Adventure Magazine Cover — page 68: what you’re looking at

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

Joba ee Sa ae a alee ha ke alc Dil) Deans data od 2 Yi Be athe A, a Er, Pace pine Pe REO Oya ty PERE TO wee Ps ed ba : La RATIOS TY) Re Coa? GT a 10 : : YS ai “Tar ’ y st hy 4 +? Aa i « * is 4) Lane s \ . + PP i ty a TAT eye ees 4, a hy at. a? ° ( ¥ l : “> lS ge Lt 6 yy : " f, Set 4 é sb : * 4 “ : ‘ > 7 . 58. discovering his losy His pantomime was so excellent that Putnam, peeping from under a flap of the skin, had no trouble in following it. A broad smile spread over his face as he im- agined the scene in the cabin. The jug was unearthed from under the hay, and there fol- lowed three periods of prolonged gurgling as the men in turn crooked their elbows. Adventure ‘ his eyes protruding. Then he _ shrieked— - “Nom de Dieu!”’ And he pointed a trembling finger at the con- tented diner. “Sacre!. The stolen duck!” cried one of his companions. “By St. Denis, but he is a queer dog:to steal it from a boiling kettle!” gasped the third man. The conversation was resumed and reflected “Pig! Stealer of ducks!” began the man with the effect of the jug. Putnam smiled scorn- the jug. fully. There could be no danger from three frightened and drunken men. He pushed back the skin that he might get more air and pro- ceeded to finish his drumstick. Now entered a new element, The puppy _ that had been yapping outside dashed upon the half-intoxicated trio and pretended to be very savage in worrying their feet. One of them kicked it aside and the solemn, bibulous conversation was continued. .The puppy, disconsolate that no one would play with him, whimpered for a bit, then pricked up an ear and rolled his eyes. He had scented the Great Adventure. The men, now talking all together, each trying to drown out the other two, gave the bundle of fat no heed, as in response to ore ancestral jungle traits he began stalking the stall Putnam scowled as he beheld’ the fat form slowly approaching. But he smiled at the tiny growl as the puppy reached the entrance of the stall and paused before the fearful shadows. He might have abandoned his investigation - of this stange man-smell if not for a new dis- covery. And the small nose wrinkled and sniffed with great enthusiasm. The lust for hunting out the stranger; also all fear of the shadows vanished. For he was breathing in the good cabin smell and the heavenly aroma of the duck. With complete confidence in the stall the puppy yapped exultingly and hurled himself But the preceding speaker gestured for si- lence and whispered — “Devil’s dog.” “Accursed thief!’ passionately cried the man with the jug. ‘Your master, Gros Pierre, shall pay for the ducks!’’ And he dramatically advanced, shaking an accusatory finger at the puppy. ’ THE brave spirit of his fathers told-the puppy he must defend his skill, and he gave voice to a tiny g-r-r-r. This diminutive defiance sent the Canadian stag- gering back against the hay. Superstition and a heritage of terrible legends promptly seized upon his imagination. His companion had said it was a “‘devil’s dog.” It was a devil’s dog. No; it was the Evil One himself, cunningly hiding in that roll of fat. Form and size meant nothing. The Evil One could work his will through the instrumen- tality of a tiny worm. ° This pet of Gros Pierre’s appeared to be a puppy. But how could a puppy rifle a boiling kettle of its contents without upsetting it? How could he do this and then replace the cover? And did not the paralytic grandfather’s eyes try to tell a terrible secret? God-in heaven! At night the fell beast might transform itself into a ravening wolf. “Devil’s dog!” shivered the man whose suspicions were the first to be aroused. 3 forward. Putnam caught him by the nap of Ah! Now the Beast was parting with his 3 the neck but let him go when he began to ki-yi. secret. He could not keep the devil’s light an The three.men failed to notice the outcry as from shining through his é¢yes. The three = they now had reached the contradictory stage men crossed themselves. One hoaisely whis- E as to the nftnners and habits of Satan in walk- pered he must be slain by fire. Another in- x ing the earth, the owner of the jug‘arguing sisted the head must be cut off as a sure pre- 3 loudly against the two. ventive of the evil assuming another form. == To still the puppy Putnam rubbed his nose The puppy growled contentedly over his = against the drumstick, whereat the pup grabbed feast. % blindly and secured a breast with all its bony “We shall make sure by using both blood and 4 substructure and bolted from the stall. fire,” choked out the owner of the jug as he & The disputant was bitterly proclaiming his reached to the wall and secured an ax. se guests to be ingrates when the puppy emerged His companions edged toward the door, their Bi. from the stall and settled himself to enjoy his potations permitting them to anticipate all ‘4 feast. With a flood of invective the man was sorts of horrible transformations once the ax ie denouncing his companions, waving both arms forced the Spirit from its hiding-place. With eo and endangering the jug which a hand still an inarticulate roar the man swung the ax and ong clutched, when his wild gaze happened to fall rushed toward the puppy. E upon the dog and to note his occupation. A heavy stamping of feet at the door and a ae He ceased his drunken arraignment and loud voice calling out blasphemies disturbed 2 : for a moment stood motionless and silent, the man’s technique, and the ax fell wide of its, = COMIC OOOLKLS we Ww vi