there were no fish there. A flight of wild geese furnished them with food. The far-seeing Colonel had taken buckshot with him. They roasted the birds and enjoyed the feast. On the morning of the sixth day the Colonel walked away from camp by himself. They saw him in the distance. They alto saw a horse approach him. The horse came closer and closer. He followed the Colonel. And the rest of the horses followed their leader. "My eyes see it and I don’t believe it." said Chubby Collins. "He got the horses to catch him." "The Raven is a great man," admitted Brave One. "He must have some kind of special power to catch horses that way." The horses were taken up the mountain and then down. There was great rejoicing in the settlement and at the Fort when the animals arrived. Brave One and the other indians took some of the horses back with them. But Hank Delby was the happiest man as he started to make horseshoes. "They tell me you are calfng your horse Honey," he remarked to the Colonel. "Why such a name?" "Because that is how I caught him," admit- ted the famous man of the frontier. "I had a small jar of honey with me. I spilled some on the ground and made a thin trail of honey to where I was standing. The horse liked it. He licked my hand and we were friends. But keep it a secret at present. It is good for the. set- tlement that the redskins feel I have a special ability to catch horses." THE END TEX RITTER WESTERN TjUo, S/REE — FOLKS hereabouts w ILL NEVER FORGET THE TI/WE T&X A//T 7&/t TOOK A WANE? IN OUR ELECTION RUCKUS ... TEX TR IEP HIS MIGHTIEST , BUT THERE WERE PLUMB POWERFUL FORCES RANGE? AGAINST HIM... AN D THOSE YOUNG CfibH KILL PARE ", OUR ASSAY CLERK, WAS THE ONLY ONE OF US WITH ENOUGH GUMPTION TO RUN AGAINST BULL. BARTON. There were only fourteen hours left TILL VOTING TIME WHEN BARTON MADE HIS MOVE .... GO AHEAD / PETE WALK RIGHT >VER AND BPlEAK YOUR PIECE / YOU ALL KNOW WHY BARTON WANTS TO BE SHERIFF/ SO HE CAN TAKE OVER THE WHOLE TOWN, LOCK, STOCK -AND BARREL/ VOTE FOR Pom KlULDMZg TEX RITTER WESTERN YOU HEARD THE MAN, PRESTON. WHAT RE YOU WAITIN' FOR? HOW COME KlLLDARE'S NOT HEAPIN' STRAIGHT FOR THE . LOCK -UP? THAT'S THE VARMINT/ HE MAPE OUT HE WAS WEIGHIN' MY GOLD DUST FOR ASSAY, BUT HE SW/TCHEP POUCHES . ON ME... STCU-E MV COLD . \4ND OAVE ME BACK ^W^SANP IN ITS PLACE / THAT WAS OLD STEVE WESCOTT — THE SHERIFF WHO WAS ABOUT TO RETIRE.... BARTON WANTS ME BEHIND BARS BETWEEN NOW AND VOTING TIME / HE KNOWS THE VOTE WILL BE CLOSE AND HE'S AFRAID IF FOLKS KEEP HEARING ME TELL THE TRUTH , X 'LL EDGE V HIM OUT/ NOW, SHERIFF. yOO' KNOW THE LAW / i — ' I -I OUST CAN'T BELIEVE DON HERE - EVER DID ANYTHIN' — DISHONEST/ OF COURSE I DIDN'T, SHERIFF... BAR TON'S TRY 1 1 t TO FRAME ME; THE MAN'S BEEN ACCUSED BY A WITNESS OF COM- MUTIN' A CRIME / VOU HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO \ PUT HIM IN THE LOCK- UP ) TILL HE CAN STAND A FAIR TRIAL/ SHERIFF/ V. . I -I RECKON YOU'RE RIGHT, BARTON... MUCH AS X HATE TO , — IT WAS OUST THEN THAT TCX &iTT£G RODE INTO BAPEUTS .... * wk , you.,/. TEX RITTER WESTERN X ALWAYS KNEW THAT RED WOT ' TEMPER OP YOURS WOULD GET you INTO PEEP TROUBLE SOME } OAY, KILLDARE... EVER HEAR OT A << MAN RESlSTlN ' ARREST ? EVER > HEAR OT A MAN 0EIN ' SHOT OOWH WHILE RESISTIN' ARREST P y- you caw' t pon i TRIGGER ON HIM . BULL HE'S STANPIN ' THAR BAREHANDED / NONE OT US IN THE CROWX> DA REP MAKE A MOVE... WE KNEW BULL'S MEN HAD US COVEREP... BUT BULL AND MIS MEN WERE SO SET ON THEIR TARGETS, THEY PIPN'T HEAR TEX RITTER COME GALLOPING UP... till too late STAND FAST, rclENDS WOULDN'T WANT TO CLEAR LEATHER AGAINST YOU ... NOW SPEAK UP/ WHAT'S THIS RUCKUS ALL ABOUT P LOOKS TOME) BUT DON'T LIKE YOU'LL < YOU UNDER- HAVE TOGO 7 STAND ? IPX TO THE LOCK- \GO . .. THIS UP TILL YOU'RE) WILL BE CLEARED, DON/ 7 THE LAST _ -K TIME FOLKS E # R <5ffT 70 1 f* y /i csS m \ k I 1 s j\»A TEX RITTER WESTERN ONCE BARTON GETS TO > BE SHERIFF, HE'LL SEE TO IT THAT'S THERE'S A/£V£ff ANOTHER ELECTION ME PE / y CALM DOWN. DON.' I JUST SAID TILL you're cleared / no pea son, ir I YOU'RE INNOCENT ,\ WHY YOU CAN'T BE CLEARED PRONTO / I NOW WHERE'S THAT OLD PROSPECTOR J WHO DID THE ACCUSlNO/^^B , QUICK - - TELL. J BULL THAT ^ ^ tex Ritter } AIMS TO TALK WTO OLD PETE/ I'LL BE OUT AFTER A WHILE ,- WHITE PLASH THIS IS OLD PETE'S CABIN / „ " HMMM — FROM THE ^ . looks of this Place > a SO/VIEBODy HAD A HARD „ TIME DRAGGING OLD PETE i L awa/ before i coulD -jA fat, GET TO HIM / f \ TEX NEVER SAW WHAT HIT HIM — BUT THAT FLOOR SURE CAME RUSH- ING UP TOWARD HIS FACE MliSHTy FAST... NO NEED TO BE S CARET RITTER ALL WE AIM TO IS KEEP yOU HERE TILL AFTER VOTIN ' TIME / old pete f . TURNED CHICKEN AND / ' WAS READY TO SPILL THE *-/ TRUTH ABOUT MV FRAMIN' 7/' Ifllli . KILLDARE/-- / AND WHEN HE CAME TO- , . MLLl/flK. ILL Be THE LAW NOW/ TEX RITTER WESTERN A FULL HOUR PASSED THERE WAS C ONE GUARD NOW... THE REST OF ©ART GANG WERE GETTING -SOME SMUT-I SUDDEN- LIKE . TEX BEGAN TO WHISTLI A HP WHITE . FLASH. HIS AOUNT.WWO'P ©EEN MOSEYING ABOUT SEARCHING FOR HIM , HEARD THAT TROUGHS - MEANING WHISTLE, AND CAME GALLOPING ■ GOOD BOV/ NOT A RANGER 'BE GLAD TO, TEX/ I'M STILL KICKIN' MYSELF FOR LET- TIN' THAT StPE- WINDER TALK ME 5 INTO HELPIN' HIM FRAME KILL DARE/, WHAT DO YOU SAY. PETE ? YOU READY TO RIDE INTO TOWN WITH ME TO TELL FOLKS TMB TROTH > ABOUT BARTON ? A MOMENTS LATER THE GANG WAS IN hot pursuit . .. WE ©EAT 'EM HERE CLEAR THOSE SADDLES. MEN — AND BE READY TO DRAG THEM DOWN FROM . THEIRS / WE'LL RIDE THE RlDGE LINE OUT DOWN AHEAD OF THEM UU BEYOND THE ©IG ©END IN THE TRAIL ... IT'LL BE TOO CLOSE TO FOR SNOOTIN' — BUT LET'S MAK PLUMB SURE THEY'RE IN NO 6H TO DO ANY TALKIN' FOR A LONG > — _ TIME TO COME/ TEX RITTER WESTERN NOW TH06E TWO HORSES ARE STAMPEDlN OUR MOUNTS' WE'RE ■s. STRANDED/ / 7< LATER . BACK ON THE TRAIL LET'S HIT LEATHER, PETE. WE STLL HAVE A UO& TO DO IN TOWN ' > Xwe sure ) HAVE,. < AND I've y GOT AW ' SPEECH < all > PRt - PARED ‘ i GOOD WORR, ) WE'RE PLUMB WHITE FLASH' J LUC KY TOO " — 7 S SPOTTED THOSE / / 7 VARMINTS RlDiN< .> \ / by UP ON THE I f RlDOE LINE , AND FIGURED \ THEY'D BE WAITIN' FOR \ US AROUND THE BEND / \ / AND WE'RE EVEN LUCKIER \ / THAT MOUNT OF YOURS \\1 CAN FOLLOW ORDERS \V Better than most two \ V'V LEGGED CRITTERS ' \ ' AROUND/ WHEN POLKS HEREABOUTS HEARD THE TRUTH FROM OLD PETE /THEY KNEW FOR SURE WHICH WAY TO MARK THEIR BALLOTS. I WANT TO THANKT V NO NEED YOU. TEX , FOR ALL YOU'VE f FOR ME TO DONE ... WHAT'S THIS I ( STAY ON, HEAR ABOUT YOUR \ DON ... EAR AS LEAVING BADFLATG J > X CAN SEE. SO SOON P ^ ( THE TOWN'S IN , J ( 1/ \ CAPABLE \ V HANDS ' ) THE WINNER AND NEW SHERIFF DON ■ v RiLL DARE / I TEX RITTER WESTERN ANY TIME . AUY TIME.' -JUST SAW THE WORD/ \ THINK VOU /CAM TAKE / RITTER , ' TRIGGER? HE'S ALMOST AS FAST ^ . AS YOU / ) HIRED VICTIM JTwE PRNRIE RANGER KNEW BKS (GEORGE KENNEDY WAS A GREEDY, GRASPING- LAND PIRATE --BUT TILL KENNEDY HIRED A BRAGGING GUNSLINGER TO CHALLENGE HIM . HE HADN'T KNOWN HOW FAR HE'D GO / WHO'S THE JOKER PLAYING COPS AND ROBBERS OVER THERE ? HE LOOKS LIKE HE 'Y/ STUDIED GUNTOTlN' \ ( IN A CORRESPOW- / \ DENCE COURSE/ J \ YOUR NAME RITTER ? X 'M TRIGGER AMES/ EVER HEAR OF ME * / ) CAN'T RE - J MEMBER THE / NAME/ 'WHY? VOU FAMOUS OR SOMETHING ■ ) YEAH --'BOUT AS / DANGEROUS AS MY KID SISTER / BUT KENNEDY HIRED HIM AND HE DOESN'T THROW MONEY AWAY/ TEX RITTER WESTERN TE* RITTER HADN'T TAKEN Hi'S EVES OFF BUCK MOORE. KENNEDY’S TOP GUNMAN HE STEP- PED AWAY FROM AMES AND UjENT INTO HIS DRAM/... TEX RITTER WESTERN (QRHR) I'M GOINS TUH PUNCH VUH RIGHT IN THE NOSE/ HIUU SlUUVi HUH? T VUH ^ TOLD ME IT WOULD ’NEVER GIVE ME ANY , TROUBLE' (GRRR) INAU/ > HE DROPPED DEAD WHILE I WUZ TAKING HIM HOME.' . < VUH KNOl/N V WHATS THE MATTER, yuH CROOK ' IT'S THAT HOSS VUH SOL-D ME AN HOUR AGO L THAT'S THE MATTER? IN HAT 'BOUT THE HOSS I SOLO VUH? THAT'S RIGHT' HE DROPPED DEAD, EH.' HMMM, I ONLY SAID HE WOULDN'T GIVE VUH ANY TROUBLE . . . ^..NOW 1 GUARANTEE HE WON’T GIVE VUH ANY TROUBLE/ TEX RITTER WESTERN The GRINGO KIP' WAS A NAME TO MAKE EVERY* SOPy IN MESQUITE SHUP PER' YET, WHEN HE WAS FINALLY CAPTUREP TEP WHITE ANPTRuPy COULPN'T BELIEVE THAT HE WAS THE TERROR OP THE CANYON/ Terror OF THE Canyo# HIT ONE BOTTLE YET/ TEP WHITE fNCHES AWAY FROM TRUPY'S FEET HE'S SO FUNNT, TEP. LOOK our / / THIS IS TOO GOO V \ i TO MlSS.TOJpy/ LET'S J WATCH HIM -WHOEVER J {.1 ft y MV HE IS. 1 HE HASN'T / _ TEX RITTER WESTERN &UT AS THE SHAKE WAS ABOUT TO STRIKE. Seconds later. / you Dtp* the \ STRANGER MAY NOT ) BE ABLE TO SHOOT y BUT THERE'S’ NOTHING WRONG r—-"' WITH HIS 4/M/ ) OH, TED, IT -IT WAS HORRIBLE/ WHAT HAPPENED/ 1 ^ THOUGHT I SAW \ A BOTTLE ... J OVER. HE RE, tr upy - QUICK. y EP! AND IT'S THE FIRST ONE I'VE BROKEN B TODAY/ THAT WAS PRETTY CLOSE. YOUNGSTERS GLAD I HAPPENED TO BE AROUND.' ^ WE SURE ARE, TOO, MISTER.' y-you HIT THE SNAKE WITH A BOTTLE * Meanwhile back in town... [ wc /S/ ^ T THIS GRINGO KID'S A ,\ WA>S OF LONE OPERATOR, JIM.' \ HANDLIN' THAT MIGHTY DANGEROUS, KIND OF A TOO! SEEMS LIKE TENDERFOOT, HE PASSES HIMSELF SHERIFF, IF HE AS A TENDERFOOT /SHOWS UP HERE SOMETIMES, AN'-* /in MESQUITE ! jf' IV 5URE LIKE TO THANK YOU, MISTER - IF I KNEW YOUR NAME/ I'M AND THIS IS* nupy pawson/ IF YOU'RE STAYING ] AT THE BAR- 6 . J BOARDING RANCH, \ MAYBE WE'LL GET ) TO SEE YOU J AGAIN .' . ^WELL-ER- / / FACT OF THE // MATTER IS, I'M NOT SURE HOW LONG I'LL BE ' AROUND.' BUT I MAYBE WE V WILL AT THAT.. . JU5T CALL ] ME STEVE, / yOUNGSTERS. STEVE -ER- CABOT....' _ TEX RITTER WESTERN ffHAT NIGHT. ALL RIGHT/ WE'LL RIPE OUT. TO THE BAR- <5 RANCH TOMORROW ANP FINE? OUT FOR - OURSELVES/ ) , WE 5TILL WON'T SAT 'ANYTHING ‘TIL WE'RE. 5URE,mjpy. but you HEARP WHAT MISTER STEVE CAN'T ABOUT HIS PRE TENPIN6/ BE THE (3RIMGO KIP.' / TO BE A ^ ^ ^ r^TENPERPOOT. . . The next morning. But sack in town. STOP SAYINO THAT, TEP. OUTLAWS PON'T SAVE | LIVES — ANP HE SAVEP MINE/ ) " X HOPE YOU'RE RIGHT, ropy/ x sure woulpnt LIKE IT IF MISTER STEVE tVAS AN OUTLAW'/ ^ TEX RITTER WESTERN While out at the bar-g pan cm. A LITTLE. LATER MAYBE HE WENT N INTO TOWN, TEC 5 / WE NEVER THOUGHT CF LOOKING y . THERE ' • , ^ WHY NO. CHILDREN — MR. CABOT LEFT BEFORE SUNUP THIS MORNING / 5AID HE MIGHT BE GONE Ait, OAY .'. ' p INTO TOWN. PAYROLL HOLDUP, -r TRUDY/ TRUDY/ HERE COMES MISTER STEVE NOW; THAT'S WHO HELD US UP, SHERIFF' IP kNOW T/W IN A MILLION YEARS: WHAT'S GOING on TED? ONE WAY TO FIND Out.' C'MON....' WHY, THE NERVE OF HIM / HE'S SHAVED OFF HIS MOUSTACHE, BUT \ TH' FANCY OUTFIT ] DON'T FOOL ME / NONE, SHERIFF / • /THAT'S H/MJ , THAT'S THE \ GR/NGO KfD / ) THAT'S THE r MAN / TEX RITTER WESTERN A UTTIE LATER, WHEN THINGS HAD QUIETED DOWN, r MAve/iwo y/ i-x went for a RIPE / BUT X CAN'T PROVE IT ' NOBODY .SAW ME/ THERE'S r NOBODY TO BACK UP /VW WORD/ ) IT'S NO USE, YOUNGSTERS / I'VE TOLD YOUR GRANDFATHER OVER AND OVER / X - I'M FROM THE EAST I'M OUT HERE FOR MY HEALTH / BUT IF YOU'D SAY WHERE YOU WERE THIS MORNING, . MISTER STEVE/ OUTS/DE THE JAIL IJ HE'S GOT NO LOOT ON HIM NOW, LADY, BUT HE'LL BE STANDIN' TRIAL; MAYBE HE'LL TALK — t THEN ' r ^ I KNOW IT LOOKS I EVEN BANDITS CAN BE LIKE HIM, GRAMPS 7 / NICE TO LITTLE GIRLS. BUT HE'D NEVER /TRUDY/ IT'S OUT OF HAVE SOARED S MV HANDS NOW . HE'S THAT SNAKE r~"^ BEEN IDENTIFIED / THE AWAY IF. / tAW WILL HAVE > TO TAKE ^ \ / C ITS COURSE / rft ... BUT WILL X GET mV RINGS SACK , SHERIFF ? rewapv mornings later T HE GRINGO KID AGAIN , SHERIFF/ AN 1 THIS TIME . HE'S ROSBIN' THE MAILS* IS THAT THE MAN WHO ROBBED YOU, BEN ? I'LL BE JIGGERED* SHERIFF' HOW'P YOU GIT T'ARREST HIM SO SOON ? — mmm i.mj TEX RITTER WESTERN AfTER TED ANDTRUOY HAD HEARD THE HEWS. . . 3 RAMPS KNOWS IT COU LPN'TVE BEEN MISTER STEVE THIS TIME , TRUDY'— BUT HE'LL STILL HAVE TO STAND TRIAL FOR THE OTHER ROB8FRV / At sunrise the next morning,, out in cougar CANYON . . . , 1 IF we BOTH I,/ SEE ANYTHING, TED, Elf/ THEY'lL HAVE TO * IbI V BELIEVE US / WE'LL IWW BE witnesses / BEST PLACE FOR WHAT, TRUDY 2 ^ OH.' N-NOTHING, MISTER STEVE.' LOOK— WE BROUGHT VOU SOME CAKE,../ IF WE SEE ANYTHING, TRUDY. . . THEY KNEW IT. BUT IT'S HOT/ IT'S THE GRINGO KID/ AND I CAN HEAR THE STAGE / TRUDY/ I'D SWEAR IT WAS MISTER STEVE TOO / THEY LOOK k. • ALIKE / . . TEX RITTER WESTERN But the next moment. — — i DON'T MOVE, GRINGO/} / L AND DROP THAT A ^ A DUN • . — ^ I'M COMING ) THE MONEY’LL with you/ Arudy- \ be evidence.' " — DON'T V J __~y RUN J \ I ■ J ■WjfflSj , AHEAD/ / \l^r GET MOWN LET'5 hear the SOUND op your bullets now, MY LITTLE CUCARACHA ,‘ I'M GONNA BE /MO*f THAN A WITNESS, TRUDY/ J STEVE HEARD YOU TALKING ABOUT COUGAR C ANVON, TRUDY i HE GUESSED s WHAT YOU WERE UP r~ / TO! I'M GLAD WE \ J WERE SENSIBLE \ \ENOUGH TO LET HIM OUT } v i r rn SO HE COULD M HgjfeL lead us to, ~ /jaS&s. you! ./ TED AND 1 1 THE REW KNEW y MONEY'S YOU < YOURS, CABC j COULD ) - ALONG . 'NEVER / WITH MY _ \ ROB \ APOLOGIES. BROUGHT ) ANYBODY,] BUT I ^ THESE ' / MISTER / HAD TO ] F V — 7 s—Zy STEVE / / BESURE/ /> G RAMPS! I- I'M NOT MUCH . GOOD WITH A \ GUN - SO I ^ MINUTE LATER . . THE REWARD J THANKS, MONEY'S /-SHERIFF- YOURS, CABOT y BUT THE -ALQNO MONEy GOES \ TO TED AND //TRUDY/ IT'S / REWARD ENOUGH FOR ME JUST ^.KNOWING