Adventure Magazine Cover, August 18, 1921 — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

118 But Governor Burnet lost no time in doubts. He paced the room, rubbing his hands together with satisfaction. “We have done well, Colden. We could not have done better. Master Ormerod, you were indeed fortunate in going to the help of the Seneca. You earned, not only his friendship, but that of Peter as well. No letter from Juggins could have served you so handily. Peter hath the mind of an Indian for all his white face, and he looks at things as they do. He likes you.” “T can scarce believe in my good fortune,” I replied. ‘‘’Tis a change for the better, and a marked one, believe me, your Excel- lency.”’ “You are to be congratulated,” he re- turned heartily. “But I must ask you to excuse me. I have much work to do. Pray grant me the pleasure of your company for dinner tomorrow. Colden, will you show Master Ormerod out?” | IT WAS dusk in the streets, a soft 4 purple dusk that became velvet darkness under the trees; and I felt in no humor to return to the drab company which the tavern offered. I was lifted out of myself by a mood of exaltation. After years which had been starred with humilia- tion, penury, discontent, I saw opening be- fore me the golden path of adventure. I drank in the tree smells and the odor of the ground underfoot, and longed for the great forests I had traced on the governor’s map. And so I wandered at hazard until I found myself in an alley leading down to the waterfront—and heard of a sudden the thud of flying feet. I spun around in time to see a monstrous bulk come sailing through the air, knife and tomahawk whirl- ing in either hand. . “Tl kill yer, varmint,”’ howled an ugly voice. “I'll cut yer heart out and skin yer and take yer scalp!” I dodged the knife and grappled the wrist which swung the tomahawk, twisting my- self behind him so as to hinder his attack. But he was far stronger than I and slung me hack in front of him as if I were a sack of chaffed wheat. I still clung to his toma- hawk hand and contrived to knock up an- other blow of his knife, but he must have disemboweled me in the next vicious sweep of the blade. “Hah-yah-yah- eece-ece-ec-el” The ferocious yell made my blood run Adventure cold. It startled my assailant even more. His muscles slackened just long enough for me to leap clear of him. = !’ he snarled. He drew one arm back to hurl his knife at me, but something whirred past my shoulder and his head jerked violently to one side. There was a sharp clang, and he fled pre- cipitately, shouting curses. Against the near-by house-wall a small, bright object glimmered through the shad- ows, and I stooped to snatch it up—only to leap instantly erect as a voice spoke at my elbow. “My brother was in danger,” said the voice quietly. ‘‘Ta-wan-ne-ars saw the Red Death follow Ormerod from the Governor’s House, so Ta-wan-ne-ars followed him.” The tall figure of the Seneca was scarcely discernible in the gloom. “Was it Bolling?” I asked. He raised the shining object from the ground. It was his tomahawk, and curled about the blade was a lock of greasy red hair. He pointed to it. “That time Ta-wan-ne-ars missed,” he said grimly. ‘Some day the light will be better—and 'Ta-wan-ne-ars_ will not miss.’ “Although you missed, you saved my life,’ I answered warmly. “ ’Tis an obli- gation I shall not forget.” He laid his fingers to his lips. “Hark,” he said. I listened, and from the water-front came the thunderous voice of the bellman. “Half-after-cight-o’clock, and a fine night with a southwest breeze. And all house- holders are cautioned they shall set out their lanthorns, and if any nightwalker shall] in- jure the same he shall be fined tw enty pounds for each offense and jailed in the Bridewell. “And his Excellency the governor is pleased to proclaim that whereas divers per- sons have mocked, assailed or sought to hu- miliate Indian visitors to the city, the gov- ‘nor has made a rule that such persons, upon apprehension, shall be set in the stocks for twelve hours the first time and upon the second offense shall be publicly whipped at the cart’s tail along the Broad-Way.”’ Ta-wan-ne-ars replaced his tomahawk in its sheath. “There is no talk of obligations between brothers,” he said. “Come, we will walk together to your tavern.” MICLOOKS S|