Adventure Magazine Cover, October 10, 1921 — page 160: what you’re looking at

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

150 himself in readiness with the necessary men against the need to effect thé arrest of* Colonel Blood, was amazed by the curious spectacle of the deputy-governor of Jamaica strolling forth arm-in-arm and apparentiv on the friendliest terms with the intended prisoner. For, as they went, Colonel Blood was chatting and laughing briskly. They passed out of the gates unchallenged and so came to the mole where the cock- boat from the Colleen was waiting. They took their places in the stern-sheets and were pulled away together, always very close and friendly, to the great red ship where Jerry Pitt so anxiously awaited news. Great was his amazement to see the deputy-governor come toiling up the en- trance ladder with Blood following very close behind him. “Sure I walked into a trap, as ye feared, Jerry,” Blood hailed him. ‘But- I walked out again and fetched the trapper with me. He loves his life, does this fat coward.”’ Colonel Bishop stood in the waist, his great face blenched to the color of clay, - his mouth loose, almost afraid to look at the fierce fellows lounging there, of whom he caught a glimpse out of the tail of his scared and bulging eyes. Blood shouted an order to the bo’sun who was leaning against the forecastle bulkhead. “Throw me a rope with a running noose over the yard-arm there, against the need of it. Now don’t be alarming yourself, colonel darling. It’s no more than a pro- vision against your being unreasonable, which I am sure ye’ll not be. We'll talk the matter over whiles we are dining, for I trust ye’ll not refuse to honor my table by your company.” He led away the will-less, cowed bully to the great cabin. A negro in white drawers and cotton shirt made haste by his command to serve dinner. Colonel Bishop collapsed on a locker under the stern windows and spoke now for the first time. “May I ask wha—what are your inten- tions?” he quavered. “Why, nothing sinister, colonel. Al- though ye deserve nothing less than that same rope and yard-arm, I assure you that it’s to be employed only as a last resource. Ye’ve said his lordship made a mistake when he handed me a commission which the Secretary of State did me the honor to design for me. I’m disposed to agree Adventure with you, and I think I’ll be getting back to “Tortuga and my buccaneers who at least are honest, decent fellows. So I’ve fetched ye aboard as a hostage.” “My !? groaned the deputy-gov- ernor. ‘‘Ye—ye never mean that ye'll carry me to Tortuga!” Blood laughed outright. “Oh, I’d never serve ye such a bad turn as that. No, no. All I want is that ye ensure my safe departure from Port Royal. Ye’ve given certain orders to your harbor- master and others to the commandant of that plaguey fort. Ye’ll be so good as to send for them.both aboard here, and in- form them in my presence that the Colleen is leaving this afternoon on the King’s service and is to pass out unmolested. And so as to make quite sure of their obedience, they shall go a little voyage with me them- selves. Here’s what you require. Now write—unless you prefer the yard-arm. I'll not be constraining you at all. Ye’ve a perfectly free choice.”’ The deputy-governor took the proffered pen and wrote in an unsteady hand that -summons to his officers. Blood dispatched it ashore and then bade his unwilling guest to table. “T trust, colonel, your appetite is as stout as usual.”’ The wretched Bishop took the seat to which he was commanded. As for eating, however, that was not easy to a man in his position; nor did Blood press him. Blood himself fell to with a good appetite. But before he was midway through the meal came Jerry Pitt to inform him that Lord Julian Wade had just come aboard and was asking to see him instantly. Blood laughed. “T was expecting him,” said he. ‘Fetch him in.” Lord Julian came. and dignified. His eyes took in the situation at a glance. Colonel Blood rose to meet him. “It’s mighty ond ly, of you to have . joined us, my lord.” “Colonel Blood,” said his lordship with asperity. “I find your humor a little forced. I don’t know what may be your in- tention, but I wonder do you realize the risks you are running?” ‘And I wonder did your lordship realize the risk to yourself in following us aboard as I had counted that you would do?” comicloool< He was very stern: C@