Adventure Magazine Cover — page 101: what you’re looking at

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

The Torch-Bearers office, a sheet of paper in his hand. His hand trembled and made the paper rattle and only by clinching his teeth did he keep his chin from wagging. The black boy had stolen in and was crouching by the side door, his big eyes pools of horror. To him Uncle David said: ““T sha’n’t need you. Go.” To Captain Posby he said: “T give you good evening. You are al- ways_welcome here. If duty sends you on a disagreeable errand, why better you than some one else. I was about to send this line to Major Fraser, announcing my nephew’s return and his eagerness to meet his accusers. He came in ignorance of any charges being filed against him. Your coming saves the need of sending the note.” ~ “Yet let me have it!” cried Posby, his honest eyes shining. ‘‘Gad! But it shows that the heart of this house beats true. I'll carry it along and Major Fraser can file it with the other papers in the case. And, David Macson, I must never forget my duty as an officer. And strike me dead if I'll forget my obligations as a gentleman. The two sometimes seem to fight each other. But it’s not necessary to tell all Charleston my friend Lance came back here in ignorance of the charges filed against him. If the world and his lordship believe he came back here, fully aware black marks were being chalked up against his good name, it won’t do him a cursed bit of harm. It might help his case.” My uncle swallowed convulsively at hearing my predicament dignified as a “‘case.’’ Captain Posby, very red of face, glanced toward the open window and softly whispered: . | “The only charges that count were filed by a provincia] who never smelled gunpowder of an enemy’s gun in his life. Jim will come off with colors flying, drums beating and all that sort of thing.” For the time this ended his relapse into the familiar. Motioning for me to precede him, he called on the guard to receive us as we passed through the door, and we passed from the house and up the street to the Colonial Exchange, in the basement of which I was to be detained. . It was a queer homecoming. As yet I could not believe I was in any danger. Beyond the humiliation and discomforts of a brief imprisonment I should suffer none, I told myself. As to the “discomforts” I QI had been alone a scant thirty minutes when my gaoler brought in a basket containing food and a fair bottle of wine. The wine was not up to my uncle’s vintage and I correctly assumed it represented more kindness from Captain Posby. That night I slept quite soundly, and if I dreamed of a maid it was in a mélange of glimpses, first in decent homespun and next as a gay gallant in breeches, with the whole thing so topsy-turvy that only the aroma of it abode with me when I answered the sun. After I had breakfasted the gaoler rasped his keys against the grating of my door and then opened it. I had expected it to be Posby, ofsome of the other young officers I had played cards and billiards with; and I started briskly to give greeting. It was Tickridge, and my first look at this beef-and- pudding face told me he had come to tri- umph. He had been gay with odds and ends of colors when we met at Ambros’ cabin; now he was resplendent in a more consistent fashion. “Mr. Tickridge, what do you want?” I asked, seating myself on my couch. ‘“—— your Impudence! Captain Ben- jamin Tickridge,” he rattled back. “And a captain duly commissioned by the right honorable Charles, Earl Cornwallis.” This, despite his rage at my lack of re- spectful greeting, was rolled off with much gusto. His head went back because of pride until he seemed in danger of falling over backward. | ‘Then what does Captain Tickridge wish with me, seeing that I can not choose my callers?” “T want to learn the name of the wench you stole from me. She is a spy, and bring her to justice in Charleston I will.” “Excellent! Anything else?” “Of course to capture her I must know where she is to be found,” he added. ‘Naturally. I suggest you go to Snow’s Island and ask General Marion. For if she be a spy she works for him.”’ “A rebel’s answer! later.” “When you do, please take time to ex- plain why you held up this woman and sub- jected her to abuse that his Majesty frowns upon.” “That you can’t prove,” he _ jeered. “Little courtesy is due a wench who puts on breeches and rides alone.’’ ‘Have done with your errand and take Comicbook I'll face you with it. C©