The Boy Ranchers in Death Valley; Or, Diamond X and the Poison Mystery

inking. And the burden of hi

tery, but along comes this queer old man to me, and maybe he h

atched the aged stranger finish his drink and then come back to where t

sked Nort, trying to speak easily an

boss?" was th

, and he and I, with my brothe

chuckled the old man with what seemed to be sini

bit sharply. "What do you mean by

re you, my boy, I'm ju

ouldn't listen to me, a

happened. Now I'm off

d it seems t

at you are driving at. Before we came here we heard stories about the danger

f those who are gone-I mean the humans now and not the cattle-I mean if they had taken my Elixer they'd be alive to-day. There she is-Elixer of Life!" and from what seemed to be one of many pocke

les, clears the brain and prolongs life. Only a dollar a bottle and I can let you have as many as you like. Guaranteed to act as specified and harmless enough so you can give it to babies! There you a

s of his long coat and, holding the two phials aloft, ad

th evil intent, for they were high in the air, and over Nort's head. And Snake Purdee must have taken this view of it, for

ll or I'll

for a moment, Nort feared a bullet would end the matter. But the old man wheeled a

trying to save this young man's lif

rather lamely, seein

just like your

atent medicine," broke

e Elixer

llar a bottle or six for five dollars. If them as were here before you had taken it they'd

anch a lot, and I've heard some say you was always around when something happened-I mean when men and cattle were fo

am, but stood quietly while the cowboy held one arm and too

he woods. And I've been around when there's been deaths. But I was trying to stop death-not bring it about. Only I was always too late. They never would listen to me-them cowboys. And I was around

dead one!" chuckled Sam. "B

then Nort made, unseen by the stranger, a motion to his two companions which served to explain matters

ke, understandingly, and

m w

d his Elixer bottles on high Nort

ld man's a

t well-meaning "herb doctors" to be found in every c

Elixer to Nort. "You are alive now, but you may be dead to-mo

ith the other, he went searching through his coa

two dollar bill. "But can you tell us anything about the cause

away inside the hat band, "I know all about those deaths. They were

his horse. "There are three of you, and you have only bought two bottl

d Snake. "And see if you can't tell us

ort as another bottle of the dark liquid was prod

nake, eagerly, while Nort a

now you are safe. You have the Elixer of Life an

not, the old man left Nort and his chums holding their bottles of Elixer and

Snake when the stranger-they had not tho

s crank," said Nort.

as a bit suspicious of him. But I guess he doesn't mean an

isn't telling

uperstitious, but as long as I bought

o take a drink when Nort, with a quick motion, knoc