Avon Fantasy Reader No. 14 — page 84: what you’re looking at

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

hit it going eighty miles an hour and reduced it to kindling. The car finally stopped, rather disheveled in looks but with the motor still running, one mile inside Moronia. There Van Dort stopped as soon as possible, having a deep respect for the vigilance and accurate shooting of the Moronian border patrol. He did not wish to arouse their suspicion in any way. The car was soon surrounded by cavalrymen, who politely but firmly asked for full details as to his identity and the reason for entering the country in such a precipitous manner. Realizing that there was no reason for deceit, he gave them a brief account of his trouble and asked to be taken to the General-in-Chief of the Moronian army. Moronia, nominally a monarchy, was in every respect democratic, except that it had a king. Every citizen felt an equal amount of reverence and fraternity for this monarch. There was rank, both in civil and military life, but promotion was by merit and without either syncophancy or tyranny. Consequently it was easier to see the Commanding General in Moronia than it was to sce the Third Assistant Secretary of Agriculture in Eupenia. The Moronians lived among the mountains, and like the eagles of the crags, prized their liberty. In consequence of all this it was only a few hours before Van Dort was telling his story to General Androvitz and his staff. They believed all that he said. Especially did they believe him after his wife talked to them in their native patois. Some staff members present had known her father well. One old officer was even able to remember the cele- bration of her christening. The general discussion was finally ended by Van Dort. “I fled because I knew that Premier Plautz intended to have me killed, and 1 came here because of my wife and because I felt keenly the injustice of another war. Moronia is to be destroyed for no other reason than selfishness and greed. The force against you is overwhelming, J see nothing save your final and complete destruction. If I have to die I want to die fighting rather than in prison, or shot, or hanged like a criminal. I offer you my services, General Androvitz, and I am willing to serve your country in any capacity.” The General at once sent for the King to join in their deliberations. Rue dolph Hubelaire came, a little, withered, one-armed man with the fire of a lion in his eyes. He heard the reports without expression. The other men watched him anxiously. Finally he spoke. “We can die but once. Resistance, in our weakened state, will be but a grand gesture. Eupenia may conquer the country but she will never enslave our patriots. They and their families may die, but they will never surrender. When the time comes, we will fight. When that is over, the survivors will retire to our mountain forts. There we will live with the goats and chamois. I am sorry that it all has to end thus, but we have done our best. One more invention like our ultra lightrays would have saved us—but our scientists have done their utmost, and as we have failed, so have they. Colonel Van Dort, we trust your honesty and welcome you to our ranks. Your desire to die on the field of battle will probably be realized.” The meeting was just breaking up, each participant ready to carry the sad comiclsooks.com