Adventure Magazine Cover — page 44: what you’re looking at

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

~s_s Adventure Clambering from the pit and while seemingly surrounded by shouting voices, they retreated until Rogers fell over a log. Putnam dropped beside him. | They waited to get their bearings. The camp was in confusion, various orders being shouted __ with the men racing frantically back and forth. ¢ ‘ “Bah! The fools don’t know even now what = _ fussed them out,” said Rogers with contempt. ‘“‘That’s an Indian yell. We must be going. They’ve called in their Huron scouts,” warned Putnam. Knowing that the search would be pushed toward the lake, the rangers doubled back to the western base of the hill. Had it not been for their gnawing hunger they would have ascended this and found a hiding-place where they might sleep, and whence they might reconnoiter the fort in the morning. But the demands of the stomach made them savagely indifferent to risks, and, agreeing that boldness might result in food, they rounded the hill and made straight for the advanced post. Putnam, who was in the lead, frequently popped low to bring objects against the sky- e _ Finally he announced— “There’s a cabin or something directly ahead.” “Cabin. ‘Canadians who work in the saw- mill near here use it. Climb up the slope a bit and we'll see the lights of the outpost.” They ascended the rising ground until they could behold the camp-fire of the enemy behind S the barricade of logs and earth. The cabin was half-way between them and the post. Both eyed the dark, squat mass of logs hungrily. “‘Men live there. There must be food there,” muttered Putnam, licking his lips. “And food we must have or we can’t climb the mountain tomorrow and see how many men are in Ticonder6éga,” Rogers declared. Without another word both worked down to the foot of the slope and stole toward the cabin. Stalking the low structure as if it had been some wild animal asleep, they drew very close. There was no suggestion of light about the place, and Rogers whispered his belief that the men were back at the post enjoying the society and brandy of the soldiers. They reached one end of the cabin and Putnam peered in through the small opening that answered for a window. The moment he did this his nostrils dilated. A pleasant aroma came from the fireplace, where a dull glow marked the bed of coals. Turning to Rogers, he exulted: “Empty. No dog to bother us. And some- thing cooking in the fireplace!” “T could smell it,”’ hissed Rogers. Passing to the door, Rogers stood on guard - ‘while Putnam entered. Now the Connecticut man could identify the seductive aroma as emanating from a kettle of beans stewing in company with generous chunks of pork. Dart- ing to the fireplace, he swung the kettle from the crane and started for the door. Rogers sprang inside and collided with him. — “Two men coming,” he warned. “Kill or capture.” Putnam set the kettle on the dirt floor and drew his ax and took a position beside the door. Rogers stood behind him, likewise ready. The two men were loitering and talking carelessly. Over Putnam’s shoulder Rogers whispered: “French officers returning to the advanced post. Been to learn the cause of the rumpus at the camp.” A pause; then he continued: “One says it must have been an Indian try- ing to steal some brandy. ‘T’other’s cursing the Indians as more nuisance than help.” The officers were now very close, and Put- nam’s blood tingled at the thought of capturing one or both of them right in the shadow of Ticonderoga. The voices sounded just outside the door as the two men halted. The rangers believed they were about to enter, but as they made no move to do so Putnam whispered: “Call out in French that you’re sick. Ask them to come in. We'll bag the two.” Rogers tapped his shoulder in assent, and just as the officers were on the point of resum- ing their stroll he groaned dismally and faintly cried: “Help, messieurs! For the love of our Lady! A dying man calls you!” “MM ordieul” cried one. “That scamp Fran- cois says he is sick. He was well enough this morning.” Rogers groaned. The officer who had just spoken started forward to investigate, but his friend pulled him back, protesting» “What would you, Rigaud? The pig must have smallpox!” With a squeal of fear the impetuous one fell back and the two began a rapid retreat. Put- nam clicked his teeth in rage and snarled: “Wemust catch them. I’ll race you to them.” He sprang lightly through the door with Rogers at his heels. ‘The officers were some rods away and walking rapidly to escape pos- sible contagion. Rogers touched Putnam’s hand as a signal to advance when a new voice burst through the darkness, bawling indecen- cies -set to rime. Putnam halted. Rogers bumped into him and swore under his breath. The officers seemed electrified by the boister- ous, drunken voice.and sharply called out: “Hola! Francois?” “Oui, m sieul” Rogers turned and pulled Putnam back, whispering: “It’s the man who lives in the cabin—the man I pretended to be. Ah! Now the officers are calling for the soldiers to come and investi- — gate. Run!” “Not till I get the beans,” was the grim reply. COMMICLMOOOKS Cc