Adventure Magazine Cover — page 37: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Path almost at right angles. This path was made by Baron Dieskau’s force in the previous Fall, when the baron marched to capture Fort William Henry and was himself taken prisoner. Arriving at South Bay, the boats were launched and the men allowed to rest. Night came, and after eating a cold ration the men prepared to - row down the creek to within eight miles of Ticonderoga. Putnam, uneasy when inactive, gained per- mission to scout along Dieskau’s Path, between which and the creek extended a strip of marsh, or as the English called it, “the Drowned Lands.” He covered five miles through the darkness and came to a brook that emptied into a small sheet of water, which was to be known as ‘“‘Putnam’s Pond.” After he had forded this and had halted to reconnoiter the darkness with his ears he heard a sound of splashing, care- lessly made and yet not such as that which a fish makes in breaking water. Noiselessly feel- ing his way to the mouth of the brook, he gained the edge of the pond, when more splashing brought him to a halt. Whatever was disturbing the water was on his left, and as he turned in that direction he found a growth of bushes barred his way. He worked cautiously along this low wall until his mocca- sins found a narrow game-trail. Droping on all fours to avoid the interlacing boughs, he followed the narrow tunnel for a rod ortwo. His hands touched something that caused him to draw back on his heels anc throw up his rifle to ward off a blow. The splashing was repeated and the cause of his alarm re- mained innocuous. Stretching forth a hand, he gently passed it back and forth until satisfied it was a hunting- shirt, heavily befringed. Extending his discov- eries, he found the other garments and a ranger’s hat and a pair of moccasins. It was not until he picked up a moccasin that he began to understand; and his lips puckered to emit a low whistle of surprize. Catching himself in time, he clamped his lips together grimly and examined the footgear with both hands. Finally replacing it, he softly called — “Elizabeth Lidindick!” “Out éles vous?” gasped a frightened voice. “Tsrael Putnam. I’m going back to the path. You stop your swimming and come ashore and put on your clothes. Then you'll go to Fort Edward with me.”’ He could hear her catch her breath in dismay. Then she frantically promised: “Yes, yes, Captain Putnam. I'll come as soon as you go.’ “T’m going now, and you be sharp. I’ve got six children back home. Four of them are little girls. I’m going back to the main path, and you see that you hustle ashore.” With this warning he noisily returned to the The Bushfighters path and waited. He didn’t know whether to be glad or sorry for stumbling upon the girl. It meant he must at least conduct her as far as Fort William Henry, where he might secure an escort to take her to General Lyman. Because of the smallpox at William Henry he would not dare take any escort unless it be some of the rangers who camped apart from the garrison. 27 But even should he succeed in this -_ particular the delay would compel him to miss ~ taking part in Major Rogers’ daring venture down Lake Champlain. The prospect of fore- going this treat caused him to scowl heavily and feel unkindly toward the girl. “The bothersome minx,”’ he groaned. ‘Has to turn up just as we’re going to have some fun. Why couldn’t she be caught while that moon- calf of a Ephraim Willis was on hand to take her. in charge?” And yet the capture was most important. It was a piece of good luck that should give him much pleasure. It meant the stopping of a most dangerous leak. Aside from the general information which she would find ways of ob- taining and sending through to the French, she would have been sure to discover the Rogers expedition. “You most ready?” he impatiently called out. “Almost. Is Ephraim Willis with you?”’ “In Albany. . Wounded.” “Oh, I’m so sorry.” “Probably. UVminahurry. Come out here soon’s you can.” “T’m coming in just a minute.” He thought he heard her enter the path, and he stood with his gun outstretched, so she might not play any tricks and duck by fhim in the darkness and follow the path north. Since Rogers declared her woodcraft was superior to that of many rangers Putnam did not propose she should evade him. His arm grew weary of holding out the gun and he knew she had had ample time to join him. But if she had quit the path he was positive his sharp hearing would have detected the move. “Elizabeth Lidindick,” he softly called. There was no answer. “Tamcomingtoyou. You’re trying to make a fool of me,” he warned. The quiet of the woods and marsh continued. He turned back into the bushes but had ad- vanced only a few steps when her mocking laugh rang out in the direction of the little brook. Retracing his steps to the path, he made for the brook, hoping to overtake her. But as he reached the stream she laughed again, this time farther away. “The hussy fooled me!” he muttered. “But what can a man do when he comes on a young woman in swimming? Well, it’s good riddance if she keeps moving south. Wecan pick her up when we come back. I’ve done my part, and ©) .OO AMC <S) (C@) Sub : sy Tilt Poe AP Blom ert He pS eae . x4," wey hood ice | Sat ep ane Maer ee aay NER NG Mit TE APIS. te Sabi heb ee) Ae ee Cie Ey eet ae we ee nv e* q ee | ? F } LA Sicas) \! ner esti the .