Adventure Magazine Cover, October 10, 1921 — page 161: what you’re looking at

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

The Hostage ‘What shall that mean, sir?” Blood signaled to the negro standing behind Bishop. ‘Set a chair for his lordship. Jerry, send his lordship’s boat ashore. Tell them he’ll not be returning yet awhile.”’: ‘““What’s that?” cried his lordship. ‘“Blis- ter me! D’ye mean to detain me? Are ye mad?” “Better wait, Jerry, in case his: lordship should turn violent,” said Blood. ‘You, Tim,” he addressed the negro, “you heard the message. Carry it to Hayton. Bid him deliver it. “Will you tell me what you intend, sir?” demanded his lordship, quivering with anger. ‘Just to make myself and my lads here safe from this murdering blackguard’s gal- lows in Port Royal. I’ve said that I trusted to your gallantry not to leave him in the lurch, but to follow him hither, and there’s a note from his hand gone ashore to summon the harbor-master and the commandant of the fort. Once they are aboard, I shall have all the hostages I need for our safety.” “You scoundrel!’ said his _ lordship through his teeth. ‘Sure now that’s entirely a matter of the point of view,” said Blood. ‘Ordinarily it isn’t the kind of name I could suffer any man to apply to me. Still, considering that ye willingly did me a service once, and that ye’re likely unwillingly to do me another, I’ll overlook your discourtesy, so I will.” His lordship laughed. “You fool,” he said. ‘Do you dream that I came aboard your pirate ship without taking my measures? I informed the com- mandant exactly how you had compelled Colonel Bishop to accompany you. Judge now whether he or the harbor-master will obey the summons, or whether you will be allowed to depart as you imagine.” Blood’s face fell. “T’m sorry for that,” said he, gravely. “T thought you would be,” answered his lordship. 2 “Oh, but-not on my account. It’s the deputy-governor there I’m sorry for. D’ye know what ye’ve done? Sure now, ye’ve very likely hanged him.” “My increase of panic. “Tf they so much as put a shot across my bows, up goes their deputy-governor to !? cried Bishop, in a sudden: I5I the yard-arm. Your only hope, colonel, lies in the fact that I shall send them word to that effect. And so that you may mend as far as you can the harm you have done, it’s yourself shall bear them the message, my lord.” “T’ll see you lordship. ‘Why, that’s unreasonable and unreason- ing. But if ye insist, another messenger will do as well, and another hostage aboard—as I had originally intended—will make my hand the stronger.”’ Lord Julian stared at him,’ exactly what he had refused. “You'll think better of it now that ye understand?” quoth Blood. ‘‘Aye, in God’s name, go, my lord,” spluttered Bishop, “and make yourself obeyed. This pirate has me by the before I do,”’ fumed his realizing - throat.” His lordship surveyed him with an eye that was not by any means admiring. Then he shrugged and turned to Blood again. “Very well,” he said slowly. <‘But, stab me, if I understand. I suppese I can trust you that no harm will come to Colonel Bishop if you are allowed to sail?” ‘““You have my word for it,” said Blood. ‘And also that I shall put him safely ashore again without delay.” Lord Julian bowed stiffly to the cowering deputy-governor. “I do as you desire me, sir,’ -he said, coldly, and on that took his departure, escorted by Blood to the entrance ladder at the foot of which still swung the Colleen’s own cock-boat. ““Good-by, my lord,” said Blood, and proffered a parchment that he had drawn from his pocket. “It’s the commission. Bishop was right when he said that it was a mistake.” “IT am sorry, cerely. 3 “In other circumstances—”’ began Blood. “Oh, but there! Ye’ll understand. The boat’s waiting.” Yet with his foot on the first rung of the ladder, Lord Julian hesitated. - “T still do not perceive—blister me if I do!—why you should not have found some one else to carry your message to the com- mandant and kept me aboard as an added hostage for his obedience to your wishes.”’ Blood’s vivid eyes looked into the other’s that were so clear and honest, and he smiled. CORNICLO© said Lord Julian, ane SS C@