Adventure Magazine Cover — page 81: what you’re looking at

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

The Torch-Bearers “You may dismount and uncover.” I did so and found we were in a wide, deep hollow which was fringed with huge pines and cypress. Scattered among the trees, but all at some distance from us, were small groups of men. There were boys and there - were men with hair as white as Angus Mac- son’s. Some were black men. Deeper among the trees smoldering fires sent up smokes which blended with the blue-black of the pines. Then I beheld General Marion. He had escaped my notice at first as he was reclining on the moss under a tree. He seemed much thinner than when I saw him last at Dor- chester, and his slight physique was the more noticeable because of the brawny build of his men. His eyes had changed none, however, and they darted sharp glances as the gir] motioned me to approach him. He wore a short jacket, which originally had been red, but was now much begrimed by hard usage. His leather cap was of the Second Regiment and boasted a tarnished silver crescent on which was engraved the motto, ‘Liberty or Death.” At his side was a small cut-and-thrust sword of the Sec- ond Regiment, as he cared little for the longer and more murderous blades com- ‘monly used. As I walked toward him he nimbly rose to his feet and while I was de- ciding his expression was morose, his visage became amiable and he greeted me: ‘James Lance, fresh from Charleston, distantly related to the Macsons of this neighborhood, I believe. I knew your uncle David Macson.”’ “And I remember you, general. I've seen you often in Charleston, also at Dor- chester when you were commandant there. Doubtless you know my Uncle David is something of a Tory.” “Every man according to his lights,’’ he was agreeable enough to reply. Then sitting, he motioned me to take the same liberty for he never was a stickler for military smartness in manners. I glanced about for Elsie but she was gone. ‘‘She'll be ready when she is needed,”’ he assured me. “Like uncle like nephew, I take it.” ‘You may hang me for a Tory, but I’m neither that nor a Whig. I’m neutral,” I said. His thin lips curved whimsically as he said: “Tt isn’t worth the bother to hang a neu- tral. And you may not believe it, but we do not hang even Tories. If some of his Majesty’s officers persist in their abuse of our patriots we may string up some of them, but not native Tories. We must live with them for neighbors after this is over.” I remained silent as there seemed to be nothing for me to sa, but I thought his speech very moderate, remembering how his nephew, Gabriel Marion, had been captured and hanged. After a few moments he said: ‘You bring me money?” I unfastened the belt and presented it, ex- plaining: “IT brought it to Angus Macson. sends it to you.” “It’s like him. He’s a sound man,” mused the general, opening the belt and counting the money. ‘Forty pounds. Come! That’s excellent. I've had to give quite a lot of due-bills, and hard money means much to us. Am I to understand you don’t-like the notion of this money com- ing into my hands?” ‘Not a bit!” I hastily declared. “I fancy Uncle David knew where it would go to once it was handed over to Angus Macson.”’ ‘Not such a bad Té@ry,” he murmured. ‘“T have known him for some years. He re- sponds to his surroundings. But how about you being neither flesh, fowl, nor good fish?” He put it kindly, as if curious to under- stand a phenomenon, and I found my con- straint ebbing. In a blundering fashion I tried to paint a picture of my life and hopes, of the things which turned me first one way, then t’other. He listened patiently; nay, I believed I could read sympathy in his dark face. When I finished he pointed to a boy across the hollow and said: ‘He's only fifteen but he’s found himself, You're eighteen and haven't found yourself. You will some time, I know. You'll eat with me and then go.” “Then this is all? tained?” Why should you be kept here?” he count- ered with a ghost of a smile playing about the firm mouth. ‘The money is very wel- come, but you're no good to me as a neutral. I’m glad you're not a Tory as I haven’t any men to spare guarding prisoners.” It was rather disagreeable, this being in- formed I was too insignificant to be bothered with. It was all very different from what I He I’m not to be de- had expected after my cold reception at the CO 71 MICLOOOKS