Adventure Magazine, April 10, 1924 — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

The White Man’s Way Peller, tactfully, fed him an occasional question, and then appeared to be deeply interested in the explanation. He nodded and looked impressed when Doucet tri- umphantly proved a point, and shook his head in sympathy when the major de- nounced the stupidity of the average authority on botanics. Peller accompanied the major on an excursion into the forest. Doucet stopped before a gigantic Baobab-tree with an exclamation of pleasure. He took various views with his camera. “A magnificent specimen,” he informed Peller. ‘Especially this far south.” Peiler glanced at the tree. ‘“There’s one like it, some miles up- stream from here, bigger than this one, I believe!’”’ he said enthusiastically. ‘But it has this curious feature, the branches have curved over, and have taken root in the ground, forming arches.” Doucet stared. “A Baobab, Adansonia Digitata, with limbs that sink into the ground!” ““The leaves are like those of the Baobab, I'll swear!” “Impossible!” “Quite likely [ am mistaken.” Doucet held his chin, paced to and fro. Presently he suggested that they go back to the village for lunch. But he was thoughtful and silent. Later, Peller succeeded in shifting the conversation to a more interesting topic. “‘T have been assigned to the investiga- of officials,’ Doucet explained. “I am engrossed in the welfare of the people, and the abuses to which they have been sub- jected. Carlotti is a remnant of the past. When he first came here, his methods were all right, or so considered. He did not change with the times. Two months ago, he extorted money and produce from the natives. He also executed several blacks. I am after him. I intended to get canoes here, but he has taken everything. The few I could gather along the river are too small for my purpose and would scatter my forces.” “What do you think he plans to do?” “He will attempt to gain the Bahr el Ghazal.”’ “Then you don’t think he would cross to French territory.” “No. From the Bahr el Ghazal, he could reach the Oriental Coast, and ship from 137 He has gathered much during his years here. However, Tari should be here soon with reports. He'll let me know in which direction Carlotti is headed. I’ll follow him until all possibility of capture or of his return to Belgian Congo is over.” “‘And I am to follow you?” “For the present, yes.” Doucet returned once more to the subject that interested him most. ‘Where did you say that tree was?” he asked. ‘“‘Nine or ten miles,”’ “On the French shore?”’ oViag?? “Too bad, too bad. I would want a few photographs, a sketch, specimens of leaves.” “You have my permission to take them,” Peller assured him. “Ah, but I don’t know where it is! And if I take you on French soil you will be free. Yes, I must forget it,’ Doucet asserted. Not long after, Doucet was informed that Carlotti had stopped 4 short distance up-stream, and camped on the French bank. He was stopping all canoes bound for Tari’s village. ‘Tari’s scouts gathered from the natives that the white man was having trouble with his men. Peller was not surprized. As soon as it became evi- dent that Carlotti had lost support of other white men, his troopers would rebel, might even refuse to accompany him farther, unless he paid exorbitant prices for their services. Or again, Carlotti might be wishing to cut down his force to a half- dozen men. He would then have trouble in selecting them from among the thirty odd he had with him. He suggested this to Doucet. “That’s right,” Doucet agreed. “His men are his own. They never were prop- erly enrolled, and have no discipline, save that of any band of partisans.” “And he is on French soil.” Doucet nodded. ‘Suppose we make the following agree- ment. I get Carlotti for you, you let me go. What do you think?” “T will not arrange anything irregular,” Doucet said decidedly. ‘“‘Your suggestion is extraordinary.” Peller indicated the village, the staring natives, the looming trees. “And is all that ordinary?” there to Italy. cComicloool C©