Adventure Magazine Cover, October 30, 1924 — page 73: what you’re looking at

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

South, West and North astonished by this explanation of the mys- terious insignia used by Dias; but he quite comprehended that his astonishment would not last long. Nor did it. He had closed his eyes again, when a keen breath of anticipation, a rustle and low mutter of words, apprized him that the next step in the program was at hand. He peered up as a shadow barred the hot sunlight from his face, and beheld the tall shape of Ramon standing above him. “‘Look and enjoy, sefior!” said the Yaqui, grinning, and stooped. In his hand was a white-hot iron from the fire, specked with scintillating particles. Hampton threw back his head; at the touch of the iron he quivered, but made no sound. For an instant he thought that iron was about to be plunged into his throat— then he felt the caress of a burning finger touch his breast, and realized the truth. He was being branded with the seal of Dias. ‘“‘Deep, Ramon, deep!’’ went up the fierce cry from those crowding around, but the Yaqui did not heed. He had certain specific orders from Dias, which forbade him to work any real injury or to put the prisoner beyond ability to labor and endure the deadly sun-torture in the surrounding desert; so, that the gringo might be able to set forth with a wood-gathering party in the morn- ing, grubbing out mesquite and juniper from the blazing desolation, Ramon touched lightly with the iron, little more than sear- ing the skin. The agony was exquisite, as the hot iron followed the painted lines, bringing out in a whitish blister the shape of the Chinese characters traced there. Even more ex- quisite and frightful was the pain when at last the Yaqui grunted and rose to his feet, and the sunlight struck down to scorch the seared skin. Yet those who watched so eagerly saw nothing, beyond a slight con- vulsive tremor of Hampton’s body; then that body relaxed and lay without further movement. The captive had fainted. When Hampton opened his eyes again, blinded and dazzled by the sun, it was to feel the keen anguish of a hand upon his burned chest. Then he saw the ginger whiskers of Pap Hoskins outstretched above him, and heard the voice of the man from Carolina in his ear. “Everybody’s eatin’—reckon I can spread this grease ’thout bein’ caught. Your 63 brother’s fair wild and we’re keepin’ him awa = “Tell him—get loose tonight!’ croaked Hampton, and groaned. ‘‘Water, water!” “T got some right handy, son. Lucky you been layin’ out in the sun after all—done took out the fire. I’ll lay some more grease in your bunk. Reckon they’ll cut you loose right soon. Tonight, eh? All right. Here come two 0’ the devils now, so shet up.”’ While he spoke, Hoskins was deftly spreading some sort of grease across Hamp- ton’s inflamed skin. Then he lifted an olla and let some water drip into the open, swollen mouth. Several of the guards and other prisoners came up, but made no com- ment, and after a moment Hampton found himself alone again. He realized that it was past noon, and that many of the slaves had gathered around. By this time the rawhide thongs were so tightly stretched that he had lost all feeling in hands and feet, which were swollen and purpled. Presently whips cracked, orders were shouted, and the labor of the day was taken up afresh. When silence had settled down, Hampton was dully aware that some one was close beside him, and with the torture of thirst again upon him, he spoke: “Agual Water!” An ironic laugh made answer, and he peered up to see Dias gazing down at him. ‘‘Water, eh?” Dias chuckled. ‘He asks water—get him some, querida mia!” “Indeed! Get it yourself,’’ made answer another voice, and Hampton knew that Doiia Hermana was behind his head. ‘‘You are a fool to treat him so lightly; I tell you the dog will make trouble yet if he is not killed.” ‘Why kill him quickly?” responded Dias. “Three days in our charming desert, and then the symbol burned into his back—and in four days more Ramon will have a scalp to wave before his new woman. You hear, Hampton? ‘Tomorrow we celebrate the marriage of my faithful Yaqui. You shall be the guest of honor, and E/ Bodo shall give away the bride.”’ Hampton did not open his eyes again or make any response. Presently the two moved away, and it was a little later that he felt a sudden relaxation of his tortured flesh. When he looked around, he found that one of the guards was cutting him loose. ““Go to your kennel, gringo dog,”’ said the guard, and sauntered away. MICLOOOLK © in