Adventure Magazine, December 10, 1924 — page 177: what you’re looking at

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

The Pirates of Andrus Island the low-hanging thatch, formed a narrow veranda, the missionary got to his feet and advanced toward the house. He was within ten feet of it before he stopped, and hearing voices in a low tone inside, he casually sauntered nearer, until he was within reach of the protecting greenery coming down over the roof. Doxey appeared in a minute. “Tf you’ll come in, sir,” he suggested. “Perhaps it would be better if you brought him out—at least, to the porch. I think the air inside must be close for him, and I’m sure I’d find it depressing.” ‘““He’s too weak to be on his feet,” said Doxey. ‘Just a look, sir, and a few words of comfort.”’ A low moan came from inside the hut. “Why don’t the parson come?” called Wade in a weak voice. “In a minute, matey,” called Doxey soothingly. ‘The parson, he’s a bit beat out by the heat of the walk. He’ll be in and say the prayer as soon’s he’s had a mouthful of air.” “Don’t leave me alone, pal,’’ pleaded Wade. Doxey went in again, and winked slyly at the figure lying on the mats and covered by strips of ¢apa-cloth. On the hard earth which served as a flooring, there were the remains of fruit and cups of coconut-shell filled with water. “‘He’s suspicious,” “Don’t rush things.” Then, in a tone loud enough to be heard by the missionary, he went on: “Could you try and come out to the half- deck? I’ll give you a hand, matey. Too hot it is in here for you, and you’ll feel the better for a bit of fresh.” Wade began to mumble and moan again. “T ain’t got the stren’th, matey. Rather die as I am, flat on my back, but I don’t want to die heathen-like, especially when there’s a sky-pilot near me.” He pretended an effort to rise, but sank back on the mats. Doxey made a show of helping him to get up, but abandoned it. Wade, being covered by the /apa, was in a drenching sweat that revealed itself in great drops on his face. “T’ve chewed the leaf of the tree that stimulates the circulation,” he whispered to Doxey. “It’s just beginning to work— fetch him while my heart is going fast and let him feel my pulse.” 3 whispered Doxey. 155 Doxey appeared on the veranda. Jessup was wiping his face with a blue silk hand- kerchief. “Tf you please, sir, my mate aint’t got the kick in him to come out. And if you won’t come in, I’d say: you’ve wasted your breath to visit. Can’t you just give him a look, sir?” Jessup put on his hat with careful de- liberation. “Tf he’s unable to come out, Vl goin. I never fail in my duty.” He moved forward and climbed to the ramshackle platform and, following Doxey, peered into the box-like hut. Wade moaned softly at the sight of the missionary. Doxey brought a great pillow made by bundling up dead leaves and tying them with a net of rattan. Jessup stepped near to the patient, blinking eyes in an effort to see in the shelter after the sun- glare outside. | “T feels better now,’ said Wade. ‘‘Comes and goes, that weak feeling. If I’m to g parson, I wants a good discharge, a bit of prayin’, and I’m ready for the next com- mish.” He grinned a weak smile, and let his head sway from side to side as he lay back against the pillow. Doxey handed him a haif cocoanut-shell cup filled with water, and Wade drank greedily. “T rather think it’s the fever,’ said Jessup as he bent down over the patient. Wade’s fingers closed over the revolver under the /apa. “Oh, yes; fever off and on till I’m wore out. Now I’m bilged for want of proper grub, the need of right medicine, and not having a shot of booze to pick me up and put me on my pins. Id be all right in a few days if I was to have proper ship’s grub—not fancy, sir—but a whack at a mess-kit with something in it that’d stick to a man’s ribs. My heart, it goes like a propeller when a ship’s got her nose in a green one.” Wade held out his left hand. Jessup, now able to see well enough to take in the details of Wade’s appearance, scanned the bearded face closely. And as he lifted the limp hand he kept his eyes on Wade’s. Doxey watched the missionary closely, standing on the other side of Wade. Doxey was ready for anything, and noted the keenness of the missionary’s gaze. It seemed to betoken more than mere medical CoMmicbook C© 5}