Adventure Magazine, December 10, 1924 — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

8 Adventure is supposed to do, he was proven otherwise. But what motive Bodiker had he could not guess; merely apparently the man’s temper- ament coming out at the contact with the primitive. However, a rational explana- tion of how a wound is caused doesn’t take much of the suffering away. HUIS dismal musings were disturbed by Wandie, his boy, calling him for the usual sundown peg, an institu- tion carefully—even by Bodiker—limited ostensibly to one drink only. As Tony advanced to the table Bodiker called out boisterously : ‘Come on, ol’ sourdough, and take a shot to waken you up!” ‘A second look, followed by a swift glance from the Australian, confirmed the suspicion that both Bodiker and Sawyer had taken more than the usual sundowner. Tony sat and drank his peg. Bodiker poured out for the.other three, saying — “We'll just have another one on you, Tony!” And he stood up with a sly smile followed by Sawyer, grinning. “Come on, Plessons!’’ urged Bodiker; and to Tony’s amazement, but evidently for courtesy’s sake, Plessons obeyed. ‘Now, Anthony Gunner Westlake, here’s congratu- lations and a long life!” “Long and as rich as a bootlegger’s!”’ said Sawyer, grinning widely. “But—what—lI don’t understand,” began Tony. “Don’t you know the date?” ““Er—October, isn’t it?” “Holy ——, he fergets his own date!” shouted Sawyer. “The twenty-seventh!” reminded Bodi- ker. “Your birthday, man!’’ “Oh, sure; that’s right,” agreed Tony, feeling a trifle embarrassed. ‘Thanks very much!” They drank and sat down. Bodiker yelled for food. When the table was set Tanuka appeared with another bottle of whisky and two of champagne. Again Tony caught Plessons’ eye and had a hunch that if they drank something would get started. Yet what could he do? He wasn’t in command. “Too hot to drink much, Alick,” he sug- gested quietly. ‘“‘Let’s halve it?” “Oh don’t give us that apple sauce!” laughed Bodiker. ' “Sing yer pussyfoot song!” urged Sawyer insolently. “Don’t feel in song tonight,” returned Tony amicably. ‘Thank —— for great mercies!’’ sneered Bodiker. Now to men unaccustomed to liquor a few drinks in an equatorial climate may have a rapid effect; already Sawyer’s eyes in the light of the hurricane lamp were 3 Ue RUWEN ZORI P9TS. j (BRIT: ) Aw “TANGANYIKA BRITISH slightly wild and his features tougher than usual. Bodiker showed too an unneces- sary loudness of voice. And champagne and whisky do not mix well. The swollen African moon crept over the forest edge, killing the lantern light to a mere yellow leaf. Afar rose an occasional irritable yapping of jackals. From the group of porters around the smoky cooking fires the hum of chatter blended with the nocturnal chant of the mosquitoes. The meal passed without any rupture, due to the restraint of Tony, who was reso- lutely determined not to quarrel. But the gaseous wine on top of the whisky was work- ing on Sawyer; he began to address even more openly insolent remarks, and Tony’s policy of ignoring him infuriated him the more. As the coffee was brought he inter- rupted Plessons, who was talking about the trail, a topic introduced purposely by Tony to sidetrack the dangerous subject of the dumb Swahili. “Huh! Guess you think ye’re a wise guy, Tony?” , } Tony was aware of the slightly bloodshot eyes boring into him and the aggressive hunch of the massive shoulders; he was conscious too that his own fingers were shaking with nervous irritation; but he smiled at Bodiker, who had quieted down and was being as amiable as he knew how CoMmicbhool A) (© =