The Argosy, March 27, 1920 — page 70: what you’re looking at

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

220 panion, Sebastian, a copper-colored, bald man, complained disappointedly, “No—one!” Tomasso corrected noisily, His manner was haughty, despite his rags. “The fellow with the broken head will recover,” he continued. “I know. Juan told me. He it was that helped carry him and the dead one to the Sansito palace!” “The yellow-head had papers upon him, too. Did you know that?” Sebastian blinked. The smoky torch-lighy flared in the hot breeze, fitfully revealing and obscuring the dirt and squalor of this prison lounging- room. ‘“ Papers?”’ Tomasso snorted, ‘‘ Worse than that—a letter to the fiend incarnate, the Italian magician, Cristobal Colon, who—” “Ts he a magician as well?” Sebastian cried in horror. ‘‘ I thought he was but a madman who sailed other folks’ ships, and—” Tomasso loudly interrupted: “If he were not a magician how else could he bewitch our men into sailing with him to their deaths?” . “Is it to their deaths? Holy Mother! I thought it was to find new land.” Sebas- tian was in a sad muddle. “You are a heretic and fit for hell’s fire, or worse, the fires of the holy inquisition!” Tomasso thundered, ‘““Shuz! Be quiet,” Sebastian pleaded in terror. ‘‘Say not that. God defend me from the holy office. I'm a true son of the church.” ‘“T have my suspicions,” Tomasso mut- tered, as he luxuriated in his little com- panion’s alarm, ‘“ especially when you say this pilot can find new lands beyond the great ocean. “‘That’s what he claims. [—” Poor Sebastian got no further. “ You infidel!” Tomasso cried. ‘‘ Do you know that this Colon preaches that the earth is round; that folks walk on t’other side with their heads down like flies on a ceiling; that—” : “Holy saints in God!” Sebastian moaned. He repeatedly crossed himself and began mumbling a protecting prayer. “ Do you suppose the yellow-head is like THE ARGOSY. that?” he finally ventured to inquire, sus- piciously eying the door of Arthur’s cell. ‘Like what?” the fierce-looking Tomasso demanded. “Wanting to make us all walk on our heads like flies.” Tomasso spat in disgust. fool!” Sebastian cowered; but at last his lo- quacity overcame his fears, and he timidly remarked: ‘“ And he looks sd gold-pure, and mannered like a prince; he might be born royal as a Trastamara! You don’t think he might be the poisoned prince? He had yellow hair, and—” ‘ Now,” interrupted Tomasso, “ you are fit for the inquisition, and Ill declare against you!”’ He got to his feet. “Oh! St. Lawrence defend me,” the little man prayed. ‘‘ What have I said? There’s surely nothing against God in that—” Worse,” Tomasso pronounced awfully. “ You spoke against the Holy Trinity.” ‘“ How’s that?” Sebastian besought his austere judge. ‘I did but say—” “ Know you of what the blessed Trinity is composed?” Sebastian looked doubtful. Tomasso informed him: ‘“ 'Tis God— He’s first, and then the blessed King Ferdi- nand, and then the thrice blessed Queen Isabella. Now,” the instructor in dogma lowered ominously above his companion. ‘When you suggest this fellow is of the royal line, you blaspheme against the blessed Trinity, and hence are fit subject for the holy office.” Sebastian was in a sad state. “ll re- cant. I'll swear to anything. I meant no harm. I’ll—” His companion emitted a filthy word and showed him aside. “Fool!” he cried, “pray God to lead you no more into temptation.” Little Sebastian fell upon his knees and began his prayers; beating his breast and calling aloud upon the divine mercy of all the saints in the calendar. The tall Tomasso looked on appravingly until a brilliant idea came to him, then he interrupted his fellow jailer’s devotions. “Since yellow-head was rich enough to “You are a cComicbooksscom