Adventure Magazine, December 10, 1924 — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

6 Adventure The man looked puzzled. Plessons re- peated the words in Kiswahili, receiving an energetic nod of assent. Sawyer grunted and leaned forward, his small eyes gleaming. But Bodiker frowned swiftly. “How many days?” queried Tony. The native held up six fingers. “Lordy, quite close! Ask him if it’s— what you said it might be, Plessons.” But this time the man shook his head and pointed to his circle. “Oh, well, that doesn’t matter,” said Tony. ‘Ask him if he’ll take us there.” The man, making a hideous noise, shook his head and nodded and, touching Tony, pointed toward where his master lay buried. “What in ——’s he getting at?” snapped Bodiker. “‘Beats me,” said Tony as Plessons began talking in Kiswahili. ‘Perhaps he means, though, that we must see to the old man’s share—his heirs I guess.” “Oh, to —— wit’ that bird,” mumbled Sawyer unnoticed as Tony intently watched the conversation. ““Can’t maike aht what he’s arter,”’ re- ported Plessons. ‘Seems to s’y, ‘Yus’ and then, ‘No.’ ” The man gave up making his gobbling noises and stared very shrewdly at each white in turn. After a prolonged regard he deliberately touched Tony and Plessons on their knees and nodded; then, indicating the other two, shook bis head. The mean- ing was obvious; even Sawyer got it; yet Bodiker pretended he didn’t understand, murmuring— ‘“‘What does the fellow mean?” “What’s he mean, the bonehead!’’ ex- claimed Sawyer. ‘‘He’s all set to take them guys and not us! I should worry! T'll soon fix him!” That one of the deeper passions in the man’s makeup had been stirred was re- vealed by the wicked glitter in the eyes. But Bodiker laughed. “Oh, you’ve got him all wrong, Sawyer,” said he smoothly. ‘He couldn’t have meant that, could he, Tony? Why, he’s never seen any of us before. All white men are alike to a nigger. D’you think he meant that, Tony?” “Seems to,’’ admitted Tony reluctantly. “What d’you think, Plessons?”’ “Very difficult to understand him,” returned the Australian. ‘Maybe the pore fella was just a-askin’ for some needle and thread to mend his trawsers.”’ Sawyer snorted violently. “Don’t try to be funny,’’ admonished Tony. “What d’you think he really means?”’ The guide regarded the native and then looked slowly at Tony. “Tt’s like this, Mr. Westlaike,” said he, regarding Tony all the time. “These here black fellas are rummy beggars. They kind o’ see things we can’t, and they has all sorts o’ rummy idees. Superstitions, y’ know. Maybe’—and his eyes twinkled— “he don’t taike a fancy ter Sawyer’s faice, or maybe he don’t taike ter Mr. Bodiker’s marf—and there yer are! Yer can’t do nohtin’ with him!” “Huh!” exploded Sawyer savagely. “That bird’s got another think coming!” “Tell him we’re partners,” said Tony, “and that we stick together.” For answer the man pantomimed kicking a prostrate body. Sawyer swore and threatened to strike him. | “All right,” said Bodiker suavely. ‘That doesn’t matter. You two fellers can go ahead and grab the stuff and we'll wait. Comes to the same thing in the end which of us two gets it; doesn’t it, Tony, old man? Say, you go right ahead and I’ll sit out this hand.” “No,” said Tony, frowning at some secret implication. “I don’t like the idea. Besides, Alick, it’s your outfit.” “Forget it,” said Bodiker. “‘No, no,” insisted Tony obstinately as he rose. “The fellow who puts up the dough has the say-so.” “But you and I are partners—fifty-fifty. Besides,’”’ added Bodiker with a boisterous laugh, ‘if you go under I’ll get your share or if I die of boredom sitting around you'll get mine. So what’s the odds?” “Oh what’s the good of arguing?” re- torted Tony. “I don’t like it; but what- ever you say, Alick, goes.” “Well, if we can’t get this fellow to be reasonable,’ concluded Bodiker, smiling slyly, ‘“you two go right ahead as I said, and we'll wait.” As Tony went off he told Plessons to take the man away, commenting— “Maybe he’ll come to his senses tomor- row.” “Say, Alick,” whispered Sawyer, husky with rage, “don’t let that sucker pull that CoMmichoolk Wh) CO 5}