Adventure Magazine Cover, March 20, 1925 — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

The Snow Driver Sebastian Cabot was old, and loved quiet better than angry words; moreover he was governor of the Mystery and Company of Merchants-Adventurers of London, newly formed. He had labored greatly to outfit and man the three ships, and the last thing he desired was a quarrel with the powerful envoys from Spain at the court. He rested his hand on the arm that Chancellor held out, and made answer not so much to Thorne as to the others who listened in astonishment to the charge of the young armiger. “Nay, we would have lacked many things in this venture, had not my Lord Renard given us aid, in weighty advice. He hath been diligent in our council for which we are beholden to him.” c street where Renard’s lackeys with lighted torches awaited them, with the merchants of Orfordnesse and those who had come from the ships. These bowed respectfully to the old navigator, who, leaning upon the arm of the pilot, looked around in benign satisfaction. ‘“‘Gentlemen, it is seemly that we should bid farewell to these navigants in such a pleasant hour.” The vague unrest that had clouded his lined features at Thorne’s accusation dis- appeared; his eyes brightened and his voice rang out with something of the assurance of other days when he had stood on his own poop. “Let no factions arise in your company, my masters; if you differ in opinion, submit the question to the council of officers of the captain - general, Sir Hugh. Remember, when you reach the new lands, to take pre- cautions against attack. “‘The natives you will see, perchance, have no knowledge of Christians or their ships. If you take one of the savages on your ships, entreat him in friendly wise, give him food and apparel and set him safely ashore. “When you go ashore, leave mariners to guard the pinnace and venture not to any city of the pagans save in numbers sufficient for your protection and with swords and firelocks in hand. If a storm arises, agree upon a meeting place where your ships may join together if you are parted.” Then, turning to the people of Orford- nesse he lifted his hand. “And you, sirs, who keep to your own BY NOW they had come to the 19 coast, bethink ye that these navigants go of their own will into the perils of the sea, and the uncertainties of pagan lands. We hazard a little money upon Fortune; they risk their lives. For those who, by God’s will, are not to return to this coast, whose sepulcher shall be the sea or pagan - earth, let us offer our prayers.” He bent his head and the folk of Orford- nesse, amazed at his gentle words, followed his example in silence, harkening to the spluttering of the torches, the mild rustle of the wind in the foliage and the sighing -and muttering of the distant breakers. Perhaps it was the first time they had ever prayed for men who were yet living. She the gentry had gone off in the coaches of the manor house, at- tended by linkmen. Then he allowed the inn keeper, who had a liking for gossip, to wash out the cut in his shoulder and wrap wet cloths around it. Which being done, he called for his horse. “Alack, Master Ralph, thou’lt not ride, wi’ thy shoulder hacked and bloodied.” Master Ralph, pacing the yard betwixt pump and threshold, offering no response, the fellow tried another tack. “The gentry be mortal angered at ye, angered as ever was! Thou’lt not be for London town, where the worshipful lords would set thy body on a gibbet. Or it may be a wrack, or e’en fire and the stake.” Abruptly—so quickly that the worthy keeper of the White Hart quivered in the ample region of his stomach—the armiger stopped his walk, close beside him. “Where is the nag?” The other muttered something about the horse being foundered and his men all be- side themselves, what with the king’s gentle- men and the Spanish lord. Thorne took up the lanthorn which Fulke had fetched with him. “Nay, I'll wait upon myself.” And, glancing back a moment later, he was amused to see his stout host legging it around the tavern. Reflecting that he had gained, over night, a reputation for violence, he sought the stables and halted to peer within the car- riage house at the line of stalls in the rear. The horses were stamping and restless but he could not see any stable knaves. Thoughtfully he set the lanthorn down THORNE waited until the last of COMiICclOO@