Adventure Magazine Cover, December 18, 1919 — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

Complete Novel J GEORGE BRYDGES RODNEY = SEVEN CITIES F CIBOLA— Author of “The Lurking Poison,” “The Firebug,” etc. T the crash of the halberds falling in salute at the door of the great banquet-hall, the governor paused. Behind him was grouped all the chivalry and beauty that the governor’s court could show in the Spanish town of Culiacan in the year of grace 1540. Very pleasantly the town stood between the mountains and the sea that washed the western coast of Mexico in the province of Sinola. As the court party jostled at the gate, waiting the lowering of the halberds, a naked Indian runner thrust his way through the crowd. They would have resented his impertinence in crowding them, but he gave them no time. Slip- ping between legs and sword-sheaths, he squatted on the ground before the great governor, who stood with his hand on the shoulder of Don Francisco de Coronado. The governor turned and the man, placing his right hand first on the earth and then to his lips, gave the sign of fealty, at the same time thrusting for- ward a slip of soiled parchment. An obsequious courtier seized a’ torch from a sconce by the door and held it while the governor read. Presently he looked up and asked a question. The man fawned a little and shook his head. Again the governor spoke. For answer the man opened his mouth and pointed to the tongueless eavity. Coro- nado swore. “What devil’s work is this? What says he?” “He can not speak at all. He failed last year to pay his taxes and cursed the king. The fiscal had his tongue torn from his jaws in punishment. I was away at the time. He brings me a mes- sage that concerns you, my friend. }?? Listen ! He read: “*T have seen the earth and the fullness thereof. The cities of the earth are mine and so are the cattle upon a thousand hills, Let the start be made.’ “There, my friend, I think that will satisfy you after all. your months of worry. Tonight’s banquet will serve a double purpose. Gentlemen’—he faced the crowd—*“Fray Marco of Nice sends me word that he has found the Seven Cities of Cibola that he sought. Don Francisco de Coronado will start upon his quest.” A hum of approval rose from the crowd and men, throwing Spanish for- mality to the winds, crowded about the great conquistador as he stood in the moment of his triumph, hands on hips, a proud smile on his lips, for his great mis- sion was now assured, —- See oe eh