Western Gunfighters Vol 2 7

Dr. Matthew Masters is riding through town on his horse Ichabod when he crosses paths with a newcomer named Deuce Dixon. Dixon tells Masters to get out of his way, but when Matthew tells Dixon there is room enough on the road for them to pass, Dixon decides to have fun by slapping Ichabod and sending the horse galloping away and sending Masters tumbling off his horse to the ground. Dixon then tells Masters that he intends to set up a gambling hall in Leadville and rides off.

Knowing that a gambling hall is trouble and suspecting that Dixon is a cheat who will swindle the locals of their money, Masters slips away and changes into the Black Rider. The Black Rider forces himself into Dixon's gambling house and makes him a bet: 30 ounces of gold in a high card draw. While the Black Rider is focusing on the game, one of Dixon's men replaces the Black Rider's gold with a bag of gold stolen from the Sage City Bank. When the Black Rider wins the game, Dixon tells the Black Rider that he runs a lawful casino and points out the Black Rider's "stolen" gold and asks one of his men to get the sheriff.

When the sheriff arrives, he confirms that the Black Rider -- or at least someone disguised as him -- robbed the Sage City Bank a few days prior. The Black Rider goes off peacefully at first, but suddenly turns on the lawmen and knocks them out. The Black Rider then rushes back into the casino hall, where he guns down Dixon's men. Dixon, fearful for his life, confesses that he disguised himself as the Black Rider in order to rob the bank. The Black Rider then decides that they are going to play roulette and that the loser forfeits his life. Unable to use the controls on the wheel to rig the game, Dixon lunges for his gun instead, but the Black Rider is faster than the crooked gambler and guns him down before he has a chance to shoot.

Appearing in "War Drums On The Red River!"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Apache Kid #6

Featured Characters:

Apache Kid (Aloysius Kare)

Supporting Characters:

United States Cavalry
- Captain Bill Gregory
Red Hawk
White Swan
Nightwind

Antagonists:

Croyos
- Long Arrow
- Yellow Feather

Other Characters:

Apache

Races and Species:

Locations:

Earth-616
- Earth
  - United States of America
    - Arizona
      - Fort Madison

Synopsis for "War Drums On The Red River!"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Apache Kid #6

Stalking Panther of the Croyo tribe sneaks into the Apache village and reports back to his father, chief Yellow Feather that their enemies are sleeping and suggest that they attack while their guards are down in retaliation for siding with the white soldiers at Fort Madison and so that he can take White Swan for his bride. Stalking Panther is furious that White Swan promised her love to Apache Kid, and so Yellow Feather instructs his son to deal with the Apache warrior himself. At that moment, unaware of the danger, the restless Apache Kid finds himself unable to sleep and decides to take a night ride on his horse Nightwind. He is ambushed by an attack party of Croyos led by Yellow Feather and Stalking Panther. Apache Kid is furious to learn that the Croyos are plotting to wipe out the soldiers at the fort and his people while Stalking Panther seeks to take White Swan as his bride. However, the brave warrior is easily subdued and tied to a stake while the Croyos prepare for war.

The Croyo war drums awaken the soldiers are Fort Madison and Captain Bill Gregory orders his troops to prepare for battle. At the same time the Apaches are also awoken and learn that Apache Kid is missing and prepare for battle as well. As the Apaches head to Fort Madison to assist in the battle, the Croyos swoop down from a ridge seeking to wipe them out as they approach the Fort. White Swan, fearing for Apache Kid's safety, finds him tied to the stake under the guard of Stalking Panther. While White Swan distracts Stalking Panther, she tosses a knife that cuts through Apache Kid's bonds. Apache Kid easily defeats Stalking Panther and then fires a red arrow into the Fort, signaling Captain Gregory to order his troops to assist the Apaches.

While White Swan is distracted, Apache Kid changes into his alter-ego Aloysius Kare. When White Swan finds Kare in the place Apache Kid, she is less than impressed to see the roving cowboy. Kare then takes Stalking Panther into the thick of the battle and shows Yellow Feather that his son is a prisoner. Yellow Feather orders his men to stand down. He then agrees to a challenge between Kare and Stalking Panther: If Stalking Panther loses the Croyos will agree to leave the area. However, before the battle can start, Stalking Panther passes out from his previous thrashing from the Apache Kid, forfeiting the battle and forcing the Croyos to leave. With the battle over, both Gregory and Red Hawk thank Aloysius for his help.

Appearing in "Death of a Lawman!"

Featured Characters:

Gunhawk

Supporting Characters:

Black
Sheriff (Matt)

Antagonists:

Clayton Brothers
- Deke Clayton

Other Characters:

Bart
Billy the Kid (Mentioned)

Races and Species:

Synopsis for "Death of a Lawman!"

Synopsis not yet written

Links and References

References

Western Gunfighters Vol 2 7

Appearing in "Never Say Die..!"

Synopsis for "Never Say Die..!"

Appearing in "Black Rider"

Synopsis for "Black Rider"