Adventure Magazine Cover, April 3, 1918 — page 98: what you’re looking at

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

Shift into R ——— vers € co Ly Rog P Churchill Author of ““Danny Takes a Chance,” “The Welding,’ etc. HIS Dugan is ruinin’ the second division. | Somebody oughter as make him lay off. That poor bunch of long-timers show about as much pep when he’s through with ’em as a charge of black powder that’s been overboard. What ails him?” “Slim” Higgins was speaking. He and Dick Reasoner were stopping their scrub- and-wash clothes on the line. The decks of the United States Training-Ship Dixie were still half dark, and the long line of wet clothing which would be triced up before sunup, hid another man near enough the two to overhear. This man stooped under the line and faced Slim Higgins. ‘“What’s it to you?” he growled menac- ingly. “Any old time you want to butt in on my business, hop to it. You and any other stool-pidgeoning rate that’s look- ing for trouble.” This was Cain Dugan. A burly, thick- chested, boatswain’s mate who had taken the paid-off Billy Yonts’ place at the last home-coming of the ship. He turned from Higgins to Reasoner, for while he had successfully cowed the leaders and the men of the other divisions, he had been unable to fathom this tall, slow-moving, even-tempered master-at-arms. “Well”? he demanded, thrusting forward 96 his heavy black-bearded jaw and doubling his fists until the muscle-corded arms ridged into knotty lumps. ‘This signal- stick asked you a question. [’m waiting for the answer.” It was Dugan’s boast that he did not fear God, man or devil, and the manner of his life bore out his statement, for he and the devil were cronies, he did not know God, and he was a master of men. Reasoner laughed easily. Laughed in the other’s face as calmly, as much without anger and without fear as if it was his every-day job to be threatened. “Don’t get excited, Dugan,” he said. “Tf you care to listen, Ill go on and tell Slim what he wants to know.” Dugan relaxed. Sooner or later he would get a chance at this fellow, but this did not seem the time. “Go on,” he said sullenly. “‘You’re too hard on the recruits. Every officer on the ship knows it, but they are hoping you'll improve.” “TY know you tattled everything aft,’ interrupted Dugan. Reasoner ignored him. This was rank insult to an enlisted man, but no one had yet been able to stampede Dick Reasoner, and a man of Dugan’s stamp should have known better than to try. When Reasoner (EO) 1 OOOL< (C@) 5}