Adventure Magazine Cover, February 3, 1921 — page 112: what you’re looking at

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

106 THE Major found Jim awaiting him 2 -| when he returned to his tent which —— was pitched on the edge of the town- ship. The Major preferred sleeping in his tent on the open veld to the filthy ac- commodations provided by the town’s one hotek—Kafir Smith’s saloon. “Pve talked with Simba, baas, and also with the native police at the compound; they, as ye supposed, are in league with the white men.” “What said Simbar” “Ten men of his kraal return to their own place, leaving the compound before the setting of today’s sun.” “So soon? Then Mangwato came just in time.” “Perhaps, though it may well be that Simba will never live to pay homage to his father.” “How then?” “He hath made much money, won at games of chance. This the white men are de- termined to get, and they have planned well. “Simba they have prevailed upon to wait for the rising of the moon, before set- ting on his journey homeward. He hath a greed for the liquor of the white men and much of this they have promised to give him. One hath already arranged with him the place of meeting. “After they have taken his money they intend to kill him—they fear the wrath of the white police should he live to bear witness against them—making it appear as if he were killed in a drunken fight with his own people. Aye, the plan is a cunning one and likely to succeed for I could not shake Simba from his purpose of keeping his tryst with the white man.” “And the other men of Mangwato’s kraal ) they will not touch?” _ ~ “Nay, baas, for they are penniless.” “Thou knowest the meeting-place?” “Aye. It is not far from this place. One white man will meet Simba’ and take him to where the others are hidden, fully an hour’s trek away, for they dare not do the deed near to the trail for fear of being seen. It is whispered that the eyes of the white police have of late been opened.” SO IT happened that the lewd song which Hawkins, a rat-faced little ™ cockney, was singing to keep up his courage while awaiting the coming of Simba was rudely interrupted. _ the white man’s voice. Adventure Without a chance for outcry, failing to catch a glimpse of his captors, he was bound hand and foot, securely gagged and rolled into a thick clump of bushes near by. A few minutes later Simba, a finely de- veloped native, came to the place. “Art thou there, white man?” he called softly. . “Aye.” v A tall figure stepped forward out of the shadows. ‘Then let us hasten to the place ye spoke of, for I have far to go ere I catchiup with my brothers.”’ ‘“T can not take thee.”” There was fear in ‘The white police have taken my friends; they have taken also the beer. Further, word has come to my ears that they are even now seeking thee.”’ “To what end?” “Thou hast, played the game of chance, winning much money from the men at the compounds. Knowest not that it is against the white man’s law thus to gamble?” “Then I will get from this place ere day comes and finds me.”’ “How canst escape them? mounted. Canst outrun the horse?” “Nay.” Simba’s tone was one of despair. “What will they do to me, white man?” “Send ye back to labor in the mines, But see, I am sorry for thee. I will be thy friend. Hast twenty pounds?” “That and more would I give rather than return to labor in the mines.” “Give me twenty; it will serve. In return take thou this horse and ride fast. Should any white man call to thee answer not, but ride on.” A moment later the rapid drumming of horse’s hoofs told that Simba had followed the counsel of his benefactor. A second figure came out of the shadows and joined the first. “That was well done, baas. will be well pleased.”’ “Aye. Also I received a good price for the horse. He was getting old and of no further use to me. Take thou the money, Jim. It is thine.” ‘Thanks, baas. What shall I do with the jackal back yonder?”’ “Untie his hands, Jim. The rest he can see to himself. At any rate he can take the gag from his mouth and cry for aid. Before that comes we shall be safely in the Mangwato - COMICOOLKS They are™ (C@