Adventure Magazine Cover — page 91: what you’re looking at

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

“a UsN« > en et e& y: ad 7 ‘| ‘ fy left the fighting at the old fort. It was then that the Eagle was separated from his prisoner. The Eagle pays his debts of hate and love.’ . For a few moments the officer pumiped for breath, then pointed a trembling hand at Put- nam and faintly said: “You shall pay your debt with his life. I claim it.” Red Eagle glared at the officer, then at Put- nam, his lips twitching. Then with a haughty toss of the head thundered: “The Eagle pays. When the debt is hard all the more reason why he should pay. His life is yours. Take it!” And he flung Putnam to his knees before the officer and shoved an ax into the latter’s hand. The officer fingered the ax for a moment, then threw it aside, saying: “Tt is well. The Caughnawagas are men of their word. That is why the Great Onontio loves them and will give them back their ancient lands now held by the Long House. “This man’s life is mine. It is for me to say when I will take it. Make a litter of saplings and carry me to the fort. by my side. Iam badly hurt. My red brothers must guard my property for me and see it comes to no harm.” He dropped a hand on Putnam’s shoulder. Disgruntled and mutinous at being robbed of _ their victim a second time, the Indians drew apart and glared menacingly at the newcomer. Black Turtle talked under his breath to those about him. Red Eagle snatched up the ax the officer had rejected, and, striding toward the group, hoarsely demanded: “Who makes talk about what the Eagle does with his own? Do my feet trip over the broken chain of friendship and kick up an ax from the ground? Or is it only a bad dream sent by evil spirits? Do my brothers want me to break my promise to the man who saved my life, or do I dream it?” Black Turtle stirred uneasily as the Red Eagle’s gaze rested on his slashed face. Finally he said: “It is good that a Caughnawaga should talk with a straight tongue and keep his promise.” With that he turned and made into the forest to follow the road to Ticonderoga. Others followed the Turtle, while some re- mained to make and carry the litter. Putnam whispered to his deliverer— “T never thought to owe my life to a French- man.” This in English. And in English the officer replied: “Nor did I ever think to owe my life to one of Rogers’ Rangers. I am the man with the hole in his leg that you captured and prevented your men from killing. I was abandoned, even as you had ordered, when your men were driven ashore above Sloop Island by some © 6 The Bushfighters This man shall walk’ dg Ee, SL en ee of our soldiers. The wound did not prove serious, but today’s fighting opened it up again. Now we are quits, Captain Putnam.” g~ | EPHRAIM WILLIS lay on his back F oN on the sweet grass and told war stories ‘PAN to an infant cuddled on his breast. ‘‘And that’s about how it happened, younker. He saved my life, then went and got caught and was took to Canada. “Now don’t go to blaming me. to get to him. Didn’t I get a crack over the head from a Caughnawaga ax trying to get to him? It was that belt over the head that let me come back here to make your acquaintance. “But you can’t keep the old wolf caged. He’s been exchanged. Colonel Peter Schuyler of New Jersey fixed it. You'll see him some- time. He’s a Connecticut man, even if he was born in Salem. You’re Connecticut, too. Don’t ever forget that, you young whelp. ‘Well, lemme see what we was saying. Old _Loudoun took Louisbourg, and Montcalm come down and took Fort William Henry. It was a horrible mess. But Louisbourg’s taken; Fron- tenac is taken. So givea cheer if you want to.” “Some one coming,” called a soft voice from the house. Willis crawled to his feet and set the baby on his shoulder. As he watched the man coming down the road on horseback his eyes quickened I did try 4 / t. A : ‘ ae " fom > i a e 2 bs t wa and he set off at a run, the baby squalling and ~ bringing a slim figure from the house in swift pursuit. “Oh, Lord! If this ain’t a sight = sore eyes!” gasped Willis, resting the baby on the saddle and shaking hands with a crushing grip. “The end is near, lad,” said Putnam cheerily. “You must go back with me. There’s brave work to be done. Sir Jeffrey Amherst goes against Ticonderoga. General James Wolfe goes to attack Quebec. Where’n sin did you get this youngster you’ve unloaded on me?” Willis grinned sheepishly and pointed to the flushed-faced young woman now close at hand. “Guess she thought the Indians had got him. I got married after quitting the Mohawk village and making Albany. Hooray, Elizabeth! Here’s* Wolf Putnam back from Montreal and much fighting. I’m going back with him to finish it up. Cap’n, she’s a prime Connecticut woman now.” Jan the Rogue’s daughter eyed Putnam wistfully, then gave him her hand and took the baby to her breast and resignedly said— “T knew you would come for him, or send.” “Only for a little while. It is the duty of Connecticut men. Connecticut women always help by saying, ‘Go.’ ” “Then I say, ‘Go.’ For my baby is Connecti- cut born, and I am a Connecticut woman. God will make it end right for mothers and little babies.” GOMmIIGcbdooks (E@ a > , yee 1 ¥ : ny? : fe ¥ ‘ > teas oy > we 7 ¢ RA Ht ape i ma eed AD i ‘ LAA A ve a, uy ee Va he “ie ze Tes] ae: vO ee