Adventure Magazine Cover, March 20, 1925 — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

34 on the cup. By reason of what I heard, I shipped along of Master Dickon.”’ He drained the mug and tossed it over his shoulder. “Here’s the tale. Both the Spaniards and Hollanders talk of a certain prince whose dom-inions lie between Christiandom and Cathay. A long way it is to this prince, and now the Polanders and other pagans and the FEasterlings be at war, one with another. So the way by land is closed. The name this prince bears is Ivan.” Expectantly, he paused, seeing that his companion was giving close heed to his words. “Tvan,” he repeated. “And in the Texel ale shop ’twas said that Ivan’s land o’ gold and sifver lieth south by southeast from this Wardhouse.”’ ‘Southeast!’ The armiger sat up abrupt- iy. “Why, so lieth the course given Dur- orth by my lord Renard. How distant is this land of—of gold?” ““A mooh’s jcurney.” “Not so far. Durforth’s reckoning——” After considering the matter, Thorne re- lated to his companion all that he knew of Renard and his agent. And the boat- swain’s prompt reply surprized him. “Sweet doxies and dells! It fits like a merlyn-spike in a man’s fist. Look ye! The Spaniards may not adventure to Prince Ivan by land, so one is sent by sea. For the Spaniards are not wont to endure peril without reason. Wherefore, you and I will set forth this day week, to seek the land of gold.” “Set forth? How?” “Why in a week we may build us a fair raft of dried wood, secured with rope and pegs of wood. We'll take the gear and victuals and the firelocks. ’Tis no more than two leagues to the main. Sweet lad, we'll trade with the pagans of this out- landish prince and make our fortunes.” His red-veined eyes gleaming cheerfully, he rolled to his feet and filled two mugs at the brandy cask. One of these he held out to Thorne who was sunk in a brown study by the fire. | ‘“‘What, bully lad! MHere’s luck. May good Saint Dunstan guard us from the Horned One!”’ Under his breath he added, remembering that he stood, perhaps, on unhallowed ground— - “May the —— deal with usin kindly wise.” Adventure “With what would you trade, Peter?” The big shipman jerked a thumb over his shoulder at the bales of goods that had been found with the book of one John Andrews. Placing his finger against his nose again, he tossed off his brandy and heaved a pleasant sigh. “With yon.” ‘Softly, my shipmate! That is not ours for the taking. And how would you add goods to gear, and carry the same over- land?” Peter’s face fell and he scratched his head. His imagination ran no farther than reaching the coast with all the spoil. “‘Welladay, one thing at a time, Master Ralph. Belike, fortune will aid us one way or another.” “Tt will not, for the reason that I will abide on this ‘island, having pledged my word.” “Now, the plague take ye for a dolt,” muttered the boatswain earnestly: “If Sir Hugh come not he lieth at the bottom of yonder sea. Or else treachery hath pee brewed against us and Master Dickon.” budge Thorne from his decision a whit. He ended by swearing up and down that he would go in search of the promised land alone. But the next day he showed no signs of readiness to set out; in fact felt sulky and sat in the house hunched over the fire. Thorne did not appear to notice his ill behavior, but labored at the wood until he judged it midday; then he bade Peter briefly to take a turn on the lookout. With an ill grace and much grumbling the boatswain obeyed, and set out for the “masthead,” as he termed it. But within an hour he hove into sight again, much more rapidly than he had departed. He was panting from the depths of his lungs and stumbling over the rocky ground. “Stand by, Master Ralph!” he bellowed hoarsely. ‘‘Look aloft. The sweet Mary aid us—look aloft!” Thorne put down his ax and glanced at the hill, then at the fringe of firs and the misty gloom of the rock gullies. “The sky,” croaked Peter, staggering through the gate of the stockade, “yonder to windward.” Thinking that his companion had BUT argue as he would, and tr did right soulfully, Peter could not CORnNICLO© S (©