Adventure Magazine Cover, April 3, 1918 — page 174: what you’re looking at

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

172 three years ago, for eight thousand pesos. Her guns and tackle cost as much more,” Diego replied. “The honorable Daimio would buy her for sixty thousand pesos—more than three times what she was worth new,” said Ichio. “T shall forward his Excellency’s most liberal offer to the viceroy at Mexico City,” Diego assured them, wondering where the Japanese could find a captain capable of commanding a Western war-galleon. “And to you, oh Don Diego,” continued the interpreter, “‘he offers lands worth ten thousand koku a year, and the fair castle of Kobugara, to you and to your heirs forever, if you will stay and be his admiral.”’ Diego’s face was unmoved, but his heart bounded within him. Here was the chance he had been hoping for, which he might even have been moved to suggest himself, had not the Japanese played into his hand. It was a princely offer. it, then he could go back to the San Gregorio with a light heart, and return to shore with Donia Ysabel. . Her father and Don Feliz would doubtless object, but what could they do? He himself was free to resign from the service of Philip of Spain; and Gil Robles, the mate, was fully competent to take the galleon back across the Pacific. Moreover, from the moment he had en- tered the hall and looked into the Daimio’s frank young face and fearless eye, Diego had felt himself strongly attracted to Kurushima. Friendships had been few in Diego’s lonely life; here, he knew in- stinctively, was a man who would make him a strong and loyal friend. Unknown to Diego, the same thought was in Kuru- shima’s mind, as he sat on the cushioned mat and looked at his outland guest. Shrewd little Ichio glanced from one to the other, read their minds, and silently congratulated himself and his master, Hideyoshi. “Tell the Lord Kurushima that I accept,”’ said Diego, rising, “for his service seems one in which a man may gain much honor. Now I must go to the ship and come back with a friend, before the galleon resumes her voyage to Acapulco. When she has returned to Japan; as my Lord Kurushima’s ship, then will I begin my duties as his admiral. ‘Till then, I crave his hospitality for myself and one other person now on board the San Gregorio.” Should he accept. Adventure “Oh Don Diego!” Ichio entreated, “‘his Excellency wishes that you and whoever you may bring with you may be his guests for ten thousand years. But he says that he can not wait for the galleon to cross the great ocean and return. He must have her now, to sink the tortoise-boat as soon as possible, that Japan’s armies may cross the seas. Delay might mean the ruin of our enterprise! The honorable Daimio must take possession of the San Gregorio today!” DIEGO tapped his foot upon the floor. “That,” he answered calmly, ‘“‘he can not do. I regret exceedingly that I am unable to dispose of his Majesty’s ship without authorization.” “But, Don Diego,” protested the voluble Ichio, “the crew will do whatever you bid them—you have but to order them ashore. None of those on board will be injured or deprived of anything: the cargo will be placed under seal and guarded by its owners and the soldiers of Lieutenant Gomez, till another ship can come from Manila to take everything away. And the great price that the Lord Kurushima is paying for the ship will surely compensate for the delay to those in authority in Mexico and Spain.” Diego knit his brows. Polite as. the Daimio’s assurances were, he felt a veiled threat under their silkiness. The Japanese needed his vessel now; evidently they would not brook delay. Yet his honor would not permit him, an officer of the king, to be false to his trust, rio matter what it might cost himself. And that it might cost much he knew, for he was familiar with the repu- tation of the Japanese. And with that thought came realization. The quiet, but evident purpose of those fishing-smacks—the gleam of armor in the temple-groves; the guard - boats crammed with swordsmen! He understood it all now: the Daimio would not wait for a reply from Spain; if he could not get the San Gregorio peacefully, he would try what force could do! Diego’s stubborn heart hardened, and his reply was crisp. “Be that as it may,” he said firmly, “I can not do this thing his Excellency asks of me, for I am not yet in the service of the Lord Kurushima. Iam, until he is pleased to accept my resignation, an officer of his Most Catholic Majesty, the King of Spain. 4% GOmMmiicsdoo S (C@