Adventure Magazine Cover — page 84: what you’re looking at

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

4 This time he drilled the black spot through the center. : | Putnam crossed the opening and entered the woods, his heart uneasy. If Marin and his force were within hearing of the» shooting he would either attack or steal away. In either case there would be no chance of taking him by surprize. This bit of carelessness was not in _ Keeping with Rogers’ usual custom. Putnam came to the regulars sprawled out on the forest floor and staring through the gloomy depths with uneasy eyes. A little apart from the men was Captain Dalzell, calm and un- concerned, fated to be killed by Pontiac’s war- riors at Detroit. . Exchanging greetings with Dalzell, Putnam passed on to the provincials, who were quite at home in the wild environment. The men were greatly pleased to have a Connecticut man as commander, and even more pleased that the man should be of Putnam’s distinction. “Let ’em come!” cried one. .“‘We’ve got Wolf Putnam! We'll give ’em their guts full of fighting.” Putnam called for silence and began to in- struct them as to their position in the line and the work expected of them. He had spoken for only a minute when he heard a commotion in the opening and the sharp voice of Rogers hurling commands. “‘___. full of fiddlers, boys!’ roared Putnam. “They've bumped us! Up lads, and follow me. Before the men could more than get on their feet Lieutenant Irwin came running through the words and calling out: “Captain Putnam, Major Rogers says for you to start your men up the creek for Fort Anne. Our scouts report Marin is below the fort, probably on his way to attack the Fort Edward supply wagons. Either that or he’s trying to get across to East Creek to escape by way of South Bay.” “Thank —— it wasn’t a surprize attack,” muttered Putnam. “My respects to Major Rogers. The provincials start at once.” The provincials fell in and the regulars under Dalzell took their position behind them. Put- nam led the way in person, keeping close to the creek. Hesent a man back to Rogers, asking if he should depend on provincial scouts to cover the advance, or if some of the rangers should be detailed for this most important work. While waiting for a reply he ordered some of his most likely men to precede the long-drawn- out line. Before the messenger had returned or any of his own scouts had reported the trail debouched from the forest and into the bush- covered area surrounding the old fort. Still in advance of his men, Putnam struck into the narrow Indian trail. He had covered nearly three-fourths of the distance across the opening and was wondering what signs his men Adventure had picked up in the woods beyond when a firelock blazed on his right, or west of the trail. For a second he supposed it was one of his own © men; then he glimpsed a savage face. “On your hands and knees!” he thundered — to his men. “‘We’re ambushed!” THERE came a volley of bullets and a cloud of arrows. The savage who had fired his piece prematurely came leap- through the bushes to retrieve his error by some startling coup, and he fell upon Putnam. The ranger flung him off, blocked a swing of the Indian’s ax and, pulling his knife, slashed it across the hideous countenance. With a howl of pain the warrior crashed into the bushes. The line of fire told Putnam that Marin had arranged his ambush in a half-circle, the deepest point being where it cut the trail. If the flanks closed in the provincials would be in great danger of being pinched off from the rest of the forces. . For a few moments the provincials seemed to be dazed by the suddenness of the attack, but quickly recovered their nerve and sent up a cheer. Putnam roared commands for them to keep concealed below the bushes and to deploy on both sides of the trail. The regulars were inclined to remain huddled together, and Putnam could hear Dalzell striv- ing to make them spread out to prevent a flank attack. At the peril of his life Putnam stood erect and looked back for some sign of Rogers and his rangers. These at that moment were a mile away. The hidden foe increased their fire and the provincials began to give ‘ground, falling back through the bushes yet stanchly attempting to form a line, each man fighting on his own initiative. Putnam rallied them with his thun- derous battle-cry, leading the advance with a contempt for danger that inspired them all. The regulars also now settled down to busi- ness and proved their metal by pressing for- ward to get at death-grips with the concealed enemy. A Canadian, naked and painted like an In- dian, leaped up from cover as Putnam crashed forward and hurled his ax. Putnam dropped and threw his ax, splitting the fellow’s head. Now the battle was general all along the curving front, the provincials doggedly fighting from clump to clump, the regulars coming to their support in good form under Dalzell’s en- couragment. Rogers as yet had not reached the clearing. Marin gave the order for his men to charge, hoping to overwhelm both provincials and regulars before the rangers could arrive. Put- nam bellowed for his men to stand firm. A giant of a Caughnawaga, wearing the totem of an eagle on his massive chest, rose from the ground and plunged for Putnam. The COMMICLOOOKS CO 4s CANES Ly > ey Z