Adventure, February 20, 1922 — page 107: what you’re looking at

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

2 - The White Dawn Se . ~ for he would have the gist of the news in his head, and if it were bound to reach the British she should have made capital out of it by delivering it in person. As the matter stood, if she was Berce’s messenger, her predicament must be as sorry as mine. d none of this groping for the truth in any way tended to explain who had searched my room, an act committed before Sant arrived in town. Had the maid made the search she would have been more dis- creet. The rough and tumble condition of the dresser strongly suggested a man, one in a hurry at that. < BUCKS aroused me from a troubled yl sleep at an early hour. His angular face was aT ES in expression and entirely care free. He refused me the use of soap and water, and explained: “Y’ve thought it all out. You're Job Merick, a sort of a cousin. You’re from Westchester village. I’ve hornswoggled you into coming to town to enlist, so’s I can make two guineas. Now we'll have a pick- up breakfast, and you'll remember you’re a countryman. “He examined the rough cot to make sure his rifle was safely concealed’ (my first inkling it was there, although the narrow bed was cursedly hard on one side) and we went forth into the sunlight. There was a small coffee-house near the tavern, where the light of purse and shabby of clothes resorted. This we entered and purchased” some coarse but hearty food. After we had eaten Bucks led me to a broad- side fastened to the dingy wall and indicated I was to read it. Following my finger I slowly ee it out, half-aloud. It announced: “All aspiring heroes now have the isemaety to distinguish themselves by joining the Queen’s Rangers Huzzas, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Simcoe. Every spirited young man will receive every encouragement, immediately mounted on an elegant horse, furnished with clothing and ac- coutrements to the amount of forty guineas, by applying to~Cornet Spencer at his quarters, 1033 Water street, or his rendezvous, Hewitt’s Tavern near the Cofiee House, and the Defeat At Brandy- wine on Golden Hill. Whoever brings a recruit shall instantly receive two guineas. Vivent Rex et Reginal”’ “A beautiful chance! Beautiful!’ huskily declared a waiter as I finished and remained to stare stupidly at the bill. “I'll take the young gem’man round to Cornet Spencer. No trouble. Love to do it for the king, God bless him!” — ~“ “Hi, you keep shut and clear of us,” growled Bucks. “Don’t you go to putting — your fingers in my pie. When any one gits two guineas for my cousin — the service I cal’late it’ll be me.” z= “T spoke first,” sullenly insisted the waiter, eying me greedily. : “You're a liar, you flat-chested houn't = I spoke to him afore he come here. He = stayed with me ever since coming here.” a = “Ves, my cousin has pestered me totake the service,” I said. “Guess I'll think it 2 over a bit. Two guineas seems a awful lot “at to go to a man not enlisting.” shouldered away. Bucks ce ws says horses. We might need seat horses.” Bae “All promises are golden,” I reminded = from the corner of my mouth. “Once we are in we may find horseflesh scarce.” eS “Sarge, I’m plumb skeered. Some is going to bust loose today. I feel it in my bones. If we was snugly tucked away — on the rolls of the Queen’s Rangers I don’t — as believe we’d be spotted.” ts “Once we enlist we'll be tied down. The news must go through to Washington. : We'll save it as our last chance.” We left the place and sauntered annie . the tavern, I remembering to «display _ bucolic interest in all I saw. Despite the : St early hour a squad of recruits was being | marched away by a sergeant. Citizens = : were stirring and we passed officers who looked as though they had been up all night — = and not at cards or drink, either.» We walked — a on to Fulton but found no seclusion there. The streets seemed to thrill with suppressed excitement. More citizens turned out and fell to discussing the night’s doings. : ay = As we loitered near one group I geo a man indignantly proclaim: “They searched my house. They came , before any of us was up. Scared my wife ae most to death.” 4 “They'll search every house in the eye =< They got their orders,” cried another. “And the five hundred guineas’ reward has — rag sent all Canvas Town scurrying about like a rats. Just the luck for some of that scum Se to get the money.” eats Bucks whispered: i ES “I’m skeered. Something tells me we > < oughter go back to the tavern.” a = We turned back and loitered before the tavern, and the same kind of talk was oe Sir. yo 21 pytavek aye Sas —— =, - - &t >< — a mee ee comicboo } ‘ : i= on as.