Adventure Magazine Cover, June 18, 1921 — page 141: what you’re looking at

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

The Torch-Bearers that had been spilled over me in an effort to restore my senses. Only my head felt comfortable and this because it rested on a pillow. I had been placed near a camp-fire and across from me was Captain Posby, half-reclining, his head grotesquely band- aged and one arm in a sling. Beyond him were two figures stretched out very straight. I identified Shonts by his whiskers. Then some one approached and placed a hand on my head and for the first time I realized I, also, was bandaged. And a voice gently asked— ‘How is he doing?” “T think he is coming to,” Elsie’s voice re- plied; and my pillow moved a bit and I knew my head was resting in her lap. “Good! We can’t afford to lose him.” It was Marion, for now I saw him pass around the fire and pause to talk with Posby. I heard the dear fellow faintly boasting: “‘General, it was the est fighting any one ever saw. And old Jim! Ill eat my ears if he didn’t do more real work than your brigade’s done in six months— No offense. He and that exceedingly sportsman-like old chap who rallied on the roof did more fight- ing than Tarleton’s whole legion has done during the war.’ “You also were there and had a hand,” said Marion. ‘Most devilishly obliged, but I was at the window, looking on. It was fearfully con- venient to have your men come. They saved old Jim and his lady.” My pillow shifted more pronouncedly. With a few more words to the captain the general walked to the side of Shonts and stood with head uncovered in homage to a very brave man; a man uncultured and en- tirely ignorant of the polished niceties of de- portment, but whose brave heart must find much grace with God. Turning to the sec- ond silent figure, the general clapped his hat on his head and sternly commanded: “‘Take that away and bury it. It has no right to rest so near my best scout.”’ The fire leaped higher as fresh fuel was added. From between half-closed lids I watched Posby’s admiring gaze fixed on the girl. I could not see her face without be- traying the fact that I had regained my senses. Her hand fluttered over my fore- head to brush back a long lock of my lank hair, a thoroughly motherly gesture. Posby involuntarily exclaimed— “Lucky dog!” 131 I must have betrayed myself, for she was bending forward, her brown eyes staring into mine, and she was saying— “YT think, Mr. Lance, you’ve recovered enough to sit up a bit.” I struggled to a sitting-posture.and my head ached villainously. At first the con- cern in her face encouraged me to believe she was to take pity on me and restore the gracious privilege to my poor head. Then there rose a clamor on the outskirts of the clearing and she was standing up to discover the cause. Shouts of rage, oaths and threats filled the air and men were strug- gling to get at something held in the center of another group of men. “Hang him! Tuck him up! The dirty spy!” These were some of the exclamations which helped to explain the little tragedy. The girl was running toward the confusion and before the excited mob realized her pur- pose she had fought her way like a wildcat to the center of the throng, and as the men fell back under her fierce onslaught I glimpsed the white hair and beard of Am- bros, the Old Fox. And there was a rope around his yellow neck and one patriot was throwing the loose end over a branch. -, ‘You shall not!” the girl loudly defied, trying to remove the noose. ‘“He’s a spy, Elsie Macson! Out of the way!’ roared an infuriated patriot. I staggered to my feet and Posby followed my example. “The little lady must have her way,” Posby declared, walking unsteadily beside me. But our interference was unnecessary, for Marion now arrived and took control of the prisoner. “But he’s a most notorious spy, general,” protested one of his officers. “Eh! Gad! One of Cornwallis’ finest, 4 Posby muttered. Marion frowned and held up his hand for silence. Then to Ambros: “This ends your usefulness. Why did you come here?”’ His men were staring at him in great be- wilderment because of his speech. Old Ambros tossed off the noose and replied: “Tt was the girl. JI didn’t know you had saved her. When I heard I had to follow. Your men picked me up. That’s all. But I can still work.”’ “No,” regretted General Marion. Then to his gaping audience he said, “‘Clange COmicloo \ ) (©