Adventure Magazine Cover, August 18, 1921 — page 120: what you’re looking at

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

114 “Master Juggins gave me a letter to one Peter Corlaer, a ——” Colden sat suddenly erect. “Corlaer is now in the kitchen!” he ex- claimed. He turned to the governor. “Peter came this morning with the Seneca chief, if your Excellency will remember.” “So he did. We will have him in.” Colden went out, and returned at once with two companions. One I recognized, to my amazement, as the Indian I had be- friended an hour or two earlier. He greeted me with a faint smile. To the governor he rendered the splendid arm-high salute, and - his deep voice boomed out— “Qua, Ga-en-gwa-ra-gol”” * The other man was more like a tavern- keeper than a woodsman. Of a naturally large stature, he looked even larger than he was by reason of the fleshiness of his hogs- head of a body. At first glance he seemed all paunch, but when you studied him closely you saw that his fat was firm and hard and formed a sheathing for the most powerful set of muscles any man ever had. His face was tremendous, with little, insignificant fea- tures; but his eyes, behind the rolls of fat which almost masked them, twinkled with constant interest and animation, belying the air of stolid stupidity he affected. “This is Corlaer, Master Ormerod,’ said the governor. “And with him is come a friend of ours, one of the two war-chiefs of the Six Nations. Peter, Master Ormerod hath a letter for you from Master Juggins in London.” “Ja,” he said vacantly. I handed him the letter. He turned it over and over in his hand and picked at the seal. Then he handed it to the Indian. ‘You read idt,” he said. CHAPTER X THE RED DEATH LOOKED from one to the other with as- tonishment; but ’twas the governor who intervened. “Your pardon, Peter,” he said good- humoredly enough, “but that letter happens to deal with a most confidential subject.” “Oh, ja,’ said Corlaer indifferently. “But I do not readt.” * “Hail, Great Swift Arrow’’—the Indians’ name for the Governor of New York, whoever he might be. Adventure “Take the letter, Ga-en-gwa-ra-go,”’ said the Indian. ‘“Ta-wan-ne-ars does not seek your secrets. But you need have no fears. This young Englishman is Ta-wan-ne-ars’ friend.” “How? What is that?” exclaimed the governor, much perplexed. “You know Master Ormerod?” ‘“‘Ta-wan-ne-ars knows not the English- man’s name,” replied the Indian with his grave smile; “but he knows the English- man’s heart.” ; And in his sonorous English, with a slightly guttural intonation, he recounted how I had rescued him from his childish persecutors. The incident recalled my promise, and I broke in impetuously upon his closing words. “‘Aye, your Excellency, but he hath for- gotten to add that I pledged myself to be- seech you to make it illegal to mock at In- dians in the city streets.” “An excellent thought,” approved Col- den. ‘‘We have trouble enough winning the friendship of the tribes without subject- ing the visiting chiefs to humiliation in our midst.” “It shall be done at once,” declared the governor. He drew forward a fresh sheet of paper and hurriedly scrawled upon it the neces- sary instructions, then rang a bell and to the negro who answered said: ‘“‘Zach, do you carry this at once to Rol- lins the Bellman and bid him proclaim it through the streets at dusk upon his lights- round, and also at every general procla- mation.” He returned his attention to the Indian. ‘““‘Ta-wan-ne-ars,” he continued, “I need your friendship. I need the friendship of every one of your people for our King.” “Why,” interposed the Indian, ‘‘has Go- weh-go-wa * become involved in war with some other king?” ‘“‘Not in a war with knife and tomahawk,” answered the governor, “‘but in a secret struggle, wherein some of his own subjects are endeavoring to stab him in the back.” The Seneca drew himself erect. ‘“‘Ta-wan-ne-ars is your friend, Ga-en- gwa-ra-go. He isnot the friend of Onontiof who rules at Quebec. Most of the white * Literally, the Great Crown—lIndian name for British ruler + The French Governor-General of Canada, regardless of identity. C© MICLOOKS (©