Adventure Magazine Cover — page 114: what you’re looking at

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

104 Neither man had noticed a grizzled Hot- tentot gessiping idly with the Native Police boys, and who departed unobtrusively at this juncture. When Nerten arrived at the Majer’s camp he feund it abandoned. Pinned to the door was a note: Dear old (My boy didn’t get your name. Is it Dirty?): serry I could net be at home to greet you, eect after your hot walk. And I’m so curious te know what your proof was. Dia-_ mends? Tut! Tut! You really must be careful. You’re under suspicion yourself. That’s why they sent you up here after me—to get you out of the way for a while. | Ta-ta. Jim—he’s up a tree watching the trail— says he can see you coming over the rise. It’s time for us to depart. The air reseunded with Norton’s curses as he made his way slewly back to the out- station. Once he stepped to throw a stone at a hyena whose laughter seemed to mock him. Fenwick regarded him curiously as he drew near. “Well, you didn’t get him.” | It was a statement rather than a. ques- tion. Nerton’s answer was a stream of curses. “Come into the hut,” said Fenwick. “There’s something I want to say to - ”) you. Fenwick seated himself and played with the revolver on the table before him. “Well?” snapped Norton. ' “Phe mail-boy came while you were away. There’s a warrant for your arrest.” “No you don’t,” he said sharply as Norton reached for his gun. “Dive got you covered. Hold out your han Sullenly Norton held out his hands. “T don’t hke doing this to a white man,” said Fenwick, snapping on the handcuffs. “But I can’t take chances.” “What’s the charge?” growled Norton. “Accepting bribes from a diamond-run- nin¢é syndicate. It simply means you'll be broke, I suppose, and that won’t worry a man like you any.” ~ All of which simply explains why the Major thought it necessary to make a pro- - longed stay in Portuguese territory— knowing only of the fact that the order had gone out for his arrest and of how Norton swore viciously that he would one day get even with the Major, whom, by some queer twist of reasoning, he held responsible for the evil that had befallen him. Adventure ) “FOR what purpose deth the white eR man desire to dwvell among us?” = The old head man’s tone was truculent. The warriors behind him nedded their appreval. The Major dismounted, and, adjusting his monocle, said: “As ye see, great chief and warriors, my horse is lame and can go no farther. Far have we traveled, far and fast, since the going down of the sun on.the day that was yesterday, until now it sets again. Also the wagon is broken and I needs must make repairs. I am at thy mercy, great chief.” He pointed to the small wagon, drawn: by four mules, in which sat Jim, the Hot- tentot. “Aye; I see, I see,” replied the old fellow, visibly pleased at the Majer’s bread flattery. . “Vet do I not see why thou didst come like a thief in the night to my country.” “I have heard that the lord of the jungle, the elephant, is wont to spoil thy creps, - and thou hast no lead for thy guns.” “Tt is true; it is true. "What then?” “Methought I could assist thee in the killing of the wicked ones. Also I have much lead. But I see that thou dest not need me.” He made as if he would mount and called to Jim: “We must trek still farther, Jim. The great chief hath no need of us.” “Stay,” called the head man. “It was in my mind to pray thee to dwell for a space among us. Yet have I ne hut worthy of thy acceptance. Thou hast lead, thou sayest?”’ | The Major walked to the wagon and took from it a large lump of lead weighing all of twenty pounds. This he held on out- stretched palm toward the head man, who, unsuspecting the true weight of it, took it with one hand. But the weight was too much for him and he let it drop to the ground. The warriors behind him shook visibly with mirth, but the Major gravely, picked it up and gave it back to the head man and then put another on top of it. “Tt is for thee, great chief,” he said. The head man turned and ran quickly with the precious gift to his hut. “Outspan, Jim,” commanded the Major. “We are. going to stay here for a €Comicbooks (Ee)