Adventure Magazine Cover — page 58: what you’re looking at

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

» ete eal ie oo at a : — SY ~ ry Teg Ny tthe Fife hls 4°) rl é 48 Adventure b “T’ll have that paper,’ vowed Putnam, his anger rising. ‘“‘You young she-devil, do you know what your meddling will do if it ain’t stopped? It'll bring a second Braddock’s defeat with the Indians killing and burning ‘right up to the hill fort in Albany. Now hand over that paper.” She darted toward the opening, but he caught her with his free hand and drew her back. “Release me! You have daughters, you said.””’ And this time there was no defiance in her voice. “Aye; and there are other fathers along the upper Hudson who have little girls. And by the grace of God they’re going to keep them from the ax and stake of Montcalm’s hair- dressers.”’ “The English use Indians,” she cried. ‘That they don’t use more is simply because they can’t get them. Do you think I love thoughts of bloodshed? Do I risk my neck as a spy be- cause I enjoy it? It is my duty. It is for my mother’s country. I’m French. You can’t have the paper. I dare you to touch me.” “VYou—you young hussy!” groaned Putnam, bewildered by her rapid change of front. “What you need is a good birching. You little fool! Do you think Loudoun’ll spare that slim neck of yours if he knows the desperate chance you're trying to force on him? “No, I can’t search you. But I can take you to Fort William Henry and the sutler’s wife shall search you.” Her eyes blazed in triumph. She dropped her lids, but not quickly enough to prevent his reading her great joy. “Qh, you won’t have any chance to talk with Cap’n ‘Pean,” he warned. ‘‘He was the man you was whistling to, I take it. Only birds don’t sound their mating-call after their fami- ‘lies have grown up and are getting their own living.” He paused and studied her keenly. Now the small face was under control but he knew she was secretly gloating over something. No; it did not disappoint her to hear she could not see the Frenchman. Yet she was pleased to be taken a prisoner to the fort, he believed. ““Are you ready?” he harshly asked. She betrayed herself by eagerly taking a step toward the: exit. He pulled her back, and, placing a hand under her chin, gently lifted her head until he could stare steadily into the small oval face. “Tickled into fits to go to the fort and. be searched by the sutler’s wife,” he muttered. “Mighty well pleased to leave this hole. Why? Because you’re keen to get me away from here. Because the paper isn’t on you. It’s here some- where. Ah! A bull’s-eye! Dead center!” he cried as her eyes dilated in great fear. “Warm! Now let’s see.” He swept his gaze back along the row of gar- ments and discovered a dress of homespun, the only feminine gear there. “Your gown. Uniform worn by Rest belong to Jan the—Jan Lidindick.” “What of it? Youcan’t hurt himnow. T’m proud of what he did to help my mother’s country,” she sullenly said. “Now we've found the hiding-place the clothes ain’t much importance,’ Putnam ad- mitted. “Now to find the paper. You’re keen to risk the trip to the fort to get me out of this place. You’re hoping to escape and get back here or to get word to some frog- eater to come here and get the paper.” She laughed derisively. “Very good. Find it if it’s here.” Now she was composed and confident. Putnam frowned and rubbed his nose. He had lost ground. He had had her near the breaking-point. Now she had a fresh grip on herself and it would be difficult to obtain any help from-her. “Vou had better——” She halted and bit her lio. A drop of the melted tallow fell on his hand and completed the warning she had thoughtlessly commenced. “hurry, as the candle won’t last but a couple of minutes longer, eh?” he mused. “Started to tell me before you thought. Shows that either you’re honest at heart, Elizabeth Lidindick, or else fear we'll have trouble in quitting this place in the dark. Last don’t make any sense. Guess there’s an honest spot in your heart. Poor Ephraim Willis has grieved a heap on your account.” “Poor Ephraim Willis?” she faltered, her Pean. eyes widening with terror. “He is well? Quite well?” “T suppose so. Hada ar SEES: in his leg last time | saw him. We was near this clearing. Huh! We shot a Indian carrying a message from you. Now I know why he was so far south of the lake. He come here to get it. We caught him going away.” She shuddered and twisted her fingers to- gether convulsively. “Poor lad! Poor Ephraim Willis!’’ she whispered, burying her face in her hands. “More play-acting to kill time till the candle goes out é “How dare you?” she hissed; lifting her head and revealing eyes that blazed through tears. “Good Lord, child! What next?” roared the exasperated ranger. “Enough of this foolish- ness. We're going to get out of this hole. And we’re going to take the paper with us. Then I’ll see if you can’t be shut up somewhere so you can’t give any more help to Montcalm or get yourself hung.” “How will you find it?” she taunted. “You'll tell me where it is.” “Not to save my life. Kill me if you will.” “You little fool. You'll tell me without COMiCoookKs It’s here. - (E@)