Adventure Magazine Cover — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

78 They were dragging out the sergeant now and I turned aside and glanced at his wound to gain time. The girl was quite restored and her soft brown eyes were like liquid fire and they never quit me as I gathered myself for the impending struggle of wits. ‘‘My men are encamped back in the woods. We move to attack Mister Marion and his ragtag bobtails. His Majesty’s of- ficers do not accept invitations from infe- riors to mess.” Then less‘haughtily, and more in a con- descending voice I added: “But you may dine with me, if you de- sire. Half a mile back in the woods. Only you'll need bring some provender. We have slim rations, but plenty of brandy. Whether you dine with me or not you can consider yourself attached to my com- mand until we’ve had a smash at Marion. Order your men to follow this road to Lynch’s Creek, allowing no one to pass them. My command follows a cow-path to the creek. We will join forces there. I have a slave to guide me and I'll surprize that ——— Swamp-Fox or eat my commission. Now I'll interrogate this woman aside.” Without waiting for Tickridge to reply I stepped inside the cabin, leaving the door open, and motioned Elsie to be seated on a stool. Tickridge stood just outside the door, conscious of his men watching him to ob- serve how my high-handed proceedings affected him. He: fidgeted nervously and made several false moves to enter, but was overcome by the provincial Tory’s respect for the British officer. It was not until alone with the girl that I dared to draw a free breath. Only the fact that Tickridge was fresh from North Carolina had permitted my counterfeited personality to pass muster. That he was suspicious that something was wrong was very obvious. My traveling- clothes, with no military earmarks to dis- tinguish me from a civilian, was unheard of. But if he was suspicious, fear also was with him, the fear of a superior officer. Per- haps he was further restrained from giving voice to his doubts because of his convic- tion that he had me pocketed were I an Imposter. . For the moment I had overawed him by my swagger, my thinly veiled contempt for provincial Tories. But let me impersonate Charleston officers as cleverly as I could, I knew my minutes of grace to get clear of Adventure the trap were very few. Already I kpew some word was being passed through the scattered groups. Then two men sepa- rated and rode across the little clearing to- ward the woods. They were being sent to find the camp of Major Wemyss. At the utmost I would only have until they could penetrate the woods half a mile and re- turn. I harshly demanded of Elsie if she be a woman. She sat with her back to the door, safe from the espionage of Tickridge, and the tantalizing dimple near the corner of her mouth came and went as she meekly replied in the affirmative. I commenced a rigid cross-examination. She gave me a name, fictitious, and a disjointed story about searching for her mother’s cattle, and of not daring to ride except in male garb. Inwardly I commended her upon the ar- tistry of her recital, nicely balanced on the edge of tears, containing many pathetic repetitions. Then Tickridge thrust his shaggy head in the door and denounced her. ae ‘“THAT?’S all a parcel of lies. She carries a pass, signed by his lordship, Earl Cornwallis. She’sa spy!” Both the girl and I were nonplused fora few seconds. Both of us had clear for- gotten the pass. Her explanation to me was received by Tickridge as a complete confession of her guilt. His beef-red face reeked with triumph. My hearing, I hoped, was interpreted as astonishment. But the girl reacted splendidly. Rising and speaking very calmly, she informed us: “Major Wemyss, both you and Captain Tickridge have blundered on to something that does not concern you, that you have no business to know, that will advance you none with his lordship now that you do know it in part. I carry his lordship’s pass. I am detected in the guise of a man. Do you presume to inquire deeper into my business? me to Charleston, and Captain Tickridge must go with us. Once there, his lordship can satisfy vour curiosity.” Her inference was plain. We were to know she was a secret agent for Lord Cornwallis. I hastily declared: “Blast my vitals, but Pll not steal any crumbs from his lordship’s dish! Let this Tickridge go with you to Charleston. I'll have none of it. His lordship’s pass is more than enough for me to know.” CO For if you do vou must ride with” MICLOOOKS C©