Adventure, August 1917 — page 98: what you’re looking at

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

96 the Germans with the butts of their rifles. ‘“‘Peace,”’ roared McConaughy, and his personality worked its will even upon the sullen prisoners. ‘“‘What’s this?” He pointed to the sergeant. “The auld de’il wadna be quiet,” said Jock angrily. “Some o’ the prisonerrs began tae shuffle their feet an’ I went amang them tae stop it, an’ the next thing I ken- ned he was lowpin’ for the door. I shot him. There was naught else tae do.” ‘‘Where’s Tibbotts?”’ ‘““Here,”’ said a meek voice in the farthest corner. The Hon. Herbert looked down- cast. “Don’t you think you ought to be getting out of here, Captain McHoneybee?”’ he urged. “It’s rather dangerous, you know. I’m sure my governor 2 McConaughy cut him short. “Look out for the —— fool,” he said to Jock. “Get away, ma men. Mr. Apgar will be blowin’ up the ammuneetion 7?——”’ A deafening roar cut him short. It was followed by an indescribable hurtling, crack- ling, whistling din, as tons of separate pro- jectiles began to detonate. Shrapnel pel- lets shrieked around them. A fragment of the casing of a five-inch shell smashed through one corner of the guard-house. ‘Run!’ screamed McConaughy. ‘‘Af- therr me,men! Bearr away from the path we came.” He led the way, and his men streamed after him, Jock and the Hon. Herbert bringing up the rear. As they ran down the street of tents and barracks, German soldiers commenced to pour out. At first the little file of running men was not noticed in the confusion. Then the prisoners of the guard- house joined their comrades, and rifles began to crack through the storm of the blazing ammunition-dump and _ bullets flicked the heels of the Mona’s crew. McConaughy dropped back to the rear, urging every man who passed him to make rapid progress for the beach. Jock caught up with him at the first gulley between the dunes. The first officer was swearing vig- orously and dragging the limp form of the Hon. Herbert by one shoulder. “Will the lad be shot?” asked McCon- aughy in some alarm. “Shot? I could wish he was,” snorted Jock. ‘‘He’ll be nae mair nor funked wi’ the fear o’ death.” ‘Hecht,’ grunted McConaughy con- temptuously, pausing to raise his rifle and Adventure sprinkle a clip of cartridges over the leaders of their pursuers faintly seen in the mist- shot darkness. ‘““Ha’ we gaed farr enough?” “Ay. Drrop him. We’ll stand here.” Jock deposited his burden and sank down beside McConaughy in the sand, cuddling his rifle to his cheek and making every shot tell in the crowd that swarmed over the dunes on their trail. ““‘Wh-why d-don’t you g-go on?” chattered the Hon. Herbert miserably. ‘‘I d-don’t think my governor would like this. Really, I don’t.” “All right,” said McConaughy. ‘Jock, they’ll be checked. Come on.” Jock motioned toward their companion. “Nonsense,” said McConaughy. ‘‘He’ll be a grrown man. He’d scorrn your aid. Come wi’ us, Mistherr Tibbotts.” The Hon. Herbert trotted after them, but soon they lost sight of him in the gloom. Then a wail reached their ears. “Wait, please wait. I’ve tripped over a root. Please wait!” “Come yourr ways, laddie,” called Jock cheerfully. ‘“‘But wait for me.” “Ay, just follow on,” reassured him. They heard another cry indistinctly, and then a party of Germans who had worked around to flank them opened fire, disclosing the intended trap, and McConaughy and Jock flew for their lives. It was close, too close for comfort. They dodged out of a gulley and into another, that a hasty glance at McConaughy’s compass showed should lead to the sea, and as they ran they could hear the shouts of pursuers in a gulley parallel to theirs. “Lord send ”” panted McConaughy. “Oh, Captain. Captain McHoneybee!”’ The wail was very faint. ‘“They’re all around i A chorus of Teutonic yelps cut off the rest. “Nae shots,” grunted Jock as he ran. ““He’ll be safe i’ body, but unco sorre i’ mind. What were ye sayin’, Skipperr.” “I’m no as—young as—I was,” replied MeConaughy, breathing hard. “I was— sayin’ I hope Evan will ha’ the—machine gun—ready. Ah. Here’s the beach.” They burst out upon the open sands. The dory, shoved off and with her nose pointed out to sea, was lying in water deep enough to float her, all the party aboard. McConaughy CoOmiclsoo © 5}