Adventure Magazine Cover — page 97: what you’re looking at

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

The TVorch-Bearers “There is no one here! Back inside!” Off they went to rejoin those who were. now searching the house for me. Ambros tugged at my arm to get me clear of the dangerous premises. I was reluctant to run away. Outside of the trap, with my horse close gt hand, I felt no fear of the enraged banditti. I moved slowly and frequently paused and glanced back. I was rewarded by seeing a light enter the room occupied by the dead sentinel. The light was a torch, and it was swung rapidly to make it flame up. I could not hear the cry of dismay and fear which must have followed the discovery of the dead man. Lights were flashing through the top of the house and voices were calling from the roof. Lights shone in the cellar and there was a general confusion, as when men let go of themselves and shout frantically and without reason. But the light in the dead man's room told the story in pantomime. It burst in ruddy flame and was slowly ad- vanced here and there. Then it came to a dramatic pause and slowly inclined toward the floor. Motion- less it remained for a count of three and was then hurled into a corner. We hurried on and when next I glanced back there was still light in the dead man’s room, but not that. of a torch. It was a rosy glow that emanated from the floor and painted the interior a ripe red. Flame-fongues licked at the window. 7 = ye, come along,’ growled old Ambros. And I knew it was timely ad- vice; for the mansion would soon be ablaze and melting away the darkness. And yet the stirring events of the night were not finished with, for as the glow of the burning building made us hasten to find my horse and be off ,there came the clatter of many hoofs and men in scarlet coats were galloping up to the burning building. Leaping to the ground, they began firing upon the Regulators, now being spewed through doors and windows by the flames and smoke. I could only think of devils coming out of hell. A clarion voice: soared above the din, promising: , “‘A hundred pounds for Ganner’s head! Look sharp, men.” “That’s Captain Harrison,” whispered _ Ambros. “I dogged Ganner here to git even with him for his men’s visit to my place. Then I got word to Harrison.”’ 87 What would have happened had Captain Harrison arrived while I was in the hall with Ganner? Certainly, never this narrative. The “Regulators,” although taken by surprize, reacted quickly once their leader’s shrill whistle sounded. They got together on the side of the burning building opposite our hiding-place, and made into the woods. Once in cover, their muskets began to crack and several of the British fell. Again sounded Captain Harrison's trumpet voice; and taking advantage of the bright light, his men mounted and charged th® woods. From what I could see of the field, while Ganner lost at least a dozen men the British lost only three that I personally observed. “What do you think of the British arms now, young man?” mumbled old Ambros as we stule away from the strife. “I’m rather proud of them,” I readily answered. “They ain’t killed that snake. Only scotched it,” he regretted. “Maybe General Marion’s men will get a chance to finish the job,” I suggested. ‘It’s good work, let the himself do it,” he, grunted. I fell to laughing softly as I visualized Captain Ganner’s rage over the actual coming of Captain Harrison and my picture of the captain’s amiable errand. Surely it would-never do for Esther Macson-Lance’s son to fall into Ganner’s hands again. CHAPTER VI ONE TOO MANY COMES TO CHARLESTON dpe night old Ambros and I sought shelter in a rice-stack which miracu- lously had escaped destruction. Some time during the night he left me. I had not attempted to thank him, but, although he would have insisted he owed me the good turn and had simply paid a debt, I felt I owed him much. If I saved him from a noose-—and with his dogs at hand I do not take credit for that much—he in turn had saved me from broiling before the big fire- place. The debt was entirely on my side, and it gruelled me to awake in the morning and to find the old fox had stolen away. I saddled ‘and was on my homeward journey before sunup, riding warily, for there might be some of Ganner’s men or Captain Harrison’s troopers in the neigh- borhood and I did not care to be picked up: CO Ebooks C©