Adventure Magazine Cover — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

Forward speak our tongue, and a pirate who would sell us as slaves to the Turks.” “They say lies, little brother. Nassau would glean gold out of you and leave you for the Moslems to slit up.’ He looked around fearfully and began to scratch his head, saying that such words would earn me a lashing. Was not Nassau a great officer who kept the Turks away because they feared him? Rumors had been heard that the officers of the Vladimir were in league with Alexiano to refuse to serve under the American. Nassau had said that he was a coward who would not make war, save on merchantmen, and Alexiano said that Nassau had a commis- sion to share the command of the fleet with John Paul. Now John Paul had been promised sole command, I ‘knew, and it is an evil thing when an army has two leaders. Two oxen hauling a cart go forward swifter than one, but two leaders can not make plans like one, and the end is disaster. “Of the two, Nassau is the coward,” I made response, judging that a man who would pay to have another slain does not love danger himself, however boldly he may bear himself. “Then let the American prove himself,” the Cossack grunted. ‘Each is in com- mand at present and how do we know which to obey?” “Before midnight, little brother,” I promised, ‘fone or the other will take the leadership! Watch!’ It was safe to prophesy, knowing how little the two loved each other. But I feared for John Paul, who did not know what Nassau had conspired against him, and who could not summon up Alexiano and the Greeks to his aid. Every word he spoke must be translated, and how was he to be sure that his words were not twisted? As long as I was alive Nassau would try by every means to do away with John Paul for fear that the plot against the American would be known. Why did I not speak out? Nay, who would listen? And it is not by threats and tale bearing that a leader’s nature is made clear to all men. The crew of the Vladimir were restless because the Turkish fleet had drawn up to within striking distance, and no orders to make ready for battle had been issued. They grumbled at John Paul be- cause he had made them stand long in ranks, 29 but they became curious when the Ameri- can, instead of going to the officers’ table, ate dinner with the men-on deck. Then he ordered a double allowance of spirits issued, when the ship’s lanthorns were lighted. While he sat among us a Cossack began one of our songs, and the American bade us allsing. It was sad, that song of our steppe, and he sat silent, chin on hand, seemingly thinking of nothing at all. I saw his eyes glitter with tears, which was no shame in a man far from his own country. But the men of the Vladimir all saw that John Paul cared nothing for what Alexiano and Nassau might be doing; and we soon perceived that the high officers had come on deck to see what John Paul was doing. Night had fallen and a thin mist hung over the water of the narrow gulf. Out at the mouth of the gulf gleamed the small lights of the Moslem fleet, off one of their forts, where they hemmed us in, since the mouth of the gulf, which was the only way to the sea, was narrow as a cannon shot. Eh, it was a sad thing that happened on the Vladimir: Scores of men ranged against one, who did not understand them. Two plotters against a hero of other wars who did not know how to plot. And yet, no other man was like John Paul. The proof of it was that all eyes on the ship watched him, even when Nassau took to striding up and down the deck near us. Meanwhile the under officer—he of the rapier—came and whispered in my ear. ‘‘When you are challenged, pretend to be bringing supplies to the enemy. Ask for the countersign. ‘The admiral wishes to learn it. And Christ receive your spirit!’ he added under his breath. “At command,” I replied promptly, not wishing him to see that the American’s in- structions were a perfect riddle to me. John Pau] drew out his watch, looked at it, then at the sky, and the lights of the Turkish frigates. Then he spoke to Nas- sau, who turned as if a bee had stung him. Long afterward I learned that John Paul had said that they would set out on a re- connoiter of the enemy’s fleet! Nassau, too surprized to be cautious, refused point blank when he learned that John Paul planned to go in among the enemy, but the American responded that neither Nassau nor Alexiano had any knowledge of the enemy’s vessels at close DOOK Once I thought . C© in