Adventure Magazine Cover — page 101: what you’re looking at

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

Jungle Busigess tHe suhaaed again. “Why not, my * friend? And so can you. Consider. We do not’shoot at half a mile. From the close shelter of the adobe hotel we command a clear view of that paxiuba palm to which the cable is fastened; and we can take our leisure. Not in one shot may we succeed; nor in ten. But why not in fifty? While I shoot—or you, it does not matter—the other will prevent interference. And who will interfere? Our enemies are on the steamer, as surely marooned from the open bank as are we; and why should these others, neutrals, intrude themselves?” Picaro! The lad was right. It was no trick at all. For the first time I was able to laugh. I said no word, but stepped from his batelG@o into mine to fetch my rifle with © many shells. His own was ready. So we went without more ado to the adobe hut. The proprietor knew me of old; and with him I made no bones. [I told him simply that we proposed to use his house for a little while for our private purpose and that he would favor me by getting out swiftly and telling all those trader fellows that I, Theophilo, and my friend the Pelloroxo, would be engaged in a little business in which we desired no interference. Basta, that was all. Without question he left us. And the Pelloroxo, laughing «grimly, took a poncho from the bed and spread it on the dirt floor before the doorway. Then he lay down confidently on his belly and snuggled him- self to take an easy aim. “Bet you I hit it first crack,” said he. But he lost. I could see in the clear water beyond, against which the cable stood out stiff and black, that the ball had flown high. He called softly on the name of the —— after the manner of you gringos and 4ried again. This time was better. I saw a thin spurt of dust; and, after its passing, a little frayed edge of cord stood up against the light some two feet from the palm trunk. “Braval’’ I shouted. “I must join in this good sport.” But already footsteps were running to see what the shooting was about. I stepped quickly to the door to stand guard; and to those bateleros who came I said sternly that this was entirely a private matter to which I and my friend were attending ourselves. They offered no interference. But stood only, wondering. The Pelloroxo took no notice of them; but continued calmly to 99 shoot from within the hut. I was flattered at his confidence in me. Presently another little puff of dust flew from the cable; and then those others understood. But beyond a gasp of wonder and a thousand questions, they made no move to annoy me. “Por Diabo,” said one. ‘This will be a merry surprize to that stiff-necked cap- tain.” And another: | “To that Sylvestra bandido, too. I will wager you, friend Joao, that he cuts it in ten shots.” “T will stake a good machete against that,” said the first. So it was clear to me and a relief to my anxiety that these men bore no particular affection for that gang of ruffans who had once again preempted the steamer’s hold. Others of them took sides in the wagering and added to the play; and thereafter they cursed or cheered according as the shots went. possible interference from the steamer. As yet those on board knew nothing of the merry play, beyond wondering perhaps what all that steady shooting was about. But I took the precaution of slipping out of the hut and taking up a sheltered position in the nearby bushes from where I could command the deck if need should arise. To those who watched and wagered on the exciting sport I said: “Hola, there. Go one of you and warn your friends to stand clear of that cable; for this will not last long now, and when it parts it will snap back like a watch spring.” Wie BUT I was still speaking when @} an uproar suddenly arose on the steamer. Either they had felt ~ some vibration of the striking shots transmitted along the cable, or some- body friendly disposed had given a warning. There was a shouting and much aimless scurrying; till presently somebody thought _ to run out the gang plank, while impatient men with rifles waited fiercely to cross over and put a stop to the menace. Here was where the tables of surprize were to be turned upon that crew of bandits. I laughed, and fired a shot that rang like a cracked gong upon the plates of the steamer right at the feet of the men who handled the plank. Lead must have spattered into the face of one of them; for he yelled and leaped up, to fall and roll with his hands over his I was able to turn my attention to Eomicboo <S;€O