Adventure Magazine Cover — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

_ _ ke = eel 80. insisted that while the Red Eagle’s prey was not to be made free with by others yet the mistake had been a natural one; that the pris- os was very brave and had carried himself we - The prisoner’s bearing, he argued, had re- flected the utmost.credit on his captor; for only a most mighty war chief could capture such a dauntless fighter alive. Tf the Caughnawagas had erred in not waiting longer before putting the man to the torture they had at least satisfied themselves that the Red Eagle was. watched over by an all-powerful orenda when he captured a man who could laugh as the flames “ih into his flesh. “No ax has been kicked loose from ye forest floor,” he declared in conclusion. “If any one here thought he saw the blade of an ax close to the top of the ground he was mistaken. What he. Saw was long gift knives from Montcalm. If his eyesight is very keen he can see even into Fort ‘Ticonderoga and behold many kegs of brandy and an ox waiting to be roasted.” This Speech closed the breach between’ the Eagle’s offended dignity and the warriors’ chagrin at being taken to task after losing a night’s entertainment. descended to say—_ “When we get under the walls of the fort and have a keg of brandy brought out the Eagle will show you how a brave man should be sent to his death.” “Ho! Ho!” cheered the warriors, much pleased with the promise. ‘Let us go to the place where the white man shall receive it.” “Out of the frying-pan into the fire,’’ mused Putnam. “There is but one chance of saving you,” whispered Marin. “If you will tell Montcalm what he wants to know he will take you from the Indians. I will go ahead and tell him you will talk and bring back soldiers and remove you to the fort.” “Tl roast in —— before V’ll tell pp what he wants to know.” “You'll talk, or roast on the beach opposite Ticonderoga,’ warned Marin. “We can in- terfere with our Indians only when there is much to gain.” “You waste your time,’ muttered Putnam. “You can’t help the provinces by dying at the stake. And our Caughnawagas can keep a man alive for two days.” “T shall never harm the provinces by living,” declared the ranger. “Still, I will go ahead. If you’re wise and change your mind we will be ready with your ransom.’ “You waste your time,” repeated Putnam. The Indians began to break. camp, and Marin glided away to make the fort and return with soldiers. Putnam nursed his aching jaws and waited for the packs to be strapped on his Adventure -all the more enjoyable. more subtle method of breaking down a stanch The Eagle even con- back. But Red Eagle remained séated near the torture post, his brows drawn down in ~ meditation. When the others realized he was _ My in no hurry to take up the march Black Turtle | asked him if he was ready. “They say this man laughed when the flames Pass ate his flesh,’ slowly replied the Eagle. that is true then you did not know how to burn him. No man laughs when the Eagle burns We sean always have brandy at the fort. Why take this man along when we can burn him here and drink our brandy afterward? “This talk about his laughing at Chaughna- waga fire is not good. Either his orenda is stronger than the Eagle’s or my brothers have forgotten how to make a fire.” This unexpected speech met with enthusiastic approval. Those warriors busy with the packs abandoned their tasks with alacrity and grouped — about Red Eagle. Marin was gone, and this time the endurance of the white man would be fully measured. The captive’s respite would make the spectacle Thereeguld be no spirit than to withdraw the torture and then renew it. As the Eagle stalked toward his prisoner the Caughnawagas trooped after him, jeering and dancing. First a shower of rain and then the partizan had saved the ranger, but he could scarcely expect a third intervention. He summoned all his will-power to meet the end bravely. As the Eagle towered above him and in- formed him of his doom there came a call from the forest.. The savages glared uneasily at the black depths and some of the younger men slipped away to investigate. The Eagle alone gave the voice no heed, but seized Putnam by the arm and helped him to his feet, saying— “White man, you are about to go into the darkness to find your uncles.” “Oui vive?” shouted a voice close at hand. “Francais!” called back Putnam. The Eagle stepped forward to meet the new- comer, his face furrowed by a heavy scowl. A man in the white and black of the Canadian regulars limped into the firelight. On beholding him the Eagle exclaimed aloud “Tf ¢ in joy and hastened to help the man gain a - mound of packs and recline upon them. Put- nam observed that he was an officer, but did not venture to address him. The man swept his gaze over the Indians and the prisoner, and noted the stake. He panted for breath and when able to speak said to the Eagle— “You owe me a life.” “The Red Eagle’s life belongs to his French brother,’’ humbly conceded the chief. Then to the staring throng: “My French brother while suffering from a hurt saved the life of the Eagle after we had ‘COPMicloooxs (E@)