Adventure Magazine Cover — page 106: what you’re looking at

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

96 figure the newcomer cut and Captain Posby was remarking that he was a stranger, albeit a king’s officer, when he pulled his horse in to our side of the street and pyshed back his wig a bit to wipe the perspiration from his forehead with a bit of lace, and then composed himself to wait till we had covered the few rods and were abreast of him. Saluting the captain, he said: “T am Lieutenant Drance, just arrived from Ninety-six. I am a stranger to the city. Can you direct me to where I can find his lordship?” “Lieutenant Drance! We've heard of you. We’re glad to know you have ar- rived. Turn to your left and you will be on King Street. Follow it until you come to the Brewton house. That’s his lord- ship’s headquarters; and any one on King Street can direct you to it. I am Captain Posby, town-ad jutant, and shall look you up later.” - Lieutenant Drance thanked him, patted his wig and then rode off. Captain Posby had need to speak to me twice before I heard him. Even then my ears were hum- ming so his words had little meaning. Some- thing inside me was expanding until it seemed that my heart must burst. In God’s mercy why had she dared to thrust her pretty head into this trap? Why did she dare to assume again male attire and ride into Cornwallis’ city? ! Forsooth, but she would find it vastly different from masquerading along the lonely banks of Lynch’s Creek! And above all else how did she dare to impersonate the béarer of dispatches, which would require her facing his lordship and staff and be subjected to innumerable questions concerning Savannah and Ninety-six? It impressed me as being suicide. But Unlike Captain Posby, Adventure by ! Captain Posby was right in admiring Lieutenant Drance. Never had I gazed on a more eye-filling appearance. however, I saw what he could not suspect; the bony face of death ever at her shoulder. And I saw what I trembled with fear to think all men must see; the elusive dimple near the _corner of her mouth, just as it showed in the Theus portrait of my little mother. “Thank Heaven! Everything seems to be turning out all right,” said the captain. “Oh, I hope so! J pray so!” I sighed. “Blood me! but you're not gone off?” he incredulqusly cried. ‘Why, you were the coolest one at the court. What megrims have seized upon you now?” I came to my senses and smiled to show my unconcern. “T’ll feel more at ease after we get into the general council and some order and! decency are observed in receiving the evidence,” I explained. “Bah! It'll never reach a general coun- cil. That beast of a Tickridge showed his spleen too plainly to take in his Majesty’s offcers— Gad! but that was a pretty turn you gave the evidence when you said you used Wemyss’ name because of its influence! I'll swear Colonel Tarleton will be jealous when he hears it. Major Wemyss should be here any time now. He'll be in high humor to find Lieutenant Drance has ar- rived.” “Why? Why should he?” I forced my- self to ask. “It was he who sent in word Drance was laid by the heels. While there’s some rank between them, and some years, the two families are very thick, and the major and the lieutenant have carried on the friend- ship.” TO BE CONTINUED — Peak ny NY eee cCOmiclbooks (©