Adventure Magazine Cover — page 93: what you’re looking at

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

The Torch-Bearers roast fowl, smoking hot, and fell to. While I ate the men watched me, but none spoke. Their behavior spoke highly of Ganner’s discipline. As for the captain, he main- tained his position on the table, swinging his heels and waiting for me to devour my ra- tions. Had I been a stranger to his repu- tation I would have said there was nothing but good nature in his countenance, his bristling hair giving him a_ whimsical, surprized expression, which even the livid scar could not affect. When I had finished and the trembling slave had removed the tray Ganner spoke in a low voice to one of the men. The fellow took up his musket and motioned to two others, and the three slipped out into the night. After the bolt had been shot behind them Ganner informed me: “They’ve gone to look for Captain Harrison— You're not a native of this part of the country?” “T’ve always lived in Charleston. I fancy it’s hard work to find any natives of this region.” He chuckled in appreciation of my humor and pushed forward a handful of cigars and held a candle for me to light by. Selecting a weed himself, he remarked: “This war has been a funny business. Do you know that until old Gates was whipped I really believed the rebels would win out. I almost think my sympathies were with them up till then. Of course I never allow sentiment to interfere with business; but I always was rather pleased when I heard they had made a kill. Now I know it can’t be done. Hialf-fed, half- armed men can’t whip well-fed, well- armed men. I know the Carolinas and Georgia, at least, must remain Crown lands. “Some compromise may be made in the North. Perhaps the new republic will be allowed to stand on conditions that the Alleghanies and the southern boundary of Virginia shall mark the western and south- ern bounds of the republic. That would leave England everything to the gulf, for it’s only a matter of time before Spain loses Florida. Then England would gain control of the Mississippi, and within twenty-five years would swallow the new republic without fing a gun. Yes, I’m rather keen to talk with‘your captain. But as I think it over there’ll be something bigger than a captaincy and a bag of gold coming to me. I’m a man of parts; I look ahead. There 83 should be a royal governorship for me in this business’? What’s your notion?” The colossal egotism of the man stag- gered me. At first I fancied he was making game of me before putting me out of the way. But as I studied his face and read the avarice back of his perpetual smile I knew he meant it. Ruffian and beast, he was proposing himself as a royal governor. “For the first few years a strong hand will be needed here. favor,’ ] admitted. He laughed aloud and stretched his open hand close to my face and began closing it slowly. I nodded in acquiescence to his claim of having a “strong hand;” and to make my words more plausible added: “But royal favor has many claimants. I don’t think you could expect more than two years of office at the most.” “Good!” he cried, beginning to walk back and forth along the table. ‘‘Give me one year even, and I'll get my share and hold the country safe for his gracious Majesty. What do you say, boys, to one year of fat pickings?” They endorsed his pretensions with a mighty roar. It was the voice of the pack when running game by sight rather-than by scent. He threw up a hand and they in- stantly became quiet. Stopping beside me, he lifted himself on the table, first making room for himself by pushing a decanter and some glasses on to the floor. Pulling a knife from his belt, he began stabbing and hacking the table aimlessly, unconsciously evidencing his supreme contempt for all property rights. And as he gashed the polished surface he quietly told me: | '“T believe what you’ve told me. There wouldn’t be any sense in your coming here unless you spoke true. It’s odd that a civilian should be picked for the job, but I can understand how Cornwallis can use men who are not in uniform. Of course I’ve heard much of your ungle, old Macson. In fact, I’ve often hankered to get at his money-bags. Ill even say that while you were telling me who you are I had a notion of holding you for ransom, for squeezing the old man for something handsome. But seeing that he is a warm Tory, it wouldn’t work, if I would have the other prize. No, it wouldn’t work if I line up with his Majesty.” It was said regretfully. I smoked on placidly, wondering how I could get a few Comicbhook That's a point in your . C©