Adventure Magazine Cover, March 20, 1925 — page 50: what you’re looking at

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

52 The trader’s stores Chancellor would not touch, saying that they belonged to another. FOR six days they rested at the Wardhouse, keeping watch for Sir Hugh’s two vessels, but sighting nothing except several icebergs that drifted near the island, and on the sixth day .a large pack to the north. Chancellor went to the lookout to study this and called a council that evening. “Tis now seven days that we abode at the tryst,’ he said slowly,” and before now Sir Hugh should have put in appearance. ‘Wherefore, I deem that something has be- fallen him, to make him change his plans, and it is my wish to go on alone. What say you, my masters?” Burroughs and the two merchants agreed with him, and one of the gentlemen ad- venturers added a word. “Please you, Master Dickon, we grieve sorely that misfortune hath been the lot of the two goodly ships and our companions. But, for the reason of the love we bear you, we will fare on with right good cheer.” “Sir Hugh and his men are worthy of better fortune, I must needs say. I have reason to think—”’ he hesitated—“‘a traitor hath led them elsewhere. I know not whither. But each day the cold increaseth and if we do not venture forth, the passage will be closed to us by ice.” At this the Icelander moved forward from the outer circle to where Chancellor sat on a stool close to the fire. Knuckling his forehead, he asked leave to speak. “Save ye, my master, and if so be ye will let me have my say——” “Say what you will,” put in the pilot, to encourage him, for the man was ill at ease. “‘Thankee, Master Dickon, thankee! If we weigh with a southeast sun* we will come before long upon the great ice pack, which we may not pass around. Then we must make a landfall and endure the winter as best we may. Saving your re- spect, the winter in this sea is perilous. Now, God be praised, we have a fair harbor here at this place, and the good Sir Hugh may join us if we abide here.”’ “Honestly spoken,” nodded the pilot. “And to my mind we go into danger, the greater since Sir Hugh hath left us. But, my masters, I hold it dishonorable to avoid a great attempt for fear of danger.”’ *s. e. sail east. Adventure “Aye,” cried the others. ‘‘’Tis so we think, Master Dickon.”’ Thorne, who had been frowning into the fire, looked up quickly. “By your leave, sir, it is in my mind that we should leave a man in the Wardhouse.”’ Chancellor looked a silent question. “Sir Hugh,” explained the armiger, “knoweth not that a traitor is in his com- pany. If so be the captain general should come to this island after we have sailed, who is to tell him? And how is he to know the course we follow?” ““Ha! We could leave a written message.” ““A writing, so please you, might fall into other hands. ’Tis clear that folk do come to this Wardhouse. And, by the same token, we hit on this rendezvous only by chance <A man left here could signal to Sir Hugh from the peak, if the sails were sighted.” This aspect of the situation had not struck the pilot who was readier for action than planning. “That is true,” he nodded, “‘but even so, I will not order one of my shipmen to bide alone on this island in peril of his life.”’ “Nay, Master Dickon,” Thorne smiled, “I will stay here. For, look you, I am of no use upon a ship. None knoweth so well as I the warning that should come to Sir Hugh’s ears. As for peril, I would face a thousand Laps and all their sorcery rather than another storm like the last. Nay, in- deed here is scant peril, for if you come not to death, you will return hither to search for me.” “Aye, that we will.” It was Chan- cellor’s turn to smile. ‘Lad, I fear me you are disposed to have the blood out of Durforth, will-he, nill-he!’’ “Aye, that I will,” responded Thorne so promptly that the others stared and laughed, knowing for their part litéle of his suspicions or his desire to avenge his father. “Then let it be so. But I will not leave you alone.”’ Chancellor turned to the ring of faces that glowed ruddy in the firelight. ‘““My masters, you have heard the talk be- tween us. It is expedient that we man the Wardhouse. This youth maintains that the lesser peril is his, but I think otherwise. Pll order no man of mine to abide with him, yet such is my desire.” When no one spoke up, he glanced at the young adventurer who had first assented to going on. COMiICOO@ (©