Adventure Magazine Cover, November 10, 1924 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

The Casual’s Return train- he landed in some one of the many in New York or New Jersey, his mind would lean toward suicide. When the Sister Annes announced sadly that the train was among freight yards again, and the river lost from view, he did not even grunt. When the train slowed down and finally stopped, he paid no attention, nor did he allow his heart to give more than one bound ~ when the car door slammed open and a deep voice cried— “Outside!” He went outside calmly and disinterested- ly, put on his overcoat and pack and picked up his rifle. Then he looked about. The train was on a sidetrack between two long sheds, and through the sheds Eadie could see a great ship, with a gangplank down, up which a line of soldiers was rapidly passing. “Man!” cried he to himself. “I don’t believe it, I won’t believe it until I get on that boat and she’s at sea!” The company lined up, the roll was called and the men counted again. There was a new first sergeant now, a fat man of about forty or so, with the chevrons of a regimental supply sergeant. There was a new officer, too, a nervous man, a captain of infantry with the ribbon of the Philipine insurrec- tion and the Porto Rican campaign on his blouse. He looked as if he had had a Jong . stay in hospital, and was very probably re- turning to go over to Ojon some regiment that had left him behind when it went across. The men were told they might stand at ease and they unslung their packs and rolled cigarets. “T’d like to eat,” said the man next to Eadie. ‘See any chances?” “No,” answered the sergeant, “I don’t. Maybe the Red Cross will kick in. Let’s ask cne of these birds with all the grey stuff on their arm; they seem to be working here.” He called to a man who wore a huge grey badge with letters cf blue on it. “Hey, guy, when do we eat?” “On the boat,” answered the man with the badge, “‘about twelve o’clock.” “How come,” spoke several. “We ain’t had no breakfast!”’ “Do you know what S.O.L. means?” asked the man with the badge, hurrying away. The soldiers commented profanely. ‘‘What’s all that stuff on his arm mean?’’’ asked the other man of Eadie. _ “TI don’t know,” answered the sergeant. 13 “T can see N. Y. on it, probably he’s a state guardsman. He looks pretty young and husky to be in the State Guard. Look, there’s some Red Cross girls issuing out. I guess we eat aiter all.”? “T see ’em,” cried another man. wish they’d hurry. they’re puttin’ out?” “No, they got it in a basket. sandwiches.” “Let’s hope they don’t give it all away before they get down here.” The Red Cross girls drew nearer. had on very keen uniforms and Eadie watched them admiringly. He wondered what kind of sandwiches they were giving out and how many each man got. “‘*Tenshun!” “Forward, hart!’ Away they went, past the Red Cross girl to a far part of the shed, where they per- ceived that they would be the next company to go aboard. | “Aw —!” muttered ¢ every one as.sodn as. the command “Rest”: was given. ‘Yuh might know they’d snake us away theminute any chow got near us!”’. The pangs of hunger were intense. It was nearly ten o’clock now and Jack of sleep always accentuates hunger. “Ray,” cried Eadie suddenly. “There she is again!” True enough, the Red Cross girl had gone to replenish her basket and was hurrying toward them. “Man, ain’t she the darb,” exclaimed every one, licking his lips. The girl drew nearer down the line, giving every one a cheery word and a smile. She extended her basket toward Eadie and he thrust forth an eager hand. The basket was full of chewing gum. The silent, dejected company moved for- ward step by step. The head of the com- pany was very near the ‘gangway now. The Red Cross girl went swinging across the pier to replenish her basket again. “Some coffee on the way up,” she called cheerfully. ‘We'll give you some nice hot coffee in a minute.” The men plucked up heart at that. Things weren’t so bad after all. And .chew- ing gum had its uses, too. They began to get their cups out of their canteen carriers. The head of the company reached the gang- way and began to go aboard. Eadie saw Jake Brown’s great form clamber up the 66 I Can you see what Maybe CoOMmicboook A) They The line straightened. (© =