Adventure Magazine Cover, October 30, 1924 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

South, West and North “Hm!”’ Warlock grunted again. “Mighty queer that he’d need us, Dick. Aye, it has a queer look, and so has the man himself! He was mighty anxious to know why you wanted to find Dias. So the two are enemies, huh? Well, we’ll see what we'll see. It’s in my mind that our friend here will be a hard man in action, aye, a stiff ’un and no mistake!” In a few minutes Day returned, calling Warlock, and motioned Hampton to re- main. Job Warlock, who had left his duffle ashore, went to see his quarters and go after his things. Hampton sat over his pipe until Day returned to the cabin and care- fully shut the door. He quite understood that the man wanted a private word with him, and looked up to meet the piercing gaze of those glassy eyes, and spoke first. “One thing, Mr. Day! ‘Arrange, if you can, that I take over the cargo stowage to- morrow. Id like to keep out of sight until we’re at sea; one of your company has no love for me.” “So? And who is that?” asked Day, his brows lifting. ‘Jed Barnes.”’ | Day’s eyes narrowed for an instant, and then it was Hampton glimpsed for the second time a swift vision of dark things in the man. When Day laughed, it was gone quickly. “Oh! The little lass, eh? Right, nght; T’ll see to it. Now, a word with you! What aim in life have ye, Hampton?” “Eh?” Hampton was puzzled by the sharp, direct question. ‘‘How mean you?” ‘“‘Aim, end, objective!’ Day waved his hand. ‘“D’ye want to get on, make money?” ‘Aye. All men do.” “T told ye I had interests down below. I know a number of men there—not good or godly men, mark you! If you and I go to- gether and seek this man Winslow or Dias, if we combine against him, it’s fight fire with fire. Are ye willing to join with these other friends o’ mine, let me give you letters to them? There’s little law down in Mexico, you understand, In a year you can make your fortune, gain your revenge, and all’s clear.” Hampton, astonished as he was, did not miss the dark hint. He understood perfectly that Day was allied with filibusters, priva- teers, pirates, smugglers; that these were the other interests of which the man had spoken. Here was a chance being offered 17 him—a chance which would not come easily a second time. He hardly hesitated in his reply. “No, Mr. Day. With all thanks to you, I say no. I comprehend your meaning, I think, but I can’t fall in with it. Not that I love the law, but I don’t care to go about things in just that way.” Day regarded him steadily, his bronzed features quite expressionless; somehow, Hampton distinctly gained the impression that behind the man’s words there had been many and deep things unuttered—that this proposal had been a feeler, as it were. There was no disgrace in being connected with privateers or filibusters or smugglers; to contravene the law, especially in Central American waters, was quite fashionable. Gringo and greaser were bitter enemies, both open and covert. Hampton’s refusal sprang, rather, from a growing distrust of James Day. Some- thing in this man had begun to grate on him, though he could not account for the feeling. In that steady and inscrutable gaze he fancied that he could discern a singular impatience of control, a lack of all scruple, a stirring of dangerous things. Further, Job Warlock’s swift judgment of the man lingered in his mind. “You’re quite sure?” asked Day slowly, and Hampton realized that in some sense the question was an ultimatum. “Quite,” he responded cheerfully. Day again waved his hand, and showed his teeth in a quick smile. “Right! Every man must choose his own road. For your own sake, I’m sorry. Now, if you’ll come with me I’ll show you our quarters. Have you a chest?” “No, I brought ncthing,’”’ and Hampton rose, with a feeling of relief. ‘“I’ll draw on the slop-chest for oilskins, or buy them.” “Right,” approved Day, and they left the cabin together. = every tide counted in the race for California and gold, so that with the last of the cargo stowed, the brig Hannah stood out on the afternoon ebb while the hatches were still being battened down. Hampton, hard at work below, saw noth- ing of the ceremonial departure. The brig’s crew was a miserable lot, since most of the V DESPITE threatening weather, micloool C© inn