Tinkers Dam

There were two things that attracted the attention of Hopalong and California as they rode down the turnpike that led past the Circle X.

One was the dilapidated condition of the sagging fence that wound in and out among the crumbling boulders in the trees.

The other was the growing cloud of dust that twisted and turned toward them from the distance along the winding road.

Say, Hoppy, what do you reckon is making all that dust? A parcel of cow punchers or maybe a farm wagon? Judging from the speed of travel, I guess it'd be a stagecoach.

Oh, a stagecoach, eh? Where do you reckon they're bound? Oh, the Circle X, most likely.

You thought I heard that the Circle X went broke and moved down.

After old man Lawson died, the place went down fast.

But his son is still operating after that.

Judging by the condition of these here fans, he sure ain't doing too well.

I think we'd better get off the road, California.

That stagecoach will be coming around the bend in a minute.

I don't want to swallow any more of that dust than I can help with.

That sounds like trouble.

Yeah, that's it.

The stage driver's probably trying to knock over a

jackrabbit.

That's no rabbit.

Come on.

Yeah, that's a woman yelling.

Sounds like she could use some help.

Yeah, look.

It's the stagecoach, all right.

Careful now.

Yeah.

Looks like the driver's hurt.