Adventure Magazine Cover — page 123: what you’re looking at

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

The Man-Eater of mosquitoes and the harsh scream of a “go-away” bird nothing broke the unnatural silence. The island seemed devoid of life. “Come on,” shouted Norton. ‘“There’s nothing here to be afraid of.” But the others still hung back. “Bah! IT’ll show you,” sneered Norton, and he went forward alone while the others watched, their rifles ready. He made for an opening in the thick jungle growth and saw right in his path a small piece of flannel tied on a stick. At the foot of the stick was a small canvas bag. With a feeling of foreboding he stooped and opened the bag. In it wasa note. It read: Dear Dirty: (I think you’re at the bottom of this, though I may be mistaken.) There’s no fun spoofin’ you, by a J.P Leland ea eee ¥ P “ER ? ~ bm LD CALOMEL turned in the air. The moment his feet struck the running-board he gathered him- self for a quick spring into the 4 Ld old darky’s face, but the trained hands of the negro were too quick for him and he was smothered firmly but gently down on the padded board. ‘The old cock was in his usual sullen black rage. With no chance to strike he swung his head viciously and sunk his beak into the leathery. back of the old negro’s hand. Uncle Mose forgot that he was a deacon in the First African Methodist Church and swore long and loud. To a chance observer he was mad all over but to one familiar with his disposition his language radiated pride and admiration. “YS: old debbil,” he spluttered while he smoothed the rumpled plumage of 8 é ~~ Lhe AL Ml ae 113 you are such a gullible idiot. As for Hawkins, oh he’s impossible and has a yellow streak too. You should have seen him run when Jim—-you ought to . know Jim—led the savages to the attack. It was simply priceless! But don’t be too hard on him, I was bleedin’ frightfully—a few crystals of per- manganate of potash and a wet handkerchief make an awful lot of blood. Soon—perhaps while you are reading this—I shall be collecting on my first delivery of ivory to our mutual friend Nathan. Won’t he be surprized to see me! And he won’t dare to refuse payment, for I shall take the Commissioner of Police with me. He’s a friend of mine, and has no liking for Nathan. I can’t tell you how sorry I am not to be able to see you. Really. I have the honor to be, sir, (Do you recognize the style?) Your obedient servant, THE Major. In the bush nearby a tiny tree-hyrax screamed in derision. the old warrior. ‘I jess lak to take yo’ by yo’ hine leg an’ lam yo’ gin de hen-house. Here I take yo’ when yo’ cut alter pieces an’ nuss yo’ an’ put yo’ on a good walk an’ when I have to bring yo’ in to make room for de young stags, I tries to give yo’ er little exercise, an’ yo’ do yo’ durned bes’ to knock my eye out.”’ He bent over the raging cock to examine 4 broken feather. This was Old Calomel’s opportunity; he reached the negro’s cheek with his iron beak. The pain made Uncle Mose loosen his hold for a moment. ‘The cock shuffled desperately; his bill-hold broke and he fell to the ground. Without pausing for an instant he went to work on the old darky’s legs. Uncle Mose had just doffed his Winter clothing, and the sharp rain of blows on his thinly protected shins fairly made him dance. GEomichbooks eon