Adventure Magazine Cover, August 18, 1921 — page 123: what you’re looking at

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

The Doom Trail as we do. They know not what passion is. But Ta-wan-ne-ars was different. If he learnedt nothing else from der missionaries he learnedt to lofe der white man’s way.” “Tis a sad story,” commented the gov- ernor. ‘Is it certain de Veulle took her?” “He didt not take her. She ran away with him.” “The chief will not attempt to take re- venge here?”’ Corlaer smiled. “He will wait many years, if he must, to refenge himself in his own way.” “T wonder what became of her,” I said. ‘Tis only some three years since de Veulle appeared in Paris.” Corlaer shrugged his shoulders. ‘Suppose you findt der Doom Trail andt come to La Vierge du Bois. Maybe then you know.” “That is exactly what we wish Corlaer!”’ exclaimed the governor. “You don’t want much, gofernor,” re- plied the big man dryly. “Do you think it can not be done?” Corlaer reflected, ponderous as a sleepy moose. “Tdt has not been done.” “Does that necessarily mean it never will be done?” “No, but——” “But what?” “Tt will take much time andt money— andt then all depends upon der Indians.” ‘What Indians?” The governor was extremely patient with the mental processes of the frontiersman. “Der Six Nations.” ‘“‘Why do you specify them?” Again Corlaer was buried in thought. And I saw that his eyes, which ordinarily twinkled, now smoldered with a slow-burn- ing fire. “Tf we findt der Trail, gofernor, what then? We haf der Keepers. They are a strong bandt. We must fight them. You can not sendt soldiers. That wouldt be war. We must fight them with Indians. Andt what Indians couldt you get but der Iroquois?” “Can we get the Iroquois?” “IT do not know,” confessed Corlaer. “But if you get them, you smash der Trail.” ‘“‘T see,” said the Governor. ‘‘Yes, there is every reason why the Iroquois should join us. Look you, Corlaer, this is the ob- vious plan of the French. With Murray’s to do, 117 aid they will cram their magazines with trade goods this Summer. They will make an impressive showing for the tribes that at- tend Joncaire’s council. They will push ahead the building of the fort at Jagara. Once that is finished, they will have a curb on the necks of the Iroquois. They will be able to hold up the fleets of fur canoes from the Upper Lakes that now pass down to our post at Oswego on the Onondaga’s River. In two seasons they will have wrested the trade entirely from our hands, and then if they are ready they can strike with musket and scalping-knife. ‘And who, think you, will bear the brunt of the first blow? Who but the Iroquois, whom the French have dreaded since Champlain’s day?” “True, only too true,” murmured Colden. “Yes,” assented Corlaer; ‘‘you haf der right of it, gofernor. What is your plan?” “T shall send this young man—”’ he laid his hand on my arm—‘“‘with you and Ta- wan-ne-ars to spy out the ground at Jagara, to search the wilderness for signs of the Trail, to work upon the Iroquois in our in- terest. Master Ormerod knows naught of forest warfare, but he hath had experience with the French and he knows de Veulle of old.” “When do we start?” replied Corlaer simply. ‘So soon as may be. I must see Ta-wan- ne-ars again and concert certain matters with Master Ormerod. But within the week you must leave for Albany. You need spare no expense, Peter. My own funds are pledged to this, and Master Jug- gins, too, is offering his aid.” Corlaer deliberately donned his cap of fur. “Tt will not be money, but friendtship andt hate will serfe your turn, gofernor,” he said. “You have not yet read the letter from Juggins,” I reminded him as he walked toward the door. ‘So [ haf not,” he admitted, and took the letter from me and slipped it inside his leather shirt. “Will vou have it read?” asked Colden. “No, der young man is all right. Ta- wan-ne-ars has chudged him.”’ With that he was gone, and a sense of be- wilderment stole over me. It seemed in- credible that either of the two odd char- acters of the wilderness with whom I had talked could really have existed. COmiclbook C©