Adventure Magazine Cover, October 30, 1924 — page 56: what you’re looking at

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

46 hand. He halted, and the next moment found a dozen little brown soldiers all around him, rifles up and an officer pushing to the front. And, beside the officer, pointing him out eagerly, was the peon whom he had noticed in the camp that afternoon—the spy of Dias. V TOO slow to waken to his danger, iB». 4 Hampton perceived that he was sur- “~ rounded beyond hope of escape. There was no local ill-feeling against Americans, for Panama was too far from Mexico to share in the hatred engendered by the late war; but the brown soldiers took no chances in dealing with their brawny transients, and the steadiness of the rifles around him apprized Hampton that he could not attempt to break clear. “Tt is he, senor capitan!” cried the peon to the officer, pointing to Hampton. “That is the gringo, the very one! It was he who robbed and murdered my brother, coming from Chagres! Warn your men to be careful, for he is a very in strength and alertness s The officer, planting himself before Hamp- ton, lifted his sword. “Senor, it is my duty to arrest you,” he exclaimed dramatically. ‘‘Do not force my brave soldiers to use their weapons és Hampton caught at a desperate chance. It was still possible that this spy had been too busy seeking for him to communicate with Dona Hermana—if this were so, then he had a chance to get clear. “Sefor capitan,” he said gravely, with a bow, “‘I fear there is some mistake, since I am no gringo but a Basque gentleman, and have done nothing which might cause my arrest.” The officer bowed in return. “Senor Basque, I am desolated, but duty is the master of all men. This worthy senor, well known to me, accuses you of having slain and robbed his_ brother. There is no doubt of your innocence, of course, but at the same time the accusation must be brought before the Jefe——” ‘Tf you will withdraw your brave soldiers, sefior capitan,” said Hampton, ‘and allow me a momen’t private conver- station with this sefior, who is evidently a gentleman of the gente fina, I will speedily convince him that he has mistaken me for another man.”’ Adventure The officer turned to the scowling peon, who, hand on knife, was obviously puzzled by Hampton’s calm acceptance of the situ- ation. A word passed, then the officer assented. “Very well, senor Basque, but I implore you not to draw upon yourself the deadly fire of my men.” The white-clad, barefoot soldiers with- drew in a wide semi-circle. The peon took a step forward, his eyes probing Hampton with a sneer. ‘Well, gringo?” he demanded. “You think I can be mistaken,eh? Youneed not attempt to bribe me—you know whom I serve.” ‘“Fool!”? said Hampton quietly. ‘Bobo that you are! Why have you not reported this affair to Doha Hermana? Now look at this token, and beware what you do!”’ He handed the peon the little bone slab bearing the two characters. The peon held it to the light streaming from the hotel windows, and uttered a sudden gasp. His manner completely altered. ‘Senor!’ he exclaimed, passing it back to Hampton. ‘Senor — how was I to know? You answered the description, and those gringos told me your name—ey dt mi! We have searched the hotel here for you—they said you were lodged here. Pardon this error, sefior; I kiss your hands and feet Bs Stammering incoherent apologies, the peon turned to the officer and with many appeals to the saints deplored the error that he had committed. He then appeased the officer’s disgust with a few coins, and in two minutes the soldiers were marching away. “Senor,” said the peon humbly, “I did not know that sefior Dias had sent - Hampton was not slow to take a chance, if he might thus get rid of the man. “Has anything been discovered of that Indian?” he demanded. “You mean, senor, the hombre called El Hambre? No, but I have hopes 4 “Then you will find him at Gorgona. Get out of the city, and reach Gorgona before dawn if possible—he will be there, unsuspecting. When you return, report this matter to Dona Hermana at once. You are not to arrest E] Hambre, but have him put out of the way.” ‘“Si, si, those are the orders, sefior,’’ ex- claimed the other eagerly. “I can get out of micloool CO im