Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 119: what you’re looking at

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

THE LADY FROM MACASSAR. gripped the child convulsively and a look of horror came into her face. Teema turned swiftly to Puddlewhit. “JT am here, my benefactor,” he an- nounced in clear, ringing tones. ‘‘ What would you have of me?” A. Puddlewhit weighed his words before replying. ‘“ Food for us all,” he declared laconically. “A place to sleep. The removal of these Battahs and a guarantee of thy protection. A messenger to the nearest port that a ship may be sent for us.” His gray eyes met Teema’s dark ones inquiringly. A twinkle came into those of the young ruler. “Thou art an inhospitable host, my ben- efactor,” he twitted slyly. ‘‘ Thou hast not asked me to sit.” “‘The- house is thine, Teema, sit,” Puddlewhit returned without change of countenance. ‘“ No, my benefactor, from the moment thou didst step within, it was thine,” Teema returned pleasantly, seating himself. ‘“ Then let me have it undisturbed,” Pud- dlewhit declared promptly. Teema laughed. ‘“‘In due time, my friend,” he replied. “ Now as to thy re- guests. Food, it shall be brought to you. A place to rest you have. But as to sending a messenger, I ask thee, father of goodness, does the leopard, once free of the cage, willingly return?” ‘Art thou free, Teema?” Puddlewhit asked quietly. Teema looked around at his watchful Battahs. More of them had crowded in- side the log house since his arrival, they now outnumbered the victims of the wreck three to one. They were all heavily armed. “Tt would seem so,” he returned, with a quizzical smile. “Art thou free, Teema?’’ Puddlewhit asked again, without change of tone. The young man looked puzzled. “ Explain thyself, my friend,” he returned tartly. “I de not like riddles.” “ T was thinking,” A. Puddlewhit replied, staring into the fire, “of thy promise to me, Teema.”’ The merry, insouciant expression left Teema’s face. He stroked his chin thought- 8 A 753 fully, with a furtive glance at the little gray-haired man beside him. Presently he nodded. “IT understand,” he replied with dignity. “Thou hast bound me with the fetters of my word. Teema’s promise is good. But—” He paused significantly. “I am king here, am I not?” he de- manded. ‘If thou keepest the agreement,” Pud- dlewhit returned, with sudden doubt. “TI shall keep the agreement,” Teema assured him. ‘ But this morning, when the sun is the fourth hour high, thou shalt see my justice, the justice of the king of the Battahs. Until then ye have leave to roam about as ye will, except that ye cannot stir beyond the limits of the village clearing. That is to avoid accident. Food will be brought here at once. Koela moendoer! —I depart in all politeness.” With a mocking smile and an engmatic twinkle in his eyes he leaped to his feet and strode away, the procession of Battahs fol- lowing. Til. Tuey had breakfasted. The food offered them was plentiful and good, breadfruit and rambutan and mangosteens, with the sweet milk of ripening coconuts and a mild- ly alcoholic tvak, or palm wine, for drink. Baked tkan was served also, but this Pud- dlewhit declined, although the Malaysians and some of the Chinese ate it with relish. Tt was the one flaw in the little man’s per- fect adaptability to Malaysian customs and mode of living, but then, no white man has ever come to look upon the sun baked fish of the humid tropics as a delicacy. The lady from Macassar toyed with a purple rambutan. ‘““T heard,” she said simply, referring to Teema’s parting threat. “ He is young, he will not listen to thee. No matter how great the debt he owes thee. Power is sweet to him, the taste does not yet cloy, and the exercise of power has not yet taught him discretion. Having seen bloodshed and much oppression in his boyhood, life weighs lightly in the scales with him. We can die but once. Who knows what awaits us in the next incarnation?” oO EORMCOOOKS (C@